Yorba Linda : Fees for Freeways Plan Gets Tentative Approval

The City Council has given preliminary approval to a plan that would levy fees on developers to raise cash for proposed freeways in eastern Orange County.

If final approval is given, Yorba Linda will join the county and cities of Orange, Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano in endorsing the fees designated for building freeways in the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor. San Juan Capistrano also contributes funds to the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor.

Under the plan, developers in Yorba Linda would be assessed at $920 for a single-family home, $535 for an apartment unit and $1.05 per square foot for non-residential developments. City Atty. Leonard Hampel said that the fees would be imposed on building permits taken out after Dec. 21, which is 60 days after the council’s scheduled Oct. 21 vote on a final approval of the fees.

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor runs from the Riverside Freeway in eastern Anaheim to San Clemente.

Roy Stephenson, city public works director, said that residential development will occur in Yorba Linda with or without the freeways. He said that he expects to see some preliminary construction work in four to five years.