Yorba Linda Council Takes Stand Against Gypsum Canyon Jail

Apparently headed for a courtroom showdown, the Yorba Linda City Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday opposing a new jail in Gypsum Canyon and vowing to use “whatever means are necessary to defeat the project.”

Mayor Henry W. Wedaa said the city will probably file a lawsuit against the county, which is planning to build a facility in the canyon to help relieve overcrowding at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana. Yorba Linda would act jointly with Anaheim, Wedaa said.

“The only option we are aware of now is to work with Anaheim on legal action,” Wedaa said. Anaheim Mayor Fred Hunter said Yorba Linda and Anaheim have already conferred about their joint effort and Anaheim will probably pay the “lion’s share” of legal costs. While no lawsuit will be filed soon, Hunter said it “appears that that’s where we’re going. We have already hired a legal” representative.

Other Options Sought

Hunter said Anaheim is trying other options to avoid legal action. The city supported a successful initiative which will appear on the ballot next June, requiring any new county jails to be built in Santa Ana.

The jail “should go in Santa Ana where it belongs,” Wedaa said. “Santa Ana wants to be the seat of the county, so as far as I am concerned they should have all the county buildings.”

Rick Violet, who represents Tax Payers for a Centralized Jail, said he hopes a lawsuit will be filed challenging the validity of an environmental impact report prepared for the jail proposal. The report concludes there that will be no adverse impacts from construction. The jail will have no impact on the surrounding property values or public safety, the report says.

The council’s action Friday, Wedaa said, is in response to concerns about excess traffic on the Riverside Freeway near the jail site, a loss in value of nearby real estate, costs of operation and potential escapes.

Concerned About Escapes

Residents are “concerned about people escaping from this facility,” Wedaa said.

There are still obstacles to a jail in Gypsum Canyon, Hunter said.

“Orange County does not own the land, the Irvine Co. does,” Hunter said. “The only way the county would be able to get the land is by exercising its power of eminent domain,” or the right of government to take private property for public use.

Hunter said the jail should be built near other government buildings in Santa Ana.

“It’s common sense to build it (the jail) next to the courthouse with a tunnel connecting the two,” Hunter said. “Then there are no transportation costs and no chance of escape.” The city has until Sep. 29 to file a lawsuit against the county.

Linda Hickman contributed to this story.