YORBA LINDA : No Gas or Fast Food at Site of New Center

The City Council has agreed to allow a shopping center planned for the east end of the city to expand by 3.6 acres but refused to allow a gas station and fast-food restaurant there.

The expansion of the center, which is expected to include a Ralphs market and Thrifty Drug Store, was allowed in a 3-1 vote. Council member Henry W. Wedaa was not present.

The council voted unanimously against plans for a gas station and a fast-food restaurant which, they argued, would bring commuter traffic into the city from the Riverside Freeway.

“I will not vote for any gas station that invites commuters to stop and buy gas,” said Councilman Irwin Fried.

John O’Mara, a representative of the Costa Mesa-based Diversified Shopping Center Inc., said that without the gas station and Carl’s Jr. restaurant, developers would “have to make some major changes to make this project fiscally feasible.”

About 30 residents appeared at the meeting Tuesday, and many agreed with Fried and the other council members.

“These components will turn our neighborhood into a commuter pit stop,” said resident Leslie Boies.

But those who spoke in favor of the expansion said a large, well-planned shopping center is needed at the corner of La Palma Avenue and Via Lomas de Yorba East, because the nearest grocery store is more than four miles away.

Resident Ken Ryan said the city has a responsibility to make such amenities available to those who live in the area. “If they weren’t going to provide these services, they shouldn’t have allowed so many (housing) units in the east end of town,” he said.

O’Mara said the inclusion of the parcel next to the site is necessary because it would give the center access to a side street, increasing convenience for shoppers.

Councilman Mark Schwing cast the only vote against any expansion, stating that an environmental impact report of the plans for the larger site should be submitted to the council before any decision is made.