YORBA LINDA : Developer Runs Up Flags; City Salutes

The fluttering flags that are a common sight at many new home developments around the county may soon wave in Yorba Linda.

The City Council voted this week to consider amending the city code to allow the flags, currently banned for advertising purposes, along with balloons, banners and anything that flutters.

The amendment comes at the request of the Ross Co., developer of a project in the hills off Yorba Linda Boulevard and Stonehaven Drive. In a letter to the council, W. Ross Mollard, president of Ross Co., cited the economic downturn as a compelling reason for the city to amend the code.

“Sales are very slow and traffic has been the same,” Mollard wrote. “Ross Co.’s request . . . is based on the severe economic hardship being experienced by builders in Yorba Linda.”

While most cities in the county allow flags at new home sites, Yorba Linda has banned them on the grounds that they clutter up the city, said Patricia Haley, the city’s community development director.

Ross Co. installed flags at its Yorba Vista development about a month ago. According to Mollard, the company knew it was a violation but assumed the ordinance would not be enforced.

“In the 1980s, the code was not enforced, and it hasn’t been enforced” at other developments, Mollard said.

According to Mollard, since the flags were installed visits to the site have increased from 60 a week to at least 135 per week.

Councilman Mark Schwing said he was surprised to learn that flags, which are common in other cities, weren’t allowed at new home sites in Yorba Linda. He pointed out that the city code allows two flags at a resale property.

Schwing also noted that in the city’s early days, houses were built close to major streets and were highly visible. Now, most new developments are located on hills and in canyons and flags are needed to draw attention to them.

Although the city must hold a public hearing on the amendment before the council can vote on it, City Atty. Leonard Hampel said code enforcement would be suspended immediately.