ANAHEIM : Annexation Plan Divides Neighbors

Tom Savage has lived in Anaheim for 20 years and has no desire to live in another city. He feels safe protected by Anaheim police and likes living in a community that has Disneyland, the Angels and the Mighty Ducks.

But if Yorba Linda Mayor John M. Gullixson has his way, Savage will no longer reside in Anaheim but will instead be a resident of the Land of Gracious Living.

Gullixson’s recently announced desire to annex Esperanza High School would add a high school and a plethora of recreational facilities to his city, but standing between the school and Yorba Linda are about 100 houses--all in Anaheim. To get the school, Yorba Linda must annex about 12 residential streets, where residents have varying reactions to the idea.

“I would not support it,” Savage said. “Anaheim has its own city services, and businesses such as Disneyland keep our taxes lower.”

Savage, who lives across the street from the high school, said he is also concerned that the Brea Police Department, which services Yorba Linda, would not respond as quickly as Anaheim police.

Oakley V. Morgan Jr., who also lives near the high school, is concerned how such a move might affect his taxes.

Taxes “would be my biggest concern,” Savage said. “I’m happy with Anaheim and have no reason to leave the city.”

But John Tharp, who lives on Cresthill Drive, said he considers himself a de facto Yorba Linda resident already and would welcome that city annexing his neighborhood.

“I would prefer being a Yorba Linda resident,” Tharp said. “We’re only four houses away from the border, and I’ve often wondered why we aren’t part of Yorba Linda.”

Tharp said he shops in Yorba Linda, takes his 3-year-old daughter to Yorba Linda parks and volunteers in that city’s organizations.

“I affiliate more with Yorba Linda, and I tell everyone that’s where we live,” Tharp said.

Rod McCammon, who also lives on Cresthill Drive, shares Tharp’s desire to change cities without moving.

“Most of my shopping and recreational needs are taken care of by Yorba Linda. I would just as soon live in that community,” McCammon said.

The path to annexation has several hurdles. Gullixson must get the support of both city councils and a majority of the homeowners in the area. A public hearing will be held, resolutions must be passed and the whole plan must be approved by the Local Agency Formation Committee.

In the meantime, Gullixson’s announcement has prompted a flurry of activity among city and school officials. The school is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and about 80% of its students live in Yorba Linda.

Yorba Linda Assistant City Manager David Gruchow said city staff members have been researching the financial impact of annexing the school and surrounding neighborhoods, including whether residents of the area would pay more for such services as cable television, trash and water.

While Supt. James O. Fleming said he does not think annexation would affect the school, he also has asked his staff to research the financial ramifications.