YORBA LINDA

Resident Ed Rakochy has withdrawn his lawsuit against the city and is redirecting his push for historic preservation with a newly formed citizens group instead.

Rakochy, a resident of Park Place, recently sued the city after the council approved plans for a second-story addition to his neighbor’s 80-year-old home. The lawsuit claimed there were not enough studies done on the project before it was approved.

Rakochy said Friday that he has filed the paperwork to dismiss the lawsuit and will focus his efforts instead on the Yorba Linda Historical Conservancy, which was formed to educate citizens and promote the preservation of historic resources.

“I’m hoping that when we look at the big picture, we’re going to get a lot more support for our efforts,” he said. Rakochy said he decided to drop the lawsuit, believing that even if the courts ordered additional studies to be done, the newly elected council majority would approve the addition anyway.

The conservancy plans to work closely with the city as it draws up plans to renovate Old Town. For information, call (714) 528-7279.