Latest News from the City of Yorba Linda

A Message from the City Manager


Welcome to February. After a very wet and cold January, I think we are all looking forward to some slightly warmer weather in the forecast, but let's not forget to enjoy the unique rewards of this season. All this rain means that Yorba Linda's hillsides are lush with grass and, very soon, blooming flowers and trees all over town. It's a great time to get outside, stay active & get healthy, and enjoy all the natural beauty that permeates Yorba Linda. Our City is lucky to have so many wonderful parks and trails to explore; it might be time to add "visit every Yorba Linda park and trail" to your bucket list.


One bit of news I am excited to highlight is that Yorba Linda's Regal Theater will remain open! While our theater was previously announced as one of several SoCal locations that would be closing in the wake of Cineworld’s bankruptcy, Regal’s ownership just came to terms with the Yorba Linda Town Center’s owners, Zelman Retail Partners, to keep Regal Yorba Linda open. That means our beautiful new theater, with an IMAX screen, comfortable seating options, great food and beverage choices, and (of course) the biggest movies, will continue to welcome fans from Yorba Linda and beyond. This is particularly good news because anchor tenants like movie theaters help drive foot traffic to retail areas, which is beneficial for the overall health and vitality of the Town Center. So if you’re excited like we are, show your support by visiting the theater soon.


Thanks for being an important part of the best community in the world!


Best Regards,


Mark Pulone

City Manager

City Council Meeting Recap

Want to learn more about the decisions and actions of the Yorba Linda City Council? The latest City Council meeting recap is now available online. These recaps briefly summarize the City Council's activities until the official minutes are adopted (generally at the next meeting). In addition, City Council Meeting agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the Agendas and Minutes page on the City's website.

Two fire fighters standing next to girl holding gifts

Yorba Linda in the News


We want to give a shout-out to a very special Yorba Linda resident, 10-year-old Sydney, for making the news with her acts of kindness! For the last two years in a row, Sydney has collected cans all year long and used the recycling proceeds to create care packages for local firefighters and police officers. Truly, our community has no age limit when it comes to showing our appreciation for our first responders. Thanks, Sydney, for being an example for all of us!


All year long, we are focusing on honoring Yorba Linda’s unsung hometown heroes – the people who live up to our community’s highest ideals of service and engagement – but we need your help! If you know someone who deserves to be highlighted, no matter their age, tell us! Please send us an email with a brief description. Selected individuals will be honored at a council meeting, and we will share their stories on our social media channels. Thank you!

City Council Appoints Commissioners


Over the last month, the City Council has appointed or reappointed Yorba Linda residents to serve a four-year term on several City commissions. The appointments include:


Library Commission

  • Ryan Bent
  • James Granitto


Parks and Recreation

  • Jess Battaglia (serving the remainder of a vacated term ending December 31, 2024)
  • Doug Dickerson
  • Erin Hamilton
  • Rachel McLure


Planning

  • Don Bernstein
  • Nathaniel Behura
  • Michael Masterson


Traffic

  • Matthew Cugini
  • Dennis Equitz
  • Michael Rothans


The City would like to thank Karalee Darnell for her three terms (12 years) serving on the Planning Commission, as well as Nathaniel Behura for serving three terms (12 years) on the Traffic Commission.

Adventure Playground Renovation Moving Along


The exciting renovation of Adventure Playground is nearing the finish line, and we can’t wait to debut the transformation of this beloved facility! Recent work includes the installation of the three-tower playground structure’s various play features, such as the large slide, climbing netting, and bridges. The crew is also installing wood cladding to each of the towers and steel beams, steel mesh side panels, and other components to the playground.


Several concrete mow curbs have been poured in preparation for the ADA walkway. Landscapers are onsite to finish installing the irrigation system, which will be followed by the planting of trees and other plants. We are pushing for an April re-opening of Adventure Playground; more details are coming soon. If you’re too excited to wait, check out the latest drone construction footage!

An "open" sign on a business window

Exciting New Businesses Coming to Yorba Linda

Yorba Linda is constantly attracting new businesses to open their doors in our exceptional community. We're currently tracking the development of several exciting restaurants and other companies planning to open shop in Yorba Linda soon, including:


  • Clydes Hot Chicken – Opening very soon (Arroyo & School Street);
  • D&D Fire Art Chinese Cuisine NOW OPEN in Eastlake Village Center;
  • Jalapeños – Coming Soon (Stater Bros. Center);
  • Sushi Imari – Coming to the Packing House Square soon;
  • Handel's Homemade Ice Cream - Coming to the Packing House Square in 2023;
  • Bruster's Ice Cream - Coming to Eastlake Village;
  • Denny's – Location on Richfield Road & Yorba Linda Boulevard opening soon; and
  • Target – opening in the former OSH building at Valley View Center in Spring 2023.


The City presents these exciting updates and announcements about new businesses as information develops. For more information about opening a business in Yorba Linda, contact our Economic Development Manager at 714-961-7105.

Yorba Linda's LMAD Is Water-Wise!


The City's Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) keeps Yorba Linda looking beautiful and green. The latest LMAD water-wise project we're undertaking is located on the east side of Village Center Drive from Vista Laguna to Via Marwah. City staff worked with a landscape architect firm to develop a cohesive design incorporating climate-adapted plants and water-wise irrigation. This project is unique because we are converting a hillside with a spray system to a drip-irrigated slope. Spray irrigation is less efficient than drip irrigation because sprayed water droplets are more susceptible to environmental factors. In contrast, drip irrigation minimizes water loss by directing water directly to the root zone.


The water-wise landscape palette includes plants that require less water and can tolerate more heat once established. Additionally, we chose plants for their aesthetic value and included plants that bloom, feature varying textures, and new trees to provide height to complement the Eastlake Community. We're working closely with Merchants Landscape Service to review all plant materials being installed and keep to our construction schedule to ensure a successful project. The project should be completed by early summer.

Bastanchury Road Widening Starting Soon


Providing the best road facilities for our community is one of our highest priorities. Our latest project includes the widening of Bastanchury Road between Casa Loma and Eureka avenues with an additional thru lane in each direction and the installation of new traffic signals at those intersections. In addition, a new sidewalk will be installed on the north side to provide continuous pedestrian connectivity, while the multipurpose trail on the south side will be reconstructed. Another feature of this project is the change in vertical curvature of the roadway to provide an improved line of sight for motorists traveling along Bastanchury Road.


The project is set to begin this month and will continue through early 2024. The public will experience delays during this project, but we are working hard with the contractor to minimize the impacts. The contractor will be required to phase construction and maintain one lane of travel in each direction of Bastanchury Road at all times. The public should also expect impacts due to traffic control measures, such as lane reductions and reduced speed limits through the work zone. At times, detours may be implemented to facilitate traffic around the project. Project signage and digital changeable message boards will be in place to advise motorists of the approaching construction work. Thank you for your patience while we make this stretch of Bastanchury better for everyone!

Get Ready for Spring Recreation!


Yorba Linda offers the best recreation classes, programs, and events in the area, and it's time to get ready for our spring lineup! The Spring 2023 Guide is available to view online now and will soon be delivered to residents’ mailboxes! Spring registration for residents opens on Wednesday, February 15 at 10 a.m. (non-residents on March 1). To access the guide online or to register, visit YLRecOnline.com.

Small Business Relief Grant Application Deadline Extended to February 17


The City of Yorba Linda's Small Business Relief Program is back for a fourth round of grant funding! Thanks to funding from the County of Orange, we're providing grants to help local businesses in their ongoing recovery from COVID-19 impacts. We’re looking to give up to $9,650 to approximately 16 Yorba Linda businesses that didn’t receive an award in prior rounds of this program, and we just extended our deadline to February 17 to make sure we can get the word out. To learn more and apply, visit the City's website.

Happy Presidents Day

City Facilities Closed for Presidents Day

In observance of Presidents Day, all City facilities will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023. Please note that there will be no delay for residential trash pickup.

Annual Pavement Preservation Project (Zone 6) Resuming Soon


Due to the recent rains and asphalt supply interruptions, construction of this year’s annual pavement preservation program has experienced some delays. However, we expect the asphalt-overlay portion of the project to be completed this month, with slurry sealing to start shortly thereafter. As a refresher, this year’s project is intended to cover the areas east of Village Center Drive, north of Esperanza Road, and south and west of Yorba Linda Boulevard. However, the program will defer the Travis Ranch school area and Esperanza Road improvements until next year to better synchronize with the summer school break and anticipated utility work in the area.


The overall project is scheduled to be completed by March. Properties directly impacted by the work will be notified via door hangers specific to the area of work. During construction, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to be prepared for delays or take alternate routes, watch for traffic or lane changes, proceed slowly, and stay alert to workers and equipment in the roadway.

Workers pack fruit on an assembly line.

New Packing House Exhibit at the Library


Visit the Library’s new exhibit to get a glimpse back into the colorful history of the packing houses in Yorba Linda. These facilities were essential to the distribution of citrus across California, and now you can get a glimpse of these fascinating places and the people who worked in them. The exhibit includes brightly colored citrus box labels, which decorated the boxes transporting the fruit, and photographs showcasing the individuals who kept the historic packing houses running. The photographs are presented in black and white, as well as colored versions brought to life with the help of artificial intelligence!

Don't Get Sidelined by a DUI


With a certain "big game" happening this Sunday, the City of Yorba Linda and Yorba Linda Police Services has an important message! Don’t get sidelined by a DUI - stay in the game! If you know you’ll be drinking, plan ahead for a safe ride home before you leave home. Remember, fans don’t let fans (or friends) drive drunk!

Nominate a Yorba Linda Athlete for our Athletic Achievement Wall of Fame Today!


Since 1999, the City of Yorba Linda has honored exceptional athletic accomplishments by individual athletes (or teams) in Yorba Linda and outstanding contributions to athletic organizations serving Yorba Linda through the Athletic Achievement Recognition Wall of Fame program. 


Past honorees include Jonathan Pettibone, Dan Kennedy, Heather Brown, Travis Kirschke, and Don Aase. For a full list of past inducted honorees, visit the Wall of Fame page on the City's website.


We are currently accepting nominations for this year's honoree, and we invite the community to help us find a worthy individual/team to immortalize on our Wall of Fame. Nomination forms are available on the City's website or at any city facility. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 3, 2023, either online or in person at the Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House. For more information about the Wall of Fame program, please call 714-961-7192.

Business Watch

New Business Watch Program Launched

Yorba Linda Police Services is committed to bolstering partnerships with the City and business community and is excited to present Business Watch -- a free crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of business owners in cooperation with law enforcement as we all aim to prevent crime. 


Modeled after the nationwide Neighborhood Watch program, Business Watch encourages neighboring businesses to form a community that looks out for each other, communicates important information, and reports suspicious activity and crime. These cooperative efforts make for a successful crime-fighting team and offer mutual aid assistance in times of disaster. This significantly impacts law enforcement’s ability to maintain safer business establishments and commercial complexes while cooperating with businesses. 


Business Watch offers many benefits, including prompt after-hours notifications of incidents at the location, pertinent crime trend alerts, increased communication with Yorba Linda Police Services and fellow merchants, and timely safety tips or recommendations.


To register today, visit the City’s website to complete the Business Watch Enrollment Form (PDF). This information remains confidential and is essential in allowing us to contact business owners if a crime occurs at their business or in the event of an emergency. 


To finalize registration, a representative from Yorba Linda Police Services will arrange a time to visit the business and adhere a Business Watch sticker to the storefront window. Contact the Crime Prevention Specialist at 714-779-7098 or by email to learn more.

2023 O C F A Open House Save the Date

Join OCFA for Open House!


Join the Orange County Fire Authority on Saturday, March 4, 2023 for Open House! This all-day event is great fun for the whole family and will be held OCFA's headquarters in Irvine. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your local firefighters, learn fire safety, and even put out pretend fires. Visit OCFA.org for updates and to learn more!

Yorba Linda City Championship

Play in the Yorba Linda City Championship Tournament

The 2023 Yorba Linda City Championship is set to take place on March 18-19, 2023, at Black Gold Golf Club. This contest is a two-day event that will feature many of the region's top collegiate and amateur players competing for the "Yorba Linda City Champion" designation. The Yorba Linda City Championship is open to all amateur golfers with a valid USGA Handicap Index who are at least 15 years of age at the event's start. Both Championship (Gross) and Net flights will be offered for Men, Women, and Seniors.


The Yorba Linda City Championship is one of the premier amateur golf tournaments in Orange County. Not only is it an honor to host some of the best amateur golfers in Southern California, but the event also presents an opportunity to showcase our beautiful facility, extraordinary staff, and outstanding golf course, which make Black Gold the preferred golf tournament venue in the area. Registration for the Yorba Linda City Championship is available in the golf shop at Black Gold and on their website.


To learn more about the exceptional services provided by Black Gold, please visit www.blackgoldgolf.com or view their flyer.

Preventing and Treating Burns


Every 60 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a burn severe enough to require treatment. Burns and scalds can occur from specific tools, appliances, hot water, or the sun. Use the following information to help treat and prevent burn injury:


Types of Burns

  • First-degree burns (minor) usually result in skin redness and mild pain;
  • Second-degree burns (moderate) are typically bright red with a moist or blistered appearance;
  • Third-degree burns (severe) usually appear charred or ashen and are black or brown in color; and
  • These burns can result in devastating injury, including the loss of function, loss of limbs, disfigurement, reoccurring infection, and even death.


How to Treat a Burn

  • Turn off the heat source and make sure the surroundings are safe;
  • Remove clothing and jewelry near a burn, but do not peel off clothing stuck to the burn;
  • Run cool water (not cold or icy) on the burn for 5-10 minutes until the pain subsides;
  • Apply an antibiotic ointment or dressing to the burn to keep it moist. Do not use creams or greasy substances like butter, toothpaste, or eggs which can cause infection; and
  • Call 9-1-1 if you have a burn that affects your mobility or sensation, for any burn larger than your hand, or if the burn affects the feet, face, eyes, or genitalia.


Burn Prevention Tips

  • Create a safety zone of at least three feet around hot objects or appliances;
  • Do not leave hot objects unattended and unplug tools when not in use; and
  • Keep hot objects away from counter edges and out of the reach of children.


For more fire prevention tips, visit OCFA's website.

Tips for Preventing Overwatering


During the rainy season, one of the biggest challenges for home gardeners is determining the correct watering frequency and quantity needed to maintain a healthy lawn and garden. When plants appear droopy or discolored, more water might seem like the answer. However, over-watering is often the culprit of plant discoloration and other issues. Preventing over-watering in your yard will not only improve the health of your plants but will also prevent harmful pollutants from entering the ocean as excess irrigation can wash pesticides, fertilizers, and other pollutants through storm drains. Improve the health of your garden while preventing pollution by following these simple tips:


  • During the fall and winter months, your lawn needs far less water than during the summer. Adjust sprinkler controls to water less during these seasons;
  • Determine if your lawn is adequately watered by using his trick - if your blades of grass spring up after you step on them, they are adequately watered;
  • Evaluate your lawn's health by its color - if it is vibrant green and is not pale, it is receiving enough water. If your lawn becomes less verdant, it may need nutrients and not water; consider consulting a gardening professional; and
  • Water in the early morning before sunrise to reduce water loss due to evaporation.
calendar

Upcoming Events

Spring Recreation Registration Opens

Wednesday, February 15 at 10 a.m. (for residents)

Presidents Day

All City Facilities closed

on Monday, February 20


City Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 21

6:30 p.m.

City Council Chambers

View Online

OCFA Open House

Saturday, March 4

1 Fire Authority Road

Irvine, CA 92602.

City Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 7

6:30 p.m.

City Council Chambers

View Online

Pickleball Meetups

January 10 - March 30

Tuesdays at Box Canyon Park

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Thursdays at Brush Canyon Park

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-961-7100
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