Yorba Linda
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Serving Yorba Linda since 1917
AN EDITION OF
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 20 1 3
OCREGISTER.COM/YORBALINDA
PHOTOS: JEBB HARRIS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sunlight filters through one of the last major orange groves in Yorba Linda, which was started as a citrus and oil town. Three groves lie along the Santa Ana River, in the flood-control area, so they will be protected from development for the foreseeable future.
SLICE OF HISTORY BY DANIEL LANGHORNE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
There are still orange groves in town, as OC Public Works owns three that hug a Santa Ana River bank.
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ommuters slogging along the 91 through Yorba Linda probably don’t know that within their view are three of the county’s last commercial orange groves. The 24.69 acres of trees are squeezed between the Santa Ana River to the south and condominiums, tract homes and the BNSF Railway to the north. The Orange County Flood Control District acquired the groves in 1987 as part of a 240-acre purchase from land developer CW Associates. The district wanted to prevent development here in case the Prado Dam ever needs to release water in an emergency. And the orange trees, well, they look nice. “We decided to keep the orange groves for aesthetic reasons,” said Nadia Haidar, a spokeswoman for OC Public Works, which
OTHER COUNTY-OWNED ORANGE GROVES George Key Historic Park, an acre of trees in Placentia: In recent years, the county has allowed Second Harvest Food Bank to harvest here. Santiago Oaks Regional Park, 5 acres of trees in Orange: The county has contracted the Corona-College Heights Orange and Lemon Association to harvest and pack the oranges. Irvine Ranch Historic Park, about 2 acres of trees in Irvine: There is even an orange grove at the OC Parks headquarters. Source: OC Parks
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The orange groves in Yorba Linda are owned by OC Public Works’ flood division.
Local schools see increases, drops Townhomes near Nixon library in state’s recently released scores get OK, to finish in two years BY SARAH TULLY AND FERMIN LEAL ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
State test results for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District showed an overall improvement in the Academic Performance Index score. Among elementary, middle and high schools, 15 schools increased their API scores. Sixteen schools reported drops. Bryant Ranch Elementary School’s scores stayed the same. Yorba Linda schools’ individual scores, released last week, are on Page 4. API scores show how students fare on a scale of 200-1,000 and are taken
The state has released the latest API scores, which show how students fare on a scale of 200 to 1,000.
FILE PHOTO: , ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
from state test scores and – for high schools – graduation rates. The state’s API accountability system measures improvement in student achievement each year. All schools are expected to boost scores by
2 to 5 points annually until they reach 800. California also released scores showing how many students are proficient in English and math at each school; these numbers also can be found on Page 4.
BY DANEL LANGHORNE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The developer of 51 townhomes is expected to break ground on a site across the street from the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum by October after being greenlighted by the Planning Commission. The commission unanimously approved the project proposed by Brandywine Homes, which will be on 5.1 acres southeast of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Eureka Avenue. Construction of the townhomes will take two years; the land is mostly vacant now. “The Brandywine Pro-
ject across from the Nixon Library not only represents a revitalization of the area, it is a step in the right direction in providing a diversified housing stock for residents of all ages,” said Planning Commissioner Karalee Brooke in an email. Brett Whitehead, president of Brandywine Homes, presented the design of the project to the Planning Commission last week. The developer plans to integrate the non-gated community into the surrounding area with craftsmanstyle architecture, stone veneer and landscaping similar to the Presidential Walk community north of the li-
brary. The floor plans include 1,800 to 2,100 square feet per home and feature three or four bedrooms and twocar garages. Among the amenities will be a clubhouse with a community meeting room, a pool area, a grassy area where children can play, and benches. Jim Burke of Anaheim Hills said his family has owned the site of the future homes, 18022 Yorba Linda Blvd., since 1953 and has been trying to develop it for the past 12 years. He said there have been roadS E E H O M E S ● PA G E 3