Official Seal of the City of Yorba Linda CITY of YORBA LINDA West Bastanchury Site

West Bastanchury Site

The West Bastanchury Site is a 27-acre undeveloped City-owned property near Lakeview Elementary School and Vista Del Verde Park. It has remained vacant for decades, despite previous planning efforts.

Residents are invited to help define and shape what might become of the Site through a transparent and collaborative process.

Community Conversation Resources Get project updates

The Site's Story

The last undeveloped part of the Vista Del Verde neighborhood

Vacant ~30 years
City-owned 27 acres
1 Community Vision
what should this land become?

The City acquired 13 acres at the West Bastanchury Site in 1977 and another 27 acres (subject to deed restrictions) in 1995. In August 2021, the City sold the southerly 13 acres (from 1977) to Shea Homes. That left approximately 27 acres under City ownership.

The deed restrictions, which were part of the Vista Del Verde development, limit how the Site can be used and, as a result, the Site has remained vacant despite previous planning efforts and interest from third parties.

Tap the outlines for details. Map is for general orientation only — not a survey.

How We Got Here

  • 1977

    The City purchases the southerly 13 acres with no restrictions; for years it is leased for vegetable and Christmas tree farming.

  • 1993

    A General Plan update creates the comprehensive, master-planned development that becomes the Vista Del Verde neighborhood.

  • 1995

    City purchases the northerly 27 acres subject to deed restrictions.

  • 1999

    The Bridlewood Estates tract is approved just east of the Site; homebuyers sign disclosures about a school planned for the Site.

  • 2003

    The City leases the Site to Yorba Linda Friends' Church which intends to develop a private high school.

  • 2005

    Yorba Linda Friends' Church's school project begins with rough grading, utilities, and abandonment of the old oil wells.

  • 2013

    The Church is unable to finance its school and the Site reverts to the City. The Site has remained vacant since.

  • 2014

    An Urban Land Institute study identifies 38 possible uses reflecting more than 180 resident suggestions.

  • 2021

    Shea Homes purchases the southerly 13 acres of the Site and builds 23 single-family homes.

  • Today

    The Site remains vacant awaiting its next chapter.

An opportunity to shape the Site's future

The City is excited to engage with residents on options for developing the West Bastanchury Site. As a first step in that process, the State must authorize the City to potentially sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the Site. This is a procedural step, and it does not approve any land use nor does it decide what gets built. That conversation comes next and will start with the City engaging the community.

A Community Centered Process

If authorization is received from the State, the City will lead a transparent and collaborative process working with the community to explore what the Site could become.

There is no predetermined answer, but any viable proposal will need to meet several basic conditions.

It must integrate into the surrounding community.
It must have a realistic source of financing and be able to support its continuing operations.
It must contribute to the public services for Yorba Linda residents.
It must also comply with the 1995 deed restrictions.

You're invited to be part of the process as the City works through the bureaucratic steps required to consider the Site's future. The City is committed to a transparent, collaborative, community-centered process to explore what the Site could become.

Thank You for Joining UsThe Community Conversation was held on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Lakeview Elementary School. Residents came to learn about the Site's history, the road ahead and how the community will remain involved. This was the start of a conversation that continues in early 2027, pending the State's authorization of the City's request. See the Resources section to access everything shared at the meeting.
Stay InvolvedIf the State authorizes the City's request, public engagement will begin in early 2027. The City will lead a transparent, collaborative, community-centered process to explore what the Site could become. The details of that process will be approved by the City Council and shared publicly before it begins.
Stay ConnectedPlease sign up for updates so that you stay informed when additional engagement opportunities are announced, and when the proposal process begins.

The Process

Fall 2026: a required first step under state law

The State's authorization must be secured before the City can consider any new use on the vacant Site. This is a procedural step, and it does not decide any land uses nor what gets built on the Site.

On September 15, 2026, the City Council approved a resolution asking the State to authorize the City to potentially sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the Site. This requirement is State law.

If the State approves the City's request (anticipated in late October 2026) the City will conduct additional public engagement in early 2027.

1
Completed · September 15

State Request. The City Council approved a resolution asking the State to authorize the City to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the Site. This action is strictly procedural.

2
We're here → Late October

State Response. The City anticipates the State's response in late October 2026.

3
After that

Open for Public Feedback. If the City receives the State's authorization, the City Council and the community begin the process of exploring the Site's future.

4
Later

Open for Public Feedback. The details of that process, including how ideas are submitted and reviewed, are defined and shared.

Your Role

What's Set and What's Open for Public Feedback

There are several important factors that will help guide the conversation and shape what may ultimately be possible for the Site. Some parts of the process are set by law. Others are open for public feedback. If the State authorizes the City's request, the City will explore the future of the Site with the community, with additional public engagement in early 2027.

Set by Legal Context and Circumstance

A State process is required firstState approval is required before the City can consider the Site's future. That is State law, not a City preference.
Deed restrictions limit what can be built hereThe deed restrictions that were part of the Vista Del Verde development can only be released by the party that holds them.
Any new use must be economically viableWhat can be built on the Site is largely dictated by the cost of development and economic benefit to the community.

Ways the Community Can Be Involved

Community BenefitsWhat the project contributes to the neighborhood.
Ideas for the SiteShare your vision as the process moves forward.
DesignHeight, setbacks, landscaping, and buffers along the edges.
Open SpaceLandscaping and possible trail connections.
Traffic & School SafetyEspecially around Lakeview Elementary and Vista Del Verde Park.
How Revenue is ReinvestedThe way any revenue serves the community.
And moreYour own ideas for the Site, as the process moves forward.

Your Questions, Answered

The questions we're hearing

This section will be updated as the process moves forward to reflect other common questions we hear from the community.

Why hasn't the Site been developed?
Combined with the Site's topography and historic oil production, the deed restrictions that came with the City's 1995 purchase define what can be built here, and have made it extraordinarily difficult for the City or a partner to develop the Site.

Even though the deed lists several types of uses, none of these have proven viable as each of these needs someone to fund construction, build a program, and pay for its operations year after year. For 30 years, no one has been able to make any of the permitted uses work.
The Site has been vacant for more than 30 years. Why are you doing this now?
The City Council believes now is the right time to work with the community to develop a long-term vision for the Site. Neighbors have expressed interest in seeing the property activated, and acting now allows the City to preserve local control, understand the community's vision, and address fire risk and nuisance issues on the Site.
What happens if the State approves the City's Resolution?
The City Council will create a plan for engaging the community beginning in early 2027. The details of how ideas are gathered and reviewed will be defined and shared publicly before that process starts.
Is the City required to develop anything on the Site?
No. The City could choose to leave the Site as it is. However, the Site has been vacant for more than 30 years, and the City believes this is an opportune time to partner with the community to explore what the Site could become.
Will my input actually matter?
Yes! The City will lead a transparent, collaborative, community-centered process to explore what the Site could become. As the process moves forward, we'll publish a running “You Said, We Heard, Here's What's Next” update showing how resident input is shaping the process.
Isn't this moving too fast?
The opposite; it's deliberately sequenced. The City Council's request for State authorization to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the Site is a narrow and procedural step. The real work launches after the State's authorization and starts with a focus on community engagement.
What will be built here?
Before we can explore what we might do with the Site, State law requires a first step. The State must authorize the City to potentially sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the Site. This is strictly a procedural step that does not approve any land use nor development on the Site. The conversation about the Site's future will begin with meaningful community engagement starting in early 2027, after the City receives authorization from the State.
What about traffic and safety around Lakeview Elementary?
The City is keenly interested in resident input about student safety and traffic on Lakeview Avenue. Any version of the Site's future will be coordinated with the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District and neighbors.
How is the City sharing information about this effort?
Every residence within 1,000 feet of the Site received a postcard in the mail inviting them to the September 10 community conversation. In addition, the public notice was also distributed via email and featured in the City's newsletter, social media channels, and on this website.

Resources

Key links and materials

Use the tools below to stay informed and share your input:

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Online Comment Form

Submissions go to WestBastanchury@yorbalindaca.gov.

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Fact Sheet

A brief overview of the Site, the process, and what comes next.

View the fact sheet
From the September 10 Community Conversation Everything shared at the Community Conversation is posted below, including the fact sheet handout and display materials.

Have Your Say

Your voice shapes what's open

Thank You!
Community Conversation – Held September 10

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Lakeview Elementary School. Residents learned about the Site's history, the process, what comes next, and how the community will remain involved. No uses or developments were proposed or decided at this meeting. The materials are posted in Resources.

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Next Steps: Continue our Community Conversations (2027)
Pending State authorization, the City will open a broader conversation with the community about the Site's future. Details will be shared before that begins.

Comment Form

Use this form to connect with the City on the West Bastanchury Site.

Stay Connected

Sign-up for updates and we'll keep you posted at every milestone, and show you how residents' input is shaping the plan.

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EmailWestBastanchury@yorbalindaca.gov
Mailing Address4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
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City of Yorba Linda · 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 A transparent and collaborative process.