A. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026-_ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND DIRECTING EXECUTION OF AN ACCESS LICENSE AND TEMPORARY OFF-SITE GRADING AGREEMENT (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church);

B. Authorize the City Manager to execute the access license and temporary off-site grading agreement; and,

C. Approve and Authorize recordation of the offsite grading agreement with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.

The property owner at 920 West La Habra Boulevard, site of the recently approved 21-unit Our Lady of Guadalupe Apartments, will soon begin site improvements adjacent to Guadalupe Park and its extension trail. Guadalupe Park is situated directly south of the project property line. Due to a significant grade transition between the private development and the public park, the original project design required a twelve-foot vertical barrier consisting of a seven-foot retaining wall topped with a five-foot rear yard wall. To achieve a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing interface with the public space, the City collaborated with the property owner to develop an alternative grading solution that replaces the structural wall with a more natural looking landscaped slope. 
 

Lowering the wall height significantly improves sight lines for the public and law enforcement while removing a substantial target for potential graffiti. Furthermore, the upgraded grading plan permanently fills an existing sump area that has straddled the property line. Correcting this low point will help eliminate standing water and protect the City's trail from surface runoff.

Once the final inspection is complete, the developer must submit a complete set of as-built plans to the City within five (5) days. The developer is also responsible for a 90-day maintenance period for all landscape improvements and a 24-month warranty period for structural defects.  Following the successful completion of these performance periods and the remediation of any issues, the City will officially accept the improvements for long-term maintenance and oversight.

The proposed offsite grading agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney’s Office.

If approved by City Council, the developer will be responsible for all costs and execution associated with the improvements, including plan preparation, construction, and obtaining necessary permits. Once the work is finished, long-term maintenance costs for the City are expected to be minimal as the slope will be stabilized with a drought-tolerant, ornamental native seed mix.

General Plan Relevance:
LU 4.1 Development Compatibility
LU 4.3 Public Safety and Community Design

City Council Goals & Objectives:
Goal 5, Objective C: Work closely with commercial and residential property-owners to improve and maintain the appearance of their properties