Residents urge council to delay Chapman Corridor plan amid outreach, displacement concerns

Dozens of residents raised concerns at the Sept. 2 Placentia City Council meeting about the Chapman Corridor Revitalization Project, saying outreach has been insufficient and warning the plan could allow taller buildings and displace long‑time residents.

At the podium, Barbara Openshaw told the council she feared the draft plan could permit three‑ to six‑story buildings along Chapman Avenue and said she was reassured by planning staff that nothing on the current schedule would immediately change property ownership. Richard Salazar, whose family has lived in Placentia for nearly a century, argued the city had not meaningfully incorporated community feedback and urged council to extend the review period so residents can deliberate and suggest changes.

Councilmembers acknowledged the emotion in the room and asked for concrete, actionable feedback. Councilmember Yamaguchi said the process for Chapman Corridor work has been years in the making and that the council’s intent is not to displace residents; he asked residents to identify specific parcels or provisions they oppose so staff can return with a refined proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Vanka and other councilmembers repeated that the city has not proposed any project that would forcibly take homes and noted a separate agenda item reasserting that the city will not use eminent domain for private economic development.

Speakers emphasized two recurring themes: (1) inadequate outreach to low‑income households, seniors and renters; and (2) fear that zoning changes could raise rents or allow larger developments that change the corridor’s character. Jana Labordi said her family owns multiple parcels in the impact zone and that neither she nor her 92‑year‑old grandmother had been directly contacted about the plan; she asked that the council remove her family’s parcels from the revitalization area and postpone any vote.

Councilmembers and staff said they will return to the council with additional meetings and that the next full presentation of the plan will include more detail. Councilmembers encouraged residents to review the plan online, identify specific lots or elements they oppose and submit detailed suggestions so staff can bring focused options back for deliberation.

No formal changes to the Chapman Corridor plan were adopted at the Sept. 2 meeting; council discussion and public input will continue at future meetings.