La Habra Heights council approves $2.1 million to secure Harbor Boulevard parcels for potential housing and wildfire hardening

La Habra Heights’ City Council voted July 13 to appropriate $2,100,000 plus related escrow and closing costs to acquire multiple county-owned parcels along Harbor Boulevard so the city can make them available for future affordable housing development and related safety improvements.

The council and staff framed the purchase as a necessary step to meet the city’s state-mandated housing-site obligations and to reduce the risk of a so-called builder’s remedy that could allow developers broader rights to build if the city lacks available sites. Staff told the council the parcels are presently county surplus land that would require Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approval before title transfers to the city.

City staff said no development proposal is before the council tonight; any developer would need to provide sewer access and comply with local conditions. The agenda report authorized an amendment to the fiscal year 2026–27 budget and directed the city manager and city attorney to execute documents necessary to complete the purchase, subject to county approval. The motion included a condition that any substantial change to the transaction return to the council for final authorization.

Several council members said securing the land is both a housing-step and a public-safety investment. Council member Greg Stoeffler described the acquisition as “a valuable opportunity” to identify developable sites and argued that owning the property allows the city to pursue hardened structures and other fire-safety measures rather than forcing dense development into residential neighborhoods. Council member John Pospiza said the city is willing to work with the Habitat Authority and to require vegetation and lighting mitigation so the purchase “can work for everybody.”

Residents and community commenters urged more detailed disclosure of the full cost, including sewer hookup, water lines and potential utility relocations. Steve Black told the council he estimated sewer hookup costs near $2 million and asked for ballpark figures so the public could judge financial risk. Staff acknowledged additional infrastructure costs may be required for development and said those expenses are under review; staff also said the city has retained a biologist whose draft report indicates the lower parcel would not cause significant impacts to wildlife movement.

The council approved the appropriation unanimously and said the purchase will be presented to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for approval. Council members said they will continue negotiations with the Puente Hills Habitat Authority to agree on mitigation measures before any development occurs.

Next steps: the county must authorize the surplus-land sale and the city will return to the community and council if there are substantial changes to the transaction.