The General Plan, our City's Constitution, is the basis of all of our development policies and other ordinances. It preserves our unique community and lifestyle. Eight fundamental goals are identified in the Plan as critical to the City's future development. One of them will be highlighted in each issue of this newsletter:

Recognize and preserve the unique rural character and individualistic lifestyle of La Habra Heights.

Preserve and enhance the scenic beauty and natural wildlife of the area.

Minimize alteration of the natural terrain.

Preserve, maintain, and encourage agricultural uses, especially avocado groves, citrus groves, and Christmas tree farms.

Reduce potential fire and recognize geologic hazards.

In harmony with the R-A-1 zoning, the City supports individual rights to keep horses, all animals used for 4-H projects, and other livestock as allowed by local ordinance; and encourage the private development and maintenance of a system of trails for horseback riding and hiking.

Assure that regional traffic demands will be accommodated in a manner constant with the unique La Habra Heights environment.

Protect the Powder Canyon Significant Ecological Area.

The text of Goal #1 includes the following: "Rural has been defined by the community as: variety of homes; natural terrain and dense vegetation; houses which blend in with the setting; privacy and large distances between homes; keeping of horses and farm animals; scenic views; no ëcity' improvements such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and street lights."

The next time you are driving, walking, or riding through the Heights, observe how the General Plan has guided building in our hills: houses usually conform to the land, do not intrude upon the viewscape, and are nestled in thick vegetation. They are set back significant distances from property lines, and generally do not block the view of the surrounding neighbors.

Sometimes you will see a structure standing out from the natural terrain, awkwardly carved out of a hillside and unprotected by vegetation. But mostly you will find homes that follow the guidelines established by the General Plan. Houses that are hidden in the vegetated hills of our City guarantee privacy and peace to occupants and neighbors alike. Achieving this unusual solitude in the Los Angeles Basin requires a carefully designed General Plan and the continuing support of it by residents.