The vision of the future embodied by the eight Goals of the La Habra Heights General Plan is a uniquely valuable property right of the residents of La Habra Heights. These goals, which guide all development in our City, are:

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

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

3. Minimize alteration of the natural terrain.

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

5. Reduce potential fire and recognize geologic hazards.

6. 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.

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

8. Protect the Powder Canyon Significant Ecological Area.

In this issue we highlight Goal #2, which is responsible for much of the visual character of the Heights. The goal requires that any development must not diminish the natural beauty of the area and, in fact, should enhance it. Specific ordinances were written to implement this goal. These ordinances restrict lot size, the amount of grading, height of structures, the number of trees that can be removed, and require landscape screening of all structures ­ all of which help preserve scenic beauty and allow for natural wildlife corridors.

Our landscape ordinances apply to virtually all construction, and serve to protect not only significant views and broad view corridors, but to screen the structure from any vantage point including roads, neighboring property, and distant hilltops. The landscaping ordinances both preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of La Habra Heights.

If you look at the housing developments in the hills to our east, for example the Shea tracts, you can see the closely packed homes perched on fills surrounded by bare earth with minimal landscaping. These are consequences of development in an area where residents have little or no input into how their community looks. Our General Plan recognizes the aesthetic value of our community. Residents have come here to enjoy the beautiful natural setting protected by Goal #2 of our General Plan.