In order to preserve our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, citizens must be ready to step in and defend their rights if their representatives fail them. This is what happened in the Powder Canyon election a watershed event for La Habra Heights. Opposition to the project, led by the Committee to Protect the General Plan, re-animated the long tradition of resident activism that resulted in the formation of the City in the 1970s. Residents regained control of their community. The vote on November 2, 1993 sent three clear messages:
1. City officials shall respect our General Plan. During the years 1992 and 1993, a majority of Planning Commissioners and City Council members arbitrarily decided to try to undermine the General Plan, which was written and approved by residents.
2. Our local Government must listen to the people. La Habra Heights has a history of residents participating in local decision-making. But during the Powder Canyon hearings, most residents were told their concerns were irrelevant or insignificant. They were met by a "We Know Better" attitude on the part of a majority of their elected officials.
3. Public officials will be held accountable. Taxpayers are outraged that their City spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this project. Heights residents expect their City officials to spend tax dollars and local revenue on projects that benefit residents and the community, not outside developers.
Since the April City Council election, in which a pro-General Plan majority was overwhelmingly elected, a few Powder Canyon supporters have continued to suggest that the General Plan and City ordinances should not be enforced. Their strategy is clear. They are trying to equate the enforcement of our ordinances with oppressive "Big Government." In their view, "anything goes" - for certain people. They believe some people should be able to build whatever they want wherever they want. Giving them anything less is "over-regulation."
But if a few builders were allowed to violate our General Plan and ordinances, there would soon be many who would want to have the same "right" to ignore our laws. Eventually our General Plan would become unenforceable.
This was in fact the danger perceived by Heights residents between 1974 and 1978. The General Plan had been adopted by Los Angeles County for the unincorporated area of La Habra Heights, but the L.A. County Regional Planning Commission was not enforcing it. Residents found that their wishes were being ignored. There was no local control. People feared they were at the mercy of outsiders who wanted to introduce unrestricted development into the Heights - just like everywhere else in urban Los Angeles.
Incorporation as a City and the adoption of the La Habra Heights General Plan and ordinances made it possible for us to ensure that land-use decisions would be made locally.
La Habra Heights is an unusual and beautiful community whose residents pride themselves on their individualism. We have a strong belief in low-profile government. We value our privacy and our natural environment. Historically, we have succeeded in maintaining our unique community because citizens have engaged in decision-making for the good of all.