By Kyle Chang
The future development of the Los Alamitos Race Course land represents one of the greatest economic opportunities for the City of Cypress. Not only is it the planned site for new housing units to help fulfill the requirements of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), but it’s also the location for the Cypress Town Center. I firmly believe we can meet the goals of the RHNA and fulfill our moral responsibility to create more housing, but without careful planning and strong community engagement, we risk missing a golden opportunity to also create a true town center in our city.
As a parent with two young children, I would love to see Cypress create a vibrant city center that attracts new businesses, restaurants, and retail, transforming it into a destination that draws visitors from neighboring cities. That’s why before moving forward with any more plans or zoning changes for the Los Alamitos Race Course land, I propose establishing a new commission focused on planning, housing, and development to ensure the that we have a more transparent, inclusive planning process in Cypress. Many neighboring cities in Orange County, similar in size to Cypress (such as Buena Park, Stanton, and Fountain Valley), already have such commissions in place.
One of the most significant issues facing our city is the lack of clear communication with residents and not giving residents sufficient opportunities to be involved in important decisions. For example, with the update of the city’s housing plan, most residents are only learning about the details of the plan for the first time now, just before they’re asked to vote on it. Many residents at council meetings have said that they feel as though the city has deliberately withheld information or misled residents.
Additionally, the city has used scare tactics, claiming that if the ballot measure isn’t approved, “the State will override local governments and impose housing projects” and that the city risks “losing local control of planning decisions.” The truth is we already have an alternative housing plan that meets all of the state’s requirements and does not require a ballot measure. Our city must improve its communication with residents and more actively include them in major decisions that impact the future of our community. Any planning that requires community approval is destined to fail if the community isn’t involved in the planning process from the start.
The development of the Los Alamitos Race Course land is a defining moment for Cypress. By prioritizing transparency, honest communication, and active resident engagement, we can create a city center that meets our needs and enhances our community while complying with state housing mandates. It’s essential that we approach this project thoughtfully to ensure it benefits everyone in Cypress and aligns with our collective vision for a brighter tomorrow.
Editor’s Note: Views of any candidate are welcome so long as meet the editorial standards of thisn newspaper. Send submissions to editor@event-newsenterprise.com.