City of Yorba Linda and Tripepi Smith received the Award of Merit in Communications Initiative and Outreach from the American Planning Association (APA) California Chapter Orange Section. The recognition, presented during the 2025 Planning Awards Night in September, honors the City and Tripepi Smith’s collaboration on the 2021–29 Housing Element Community Outreach project.
This award preceded statewide recognition from APA California, which presented the project with the Award of Excellence in Communications Initiative and Outreach later that same month.
“Yorba Linda’s outreach to the community around this complex planning process transformed what had been a divisive topic into a shared community vision. Our resident collaboration helped us navigate through a ballot measure that met state mandates while preserving the local character and values that define Yorba Linda,” said Community Development Director Nate Farnsworth. “The scope and impact of Tripepi Smith’s outreach was truly impressive. They were a side-by-side partner with the City of Yorba Linda throughout the process and brought innovative ideas and a deep commitment to the project that made it a huge success.”
For the Housing Element Community Outreach project, Tripepi Smith leveraged its expertise to develop a comprehensive engagement effort to raise awareness and support for Measure JJ, the Yorba Linda Local Control, Residential Neighborhood, Open Space Protection Measure — a ballot initiative that enabled the City to meet state-mandated housing obligations through rezoning. Prior to engaging Tripepi Smith, Measure Z, a 2022 ballot measure, received only 25% voter approval, threatening the City’s control over local land use decisions.
Yorba Linda partnered with Tripepi Smith to lead a robust public education and outreach effort to engage residents on the new effort. The firm developed digital and print materials, launched a dedicated website and supported 32 community meetings with over 800 residents in attendance. When placed on the ballot, Measure JJ passed with over 90% voter support, demonstrating a Tripepi Smith and the City of Yorba Linda Earn Recognition from APA Orange for Housing Element Outreachremarkable turnaround.
“Yorba Linda’s unwavering commitment to transparency and meaningful public dialogue made this a model for how local governments can empower residents and strengthen trust through communication. I am incredibly proud of our collaboration with the City and the lasting impact this project will have on the Yorba Linda community. This project and process was the definition of ‘effective civic engagement’ that aligns with our vision at Tripepi Smith,” said Tripepi Smith President Ryder Todd Smith.
For more information on the 2025 Planning Awards Night, visit the APA Orange Section’s website.
About City of Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda, known as the “Land of Gracious Living” is a city with a strong sense of community and small-town character. Incorporated in 1967, Yorba Linda is comprised of 20 square miles and remains a suburban community characterized by mostly residential family neighborhoods, key commercial centers, parklands and open space, multi-use trails, and important historic resources. Recognized as one of the “100 Best Places to Live” in the United States, Yorba Linda continues to uphold its shared values of responsible growth, preservation of existing neighborhood character, and conservation of natural resources.
About Tripepi Smith
Tripepi Smith is a California-based marketing, technology and public affairs firm that serves for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies. Its unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage to agencies seeking to leverage the internet to achieve their communication goals. The firm provides full content creation services, including: ghost writing, collateral development, photography, video production, aerial imagery, search engine optimization, email marketing campaigns and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith’s diverse clients include: City of American Canyon, City of Calabasas, City of Culver City, City of Cupertino, City of Daly City, City of Grover Beach, City of Indian Wells, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lake Forest, City of Livermore, City of Malibu, City of Napa, City of Palmdale, City of Paramount, City of Tracy, CalChoice Energy Authority, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Rowland Water District, California City Management Foundation, Renne Public Law Group, West Coast Arborists, Scripps College, Blind Children’s Center and Climatec.