HomeMy WebLinkAboutOPEN SPACE CONSV ELEM 09-10-84FRO#:
$1J~,JECT:
HONORABLE NAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING CO~llISSION
COld, UNITY DEVELOPN~NT DEPARTMENT
OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION ELEHENT
BACKGROUND:
These elements were originally brought to the Planning Commission for a public
hearing at the June 11, 1984 meeting. After numerous continuances to permit
further review and analysis, the elements were withdrawn from the agenda until a
joint stud~ meeting on SeptQmber 10, 1984. These continuances were at the
request of The Irvine Company in order to permit, them to address their concerns
regarding policies and programs outlined in the elements.
Staff has met with The Company representatlve~ on several occasions to
discuss potential revisions to the element. The Company's major concern is to
maintain flexibility in the programs and ~urther refine the East Tustin Specific
Plan and test it against the proposed programs prior to 'adoption of the
elements. While staff feels that the General Plan must maintain flexibility, ·
programs should be in place in order that the position of the City is not
compromised and provide guidance to aid decision makers after specific studies
are done. In keeping with both of these positions, The Irvine Company reviewed
and submitted revisions to the' elements, and staff reviewed these suggestions
and amended the draft elements. Both the proposed changes and amended draft
have been enclosed for your review.
DISCUSSION:
The State of California has charged each local jurisdiction with the
responsibility of preparing a Conservation and Open Space Element. While each
community can tailor individual programs to meet its own needs, the State
-statutes outline broad topics that each community must address, which includes:
"a conservation element must provide for the conservation, development, and use
of natural resources, including water, forests, soils, rivers, lakes and other
nature resources". Each element must, "detail plans and measures for the
preservation of open space for natural resources, for the managed production of
resources, for outdoor recreation, and for the public health and safety."
Unlike the Recreation Element, the vast majority of these elements programs are
geared to the East Tusttn area, for two reasons: the existing Open Space and
Conservation Elements do not completely address issues indigenous to the East
Tustin area; and, the remaining community is almost completely developed, with
any potential or significant aspects eliminated by this urbanization. The East
Tustin area represents the City's largest and last undeveloped area for master
planning. Additionally, it also represents the City's best opportunity to study
and plan for preservation of significant open space resources.
City Council and Plannfng Commission
Open Space, Conservation Element
Page two
The main thrust of these elements is to provide decision makers with general
programs and policies that address these open space issues. These policies
identify areas of resources and open space that should require additional study
and consideration. These future studies will address specific open space
preservation programs and how they will be implemented. Until these specific
studies are done, general plan level policies and programs lay the groundwork
for the management of this City's natural and open space resources;
Community Development staff will present an overview of these elements at the
workshop meeting, and will answer any questions about issues or policies related
to these elements.
RECOI~E#DATIO#:
Schedule a Planning Commission public hearing
Conservation Elements for September 24, 1984.
for the Open Space and
Associate Planner
EK:do
Community Development Department
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CITY iONF
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CIIAPTER *[! UIYF.11TQRY OF OPF.11 SPA(Z: JD COlISERYk'T'~O# AREAS
C
Tl~e a~eas wtt~1n t,he Cl'c7.'s ~ur~sdtc'c~on ~l~ich a~e designated, proposed
or tn use as open space or conservat, lon areas are s~own on t~e l~ap,
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~a~an Habt'c~'c The ConserYa'c-lon and Open Space Plan,
Sou'cha~n Ca~Ifocnta Association of Gove~n~s (Ap~,
~977), dest'gna~s ~e Pe~'s Canyon ~ash ~ a ~pa~an
habt~ 11flktng Uppe~ ~po~ 8ay ~1~ ~e Sang, ago C~k,
whtch should ~ p~se~ed ~nd p~o~c~d (p..115).
e
[ucalTp~us Groves Approximately seven percent (7[) of ~e
Paster's Canyon area (134 acres) on t~e nor~e~ por~ton of
~he a~ea fs occupted by ma~ s~nds of ~lyp~s ~ees
tn · grove setting. T~o of the areas a~ cl~ssiffed as
Euca~yp~s Fo~es~ ~nd o~he~ ~eas ire windroNs
~ptffed ~he envi~on~n~ of ~he ~Yine ~nch
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Redwood Stand, There ts a double ro~ of ~d~ood ~'ees
loca~d tn ~e nor~e~ sec~on of ~e Pear's C~nyon
e~ ~e confluence of ~e ees~ end ~es~ ~or~s o~ ~e ~es~.
1"ne-I~as~. Tus~In &r~a ¢~n~tns &p~oxtma~aly :L,SO0 ac~es of pr~ma
t'~r~land, untque ~armland or ~a~land of $tA~a-w~de tm~or~canca.
T~ble 1
Avenge Gross Yfeld £as~. Tus~ctn
Gr~pef~ui'c
Asparagus
AvoCados
Le~311s
Yalanct a Oranges
Truck Far.ri
1,071
2¢3
3,700
3,515.
$ 11,781
91 370,006
~13 328,943
$$ 302,805
243 918,540
672 752
1,265 $ 4,242,827
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TUSTIN
4~
AGRICULTURAL ~
__ ROW CROPS
~'~ CHARDS
L~: ~GUS
EXHIBIT 8
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[~, ~s no'ced ~e~: 'the h~ghes~, ~e~.urn pm' ac~'e ~s fi'om asparagus
Avocado geoves,~4W' an uncet'~n f~nanc~al Pu~re as eL comme~'c~al
a~e~s mus~ give way ~ Re demands of u~bantzatton and t~ ~esul~an~
houstng devel opmen~.
OUTDOOR
The CIW open,as ~nd matn~tns nine local pa~ stoas con~tn~ng 36.8
ac~es (s~ ~tgu~ 'Z~-Z). Assoct~d wi~ ~a open space fo~
~ec~a~ona~ faculties ~ ~e school st~s of ~e TusCan ~ntf~ed
S~hool Dts~c~. ~e~ ~re eleven ~veloped school s~es
CfW ~l~ng 145 ac~s. ~ese consts~ of seven elemen~ schools
(62.3 ~es); ~ree ln~dt~ schools (46.Z a~es) ~nd one h~gh
schoo~ (36.5 ~c~es). Addf~on~ schoo~ s~es ~n ~he sphe~ of
Influence p~ovtde open space and ~e~onal
ope~a~d by ~e CIW Rec~stton Dep~en=. P~va~ schools ~nd church
st~es ~dd ~ ~e avai~bt~tW of open space
~c~tv~[les. A~so of significance ts ~he vas~
~m ~an 1,000 ~m ~n open space ~s a1~c~aft ~u~ays, ~and~ng pads,
~g~cul~l ope~=~ons, and mc~ea=~ona~ ~nd ~tntng faci~f[tes fo~
~t~ personnel. (Fo~ a mom debt,ed discussion of ~ec~ea~tona~
facilities, see ~e Recreation [~e~n~. )
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il. SP~.CZAL P~NAGI~,.,tT RF. SOURC~.$ (Heal~ and
Drainage Areas The Peter's Canyon Wash lies within a part
of the drainage basin of the San iliego Creek Watershed,
shown by E~(HIB~T II-O. The Upper Peter's Canyon Reservoir
~tes aC ~e northern ~tmt~s of ~e C~nyon. The
Eeser~otr's wa~r Is he~d by ~n ear,eh dam cons=~uc~d
[932 by The [Pvtne Co~ny. The ~m has · c~es~ e~eva=1on
~ma of ~e mse~o~ ~s ~g~ox~ly seven[y (70) ~c~es.
w~ ~ s~o~age capac~ of appmx~ly [,090 ~c~e fee[
~ ~ ~ea[ton ~n 1932. Es~t~es have ~en given ~a~
· s ~ as [5 ~ 30 percent of ~e cap~ci~y ~y ~ ~educad
due ~ sedf~n~ton. ~e dam's sp~l~ay e~es
[~a~ds Han~ C~ek, bu~ ~e no~l d~ns=~e~ course f~om
~e hesd of ~e ~m ts Pe~s Canyon ~sh.
Otv~ston of S~feW of Oa~ ts ~esponstble fo~ fnspec~tng
~e ~m eve~ s~x ~n=hs.
A1 though the d~m and r~servoi r are outsi de the
Jurisdiction of the ctW of Tusttn, areas downstream f~om
the mse~vo~ ~ ~fe ~t~htn
concern ~ the CtW. Even ~ough ~e
depend on othe~ govem~n=~ en~t~ies ~ p~n the
continued use of the reservofr or cer=l~ the safe~ of
the dam, ~e City ~st develop programs andd plans for
areas within ~e reservoir's drainage channel ~nd ~n7
other ~reas affected by ~e reservoirs downstream flow.
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P~'I'ERS CANYON. RESERVIOR
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,, . -~ · .... ;j ~
.... ;/ ., . ..~..,'~.. :~ ..... ,, ... / !
[ X., ' '~-.:~...x~.,, ,;//' DRAINAGE COURSES
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~. '" -'~ ~-CHANNELIZEB DRAINAGti
' '~ 7 ~ 100 YEAR FLOOD
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WI~I~ ~e exception of ~he Eas~ Tus~in area, all ~inage
channels tn ~e Ctq( a?e contained w~n lO0-yea~
~roved channels. ~n ~e Eas~ Tus~tn ~rea, ~e
,nt~ved Pe~a~s C~nyon ~sh ts ~e p~ma~ ~tnage
course ~ug~ ~e peo~ec~ ~ea and ~catves wa~ee ~om
~c~ d~atnaga a~ea. Th~s ~joe d~alnage, and
mtnoe ~bu~es, of~a~ ~ cons~a~n~ ~ developmen~
~11 as ~n og~o~unt~ foe p~sae~a~ton ~nd conse~a~on
open sgaca ~nd na~l
Rtd~eltnes T~- .~_.~... ~f ~ I nmn,~ de San~ago
~ A ~o~h/SouCh Can=raj Etdge and ~o
~tdges ~t~tn ~e canyon provide dls~Inc= ~opog~ph~cal
features. ~ ~esa Hdges pmsan~ ~ ~noramtc
v~w of ~e Tus~tn Pl~ns,~ ~s focal potn~s
and vtsu~l ~nt=tes for surrounding prope~1~s
mgi on.
Slope and Te~f'atn Wll:h the exceptlon oi' ~ portion of the
£as~ Tusttn s~dy a~ea, ~e ~a~n of ~e co~unt~y ~s
level. Approxtma~ly 436 ac~es of ~e Ease Tus~tn can be
considered h~lstde, consisting In ~e no~he~n po~=~on
[he area as ~olllng hills and gen=ly sloping valleys. The
htghes= elevation In ~e h~llsfde ~rea is approx~ma=e]y
7[5 feet'ebove sea level, 578 above ~e avenge elevation
fo~ ~e C~. Slope cha~c~er~s[tcs ~re described fn ffve
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EL MOOENA__FAULT
'APPROXIMATE
~HIBIT I1-O
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-categories: 0 to 5~; $ to 10%; lO to 20%; 20 to 30% and
30% plus. Slopes between 5 to 10% comprise approximately
60 acres; between l0 to 20%, approximately 220 acres;
between 20 and 30% approximately 150 acres; and slopes
above 30% approximately 60 acres.
A preliminary geological study in the East Tusttn area
reveals that an active earthquake fault passes through the
northern area. Known ~s t~e E1 Modena Fault, the f~ult
ts not constde~d c~able of generating ~ ~jor
ea~hquake, bu~ ~y be ~gable of ~ su~c~ ~g~re. ~e
p~ctse loca~on and wid~ of ~e f~ult can not be ~Dped
until ~re soecific s~dies a~ perfo~d.
Secondar~ earthquake 'hazards, such as liquefaction, flow
landsliding, seismically induced settlement, and ground
lurching are known to occur where shallow, groundwater
conditions end loose sandy soils are present.. Based upon
preliminary soil analysis, these conditions may occur in
the northern half of the study area along valley bottom
areas and in those arees in the southern half where
perched water is distributed in a shallow subsurface.
More specific studies are required to detail these arees
and provide measures to lessen these occurences.
Floodtnt Potential lO0 year flood areas ere restricted to
underdeveloped areas in the ~ast Tustin study erea, and
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are basically ~he resul~ of unimproved flood con~rol
-channels. The exts'clng Pe'cers Canyon ~ash can con.tn ~
breeches ~a c~annel flus~ befo~ ~e channel leaves ~he
eas~ ~ 1tmt~. A~aas eas~rly and southerly of ~e
ct~ 1~mt~ ex~er~e.~ ex~nslye flooding in · ~0 ~ear
f~ood occurenca.
The E1 Modena Ir~tne Channel is c~n~tned wt~hin a lO0
year flood channel un~l ~e channel ~e~ches ~e no~e~
stde of ~e San~ Aha (~-5) f~ay. The Flood ~nsu~nce
Ra~ ~ap ~or ~e Cf~ of TusCan (~.~. Oepa?~n~ of
Housing and U~an Developing, FTA, Sept. ~4, ~979)
~ndtc~s a po~fl~ta] ~o~ floodtng ou~tde of ~ channel
tn an ~a no~h of ~e San~ Aha F?~ay ~een B?~ntng
Avenue and Nyfo=d Road;
£. SU~IARY Q~ ZS~'UI~'~
The fol~o~ing issues ~la~a ~ ~e Inven~:o~y of na~cural resources and
open space:
:L. The prese?'~a'clon and mtn'enhance of adequa'ca open space
insure an accap~131e ltv~ng env~ronmen'c.
2. The protection of proper~ from the hazards of floods and
earthquakes and ~e reservation of designal~ed hazardous
areas for use as open space.
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3. The ~tent~on of~dgelines. ~s open space in an ~.tte~t 'CO
p~se~ve ~e ~1~ of the h~llside env~onmen= fo~ the
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bene~It of ~e enttre co~n~. ~'
The loss of p~me ag~cult~ral land ~o ~ ~ ...... ;- ,f
u~aniz~lon ~nd.~l, t~ satisf7 ~oustng ~e~ands.
$. T~e p~eserv&tton of untque vegetation, suc~ as t~ee stands
or forests, and any ~ par~ an ~a~t tats.
The adequacy of open space for active ~ecreatton in
canstder=~lon of the 11mttat~on of
population ~atto establlshed by the ~utm~y ^c~.
7. Oeter~na=ton of the need, compatibility, jus[tftca~ton
and feasibility of equestrian t~a~ls and fac~litte--
8. The consideration of open space buffers f~om major t~afftc
~ce~als and coordination ~tth ~e Scefl~c Htg~ays
[leant.
9. The financial liability for the preservation and
maintenance of open space t~ determine communtty-~ide or
neighborhood responsibilites and the equitable
distribution of costs.
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Propert~ owner equity in t~e trade-offs in land yield in
exchange for dedication of open space and conservation of
nmtural resources.
15. Recharging of ~e underground water basin by the
retinal on o~ s~rm run-of'~.
12. The conserya~ton of ~tm domestic groundwater supply.
The potential of destlttng' basins within the drainage
basin for the protection of the water quality of Upper
Newpoc'c Bay.
14..
The linkage of recreation trails and facilities with those
of adjoining ~ties and regional facilities of the County
of Orange.
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TUSTIN
SPAC£, CON$£~¥ATION
CANYON
....... ELINES
~-- ---" )ENA FAULT
E~J,llSIT II- E
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A vartet~ of open space areas to accommodate dtverse need~ related to
recreatfOn, noise attenuation and v~sual amenities for ~e residents of
t~e ¢ommunt ~/.
POLICI£$
and opCtmtze open space for recreational purposes
facilities.
l'"nhance ~e p~stcel environment wtt~ the utilitarian
development of open spaces wlt,h uses such as t~e golf
COUrSe..
3. Buffer tJ~a notse fr~ arterials wt~ ~e use of natural,
low maintenance, ber~ed open space.
encroachment, and scarring for res1 denttal development.
land that ts unsafe and/or hazardous_as open space
Use
with a priority towards multi-use trai l-
Coo~dtnatad and tntar-~elatad loc=1 o~en space ~nd trail areas wl~ ~e
~egtonal facilities, the County and adjoining ct~tes~
Coordtn&ta the a11gnmefl'c and ~v_e~o~efl' of ~a~lways with
provida ~ re, tonal
the ctttes of ]rvtne and O~nge/~to
perspective and uttllty fn addttton t~ local amenities.
A maximum feasible amount and utt]i~y of open spaca area with a mtntmum
fiscal t~&c~ upon communt~7 msourcas for the acquisition, development
and mainten&nce of the areas.
POLICIF-S
Coordfn~e ~i~ .the Tus~tn Untfted School Olst~ict for the
m&ximum feasible use of public facilities for recreational
need~.
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Require the incorporation and m~inCenance of open spaca
~e netgl~borhood, ~o ~ a financ~3 es onstbl i o~
beflefi~ing proper~ owners.
Assure that the design and development of pu:ltc open
space ts of low cost mtnCenance, vtsu~l~y unobscured and
readtly accessible.
$. ~lore and uttllze acquisition prog~m for open space
areas that is ocher than an in-fee acquisition, such as;
open sg&ca easements, leaseholds, land donations, and gtf~
annuities. ·
Utilize zoning and land use con%rol ~ a means t~ prese~e
open spaca areas.
Preservation and protection of unique natural resources.
1. Identify, designai~, and preserve facilities of historical
si grit fi cance.
~. r~-:servb ~e avocado orchards a~ elements
6. ~,~;~.; ~ habitat
~i p~ri ~n
Develo~ standards to preserve the unique variety of land
forms indigenous in the ~ast Tusttn hillside areas and
ensure that the development process is structured to
consider and preserve these land forms.
E. ~OAL
Accommodation of the health, safety, and utility needs of present ~nd
future residents of the community.
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AssUre ~e $~cablliLT of ~e Pe+-er's Canyon Reservoir
pti or to :he tssuance of deve 1 opment per~i t.~ for
propert, ies wt.t~in t~e drainage basin.
/~ Z. Preclude development In areas/selsmic hazard.
3.
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~chn~ques tn order ~ ~velo~ but~daMe st~s tn ~'
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~HAPTER IY IMPt. EMEIITAT~ON PROG~,.4
A. ACT'~O# I~GIUg~L,~
The ~cl:lon programs sre those ~cti¥ities within t~e ~urisdiction of the
CI~y CouncJ1 ~=t ~n be ~ken ~ ~le~nt ~e goals ~nd policies of
~e Open Spa~ and Conser~a~on E~e~nt.
Open space requirements for recreational purposes wi11 'be
implemented ~n ~ccordance with ~e Recreation Element of ~e
General Plan ~nd Qutmby Ac'c prev~stons of ~e Subdivision
Ordinance of ~e ¢l~y.
2. Future park sttes will be developed in conjunction w.tth and in
coordination with the Tus~tn Unified School District.
,The East T. ust~n
~ be preserved.
Fault areas shall be precisely mapped and shall be subject to
the provisions of the Alqutst-Prfolo Special Studies Zones
Act.
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Flood areas and d~a~nage courses shal~ be precisely mapped
~ppropria~e ~easures t=kan ~o ~ cont=~n the f~ow or
preserve the are/ as open space.
Subdivision maps shall iden=ify hazardous areas due ~o
flooding, pipelines,~me~'~%~j~ll~
Subdivision maps and specific plans shall inco~poral~ opem
space ~qui~ements.
Oevelopment plans for the ~~e~area shall identify
and p~ovide a means for the preservation of unique nal~Jral
S~ndards shall be utilized that
Speci fi C H~ 1 ~ S~ de Oe~~
COORO INATF. I) ACT'TON
The Community Services Oeparl=nent shall coordinate with Orange
County and adjoining cities for the alignment and development
of local recreational facilities and trails with those of a
regional character.
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The Community Oevelo~ment Oeparl:nemt shall cmor~inate with
~l~y of Orange te a$$u~'e the $t~1:~$ and safely, of the
Canyon Reservoir Dam.
The Director of Public Wor~s shall coordinate with ~e Ir~ine
~anch Water Oistr~¢t and the ~ast Orange ¢oun%'y Water Oistr~¢t
for the conservation, r~clametion and ~ound water ~charging
The design, character and location of major arterials and the
buffering requtrementz for scenic and acoustical feat:res will
be coordinated by the Community Development Department and
Public Wor~s Oeparim~nt with other government agencies and
private property owners.
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CITY OF
TUSTIN
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REVISED: 7~11'84
T~BLE ~ colrri~
Chapter
I.
INTRODUCTION ................................................
A. Purpose and Scope·; .................... ~" ...............
II. INVENTORY AND ISSUES ........................................
k. N&'cural Resources ....................................... 4
B. P~oduc:ton Resources .................................... 5
C. Ou~cloor Recreation ......................................
0 · Special Managemen~ Resources ............................ 7
E Summary of Issues ......................................
III. GOALS & POLICIES ..................................
A. Goal ................................................... 13
B. Goal ................................................... 14
D. Goal ...................................................
E. Goal ....... ............................... * ............. 16
IV. II4PLEI4ENTAT[ON PROGRAM ..................................... 18'
A. Ac:ion Programs ........................................
8. Coordinated Actton .....................................
V. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ................................... 21
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Exhi bi t
II-A.
II-B.
II-C.
II-O.
II-E.
III-1.
NATURAL RESOURCES ......................................... 1-
AGRICULTURAL PJ~SOURCES .................................... 1-
DRAINAGE COURSES ............................. ; ............ 1-
HILLSIDE AREAS ............................................ 1-
OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION COMPOSITE ........................ 1-
LIST OF' FIGURE~ .
LAND 1-
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LIST OF ~F.~#CF.S
EIR 78-1t, May 1979, City Of Tusttn
East Tus~tn Speciflc P~lan Envtron.entAl Set,trig, 0c~. 1983, M. B~n~n
ias~ Tus~tn $pectftc Plan, 0p~or~unt~tes and Cons~tn~s, 0c~. 1983,
W.S. Roche
Maser Plan of P~rks ~nd ~ecrma~on, (O~ft) May, 1983, Reynolds ~rou~
Conservation and Open Space Plan, Ag~, ~g77, S~G
Pe~rs ~anyon Eeservotr Regtonal Pa~ Bounda~ S~udy
Envlronmn~ ~anagwn~ Agency, ~ay, 1978
The adoption of an Open Space and Conservation Element of the General
Plan is required by Sections $5302 (d) and (e) of the State Planning and
Zoning Law. The consolidation of these two elements is authorized by
the State due to the similarities and tntur-relationshtps and to avoid
need1 ess duplt cart on.
A. ~JRPOSIC AND SCOPIC
The purpose of the Conservation Element is to provide for the
conservation, development and utilization of natural resources including
water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, wildlife, minerals and
other natural resources.
The purpose of the open space element, in addition to the nutntenanca of
the economy of the State, is to assure the continued availability of
land for the production of food and fiber, for the enjoyment of scenic
beauty, for recreation and for the use of natural resources.
This combined element identifies natural resources and significant sites
for presentation as open space.
8. R:F.J.ATIONSHI? TO OTHER EI.EI4E~NTS
The primry relationship of' the Open Space and Conservation Element is
with the Land Use Element of the General Plan. The Land Use Element is
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t~ple~en~ed by Subdivision M&ps and Speclfl¢ Plans which designate areas
~ re~atn as open space, recreatlonel f&ctllttes, conservation areas,
and natural ~esources. Publtcly ~d ~and ~sl~a~ed for open space
and conservatt~ ts Identified as "Publlc & Institutional" (P&[) on ~e
Land Use Map.
Thts element Is consistent wtth the Land Use £iement by the common
designation of areas ~ be preserved as open space or conservation.
Thts element ts consistent wtth the Recreation E~ement of the General
Plan whereby all par~$, t~atls, and school g~ound facilities are
Identified as both open space and recreational facilities.
The Setsmlc and Safe~'y Elements destgnal~ faults and hazardous areas
that preclude residential development and the reservation of the areas
for open space and recreational uses. The Safe~y £~ement ts consistent
tn the designation of areas for the att f~ght corridor serving the
Marine Corps Helicopter Station ss ~napproprfa~e for stngle-fa~i~y
development.
The Scentc Htgtmay Element designates the buffer areas and open space
requirements for the Peter's Canyon/Myford extension on the Ctty's
eastern boundary.
C. $UI~UtY
Thts element Identifies extsttng open space and conservation areas. [t
recognizes the loss of natural ~esources and prflme agricultural land
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through the expansion of urbanized areas. Yet., pollctes are adopted to
=itlgate against the t~tal loss and to preserve that whJch ts unique and
Irreplaceable. The Open Space and Conservation E:lement adopts the
follo~ng goals wtth poltcJes and programs fo~. their ~mplementat~on:
k vartety of open space areas to accommodate dtverse needs
related to ~ecreat~on, notse attenu&tton and vtsual
amenities for the ~estden~ of the community.
Coordtnatod and triter-related local open space and tratl
areas ~tth the regional facilities of the county and
adjoining cfttes.
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A maxtmum feastble amount and uttltty of open space area
w~th a ~intmal f~scal ~pact upon co=aun~ty msources for
acquisition, development and ms~ntenance of the areas.
4. Preservation and protection of untque natural resources.
5. kccomodatton of health, safety and uttltty needs of
present and future residents of the commn!ty.
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GIIAP1T. R ~T ZNY-r. XTQRY OF' OP~]l :Si)Aa~ AMD COIISi~RYA?~ON ARE. A~S
The areas wtthtn the ¢I'c~'s .1urtsdtctlon wh~cl~ are desf'gnated, proposed
or tn use as open space or conservation areas are sho~n on the Map,
HXHIBIT II-A.
A. MATUP.,AI. ~S
Rtpar4an Habtta~ The Conservation and Open Space Plan,
Southern California Association of Governments (Apr41,
1977), destgnates the Peter's Canyon Hash as a r4parlan
habttat ltnktng Upper Hawpor~c Bay wtth the Sant4ago Creek,
whtch should be preserved and protected
The northern half of the eastern Peter's Canyon drainage
channel suppo~cs an assemblage of ~tpar~an vegetation,
although there ts no true rtpartan woodland on the s4te
(Brandman, 3-28).
2. Eucalyptus Groves Apprex4ma~ely seven percent (7~) of the
Peter's CanYon area (134 acres) on the northern portton of
the area ts occupted by ma~ure stands of eucalyptus ~'ees
tn a grove setttng. Two of the areas are classified as a
Hucalyptus ~orest and other areas are wtndrows whtch
typtfted the env4ronment of the ~rv4ne Ranch agricultural
operations (EXHIBIT II-B).
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~1 /..": ". ' ~ , ~ - ~ ,,
~".. ~ (-.,. ,~~/~ ," ,~e:~ ' ~' ~('
: j:~. .NATURAL RESOURCES
~ '-, ~ "<:':;=~ INVENTORY -
/ '~'-. ' ~4 ' ~ EU~LYPTUS -
/ x % ~ ' ~ GROVES
~ '~ ~ EUCALY'US
.:~ · ~ W~NOaOWS
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Reo~ood $1~nd There ls ~ double row of redwood t~ees
localmd tn t~e nor~ern sectton of t~e Pe~ar's Canyon area
at t~e confluence of t~e east and west for~s of We wash.
landmark
These trees range tn height up 1~ 50' and are a untque-~nd
and visually prominent in the area.
ppgm.Lnen.?,.-v:Lsu&l--,:~men4-W (£:XHIB]:T II-B).
B. PROOUCTIOI
The Eas~ Tus~tn area con~atns agproxtmai~ly 1,$00 acres of prime
farmland, untque farmland or farmland of $1~a-wtde. Impor'cance.
A~)proXtmLl:ely six,y-four percenl: (64%) of ~e ~1 ~,988 acres in ~e
Eas~ Tus~tn ar~ ts ~nde~ cultivation. Agrtcul~ral activities a~
shwn by EXH%B%T %%~. The foll~tflg ~ble tndt~s ~e acreage
~l~oca~d ~ ag~cal'~l p~oduc: ~md ~ ~~~1 ~.
Table 1
East Tusttn
Acree~e
Grapefruit
Asparagus
Avocados
Lemons
Valencia Oranges
Truck Farming.
2t3
243
672
1,265
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TUSTIN
AGRICULTURAL ~
INVENTORY
~ROW CROPS
ORCHARDS
ASPARAGUS
EXHIBIT II.B
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~t is noted t~&t the highest ~eturn ~er acre is from &sparagus farmtng.
have
Avocado groves, -w~- ~n uncer~tn flnanct~l fu~ as · co~rct~
but
ven~re,/have ~e ~ea~s~ po~ntial of ~tntng tn production. This
. . - along with
is due ~ ~e ~la~iveJy ~oung ~ge of ~ %r~ (~o-~elve yeerj),-aad
the ossibility (as written in EIR 78-3) of incorporating the groves
into a develop~nt scheme.
areas ~s% ~ve wa~ m ~e demnds of u~anJ~ton and t: ~su~n~
housing developmnt.
C. 01El)gg~
The City operatas and maintains ntne local pa~ sttas containing 36.8
&cres (see Ftgure III-~). Associated wtW We open space for
recreational facilities are We school st~as of We Tusttn Untfted
School Dts~-Ict. There are eleven developed school sites wtWtn We
¢fW to~ltng 1¢$ acres. These constst of seven elemen~ar~ schools
(62.3 acres); Wren Intermediate schools (46.2 acres).and one htgh
school (36.6 acres). Additional school stoas wtWtn We sphere of
influence provide open space and recreational facilities, although not
opera~ad by the CtW Recreation Department. Prtva~a schools, and church
st~es add ~o l~e availability of open space for prtva~a recreational
activities. Also of significance is the vast area of We Marine Corps
Air $~atton (H), Tustin. Of We tm~l area of more Wan 1,600 acres,
more Wan 1,000 are in open space as aircraft runways, landing pads,
agrtcul%ural operations, and recreational and ~raintng facilities for
mtll~ar~ personnel. (For a more de~tled discussion of recreational
facilities, see We Recreation £1ament.)
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D. SPECXAL RMJJAGEWE)IT RESOURCES (Health and Safety)
t. Dratnage Areas The Peter's Canyon Wash ltes wtthin a part
of the dratnage basin of the San Dtego Creek Watershed,
shown by EXiJIBIT IT-O. The Upper Peter's Canyon Reservoir
ltes at the northern ltmits of the Canyon. The
Reservoir's water ts held by an earthen dam constructed In
1932 by The Irvtne Company. The dam has a crest elevation
of 551 feet and a crest length of 580 feet. The surface
area of the reservoir ts approximately seventy (70) acres,
with a storage capacity of approximately 1,090 acre feet
at its creation in 193Z. Estimates have been given that
as much as t5 to 30 percent of the capacity may he reduced
due to sedimentation. The dam's spt]lway empties water
towards Handy Creek, but the normal downstream course from
the head of the dam is Peters Canyon Wash.' The State
Division of Safety of Dams is responsib]e for inspecting
the dam every six months.
Although the dam and reservoir are outst de the
Jurisdiction of the city of Tusttn, areas downstream from
the reservoir do lie within City limits and represent a
concern to the City. Even though the city of Tusttn must'
depend on other governmental entities to plan the
continued use of the reservoir or certify the safety of
the dam, the City must develop programs andd plans for
areas within the reservoir's drainage channel and any
other areas affected by the reservoirs downstream flow.
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PETERS CANYON RESERVIOR
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TUSTIN
DRAINAGE COURSES
~UNIMPROVED DRAINAGE
~-CHANNELIZED DRAINAGE
f lOO YEAR FLOOD
AREAS
EXHIBIT II.C
With the exception of the East Tusttn area, all drainage
channels 'in the- Ctty are contained within lO0-year
tmproved channels. In the East Tusttn area, the
unimproved Peters Canyon Wash is the primary dratnage
course through the project area and recetves water from a
932 acre drainage area. Thti major drainage, and its
minor tributaries, offer a constraint to development as
well as an opportunity for preservation and conservation
of open. space and natural amenities.
Rtd~eltnes The ridgeltnes of the Lomas de Santiago
a rominent visual feature of the East Tustin
Foothills are ~4~e4~%eael~-~fea~mres-ef--4~e' p:!e~'~-Geaye~
area. A North/South Central Ridge and 1~o East/West
Ridges w4thtn the canyon provide distinct topographical
features. Not only do these ~dges present a panoramic
view'of the Tusttn Plains, but th~ serve as focal points
and visual amenities for surrounding properties within the
regt on.
Slope and Terrain With the exception of a portion of the
East Tustin study area, the terrain of the community is
level. Approximately ¢35 acres of the East Tustin can be
considered hillside, consisting fn the northern portion of
the area as rolling hills and gently sloping valleys. The
highest elevation in the hillside area is approximately
71S feet above sea level, 578 above the average elevation
for the City. Slope characteristics are described in five
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categories: 0 to $%; 5 to [0%; [0 to 20%; 20 to 30% and
30% plus. Slopes bel~een 5 to :[0% comprise approximatelY
60 acres; betueen 10 to 20%, approximately Z20 acres;
be13eeen 20 and 30% approximatelY :[60 acres; and slopes
above 30% approximately 60 acres.
A preliminary geological s~udy tn the East Tusttn area
reveals that an ac~ve earthquake fault passes through the
northern area. known as the E1 ~lodena Fault, the fault
ts not considered capable of generating' a major
earthquake, but may be capable of a surface ~up~ure. The
precise l ocacl on and width of ~he fault can not be mapped
until more spect ftc studies am performed.
Secoodar~ earthquake hazards, such as liquefaction, flow
landsliding, set~'~;cally induced settlement, and ground
lurchtng are known to occur where shallow groundwater
conditions and loose sandy soils am present. Based upon
preliminary soil analysts, these conditions may occur tn
t~e northern half of the study area along valley bottom
areas and in those areas in the southern half where
perched water ts distributed tn a shallow subsurface.
ttore spect ftc studies are required to de,at 1 these areas
and provide measures to lessen these occurences.
4. Floodtn~ Potential :[00 year flood areas am restricted to
underdeveloped areas in the East Tustin study area, and
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are basically ~e resul'c of unimproved flood control
-channels. The exts'ctng Peters Canyon ~lash can contain a
100-year ¢1ood tn Re nor~ern htllst de areas,
breeches the channel jus~ before the channel leaves the
eas~n ctty 1tmt~. Areas ~s~ly and southerly of
ct~ 1tmt~ expe~len~ ex~nslve ~loodlng tn a ~00
~lood occu~nce.
The [1 ~lodefla Trvtne Channel Is contetned wtthtn a 100
year flood chaflflel unttl the ch4nnel reaches the no~he~
stde of ~e Sang Aha (~-5) ~4y. The ~lood ~nsu~nca
Ra~ ~lp for ~e Ct~ of TusCan (U.S. Oepa~n~ of
~oustng and ~n Developmnt, ~]A, Sept. ~4, ~979)
tndtca~s a po~nttal fo~ floodtng ou~tde of ~ c~annel
tn an ~a no~ of ~e San~ Ana ;re~ay ~aen 8r~ntng
Aven~ and ~yford ~d.
E. SUI~Y OF ]S~ES
The following Issues relate to the tnvefltory of nature1 resources and
open space:
1. The. preservattofl and maintenance of adequate open space to
tnsure an accapteble 1tying eflvtroflment.
The protection of proper~y from ~he hazards of floods and
earthquakes and ~he reservation of designated hazardous
areas for use as open space.
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:3. The ~etention of ~dgellnes as open space fn an attempt to
preserve the clarity of the hillstde environment for th~
beneft~ of ~e enttre country.
The loss of prtme agricultural land to the pressures of
in order
urbanization ~n~,ed-to satisfy housing demands.
5. The preservation of unique vegetation, such as tree s~ands
or forest, and any ~partan ~abttats.
The adequacy of open space for active recreation in
consideration of the limitation of & three-acre-per 1,000
population ~atio established by the Qutmpy Act.
7. Oeter~ri natton of the need, compattbt 1 tty, Justification
and feasibility of equestrian tretls and facilities.
The consideration of open space buffers f~o. m~Jor traffic
arterials and coordination wt~.h the $centc Htgtmays
Element.
9. The financial liability for the preservation and
maintenance of open space to determine community-wide or
neighborhood responstbilttes and the equitable
distribution of costs.
I
10.
Property owner ~qutty in the trade-offs, in land yield in
exchange for dedication of open space and conservation of
n&tur~l resources.
I
Recharging of the underground water bastn by the
retention of storm run-off.
~2. The conservation of the domestic ground~&ter supply.
The potential of destlttng .basins within the drainage
basin for the protection of the water qua)try of Upper
tie~por'g Bay.
The linkage of recremtton trails and fmctlfties with those
of adjoining cities and regional facilities of the County
of Orange.
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TUSTIN
OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION
iNVENTORY
.=.,,.~ PETERS CANYON
WASH
....... RIDGELINES
.---.--,- EL MODENA FAULT lapp.)
RIPARIAN
HABITAT
*~ REDWOOD GROVE
EUCALYPTUS
GROVES
~EUCALYPTUS
;WINDROWS
~ 100 YEAR FLOOD
...... AREA
EXHIBIT II. E
! CltiPltl III Gl]ALS 'il~ POLIII£$
A; GOAL
i varietY of open space areas to &ccommodaCe diverse needs related to
recreation, noise atT,enuatton and visual amenities for the residents of
~he communitY.
POLICI£$
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Haxtnrlze and opttmtze open space for recreational purposes
.parks
by locaT,tng *a~#~et~e-~leq~- tn conjuncT,ion with school
fact l iT, les.
2. Enhance the phystcal environment with the utilitarian
developmenT, of open spaces with uses such u the
course.
naturally landscaped
3. Buffer the noise from arterials with the use of -~.;.,,,~a~,
low maintenance, bermed open space.
Preserve the visual amenities of hilltop rtdgelines from
encroachment and'scarring for residential development.
for development
Use land that is' unsafe and/or hazardous/ as open space
with a priority towards multi-use trails and recreational
st~es.
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Coordinated and Inter-.related local open space and tratl areas with the
of
regional faciltttes~ the County and adjoining Cities.
POLICIES
Support Orange Country's Regtonal Park Plan for the
development of the northerly Peter's Canyon Park and
lnterconnec% Ct~/ trails wtth the regtonal plan.
and open space
Coordinate the alignment and development of tratlways/wtt~
and the County of Orange
the cities of Irvlne and Orange/ to provide a regional
perspective and uttltty tn 'addt%ton to local amenities.
C. GOAL
A maximum feasible amount and utilt~ of open space area with a minimum
fiscal impact upon community resources for the acquisition, development
and maintenance of the areas.
POLICIES
Coordinate with .the Tustin Unified School Dis~rlct for the
maximum feasible use of public facilities for recreational
needs.
~equtre the Incorooratton and maintenance 'of open space
areas withtn, subdivisions, whtch are of primary/ benefit to
the neighborhood, to be a financial responsibility of
benefitttn~ proper~y owners.
employee recreation f-acilities
Incorporat~ -epe~--s~ee--a~eas- within industrial and
commercial .developments, ~th-an-empha~s-on-ibh~-de~+g~
Assure that the design and development of public open
space ts of lov cost mtntenance, visually unobscured and
readlly accessible.
Explore and utilize acquisition pregrem for open space
areas that is other than mn in-fee acquisition, such as;
open s~&ca easements, leaseholds, land donations, and gift
aflnut ti es.
6. Utilize zoning and land use control ~s a meens to preserve
open space areas.
Preservation.and protection of unique natural resources.
POLICIES
1. Identify, designate, and preserve facilities of historical
si grit fi cance.
Inventory and develop standards to retain unique or significant
tree stands, or incorporate them into .development plans, with
-g~ve~. particular attention given to the redwood stand,
eucalyptus groves, and eucalyptus windrows.
3. Preserve the rtdgellnes of hills in their naturel state.
Consideration of a
-~re~ the avocado orchards as elements of -low-dene4-ty-
residential developmente~- scheme, in an effort to encourage the
continued'use of the orchards in hillside areas.
Encourage the continued use of land for agricultural
crops, and utilize a phasing program to urban uses that
maintains the Viability of the vacant agricultural areas.
Identify, designate and preserve significant or unique
-P~l~--~e-/ riparian habitats. 4n--~--e~---ufd~
Develop standards to preserve the unique variety of land
forms indigenous in the East Tusttn hillside areas and
ensure that the development process is structured to
consider and preserve these land forms.
Acco~mm)datton of the health, safety, and utility
future residents of the community.
needs of present and
Assure U1e stability of l~e Peter's Canyon Reservoir Dam
prt or to the t ssu~nce of deve 1 op~nt peri ~ for
properties within ~e ~lnage ~sin.
subject to
2. Preclude development in areas-(n~setsmtc hazard.
East Tustin
3. Consideration of a water element within the-Pe'ce~'~nYo~
&re~ that could serve as non-contact recreati on,
Irrigation supply for golf course and open space, flood
retention basin, and destlttng facility.
Avoid
4. -~~n--~ga~-~che'-;ti)t~°~-~f' mass grading
slope
techniques in order to develop butldable sites in-h+~l~
areas.
CHAPTER IY 'D~PLE~IITATZOII PROGR,RR
A. ACTZON PflOGBAMS
The action program are those activities within the Jurisdiction ot' the
Ctty Council that c~n be taken to 1~plement the goals and poltctes of
the Open Space and Conservation Element.
Open space requirements 1'or recreational purposes will be
implemented in accordance with the Recreation Element of the
General Plan and Quimby Act provisions of the Subdivision
Ordinance of the CIW,
2. Future park sites will be developed in conjunction with and in
coordination with the'Tusttn Unified School I)istrtct.
if
The eastern corrldor/,wtthtn the Clty's Jurisdiction, shall be
developed within the guidelines and standards of a scenic
highway with open space buffering.
retaiQed
4. Ridgeltnes of the hills shall be ~ved-through review of
development plans. The East Tustin Specific Plan shall
outline and develop standards showing how and where rldgelines
will be preserved.
Fault areas shall be precisely mapped and shall be subject to
the provisions of the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones
Act.
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10.
Flood a~eas and d~atnage courses shall ~e precisely mapped and
and/
appropriate* ~easures ~aken to e~her con~n ~e fl~
p~se~ve ~e area~ ~ o~en space.
Subdivision maps shall tdenttfy -hemaPdeas--areas
military
flooding, pipelines and/overflights.
due 'c~ hazardous
Subdivision maps and spectftc plans shall incorporate open
space ~equt~ements.
East Tustin
Development plans for l~e -Pelm~'-~ny3~ area shall identify
and provide a means for t~e preservation of unique neural
~SOU~CeS.
developed and
Spec~ftc ~tlls~de Oevelop~n~ S~ndards shall
guide deve~op~n~ ~n areas such
.design, s~ope cut and f~11, v~s~ =nalys~s, vege~on
preservation, grading principles, lot des~ and Tayou~, and
drainage fl~
1. The Community Services Depar~=~ent shall coordinate with Orange
County and adjoining cl~tes for l~e alignment and development
of local recreatlonal facilities and trails wtt~ ~ose of a
regtonal character.
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The Comuntty Development Department shall coordinate wtth the
Ctty of Orange to assu~e the status and safety of the Peter's
Canyon Reservoir Oam.
The Otrector of Publlc Works .shall coordtn&te wtth the Irvtne
Ranch ~iatar Dtstrtct and the East Orange County ~r Dtst~c~
for ~e conservation, recla~tton and ~ound wa~r ~charg~ng
~qut~n~ of ~e East Tus~ln Are~.
The destgn, character and locatton of me~lor artartals and the
buffering requirements for scentc and acoustical features wtll.
be coordtnatad by the Community Oevelopment Oepartment and
Publtc Works Department wtth other government agenctes and
prtva~a property o~ners.
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The Open Space and Conservation Element will have no adverse im;act upon
the environment and is designed'to enhance the qu&lity of the living
environment. An assessment of the environment is contained 'in the
referenced documents.
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