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 After numerous continuances to permit further review and analysis, the elements were withdrawn from the agenda until a joint stud~ meeting on SeptQmber 10, 1984.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 I' I' 'It I l t( t CITY iONF TUST L O~ 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, i I(: I L L L L L .1 L ~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 -4- L I z// % , I / ~ I [¢ [ [ [ I t I [ L L t L 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 -5- L TUSTIN 4~ AGRICULTURAL ~ __ ROW CROPS ~'~ CHARDS L~: ~GUS EXHIBIT 8 ~L i-c ¥ [ 1 I 1 1 t( t t t L L I L [~, ~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~. ) · '6-- L 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. -7- [ I I I I l l L L P~'I'ERS CANYON. RESERVIOR , / / / / _ . · - ..... ,.,.zZ,~x.~..,,,, . ~_ × ~ :-- · , - ..:., ~ .-.,~_ x../~,,?, ~ %, .~ ~ [ I ~' ~,~., . ...,4 ~. . . ~, z .~~ ~ 7/- ;..¢',~..' ! ,~.:~.,,,,.~..~,o'~ . .. ~? / ~C ,;,~' ~.-[ ~' '!.~','"'; ,' ':,~."4/,>,?,,~ z ' - ':~ ., ,, . -~ · .... ;j ~ .... ;/ ., . ..~..,'~.. :~ ..... ,, ... / ! [ X., ' '~-.:~...x~.,, ,;//' DRAINAGE COURSES / / ~. '" -'~ ~-CHANNELIZEB DRAINAGti ' '~ 7 ~ 100 YEAR FLOOD ,% L 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 -8- l I I ! l (I. [ l t ~ / / I I I I EL MOOENA__FAULT 'APPROXIMATE ~HIBIT I1-O L -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 -g- f¢ f f I- i i I L t L L 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. -10- 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 I 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. [ 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. -12- / / TUSTIN SPAC£, CON$£~¥ATION CANYON ....... ELINES ~-- ---" )ENA FAULT E~J,llSIT II- E I I Cl l l L L [¢ [ [ [ I ! i I 1_ 1_ L L L I 1 L L 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~. e 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. L L [ l l f 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. l( ~ ,,., ,,., += ._ _,_-.. ; ~ and open saace, flood ~chn~ques tn order ~ ~velo~ but~daMe st~s tn ~' t t L -17- L ~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. e 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. -19- 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. -20- I 1 l L L ~L CITY OF TUSTIN -Z 0~, ~0 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 19~4 -t- 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- -ii- 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 $5302 (d) and (e) of the State Planning and Zoning Law. The consolidation of these two elements is authorized by the State due to the similarities and tntur-relationshtps and to avoid need1 ess duplt cart on. A. ~JRPOSIC AND SCOPIC The purpose of the Conservation Element is to provide for the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, wildlife, minerals and other natural resources. The purpose of the open space element, in addition to the nutntenanca of the economy of the State, is to assure the continued availability of land for the production of food and fiber, for the enjoyment of scenic beauty, for recreation and for the use of natural resources. This combined element identifies natural resources and significant sites for presentation as open space. 8. R:F.J.ATIONSHI? TO OTHER EI.EI4E~NTS The primry relationship of' the Open Space and Conservation Element is with the Land Use Element of the General Plan. The Land Use Element is ! I t 1 I t~ple~en~ed by Subdivision M&ps and Speclfl¢ Plans which designate areas ~ re~atn as open space, recreatlonel f&ctllttes, conservation areas, and natural ~esources. Publtcly ~d ~and ~sl~a~ed for open space and conservatt~ ts Identified as "Publlc & Institutional" (P&[) on ~e Land Use Map. Thts element Is consistent wtth the Land Use £iement by the common designation of areas ~ be preserved as open space or conservation. Thts element ts consistent wtth the Recreation E~ement of the General Plan whereby all par~$, 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 -2- 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. e 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. -3- 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). -4- I / ~1 /..": ". ' ~ , ~ - ~ ,, ~".. ~ (-.,. ,~~/~ ," ,~e:~ ' ~' ~(' : j:~. .NATURAL RESOURCES ~ '-, ~ "<:':;=~ INVENTORY - / '~'-. ' ~4 ' ~ EU~LYPTUS - / x % ~ ' ~ GROVES ~ '~ ~ EUCALY'US .:~ · ~ W~NOaOWS / 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 $1~a-wtde. Impor'cance. A~)proXtmLl:ely six,y-four percenl: (64%) of ~e ~1 ~,988 acres in ~e Eas~ Tus~tn ar~ ts ~nde~ cultivation. Agrtcul~ral activities a~ shwn by EXH%B%T %%~. The foll~tflg ~ble tndt~s ~e acreage ~l~oca~d ~ ag~cal'~l p~oduc: ~md ~ ~~~1 ~. Table 1 East Tusttn Acree~e Grapefruit Asparagus Avocados Lemons Valencia Oranges Truck Farming. 2t3 243 672 1,265 -$- i ~Z TUSTIN AGRICULTURAL ~ INVENTORY ~ROW CROPS ORCHARDS ASPARAGUS EXHIBIT II.B I: I I '1 ~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.) · -6-- 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. -7- ,m ./ PETERS CANYON RESERVIOR / / 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 -8- [ ! 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 -9- 1 / / / / / 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. -10- :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 $centc Htgtmays Element. 9. The financial liability for the preservation and maintenance of open space to determine community-wide or neighborhood responstbilttes and the equitable distribution of costs. I 10. Property owner ~qutty in the trade-offs, in land yield in exchange for dedication of open space and conservation of n&tur~l resources. I Recharging of the underground water bastn by the retention of storm run-off. ~2. The conservation of the domestic ground~&ter supply. The potential of destlttng .basins within the drainage basin for the protection of the water qua)try of Upper tie~por'g Bay. The linkage of recremtton trails and fmctlfties with those of adjoining cities and regional facilities of the County of Orange. / / / / / / / / TUSTIN OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION iNVENTORY .=.,,.~ PETERS CANYON WASH ....... RIDGELINES .---.--,- EL MODENA FAULT lapp.) RIPARIAN HABITAT *~ REDWOOD GROVE EUCALYPTUS GROVES ~EUCALYPTUS ;WINDROWS ~ 100 YEAR FLOOD ...... AREA EXHIBIT II. E ! CltiPltl III Gl]ALS 'il~ POLIII£$ 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£$ l I I 1 I ! I I I I 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. -13- 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. -18- · i [ l 8 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. -19- 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. -ZO- 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. -21-