North Tustin Objects to
Inappropriate Facility & Zoning Change
A large Senior Living Facility is
being proposed for the 7.25 acre empty lot (the farm) on Newport Ave
approximately 1/4 mile north of 17th street and across from St. Regis Place and
Ravencrest Road. This huge facility is
in the middle of a single family community and changes the character of the
community significantly. The residents
strongly object for this reason. The
Foothill Communities Association (FCA) additionally objects because a zoning
change is required and this will be the only business operation north of 17th
Street along Newport. It has to be noted that there is no bias against a senior
living facility or seniors but there is an objection to the placement of an
incompatible development of a large business facility. There have been no objections to other large
senior living facilities nearby, such as the one under construction on Red Hill
Ave north of the freeway.
For 45
years, FCA has successfully argued in the interests of the residents against a
number of commercial developments in this area.
In the 1980's the residents of this area and the OC Board of Supervisors
created the North Tustin Specific Plan (NTSP) which specifically states that
the area should remain zoned as single family residential. Permitting this facility would shatter this
Covent between the residents and the Board of Supervisors and will lead the way
to further incompatible developments. A letter from FCA to
Supervisor Bill Campbell outlines some of the environmental impacts as
identified in the NTSP.
Signs have been popping up all over North
Tustin by residents objecting to this development.
A informational meeting was
organized by local residents and attended by over 200 North Tustin residents
where everyone participating in the discussion was adamantly opposed to this
development.
It is felt
that the developer, Kisco Senior Living, has inaccurately characterized the FCA
position and this document provides
clarification.
The County
of Orange has determined that this project requires an environmental impact
study and report. A public meeting was
held at the Board of Education Board Room in Tustin on August 11 to gather
community input for the content of the study.
Community interest was huge. The
room could not accommodate all of the participants. People waited outside until their turn to
speak was announced. All of the
community speakers, except one, expressed their strong opposition along with
their comments on environmental concerns.
One speaker said he liked the architecture. Here is
the FCA written submission and the FCA Supplemental Response. Here are some pictures at the meeting: SCOP1, SCOP2, SCOP4,
SCOP5, SCOP6.
Can a Senior Living Facility morph into a monster? Here is one man's experiece.
FCA is
spending a considerable amount of funds donated by members in this opposition
effort. Commitments to date are about
$12,000. It is estimated that the amount
committed can rise to $100,000 or more depending on how the project
progresses. $100,000 is a significant
amount for our Association and needs to our initial goal for additional funds
to be raised. This is achievable. If 1% of the 10,000 homes would donate $1,000
this goal would be met. A larger number
of smaller donations can also get us there.
Please consider a donation using one of the option below. These funds will be segregated from other FCA
funds. Donate by Credit or Debit Card or PayPal