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Toxic Waste Drop Off
Supervisor Bill Campbell honors Bruce Junor
FCA Briefed by John Wayne Airport
On May 5, 6 and 13, a total of 40 concerned residents of North Tustin and neighboring cities attended these briefings. Mr. Eric Freed, Manager of Access and Noise, discussed the roles and responsibilities of his staff in implementing the County policies and regulations controlling aircraft noise, noting that JWA is one of the most regulated and restrictive airports in the nation. These restrictions include maximum noise levels, the number of noise regulated departures, the number of passengers allowed to travel through the airport annually, and a night time curfew. These restrictions are a result of the 1985 and 2003 Settlement Agreements entered in to by the County of Orange, the city of Newport Beach and two citizen organizations, and may expire in 2015 unless a further agreement is reached. These regulations do little to control aircraft noise over the North Tustin & Tustin, except during night time curfew hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM. To be specific, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the pilot in command of an aircraft have exclusive control over flight paths and altitudes. As a consequence, most efforts to reduce aircraft noise over North Tustin and corridor cities must be directed to the FAA and the airlines. The FCA Airport Committee has been studying the issues and is in the process of acquiring the technical information needed to discuss our concerns with the FAA. There are new capabilities in aircraft navigation equipment and procedures that have the potential to reduce noise in our neighborhoods, if approved by the FAA and implemented by the airlines. The Committee plans to explore alliances with neighboring cities concerned with aircraft noise and pollution. The JWA staff has indicated they are fully supportive of FCA efforts to address airspace and navigational issues affecting aircraft noise and will facilitate discussions with the FAA and airlines. Residents of the North Tustin area, the city of Tustin and neighboring communities concerned with these airport issues are welcome to participate in the FCA airport initiatives. Please contact AirportGroup@FCAhome.org, see the button at the top of this webpage to join a committee, and be sure to inform your neighbors that FCA is trying to make a difference. FCA Life Members
Stephen Johnson was designated as a life member for his extensive legal work in obtaining the same benefits as Tustin City residents during the transfer of the Tustin Water Works to the City of Tustin and also for his legal work to avoid several attempts at annexation of North Tustin. FCA Moving Monthly Meeting Location
County Issues Weed Abatement Notices
There will be a public hearing at the Board of Supervisors office on April 15 where objections will be heard. The Supervisors Office is located at #10 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. There is applicable state law for the program. North Tustin Zoning Map 2005
2008 Annual Meeting
Discussions during the meeting included: 1. In order to determine the concerns of residents regarding JWA, a survey is underway. Preliminary results indicate major concerns and a desire for FCA to do something. See the survey form further down this webpage. 2. FCA will form a working group to advise the 3rd District Supervisor and others on the position of North Tustin on Airport issues. Supervisor Bill Campbell agreed to endorse this group. It is timely for residents of North Tustin to join this group. FCA is organizing a visit for North Tustin residents to JWA to be briefed on aircraft noise and airport operations. 3. Supervisor Bill Campbell announced, for the first time publicly, that the County has allocated $750,000 in matching funds for a new swimming pool at Foothill High. In consideration for the County matching funds, the pool would be open to the public. 4. The North Tustin public schools are ranked among the top in the nation. It was noted that Eric Kilian was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2007 at Hewes Middle School and was recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Teachers in the State of California. Richard Bray, Superintendent TUSD, discussed the many improvements in TUSD schools as a result of the Measure G bond fund. Richard Nelson, FCA President and a member of the Board of Governors at Irvine Valley College (IVC), pointed out how enthusiastic IVC is about the unique Partnership with TUSD where students can enroll in a program to receive an IVC diploma simultanously with High School graduation. This also enables the student to enroll as an upper division student in a California public university and receive a college degree two years sooner. 5. The construction of a science building is underway at Foothill High School and features a number of large laboratories. Principal Marzilli discussed with pride the improvements resulting from Measure G Bond fund and encouraged residents to visit his office for a tour. 6. Many members were concerned about the quality and safety of roads. Concerns included potholes, unimproved and deteriorating roads in some of the foothills, and dangerous intersections. FCA is now, and periodically does, preparing requests for road service to the County. Anyone desiring to submit a request should contact the Roads Committee Chair; Les Nesbitt at 714-730-9365 or other Directors listed on the website (see Director link at left). 7. Burglaries and theft from automobiles are increasing, particularly in the Foothills. Many of these crimes are opportunistic, resulting from people not locking cars and homes. 8. Orange County has one of the highest rated Forensic Labs in the country. 9. FCA is organizing several group visits to the Operations Center at John Wayne Airport to discuss impacts on North Tustin. North Tustin residents can use the sign up form at the top of this page. Join FCA
JWA Aircraft Using New Route over North Tustin
Since the end of last year, residents in Cowan Heights, Lemon Heights, and other areas of North Tustin have noticed a significant increase in the number of commercial and private jets overflying their homes. On some days, this can number up to a third of all approach flights into the airport, over an area that experienced very few flights in the past. There has also been an increase of flights over North Tustin headed to Long Beach airport as well. This change in flight patterns is due, in part, to the FAA opening up the air space once reserved for the former El Toro and Tustin Marine bases. As a result, many aircraft that in the past approached the airport west of Easter Hill are now allowed to approach east of the hill, putting them right over Cowan and Lemon Heights. FAA regulations dictate how pilots are to approach JWA. During overcast conditions or periods of low visibility, pilots must intercept the Instrument Landing System (ILS), a radio guidance system, at a distance approximately seven to ten miles from the airport, which means they must fly west of Easter Hill, away from Cowan and Lemon Heights. However, in clear weather, pilots have the discretion to intercept the ILS at a point much closer to the airport, thus allowing them to cut across the foothills to line up with the guidance system. Also, there is no minimum altitude at which they must operate over the foothills, as long as they fly the aircraft in a safe manner. These changes in approach patterns do not bode well for the residents of the foothill communities. Some residents have expressed their feeling that the increase in flights already has had a serious impact on the environment and has altered the rural character of the region. There is a possibility that property values could begin to suffer as well. If we do not respond in some way, JWA will inevitably continue to grow; even today, there are forces actively working to further increase the size of the airport. Those forces include: (1) an increasing OC population, which is inevitably causing increasing demand for John Wayne services; (2) groups which are actively campaigning to promote future growth at JWA. FCA wants to know how seriously you view the change in the approach pattern and other issues associated with JWA airport. Please help your association and your community by returning the questionnaire found below. Let your views be known. Airport Survey
Tustin Library Groundbreaking
Group Homes
Where are we?
Rainfall Back to Average
Foothill High in Top 500 Schools
2007 Santiago Fire
[picture from nearby hillside in Irvine]
July Fire near Cowan Heights
Pictures courtesy of Brett Carlouet.
Holderman Park Dedication
FCA Presents Scholarship
NTAC Info
Important Info
92705 Name Change Summary from FCA President, Bruce Junor
However, because of some logistical needs, the data was counted on December 8 and the results are tabulated in a link below. Briefly, The trail was very strongly supported, and the name North Tustin was the most popular choice. The County, with the urging of Bill Campbell, is moving to acquire the property that was up for sale, including the parcels that were already sold. Some details remain to be worked out, but the negotiations are underway. The result is the walking trail will become permanent. It is official. The US Postal service has agreed to the use of the name "North Tustin" for those residences in the unincorporated area with zip code 92705. The name "Santa Ana" can also be used. For those residences in Cowan Heights, "Cowan Heights" is also an acceptable name. Many thanks to Supervisor Bill Campbell and then Representative Chris Cox for helping to make this happen. For a numerical summary Click Here Comment from Rick Nelson
Trash Info
Some Neighborhood pictures. Contact the webmaster if you would like to contribute pictures or historical information about North Tustin. Either hard copy or digital formats are desirable.
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The Orange County Santiago wild fire in October 2007 resulted in voluntary evacuations from Peters Canyon and Cowan Heights. The fire jumped the toll road but was extinguished by fire frighters on the way to housing in Cowan Heights.
A fire erupted across the toll road east of Cowan Heights burning 77 acres on July 28, 2007. Five fire engines and three hand crews responded on the ground. Aircraft dropped fire retardant and water as photographed from Grove Oak Drive.
