N. Tustin Notes:

RV parking Pro and con

By Scott Logue

The Foothill Communities Association (FCA) is aware of a proposed clarification by the County of Orange to its existing nuisance ordinance regarding recreational vehicle (RV) parking on residential properties. The change proposed by the county involves adding the three words, “or recreation vehicle” to its existing ordinance such that, “… a vehicle ‘or recreation vehicle’ may be stored or parked on a paved driveway connecting a garage or carport with a public or private street.”

Under the proposed amendment, an unlimited number of RVs of any size could be parked or stored in driveways for an unlimited period of time. Such RVs could be fully visible from the street or neighboring residences without any screening (i.e., fencing or landscaping), and without any restrictions as to how close to the abutting street the RVs could be parked or stored.

Poll positions
A recent FCA poll in North Tustin shows equal support on either side of the issue, with half of those responding in favor of no RV parking restrictions, and the other half supporting limits on the number of days RVs can be parked at a residence. Similar results were reported for a second poll on the storage of RVs, with half of respondents supporting no restrictions on RV storage on residential properties, while the other half supported some restrictions, such as the use of a fence, wall or landscaping as a screen, parking the RV on a paved surface and parked behind the front setback area.

The laws in the cities surrounding North Tustin, e.g., Orange, Tustin and Villa Park, all expressly prohibit the parking or storage of RVs in this manner. RVs must be parked or stored behind the residence building line, and must be screened.

However, unlike the incorporated cities surrounding North Tustin, the greater part of unincorporated Orange County is unique in its lot sizes and maintains a much more rural atmosphere, with far fewer regulatory restrictions. 

The county’s more country
Many of the comments from the poll expressed a disinterest in HOAs and cited the absence of such regulatory bodies as the very reason why unincorporated Orange County is such an attractive location to live. Other comments, in equal measure, were concerned about oversized or impaired RVs interminably parked on driveways, while limiting other homeowners’ abilities to park in their own garage or driveway, thus increasing street parking, and the subsequent effects those conditions could have on neighborhood property values.

The proposed amendment is currently before the Orange County Planning Commission and will soon go before the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Please contact the FCA at rnelson@fcahome.org to share your concerns about this amendment, and visit the FCAHome.org website for updates.

For the last year, FCA has opposed a proposed development along Newport Blvd. across from the Rocking Horse Ridge development. We were opposed to the proposed higher density (10,000 sq. ft. per lot) than the surrounding North Tustin properties, the view from Newport Blvd., and potential fire issues. We filed a lawsuit in January to protect a statutory time limit. After several months of negotiation, we have reached an agreement with the developer. We could have continued the lawsuit with a very uncertain result and considerable expense to the community. The agreement is a reasonable compromise that improves the development. The OC Board of Supervisors approved the revised plan on February 6, 2018.

Key changes to the plan are:

Reduction in the number of homes from 22 to 16.
Screening of the view from Newport Blvd. with landscaping and trees. This preserves the scenic view of this part of the highway (Newport Blvd.). This was included in the Conditions of Approval (COA) which mandates the HOA maintain and preserve this landscaping and trees.
Replacement of hammerhead turnarounds for fire authority equipment with full cul-de-sacs at both ends of the internal street.
Three car garages which will reduce parking on the street which will enhance fire safety.

FCA is grateful to the Steering Committee, comprised of Cowan Heights’ residents, for helping to bring this opposition to a reasonable conclusion. We are particularly thankful for the leadership of Jane Rice, Chair of this FCA initiative.

This was not a perfect resolution. The Supervisors did approve a rezoning of the property in spite of obvious very large objection by residents of North Tustin. Fortunately the project, as finally approved, will be less dense and considerably improved. With the existence of other large parcels in North Tustin, requests by developers for high density projects will continue. For example, there is current interest in development of the Tustin Hills Racquet Club. We must be tenacious in protecting the zoning of our community. As we have seen, it is a simple matter for the OC Board of Supervisors to rezone and provide a developer a denser and more valuable development. This is one reason North Tustin might want to incorporate.

FCA is not opposed to development, but developments need to be consistent with the neighborhood.

Rick Nelson, FCA President