Tustin · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tustin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Affordable Housing Preservation at Chatham Village Apartments
A developer is buying the 350-unit Chatham apartment complex on McFadden, where 212 affordable units were set to lose their covenants at the end of next year. The new owner plans rehab work and extending the affordability covenants — good news for those residents.
Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Annual Report
The commission got trained on when modern materials can replace historic wood, stone, or windows. The discussion touched on how strictly Tustin should enforce standards in Old Town, with Orange County's Old Town Orange cited as a stricter example.
15-unit residential development at 17332 Irvine Boulevard
The Olson Company wants to rezone a piece of Irvine Boulevard property from professional office to residential and build 15 condos. The commission put off the decision to November 10, so the debate — and any public testimony — is still ahead.
September 30, 2026 Quarterly Investment Report
Chandler Asset Management reviewed the city's investment portfolio, highlighting strong purchase yields and compliance with state guidelines.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund Closeout and Financial Health
City staff presented the year-end financial update showing a balanced general fund at $106 million and strong reserve health.
Micro gallery donation to Arvida Book Company Foundation
A tiny art gallery box built by high school students now sits outside Arvida Books in Old Town, and the commission formally gave it to the Arvida Book Company Foundation to curate. It's like a little free library, but for art that stays put.
Tustin Legacy Park Sculpture Walk Call for Artists
The first juror is now on board for the Sculpture Walk, and seven artists have already applied through the Call for Artists, which closes December 31. Phase Two of the park — with three more sculpture spots — is headed to construction, with the park targeted for fall 2027.
HUB Gallery pop-up art shows in Old Town
The city's economic development team is launching pop-up art exhibitions in a private Old Town space to bring vibrancy and foot traffic downtown. If the experiment works, more shows — maybe even a permanent gallery — could follow.
Capital Improvement Projects and Park Upgrades
City Council approved the Tustin Family and Youth Center playground renovation the night before; staff will have a construction schedule by the next meeting.
Halloween Howl Relocation and Expansion
After 25 years at Columbus Tustin Recreation Center, Halloween Howl moves to the Tustin Library Courtyard with a police trunk-or-treat, inflatable maze, sensory room, and three food trucks. Parking is the main concern since the neighboring auditorium is a voting center.
Murals on private property and the CUP hurdle
Property owners want murals on their Old Town buildings, but the current CUP requirement scares them off. The commission and economic development staff are brainstorming a smoother path, possibly modeled on Downey's city-property-owner-nonprofit partnership.
Campaign Conduct and Political Discourse
A significant portion of public comment featured residents and candidates expressing frustration over negative campaign mailers and political messaging in local elections. Speakers called for greater integrity and urged elected officials to denounce negative attacks.
Public Transit Cuts
Metrolink is planning massive service cuts next month, slashing weekday trips by 38% and reducing weekend options due to a budget crunch. If you commute from Tustin, get ready for a much harder ride and potentially higher transit bills.
Mayor Selection
Tustin is choosing a new mayor to guide the city's future direction. This leadership change will shape upcoming local policies and city priorities.
Title VI Implementation Plan and Federal Compliance
The council adopted the Title VI Implementation Plan to comply with federal civil rights requirements. This administrative step ensures the city maintains its eligibility for federal transportation grants.
Mariners Church Development at Tustin Legacy
The council finalized the second reading of a development agreement for Mariners Church to build a 33,422-square-foot religious assembly facility at Tustin Legacy. While supporters highlighted community demand, critics questioned the lack of binding guarantees for public use of the facilities.
Tustin Legacy Senior Living Development Agreement
The city approved an agreement to build a new 172-unit active adult senior housing and congregate care facility at Tustin Legacy. The project includes 15% affordable units and brings much-needed senior housing options to the area, though a five-year non-compete clause drew a dissenting vote from Council Member Fink.
August 2026 City Investment Portfolio Review
Tustin's investment portfolio is performing well, holding over $250 million in assets with strong liquidity and full compliance with state and local guidelines.
Functional Art Park Bench Project at Metrolink Station
Artist RFX1's geometric design was selected for a new functional art bench at the Tustin Metrolink Station, enhancing the commuter experience with Korean painting-inspired public art.
Tustin Tiller Days Festival Planning and Participation
Plans are underway for the annual Tustin Tiller Days festival, featuring carnival rides, a VIP kickoff dinner, a pancake breakfast, and a special ribbon-cutting for a new Old Town gateway sign. Commissioners reviewed event schedules, parade floats, and shuttle logistics.
Old Town Revitalization and Infrastructure Updates
Temporary permits are opening the new Old Town parklets for outdoor dining while long-term designs (patio covers and such) go through review — but the draft license agreement is silent on strollers and dogs. Commissioner Gullo has repeatedly pushed for clarity. Separately, broader Old Town parking solutions, including the city's partial ownership of a parking structure, remain an open conversation.
Residential Parking District Permit Difficulties
Residents in southwest Tustin face extreme parking shortages due to high population density and outdated multi-family parking requirements. The city's study explored solutions like permit programs, enhanced enforcement, and improved walking infrastructure.
Heritage Place Low-Income Rent Increases
Residents of Heritage Place low-income apartments told the council they are facing unsustainable rent hikes of $100 or more per month for three consecutive years, straining their Social Security incomes.
Frontier Park Disc Golf Safety Concerns
A local resident brought up serious safety hazards at Frontier Park, where an overlapping disc golf course has led to multiple people getting struck by flying discs, urging the city to relocate the course or install better barriers.
Enderle Center Drive Vacation & Traffic Impacts
Residents expressed strong opposition to vacating Enderle Center Drive, raising serious concerns about fire evacuation bottlenecks and increased traffic congestion from nearby developments. Staff and council reviewed traffic studies and Orange County Fire Authority feedback, concluding safety standards will be met.
In-N-Out traffic queueing at First Street and Newport
The proposed In-N-Out at Larwin Square — replacing a 6,800-square-foot FedEx building with a 3,800-square-foot drive-thru — has commissioners worried about car lines spilling into an already jammed area. Staff says the first plan review wraps up this month and traffic flow is being studied closely, with a second review expected in early November.
Industrial Property Subdivision on Valencia and Bell Avenues
A 13.56-acre industrial site with two warehouse buildings near the 55 Freeway is now split into two separately ownable lots. No construction is happening — it's about leasing and sales flexibility for the owner. A small parking shortfall on one lot gets resolved through conditions of approval.
Community Development Department 2026 Mid-Year Report
Tustin's development pipeline is packed: Campo on 17th, 1,300 Irvine Company apartments at Tustin Legacy, a Costco expansion, Dick's House of Sport, a law school campus, and dozens more projects in every corner of the city. Commissioners called it a testament to investment spreading beyond one area.
Tustin Police Department School Camera Access (Fusus MOU)
Residents raised strong concerns about privacy, surveillance, and potential ICE access regarding an agreement allowing police emergency access to Tustin Unified School District cameras. Council members defended the MOU as a vital safety measure during active shooter situations.
Michelle Drive Industrial Redevelopment
An 8.3-acre industrial site is being redeveloped with two new modern warehouse buildings totaling 177,696 square feet. Commissioners discussed potential traffic impacts and queuing on Walnut Avenue near Tustin Ranch Road, but staff noted the net increase in industrial space is modest and fits the existing zoning.
Tustin Legacy Outreach and Engagement 2026 Update
The city is moving full speed ahead with developing the former Marine Corps Air Station, balancing new housing, retail, and massive open-space parks. Officials gathered resident input at an AMC theater to shape the master plan, discussing everything from the historic hangars to pedestrian bridges.
Senior Transportation Program Expansion
The city is applying for a $371,760 OCTA grant to purchase ADA-accessible minivans and hire part-time staff to expand transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities, including Saturday service.
Downtown and Red Hill Specific Plan Code Amendments
A local student raised concerns about pedestrian safety and walkability along Red Hill Avenue, urging the council to rethink the 2018-2019 specific plan to avoid overly wide streets.
Spirit & Truth Worship Center Conditional Use Permit
Spirit & Truth Church received unanimous approval to establish a religious assembly space and administrative offices in two former TBN office buildings on Chambers Road. Church leaders and members spoke passionately about how their youth and family ministries provide vital community support and keep young adults connected.
Cue 8 Billiards Establishment on Walnut Avenue
A new sober billiard parlor featuring 10 tables is coming to Park Lane Plaza on Walnut Avenue, offering a clean, family-friendly sports environment without alcohol sales. Commissioners enthusiastically supported the proposal as a great sober recreational alternative for the community.
Enderle Center Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Burnham Ward Properties and Intracorp are transforming the aging 16-acre Enderle Shopping Center into 100 townhomes and modernized retail space, featuring a town green and local favorites like Zov's. While city leaders praised the project for revitalizing a tired corridor and avoiding massive high-density state mandates, several residents voiced worries about increased traffic, loss of cut-through streets, and the displacement of longtime small businesses like Chemers Gallery.
Financial Statement Audit Scope and Standards
Independent auditors reviewed Tustin's financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, awarding the city an unmodified opinion—the highest possible evaluation. The review included testing on federal grants, loans receivable, and new accounting standards for employee leave.
Immigration Enforcement Activity Reports
Residents requested that the city council condemn recent federal immigration enforcement actions near local schools.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Updates
Tustin is forced to update local zoning laws to comply with state ADU rules, despite local concerns over parking and neighborhood compatibility.
Automated License Plate Readers (FLOC/ALPRs) and Surveillance Concerns
A resident asked the city to increase transparency regarding police department policies, data sharing, and auditing standards for Flock ALPR surveillance cameras.
South Hangar Competitive Offering
The city is moving forward with a competitive offering process to test the market for potential reuse or development partners for the historic South Hangar. Maintaining the status quo costs over a million dollars annually in security and maintenance, while full rehabilitation would cost hundreds of millions.
Special Event Evaluations
The commission reviewed successful summer community events and discussed preparations for upcoming fall festivals.
Public-Private Art Partnership with Arvida Bookstore
Tustin is expanding public art onto private property through an exciting new partnership with Arvida Bookshop, featuring a micro gallery curated by a local non-profit foundation.
Hub Art Gallery Private Space Partnership
Staff announced a prospective partnership with Arvida Bookstore to establish a micro gallery public art program outside their shop. This collaboration represents Tustin's first foray into placing public art on private property.
Public Art Priority List & Strategic Goals
The commission updated its strategic goals and project priority list, focusing on diversifying art mediums like planter boxes and sculpture walks.
Animal Shelter Practices and Transparency
Residents raised concerns about animal shelter euthanasia policies at OC Animal Care, urging greater transparency and rehabilitation support for sheltered animals.
Navy North Hangar Emergency Termination
The city officially ended the local emergency for the North Hangar fire after cleanup was completed. While emergency status is lifted, officials are planning long-term futures for the 85-acre area.
Water Resource Planning and Management
The city is establishing a formal cross-connection control program and ordinance to protect the public water supply from contamination, complying with new state rules.
Economic Development Programs and Business Support
Economic Development staff shared updates on their award-winning digital media campaigns, visitation touchpoints, and business data tools.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget and Sustainability Strategy
The council adopted a balanced $123 million operating and capital budget that keeps public safety as its top focus and maintains healthy general fund reserves above 20 percent. The spending plan continues progress on paying down unfunded pension liabilities.