Planning Commission / Landmarks Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'm calling this meeting of the Fullerton Planning Commission to order. Today is Wednesday, 04/22/2026. The time is 06:30. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

Commissioner Feiner?

Here.

Commissioner Tudor?

Here.

Commissioner Wayne?

Here.

Vice chair Dino?

Here.

Chair Valadez?

Here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of The United States Of America

and to the republic for which it stands, We will now take public comments on items not appearing on tonight's agenda but within the commission's jurisdiction. Each speaker has three minutes. Please state your name and city of residence for the record. Do we have anybody in chambers? No. Do we have any comments on Zoom?

No hands raised.

Seeing no speakers, public comment now is closed. There is no consent calendar for tonight's meeting. Next is commissioner's communication disclosures regarding tonight's agenda items. Commissioners, do you have any disclosures to report?

I don't, but I do have a personal privilege. Janet, my screen isn't on.

There

we go. Thank you, commissioners. That was it.

None none. Okay. Thank you. We will now move to item number one under public hearings, request for a conditional use permit to operate a health care clinic on property zone commercial manufacturing located at 427 East Imperial Highway.

Yes, sir. Mister Lopez, senior planner, will be making a presentation.

Okay. Good evening, chair and members of the planning commission. Next slide, please. There we go. The subject property is located near the Northwest corner of Imperial Highway and Palm Street. The subject 3.49 acre parcels improved with a multitenant commercial and office development identified as the Plaza Imperial Center. The property is zoned Centimeters. That would be a commercial manufacturing and CMHI for commercial manufacturing and high oz overlay. The center contains a mix of professional and office type uses, including the Jack in a Box drive through restaurant. Next slide, please.

The request is a conditional use permit or CUP for the operation of a health care clinic. The operation of a health care clinic is not specifically identified as a permitted use within the Centimeters zone or the commercial manufacturing zone. Therefore, the CEP is being requested. Pursuant to the municipal code, the purpose of the conditional use permit is to assure compatibility and consideration of existing and potential land uses in the vicinity. Next slide, please.

The CUP involves the operation of an outpatient health care clinic within a 5,760 square foot suite located near the easterly end of the center, near the drive through restaurant. A dance studio operated from the suite from 1980 and ceased operation in June 2025. A grand total of 273 spaces are required, which includes the operation of the health care clinic. The center provides three sixteen spaces, providing for an excess of 43 spaces and an ample amount of parking, available throughout the center. Next slide, please.

The floor plan includes a waiting area, reception area, two offices, conference room, four acupuncture treatment rooms, restrooms, and a large open fitness area. Services include physical therapy, rehabilitative, and acupuncture services by appointment only. The on-site services will be performed by licensed professionals, and the hours operation will be Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. The facility is not proposed to operate during the weekends. The anticipated number of individuals or clients within the facility will be approximately five individuals, and that's based on the treatment schedules.

On-site staff will range between six to seven staff members. So this facility will provide outpatient services offered by appointment only, thereby operating as a professional, orderly, and low impact use, which is compatible with the surrounding, uses in the center. And there's also sufficient amount of parking to support the use. Therefore, staff recommends approval of this item. This will conclude staff's presentation, and I'll be happy to answer any questions. And we also have the operator here in the audience to answer any questions. Thank you.

Great. Thank you. I'll open the public hearing and, see as the applicant, has a presentation.

Good evening, commissioners and the city staff members. Thank you for giving us the opportunity today to present our project. We are proposing a small scale health care clinic providing physical therapy and acupuncture services. The clinic will operate as outpatient basis and all the patients are capable of self preservation at all time. Our goal is to provide a safe professional and patient based centered services.

We focus on low intensity treatments for rehabilitation, pain management, and wellness for every individual walking into our clinic. The clinic will be operated by licensed professionals such as a licensed physical therapist and a certified acupuncturist. Our service will comply with applicable state laws and medical regulations to ensure the highest level of patient safety and care. The clinic will have about seven staff members including physical therapist, acupuncturist, assistant, and administrative staff. The anticipated maximum number of patients present at the clinic at any given time is about five individuals depending on the treatment schedule.

There will be a total of about twelve percent on-site at any time. The clinic will be appointment based with an average of thirty to sixty minutes per visit. There won't be high volume walk ins. The parking demand is relatively low and stable and all the operation is indoor and be quiet at all time. We provide physical therapy and acupuncture services.

Physical therapy includes exercise therapy and manual therapy. We design a large finished room, which is about 2,700 square feet with related exercise equipment such as a body total body maybe I can show such as cross trainer, such as total body exercisers, and also like the treadmills. So for the purpose of providing personalized treatment plan for every single patient. Some examples of the manual therapy were also can be called a hands on techniques include like a massage, like joint mobilization, and a trigger point release. Another important service is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a treatment method that involves inserting very thin sterile needles into skin at very specific points of the body. It is a very important component of the traditional Chinese medical therapy and is commonly used to treat pain and stress. There are some potential advantages of integrating acupuncture into physical therapy such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, and stress reduction. If someone is suffering from pain or discomfort brought by any of the health issues such as work injuries, sport related injuries, auto accident, sleep and falls, and etc, our clinic is the right place to go. When the patient walks into our clinic, our staff is there to help.

So in conclusion, our clinic is a low intensity public serving healthcare use that will enhance the quality of life for residents without negatively affecting the surrounding area. It is a complimentary use for this commercial manufacturing property. That would be all. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Thank you very much. Thank you. We will now take public comments on this item from chambers. Are there any, comments on this item? Seeing none, are there any on Zoom?

No hands raised.

Moving on, commissioners, do you have any questions for staff or for the applicant?

Yeah. I'll I'll go. On for me, with usually, with agenda items like this, I I kinda look at them as if there's not a problem, then it should be a yes. That's just kind of kind of my perspective. I I don't don't see any, reason with that.

But when one thing that kinda comes to mind, when we do that, just out of curiosity, are we possibly affecting property tax revenue when we do that if we were going from, that maybe manufacturing was profitable and and the business that wants to go in is is just generates less revenue. Is that something that we should be considering? Is that something we're allowed to consider?

Generally, tax and finance is outside the purview of planning commission. The the mission, so to speak, is is to focus on the land use aspects. Those kind of questions are are good ones, good policy questions that are usually taken up by the council when, in an overarching, you know, general plan and so hope that answers your question.

Okay. Yeah. And that that's not reflective of, of this specific CEP at all. It's just a thought I had.

Yes. I've got a question, of the staff. Was it just an oversight that health care facilities weren't included, or was there a specific reason why they weren't?

The commercial manufacturing zone is intended for office uses. So at one time, probably wasn't a consideration for a clinic to be included as part of that particular zone or overlay. However, the CUP allows for that, discretion, to be granted. Okay.

Can you speak to, I guess, how how does this clinic fit in with the surrounding properties? Because I know that, obviously, from one of my colleagues had asked around the current zoning of commercial manufacturing, what what was the property used for before?

Dance studio.

Okay. Can you go back over some of the conditions for approval?

There are standard conditions requiring a business license, requiring building permits for the interior alterations, compliance with accessibility requirements, path of travel, ADA, standard standard conditions.

Hours of operation?

No. No no specific conditions on hours since anticipated hours are Monday through Friday, ceasing at 5PM beginning at 9AM. So it's not something excessive or something that the city felt should be controlled or limited.

If approved, are we setting a precedent for other commercial manufacturing zones, or is this should be would this just be a one off?

Every CUP is specific to the property or area.

So it would not be a one off. It would be or it would be a one off?

Yes. You could view it as this CUP is being granted specifically for this location based on the scope of work that's being requested.

Got it. Thank you. And were there any studies done in terms of the need for a health care facility in that location?

No studies were performed. Okay.

I think that's it for me.

I have a question. Is this property solely gonna be for this one company to operate this therapy? I know that when we looked at the building, it seemed like more than the picture, but it said it occupied 300 parking spaces. Is that correct?

So the facility is operating out of a 5,760 square foot suite. And the parking requirements for all the concurrent uses are 273 spaces, but the center provides 316 spaces. So there's excess or there's, ample amount of spaces.

Is that just for the one property or it's for the whole center, like, surrounding businesses as well?

For the entire center.

So 200 and Okay. So this is a property within a larger center?

Yes.

Okay. Got it. Yeah. Because I was gonna say, I was like, if there's only 12 people roughly at a given time working at the therapy, then you might only see, you know, five to eight to 10 patients at a time. Yes. That's why I was thrown off.

Correct. So when staff reviews these type of uses, we are assuming full capacity or all the uses running concurrently. And so that's why you have the higher numbers for parking.

Got it. That makes sense.

I did have a follow-up. Are we getting are we conditioning any additional improvements to the actual site along with I mean, on on top of what they've detailed in their in their site their site plan. Have we have we conditioned any additional site improvements? Because I know that that shopping center has been around for a while.

No condition specific to the exterior since all proposed improvements are gonna be within the suite. However, there is the condition that requires accessibility requirements. So in the event that an accessible space or a path of travel be required, that would be covered under that condition.

Does that go along with certificate of occupancy, or is that after the or is that after the fact, like, that they're compliant with ADA?

That would be a part of the building permit process. So before even type of operation, they have to go through a building permit process that will review or analyze that part of it.

So, essentially, they have to do it before the permit's approved?

Correct. Or show it

on the Plan plan there. Okay. Mhmm. That's it. Thank you.

The question that I have is more of a general question about, how Centimeters zoning works. So for office medical, you can include it in commercial manufacturing zone?

So that is a a good question. The zoning code does identify office medical uses, and that is an a line item that specifically says, CUP for this operation of office medical within the TM zone is subject to a CUP. So since clinic is not identified, but it's very close related to office medical, that's the connection that was made. That's why we're processing a CUP, to be similar to that type of use. Obviously, the findings have to be made to support it, and that's why we're here this evening.

Yeah. So a health care clinic sounds very similar to an office medical. Would it be in the future appropriate to to kinda clear that up possibly?

That could be done, yes, either through clarification of a a definition, samples. So yes.

So would that be just done on a onetime basis, or could could it be done more formally?

It would probably have to be, part of a zoning code update. Yep. Yeah. It wouldn't make sense just for one definition. It'd have to probably include other sections of the code.

Definitely something that would be something to consider. The other question I have is just the the use of the site. Right now, we have, like, a seems like a very low intensity use. Mhmm. If we're hoping that it becomes very successful if more clients come than those the five,

how does does the city have the possibility to evaluate that in the future, like, if

it becomes really successful and there's more people using the parking lot? Or is that something that's how would that typically work?

Normally, if the city were to receive a complaint based on, you know, excessive vehicles or noise, something related to the operation of the CUP, then that's where an investigation would be conducted to see if there's any violations of the original conditions or if the, use has expanded into other suites or buildings in which the CEP would have to be recalled or possibly modified by this board or commission.

Is the property currently fully occupied after after this project is approved?

I don't have that information if all the suites are vacant or available.

So to chair to the chair's question then, could it be that, let's say, someone wants to open up something like something adjacent, which is also health care office, then they would have to come back as as the code stands right now, they would have to come back to us.

As a CUP.

Yes. For us. Until until the code is changed. Correct. Okay. But you don't have the information if they're completely full or not?

Correct. I don't have that information.

Got it.

Commissioner, does any more questions? No. So I guess the public hearing is not closed, and we will deliberate. Any so

I guess start with my left. Any comments on the COP? To me, this seems like a really good fit for that area. I know that area reasonably well, and it I don't I don't see any issues with us being there. I would be interested in some point kind of to the chairman's point.

It seems like they're being, in my head, they're kind of being given the cost of a CUP because of a kind of a technicality in the in the wording on something. And I don't want to start cheating on that stuff, but I would do wanna have clear concise language so people don't get stuck with getting a CP when it really might not have always made sense to. But on this, on this particular item, I'm I'm definitely supportive.

It seems like a good fit to me as well. My only possible concern was what was the reason, and it doesn't seem like there's it seems like it's, maybe either needs to be changed or, you know, potentially kept as a CEP, but it seems like it's a good fit. So I think it's a good thing.

Mr. Fleeter?

I mean, seems like a good addition to the center. I like the idea of combining, you know, traditional and seemingly holistic medicine. So it's nice to offer that type of service for people.

I agree. All my questions are answered by staff. So I can't see any reason why we shouldn't improve the CPSs. I I agree with the chair and commissioner Wayne around clarifying the zoning, but that doesn't have to affect this decision tonight. Thank you.

Well, I'm supportive as well. So, if we have a motion on the item.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Madam clerk, can, please call the roll?

Commissioner Wayne? Aye. Commissioner Tudor? Yes. Commissioner Fleener? Yes. Vice chair Dino? Yes. Chair Valadez?

Aye. The motion passes. Thank you for your investment on our city. We'll move to, item number two under public hearings. Oh, do I have to read the I apologize.

You cut yourself.

The planning commission's approval or denial of any action on this agenda shall be final and effective ten working days after its decision unless an appeal is made in writing. Anyone interested in making an appeal should contact the community and economic development department for assistance. Thank you, vice chair. We will now move to item number two under public hearings, request to amend the Fulton Plan by adopting append appendix m, the open space and conservation element, and replacing chapter 19 in its entirety. Staff, your report?

Yes, sir. So, we are proud to bring to you the draft open space element, which is a portion of the general plan also called the Fullerton plan. This is an item that we actually started last year in conjunction with the environmental justice element. We have brought on, Michael Baker International as our consultant, and Valerie Clark is here as a representative of that company and and worked and helped us through the process. We do intend to take this item to the Parks and Rec Commission in May, but this item will have to be approved at the city council for final adoption.

And at this time, I'm gonna turn it over to Yan Gao, our senior planner, who will make a presentation of this particular item.

Good evening, chair Vanadise and commissioners. Tonight, we are presenting the open space and the conservation element update, a general plan amendment prepared with our consultant, Michael Baker International. I'll be walking you through this item this evening. Next slide, please. The city is required to update its open space and conservation element to comply with senate bill fourteen twenty five signed in 2022 with a compliance deadline of 01/01/2026.

The OSE is a core component of Fullerton's general plan, the foundational long range policy document guiding growth and land use. Adoption is required by state law. The update must specifically address three areas, equitable access to open space correlated with the environmental justice element, climate resilience correlated with the safety element, and a rewilding opportunities correlated with the land use element. Next slide, please. Before we get into the substance, here's a quick summary of what you are being asked to consider tonight.

The item before you is the open space and conservation element itself, which replaces chapter 19 of the general plan and will be filed as appendix m. Accompanying it is the appendix m supplement, which contains the online public survey responses. During the public review period, staff received five public comments. These have been reviewed and integrated into the element and its goals and actions as applicable. Adoption requires a general plan amendment.

This is primarily a policy integration. There are no direct land use changes or zoning code modifications, and the project is exempt from CEQA under the common sense exemption section 15 o 61 b three with a draft notice of exemption prepared. Next slide, please. This effort is processing two general plan elements simultaneously. On the left, the open space and the conservation element update, which modernizes parks and open space and conservation which modernizes park and open space inventories, develops senate bill fourteen twenty five compliant goals and policies and increase an implementation strategy.

On the right, the environmental justice element, which is a companion item, mapping environmental in inequities and health risks, identifying policy gaps, and developing compliant goals. Both elements were developed through a shared process of community outreach, engagement, and public hearings. Tonight focuses specifically on the OSE. The EJE will follow through a separate track. Next slide, please.

I want to briefly clarify a distinction that often comes up. The open space and conservation element is a state required policy document. It assess the city's long range vision, goals, and the policies for open space at a citywide level It also generates action items that will inform a future parks and recreation master plan. The parks and recreation master plan is different. It is an important implementation tool with project level detail, individual part inventories, level of service standards, and capital improvement priorities.

It is not required by state law and is a separate future effort. Tonight, you are acting on a policy document. Next slide, please. Here's where we are in the project timeline. We kicked off in September 2025 with research analysis and a public engagement, including an online survey and a community pop up event at Oktoberfest that led into a vision and policy development and an administrative draft and then an action plan draft.

A thirty day public review period run February 20 through 03/20/2026. We are now here at a planning commission public hearing. Following your recommendation tonight, the item will proceed to city council for adoption tentatively in May 2026. Next slide, please. The element appendix m is organized into three main components.

The introduction covers purpose, background, statutory requirements, the planning process, and relationship to other general plan documents. Existing conditions, inventories open space citywide, including West Coyote Hills, and analyzes access, habitat conservation, wildlife connectivity, rewilding opportunities, and climate vulnerability. Goals and the policies form the core of the element. Seven updated goals responding directly to senate bill fourteen twenty five's three mandates. I will walk through those shortly.

The survey supplement captures the community input crack collected through our fall twenty twenty five online survey included as the appendix m supplement. Note that the 130 plus action items are an internal implementation tool. They are not part of the OSE filing. Next slide, please. The community engagement program reached residents through multiple channels.

The online survey run for thirty five days, October 27 through 11/30/2025, and received 642 total responses across five survey categories. We also hosted an in person outreach booth at our Tobu Fest on October 30, connecting with over 150 visitors, distributing 100 plus flyers, and collecting 85 response responses across two activity boards. Next slide, please. The outreach channels included the city's dedicated web page on environmental justice and open space elements, Instagram, email blasts, physical banners, and a sofa digital display boards at a transit center, which are all shown here on this slide. Next slide, please.

These photos show our community and economic development booth at Oktopufest, 10/30/2025, where we engaged directly with the Fullerton residents and distributed outreach materials. Next slide, please. Next few slides summarize the key themes emerged from community survey related to open space and conservation. On open space, over 85% of respondents actively visit open spaces in Fullerton. Popular destinations include Hillcrest Park, Laguna Lake, Craig Regional Park, and Coyote Hills.

The primary barriers to access were time constraints, lack of amenities such as restrooms, shade, and seating, and safety concerns, not cost or transportation. Desired improvements centered on cleaner restrooms, better parking, shaded seating, improved in maintenance, e bike restrictions, and enhanced safety. Next slide, please. On wildlife awareness, over 78% of our respondents reported awareness of wildlife areas in Fullerton with frequent sightings at Coyote Hills, Laguna Lake, and the city's parks and trail systems. On adaptation and preservation, the most common suggested actions were planting native trees and vegetation, expanding tree canopy, and restoring native habitats.

Over 77% of respondents identified areas to preserve or expand with Coyote Hills sited most frequently. On outreach, respondents favored partnerships with local nonprofits and schools, community workshops, online service. About 58% provided an email address to stay informed on long range policy update, demonstrating strong continued interest. Next slide, please. The element includes a full open space inventory.

Fullerton has 50 public parks totaling approximately 665 acres, seven joint use school parks at about 18 acres, five habitat conservation areas totaling approximately 700 acres, and three other open space space areas. The maps here show both the open space inventory. Exhibit two dash one and the primary recreational trails overlay, exhibit two dash two, which illustrates the trail network, including regional backbone and the connector trails as well as trails not yet constructed or developed. Next slide, please. Looking at park access more closely, Fullerton as a whole ranks better than 82.4% of California cities and the towns on a park access index, a strong baseline, but the census tracts map on the left shows variation within the city.

Several tracts in the eastern and southern portions of the city fall into the lower access tiers. The half mile buffer map on the right shows the spatial gaps directly. Areas outside the yellow shaded zone like walkable access to a park or open space. These identified gaps directly inform our goals around equitable access and neighborhood greening. Next slide, please.

Two additional maps. On the left, essential habitat connectivity. The green areas represent natural small areas identified by CDFW that a California Department of Fish and Wildlife that align with Fullerton's existing open space, particularly Coyote Hills and the Northern Corridor. Urban development limits broader wildlife corridors, but smaller scale rewilding, habitat enhancements, wildlife friendly infrastructure, native plantings can meaningfully expand pathways for wildlife in movement. On the right, urban tree canopy coverage by census tract.

California's urban areas average 14.5% canopy cover. Several Fullerton census tracts fall below that average, particularly in Districts 4 And 5, which directly motivates goal six focus on green infrastructure and a tree canopy in those areas. Next slide, please. Here's a brief summary of existing conditions. On rewilding, the California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project commissioned by Caltrans and the and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife maps connected the wildland networks statewide.

Fullerton's existing open space aligns well with identified habitat connectivity areas, which supports the rewilding goals in the element. On access, most census tracts in Fullerton have good open space access. However, five tracts have been identified where 50% of fewer residents live within a half mile walkable distance of a park or open space. These become a priority areas for policy focus. Next slide, please.

The goals and policy development process has three steps. The first was reviewing the existing policies in chapter 19, the current open space chapter, which included the policies on management and maintenance, land trusts, access, accessibility, long range needs, watershed management, and new open space creation. These form the baseline we updated and expanded. Next slide, please. The second step was integrating senate bill fourteen twenty five directly into the goal framework.

The statute requires every city to review and update its open space plan to address equitable access correlated with the environmental justice element, climate resilience climb correlated with the safety element, and rewilding opportunities correlated with the land use element. Rewilding is defined broadly to include opportunities to preserve, enhance, and expand an integrated open space network for habitat, recreation, natural resources, historic and tribal resources, water management and aesthetics, as well as natural communities conservation planning. Next slide, please. So the final step was drafting the seven updated goals briefly. Goal one, promotes responsible management of existing open spaces, balancing public use with ecological health.

Goal two, guides planning for future open space acquisition and stewardship. Goal three, protects Fullerton's natural systems, habitats, waterways, and native biodiversity. Goal four, increases accessibility and a trail connectivity. Goal five, strengthens open spaces for biodiversity and climate resilience through rewilding and nature based solutions. Goal six, addresses infrastructure resilience against extreme heat, flooding, and other climate hazards.

And goal seven, strengthens community participation and multilingual engagement. Together, these seven goals directly respond to senate bill fourteen twenty five's three mandates. Next slide, please. The element contain contains detailed policies under each goal. I'll highlight the key ones.

Under goals one and two, policies address open space management, land trusts, long range needs, watershed management, high quality maintenance, environmentally sensitive areas, passive open space, park amenities, funding strategy, priority acquisition at Coyote Hills and other high value ecological areas, new open space creation, and neighborhood greening, particularly in targeting Districts 4 And 5. Next slide, please. Under goals three and four, policies cover conservation of sensitive natural resources, waterways preservation, including Tri City Lake and the past century greenbelt, a watershed management, comprehensive tree management, wildlife management, habitat protection through native vegetation, support biodiversity through invasive species control, trail linkages, and the bikeway systems are connected to trail network for bikers, cyclists, equestrians, and the runners. Trail amenities studies, including ADA compliance and shade, navigating open spaces, and a safe shared use policies addressing e bike adequate. Next slide, please.

Under goals five and six, policies address connectivity partnerships with Orange County, urban rewilding projects, habitat linkages in essential habitat connectivity areas, wildlife movement design with vegetated buffers and wildlife friendly culverts, movement mitigation, wildlife corridors connecting Coyote Hills, Laguna Lake, Brea Dam, Craig Regional, and the Fullerton Operatum, community stewardship and volunteer programs, resilient landscaping with drought tolerant natives, resilient design for open space providing multi benefit climate services, green streets, Tree City USA designation maintenance, green infrastructure, including rooftop gardens and a vertical greenery, cooling corridors with shade tree trees, natural water management through bioswales and permeable pavement, landscaping, and irrigation standards promoting drought tolerant natives. Next slide, please. Under goal seven, policies promote conservation partnerships, proactive planning and engagement, public awareness, community stewardship, a partnership model with CSU Fullerton and local schools, transparent dashboards for open space data, and a community led multilingual monitoring and engagement programs. Next slide, please. Following tonight's hearing, the recommended action proceeds to city council tentatively in May 2026.

At at that time, the adopted element will also be submitted to the govern governor's office of land use and climate and innovation, formerly OPR. The city is working to adopt the update as close to the 01/01/2026 statutory deadline as possible. Next slide, please. The element is accompanied by 130 plus action items. But to be clear, these are not these are for internal city use only and are not required as part of the OSE filing.

They spend all seven goals and translate policies into concrete and measurable steps across planning, parks and recreation, and public works with timelines ranging from ongoing through short, mid, and long term horizons of up to seven years and identified funding mechanisms. Next slide, please. The action plan tables show the full structure. Each item lists the implementation policy, the specific action, responsible department, supporting agencies, time frame, and the funding sources. The example here can you go to next slide, please?

Under goal one, long range needs, illustrate the level of detail and action actions 1.3 a through 1.3 c, direct the city to pursue parks and recreation master plan, identify district level open space gaps, and prioritize open space opportunities in each budget cycle. Next slide, please. As required under government government code section sixty five three five two point three, senate bill 18 consultation letters were sent to all Californian tribes identified by the Native American Heritage Commission on 03/05/2026. We have received responses from four tribal groups. Formal consultation must be completed prior to city council adoption, and the tribes are afforded ninety days to respond to the initial notice.

Next slide, please. The recommended action before the commission tonight is to adopt resolution number p c twenty twenty six zero six recommending that the city council approve the general plan amendment to adopt the updated open space and the conservation element as appendix m to the Fullerton General Plan in replacement of general plan chapter 19 in its entirety. The project is CEQA exempt under section 15 o 61 b three, the common sense exemption, and staff and our consultant are available to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you for your presentation. It's a lot of information to process. And so now we will, open it up to the public comments. Are there any comments in chamber?

Good evening, commissioners and staff. This is, these are all great goals and, action items that were discussed here, and I would love to see the community of of Fullerton to see the benefits of the this plan manifested. I've seen, plenty of other previous, city plans that don't actually ever get enforced or, implemented, So I would hope that there would be, different kind of active oversight of this plan, amending it in the future as necessary. Obviously, it's something that was mandate stat state mandated for the the city to have kinda created this element. And so it's a little unfortunate maybe this wasn't something that, you know, the city had done on its own accord, you know, but I'm glad to see it coming as as it is.

I would like to discuss some of the goals, and I did not know about this particular element update until this this meeting, so I hope I can add some input here. What I see here are in terms of goal number one, watershed management. We have some, very beautiful and unique watersheds within Fullerton, including Brea Creek, Fullerton Creek, and Bassett Shreve Creek, also the creek which feeds into the Hillcrest Park Duck Pond. Now a lot of these creeks are littered with trash following each storm, bringing a lot of runoff and and litter down through these waterways. This isn't not something that could just be accomplished with, you know, modifying catch basins and whatnot.

There needs to be active volunteer programs to be able to keep our waterways clean. An incredibly important open space, especially one that is accessible and and close in proximity to South Southwest Fullerton is that of the Bassentry Tree Farm lots, which the northern parcel was saved from development. And still over the past few few years, there has not been much development in discussing this this need for a nature park, an open space, a passive park on these parcels. There is a landscape architect that was contracted that was presented in a community meeting a year and a half ago, and there has not really been many concrete updates since then. So I'd like to see what can happen with that particular CIP, that project.

Thank you.

Good good evening, chair and commissioners, commission members. My name is Curtis Gamble, activist, for the by our veterans, the Cal State Fullerton students, the LCT bus drivers, the seniors, and our low income community. I just like

to say that I listened to the presentation. It's very interesting. I come to quite a few meetings, the city council meeting and some of the other, subcommittee meetings, such as this one here. And sometimes I'm here to talk about, you know, the things, and sometimes I'm just here to look and learn and listen. And and today is one of those days that, I get a chance to learn a lot, you know, about the city and our goals. I think that bulletin is great. And, again, I just like

to thank the young lady for the presentation. Very interesting. I learned a lot.

And and, also, while I'm up here, I I wanna share with you one other thing too real quick. The Fullerton municipal code for emergence not for emergency shelters, but for, for the whole city, the whole big book that's located over in the library. We were talking about that last night at the city council meeting, and the city clerk, you know, come to find out that that book hadn't been updated, fully updated, like, never, she made it very clear that it had been patched together. And you may say, well, what does this have to do with anything? Well, your city is in a $10,000,000 deficit.

And you may say, well, what does it have to do with tonight? I just think that that what we went over tonight is part of our I don't know if it's, like, personality or whatever, but we're skipping something a big part of what we're supposed to be doing for the city. No matter how beautiful these things are, we still are not doing what we're supposed to be doing, taking care of responsibility. And you could build all these different gardens, trees, and canals and whatever you want to, but if there's no point we have time to talk about our the business of what makes this run and how it's gonna operate, and we just totally ignored the municipal code, which is state federal law, which does include everything that we does in the city. So there's no way that you'll be talking about something and it not relate to those codes.

And only way that we you may not even know what the codes are. But, anyway, I just want to share that with you guys. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Are there any more comments in chambers? If not, we can go to Zoom.

Jane Riford, please unmute.

Yes. Good evening, chair Valadez and commissioners. I also did not know about tonight's meeting, and I'm actually one of the commenters on the draft. And perhaps some of my comments were misunderstood, so I'll try and explain them as best I can in a few minutes. The biggest difference I see between the current proposed element, I should say the proposed new element, and the one we currently have is this one is really focusing quite a bit on PARCs.

And I would like to, you know, ask if you could have a discussion on whether we could prioritize the open space and the natural areas. This used to be called the open space and natural resources and it was changed to open space and conservation. But I'd like to, just as the introduction mentions the conservation areas first and then later talks about parks, I'd like to see the inventory list start by talking about the traditional natural spaces and then mention the parks and then mention the school parks so that we can preserve the conservation aspect as best as possible in this element since that's what it's dedicated to. I don't know if you're aware of this, but there already is a Parks and Recreation element in the general plan. So that's quite a bit covered.

Of course we have to coordinate, but I think the accent should be on the conservation areas in this element. I would like to see a map of creeks so you can see the context for trails and watershed and wildlife connectivity and so on. A map can be and these are available all over the place, the map of the Creeks Of Fullerton. I I would also like to add in District 4, I'd like to add two, resources onto that inventory list. One is that triangle for Grace Ministries, and, also, these are both in District 4, also the Hunt Center, which has landscaping.

And even though both of these are private areas, the city actually has jurisdiction over the open space aspect of them. I'm afraid that if they're not included, that they will be ignored in the future. I'd also like to see some type of list of endangered, species. I'm going be quick here. But particularly, the Mariposa lily, of which there have only been nine ever located in this region, not just Fullerton but in the region.

And, again, I'm nervous that if there's not a link to a list somewhere in this that we will lose our opportunities to carefully steward these resources, which are precious and very and quite a are in danger of being lost. I'd also like to add pollinators to goal p 3.1. Pollinators were not popular when the original, goals were written, so I think they are now. I'd like to include those in there. And then just lastly, I would love if we can get a district five resource.

Kimberly Clark had 10 acres of wildlife habitat unrecognized for years. That's it was destroyed recently. I just would like to see if we can list it so we know what we've lost since the last element.

Thank you very much. Do you have another any more comments?

No more hands raised.

Commissioners, do we have any questions for staff?

Yes.

I I'm I'm under the assumption that when say open space, that would that would mean public access to that open space. So I'm surprised that on the maps with the acreage totals and and and that it's showing the Fullerton School District parks. If you're unaware, last November, they decided to lock out all community access to their fields. So there is no access to any of that. So I don't know why that would be included on here.

What they will tell you is that, they have state requirements, and they're compliant with that. This isn't something they just decided to be mean or something, but they keep their gates locked until 6PM. Six months out of the year, it's dark. They don't have lights. So they're just not that's not useful to anybody.

So the ones that we do have listed were the ones we were under the impression were joint use parks. So if that has changed with the city and usage is no longer open to the public, then we can remove those. But we've had extensive conversations with the city on which parks in particular were joint use for the public.

Yeah. And, it's actually even worse than that because there's about, something like nine acres of city park property that's inside of their fences that were there's no public access to now.

I think we can take a an investigation into that which part, because I know we can do an investigation on specific park because I know we have some agreement with the schools, and then we need to take a look at the details and see

if there

are any modifications with agreement. Or

That yeah. That we used to have a really good agreement with them, and that was terminated in, I think, 2023. And the current agreement hasn't been formally terminated, but they've closed off all the access. So we we we don't have that access. The city manager's office is aware of this. I I brought it to them and asked for their help on it.

Okay. I will take a note and do some investigation on that matter.

Okay. And then the the other thing that I didn't see in here is any commentary about if an area is not being maintained and someone from the public, maybe he's here tonight, was doing his best to make his community better, that we would send him a cease and desist letter and force him to stop. So I didn't see that in here, but it seems like we're doing it anyways. So to me, I don't know why we have this list of things that we're required to put together that we're not gonna do, but then there's a bunch of stuff that's not in here that we are gonna do.

I might need you to clarify a little bit on that if you could. So which things are not included that you'd like to see within the plan?

Well, I'm speaking specifically about, mister Halstrom who's

Sure.

Who's here and has, done some really great work on a on a lot of, city owned property Mhmm. Making native gardens Mhmm. For one, attempting to restore World War two memorials that were not being maintained and falling apart. And instead of a pat on the back, he was threatened. I suppose that's not a great fit with this specific item. I'm just

No. I

ticked about it and bringing it up anytime I can.

Absolutely. And I I think that's something that in this policy document, we may not be able to address that directly. It's a city, something at the city that has to be changed. But it could be something in the action item list that we can have that the city can start to review these policies of why why is that happening? What can they do to change that?

Yeah. We can incorporate that into the action action items action plans.

If we could, that would be terrific. Because with the the the coming financials struggles struggles that that we're we're gonna gonna have, we are gonna need a lot of community help to have the city not fall apart. And to start that off with the city attacking the first guy that really tried to do it, we're on a we're off to a bad start, a really bad start on that. And it's a slippery slope. It's the I understand the staffs, not this staff. Obviously, it's a different group. I understand their justification, but it's a slippery slope from that into arresting kids having lemonade stands, and we need to go the other way.

I just wanted to add one thing too, commissioner. Goal seven, I think, exactly follows that in in which it states strengthen community participation in open space and conservation decisions. So we do want to address that. It's just how do we continue to break it down further into something actionable.

Well, that that kind of would go to my point then of, you know, putting the state said we have to write something on a piece of paper and turn it in. We're we don't we don't tend to ever follow it, and this is a good specific example of that.

Right. I think that's where the action plan and that's something meant to be this is a this is a policy document, but that action plan is something that can be updated, annually or as needed. So that's something that the city can continue to revisit as these efforts come up. So I think that could be one source or tool that serves as this, make sure that we're you're holding yourself accountable for these actions.

I've got a couple of questions. One of the questions I think is for staff, actually. Perhaps you can answer it as well. But I spent some time a few years ago looking into the the climate action plan, and I tried I was trying to find out what had been done on it. I went went through it all, and I could not find out what was done on it. There was there were actions in that plan as well, but there was that I could find, I could never find any reporting. So I'm I'm happy to see that you've got an action plan, but what I wanna know is how do you plan on reporting out the progress on that?

We I think that specific area will be maintained by parks and recreation. So we are gonna have a public works. We're gonna have action item that will be, I wanna say, coordinated between multiple departments, and we'll make sure that we examine if there are any issues. We're gonna have a cross departmental discuss discussion and make sure that issues is is maintained and resolved. But we'll have responsible departments with Yeah. The action item.

I actually actually would like to know

whether it's an issue or not an issue.

I'd like to know what progress has been made. Some of these things, I have I have a lot of interest in these things. As this being my city, I'd like to know what progress we're making. As an example, I'd love I I did see that somebody suggested that Yeah. We engage the whole community, for instance, in getting, native plants in, getting, you know, low water, drought resistant plants and stuff like that.

And what I didn't see, I might have missed it because there are a lot to read, but I'd love to see in there outreach to the community to also engage them in getting those native plants and drought resistant plants in as well and wondering if that is, somewhere there in in the action plan to do.

Yes. That's definitely there was an overwhelming amount of engagement that supported this effort. And so I think that's part of the action plan that's in there is to then get different groups at the city together to talk through how to best sort that out and make it available. Is it, you know, through a dashboard and through, resources online? So it's definitely something that's the next step is to how to actually make that available information and to create these coordinated efforts through different organizations or different volunteers. So it's not something this is just starting, so that's something that can be tracked with the action plan through through the years as that continues to evolve.

Okay. And then, just one final concern I have, and I'm wanting to know if, we have any plan action plan to, you know, to work through this, and that is the fact that there's so little, amount of parks and and, trails in Districts 4 And 5. And it's really sad, and I know we have very little open space. It's not being used. So I'm wondering and also, we're we also have a a money issue. So what are our plans to be able to, you know, work on getting some parks and trails in the in Districts 4 And 5?

I think we already started with the up trail project

Mhmm.

Union Pacific. So we have this rail to trail project as, say, pilot pro pilot project so we can utilize existing resources and try to provide as men as much linear linkages as possible. That's one example that the city already started initiated projects like that.

Okay. How how about parks? What what plans or at least hopes are there for getting some more park space in those districts?

You know, I can add to that. So when we do residential development, we collect park fees. And so when we have enough collected, we try to find areas where we can obtain parkland and or improve existing parks. So it's kind of a money issue and availability issue. So with District 5, I mean, it's highly industrial. So to find open space, it's there's not very much of it. And then to find open space that's available and we're able to buy it, that's that's the other hurdle we have to overcome. So there there there's definitely staffs aware that we need to get more Parkland in those Districts 4 And 5. It's just right now, it's really a money thing.

So so, I know we've got another the the companion, element that's coming, but we have some areas in Districts 4 And 5 where there are some low income, people. Is there any chance of grants that could address some of this? Are we looking for grants?

We do. We actually have a firm that actually goes out, looks for grants. And when they find some that they think are, applicable to the city, they'll make us aware of it. But, honestly, lately, there's been so few coming across our desks. I mean, you know, we we used to have, you know, years ago, there'd be forty, fifty grants we could look at. Now it's just like it's it's a trickle. So that that's the that's one of the challenges right now.

K.

That's it for me.

Yeah. Think of English chair. So can you go back can you kinda go back through the outreach efforts that were done for the element? And it it does lead to a question. I just Mhmm. Wanted to understand the process. The slide? The

outreach slide? Summary slide.

Slide number nine, number slide number eight?

I believe so. It had how many responses you've had and how much outreach or how you yeah.

Yeah. So we have our the outreach channels included the city's dedicated web website. Have a specific web website.

Oh, yeah. The tool I was just just to clarify. I was just looking at the the the total numbers of outreach and participants.

Oh, six forty two for the survey online survey. And then at the event that we had, there was over a 150 people, and we had about a 100 flyers sent out that day and 80 participants in our activity boards.

Okay. So roughly a little over 800?

Yeah. Around that.

Give or take. Mhmm. And then and then did everyone who got a flyer participate?

We couldn't track exactly who did, but a lot of them that most who received the flyer didn't weren't aware of the process. We are thinking that there were additional people that participated since they had received the flyer.

So the concern okay. The concerning question that I have is, was the open space or was this element done necessarily just to fulfill the state requirement or based based on the deadline? Because the city has had numerous events between October and now it's April mid end of almost end end of April. And I know this is a challenge with all like, every survey. I mean Mhmm. Chris forwards us everything that that all the different departments are doing. I know we have another survey that's kind of sitting there that isn't the open space one. It's another one.

Environmental justice?

Yeah. Yes. The environmental justice one.

So the survey is for both elements.

Right. But right. But but the question that I'm kind of leading to is out of a population of close to 150,000, that's like point 001% percentage than was that enough participation to get arguably 800 respond well, eight hundred eight hundred responses. Because the concern that I have isn't so much what's in it. It's just how did we get there and how could we how could we have approved net the number of total responses?

Could we have done the Easter event? How could we have been out there every single week at the Fullerton night night market? Have we could we have gone to the farmer's market? Like, my question is, is it is it enough, or are we just doing this to fulfill the state requirement and we're flowing everything in after the fact with the park's master plan?

So when In

in terms of feedback.

Sorry. Yeah. We we also had multiple channels. The online survey and in person event are one sort of outreach method. We also send out through a city Instagram account, the social media posts. And then we also send through a e blast email blast, which has a 13,000, I believe, 13,000 email addresses. The way we try to reach out as the the to the greatest degree as possible, that represent about 10% of cities population as the

And again to Well, again sorry. And again, 10% isn't. Yeah. Isn't anything that stings that. But at at the same point, if you were if staff was working on a fixed deadline to get this in because the state required it versus actually keeping it open or even making addition making additional effort beyond the beyond the minimum, which I mean, that's that that's kinda my question is, did did we definitely do enough to get enough responses to where, I mean, miss Reifert's comment came in today.

Obviously, participated. Mister Holstrom's here today. But at the same time, that's still a single digit per a very low single digit percentage of the entire city that might have said, well, you know what? Maybe we need more parks or more open space in four and five. Maybe we maybe we'd like to instead of the it waiting for the master plan, maybe this should have gone into the overall element so that we don't have to keep redoing and going back to that 150 step process that's gonna be that will hopefully be in the master plan.

I mean, do you both understand kind of where where I'm going with going with this? Because I know that especially with even the environmental justice portion, are we just gonna stop by a certain date and not take any more feedback and then come back with something that maybe a fraction of a fraction of a fraction folks in our city have actually had input on? I mean, are there any penalties for not submitting the open space element right now? I mean, obviously, I know it was January 1. But at the same time, how can we get more folks to participate in the overall process?

Absolutely. I just wanted to add a few thoughts to that. So I've shared we we deal with these frustrations a lot with cities. And I can say that while it seems like a small percentage of the city, that is well above average for what we typically see. There's a lot of community engagement fatigue when you have a lot of events going on.

So it is hard to get responses, and 600 is a really strong number even for such a large population. But that doesn't mean we don't stop there. And we had a lot of conversations back and forth between the city and our consulting group of when to do these activities, and that's why it was pushed out to Oktoberfest. You know, originally, our our deadline and what we were trying to achieve was months before this, but we determined that it would be best to go to an event that there would be a lot of folks, a lot of children in a really central area of the city. So we did push out everything knowing that we're getting further and further away from this deadline because it would be beneficial to get more input from the city.

So we can, of course, continue to do this on and on. It's just trying to get, you know, folks to show up and participate. But we we felt that both of those events between the online survey and the Oktobu Fest was really strong turnout for what we typically see for this type of project.

How come some things were pushed to the Parks Master Plan versus the Element?

Oh, well, the Parks Master Plan is not an a document yet under

Yet. Yes. How is that determination made?

It's it's RFP process in in it's RFP in process. So we're gonna coordinate, and this is more like a high level policy document. And this direct provides a vision and direction, and parks and recs master plan will be following this direction and more most sort of implementation tool.

And the the other thing that comes to mind is in terms of community development because I I've been on planning for probably the most amount of time. I'm wondering if in discussions around new developments in parks fees I know that some projects I believe the hub was one and I think it was another one where they ended up paying for different improvements instead of their standard park fees. To my knowledge, correct me if I'm wrong, Chris. But how how does the l how how does this element, park center plans the housing master plan fit into some of the developments that the city is currently negotiating?

I I'm sorry. I I don't understand the question.

Okay. So let me rephrase. So in negotiating some of the new new projects Mhmm. Are we allowing them or allowing developers to negotiate out of some of the requirements that we need? Like, for example, housing element, parks, park c's

Right. Give us Yeah. Each project is negotiated separately. So for, like, the trying to give find a good example. When we do a a DDA development agreement, sometimes we negotiate for amenities. We'll have the developer build us a park, improve a trail. So for instance, with Coyote Hills

There's Point Point Common even since that was mentioned.

Point Common was a low income project, so

it's it's

kinda got special rules. But, for Coyote Hills, for instance, during that negotiation, Coyote Hills, the Chevron was conditioned to improve some of the trails up by the, nature, preserve center, and there's some other things we're supposed to do. So it's really negotiation between the property owner and the city council for these big projects. For smaller projects, it comes down to just a calculated parks fee. So it just depends on the size of the project and how it's negotiated in the end.

So for instance, the hub, I believe they had to provide a parks fee of $3,000,000. I believe that was the amount. And then we have the other project, the Atlas project that's under construction next to the movie theater. They're also gonna be providing parks fees, which are a couple million dollars as well. So, that's how the city either gets Parkland or gets money for Parkland. Does that make sense?

Yeah. Thank you for that. Sure. Can you answer my questions for now? Yeah.

I'm just wondering if there's a economic aspect to this where we might see increased revenue for the city? I obviously don't think it's, you know, I'm not a fan of of charging people to, get into parks and things like that. But, obviously, I know we're looking at this $10,000,000 miss, you know, miss misbudgeting that happened, you know, when we look at past projects that didn't go through, like, Walk On Wilshire, you know, from the community aspect, that was something that people really wanted. It was a third space that's open that also, you know, whether they acknowledge it or not, generates money for the community through small businesses and events and just, you know, with a little bit of city investment giving, like, place for people to hang out. I mean, Fullerton's like a it's a city of education.

So, obviously, we don't have a lot of things that generate us tons of money like, some other cities might, but I'm wondering if there is some projection where we might look at where there would be an uptick in, you know, how this might affect Fullerton's economy with this new open space plan?

I think the open space in general, it is make the city very attractive for a potential investment and make it a happy place for residents to live. And they I think there's a tangible and intangible aspects of it. I personally really think the green image of the city is somehow a name card for the city. So sometimes it's not maybe not measurable by dollar amounts, but it's, like, a sort of an a name card for I have friends who really want to move here because of the natural environment Yeah. And green space open space.

That may be one attracted attraction factor.

Got it. So I hear you, like, on the appeal part of that, like, the there's a lot of, like, idea to Fullerton, like, oh, we can have this or we can have that. It's a great place to come in downtown and mingle and things like that. It's just hard to feel that intrinsic value when there's so many things that people advocate for in the city council meetings that they really want that aren't being honored.

Yeah. Was just gonna add too. I mean, at the same time, a lot of our survey respondents, you know, would mention with parking or fees, was, you know, remove parking or fees or provide discounts. So it's I think you're kinda fighting two battles there of how do you find the happy medium. And then maybe there are potential opportunities, like Chris was mentioning, with future open spaces to include some monetary opportunities as well. So that could be something that happens with growth. At some of the existing parks, there might be smaller opportunities or or vendors or things of that nature. But I think at a smaller scale, it'd have to be evaluated by a case by case basis of what would be available at each of those spaces.

Okay. So but there's not like a current Economic segment in in this plan that would maybe, you know, compute some of that data.

Correct. There's no study on that in this element. Okay.

To kind of follow-up on on the commissioner's point, do you know how representative who responded from where in in the survey like which districts or like or even which I think which different communities responded?

Yeah. We had demographic questions to supply your zip code as well as your background or history, age, things like that. So we do have those responses. And we had a, in the summary, actually, as well. We do have it in your packet, a summary of the respondents and their makeup.

Was outreach of was outreach done in Spanish or in Korean?

In Spanish as well, but not Korean.

Why not? Or was that just a a fiscal decision, or

they just Just a

direction for us to do translation. Okay. So it'd have to be city direction.

So moving forward, my request would be that if you are gonna be doing community outreach, capture the demographic data on two terms of which districts are responding, not just ZIP code because some of us have there are multiple ZIP codes over different districts

Mhmm.

And possibly do outreach in different languages. Just specifically Spanish and Korean, obviously, with with the city. So at least, you know, by the way, four and five would really like a park. Mhmm. Three might want their parks maintained.

As an example, one, they're fine, and they're willing to support their existing parks. Mhmm. And two, yeah, and two, the same thing. So at least as a as a staff, when we're putting out information to the entire community, especially in something as important as this, they know that they they kind of know that their voices are heard Mhmm. Versus waiting till it comes to us one step before the council, and we're we're all of a sudden making changes to an element that staff has already worked on versus, oh, we captured that.

Oh, we captured that. This neighborhood wants wanted this. This particular group wanted, in one in one case side, the pollinators included so that at least we're hitting upon every person who could possibly give input to an element like this and moving forward the parks master plan and moving forward the environmental justice element. That would just be that would that would be my direct request to staff moving forward. Thank you.

So I have some background on this. Obviously, you've talked about the breadth and depth is great on this. But personally, I've worked on a a pollinator garden right here at Fort Park. Started a couple years ago with an Eagle Scout, and it was just hard to find anybody from the city to actually work with. And and even public works ended up spraying it with some herbicide by accident.

And so but they helped reseed it. But so I have that background. I also at a local park, Tussell Park, it was essentially neglected by the city. And we worked with a rotary group and with local neighbors, and we've been upkeeping the park. And we had actually ended up in a mural painted there recently.

And saying all of that, I guess my my question my one of my first questions will be how will staff walk us through what will be a success with this master with this element over time? Because I think implementation's gonna be the hard part. And so seeing all the different goals, are are there actual, like, steps or implementations that you're gonna be looking at?

I can start with that and then hand it over to Yan. But, there's different phases too that we recommend. So that's something that this the action plan item is meant to be something that's worked on. The actual element is adopted, and that's something that can last for ten years. You know, it's something that is a long term document. But the action plan is something that staff in different groups can revisit as a set standard and see that they're, you know, making these short term, long term, midterm deadlines. So it can adapt over time. So it's a little bit easier to adapt the action plan than to adapt the element itself. I'll let

Anne Yes. Also, when we, after the draft drafting up the action plans, we sent out to city departments for internal review, and we received some comments. But generally speaking, they were already aware of this action plans. So we we sincerely hope it's gonna get implemented since everybody already got got sort of consensus got a consensus on action plan.

With the action plan specifically, what I something I would like to see is that we clearly identify who's responsible at the city, if it's the department or the leads, to work with. We definitely need champions in the city hall for these projects. Even for those small projects that I worked with, it was difficult to find who I'm supposed to work with.

Right.

And that's something that would be would be great. Bringing it back to the equity and deserved areas, how are you gonna prioritize what's what you would wanna focus on that in your goals? Is there, like, a priority list? Is there, like, what you wanna do first?

So we we identify Districts 4 And 5 and others in terms of areas that are lacking, either access or canopy coverage. So those are areas that we identify the next step for this process would be within the action plan that we identify is to go into more specific, and that's part of Parks and Recreation Master Plan two. It's taking this to the next level because this is, again, a citywide document, we don't go through and make a list of every single space. Rather, we just identify opportunities and how that can be done. And some of these spaces, again, with a very urbanized area, it can be even these small efforts like you mentioned, a pollinator garden, a bioswale, something that can help activate a space and get community members excited.

I talked to some folks at the engagement events who are doing things on their own just without city approval. So it was kind of a, you know, fun conversation to have, but they weren't you know, they were doing this on their own behalf and not with the city. So I think this is it's the start of it, but we have you have to move it to the next step to really identify those areas to make it something actionable. And that's what we have in the action plan, but there's not necessarily a list of which of those areas are for this document.

And I also wanna point out that, originally, we were talking about regional and subregional level and city level Mhmm. In terms of goals. But after further discussion, we decided to expand into district level and the policy level because of the feedback we received from community. So if you look at a certain, those, like, goal four and five, they go to district level and project level. That's already, like, pretty detailed.

Concerning maintenance for the parks versus expansion, how do you deal with that debate, or is it dealt with that document here? Like, the the most I mean, obviously, it's a money issue. It always will be a money issue. But but is this something you've discussed or in in the element?

It's it's part of in the element there. It's within the goals and the policies for continued maintenance. So that's something the city's already doing. And then within the action plan, it's, again, working with the different groups, public works that need to be a part of that process to revisit those, their efforts. So it's not that level of detail within the goals and action items, but it's referenced of continuing to strengthen that, and finding that right balance because you have to have a little bit of the growth and a little bit of the maintenance and improvement.

And a lot of the engagement too, we're really excited to see some a lot of community members said, we have enough parks. Let's just improve them. So you see a lot of that too where they're they're acknowledging that there's a lot of great space here, and we just, you know, revisit our efforts of maintenance and what we're doing with the city. So it's a little bit of little bit of balance work between it, but that's something, again, touches on in that action.

I guess I'm gonna toot my own horn as well. I so I was working on the Kapoom project on multiple projects in Fullerton, and that's something that's exciting as well. But, again, the hard part was finding somebody in the city who to help champion that. So, they did it at Union Pacific Park, also at the Boys and Girls Club teen center. So it's something that, you're right. We could find and work with organizations on that. Concerning safety, I know there was a a park ranger program that was kind of worked through this through the police department. Was that the case? And I I it was done for about a year or so, but, was there anything any if you can maybe look into that as something that could be implemented. This is done through a volunteer effort Mhmm.

Through the police, but then I think there was a change with, who was responsible. And so I think it stopped, but I think it's something that would be great if, we could look into implementing it again. There was a question about Sequa, I think, from Jane Reifer.

Mhmm.

She was concerned about, other if there's projects in the future, there will be full. Is that I guess it's not under CEQA right now. I guess the, or it's exempt, this this document? Typically But if there's projects in the future, then obviously Correct.

At this level, we typically for these type of documents without any land use changes or significant environmental impacts, we would, file for that, and it's usually approved with no issues, because in fact, you're improving the environment and equity. But once you get down to the project level, you would go through that process.

Concerning West Coyote Hills, what's the status of I'm not too familiar with the I know there's another organization, right, the Friends of Coyote Hills, and they took the lead of that on where are they close to purchasing the the the next portion?

I I've been hearing rumors about it. I I actually met with some folks a couple weeks ago, but, honestly, I don't know what the status is. Chevron still has an active approved vesting, track map for the site. So that's still in play. Whether or not, you know, like I said, I I just heard rumors about some money becoming available to purchase part of the site, but I I just don't have a a solid, answer at this time.

Okay. If anybody has any other questions, jump

in, please.

I thought about this while while you're asking your questions because I I hear a lot about the action plan, and I think it's great that we have an action plan that's a little bit more specific. But one thing I know is when in these kind of policy documents, they're very overarching. They're not specific. They last for years before they get updated, so they have to be not be too specific so that they can last for years. But the action plans that are more specific, I wanna know, can they be modified and will they be modified without having to touch the policy documents?

Correct. That's the intent is that this can live on its own as the element and then the action plan can be updated as frequently as needed without having to do any amendments to the element itself.

Okay.

So to follow-up on that, when it well, we know that, obviously, our our city is in its in the situation it is and due to our finances. Now having well, once we move forward with the bless you, Jen. Once we move forward with with the element and then move on to the environmental justice element and also the park semester plan, then how do all how would all three because they're gonna be our next agenda items. How do all three play into the CIP? Because, obviously, does that mean as in terms of a policy, let's say we have ballpark it 10,000,000 or or whatever from from new development in parks fees.

Does the parks element inform the action plan in terms of, like, how much we end up getting from from parks fees? Or or is it more policy than it is direct action? Because let's say next year, we get a couple million in parks fees. Does that mean that we're spreading it out, or are we prioritizing the action plan? Like, how how does that work in in practice?

So with the CIP, if I could just jump in, it's it's a list of priorities. And, obviously, the things that, the council finds to be most pressing and most doable move to the top of the list. And there's some some items that are gonna be lower down that might take years to get to. So, you know, with the parks and and so on, that that's part of that CIP list. And it's really, you know, it's really up to the council which what they wanna move to the top of list and what might get pushed to a later, you know, later date.

But we will be bringing the CIP before you next meeting. So you peruse that and ask questions on Juan and David when they're here.

I appreciate that, Chris. I mean and I think for me, one one of my concerns having been on in RAC and knowing knowing the CIP project process is that how do you take how do you take the policy oh, sorry. How do you take the element as a policy document and implement general plan or parks or whatever? How do you take that and and into implementation knowing that obviously whatever funds are gonna be there are are gonna be there or not and trying to prioritize what's in the action plan versus how much you wanna realistically we we may or may not have.

Right? As a reminder Yeah. This this is a policy document that, you know, the open space element. Projects are looked at individually. You know, this this is like the overarching umbrella, but this is not approving a specific project per se. But it's supposed to help prioritize projects that do move forward. Think I hope I'm answering question.

Actually, Chris, yes.

That And also when we maybe we can have more discussion with the Parks and Rec department. And also when we present to the Parks and Rec Commission, we can have that level of how how this really from a policy to implementation to the mechanism that will make it work kind of discussions.

Yeah. And I'm not trying to be overly analytical because I know this is a policy document. But at the same time, knowing how things have and have not conduct done within the city. I mean, maybe the chair has a plan and maybe we need a master plan guru or or someone with a new department to see that we're fault. That at least we're following the policy that we we we eventually end up passing. And then implementation, obviously, that would be on staff or the the different direct elements. Sorry. That was much sense.

Thank you.

So the element also includes or states that there's a lack of parks, right, or in the South Of Fullerton. Is the city actively looking to to buy parcels at all, or is that a priority at all for the city staff? Or it's not or it is?

Well, I mean, as you guys probably recall with the Union Pacific Park debate, it's really up to the council policy. It's a policy level, you know, decision what they wanna put their money towards because we have a limited amount of money, and council decides where that money goes. So, you know, it's kind of it's kind of a debate. I know, like, council members are. He's really pushing hard for parks in his district. But in the end, it comes down to the whole council approving that decision.

So I understand that. But the city council specifically would have to implement and say, we wanna prioritize looking for land if it comes up.

Right.

I mean, you can't find what you're not looking for, I guess. So if they're not looking for land, then, obviously, it's not happening.

Staff staff is very well aware that we're If an opportunity comes up. For opportunities, definitely. So that that's something that's definitely on our radar.

On an aside, concerning the trail map, something that I would really would like, and I've heard comments to this from other, residents that they would really would like a defined map of all the trails because I think there's even some trails in North Fullerton where they're not necessarily included. I think there was an article in the Observer about that, I think, as well. So if if that could be included in the element, something that actually individuals could use and and walk the trails of. My last question would be on on the if there's a a priority for for staff that they would wanna focus on from the element, or is that something more that'd be the city council members would would need to prioritize from all this time that you've spent on on the element?

Like, your top three.

Sorry. I was writing. I didn't catch that.

I just asked if there's the top three items that you'd wanna focus on from the the time you spend looking at the element of, the open space that you would think would be a pry just for you, specifically.

Well, I mean I mean, definitely, we want more park space in Districts 4 And 5. That's, like, kind of like that rises to the top every time, but we also have to maintain what we have. So there's a discussion, like, where the money goes. You know? I I know independent Independence Park was a discussion topic a while ago because of maintenance concerns. And then, obviously, the tree farm, that's another one that's on on our, you know, list because we wanna build out that trail, but, you know, money. Do we have the money to to build that? So it it's competing priorities. Mhmm. But those are the ones that kinda rise to

the top. Tree canopy and shading, those are actually actionable.

And And it seems like the city is doing a better job now in actually planting trees. Maybe not necessarily appropriate trees or I I mean, I personally, I would prefer to see native trees being planted more. But is I think that the city has ended through public works and has spent more money. Have they have we worked with any organizations, like, let's say, TreePeople or outside organizations and try to implement a different policy with planting trees in in Fullerton off the top of your head?

We'll have to talk to Parks and Rec. Yeah. It's kind of outside of our purview. Parks and Rec or or Public Works wouldn't have that answer. We can we can look into that.

So as a follow-up to that, Chris, then park dwelling fees are under the purview of the the department, or how how does that work once once they're collected in? They added into one pod? Are they Yeah. Earmarked per district or is it

We yeah. So the building planning and so planning, we process the projects, building collects the park fees. It goes into a general pot, Parks and rec decides or they they make a list of where they think it should go, and then city council decides where it goes. We try to forecast that money in advance because we know there's some projects residential projects that are getting what you know, underway. So we try to forecast when that money might be available so the other departments can have a little bit of leeway to figure out where they want to have the money going, how much might be available.

So that's the discussion we have on a regular basis. The assistant city manager, Daisy, you know, she reaches out to us to find out when the park's fees might be become available. So that's something we definitely are aware of and we track.

So it's not necessarily static once the fees hit part of the fund.

You know, once the fees get collected, then it's really the council where, they decide where it goes.

But they're not necessarily earmarked towards one area, or are they?

It's it's count it's policy. However, council decides where it goes.

Got it. Thank you.

Commissioners, any other questions? Just my overall comment is, thank you very much.

Overall, I think this, is a strong

and much needed update to an important element of our general plan. I I appreciate the level of outreach and the focus on equity, and access My but I really wanna stress my main focus going forward is implementation, and how do we translate these into measurable outcomes, especially while we're maintaining our existing parks while expanding, access in the the underserved areas. So if we could refine that, that's something that I've I will be supportive of this and moving it forward to council. I just we we somehow, if there's a way to strengthen the implementation of of this and, with with the city and incorporating help from from residents. I I think, something that, I also wanna make in the in our comments, but, Love Folgers gonna happen this Saturday, and a lot of the projects are are at parks.

And if something that we could implement, the city could promote on a on a monthly or bimonthly or maybe every six months, it would be something that would be great. So

any other comments?

I also would like to see going forward, you know, implementation plans as well as results. I think that's important. And I don't know if there's a statement you could put within since this is a policy, but maybe as an act. The actions don't end up in policies, though. But if there is a place where you can put in your your process for kind of being accountable for the implementation, I think it would be good. Does that is that what you're thinking as well? Okay.

Yeah.

Because a lot of times we see these policy documents but never hear back on which of those things were accomplished.

And I would and I would also chime in. I am very supportive, and I would also wanna see some of the process suggestions that I made kinda moving forward, especially with the the environmental justice, element and also basically whatever whatever comes before us in the near future because I think it's crucial to know how much time we have to submit a given document, but it's also crucial to be able to get enough input. Obviously, you're you're kind of what you're you're kind of an expert in terms of city response, but at the same time,

like, could we could

we have done a little bit more? Like, either, a Spanish version of the element and not just Google translate? Something maybe that got attached to the water bill like we do with the water rate couple years ago. Something that we don't we aren't necessarily seen as doing the bare minimum and that we're not the planning commission meeting right before we're in a rush to to pass it when we might have somebody put in terms of your process or groups like the chair was saying that could that could be brought to the table in order so that we could pass it a lot cleaner. But otherwise, yes, I would be supportive. I just think those small tweaks to how we how we get it done is definitely important to me. Thank you.

If we're done with comments, can we have a motion for the resolution?

Motion.

I have not made comments

yet. I

didn't make comments, and

I don't

know if commissioner Fleener wanted to. Oh, no. I wondering if there's any other comments.

Okay.

I I looked this way, and I didn't see you, so I apologize. Please Commissioner Fleener, do have anything

to say or, you know, me me?

I mean, same thing I said before. You know, I'm very passionate about seeing the implementation because, you know, as as much as it's important to have nature be nature for the sake of nature, it's you know, a lot of people in our community also, you know, vocalize how passionate they are about maintaining these areas, you know, whether that be through voicing their opinion on stuff like this or through volunteer efforts and otherwise. So there's a lot of very smart people in this community who have very in-depth opinions on a lot of this stuff. So, hopefully, we can see some implementation and transparency along the way so that people who wanna be involved can be involved.

Okay. I I have no issue with with any of the goals, and I would echo kind of what all the all my fellow commissioners said. No no disagreements on any any of that. My my main problem here and what I'm kinda stuck on is the there's there's inaccurate information in there, and it's for a lot of a lot of access to to park property that people this document says they have and they don't have, and a lot of that's in Districts 4 And 5. So I I would like to support this, but I would need to have some kind of a commitment or assurance or something that that was going to get resolved and corrected and have accurate information.

And if the city manager's office or council doesn't want to work with a school district and come up with a resolution on that, then that needs to be taken off. If they do, then great. We would I'm sure the community would love to have that access again. So is that is there a way to have that included with the motion that those those figures will be corrected before before if this is going to parks and rec, was my understanding next, would there be an opportunity to get that corrected before then?

You know, we we actually did go park and school by school, and we did have the schools that were locked up removed from the list. I remember I remember vividly having a discussion with the parks and rec department. So if there's some that are remaining, we'll have to go back to them and discuss that. But I I do remember that was a a big process that we accomplished at the beginning of the year. So we'll we'll have to double check that now.

And does does that include city owned property that's on the wrong side of a Fullerton School District fence? Because there's about nine acres on that that the they were the school district was not being totally forthcoming with that. There's, like, there's a big chunk at Fern Drive Elementary as an example. On the parks and rec commission years back, we we allowed them to put their fence line through our property so they could put a a solar array, if I remember. And then they also built a little, I think it's like a kindergarten playground. Those are on our property, but they're on there's a fence. We have we don't have public access to those. Okay.

We'll we'll look

into that. There's there's a there's I have them listed specifically because I went to the school district and spoke with doctor Coughlin and tried to get somewhere where that didn't.

Okay. We'll we'll we'll bring it up with Parks and Rec and the city manager's office.

Are you asking for, like,

a formal way to clarify to get a clarification? Like, Steven, to get a

how would could we get a response as a commissioner's like, an email that this has been looked in?

I I can do that.

Yeah. That'd be fine. Yeah. That would that would take care of it, and then I'd be I'd be supportive.

Just to make it clear, do you I don't know if you have this or not, but do you have some specific schools you think are of concern that we could ask you to look at?

I mean, not not on me, but I have all the I have a full list of acreage at every school and and everything where this this was occurring. So

Then can we make put a condition on there then that each of the schools that you have that you have a list on are looked into. And if adjustments are made or if you find that adjustments need to make be made, that those adjustments are made.

Right. Okay.

Yeah.

Actually, we we we have an we have a condition here that direct staff to refine the draft open space based on feedback and direction. So it's condition number four. So that it that's covered.

Okay. Excellent. Thank you. Then we can be possibly Okay.

So everybody's got that. Can we go ahead and Actually Oh, one more comment?

Yeah. One last thing. So is there any appetite to add in an actual condition of please report back on a quarterly basis or a monthly basis your project, your your progress on the element? Because I know I know we've been talking about that a little bit. I just went

I like the idea of reporting back, but I also know just to think about all the all the elements going all the element parts going on right now plus just the day to day stuff. Maybe it's more realistic, especially since a lot of these things are long term that we make it annual.

I I would be on that if if you wanna add that to our final motion.

Can we have, in addition to the condition that we check out this the parks, we also have a condition that we get a report back annually.

Actually, it's a state it's a state requirement that we Okay. Provide a report to the state every year. Right now, the majority of our time is spent doing the housing numbers, but we're supposed to be actually doing a report on the general plan itself. So it's it's something that we're there's I was just on the the state's website last few days, and there's there's new guidance that came out that talks about reporting the progress of the general plan, which includes all the different elements. So it's it's actually already covered by the state law.

So is that is that something also that the Fullerton Public and and the planning commission would be able to see as well?

Absolutely. Yeah. It's a public document. Okay.

Okay. That being said, can we have a motion?

Motion to approve?

The resolution?

Plus

A motion to approve the resolution with the condition that the parks will be reviewed and any discrepancies be adjusted.

Is that a second? Second.

Excellent. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Commissioner Fleener? Yes. Commissioner Tudor? Yes. Commissioner Wayne?

Aye.

Vice chair Dino? Yes. Chair Valadez?

Aye. The motion passes. We will now move to commission and staff communications. Commissioners, do you have any and they need to report? No. Vice chair?

I have I have a question, and and while while mister Halstrom is here, it it seems like this has been going on for a while with the the native garden on on the Hilshire Trail. It is something that I think the community overwhelmingly approves of and wants there. And I think time to time, gets the wind blows the wrong way or something, they decided to they decided to threaten mister Halstrom. And and I've heard of talks of bulldozing it from time to time. Is there anything we can do to clear that up, to make it so that thing can be there and and have its place and not be under threat?

I have to plead ignorance. I I'm not even aware of what or where the location that you're talking about is. Is it is it city property? Is it Chevron property? I I I have no idea.

It's on city property. It's on the Hillshire Trail.

Okay.

It's on the portion next to Euclid where there's two sections of trail, and there's a big empty space between them with a a little, like, a creek of of sorts. So it's not blocking a walkway. It's not blocking a walkway. It's not hindering anyone's path. It's nothing like that.

The area next to it is is weeds, and the area before is weeds. He's taken one part and made it made it much nicer, and the community comes and drops off artwork sometimes. And people sit in the shade, they enjoy the the Native Garden. And it's it's a really cool community thing, and I don't know if it's a zoning thing or or some kind of a CUP, something. There's gotta be something that could be done so that that place could be kept and he could be left alone.

I'll have to look into it. I I don't know, Baron, if you wanna add to that.

Yeah. I'd like mister Schaeffer, I don't really have the background on it, but it's certainly something that we can discuss with the relevant departments, including the city manager.

Okay. Then is that something that we should formally request then, or is that just a

Well, is it is it by Laguna Lake? Is it in the vicinity?

It's right right next to Euclid on the Hilshire Trail between, Euclid and Richmond.

Okay. I I'll have to look into that. I'll talk to, parks and rec. I I have no idea.

What would be interesting is if we could somehow incorporate it in the I know we've already passed the resolution on the element, but but really, that's what we're talking about. Like, how do you get the interaction of how do you get the support of residents, right, into doing this? What we want is to have a native garden. And that and this is the definition of rewilding, which is you're actually putting native plants back to what was there before. But I I don't know if that's something that we can include into the element or something we can discuss at a later point or you can before you bring it up to city council.

So that's project specific. That would be more with the parks and rec plan. It doesn't really fall into this policy document.

Because it includes them, and it includes public works. I think that's again, which is the problem is that from as a as a resident of Folger, you don't know who at city hall to talk to about this. And so

Yeah. I I'll have to reach out. I yeah.

I face that difficulty, and it's something that, yeah, hopefully, we can resolve, with with this element.

Okay.

Any more comments?

Is this are we gonna have a time to ask questions?

Go ahead.

Yeah. Comment questions.

Okay. Yeah. I don't know whether this falls into our peer view, but I sure would like to know whether we could get an update, on, I think it like, the tree master plan or I don't know exactly what it's called, but it came out, like, maybe three years ago or so. And I'm wondering if we can get an update on how that how the implementation of that is going.

I'll have to reach out to Public Works. They're the ones that manage that plan, and they're the ones that prepared it. I'll reach out and see if they have somebody that can maybe talk to you guys about it or provide some information.

And I'm I'm assuming that included in there would be how we're doing as far as putting more, canopy, you know, shade in the in the city, which is part of our goals from the from this. Okay.

Commissioners, any other comments? Questions? No?

Amit, I I got a couple, mister chair. So I noticed you have during the the council meeting, and maybe, Chris, you can speak to this. Have we had any thoughts around revisiting the the design review element?

Yeah. That's actually a topic of discussion right now. So we're we're talking about the budget right now. And as I mentioned earlier, it's it's it's competing priorities. Fullerton Heritage folks have also been hitting us up to get design guidelines in place.

There's thing I mean, we don't have the in house staff to do it. We're we're pretty maxed out. I'm trying to hire three planners right now, and I'm not even sure if I'm gonna get all three of those positions filled. And we would need to hire a consultant to help us through that process. So we're taking these competing priorities to counsel to see what they wanna have move forward and what might be held off to later. So I I personally wanna do it myself. It's just we need the the outside help, and if there's money for it, it is to be determined.

Because one of one of the things I noticed and and can alter phrases in front of the form of a question is with with with with the with the housing element being how it is and knowing what we just went through during our last hearing, does that like, as you said, which takes priority over housing versus design versus what we can and cannot do as a planning commission or or development planning? Like, is that kind of what the dilemma is?

The dilemma is there's a lot of state laws that override city code, and, there's been a lot of consternation about that. For instance, with parking, if you build an ADU, you don't have to replace the parking. Now you have two units on a property and no parking and people are parking on the street. State law says you can do that. We're our hands are tied.

Design guidelines for ADUs. State says there are certain setbacks that we can enforce, and there's reduced setbacks for ADUs that are allowed by state law. It also talks about design guidelines. We have to actually implement objectives, development standards for ADUs, which we don't have on the books right now. So it's hard for us to enforce any design standards when we can't we don't have a a code to point to. So the state laws are just kind of hamstringing us right now. They're they're overriding a lot of the the the or to municipal codes that we could use in the past.

So assuming that we that the EDU sorry. Plant plant those EDU plans pass were covered there, but then housing versus like, housing developments, would that be necessarily, like, you're saying on a case by case basis?

Well, objective standards are not they're they're overriding. They're for everybody, so they're not on a case by case basis. We're not supposed to have anything that's subjective. So I can't bring to you, you know, somebody wants to build an apartment building. And then because this is actually what happened when we were looking at MetaHousing. There was concerns about the way it looked. And I know there was pretty some previous commissioners that didn't like the architectural design, but there's nothing in our code that had development standards that we can that we could point to. So it it that's that's the issue that we have as a staff. We're trying to push for a good design as much as we can, but if we don't have the codes in place, we can't do it.

So so what's an example of an objective standard that you'd want to implement?

Yeah. I mean, we we implemented some through the HIAS. We we developed the HIAS standards. So for instance, if you wanna do a highest project and it's a bunny in r one zone, now you have to set that back a 100 feet. So that that metric is is an objective standard. And then say you have two or three or more stories, and then you have to set those back by a certain amount of distance. That's an objective standard. You just can't say, oh, I don't like the way it looks, or it's not consistent with the neighborhood. That those are very subjective, and those are not enforceable. So you actually have to have, like, you know, 100 feet, three stories, you know, that type of specificity, and that's enforceable.

Can you ask for, like, arts and crafts style, like, bungalow style for this neighborhood?

You can, but you have to also be specific on, like, the the roof pitch will be three and twelve. It will have a a gable roof instead of a flat roof, and it has to be that specific. So Orange County, OC Cog, has paid, one of the consulting firms to create some of those standards. And they've started that, but it's not complete. And I'd really like to have you guys look at it at some point, but, like I said, competing priorities.

So the so last I have for you, Chris. When it comes to how staff negotiates with developers because I've ran into this a number of times over the last couple of years, is what takes precedence? The the policy or what does policy document in this case, the parks element or housing element, what takes parity over kind of the needs of the city? I mean, an example I would kinda use is I I hearken back to the hub. We know what their givebacks were kinda cut when when they came in in came in front of us, but how much leeway do we have to say every new housing development must have this percentage or a certain percentage of par dwelling fees or get back to the city?

Or is it, as you said, on a case by case basis? Because I know there are some things that we didn't that we tried to ask for for for the hub specifically or Point Common or Amherst Heights or Atlas that clearly they either pushed back on, paid paid their way out of, or they traded off different priorities, if that makes sense. Is there any way that we can kinda codify what this the city's expectation is on some of these developments?

Well, here's the thing. So as the planning commission, you're making a recommendation to city council. In a lot of these cases, the council is a final approving authority for, like, a development agreement, and they're the ones that are gonna say, hey. We want you to build a park here instead of pay park fees. So you're I mean, your your your purpose in this whole thing is to make a recommendation. Council is a final approving authority, and they'll determine what's best for the community. So the standard right now is a park dwelling fee. It's that's codified, but the council has the ability to deviate from that when they feel it's appropriate or necessary.

Got it. Thank you.

Commissioner, is there any other comments? For future agenda?

Yes, sir. So just to give you an update, with the Hermosa project, it is going to city council on the, I believe it's the May 5. The applicant appealed your decision, and it will go over to council for final consideration. And then for commission, we have three items that we're going to be scheduling. First is the CIP conformance to the general plan.

So that's an annual requirement. Public Works will be presenting that item. We have also been requested to do a historical local designation of the flight sculpture, which is located next to the library. And then lastly, we are working towards the Lower Golden Hill Preservation Zone. We're gonna try to take that to that meeting. As you're aware, that's something that we've been doing a lot lately is creating these preservation zones, and Lower Golden Hill is the one that's most ready to move forward. So that is all.

Thank you. If there's no further business, this meeting is adjourned.