A vacant parcel of land in North Tustin comprising several acres, owned by the Catholic Church, is surrounded on three sides by homes that are 25 years old or older. This parcel abuts Newport Boulevard north of 17th street in this unincorporated county area.
The Church wants to develop the property into a senior living and care center. Many North Tustin residents have resisted any commercial development of any kind in their community, seeking to preserve the residential nature of the area. This proposed development would require a change of zoning and permitting by the County planning Commission and, if the Commissions’ decision is appealed, by the Board of Supervisors
The Foothill Communities Association, an organization of homeowners in the North Tustin area, opposes any zone change to accommodate this or any other commercial development. Signs have popped up on the lawns of many homeowners in the area reading “No rezoning – preserve North Tustin”.
The County Supervisor that represents this area is Bill Campbell. He is a strong supporter of most anything Catholic, frequently reporting in his newsletter attendance at various Catholic events. This land use battle will probably land square in his lap, requiring him to make a decision that will either please or displease either the Church or the organized resistance in the community.
Since there are term limits for the County Supervisors, Campbell is termed out and need not worry about a re-election campaign. None-the-less he thrives on being seen in his District as a leader who is responsive and caring, and he could always run for some other office (Prior to winning the County Supervisor seat he was a termed-out State Assemblyman). He also seems to thrive on most anything Catholic.
This will be one to watch.
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