Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tustin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Halloween Howl Relocation and Expansion
The 25-year-old Halloween Howl is moving to the Tustin Library Courtyard, bringing new family activities, police trunk-or-treat, and extended hours.
Park Maintenance, Capital Improvements, and Public Art
Commissioners reviewed park inspection notes, addressing maintenance issues like drainage, equipment wear, and future upgrades such as the Cedar Grove Park bamboo climbing structure.
Affordable Housing Preservation at Chatham Village Apartments
The council approved tax-exempt bond financing to help fund renovations at Chatham Village Apartments, ensuring the complex remains affordable housing without risking city funds.
Mariners Church Development at Tustin Legacy
The council finalized the second reading of a development agreement for Mariners Church to build a 33,422-square-foot religious assembly facility at Tustin Legacy. While supporters highlighted community demand, critics questioned the lack of binding guarantees for public use of the facilities.
Tustin Legacy Senior Living Development Agreement
The city approved an agreement to build a new 172-unit active adult senior housing and congregate care facility at Tustin Legacy. The project includes 15% affordable units and brings much-needed senior housing options to the area, though a five-year non-compete clause drew a dissenting vote from Council Member Fink.
August 2026 City Investment Portfolio Review
Tustin's investment portfolio is performing well, holding over $250 million in assets with strong liquidity and full compliance with state and local guidelines.
Tustin Tiller Days Festival Planning and Participation
Plans are underway for the annual Tustin Tiller Days festival, featuring carnival rides, a VIP kickoff dinner, a pancake breakfast, and a special ribbon-cutting for a new Old Town gateway sign. Commissioners reviewed event schedules, parade floats, and shuttle logistics.
Functional Art Park Bench Project at Metrolink Station
Artist RFX1's geometric design was selected for a new functional art bench at the Tustin Metrolink Station, enhancing the commuter experience with Korean painting-inspired public art.
Tustin Legacy Park Sculpture Walk Call for Artists
The commission advanced the revised Call for Artists for the upcoming Sculpture Walk at Tustin Legacy Park and formed a subcommittee to select a professional juror.
Old Town Revitalization and Infrastructure Updates
Eighth-grade students from the Orange County School of the Arts will paint a planter box in Old Town Tustin during the October Art Walk event, engaging local youth in civic art.
Residential Parking District Permit Difficulties
Residents in southwest Tustin face extreme parking shortages due to high population density and outdated multi-family parking requirements. The city's study explored solutions like permit programs, enhanced enforcement, and improved walking infrastructure.
Heritage Place Low-Income Rent Increases
Residents of Heritage Place low-income apartments told the council they are facing unsustainable rent hikes of $100 or more per month for three consecutive years, straining their Social Security incomes.
Enderle Center Drive Vacation & Traffic Impacts
Residents expressed strong opposition to vacating Enderle Center Drive, raising serious concerns about fire evacuation bottlenecks and increased traffic congestion from nearby developments. Staff and council reviewed traffic studies and Orange County Fire Authority feedback, concluding safety standards will be met.
Community Development Department 2026 Mid-Year Report
The city reviewed major development projects, code enforcement numbers, and economic programs like CityScope and the Business Concierge. These initiatives help support local small businesses and manage housing growth across Tustin.
Tustin Police Department School Camera Access (Fusus MOU)
Residents raised strong concerns about privacy, surveillance, and potential ICE access regarding an agreement allowing police emergency access to Tustin Unified School District cameras. Council members defended the MOU as a vital safety measure during active shooter situations.
Tustin Legacy Outreach and Engagement 2026 Update
The city is moving full speed ahead with developing the former Marine Corps Air Station, balancing new housing, retail, and massive open-space parks. Officials gathered resident input at an AMC theater to shape the master plan, discussing everything from the historic hangars to pedestrian bridges.
Senior Transportation Program Expansion
The city is applying for a $371,760 OCTA grant to purchase ADA-accessible minivans and hire part-time staff to expand transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities, including Saturday service.
Financial Statement Audit Scope and Standards
Independent auditors reviewed Tustin's financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, awarding the city an unmodified opinion—the highest possible evaluation. The review included testing on federal grants, loans receivable, and new accounting standards for employee leave.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Updates
Tustin is forced to update local zoning laws to comply with state ADU rules, despite local concerns over parking and neighborhood compatibility.
Special Event Evaluations
The commission reviewed successful summer community events and discussed preparations for upcoming fall festivals.
Public Art Priority List & Strategic Goals
The commission updated its strategic goals and project priority list, focusing on diversifying art mediums like planter boxes and sculpture walks.
Navy North Hangar Emergency Termination
The city officially ended the local emergency for the North Hangar fire after cleanup was completed. While emergency status is lifted, officials are planning long-term futures for the 85-acre area.
Water Resource Planning and Management
The city is establishing a formal cross-connection control program and ordinance to protect the public water supply from contamination, complying with new state rules.
Seven-Year Capital Improvement Program Priority List
The commission reviewed and approved the city's 7-year plan for park upgrades and facility investments, prioritizing projects like the Tustin Family Youth Center playground renovation and ball field turf improvements.
250th Anniversary America Commemoration
Tustin is planning a major celebration on June 25 to mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The event will feature a 250-flag field of honor, a Coastal Live Oak planting, student art and essay displays, and a keynote address by a descendant of Benjamin Franklin.
Summer Event Programming and Community Engagement
The city is gearing up for a bustling summer of community events, including the Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off, Sunset Market, Concerts and Movies in the Park, and the 4th of July Celebration. Commissioners discussed ways to increase their visibility and engagement with residents at these events.
E-Bike and Mobility Device Safety Regulations
Residents and urbanism advocates urged the city to fund and develop an Active Transportation Plan to improve bike and pedestrian safety, connect with regional networks, and unlock state grant funding.
Industrial Areas Economic Assessment and Future Land Use
An economic study evaluated Tustin's industrial areas, showing they generate significant general fund revenue and high-wage jobs. The commission discussed balancing industrial preservation against regional pressures for residential conversion.
Southwest Tustin On-Street Parking Congestion
Residents in southwest Tustin face extreme parking shortages due to high population density and outdated multi-family parking requirements. The city's study explored solutions like permit programs, enhanced enforcement, and improved walking infrastructure.
Selection of Independent Municipal Auditor
The Audit Commission evaluated eight proposals from accounting firms and recommended Davis Farr LLP to conduct the city's annual audits for the next three years.
Security Fencing and Freeway Access Prevention at Pasadena Avenue
The city proposed an 8-foot-high anti-climb fence at 15501 Pasadena Avenue to stop frequent trespassing, criminal activity, and dangerous pedestrian incursions onto the adjacent State Route 55 freeway.
Camino Real Park Playground and CIP Updates
Camino Real Park's new playground is nearing completion with modern accessible features and safety surfacing, ahead of picnic shelter construction.
Mobile Command Post Federal Funding Request
Congresswoman Young Kim has selected Tustin's Mobile Command Post replacement project for consideration in the House Appropriations Committee.
Community Development 2025 Year in Review and Project Updates
The city reviewed major development projects, code enforcement numbers, and economic programs like CityScope and the Business Concierge. These initiatives help support local small businesses and manage housing growth across Tustin.
Micro Galleries Pilot Project
The commission advanced a pilot Micro Gallery Public Art Program in partnership with the Tustin Unified School District to showcase student artwork. Staff reported that construction costs may be donated through the Samweli Foundation, and a draft MOU was reviewed.
Activity Guide Redesign and Registration Updates
The city rolled out a fresh, magazine-style layout for its quarterly activity guide and reported strong spring registration numbers, with summer day camps filling up fast. To better serve residents, the city announced plans to give Tustin residents an exclusive full-day head start on summer registration starting in May.
Tustin Family and Youth Center Community Mural
Artist Luis Barajas is developing concept designs for a community-engaging mural at the Tustin Family and Youth Center. A second public input meeting is scheduled to gather resident feedback on the proposed designs.
County Solid Waste Agreement and Rate Increases
Tustin approved a 10-year county solid waste disposal agreement, though rising county tipping fees will likely result in higher trash collection bills for local residents and businesses.
Tustin Legacy 52-Acre Development Partnership
The city is partnering with Almquist Development to plan a vibrant, family-focused commercial and community space on 52 acres at Tustin Legacy, similar to their popular River Street project in San Juan Capistrano.
2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and Housing Production
The city reviewed housing permit data and progress toward regional housing goals for 2025. Staff noted that while 54 permits were issued last year, major developments are lined up for upcoming permit issuance.
Heideman School Park Development
The city is moving forward with a new park project in southwest Tustin to expand recreational space in an underserved neighborhood. Funded in part by a state grant, construction is expected to start in June 2026.
Code Streamlining and Short-Term Rental Prohibition
The city is updating land use codes to clarify short-term rental bans, incorporate state housing element programs, and clean up administrative inconsistencies.
Public Art Artist Evaluation and Selection Process
The commission adopted a new scoring rubric to make choosing muralists and public artists clearer and fairer. This tool will help commissioners handle large numbers of artist applications efficiently during public meetings.
Spring Community Special Events and Volunteer Support
The commission is actively planning and volunteering for upcoming spring community events, such as Bingo Night, the Easter egg hunt, and the Street Fair and Chili Cook-off.
Police Department Technology & Axon Agreement
The city approved a 10-year, $9.5 million agreement with Axon Enterprise to modernize police equipment, including body cameras, vehicle video systems, and AI-powered dispatch and records tools.
Tustin Legacy Land Development and Cushman & Wakefield Listing
The city is actively marketing approximately 43 acres of city-owned land within the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan to generate future housing and economic development.
Cross-Connection Control Program Ordinance
The city is establishing a formal cross-connection control program and ordinance to protect the public water supply from contamination, complying with new state rules.
El Camino Real and Auto Center Drive Traffic Signal Improvements
The city and Costco are splitting the cost of a $250,000 traffic signal project to address safety and an uptick in collisions at El Camino Real and Auto Center Drive.
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Financial Audit
Independent auditors reviewed Tustin's financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, awarding the city an unmodified opinion—the highest possible evaluation. The review included testing on federal grants, loans receivable, and new accounting standards for employee leave.
Soil Remediation Noise and Emissions at Woodcrest Apartments
A resident voiced severe concerns about continuous 24/7 noise and vibration from oil spill soil remediation machinery operating 20 feet from front doors, impacting sleep and health.