TO: Chair and Members of the Santiago Creek Commission
FROM: Tom Kisela, City Manager
1. Subject
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Santiago Creek Strategic Plan Discussion.
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2. Summary
For the past 50 years, numerous planning documents have been created to conserve Santiago Creek’s natural resources while promoting open space and enhancing public recreational amenities. Some of these foundational planning documents include the Orange Park Acres Specific Plan, the East Orange 1975 General Plan, Lower Santiago Creek Specific Plan, the Santa Ana River - Santiago Creek Greenbelt Plan, and the Santiago Creek Greenbelt Implementation Plan. This item intends to start the conversation on creating a Santiago Creek Strategic Plan and how to coalesce the planning documents into the plan.
3. Recommended Action
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1. Discuss the creation of a Santiago Creek Strategic Plan by focusing on establishing an initial framework that will eventually incorporate previous planning documents and initiatives.
2. Approve the proposed Santiago Creek Strategic Plan framework or provide direction to City staff.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance and Promote Quality of Life in the Community
a. Renovate, maintain, develop, and/or expand public use places and spaces.
6. Discussion and Background
The Santiago Creek Commission (SCC) was established as an advisory body to the City Council with a focus on providing general advice and recommendations on matters that include:
A. Implementation of public projects in/along the Santiago Creek Area.
B. Implementation of the Santiago Creek Plans for the Santiago Creek Area.
C. Preservation/enhancements of public open space within the Santiago Creek Area.
D. Acquisition of private property when it becomes available.
E. Preservation of the ecological, scenic, historical, and recreational resources of the Santiago Creek Area (excluding private property and parks).
F. Developing relationships with volunteer and non-profit organizations and public and private agencies interested in the Santiago Creek Area.
To help guide forthcoming recommendations and strategies, Santiago Creek (Creek) plans developed over the past 50 years are being reviewed. Some of these planning documents include:
• Orange Park Acres Specific Plan
• East Orange 1975 General Plan
• Lower Santiago Creek Specific Plan
• Santa River - Santiago Creek Greenbelt Plan
• Santiago Creek Greenbelt Implementation Plan
These plans constitute foundational documents critical to drafting key recommendations to the City Council. The intent of the July 24, 2024, meeting is to begin the conversation of developing a foundational framework necessary to craft a Santiago Creek Strategic Plan that will detail recommendations and strategies to the City Council.
To begin this conversation, staff is proposing a framework for further discussion. The proposed framework includes:
I. Study Area - Description of the Santiago Creek Area that is the focus of the strategic plan.
II. History - Description of the past planning efforts and brief history of Santiago Creek.
III. Goals/Objectives - Restated purpose (pursuant to Ordinance No. 13-23) of the Santiago Creek Commission.
IV. Santiago Creek Segment Recommendations - A stated vision for each Santiago Creek segment with recommended projects to achieve the vision pursuant to Ordinance No. 13-23. Proposed segments include:
a. Segment 1 - Santa River to Hart Park.
b. Segment 2 - Hart Park to the 55 Freeway
c. Segment 3 - 55 Freeway to Santiago Canyon Road
d. Segment 4 - Santiago Canyon Road to Santiago Oaks Regional Park.
Staff is seeking direction from the SCC and/or approval on the above framework. Draft written material for each framework section will be provided for SCC review/approval at subsequent meetings.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Santiago Creek Segment Planning Sheet.
• Orange Park Acres Specific Plan
• East Orange 1975 General Plan
• Lower Santiago Creek Specific Plan
• Santa River - Santiago Creek Greenbelt Plan
• Santiago Creek Greenbelt Implementation Plan