Fullerton Observer Questionnaire

By Angela Chen Lindstrom

Responses to Fullerton Observer Questionnaire (The abridged version appeared in the October 1st Issues of the Fullerton Observer)

The city should promote a commuter/light rail train and bus system that will link Fullerton to other regional employment and activity centers in LA, Orange County, and San Diego. The Fullerton Transportation Center already serves as a hub for the OCTA buses, MetroLink, and Amtrak trains, and could add the Orange County Centerline light rail system if it is extended northwards in the future. Investment in the Transportation Center with local, regional, and state funds not only helps improve traffic conditions and air quality, but also enhances Fullerton's local economy.

2. Should the city work with the county and state to save the 510-acre West Coyote Hills as Open space?

Yes. The West Coyote Hills open space is a resource of extraordinary natural characteristics. It deserves the city leaders' best effort to preserve it from development. . The dearth of open space in North Orange County makes this a regional, not just local issue. It makes sense for the city to take a leadership role by working with the county and state to preserve the 510-acre West Coyote Hills as a public nature park to be enjoyed by all North County residents.

The impact of further development at a local level is worrisome. Open space, parks, a safe city, good schools and libraries are all important "quality of life" amenities. These qualities attract good people to the city, which in turn attracts businesses looking for quality employees. The additional burden of new development to the city's schools, public services, infrastructure, and increased traffic congestion are detrimental to this all-important "quality of life". Fullerton needs to work with the county and the state to preserve its most important natural heritage not only because it is the environmentally responsible thing to do, but also because it is of direct benefit to community and local economy.

3. Does Fullerton need more affordable housing?

The continued heated housing market has buoyed the median home price in Orange County to about $370,000, pushing housing affordability index to below 30%. The median household income in Fullerton is about $75,600. Insufficient mortgage payment resources, as well as a lack of adequate down payments are major obstacles for low-income and first time homebuyers.

Home ownership helps to foster stable communities. The city should continue to address housing affordability problems through housing assistance efforts such as the Down payment Assistance Program (DAP), providing low-cost loans and grants to encourage housing and neighborhood rehabilitation, and working with developers to encourage the development of a variety of housing types and costs.

4. Are you in favor of restoring the Fox Theatre? Can the city help?

The Fox Theatre is of great historical and cultural significance to Fullerton, and if restored, may serve to stimulate more activity in the downtown district. The city should work with private businesses and the community to develop a viable commercial concept and restoration plan. The city should provide incentives to private businesses to invest in the Fox Theatre, and take an active role in improving surrounding public facilities such as parking and circulation that will be support private investments. While the criteria for restoration should be based on economic and commercial viability, the city should be sensitive to the cultural importance the Fox holds for the community.

5. Water issues (shortage, sewer to tap, aquifer protection, housing development, etc.)

Fullerton must cope with the challenges of managing water use in an arid region. The city gets 75% of its water from its local wells, and 25% from the Colorado river and Northern California through the Metropolitan Water District. The wells draw water from underground aquifers that are replenished naturally through rainfall, and through active groundwater basin management by the Orange County Water District.

Drought, new housing development, water contamination, and dependency on imported water all affect the supply and cost of quality water. An average Orange County family consumes 163,000 gallons of water a year. New housing development depletes water resources in at least one of 2 ways: increased consumption, and decreased natural seepage opportunities for rainwater as a result of hardscaping. Additionally, a low supply of water in the groundwater may lead to higher levels of mineral and salinity build up, resulting in poor water quality.

Fullerton should manage its water resources by promoting conservation, and water-wise development strategies. Conservation may be implemented directly through draught-tolerant plant selection and efficient irrigation systems on public grounds. Education and public awareness campaigns can promote water saving tips and practices. New development should be planned with careful attention to the demand and impact to the water infrastructure.

Finally, the city should cooperate with the Orange County Water District on water recycling projects such as the Groundwater Replenishment System, which reclaims waste water for reuse. Recycling may be the only effective strategy against the city's ever vulnerability to water shortage. Fullerton should work with the OCWD to monitor the effectiveness and safety of new water recycling technologies and techniques.

6. Other issues of importance ~ Infrastructure ~ There is a $150 Million dollar infrastructure deficiency in our city. This was identified by the city's staff and then confirmed by a citizen Infrastructure Advisory Committee in 1999 and 2001. In short, our streets, sidewalks, park facilities, streetlights have deteriorated and will require reconstruction or replacement to bring it to a decent level of usefulness. Furthermore, if these deficiencies are not addressed soon, the cost will increase to over $250 million by 2020.

The Infrastructure Advisory Committee proposed a number of recommendations to fund these deficiencies: lobbying federal and state officials for funding, pursuing regional, state, and federal grants, leveraging Redevelopment Project Areas and Community Development Block Grant Area funding.

Having good roads and public facilities are important to attracting and retaining businesses and residents. The City Council should work aggressively to allocate Capital Improvement Project funds in the coming years, so that infrastructure remediation, maintenance, and improvements are addressed as a top priority.