Resolution Number 92-1-7-2RESOLUTION NO. 92-1-7-2
ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 91-2
FLOODPLAIN ELEMENT BIKEWAY SYSTEM
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT 91-2, THE FLOODPLAIN ELEMENT/BIKEWAY
SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the City Council previously initiated consideration of the addition
of a new Floodplain Element to the General Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City's Environmental Review Board has reviewed an Initial
Study prepared on the potential environmental effects of the new Element, has
determined that the addition of the Floodplain Element to the General Plan will not have
a significant effect on the environment, and has accordingly issued a draft Negative
Declaration; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined, on the basis of the Initial Study
and comments received, that there is no substantial evidence that the new Element will
have a significant effect on the environment, and has accordingly adopted the Negative
Declaration; and,
WHEREAS, the City's Parks and Recreation and Equestrian and Recreation
Trails Commissions have forwarded the new Floodplain Element to the Planning
Commission and City Council recommending adoption; and,
WHEREAS, the City's Planning Commission has forwarded the new Floodplain
Element to the City Council recommending adoption; and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing has been duly advertised in the Capistrano Valley
News and held to receive and review public testimony on the draft Element; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds and determines as follows:
1. The new Floodplain Element is consistent with the goals, policies, and
objectives of all existing Elements of the General Plan, most especially
the Land Use, Parks and Recreation, and Open Space and Conservation
Elements.
2. The new Element is consistent with the provisions of the General Plan's
underlying Citizens Policy Plan, especially as evidenced by the Policy
Plan extract included as an appendix to the Element.
3. The new Element will provide a means to achieve three important City
goals regarding its major creeks and floodplains:
a. The protection of life and property from floodwaters.
b. The preservation and enhancement of the natural character of the
creeks and their floodplains.
-1-
C. The preservation and enhancement of recreational opportunities
and amenities provided by the creeks and their floodplains.
4. The new Floodplain Element is consistent with the State Colby-Alquist
Act provisions requiring that local land use regulations maintain
consistency with Federal Emergency Management Agency criteria
regarding floodways and floodplains.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
San Juan Capistrano does hereby adopt General Plan Amendment 91-2, which includes:
1. The addition of the Floodplain Element to the General Plan, attached
hereto as Exhibit A.
2. The amendment to the General Plan Bikeway System map, attached
hereto as Exhibit B, adding the Oso and Trabuco Bikeway extensions.
This amendment is necessary to ensure consistency between the new
Floodplain Element and the Master Plan of County -wide Bikeways on one
hand and the Bikeway System plan on the other.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this
of January , 1992.
ATTEST:
PV
IF
''�I / I -FAJ
� J�
GIL JON S, 'A O
-2-
7th
day
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
1, CHERYL JOHNSON, City Clerk of the City of San Juan .Capistrano,
California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of
Resolution No. 92-1-7-2 adopted by the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 7th day
of January 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Friess, Hausdorfer, Harris,
Vasquez and Mayor Jones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
(SEAL) ARY
--����62:0CHEL JOH �SON, ITT CLERK '-'
-3-
EXHIBIT A
FLOODPLAIN ELEMENT
2.1 FLOODPLAIN ELEMENT
Streambeds, creeks, and ponds provide natural habitat for plants and
animals that enhance the overall quality of the community's
environment. The Floodplain Element contains policies and
implementation measures to preserve and enhance these features and
to provide for the protection of life and property.
54.1
floodplain element
GOALS OF THE ELEMENT
The Floodplain Element focuses on the three major creeks running
through San Juan Capistrano: San Juan, Trabuco, and Oso. The
goals of the Element are:
1) The protection of life and property from floodwaters.
2) The preservation and enhancement of the natural character
of the creeks and their floodplains.
3) The preservation and enhancement of recreational
opportunities and amenities provided by the creeks and their
floodplain.
This Element provides objectives, policies, and implementation
measures aimed both at achieving the above goals and reconciling
the goals where they appear to be in potential conflict. In so doing,
the Floodplain Element complements the broader policies of the
Open Space and Conservation and Public Safety Elements.
Although concrete -lined channels such as lower San Juan Creek
afford durable protection for life and property, they do not preserve
natural stream character. Therefore, the City will not allow concrete
lining of additional creek reaches except to improve existing
concrete channels as previously authorized by the City Council or
when the Council finds there is no other feasible way to provide
effective flood protection. Instead, other methods of protective
channelization are described in this Element which will provide the
needed protection while maximizing preservation of the natural
stream environment.
The Floodplain Element is related to other General Plan Elements
as follows:
• Land Use: The Floodplain Element reinforces the
restrictions in the Land Use Element text and on the
General Plan Map regarding development in floodplains.
• Open Space and Conservation: The Floodplain Element
helps to enure the preservation of floodplain open space
and the conservation of natural creek environments and
habitat.
• Parks and Recreation: The Floodplain Element provides for
the utilization of creekside recreational opportunities and
the construction of bikeways and equestrian trails adjacent
to the creeks.
• Public Safety: The Floodplain Element provides for the
necessary flood control improvements to protect life and
property near creeks.
54.2
floodplain element
EXISTING CONDITIONS (1992)
Creeks in San San Juan Capistrano contains three major creeks carrying water
Juan Capistrano: runoff from the hills northeast of the City toward the Pacific Ocean
to the south. These creeks are shown on Figure 2-1. Oso Creek is
a tributary of Trabuco Creek, which in tutu is a tributary of San
Juan Creek. San Juan Creek empties into the ocean at Doheny
Beach State Park south of the City.
Although considerable development has occurred near the City's
major creeks over the years, most of the creek reaches have not
been channelized with "hard" (e.g. concrete) sides or bottoms.
Portions which have been so channelized include San Juan Creek
downstream of Camino Capistrano, Trabuco Creek downstream of
the existing horse stables, and Oso Creek near the northern city
limits (see Figure 2-1). The creeks are described in more detail on
the following pages.
San Juan Creek: As shown on Figure 2-2, lower San Juan Creek has concrete or rock
riprap sides and a "soft" or earthen bottom. The channel is
concrete -lined from the Camino Capistrano bridge downstream to
the ocean. In 1989, the west -side creek levee and the concrete lining
downstream of the Trabuco Creek confluence were raised in order
to assure protection from projected 100 -year flood levels.*
Most of the creek upstream of the Interstate 5 freeway bridge is
relatively undisturbed, with earthen banks and riparian (riverbank)
vegetation. However, short reaches have received riprap or soil
cement improvements to protect adjacent development. ("Riprap"
consists of piled -up rocks lining the bank and anchored into the
stream bed. "Soil cement" is a mixture of natural soil and Portland
cement, which dries and hardens into an impermeable surface.)
As of the adoption of this Floodplain Element (1992), extensive
development already exists adjacent to the lower portion of San
Juan Creek. Land uses are mostly residential on the west side of the
channel. There is an industrial park and a mobilehome park on the
east side.
*The "100 year flood" refers to the maximum amount of water
runoff which will be discharged through a watercourse from the
heaviest storm projected to occur every 100 years on average.
Flood control improvements are typically built to withstand that
amount of water. As used in this General Plan Element, the term
"floodplain" means those flood hazard zones within the 100 year
flood inundation limits determined by the City to be consistent with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency 's Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM). Flood hazard zones within the 100 year
floodplain are further defined in the City's Floodplain Management
Overlay ordinance.
54.3
OSO CRI
SAN JUI
54.4
COMMERCIAL i RESIDENTIAL
BIKEWAY BRIDGE
RV STORAGE\
4 '
MOBKEHOME PARK\ \ '
RESIDENTIAL
BIKEWAY. i ': • Qtt .
\EQUESTRIAN TRAIL
INDUSTRIAL
MOBILEHOME PARK
TO DOHENY BEACH
STATE PARK
FIG 2-2
SAN JUAN CREEK
AND ADJACENT LAND USES
- 1991
EQUESTRIAN CENTER
BIKEWAY
g COOK PARK\
VACAW
4 \ AMeImc FLAENTARY DCHOOL
\
VACANT
EQUESTRIAN CENTER.-COTTAGL- OFFICES
GOLF COURSE
VACANT LAND/ANIMAL HOSPITAU
TENNIS CLUWRE IREMENT HOTEL
DESCANSO PARK
SAN JUAN CREEK BANK IMPROVEMENTS
EAST CITY LIMITS TO FREEWAY: EARTHEN LEVEE (NORTH SIDE)
& NATURAL BANK (SOUTH SIDE)
FREEWAY TO CAMINO CAPISTRANO: ROCK RIPRAP
CAMINO CAPISTRANO TO OCEAN: CONCRETE CHANNEL LINEA
54.5
OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL
6
54.6 DESCANSO PARK
J;
OPEN CONCRETE CHANNEL
UNDERGROUND BOX CULVERT
d
DEEPLY -INCISED NATURAL CHANNEL' . • . • • `
WITH STEEP BANKS FROM END OF
CULVERTTO TRABUCO CREEK
jj
� 21
, i
DECLINING CITRUS ORCHARDS
AND OPEN SPACE
FIG 2-4
OSO CREEK
AND ADJACENT LAND USES
- 1991 -
HILLSIDE OPEN SPACE
DECUNING CITRUS ORCHARDS`
CIN BOUNDARY I
i
G
O
G Ap
'0
54.7
Is
floodplain element
San Juan Creek: Upstream of the freeway, there is a tennis club and a retirement hotel
(cont.) on the south side of the creek. (Because of the bend in the channel,
this upstream portion of the creek is considered to have north and
south sides instead of east and west.) The San Juan Hills golf
course is also adjacent on the south side. Upstream of the golf
course, there are horse stables and open space.
On the north side of the creek upstream of the freeway, land uses
include the C. Russell Cook Community Park, open space, and more
horse stables. A bikeway runs through Cook Park and continues
along the north side under the freeway and Camino Capistrano
bridges.
Trabuco Creek: Figure 2-3 shows Trabuco Creek and its nearby land uses as of 1992.
Residential development is adjacent to the west side of the creek
along the concrete -lined portion from the confluence (or
intersection) with San Juan Creek upstream to about 1800 feet north
of the Del Obispo Street bridge. On the other side are the City Hall
offices, industrial and office development, and the historic Los Rios
residential area north of Del Obispo. There is a bikeway on the east
levee which crosses to the west side via a bikeway bridge just above
its confluence with San Juan Creek. A small triangular park, known
as Descanso Park is located near the bikeway bridge at the Trabuco-
San Juan confluence.
Upstream of the concrete channel liner, the creek is unchannelized
except for short reaches beneath the railroad, Camino Capistrano,
and freeway bridges. Adjacent land uses include horse stables,
abandoned citrus groves, and open land.
54.8
t �' '`�w11WiIt
floodplain element
Oso Creek: Oso Creek, as shown on Figure 2-4, has a narrow deeply -incised
streambed from its confluence with Trabuco Creek upstream almost
to the city limits. In the early 1980's, a short upstream reach was
placed in an earth -covered concrete box from the north city limits
to a point about 300 feet downstream.
Abandoned orchards and open space border Oso Creek throughout
its length within the City. Like Trabuco, most of Oso Creek still
retains a natural undeveloped and unchannelized environment.
However, increased runoff caused by upstream development has
caused extensive erosion and lowering of the Oso creekbed.
ISSUES
The issues described in this section are the result of an inventory of
floodplain resources, including field surveys, wetland and habitat
studies, engineering studies, hydrology studies, aerial photography,
and consultation with other responsible public agencies.
All Creeks: 1) Many of the creek banks adjacent to undeveloped areas are not
protected against erosion.
2) Any flood protection improvements will probably be subject to
the federal "no -net -loss" requirement, meaning wetland area
eliminated must be replaced by new wetlands in the creek or
elsewhere in the region.
3) Estimates of 100 -year flood flows have increased since
development has occurred. Therefore, pad elevations for some
developments may be too low, based on the revised 100 -year
flood elevation estimates.
4) The creeks have been invaded in many areas by giant reed,
which is vegetation with little or no value as habitat.
San Juan Creek: 1) The segment or "reach" below Camino Capistrano has a
concrete liner which cannot feasibly be replaced by a more
natural treatment.
2) The railroad bridge west of Camino Capistrano blocks the major
east -west bicycle trail.
3) The La Novia bridge creates a constriction in the channel which
could, atter buildout of upstream areas in 20 years, cause
shallow inundation of a portion of the adjacent residential area
on the north side of the creek during a 100 -year flood unless
further improvements are made.
4) Levee raising is needed on the east side below Trabuco Creek,
matching that already done on the west side, to insure protection
against 100 -year flood flows.
54.9
floodplain element
Trabuco Creeks 1) There is not enough 'freeboard" under the Del Obispo Street
bridge to allow unimpeded passage of a 100 -year flood.
Therefore, some remedial work may be needed to insure
protection against 100 -year flood flows.
2) Heavy storm flows could undermine any future extension of
Alipaz Street placed near the creek unless significant flood
protection improvements are made.
3) Without channehzation, there will be no levee service road on
the west side to serve as the planned north -south bikeway.
4) Fill dirt placed in the floodplain has degraded the riparian
environment and altered the flow characteristics of the stream.
5) The reach north of the confluence with San Juan Creek has a
concrete liner which cannot feasibly be replaced by a more
natural treatment.
6) In places, the natural creek bank is subject to heavy lateral
erosion and the creek bed to scouring and degradation (i.e.
lowering).
Oso Creek: 1) The unimproved portions of the creek are heavily -incised and
eroded.
2) The creek's confluence with Trabuco Creek "points" in the wrong
direction (upstream) and therefore causes turbulence at high
flows and potential erosion and backwater.
3) Even more than Trabuco Creek, the natural creek bank is subject
to heavy lateral erosion and the creek bed to scouring and
degradation (lowering).
54.10
floodplain element
OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The objectives and supporting policies described in this section were
developed with attention to the general policies from the Citizen's
Policy Plan portion of this General Plan. The objectives are specific
steps toward achieving the three goals of this Element: the
protection of life and property, the preservation and enhancement
of natural creek environments, and the preservation and expansion
of recreational opportunities. In so doing, the objectives also
address the problems and opportunities identified in the preceding
section on "Issues".
The policies immediately following each objective shall act as guides
for decision-making on specific issues. As such, each objective's set
of supporting policies constitutes a consistent City strategy aimed at
achieving that objective.*
GOAL NO. 1: PROTECTION FROM FLOODWATERS
Obiective 1.1 - Development Restrictions (all creeks): The
limitation of land uses and development in floodplains so as to
minimise risks to life and property from flooding and satisfy the
flood insurance and other requirements of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), while still allowing
land uses and associated flood protection improvements
consistent with FEMA and other flood safety requirements.
Policy 1.1.1: Land within floodplain shall* generally be
restricted to open space land uses such as trails,
fenced areas, agriculture, grazing, and similar
nes. A detailed list of permitted floodplain
land uses and other regulations shall be
specified in the Land Use Code's Floodplain
Management Overlay Regulations.
Policy 1.1.2: Future development adjacent to floodplain
shall be limited by the Floodplain Management
Overlay Regulation. Permitted development
shall provide flood protective improvements in
accordance with the Land Use Code.
Policy 1.1.3: The City may approve modifications to existing
floodplain to the extent necessary to provide
for flood protection measures for public or
private improvements such as, but not limited
to, streets and highways.
*As used in this section and throughout this General Plan Element the
words "will' and "shall" are mandatory and the word "may" is
permissive. The word "should' is used in the case of policies which
must be followed in the absence of major opposing considerations
identified by the City.
54.11
floodplain element
Goal No 1: Protection from Floodwaters (cont_)
Obiective 1.2 - Placement of Fill (all creeks): Prevention of the
placement of unauthorized fill material in creeks and floodplains
in order to avoid alteration of flow characteristics and associated
risks to life and property from flooding.
Policy 1.2.1: Prohibitions against unauthorized fill within
creeks and floodplains shall be strictly enforced.
Objective 1.3 - New Flood Protection Improvements (all creeks):
The construction of new flood protection improvements where
determined necessary by the City because of: (1) existing
protection deficiencies; or (2) the need to protect new
development. Design of flood improvements should be approved
by the Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD).
Policy 1.3.1: Priority shall be given to flood protection
projects in areas where the City determines that
potential flood danger or other problems
already exist.
Policy 1.3.2: The City shall continue to consult with the
County of Orange and with other cities sharing
its drainage basin regarding flood protection
issues, and to advocate the implementation of
upstream flood control facilities, such as
retarding basins, dams, and similar measures, in
order to lessen the need for downstream flood
protection measures.
Policy 1.3.3: The City should seek the cooperation of
upstream jurisdictions in requiring development
therein to help pay for the costs of flood
control improvements needed to accommodate
the resulting increases in downstream runoff.
54.12
floodplain element
Goal No. 1: Protection from Floodwaters (cont.)
Policy 13.4: Flood protective improvements and/or other
protective measures shall be required in
conjuncition with approval of development
projects located adjacent to floodplains.
Obiective 1.4 - La Novia Bridge (San ,Tuan Creek): The
improvement of the La Novia bridge and/or the San Juan Creek
channel to mitigate the existing constriction in the channel.
Policy 1.4.1: Any improvement project to widen the bridge
should also include provision for lengthening of
the bridge and/or for channel improvements to
reduce the potential for erosion, backwater
inundation, or other problems both upstream
and downstream of the bridge.
Objective 1.5 - Del Obispo Bridge (Trabuco Creek): Provision of
"freeboard" (i.e. adequate vertical clearance) under the Del
Obispo Street bridge sufficient to allow unimpeded passage of a
100 -year flood.
Policy 1.5.1: Future improvements to the existing Trabuco
Creek channel should include grade
stabilization structures near the bridge or other
measures to provide adequate freeboard.
54.13
floodplain element
GOAL NO. 2: PRESERVATION OF NATURAL CHARACTER
Objective 2.1 - Avoidance of Further Creek Channelization (all
creeks): The avoidance of new bank and/or channel
improvements where feasible*, and the use of environmentally
sensitive treatments where improvements are necessary.
Policy 2.1.1: The Floodplain Management Overlay
ordinance provisions in the City's Land Use
Code shall be strictly implemented so as to
minimize the need to flood -protect unimproved
creek banks and channels.
Policy 2.1.2: Where the City determines that further flood
control improvements are required, concrete
channel lining shall not be used except: (1) for
bridge abutments, (2) for previously -authorized
projects, or (3) where the City Council, because
of input from the County flood control staff or
other considerations, determines that there are
no feasible alternatives.
Policy 2.1.3: Except in situations described in 2.1.2 above,
flood protection designs other than concrete
lining, such as soil cement, "Armorflex", earth -
covered rock riprap, or other environmentally -
sensitive treatments, which still provide effective
and durable flood protection, shall be used.
Obiective 2.2 - Preservation of Wetlands (all creeks): The
preservation of existing creek wetlands throughout the City.
Policy 2.2.1: Public improvements and/or private
development in or near creeks should provide
for maximum preservation of wetlands and
should be consistent with state and federal "no -
net -loss" (of wetland's) requirements.
Policy 2.2.2: Mining operations or sand and gravel extraction
should not permitted in any creekbed or
floodplain area unless the City Council
determines that such operations are associated
with necessary channel maintenance or other
essential flood prevention measures.
*As used in this General Plan Element, the term "feasible" shall be
defined as in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines: "Capable of being accomplished in a successful manner
within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic,
environmental, legal; social, and technological factors."
54.14
floodplain element
Goal No. 2: Preservation of Natural Character (cont.)
Objective 2.3 - Creek Enhancement & Restoration (all creeks):
The enhancement andjor restoration of creeks and their
floodplains as part of private development projects and public
works projects.
Policy 2.3.1: Private development projects and flood control
projects, park improvements, or other public
works projects affecting creeks and floodplains
should include measures to enhance and/or
restore natural character by means of riparian
tree, shrub, and grass planting, removal of
undesirable plants such as giant reed,
restoration of animal habitat, or similar
measures.
Policy 2.3.2: Restoration/enhancement projects, such as
those described in 2.3.1 above, should also be
consistent with flood protection requirements.
In order to ensure that both restoration
objectives and flood control requirements can
be met, the City may, in consultation with
County flood control staff, require preparation
of a concept plan of the affected creek reaches,
showing planting, bank treatment, and
appropriate level hydraulic analysis.
54.15
!f
floodplain element
GOAL NO. 3: RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
(Note: The following objectives are to he pursued in conjunction
with the provisions of the Parks and Recreation Element).
Objective 3.1 - Preservation of Park and Recreation Land Uses
(all creeks): The preservation of existing park and recreational
land uses adjacent to all three creeks.
Policy 3.1.1: All land adjacent to or within creeks which is
presently in park, equestrian, or other
recreational use should be preserved in their
present uses except for upgrading or conversion
to other open space recreational uses.
Objective 3.2 - Preservation of the San .Tuan Hills Golf Course
(San .Tuan Creek): Preservation of the San Juan Hills Golf
Course adjacent to San Juan Creek.
Policy 3.2.1: The San Juan Hills Golf Course shall be
preserved in its present location on the south
bank of San Juan Creek, except for upgrading
or conversion to another open space or
recreational use approved by the City.
Objective 3.3 - Bikeway Underpass Below Railroad Bridle (San
Juan Creek): Construction of a bicycle underpass beneath the
railroad bridge.
Policy 3.3.1: The bicycle underpass shall be included in the
project design when the bridge is replaced.
54.16
floodplain element
Goal No. 3 - Recreational Opportunities (cont.)
Obiective 3.4 - Bikewav on La Novia Bridte (San Tuan Creek):
Widening of the narrow bikeway/sidewalk on the east side and
addition of a new bikeway/sidewalk on the west side.
Policy 3.4.1: In conjunction with the overall bridge widening
project, the existing bikeway/sidewalk on the
east side of the bridge should be widened and
a new bikeway/sidewalk (or separate bicycle -
ped. bridge) should be added on the west side.
Objective 3.5 - Trabuco Creek Bikewav (Trabuco Creek):
Construction of a north -south bikeway on the west side of
Trabuco Creek.
Policy 3.5.1: A new off-road bikeway along the west side of
Trabuco Creek should be provided as part of
any new private development or floodplain
improvements on the that side of the creek.
This bikeway will become a segment of the
County's Trabuco Creek Bikeway, as shown on
the Master Plan of Countywide Bikeways.
Objective 3.6 - Oso Creek Bikewav (Oso Creek): Construction of
a north -south bikeway along Oso Creek.
Policy 3.6.1: The bikeway should be provided parallel to the
creek (probably on the cast side) in connection
with any new park, flood control, or private
development project. This Oso Creek Bikeway
will provide access to open space areas in the
north portion of the City and will connect to
the Trabuco Creek Bikeway on the south (as
shown on the Master Plan of Countywide
Bikeways).
54.17
floodplain element
Goal No. 3 - Recreational Opportunities (cont.)
Objective 3.7 - Equestrian Trails (all creeks): The completion of
equestrian trails on creek banks as shown in the Parks and
Recreation Element.
Policy 3.7.1: Equestrian trails should be constructed in
conjunction with private development, with
flood protection projects, and/or as part of the
City's capital improvement program.
Obiective 3.8 - Oso-Trahuco Equestrian Trails (Oso and Trabuco
Creeks): Completion of the north -south equestrian/hiking trails
adjacent to Oso and Trabuco Creeks (designated by the County
respectively as the "Oso Creek Trail' and the "Arroyo Trabuco
Trail').
Policy 3.8.1: In conjunction with any public or private
improvements in or adjacent to Oso Creek, a
trail paralleling the creek (probably on the west
side) should be provided. The new Oso Creek
Trail should connect to the Arroyo Trabuco
Trail on the south and the countywide
equestrian/hiking trail system on the north (at
the City limits).
Policy 3.8.2: In conjunction with any public or private
improvements in or adjacent to Trabuco Creek,
the equestrian trail on the cast side of the creek
(a segment of the County's Arroyo Trabuco
Trail) should be extended, ultimately to go
underneath the freeway and then to connect to
the countywide equestrian/hiking trail system at
the northeast City limits.
54.18
'',
floodplain element
E"LEMENTAUON MEASURES
The implementation measures listed in this section are to be used in tandem with the policies
listed in the previous section to achieve the Floodplain Element's goals and objectives.
Regarding the "typical treatments" for creek channel improvements shown in Figures 2-6 through
2-12, it should be emphasized that such improvements will be constructed only when the City
determines that potential flood danger or other problems already exist or when they are
necessary to provide protection for new development.
Specific implementation measures for each goal and objective of this Floodplain Element are as
follows:
Objectives
1.1: Development Restrictions,
1.2: Placement of Fill,
2.1: Avoidance of Further
Creek Channelization.
Implementation Measures
1. Enforcement of Floodplain Ordinance - The City's
Floodplain Management Overlay Ordinance is a
primary implementation tool of this Floodplain
Element and the most specific measure of the City's
participation in and compliance with the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As such, the
Ordinance shall be strictly enforced, especially
relating to development and grading restrictions in
floodplains.
2. Liaison with FEMA - The City's Floodplain
Administrator shall maintain continued contact with
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
personnel so that this Floodplain Element and the
Floodplain Management Overlay Ordinance can be
kept up to date. At the minimum, there should be an
annual written request to FEMA for an update on:
flood insurance requirements, any flood insurance
rate map (FIRM) changes, and any new comments
on this Element or the Floodplain Ordinance.
3. Liaison with County - The City's Floodplain
Administrator and its Director of Engineering
Services shall maintain continuing contact with the
Orange County EMA's Flood Control staff regarding
the current flood control criteria of the Orange
County Hydrology Manual, especially relating to the
design of flood control improvements and to the
County's estimated 100 -year discharges and resulting
floodplain limits for creeks within the City. Special
attention shall be given to identifying those areas
where the County and FEMA floodplain limits may
differ.
54.19
floodplain element
Obiectives
1.3: New Flood Protection
Improvements,
1.4: La Novia Bridge,
1.5: Del Obispo Bridge,
2.2: Preservation of Wetlands,
2.3: Creek Enhancement &
Restoration.
54.20
Implementation Measures
4. Funding for Improvements - The City shall set aside
money in its capital improvement budget or shall
seek funding from other public agencies to implement
flood protection improvements to correct existing
problems.
5. Flood Protection Fees - The City should consider
imposing a fee on new development to help fund the
cost of key flood protection projects.
6. State and Federal Grants - The City should seek
state and federal grants to fund creek restoration
and enhancement projects.
7. Design of Flood Protection Improvements - Where
the City determines that new creek channel
improvements are necessary, it should require project
designs consistent with the "typical treatments" shown
on Figures 2-6 through 2-12, or alternate designs
consistent with the dual goals of providing for
preservation of wetland area and natural creek
character while still affording effective flood
protection. (For example, if soil cement is used, it
should be textured and treated to create the
appearance of a natural stream bank.) Flood
protection designs should be developed in
consultation with County flood control staff.
8. Polluted Water Discharge - The City should develop
regulations to limit the discharge of polluted water
into floodplain areas in order to preserve the quality
of both ground and surface waters.
9. Consultation with Other Agencies - The City should
consult with such outside agencies as the Orange
County Environmental Management Agency, the
California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of
Engineers, and other responsible governmental
agencies regarding the review of public or private
projects which might affect creeks and floodplains in
the City.
Objectives
floodplain element
Implementation Measures
3.1: Preservation of Park & 10. General Plan Updates - During any update/revision
Recreation Land Uses, of the Land Use and/or Parks and Recreation
3.2: San Juan Hills Golf Course. Elements, special attention should be given to
preserving and/or enhancing existing open space and
recreation uses adjacent to or within creeks.
3.3: Bikeway Underpass
Below RR Tracks.
3.4: Bikeway on La Novia
Bridge.
3.5: Trabuco Creek Bikeway,
3.6: Oso Creek Bikeway.
11. Bikeway/RR Underpass - The bikeway underpass
should be constructed at the same time as the
replacement of the railroad bridge.
12. La Novia Bikeway - The existing bikeway/sidewalk on
the east side of the U Novia bridge should be
widened and a new bikeway/sidewalk (or separate
bicycle -pedestrian bridge) should be added on the
west side as part of the overall bridge widening
project.
13. Trabuco Creek Bikeway - The Trabuco Creek
Bikeway should be provided as part of any
development project on the west side of Trabuco
Creek. The bikeway should be placed on the future
creek levee or, if no levee is constructed, be located
away from the creek further to the west.
14. Bikeway Bridges - Any bridge constructed across
Trabuco or Oso Creek should include bikeways
separated from auto traffic.
15. Bikeway Grants - Grant funds should be sought to
provide for segments of the Trabuco and Oso
bikeways not provided as part of new development
projects.
16. Plannin¢ for Oso and Trabuco Creek Bikeways - The
City's Open Space Master Plan, prepared in
accordance with this General Plan's Open Space and
Conservation and Parks and Recreation Elements
and the 1989 open space bond referendum, should
include provision for the Oso and Trabuco Creek
bikeways.
54.21
floodplain element
Obiectives
3.7: Equestrian Trails (all creeks).
First A encen T"Me Hisbricel Collection
3.8: Oso and Trabuco Creek
Equestrian Trails.
54.22
Implementation Measures
17. Capital Improvement Program - Construction and
upgrading of creekside equestrian trails should
remain in the City's capital improvement program.
18. La Novia Underpass - Provision should be made, via
grant funds, the City's capital improvement program,
or other applicable funding vehicle for future
construction of an underpass beneath the La Novia
bridge for the San Juan Creek levee equestrian trail.
19. Homo Creek "Gap" - The gap in the San Juan Creek
levee trail, where Homo Creek enters San Juan
Creek, should be closed. This can be done, for
example, by routing the trail northward around the
gap. Funding for the necessary improvements should
be sought from outside sources or the project should
be included in the City's capital improvement
program.
20. Oso Creek Trail - The City's Open Space Master
Plan and all other applicable public and private plans
and projects should include provision for the Oso
Creek equestrian/hiking trail (probably on the west
side of the creek), ultimately to connect with the
County trail system at the north City limits.
21. Arroyo Trabuco Trail - The City's Open Space
Master Plan and all other applicable public and
private plans and projects should include provision
for the extension of the Arroyo Trabuco
equestrian/hiking trail (probably to continue on the
east side of Trabuco Creek, with cross -creek
connections to any future equestrian uses on the west
side), ultimately to connect with the County trail
system at the northeast City limits.
FLOODPLAIN ELEMENT PREPARED BY LAWRENCE ASSOCIATES
01
02
T2
T3
FIGURE 2-5
LOCATIONS USED TO SHOW
TYPICAL CREEK IMPROVEMENTS
SECTIONS S1 & S2: SEE FIGURES 2-8 & 2-7
SECTIONS T1, T2, &T3: SEE FIGURES 2-8,2-9,&2-10
SECTIONS 01 & 02: SEE FIGURES 2-11 & 2-12
TA,�.Se<<a
S2
J
so
S1
54.23
RENIOUE Ex/ST/N6
yEGETf TioN 7W
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/�I�iO UEMEti1TYj
n,J
}
FIGURE 2-6: SECTION S1,
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FIGURE 2-7: SECTION S2,
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FIGURE 2-8: SECTION Ti,
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c HaNvE L
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NATURAL Av,E,4
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FIGURE 2-10: SECTION T3,
TRABUCO CREEK OPPOSITE LA ZANJA STREET
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FIGURE 2-11: SECTION 01,
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c/-{ANnJE �-
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FIGURE 2-12: SECTION 02,
OSO CREEK DOWNSTREAM AT ORCHARD
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'fid
2161
floodplain element
' ' �I� I I ►: DI:Y Y ; :C�1 t.`i yZQ3i i17 /I C�l`171►:`►1
Prior to preparation of the present General Plan, various
committees composed of City residents completed a Citizens' Policy
Plan. This Policy Plan, which is separated into sections addressing
such concerns as land use, circulation, public facilities, etc., was
adopted by the City as the foundation for the General Plan.
Important policies from the Policy Plan which are relevant to this
Floodplain Element include the following:
(1) Residential development in potential flood hazardous
areas should not be permitted. ["Land Use" policies, p6]
(2) Residential development along the major creek beds
or waterways is to be constructed in such a way as to
retain these waterways in as natural a state as safely
possible. [p6]
(3) The City should work with the Orange County Flood
Control District to develop alternative methods for the
channelization of flood waters which will contribute to the
visual, recreational, and ecological benefit of the City.
The City should discourage permanent development in the
flood plain by landfill, structures, or other methods and
should encourage its use for various types of compatible
open space uses. ["Environmental Resource Management"
policies, p24]
(4) Studies should be made to determine how drainage can be
handled in other than the usual concrete ditch and
underground pipe method and, if possible, by methods
which will enhance the visual aspects of the area through
which waters must flow. Criteria should be developed for
the use of plant material within various watercourses and
floodplain areas so as to maintain and enhance such areas
in as natural state as possible. [p24]
(5) Criteria should also be established for various types of
recreational uses which could be developed in a
compatible manner within various watercourses and
floodplain areas. [p24]
54.31
417
floodplain element
(6) Through discussions with the County Flood Control
district and as recommended in the Orange County Open
Space and Conservation Elements and the UCI Project 21
Open Space Study Team, long-range plans for the
development of the major watercourses and floodplain
areas should be developed and tied to the proposed
County system. [p24]
(7) Watercourses and floodplain areas should be considered
as prime locations for hiking and equestrian trails. [p24]
(8) Note should be taken of the value of our watercourses
and floodplains as water recharge land for our
underground water basin. [p25]
(9) Construction permits should not be granted in obvious
areas of future flooding. ["Public Facilities, Services, and
Safety" policies, p341
(10) In every situation, downstream problems should be
considered. [p34]
(11) Whenever possible, the minimum floor level for structures
should be above the known or projected floodplain level.
[p34]
(12) The City should adopt floodplain zoning based on present
projections of the 100 -year flood. [p34]
(13) The City should adopt policies to prevent encroachment
on existing watercourses. [p34]
(14) Dedication of creekbeds and floodplains for recreation
and/or open space and flood control purposes should be
encouraged. Where such dedication is accepted, density
"trade-offs" should be permitted. [p341
(15) The floodplain area, as defined by the Army Corps of
Engineers, should be maintained in as natural a state as
possible. ["Additional Detailed Policies", p58]
(16) Any developer wishing to develop areas adjacent to the
floodplain should be required to develop the low
floodplain area into a greenbelt or park and these should
be maintained by the homeowners' association. [p58]
54.32
floodplain element
(17) Streambeds, creeks, and ponds should be protected and
preserved in their natural state, not cemented in. Parks
and greenbelts should be planned around them to
preserve them and they should remain accessible to the
public. [p58]
The preceding policies are an integral part of this Floodplain
Element and shall guide City decision-making regarding all public
and private projects in or adjacent to floodplain within the City.
54.33
BFT
19
AMENDMENT TOIBI IKEWAY SYSTEMS MAP 2
n
x
m
m
x
BIKEWAYS TO
BE ADDED_
r
MiGHI GND � y�s
"aw.nrhe(
�t / i�+•pyMov`/ /�