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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-1992 Minutes - Workshop 1, Open Space Advisory CommitteeFINAL MINUTES OPEN SPACE ELEMENT ADVISORY WORKSHOP WORKSHOP I FEBRUARY 22, 1992 (SATURDAY) Pacheco School Cafeteria The workshop was called to order at 9:15 am. This entire meeting was taped. For more information regarding agenda items please review the meeting tapes. Sign -in sheets from this meeting recorded the persons attending beyond the OSEAC members indicated below. Persons Facilitating the Meeting: Pete Dangermond (Dangermond and Associates) and Jan Di Leo (City of SLO, Long Range Planner) Committee Members Present: Stephen Barasch Dave Chipping John King Dana Lilley Tom Martin Jim McGregor David Periera _Paul Ready Carla Sanders Dave Smith Eva Vigil R. Don Warden Dodie Williams Richard Zweifel I. Introduction Committee Members Absent: David Garth Gil Hoffman Bruce Seivertson John Dunn, City Administrative Officer welcomed everyone to the workshops, introduced the workshops, and explained the concept behind the workshops. Dunn then introduced Jan Di Leo. Di Leo provided some background on how the workshops and Open Space Element Advisory Committee (OSEAC) were formed. It was then noted that unless there were objections, the schedule for today's workshop would be changed. The notice indicated the workshop would extend from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm with a half hour for lunch. Instead, Di Leo proposed that today's workshop run from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm with two breaks. The group concurred with the proposed change, Di Leo then introduced Pete Dangermond. Pete Dangermond provided some of his experience and background. - 1 - C1 0 Final Minutes -- Workshop I February 22, 1992 II. Open Space Element Advisory Committee Introductions [Goals and Concerns] Pete Dangermond facilitated this section. He had each person in the audience verbally: (1) introduce themselves and their affiliation, (2) indicate their favorite spot in San Luis Obispo or the San Luis Obispo area, and (2) provide one word to describe San Luis Obispo. Audience responses were recorded on a large pad for group viewing. Various sites were identified by the group. Sites identified ranged from people's backyards (which included important local or personal resources or viewsheds) to the Morros, Mission Plaza, and the hillsides. In terms of the word describing the San Luis Obispo area, words used included: unique, expansive, beautiful, etc. III. Public Comments [Issues and Concerns] Since all members of the audience participated in Section II above, public comment was not necessary in this section of the agenda. A 15 minute break was taken at this point IV. Discussion Pete Dangermond facilitated this section of the agenda. Public and OSEAC comments were accepted during Dangermond's presentation. A. what is Open Space Dangermond discussed the State of California's definition of open space. He reviewed each category of open space identified within the State's definition, indicating what may be considered open space under each section and how each section might pertain to a community. Various questions and comments were made regarding the open space classifications provided. There was some discussion regarding the preservation of agricultural lands, how the community perceived preservation versus the farmer's perspective. The group also commented on the importance of corridors and buffers for wildlife and potentially for future trails. Opinions regarding the State's definition and what it could mean -for SLO varied. Some people stated that using the hazard category alone - 2 - Final Minutes -- Workshop I February 22, 1992 could restrict a great deal of land from development. Other members of the audience expressed concern that enough protection had not be provided in the past, and that more protection of resources and hazard lands needed to be provided in the future. The longest discussion focused on whether golf courses were open space. Most of the participants expressed their opinion. Opinions were expressed that golf courses should definitely be open space, that they provided important open space corridors and needed recreation. Others felt that golf courses removed natural vegetation and were a detriment to natural habitats. A 15 minute break was taken at this point B. What Other Communities Have Done Dangermond discussed two examples of open space planning. First he discussed the Riverside County Open Space Plan. As a second example, Dangermond talked about Sumerlin, Nevada. In this case Dangermond and Associates was preparing a specific plan that included open space areas. In both cases Dangermond discussed how certain areas were protected as open space. Various comments and questions from the audience were discussed. V. Workshop Process Di Leo facilitated this section of the agenda. Di Leo briefly explained that this was the first of a series of six workshops. She provided information regarding what was planned for each workshop. During this item members of the public and the OSEAC discussed the future workshop schedule and planned workshop format. The discussion focused initially on whether Saturdays or another day were preferable for the remaining workshops. Di Leo noted she had gotten calls from various members noting that certain Saturdays represented a problem. Committee members in attendance, in general, indicated that they could attend Saturday meetings; however, numerous persons indicated that March 7th was a problem due to conferences that were scheduled for that weekend. Various OSEAC members requested that meetings fluctuate. It was suggested that the meetings periodically be scheduled for Monday evenings. Since numerous people had a conflict with March 7th and the majority of persons in attendance could meet on March 9th, the - 3 - • Final Minutes -- Workshop I February 22, 1992 March 7th (Saturday) workshop was changed to Monday, March 9th, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Di Leo was to inform the group where the meeting would occur. The group agreed that the March 28th workshop should remain as scheduled. At the next workshop the OSEAC would discuss whether the April lith workshop should be changed to another date and time. The May workshops would be discussed at a later date. OSEAC members requested that a copy of the revised workshop schedule and workshop format be mailed to them. In addition, OSEAC members requested a list which indicated all committee members and who they represented. Di Leo noted that she had OSEAC Bylaws available for the committee. Members could obtain them now or she would send them with the other materials requested. Members indicated they should be mailed. Di Leo indicated that she would also send OSEAC members copies of the Planning Commission and Park and Recreation Commission's'definition of Open Space. Committee members requested that at the beginning of each meeting a synopsis be provided regarding the previous meeting. These would bring everyone up to the same point. In addition, OSEAC members that miss a meeting should attempt to listen to -__-=the tapes from the previous meeting. Di Leo noted that she needed volunteers to help put a panel together for the March 9th workshop. Carla Sanders, Dave Chipping, and Steve Barasch volunteered to be on a subcommittee for this purpose. vI. Mapping Pete Dangermond facilitated this item. Dangermond explained that maps were available for persons attending the workshop. It was explained that this was a homework assignment. Each person was then given a map (which included the City limits and the Planning Area) and directed to indicate what areas they thought should be open space. In addition, they should label designated sites, indicating why the site should be preserved or why it was important. It was noted the completed maps would be discussed at the next workshop. The meeting was then adjourned. The time was roughly 1:15 pm. minutes.os 4 -