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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/1988, C-8 - RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OPEN SPACE FEASIBILITY STUDY PROPOSED BY THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY. ���H�► ��Illlllf����°n�►���UIN city of San LaIs osIspo "^ "�'� -we COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 2 FROM: Michael Multari, Community Development Director By: Terry Sanville SUBJECT: Resolution supporting open space feasibility study proposed by the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached resolution. THE SITUATION The Land Conservancy wants to sponsor a program to help protect open space in and around San Luis Obispo. The conservancy wants to apply for grants from various sources (eg. the Packard Foundation) to help fund this program. The conservancy asks that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting its efforts. A copy of their proposed work program is attached. EVALUATION The City Council recently approved funding for additional contract staff to work on an open space and parks program. The work on this program will begin in October, 1988. What is being proposed by the Land Conservancy would complement the city's own efforts. We see the conservancy being especially helpful in the implementations stage of the program -- helping to define creative ways of securing important open areas. The city will be responsible for establishing policy and setting priorities. While additional refinements to the conservancy's proposed workprogram may be needed, their working with the city could prove extremely valuable. ATTACHMENTS Resolution supporting SLO County Land Conservancy efforts to undertake a Greenway Acquisition and Development Feasibility Study. Letter and proposed work program from the Land Conservancy. Gg - I RESOLUTION NO (1988 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SUPPORTING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY IN ITS EFFORTS TO FORMULATE A GREENWAY ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR SAN LUIS OBISPO. WHEREAS, San Luis Obispo's quality of life and the environment is strongly dependent on the preservation of open lands, mountain peaks, streams and wetlands; and WHEREAS, the city is working on long range plans that will address the preservation of these important community resources; and WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy has interest, expertise and specific experience in pursuing the conservation of important land resources;. and WHEREAS, the City feels that is appropriate to work with the Land Conservancy to pursue common preservation goals. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The San Luis Obispo City Council supports the efforts of the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy to undertake feasibility studies to establish a Greenway Acquisition and Development Program. SECTION 2. The City Council supports the cooperative efforts of its staff working with the Land Conservancy to pursue its long range goals for the preservation of open space. On motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the forgoing resolution was passed and adopted this _ day of 1988. Ron Dunin, Mayor ATTEST: Pamela Voges, City Clerk Resolution No. (1988 Series) Page 2 APPROVED: . City dministrative Officer City At _ rney Community be yel'opment Director San Luis Obispo County LAND CONSERVANCY 30 June 1988 cc Hon. Ron Dunin, Mayor City of San Luis Obispo � City /� .• Cit Hall San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 ' Dear Mr. Dunin: As you know, our organization has been interested since its formation in protecting the open space assets of San Luis Obispo. You have encouraged us to formulate a proposal for the City's consideration that would advance this purpose. We would like to take this opportunity to present a proposal for a feasibility study of a City "Greenway Acquisition and Develop- ment Program" . This proposal is designed to follow up on our recent conversations about this concept, and to coordinate close- ly with on-going City efforts to develop an open space acqui- sition program. We are requesting that this proposal be placed on the Council 's agenda for discussion, and that the following actions be taken if deemed appropriate: 1. Adopt a resolution expressing the City' s support for such a feasibility study. The Land Conservancy would then use this resolution in seeking grant funding from foundations with which there is a reasonable probability of generating a successful proposal. Note: We are not seeking the City's financial support of this study at this time. We recognize that the City has already made a substantial commitment in hiring a contract planner to develop the City's parks and recreation plan over the next two years. 2. Request your staff to continue to work with the Land Conser- vancy in further refining the work program for this proposed feasibility study. We have already had valuable input from various staff members as well as yourself and other members of the Council. We will also work with groups such as Obispo Beautiful, Friends of SLO Parks and Recreation, and the various local environmental organizations in pursuit of this concept. We welcome any comments by you, the City Council, or staff on this proposal. The timing for this study is clearly right, for we can effectively supplement and enhance the City's programmed RECEIVED P.O. Box 12206 San Luis Obispo,CA.93406 J U L 0 5 1988 (805) 544-9006 CITY CLERK snN/_ c G work on its Parks and open Space Elements of the general plan. The Land Conservancy has already taken a keen interest in helping the City to formulate this plan, our proposed feasibility study is designed to facilitate this process. Moreover, we expect that it will lead to a closer working relationship that will enable the Land Conservancy to assist the City in implementing your open space acquisition program in the long run. We look forward to hearing from you, and working with you and the Council. Sincerely, John B. Ashbaugh, AICP Executive Director C-S-s Y/CITY OF SAN SAN LUIS GREENWAY ACQUISPO COUNTY NOANDRDE CLOP ENT PROGRAM IS OBISPO A Propopal for a Feasibility Study Prepared by: San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy With participation by the City of San Luis Obispo Prepared for: David and Lucille Packard Foundation June 30, 1988 The City of San Luis Obispo lies in the heart of a highly scenic region, ringed by rugged peaks and drained by a perennial stream. Abundant natural areas and verdant hills surround and penetrate tive farmlands and pasture help frame the the community. Produc City, giving it a strong "sense of place" . For many years, there has been a strong interest on the part of the city's leadership in developing an open space acquisition program, to be administered by the City for the benefit of its residents and visitors. In May, 1986, the Mayor proposed in his semi-annual 1986-87 Mayor's Work . Program that the Cityugh a separate (an) open space acquisition program, Possibly conservation foundation using density/development transfer oppor- tunities as incentives. Establish a yearly line item in the budget as a matching fund for the purpose of acquiring land purchase in relationship with . . . Land Conservancy and private enterprise organizations. " More recently, in May 1988, the City Council approved a budget item for $140,000 to hire a contract planner to update the Ci general plan elements concerning open space, conservation, parks and recreation. This work is being completed as part of a much- needed overhaul of the City' s entire general plan. This position will also be responsible for preparing related documents, inclu- ding an implementation program, environmental impact analysis, and a community landscape program. The intent of this proposed feasibility study is as follows: C'Q�� I. To work with the City and the community in the open space and parks planning process, which will include the following elements: A. Identifying valuable open space lands and corridors with- in and near the City, as a potential "Greenway" system, linking present and future parks and open space areas with trails, bike paths, sidewalks, and linear parks; B. Participation by relevant affected interests, including environmental grganizations, civic groups, and private landowners who own or control much of the land that may be identified within this potential Greenway system; C. Examining the financial implications to the City of such an acquisition program, including the annual costs for acquiring and maintaining the greenway system. II. To investigate alternative methods of financing the acquisi- tion program, including transfers of development credits, sales or "bed tax" increases, real estate transfer taxes, and private fund-raising. III. To assist the city in developing the Greenway Acquisition Program, and if possible in implementing the first key phase or phases of it. If possible, to assist in fund-raising for maintenance and operation of the greenway over the long- term. Our objective in this proposed feasibility study is to develop a capability and a relationship with the City that maximizes resources of both entities. working closely with the City's staff, the Land Conservancy will be able to offer a unique perspective as well as a solid background in the techniques of open space planning. The Land Conservancy staff and Board have had extensive training in open space acquisition techniques from the Trust for Public Lands and State Coastal Conservancy, and we have professional staff in the fields of both landscape architecture and city & regional planning. we now administer an active and successful transfer of development rights program in the community of Cambria, about 40 miles north of San Luis Obispo. We have re- ceived several grants and contracts from the County, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Water Resources for various planning purposes. In the course of these plans, we have developed a reputation within the community for providing sound advice and counseling on land conservation issues. Consistency with Citizens ' "Vision" of the Future City In the course of developing its public participation element for the City's new general plan, Community Development staff have recently been holding a number of workshops for members of the community. The techniques for these workshops have centered around asking participants to- envision the community as they would like it to be in the future. In most of the workshops to date, the need for a strong and well-designed open space system has been mentioned very frequently by the participants. It is now time for these initial concepts to be translated into a realistic, yet ambitious vision of a future open space system for the City. This vision need not be finely detailed, but it must be in sharp focus. The community's sentiments need to be placed into a visible framework that can be circulated for comment and critiques by those affected. For that reason, the first elements of our proposed work program involve working with the City in the process of developing and refining this vision. Elements of Implementation In order to be most useful, the feasibility study of the City's Greenway system needs further definition and context. The con- cepts identified in the "vision" need to be thrashed out with respect to the entities responsible for their implementation, and the costs needed to do the job. The City's existing decision- making structure and budget must be analyzed, and the costs of acquiring and developing the open space system must be weighed relative to available resources. Based on this need, the second major research component of this study is on implementation of the greenway concept/vision. The work program must include sufficient time and attention to assure that the price tag is not too high, and that the costs involved are supportable. Special attention must be given to the concept of "privatization" in the City's parks system--i.e. , the possible role of private enterprise and concession facilities within or near City parks and trail systems. In other communities, this concept has raised the fear that such facilities might create both environmental impact as well as conflict with the perception of a park system. Public Participation The key to any successful planning proposal is to involve the affected interest groups and the general public at all key deci- sion-points in the process. The City has already initiated an extensive and carefully-structured procedure for public partici- pation, first by obtaining input from several "blue sky" brainstorming workshops, followed up by public hearings. For our part, we would hope to supplement this effort by holding selected interviews with key landowners and those parties who may be affected by the open space acquisition program. This input will be provided to the City as it is gained, so that the parks and open space plans may be re-considered and adjusted as war- ranted. The proposed work program for the feasibility study is presented on the following pages. SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY/CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO GREENWAY ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM PHASE ONE: CONSERVANCY/CITY CONCEPT PLANNING, NETWORKING Task 1 - Articulate Preliminary Greenway Concept 1. 1 Acquire relevant base data from City and/or other sources: a. 1 ' = 500' base map of City, with topography and rough vegetation. b. Acquire 1"=660 ' aerial photos of City from available series taken October 1985. 1.2 Work with the City on preliminary concepts of "greenways", open space and trails systems. This process may include the following elements, depending on the sequence of work out- lined by the City: a. Map out open space proposals where possible. b. Establish tentative criteria for open space acquisition. Such criteria to include, for example, aesthetics and natural features; acquisition cost; availability of land; ability to shape urban form; degree of endangerment from alternative uses; recreational potential ; intrinsic envi- ronmental/ecological value; and agricultural production. c. Prepare overall "best case" open space/greenway concept plan based on input from task 1.3. Plan components might include, for example: Hillside Open Space (scenic ease- ments only) ; Hillside Parks (public access and scenic easements) ; Creek Preservation Corridors (riparian pro- tection easements) ; Creek Improvement Corridors (public access easements and trail facilities) ; and General Greenway Corridors. d. Prepare DRAFT narrative description and report-scale graphics to describe Greenway System concepts. Emphasis on lay-level terminology and brochure-type graphics, friendly graphics to illustrate different functions and levels of public access for each category of open space and criteria for acquisition. Distinguish policy basis for each recommendations in City's general plan. c-�-�b 1. 3 Work with other interested organizations and open space advocates to establish a network and gain consensus on the above proposals/concepts. Perform outreach to other groups that might otherwise be adversarial, such as Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. Develop a common mailing list with the City. Task 2 - Initiate Landowner Contacts 2. 1 Identify areas where City staff have pursued negotiations or more informal contacts with landowners from prior efforts. 2 . 2 Examine County Assessor records to identify affected land- owners. 2.3 Generate data base of landowners for purposes of cross- checking, public notice, and networking. 2. 4 Initiate one-on-one meetings with affected landowners to determine circumstances, level of cooperation provided, interest in continued private stewardship of the open space resource in question, and interest in assisting the City in creating the Greenway System.* PHASE TWO: PUBLIC OUTREACH Task 3 - Refine Greenway System Plan/Public Brochure 3 . 1 Based on input from Task 2. 4 (landowner meetings) , work with City staff to revise/adjust proposal for Greenway System to reflect "paths of least resistance", emphasizing areas where landowners appear to be most cooperative. 3 .2 Prepare a small brochure with illustrative graphics to present proposed City Greenway plan in simplified terms for wide distribution. Task 4 - Public Presentation and Workshop on Land Trust Role 4 . 1 Arrange for printing of maps, brochures, reports, etc. in sufficient numbers for meaningful public review and comment. 4 .2 Schedule and advertise a public workshop on the Phase One products, and on the possible role of the land trust in implementing the Greenway concept. Invite representatives * Note: These contacts will be closely coordinated with City staff and decision-makers; in many (perhaps all) cases, the City will have made, or would prefer to make, the initial contact. f of Big Sur Land Trust, other organizations such as Trust for Public Lands, to be involved in the workshop. PHASE THREE: IMPLEMENTATION AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS Task 5 - Cost Estimates 5. 1 Based on results of public workshop, refine and adjust proposal to eliminate or reduce areas of controversy and emphasize areas of consensus. 5.2 Break proposed concept plan into Management Zones or similar units for purposes of cost analysis and phasing. 5. 3 Working with local realtors and/or appraisers familiar with property values, estimate market value of fee title purchase for areas proposed for such acquisition. 5.4 On same basis, estimate values of acquiring limited conser- vation/scenic easements in areas chosen for such protection. 5. 5 Identify limited public improvements needed to make the Greenway System usable, such as improved trails, bike paths, parking, sanitary facilities, signs, benches, lighting, etc. 5.6 Aggregate total costs and assemble information in manageable form, together with a schedule of priorities for acquisition and/or development. Task 6 - Revenue Sources 6. 1 Prepare narrative description of available sources of revenue, including sales or bed tax revenues; real estate transfer tax; general fund/capital improvement programming.- concession rogramming;concession receipts; etc. 6. 2 Examine utility of the concept of development rights transfer for securing open space easements in hillside or creek areas, or for agricultural lands. 6. 3 Review City organizational studies of recommended management structure for the City to implement the Greenway System. 6. 4 Review and describe the potential role of the Land Conservancy in implementing the Greenway System. This role may include, but is not limited to, the following activities: a. Securing private funding from available sources; b. Reserving land for eventual sale to the City or another public agency; c. Implementing land exchanges; and d. Liaison with landowners. The above tasks are only an outline of the major areas of work that we foresee at this time for the Greenway feasibility study. With sufficient financial resources to perform these tasks, we anticipate being able to accomplish a significant and worthy conservation goal: Protection of the key hillside, riparian, agricultural, and historical resources of San Luis Obispo. The proposed budget for this feasibility study is presented on the following page. C�'-l3 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY/CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO PROPOSED GREENWAY ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY Proposed Project Budget The Land Conservancy has had considerable experience in developing and administering budgets for studies of this type, in support of public agencies striving to acquire key open space areas. We have managed several major grants, including $272,500 for the Lodge Hill Restoration Program in Cambria, and $165,000 in grants for acquiring areas within the Nipomo Dunes. The latter grant program was funded in part by the Packard Foundation through a 1987 grant. We have based our budget amount of $36,720 on an estimated staff workload and overhead costs for each itemized task in the work program set forth above. These cost items are as follows: Greenway Acquisition and Development Feasiblity Study Budget Task Staff Costs Overhead Total ----------------------------------------------------------------- PHASE ONE: CONSERVANCY/CITY CON- CEPT PLANNING, NETWORKING Task 1 - Articulate Preliminary Greenway Concept 1. 1 Base Data Acquisition $ 500 $ 175 $ 675 1.2 Preliminary "Greenways" Concept/Criteria 3,500 1,225 41725 1. 3 Networking/Outreach 11200 420 11620 Task 2 - Initiate Landowner Con- tacts 2. 1 Prior Contact Identifi- cation 250 100 350 2. 2 Assessor Records Search 750 250 11000 2 . 3 Landowners Data Base 1,000 350 11350 2 . 4 Meetings with Affected Landowners 11750 600 21350 Subtotal Phase I (Tasks 1 & 2) = $ 8,950 3 , 120 12, 070 Proposed Greenway Feas=ilit� Study Proiect Bud cont. Staff Costs Overhead Total Task------------------------------------------------------------- PHASE TWO: PUBLIC OUTREACH Task 3 - Refine Greenway System Plan/ c PubliBrochure 3 . 1 Revise/adjust Greenway , 350 $ 475 $ 11825 Proposal from Task 2 $ 1 2, 500 875 31375 3 .2 Prepare Brochure Task 4 - Public Presentation and Workshop on Land Trust Role 4 . 1 Print Brochures, Maps, 750 1, 275 2 , 025 etc. & Distribute 4 .2 Hold Public Workshop on 11750 1, 200 21950 Greenway concept Subtotal Phase Two (Tasks 3 & 4)= $6, 350 $ 31825 $10, 175 PHASE THREE: IMPLEMENTATION AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS Task 5 - Cost Estimates 5. 1 Refine Proposal Based 800 $ 275 $ 1, 075 on Task 4 .2 (workshop) $ 5.2 Develop Breakdown of Proposed Concept Plan 600 200 800 for Cost Analysis 5 . 3 Estimate Market Value 1, 500 500 21000 of Acquisition Areas 5. 4 Estimate Values of 1,200 425 11625 Easements 625 21425 5. 5 Identify Facility Needs 1, 800 5. 6 Aggregate Total Costs 750 275 11025 & Establish Priorities Proposed Greenway Feasibility Study Project Budget, cont. Task Staff Costs Overhead Total ----------------------------------------------------------------- Task 6 - Revenue Sources 6. 1 Describe Sources of Revenue 11350 475 1,825 6.2 Examine TDR Concept 800 200 1, 000 6. 3 Review City Organiza- tion to Implement Greenway System 500 175 675 6.4 Review Potential Role of Land Conservancy 1,500 525 21025 Subtotal Phase Three (Tasks 5/6)=$10, 800 $ 3 , 675 $14,475 TOTAL PHASES ONE THROUGH THREE _ $26, 100 $10, 620 $36,720