HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2003, C9 - RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FRAMEWORK OF A CONSERVATION TRANSACTION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN LAND CONSERV council °'°s°"aQ L)3
j acEnaa WPM "®Nb` C
C I T Y O F SAN LU I S O B 1 S P 0
FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City.Administrative Officer
Prepared By: Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FRAMEWORK OF A
CONSERVATION TRANSACTION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN
LAND CONSERVANCY AND THE HEARST CORPORATION
FOR THE HEARST RANCH IN NORTHWESTERN SAN LUIS
OBISPO COUNTY
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution supporting the "Conservation Framework" of an Agreement between the
American Land Conservancy (ALC) of San Francisco, and the Hearst Corporation, regarding
development restrictions, environmental protection, and public access to portions of the 82,000 acre
Hearst Ranch in northwestern San Luis Obispo County.
DISCUSSION
For the past several years there has been significant controversy regarding development of
portions of the Hearst Ranch near San Simeon. The Hearst Corporation had proposed for many
years to construct a large resort hotel and golf course at San Simeon Point, as well as certain
other commercial development in the vicinity. The proposals were very controversial and were
ultimately denied by the State Coastal Commission in 1998. About two years ago the
Corporation approached the Nature Conservancy about the possibility of entering into a
conservation transaction, and the two entities commenced to explore possibilities for such a
transaction. However, recently the two parties concluded that they could not reach agreement
and the Corporation continued to discuss the transaction with another national conservation
organization, the American Land Conservancy. Negotiations between the Corporation and ALC
have continued to the present, and public announcement of a "conservation fi-amework" for a
potential transaction has been made. The major points of the framework would:
1. Eliminate Development Proposed in the 1998 Plan;
2. Limit Development in Old San Simeon Village to Julia Morgan's Vision;
3. Provide Permanent Public Access to the 18 Mile Long Hearst Ranch Coastline;
4. Create a Conservation/Agricultural Easement for the Ranch East of Highway 1; and
5. Restrict Potential Residential Development on the Hearst Ranch to 27 Homesites.
ALC is currently seeking resolutions of support from various local entities, including the Board
of Supervisors, City Councils, and nonprofit and advocacy organizations. The Corporation and
ALC will then continue negotiations and presumably will return to those entities which have
supported the framework with the detailed language of the final transaction once it is developed.
G/Havlik/councilagenda/Hearst Ranch Support Resolution
c4� �
Council Agenda Report—Hearst Ranch Support Resolution
Page 2
As a result of publicity surrounding the "conservation framework", the City Council requested
that staff communicate with ALC staff and allow the Council an opportunity to speak to this
matter.
Staff believes that, while the framework may not include everything we would wish, it is a
significant departure from the trends of the past, and represents a major potential victory for land
conservation. Details of the transaction that must still be worked out include cost, sources of
potential funding, extent of fee vs. easement acquisition, and designation of the areas where the
27 proposed homesiies could be located (or conversely, where they could not). This would be
followed by a vigorous effort to attract additional political support for the transaction and gain
the necessary funding for it from both public and private sources.
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the Council action.
ALTERNATIVE
The Council could choose to not take any action on the request, or could oppose the framework.
These alternatives, however, are not recommended as the project is a very significant one that
will have a beneficial effect on the value of the North Coast area to San Luis Obispo residents
and businesses for many years. It is therefore appropriate that the Council participate in the
public discussion.
Attachment:
1. Letter Request from American Land Conservancy
2. Resolution
e4 �a
AMERICAN LAND CONSERVANCY ATTACHMENT 1
1388 Sutter Street, Suite 810
San Francisco, CA 94109
Telephone: (415) 749-3010
Fax No.: (415)749-3011
January 15, 2003 Received
JAN 16 2003
The Honorable Dave Romero, Mayor City of S.L.O.
City of San Luis Obispo Administration
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: American Land Conservancy/Hearst Ranch,,--,
Conservation Framework Endorsemept
I J
Dear Honorable Mayor Romero:
As you may be aware, the American Land Conservancy has been negotiating with Hearst Ranch
representatives for a comprehensive conservation easement encompassing the entire 128 square
miles of the Ranch. Enclosed you will find an informational packet about the Hearst Ranch
conservation framework. This includes the one-page conservation framework document agreed
to by The American Land Conservancy and The Hearst Corporation, press clippings covering the
announcement of the framework and letters from groups which have endorsed the framework.
Our goal is to have endorsements from a broad spectrum of local organizations and public
entities, including the City of San Luis Obispo. The San Luis Obispo County Board of
Supervisors and the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande unanimously adopted resolutions
supporting the conservation framework. Several other entities will be considering this issue
within the next couple of weeks.
It is our hope that the City of San Luis Obispo will adopt a resolution, similar to the resolution
adopted by the County Board of Supervisors, endorsing the conservation framework. For your
convenience, I have enclosed a draft resolution that the City Council could consider if it chooses
to endorse the framework. If you agendize this, I would be glad to attend the Council meeting to
make a presentation, if appropriate.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and please call if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
CANLAND COIR
Kara Blakeslee
KB:jcr
Enclosures
c: Ken Hampian (w/encl.)
City Council Members (w/encl.) (� 2
_ ATTACHMENT 1
Hearst Corporation American Land Conservancy
HEARST RANCH CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK
(DECEMBER 2002)
MUTUAL GOALS:
Protect natural and scenic resources.
e Permanently increase public access west of Highway 1.
• Ensure continued agricultural operations.
• Provide fair compensation for restricting development.
KEYELEMENTS.
• Eliminate New Resorts: No golf course or resort development at San Simeon
Point, no Visitors-Center hotel,no Equestrian Center hotel at Pico Creek and no
new areas for resort development would be created; .
• Limit Old San Simeon Village To Julia Morgan's Vision: Permanently restrict
any plans in Old San Simeon Village to new local and visitor-serving uses,
including existing buildings and limited,historically consistent infill buildings
inspired by Julia Morgan's recently rediscovered vision, with no more than 100
rooms; .
�. Provide Permanent Public Access to Coastline: New public access to include
18 miles;of new California Coastal Trail running the entire length.of the
property on the west side of scenic Highway 1,and offering permanent public
access to the coastline;
0 East Side Conservation/Agricultural Easement: Preservation of the working
landscape of the historical agricultural operations which would ensure long-
term viability of the ranch, while protecting the natural resources; 'and
• Reduce Potential Residential Development: Limitation of new owner
homesites to 27 on the interior of the 82,000 acre Ranch. Currently Hearst has
271 certified lots that would allow for more than 400 homesites. Hearst would
agree to limit the number of new homesites to 27. Impose siting and access
guidelines to recognize sensitive environmental resource areas and respect
existing public views. No new homesites would be located west of Highway 1.
1A\980538.6
IN THE'F %RD OF SUPERVISORS ATTACHMENT 1
COUNTY OF SAN _.IS OBISPO,STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Tues day January 7 ,2003
PRESENT: Supervisors Harry L. pvitt, Shirley Bianchi, Peg Pinard, K.H. "Katcho"
ABSENT: None Achadjian, Chairperson Michael P. Ryan
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-17
RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CONSERVATION'FRAMEWORK OF THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AMERICAN LAND CONStRVANCY
AND:THE HEARST CORPORATION
The following resolution is hereby offered and read:
WHEREAS, Hearst Ranch represents one of the most significant conservation
opportunities in'& nation - nearly 128 square miles of rugged shorelines, rolling
grasslands, craggy peaks and classic Califomia working cattle ranch landscape; and
WHEREAS,Hearst and the American Land Conservation (ALC)have agreed to a
conservation Frameworkfor.the entire 82,000 acre.ranch based upon Inputfrom meetings
with over 1000 individuals-Including community residents and representatives from more
than 50 state, local and federal agencies and organizations; and
WHEREAS,.the Conservation Framework is based on the following mutually
agreed goals of American Land.Conservation and Hearst:
• To protect natural and scenic resources;
• . To permanently increase public access west of Highway.1;
•• To ensure continued agricultural operations;
• To provide fair compensation for restricting development;and
WHEREAS,the elements of the Conservation Framework are:
0 to-eliminate new resorts; no new.areas for'resort development would be .
created; and .
• To limit Old San Simeon Village to Julia Morgan's Vision; and
• To Ppvide permanent public access to coastline; and
• East.Side Conservation/Agricultural Easement; and
• To reduce potential residential development; and
WHEREAS,.t he conservation f ramework would b Glance continued a gricuitural
operations,protect natural and scenic resources'and Increase public access to 18 miles
of pristine California coastline;and
WHEREAS,this Is not a development plan.
' g
NOW,THREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Luis.Obispo County Board
of Supervisors Cities hereby endorse the conservation framework and.urges American
Land Conservancy and Hearst to complete their good faith negotiations for a detailed
conservation transaction consistent with the Conservation Framework. The Board of.
Supervisors•alsa urges funding sources, Including the state of California and federal
government, to recognize Hearst Ranch as a significant conservation opportunity and
provide funding to make it a reality.
Upon motion of Supervisor Bianchi
seconded by
Supervisor ovitt and on the following
.roll call vote,to volt:
AYES: Supervisors Bianchi, ovitt, Pinard, Achadjian, Chairperson Ryan
NOES:Noue
ABSENT: Nona
The foregoing.resolution'is hereby adopted. a �"
Chairperson, Board of SupervjsOr—
ATTEST:
Julie L. Rod!nld
_� CierkofthaRoarrlafiCino..a�.,.b C/i ���
ATTACHMENT 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
SUPPORTING THE "CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK" OF
A CONSERVATION TRANSACTION BETWEEN THE HEARST CORPORATION
AND AMERICAN LAND CONSERVANCY REGARDING THE HEARST RANCH
IN NORTHWESTERN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
WHEREAS,the 82,000 acre Hearst Ranch in northwestern.San Luis Obispo County represents
one of the most significant conservation opportunities in the Nation; and
WHEREAS,the Hearst Corporation and the American Land Conservancy have agreed to a
"Conservation Framework"for the Hearst Ranch which would balance continued agricultural
uses, protection of significant natural and scenic resources, a strict limitation on future
development, and public access to 18 miles of pristine shoreline areas.
NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby:
1. Endorses the "Conservation Framework" and urges the American Land Conservancy and
the Hearst Corporation to continue their good-faith negotiations for a publicly disclosed,
detailed conservation transaction consistent with the "Conservation Framework" and
capable of gaining the support of grantmaking agencies and foundations; and
2. Authorizes and directs the City Administrative Officer to transmit this resolution to the
affected parties.
ADOPTED this 4 h day of February 2003 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Mayor David Romero
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Lee Price, City Clerk LjOill Trujillo, Ac ' ity Attorney