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Home My WebLink About04/17/2007, C6 - USE OF THE GEARHART/MCBRIDE OPEN SPACE ON CALLE JOAQUIN FOR TURF RESEARCH BY CAL POLY C;� C council Meetin Da.,/��_A� j AcjcnoA izepom It..NumMH/^f`/" V CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Shelly Stanwyck,Assistant City Administrative Officer Prepared By: Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager SUBJECT: USE OF THE GEARHART/MCBRIDE OPEN SPACE ON CALLE JOAQUIN FOR TURF RESEARCH BY CAL POLY CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Authorize the Cal Poly Horticulture and Crop Science Department to establish a 1-acre turf grass cutting experiment at the Gearhart/McBride open space for the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. 2. Authorize City staff to begin negotiations with Cal Poly for the lease of the 13-acre Gearhart/McBride open space for expanded turf research with the final agreement to be returned to Council for consideration and approval. DISCUSSION Background The 13-acre open space parcel on Calle Joaquin (Attachment 1) was dedicated to the City in November of 2006 as part of the approval of a four parcels for new automobile sales at that location. Of the 13 acres of open space, about 10 are suitable for continued 'agricultural uses. Given the site's size and location, attracting a crop production oriented agricultural tenant has proven to be problematic. Faculty at Cal Poly, specifically Dr. Terry Vassey, professor of Turfgrass and Golf Course Management in the Horticulture and Crop Science Department, has indicated a strong interest in the potential of the site for the creation of a turf research facility. The intended test planting would include cutting edge applications such as native grasses in addition to more traditional turf species. Interestingly; native grasses are presently being studied for use in vineyards to reduce weeds (and by implication, herbicides to prevent weeds). Dr. Vassey's two part proposal for use of the site is Attachment 2. Staff feels that this could be an excellent use of the site. It would provide another bond between the City and the University, and would allow the City to share in the publicity that could accrue to anew and innovative use for such a site. . Dr. Vassey is also excited about a long term relationship with the City and is actively courting logical funding.partners, such as the golf course industry, vineyard trade associations, as well as maintenance equipment trade associations, and others who would be the logical parties to provide funding for this type of endeavor. G/Navlik/councilagendu/turjjacility agreement cu V Council Agenda Report—Long Term Lease with Cal Poly for Turf Facility Page 2 Two Different Use Concepts—Short Term Test and Longer Term Research Council approval is sought for two phases of use: The first would be an initial two year period. (growing seasons for.2007 and 2008) which would allow for a small, one acre, portion of the site to be used for test purposes. The second is would be for longer term research and would be defined through the negotiation of a lease agreement.which would be brought back to the Council for approval. Two phases are proposed because: (1) the full development of the site in turf grass experiments is expected to take several years or possibly more; (2) there may be lag time in usage for which the City might find interim uses for the site, and (3) the interim test phase gives both parties, but especially the University, the time to pursue outside funding and confirm that the site is appropriate for the tests. Deal Points Recommended for Inclusion in the Lease Agreement 1. No cost to City; 2. The City would have the right to enter into alternative short-term leases (upon Council approve and for appropriate uses) for portions of the site until Cal Poly has the ability to use all such portions under the approved Lease Agreement; and 3. Any mention of the site or the program will credit the City as a partner. General Plan and Zoning Consistency for the Proposed Use The City's General Plan has sought to retain agricultural uses on at least one-half of the so-called Dalidio Area, of which the Gearhart/McBride Open Space are a part. This is expressed in Land Use Element Section (LUE) 1.8.1 in the General Plan, which states: It is the City's policy to encourage preservation of economically viable agricultural operations and land within the urban reserve and city limits. The City should provide for the continuation of farming through steps such as provision of appropriate General Plan designations and zoning. LUE 1.13.5(E) further states that: Dalidio area properties (generally bounded by Highway 101, Madonna Road, and Los Osos Valley Road) shall dedicate land or easements for the approximately one-half of each ownership that is to be preserved as open space. The transfer-of ownership to the City, and the zoning of the 13-acre Gearhart/McBride property as Conservation/Open Space, was intended to satisfy this General Plan requirement. The zoning has as one of its purposes the protection of open space for its agricultural production values as described in LUE 1.8.1. It also serves to protect other open space, wildlife, or scenic resources, which portions of the property also possess, as well as direct development away from flood- prone areas (another feature of this property). The proposed use of this property is therefore considered consistent with current City policy. Council Agenda Report—Long Term Lease with Cal Poly for Turf Facility Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT There are currently some minor costs associated with the property, such as weed control, as we "hold" the site in a condition suitable for agricultural use. However, this will decline over time as the site becomes fully utilized for its anticipated uses. ATTACHMENTS 1. Location Map 2. Letter Proposal from Dr. Vassey Cts �3 lqpmwr Or P . - 1 ATTACHMENT 1 lb X10 Ar IZI S J Wilk- -VZON Y A 5 L City of San Luis Obispo GREENBELT PROTECTION PROGRAM GearhartVcBride Property Location Map San Luis Obispo Quadrangle, California 1" = 1,000' n s � 01 � ATTACHMENT 2 Com. POLY California Polytechnic Suite University San Luis Obispo,CA 93407-0260 Horticulture and Crop Science Department (805) 756-1237 • Fax (805) 756-6504 January 23, 2007 Neil Havlik, PhD. Natural Resources Manager City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 Dear Dr. Havlik: As per your request, what follows is a proposal outline for use of the McBride property adjacent to HYW 101 and the Dalidio Property. For the immediate use of the property(-1 acre), I am proposing that the city allow me to set up a "cutting management experiment"for several selections of ornamental and native grasses used in the landscape. The research will be designed to determine best"cutting" strategies for maintaining good growth and plant stature while at the same time encouraging proper flowering. To do this, different cutting date treatments will be employed to determine last cutting date that still promotestallows flowering. The plan timeline includes: Establish an irrigation connection (Immediately, 2007) Plant grasses/lay drip pipe/mulch (March-April) Begin recording growth characteristics data (May) Establish cutting treatments (May) Record re-growth data including flowering characteristics (After cutting) Repeat second year study (2008) Long Term: As we discussed, I am asking the city to allow me to establish a permanent turfgrass research site on the remaining property to include some large scale-long term studies in turfgrass management as well as providing a real world, hands-on teaching experience for the students and industry professionals in California. Research ideas include: Kikuyugrass fairway management practices Subsurface irrigation evaluations Cultivar trials: Bermudagrass Zoysiagrass Tall fescue Mower/mowing demonstration and training New herbicide/insecticide evaluations Nutrition studies Industry supported field days The California Slate University•IlaLvnlidd•Ch:uuu•I Wand.•U,ian•I1„mi...uca lilt.•17:ni K., Fn......•Pullcnnn•I lundMdd,•Lnmp Ik-a.6•Iwn:\nwlr.•1larnin,c:\radrnn %I„nirrc. K., •N,'"Nid;;r•Poun,ai•\i.ru."•nw•San Itrn r. N.”,•San l wgo•.San I m:iwo•Aan y.„. San Lui.(lhiyn�•$an'da."-•tinioma St;...Wau. ATTACHMENT 2 The immediate plan is to present many in the industry (vendors, manufacturers,business owners, granting agencies, and field practitioners)with proposals to find funding and donations to get this started. I am confident that many will come forth knowing that afacility this large is available to Cal Poly for turfgrass research and teaching use. I tested this idea with the Central Cal. Golf Course Superintendent Association and many in the group said they would help and were excited about the possibilities. If the city gives the go-ahead I will begin the hunt for money. I am confident that things like turfgrass sod and seed, irrigation, and equipment will come quickly. Once installed,the dollars and materials for research will follow. In dosing, I can not overstate the tremendous possibilities here. This could become one of the largest and best turfgrass research facilities anywhere in the US. The potential benefits to the University include student recruitment, research cooperation with scientists around the country and high recognition for the University as a research and teaching leader in turfgrass management industry.We could do some great things with this and I am sure it can be a great success. Therefore, I am asking that you and your associates consider this proposal (as crude as it is) positively so we can begin the process. This is a once in a life time opportunity and I hope we can make this work for everyone. Finally,thank you for your time in this matter and I wish all the best. Sincerely, L r Terry L.Vass ,Assistant Professor Cal Poly State University Horticulture and Crop Science Departm nt San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805-756-2858 tvassey@calpoly.edu