HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.15.06 PRC Minutes Special MtgParks and Recreation Commission
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Parks & Recreation Administration Office
1341 Nipomo Street
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 1:00 p.m.
805.781.7300
CALL TO ORDER Chair Pyper called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Bill Pyper, Commissioners: Richard Kriet, Jill Lemieux, John
Knight and Ty Griffin
ABSENT: Don Dollar and Gary Clay
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Neil Havlik
1. Public Comment
None.
2. South Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Havlik
Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik presented a PowerPoint on the South Hills Natural
Reserve Conservation Plan project (SHNR) which will guide the management and
development of this approximately 130 acre site over the next five to seven years. Havlik
pointed out the plan’s main focus is to protect the existing resources at SHNR and to balance
recreation use, fire safety and resource protection. Havlik highlighted the issues on the sites
wetlands, plant species, rock cistern, erosion of dirt road accessing communication site,
wildfire preparedness plan, and development of a trail system.
The Chair then opened the discussion to public comment.
Kathy Cunningham, 640 Lawrence, spoke in support of the plan, preferring to see access to
the trail system reestablished from Lawrence Drive and excluding bicycle access as she does
not see cycling as an asset to the area.
Barry Frantz, 477 Stoneridge, spoke 1) in favor of the South Hills Natural Reserve stating
its scenic value is appreciated by everyone and 2) in opposition to cutting a trail into the
hillside for reasons of erosion as well as little available room to do so. He would like to see
the area kept as natural as possible by remaining as untouched as possible; feeling off-trail
hiking is minimal.
Arnold Jonas, 2437 Cumbre Court, discussed access at the site and the existing trail created
primarily by cattle. Feels a formal trail would create difficulties and the need for winter
maintenance due to rain erosion. A trail would also be intrusive to the viewshed from the
immediate neighborhood. Feels Neil’s solution to not address a trail system at this time is
appropriate. Neighbors currently use an existing trail and are generally polite about not
accessing it through the back of someone’s property. Supports adoption with Neil’s
proposed changes, feels speaks for neighbors as well. Recommends Commission support
staffs recommendation to City Council.
Commissioner Knight spoke in support of the name of the reserve. Knight also discussed
the sense of ownership felt by the neighbors and the need to protect their privacy, however
supports trail access off Lawrence Drive. Stated he felt bicycle access to be a very
important and appropriate use for the area.
Commissioner Pyper discouraged the trail location being close to residences, and suggested
that access from Lawrence Drive not be publicized out of respect for privacy. Supports
monitoring the trail for signs of continued usage.
Recommendation: Recommend to City Council that the South Hills Natural Reserve
Conservation Plan be approved as amended, including:
1. Formally accepting the name “South Hills Natural Reserve” for the site
2. Completion of an improvement program for the access road to the communication
sites located on private property to the west of the Reserve;
3. Development of a formally identified trail system for pedestrians and bicyclists,
including certain routes restricted to pedestrians only;
4. Placement of protective fencing at identified locations within the Reserve, especially
on the southwest, to protect sensitive resources in those locations;
5. Development of interpretive and informational signage to assist visitors;
6. Ultimate removal of livestock grazing on the property; and
7. A wildfire preparedness plan, involving management of fuel loading at the
urban/wildland interface.
MOTION: (Knight/Lemieux) 5 yes: 0 no: 2 absent (Clay, Dollar)
3. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on
December 6, 2006, at the Council Chambers.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 6, 2006.
/s/
________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds
Supervising Administrative Assistant