HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2015 PRC Agenda PacketCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Parks and Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 @ 5:30PM, Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Whitener
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Ryan Baker, Susan Olson, Michael Parolini, Ron Regier, Douglas Single,
Susan Updegrove and Jeff Whitener
Public Comment Period. At this time, you may address the Commission on items that are not on the agenda but are of interest to the
public and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission may not discuss or take
action on issues that are not on the agenda other than to briefly respond to statements made or questions raised, or to ask staff to follow
up on such issues.
PRC Meeting Agenda
1. Consideration of Minutes of Regular Meeting April 1, 2015
2. Consideration of and Recommendation to Council regarding: Update of Bishop Peak Conservation
and Open Space Plan (Bob Hill, Natural Resources Manager, 60 minutes)
3. Golf Update (Recreation Supervisors Devin Hyfield and Rich Ogden, 30 minutes)
4. Update on the Implementation of the Laguna Lake Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Community
Input (Bob Hill, Natural Resources Manager, 15 minutes)
5. Director’s Report – Highlights (Shelly Stanwyck, Director & Melissa Mudgett, Recreation Manager –
15 minutes)
6. Subcommittee Liaison Reports
Committee Liaison
Adult and Senior Programming Baker
Bicycle Advisory Regier
City Facilities (Damon, golf, pool, joint use) Parolini
Jack House Committee Updegrove
Tree Committee Olson
YSA Single
7. Communications
Adjourn to Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
APPEALS: Administrative decisions by the Parks and Recreation Commission may be appealed to the City Council in
accordance with the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 1.20 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs, and activities.
Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance.
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
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Council Hearing Room
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, May 6, 2015, 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Whitener called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Jeff Whitener, Vice Chair Ron Regier and Commissioners Ryan Baker,
Susan Olson, Michael Parolini, Douglas Single and Susan Updegrove
ABSENT: Ryan Baker, Ron Regier, Doug Single
COUNCIL: None
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Melissa Mudgett, Doug Carscaden
Public Comment
Gary Havas, Resident of San Luis Obispo, reminded the Commission that the Month of May is Bike
Month and encouraged the Commissions’ participation in various biking events.
1.CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES (Committee)
Motion: (Updegrove/Parolini) Approve Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2015 and April 1, 2015 as
amended.
Approved: 4 yes: 0 no: 3 absent
2.COMMUNITY INPUT FOCUS: RANGER SERVICE (Carscaden)
Doug Carscaden, Ranger Service Supervisor, presented to the Commission of overview of the City’s
Ranger Service program. He provided an overview of the Ranger Service program budget and
staffing allocation. Currently the Ranger program provides support, patrol and trail maintenance for
twelve (12) designated open space areas; which encompasses over 4,000 acres of land with
approximately 47 miles of trail. The focus of the Ranger program is to provide for land restoration,
open space improvements, trail construction and maintenance, creek corridor clean-up and
educational programs.
Staff Carscaden reported on concerns with invasive animal species (wild pig) in the City’s Open
Space. He added that the success of trails are due in large part to the extensive volunteer groups
(such as Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB), ECOSLO and individual volunteers
and interns) that provide approximately 4,000 hours annually of free labor for trail development and
maintenance through regular “Wednesday Work Days” and bi-annual “Trail-Werks” days. Staff
Carscaden shared with the Commission information about the monthly newsletter, SLO Stewards,
which delivers information about new trails and events.
Meeting Minutes
Parks and Recreation Commission
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City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
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Staff Carscaden presented both Ranger and Stormwater program highlights and accomplishments in
the 2014-15 fiscal year; such as Froom Ranch trail, Reservoir Canyon bridge replacement, Hill Street
sediment capture, creek corridor clean-up and environmental education programs.
The City Council adopted a Major City Goal as part of the 2015-17 Financial Plan to address Open
Space Preservation: Protection and Maintenance. Staff Carscaden shared that some key components
of this goal include potential land acquisitions (1,000 acres of the Miossi Brothers La Cuesta Ranch
and Ahern Ranch properties), additional Ranger staff and various capital improvement projects for
open space enhancements and trail maintenance. A prescriptive Open Space Maintenance Plan will
be developed and implemented as part of this City Goal.
Commission Comment
Commissioner Olson asked about Ranger maintenance in the City parks. Staff Carscaden responded
that the Public Works Department provides for park maintenance and that the Ranger program
provides for routine patrol of parks. The Ranger program also partners with the Police Department’s
Community Action Team (CAT) to provide for transient services which includes park and creak
clean-ups as a result of illegal encampments.
The Commission thanked the Ranger Service staff for their continued commitment to the program.
Public Comment
Gary Havas, SLO resident, added that the new trail head at upper Prefumo Canyon is outstanding.
3.DIRECTOR’S REPORT (Stanwyck)
Director Stanwyck provided a brief update on current Parks and Recreation programs.
Pool
Swim lessons begin next week
Family Safety Day will be held on May 16th to promote water safety
Currently hiring for summer lifeguards
Golf
Todd Bunte, Golf Supervisor, officially retired on May 4th
Organization changes at the golf course. Matt Nowlen hired as Golf Coordinator for
maintenance. Currently recruiting for the Maintenance Worker II position. The Golf
Program Coordinator recruitment will begin after Council’s approval in June as part of the
Budget Hearings.
Aeration and flushing of the greens were completed this week.
Youth Services
Currently recruiting for Summer Camps staffing positions
Family Carnival a huge success with over 300 people in attendance
All Star Fun Zone will be held at the Ludwick Community Center on May 15th
Sports
Triathlon registration has over 700+ people already. Triathlon on July 26th
Pickleball program updates at Ludwick Community Center and Meadow Park
Jr. Giants youth baseball program starts June 16th
Community Services
The Laguna Lake golf Course Community Garden donation will be presented to city Council
for its acceptance or rejection on June 2nd
Broad Street Community Garden Clean-Up days on May 15th
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City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
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4.SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS
Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Baker was absent. No report.
Bicycle Advisory: Vice Chair Regier was absent. No report.
City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Parolini
shared communications with the Deputy Director of Utilities, Aaron Floyd, regarding use of
potable water at Damon Garcia. Use of potable water on the fields is unlikely during State
drought conditions and conservation mandates. Commissioner Parolini said the fields will
be closed for maintenance and renovations beginning in May. Play will be allowed on a
field rotational basis to minimize the impacts.
Information was shared about a pending pool replastering capital improvement
project that will be before Council’s review and approval on June 2, 2015. Director
Stanwyck shared with the Commission health and safety liability concerns, water
conservation and community outreach program for the project.
The Sinsheimer Park stair replacement capital improvement project will be delayed
slightly by two weeks.
The Santa Rosa Ballfield netting project is progressing and is anticipated for
completion by mid-July.
Jack House Committee: Commissioner Updegrove reported that a new Chair and Vice Chair
were elected to the Committee. The Parks and Recreation staff reported to the Committee
on the noise ordinance and staff response for Jack House Events. The Jack House
Committee is looking into digital cataloging software with the History Center. She added
that the Jack House will be hosting a Mother’s Day Concert in the gardens on May 9th.
Tree Committee: Commissioner Olson reported that eleven (11) trees were on the agenda
for removals and one (1) tree for Heritage Tree consideration.
Youth Sports: Commissioner Single was absent. No report.
5.COMMUNICATIONS
Director Stanwyck reported that next month’s meeting will include a presentation by Bob Hill ,
Natural Resources Manager, for the Bishop Peak Conservation Plan and an update on the Laguna
Lake Conservation Plan.
Next month’s Community Input Focus will be Youth Services and General Park Facilities
Commissioner Parolini will not be in attendance for the June 3, 2015 meeting.
Adjourned at 7:13 pm to the June 3, 2015 Regular Meeting located in the Council Chambers at
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo at 5:30pm.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on __________________.
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Melissa C. Mudgett, Parks and Recreation Department Manager
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City of San Luis Obispo
Parks and Recreation Commission
Agenda Report
Date: June 3, 2015
Subject: Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update
Prepared by: Robert A. Hill, Natural Resources Manager
Recommended Action: Recommend to the City Council that the Bishop Peak Natural
Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update be adopted.
SUMMARY
The City’s Natural Resources Program seeks adoption of the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve
Conservation Plan 2015 Update that will continue to guide the management and stewardship of
the site over the next ten years. Bishop Peak Natural Reserve (“BPNR” or “Reserve”) is one of
the most iconic and well-loved landmarks in the entire region offering spectacular panoramic
views of the City below and the surrounding region beyond, remarkable plant and wildlife
diversity, and pleasant hiking and passive recreational opportunities. The City’s first ever
conservation plan was prepared for BPNR and subsequently adopted by City Council in 2004. A
conservation plan is generally intended to have a 7 to 10 year time horizon, at which time it
should be updated.
Over a decade has passed since the plan's initial introduction and a number of new challenges
have emerged, including continued natural resources protection; neighborhood compatibility in
the areas around the two primary trailheads; increased use pressure leading to needs for trail
maintenance and heightened levels of enforcement; and, emergency response access and Ranger
patrol. With these issues in mind, this Conservation Plan Update serves as an opportunity to
assess the current state of the Reserve, monitor the implementation of the existing plan, and to
establish timely strategies for further protection and enhancement of the Reserve. For these
reasons, BPNR is now the subject of a Conservation Plan Update process in order for the
property to continue to be managed in accordance with the City’s Open Space Regulations and
the Conservation and Open Space Element of the City’s General Plan, while incorporating new
information and addressing the ongoing management concerns that have been identified by staff
as well as members of the public.
Overview of Bishop Peak Natural Reserve
Bishop Peak Natural Reserve is a 352-acre property located in the northwest part of the City of
San Luis Obispo. It is comprised of three separate open space parcels that were assembled
during a period of over 20 years; in 1977 the heirs of the Gnesa Ranch donated the land above
the 800-foot elevation (approximately 104 acres) to the State Parks Foundation; this land is now
managed by the County of San Luis Obispo. In 1995, an additional 140 acres was donated to the
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 2
City of San Luis Obispo as the Ferrini Ranch Open Space. In 1998, a 108 acre parcel was
purchased from Ray Bunnell. The property features a trail that goes from the official access
points at Patricia Drive and Highland Drive to the summit, a distance of two miles with an
elevation gain of 1,000 feet. Another trail known as the Felsman Loop traverses several canyons
in the northern part of the Reserve and provides interesting views of oak woodland, chaparral,
and coastal sage scrub, as well as attractive views of the surrounding area. At 1546 feet above
sea level, the three-pointed summit is the tallest and most distinctive of the peaks that make up
the string of Morros known locally as the nine sisters. BPNR is jointly managed by the City and
County of San Luis Obispo.
1.0 CONSISTENCY WITH EXISTING POLICY
The City’s General Plan has several areas where use and management of open space is
addressed. The Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) is where the most pertinent
policy direction is found. The list below is not exhaustive but highlights a few key policies that
are pertinent to the management and operation of Bishop Peak Natural Reserve relative to the
City’s General Plan.
COSE Policy 8.5.5: Passive Recreation – The City will consider allowing passive
recreation where it will not degrade or significantly impact open space resources and
where there are no significant neighborhood compatibility impacts...
Particular focus and ongoing deliberation pertaining to this COSE policy is warranted. As
evidenced by testimony and correspondence received from numerous neighbors, there are
significant and ongoing concerns about neighborhood compatibility stemming from the operation
of BPNR. Among these reported concerns are overburdened street parking; traffic speeds and
safety; noise, trash, and nuisance factors; and, increasing after-hours use of the Reserve resulting
in safety issues as well as resource protection issues. Ultimately, one of the primary goals of the
Conservation Plan Update is to resolve the tension between resource protection, neighborhood
compatibility, and passive recreational use of BPNR.
COSE Program 8.7.1(E): Protect Open Space Resources – The City will manage its
open space holdings and enforce its open space easements consistent with General
Plan goals and policies and the Open Space Ordinance.
The Conservation Plan Update calls for a renewed commitment to adherence with this program
by providing for certain actions to restore or enhance the site, as well as calling for increased
levels of regular patrol and monitoring in accordance with the City’s Open Space Regulations,
municipal code chapter 12.22.
COSE Program 8.7.2(J): Enhance and Restore Open Space - The City will… adopt
conservation plans for open space areas under City easement or fee ownership. The
plans shall include a resource inventory, needs analysis, acceptable levels of change,
grazing, monitoring, wildlife, management and implementation strategies, including
wildfire preparedness plans.
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 3
The Conservation Plan Update addresses and includes discussion of each of the areas identified
in this program. In particular, it includes updated resource inventories; identifies a handful of
new site needs to be attended to; acknowledges that levels of acceptable change (LAC) have
been exceeded in some areas and proposes corrective measures; and, it provides detail to a
previously identified grazing management and stream corridor enhancement project in the lower
pasture.
2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION
Site Information/Setting
Site Size 352 acres
Present Use & Development Vacant open space held for conservation and passive recreation
Topography Level to Very Steep (slopes often greater than 50%)
Access Highland Drive, Patricia Drive, Highway 1, Bridle Ridge Road (via
easement)
Surrounding Uses/Zoning Agriculture / Ranchette properties; Residential
3.0 PROJECT ANALYSIS
Management Considerations
The Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update provides a framework to
address the continued long-term site stewardship of the property. In addition to issues identified
in 2004, the Bishop Peak Conservation Plan Update places a renewed emphasis in the following
areas:
1.Natural Resources Protection. In keeping with the principles of the Conservation and
Open Space and Element of the General Plan, the plan prioritizes protection of Natural
Resources, providing for passive recreation where compatible. Many of the issues
addressed in the Conservation Plan Update stem from this objective, seeking to enhance
natural resources while minimizing impacts of recreational uses. An updated biological
inventory was completed by the local firm Terra Verde Environmental Consulting,
Summary and Results of a Plant Inventory and Wildlife Survey at Bishop Peak Natural
Reserve, City of San Luis Obispo, California, that identifies 201 botanical species, nine
plant communities, and 54 wildlife species. Of those, two plant species, one plant
community, and seven wildlife species are considered to be under some level of
protective special-status. Of note, Terra Verde identified seven different bat species that
were previously indistinguishable due to the advent of relatively new, full spectrum
acoustic survey technology that was not available in the 2002-2004 timeframe when the
prior conservation plan was underway; three of these are special-status species. In
addition, a Cal Poly senior project undertaken by Ms. Jessica Engdahl under the guidance
of Dr. John Perrine and City Biologist Freddy Otte revealed numerous terrestrial wildlife
species using the Reserve at night with the use of remote sensing wildlife game cameras
deployed at several fixed monitoring stations.
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 4
2.Trail Network Maintenance. The existing trail network faces erosion, widening and
trail cutting and expansion of unofficial trails, each presenting a threat to the experience
of recreational users, as well as the protection of natural resources. Weathering and
vandalization of signage and lack of adequate signage may further compound these
issues. Recent counts of users accessing BPNR suggest that over 150,000 visitors a year
enter the Reserve, and most of the trails within BPNR are approaching 20 years or more
of continuous use since they were first installed.
3.Neighborhood Compatibility Improvements. With a high volume of visitors and
access limited to residential trailheads with no off-street parking facilities, some impacts
are felt disproportionately by surrounding neighborhoods. Outreach to neighboring
residents indicates that issues include night hiking, camping, roadway safety, litter and
noise. Lack of consistent enforcement of existing municipal code was also identified as
an area of primary concern.
4.Rock Climbing Management. While climbing is an approved, historic use that pre-dates
the City’s ownership of the Reserve, new fixed anchor “bolted” routes and access trails
have expanded over the last decade presenting a challenge to management objectives.
Recent site visits identified establishment of an unpermitted stone and concrete bench, as
well as unauthorized pruning and herbicide application to vegetation.
5.Unauthorized Foothill Boulevard Access. The trailhead on Foothill Blvd. is a very
popular access to BPNR and yet it remains an unapproved trailhead that relies on a trail
running through private ranch property. This creates a number of problems in terms of
trespass, safety, aesthetics, resource protection and enforcement.
6.Emergency Access and Ranger Patrol Improvements. Current emergency access
points limit the speed and response time with which fire fighters and paramedics can
respond to incidents at the Reserve. With an average of 2-3 calls for emergency response
every month and an increase of fire hazard due to sustained drought conditions, a more
efficient access point may increase safety for visitors to the Reserve and neighbors living
in the wildland-urban interface zone.
2015 Update Recommendations
Active management of the Reserve is necessary to protect valued natural resources while
facilitating approved activities where compatible. Updated wildlife inventories and photo
monitoring analysis have shown that the BPNR is home to a wide variety of plants and animals
and the Reserve requires continued management to protect these species. With over 150,000
visitors per year and over 200 plant species and 54 wildlife species, protection of natural
resources at the BPNR relies largely on adequate management of human impacts. This entails the
limitation of the recreational footprint by limiting the distribution and nature of uses and
enforcing the laws that articulate these limitations. In addition to the issues and tasks outlined in
the previous conservation plan, the 2015 Update calls for the consideration of the following
initiatives to provide for the continued stewardship, restoration, and management of the Reserve.
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 5
1.Natural Resources Protection. Biological surveys are the basis for natural resource
management at the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve. The City has conducted a biological
inventory and an evaluation of photo monitoring points and aerial photography
comparing 2004 to current conditions, and will continue to monitor the Reserve on a
regular basis. The City will need to respond to these surveys by focusing on protection of
habitat areas with an emphasis on sensitive species. While the biological inventory shows
the presence of sensitive species such as the Townsend’s big-eared bat and Pallid bat,
further investigation will need to be done to identify their distribution and abundance
throughout the cliffs and cave features within the Reserve. The City should also consider
maintaining additional water in the stock pond by excavating silt that has accumulated in
order to provide a water source for wildlife and insect prey-base for species such as bats.
Garbage and dog feces present an issue for both resource protection and neighborhood
compatibility. While “leave no trace” or “pack it in - pack it out” principles encouraging
user-based management of litter are less resource intensive, they have not proven to be
effective in a municipal open space setting such as Bishop Peak Natural Reserve. In
response the City will to establish wildlife-proof garbage receptacles at trailheads along
with “mutt mitt” dispensers for dog owners.
2.Neighborhood Compatibility. With no dedicated parking for BPNR, the impacts of
visitation volume are felt largely by surrounding residents. The City will conduct a
formal traffic study and will continue to monitor traffic patterns on Highland Drive and
Patricia Drive and apply traffic management strategies where appropriate. In keeping
with the mission of reducing impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and complying with
principles of the LUCE, the City will advocate and work towards improved access by
alternative modes of travel including bus and bicycle as a demand-reduction strategy.
Night hiking creates a disturbance to sensitive nocturnal wildlife within the Reserve and
nearby residents and is expressly prohibited under the City’s Open Space Regulations.
Night hiking may be deterred by a combination of mechanisms including continued
enforcement, neighbor and police partnerships, clearer articulation of fines on signage,
and through employment of night time parking restrictions on Highland Drive and
Patricia Drive.
The Conservation Plan Update introduces a Good Neighbor Policy for the first time as a
means of articulating the City’s pledge to both residential and agricultural ranch property
neighbors:
1.The City will ensure pro-active outreach and communications with neighbors.
2.The City will promote partnership efforts with neighbors and other citizens to provide
stewardship and care for the land and surroundings.
3.The City will use best practices to educate open space users about the importance of
respecting neighbors and private property, as well as adherence to Open Space
Regulations.
4.The City will actively address citizen concerns in a timely manner.
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 6
5.The City will not actively promote Bishop Peak Natural Reserve as destination
location through media outlets, advertisements, and publications.
3.Trail Network Maintenance. The BPNR is one of the most heavily visited open spaces
in the City’s open space network and the trail system bares much of the resulting
pressures. The major issues facing the trail system are erosion, poor signage and presence
of unofficial “use trails.” The City will upgrade existing signage along the trail network,
increase the availability of maps and other technological aids, and install two new
informational kiosks to educate the public and improve wayfinding.
Erosion is a significant problem throughout the Reserve, most notably at trail junctions
and near the summit. The City will continue to implement trail rehabilitation projects and
monitor their effects. Special emphasis should be placed on areas of high conservation
value such as riparian areas and areas of very high use such as the summit trail.
Qualitatively, Levels of Acceptable Change have been exceeded in the upper reaches of
the summit trail, and a reclassification of this area from “Management / Trail Corridor” to
“Restoration” appears warranted pursuant to the Conservation Guidelines for Open Space
Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo (2002; see pgs. 8-10). Unofficial use trails are
present throughout the Reserve. This may be due in part to lack of clear signage, as
referenced above. Trails that are redundant, unsustainable or that represent a threat to
natural resources will be decommissioned and given proper signage to encourage
rehabilitation.
4.Rock Climbing. While climbing is a historic and permitted use within the Reserve,
climbing activities should not interfere with roosting areas for bats and raptors, rare plant
protection, and overall management goals for the Reserve. Climbing areas should be
identified, protected and monitored.
Unauthorized installation of climbing bolts and establishment of climbing use trails
should be addressed. For the most part, climbers are outstanding stewards of the rock
and surrounding environment. At present it appears that there are just a few “bad actors”
and increased attention to climbing areas is warranted in order to interact more with the
climbing community and raise awareness of Open Space Regulations 12.22.050(N)
pertaining to climbing activities, which are as follows:
1.Rock-climbing is permitted only within specific designated areas on city open space
lands. Said areas shall be identified by the [Parks and Recreation] director, who may also
make reasonable rules concerning such use, including but not limited to requirements for
waivers of liability as a condition of permission for such use.
2.No person shall set or install climbing bolts in any designated climbing area without
the written approval of the director.
3.The director shall appoint a committee of persons interested in climbing to advise him
or her on matters affecting designated climbing areas, including but not limited to
reviewing requests for new climbing routes, inspections of climbing areas, climbing bolts
installed therein, or other matters pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the area.
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 7
The Conservation Plan Update introduces a climbing management policy for the first
time as a way of articulating specifically to the climbing community the City’s
expectations for resource protection and sustainable use of the Reserve’s cliffs and rock
faces.
5.Foothill Boulevard Trail. Due to concerns of roadway safety at the unofficial trailhead
at Foothill Blvd., conditions should be monitored for increases in roadway conflicts. The
City will require a formalized trailhead and parking area consistent with Chapter 8 of the
Land Use Element of the General Plan (See Program 8.15 North Side of Foothill [Bishop
Knoll]: “Development shall provide a parking lot and trail access to Bishop Peak.”)
The junction of the bootleg trail originating at Foothill Blvd. continues to erode,
presenting aesthetic concerns and trail management issues at multiple points of
intersection with the summit trail. These junctions should be managed to reduce
proliferation of use trails, reduce erosion, and limit impacts to surrounding vegetation.
Ideally, the establishment of a new trailhead at the Bishop Knoll site would also provide
an opportunity to restore and re-route sections of the upper trail as it approaches the
Reserve. Any site work in this area will require close coordination with the County of
San Luis Obispo.
6.Emergency Response and Ranger Access. The prior 2004 conservation plan included
the consideration of emergency access as one of its goals:
3.27 The establishment of a connection road across the site for emergency and
maintenance access that will eliminate the requirement for access through the
Brittany Court development at the end of Highland Drive should be considered.
With an average of 2-3 calls for emergency assistance per month to the Reserve,
increasing fire danger associated with the current drought, and the need for to facilitate
enhanced Ranger patrol, vehicle access improvements for official use are now warranted.
This access shall be minimally invasive, however, with limited impacts to natural
resources, aesthetics and surrounding neighborhoods.
Staff has identified a new trail section to facilitate such access, which is located just
below the stock pond area of the Reserve above Patricia Drive. It would be
approximately 580 feet long and 8 feet wide, while decommissioning and restoring an
approximately 620 foot section of adjacent trail switchbacks that are 4 feet wide, and re-
grading a 600 foot section of existing trail that has become eroded over the years. The
project will require a pre-project botanical survey and will avoid sensitive botanical plant
species, or re-locate individual plants if necessary to the adjacent trail switchback
restoration area. Project design will ensure proper drainage and erosion control, and the
emergency access trail will be re-vegetated on the margins with native grass seed.
7.Grazing. Mr. Webb Tartaglia has been the long-standing cattle operator at the Reserve
in collaboration with the Ferrini family that enjoys a reserved grazing right. Mr.
Tartaglia stocks fourteen mother and calf pairs each spring season. The current grazing
regime has been mostly successful, and two special status botanical species identified by
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 8
Terra Verde Environmental (San Luis Obispo owl’s clover and Cambria morning glory)
have been prolific in grazed areas. These species appear to prefer a disturbance regime
created through grazing impact, as well a decrease in competition from annual grasses
and other forb species, as well as thistles and other weedy species. The prior 2004
conservation plan called for a fencing project to protect and restore the riparian area in
the lower pasture. This plan includes a more clearly defined project area and planting
palette in order set the stage for project implementation. Lastly, the excavation of the
accumulated silt in the stock pond would not only be beneficial from a natural resources
management perspective, as above, it would provide more reliable stock water supply
from season to season, as well as a potential water supply source for active firefighting
when aerial water drop tactics are employed.
4.0 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REVIEW
While the Parks and Recreation Commission may opine on any component of the Bishop Peak
Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update, staff would like to suggest that the
Commission focus especially on matters pertaining to passive recreational use and amenities and
General Plan consistency. The Conservation Plan Update does not propose to change any
existing passive recreational uses that occur now, such as hiking and climbing, etc. although it
does specify appropriate methods and areas for these uses. The Conservation Plan Update also
contemplates a new emergency response and Ranger patrol access trail, trail restoration
activities, updated signs, trailhead amenities, and expanded maintenance / fire protection.
5.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
The Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update seeks to accommodate
community preferences while addressing the City’s goals in the Conservation and Open Space
Element. Public meetings were held on May 7 and 14, 2015 in order to gather neighborhood and
community input prior to staff’s preparation of the Conservation Plan Update. Approximately 50
neighbors of the Reserve attended the May 7 meeting, many of whom expressed significant
concern for neighborhood compatibility and safety, as discussed above. Approximately 12
people attended the May 14 meeting that included a much broader discussion of overall
management concerns facing the Reserve. Both written comments and public testimony
received throughout the public review process will be considered in the final draft.
6.0 OTHER DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
City of San Luis Obispo Natural Resources Program staff, Parks and Recreation Department
staff, Public Works staff, Fire Department staff, and Police Department staff have been involved
with outreach efforts and components of the plan pertinent to their departments. The
Conservation Plan Update will also be heard by the City’s Planning Commission on May 27,
2015 and is presently scheduled to be considered for final adoption by the City Council on July
7, 2015.
7.0 ALTERNATIVES
The Commission may wish to recommend additions or edits to the Conservation Plan Update, or
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Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update page 9
request that staff come back to the Commission for further review and deliberation at a later
time. The Commission may also recommend denial of the Conservation Plan Update. This is
not suggested as it appears to be consistent with the Conservation Guidelines adopted in 2002,
and with the Conservation and Open Space Element update in 2006, and will provide direction as
to proper habitat protection, compatible recreational use, and management activities for the
Reserve into the future.
8.0 ATTACHMENTS
1.Location Map
2.Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 Update, Legislative Review Draft.
Available on the City’s website: http://www.slocity.org/government/department-
directory/city-administration/natural-resources/bishop-peak-natural-reserve
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