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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2015 PH1 MarxCOUNCIL MEETING: {}Y'i ) aoIS 0 II 0 ?915 ITEM NO.: --I MAIN APPENDIX C: MANAGEMENT OF OPEN SPACE LANDS (2006 COSE updated 2014) 1. The City will manage land that it owns, or controls through lease or easement, to implement the policies of this element, and will encourage other agencies to do so on their land. This Appendix focuses on management practices for lands designated by the Land Use Element as Open Space or Agriculture, but does not exclude other designations such as Park or Public. 2. The City's Conservation Guidelines for Open Spaces, in conjunction with approved individual Open Space Conservation Plans and the City's Open Space Ordinance, shall guide day -to -day management decisions and activities in open space areas. 3. On open space land that the City manages, the City may decide to permit more than one type of activity or use. Where different uses may not be compatible, the following priorities will guide decisions. The items listed under a priority heading are co- equal. (Land uses are subject to any deed restrictions placed by owners conveying land to the City for open space purposes, and to easements or rights retained by others.) Priority 1 V Protection of existing wildlife and natural habitat generally. V Protection of existing listed species and their existing habitat, or re- establishment of such habitat where damaged. V Protection of public resources such as water quality (watershed runoff and groundwater recharge). V Avoidance of threats to public health and safety, such as ground instability (In the case of vegetation management for wildland fire, separation between hazardous vegetation and structures generally should be provided on the land containing the structure, by the owner of the land containing the structure. Where vegetation management on City -owned land is needed or desirable, management practices will minimize harm to wildlife habitat and scenic resources). Priority 2 V Public access and passive recreation. V Protection of scenic resources. Priority 3 V Scientific study. V Agricultural production. 4. Any encroachment of a private use onto the City's land must benefit the City's ownership and management objectives, and shall be subject to approval by the City Council. 5. The City will adopt conservation plans (or master plans with conservation components) for large parcels, and for small parcels where conservation challenges and solutions need to be clarified. The preparation and adoption process shall foster participation by resource- protection experts and by the public. Can lands designated Park (such as Laguna Lake, Mission Plaza,aIIId Meadow Park), the plans will provide for previously established recreational uses. They may provide for passive recreation al uses that do not adversely impact listed species and that minimize adverse impacts on other wildlife resources. The City's Lopez Canyon property (outside the planning area) and Reservoir Canyon property will be managed as open space. 6. The City will coordinate law enforcement and emergency response for its open space lands with all potentially affected agencies. Chapter 6 Page 6 -76 7. The City may lease land to other agencies or organizations for maintenance or service activities, provided the lease agreement reflects all City policies and management objectives. 8. The City should lease lands designated Agriculture for continued agricultural use, provided the lease agreement reflects all City policies and management objectives. 9. The City may provide services to or maintain resource - protection lands owned by others, where warranted by adjacency to City -owned land and long -term resource - protection needs. Such activity shall be subject to an agreement approved by the City Council. The costs for such services shall be borne by the owner, unless the City Council determines that bearing part or all of the cost is necessary to implement City policies. 10. The City will monitor its open space holdings often enough for timely discovery and response to problems such as substantial hazards, encroachment, trespass, and degradation of resources. 11. The City may enlist volunteers, including community organizations and neighboring landowners, to help monitor and maintain open space and recreational resources. Volunteers will receive training appropriate to the tasks they will be performing, including recognition of situations and conditions requiring professional response. 12. The City will maintain a publicly accessible inventory of the location and type of its open space holdings and easements. The inventory will contain or be linked to documentation of the initial condition, and the evolving conditions, of land and easement areas that it acquires. 13. When compatible with the primary purpose of the open space, the City should use revenue from open space lands, such as agricultural lease payments, to fund open -space maintenance. Such revenues may also be used to acquire open space. 14. Mitigation for the impacts of private projects shall generally be conducted on private lands. However, special circumstances may arise that justify use of City -owned land as a mitigation site: A. Where there is a clear City benefit from a transaction that involves the use of City land as a mitigation site, or B. Where General Plan goals will be furthered by the appropriate use of City lands for mitigation purposes. Private mitigation actions on City -owned land shall have a clear resource - protection or amenity value to the site, and shall be subject to approval by the City Council. Mitigation at a City park shall be subject to review and recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mitigation on City -owned open space shall be subject to review and recommendation by the Natural Resources Manager. 15. The City may form an Open Space Committee to advise staff on open space acquisition and management.