HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2017 Item 17 - Study Session for Open Space Hours ofUse Evaluation Meeting Date: 3/21/2017
FROM: Derek Johnson, Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Robert A. Hill, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION FOR OPEN SPACE HOURS OF USE EVALUATION
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive and file the staff-prepared report, An Evaluation of Hours of Use for City of San Luis
Obispo Open Space (Attachment A); and,
2. Conduct a Study Session, receive public input and testimony regarding Open Space hours of
use regulations, and provide direction to staff.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of San Luis Obispo has acquired approximately 3,850 acres of open space lands that
feature a publically-accessible trail network totaling over 50 miles. The City’s current Open
Space Regulations allow for passive recreational use of these properties from one hour before
sunrise until one hour after sunset.
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of August 16, 2016, in response to public
testimony regarding a request for reconsideration of the City’s published hours of use for open
space, “a majority of the City Council directed staff to bring back on a future agenda a project
plan for revising the ordinance limiting public access of the open space from dusk to dawn.”
(Council Minutes, August 16, 2016, pgs. 1-2).
The City’s current Open Space hours of use regulations, as codified in San Luis Obispo
Municipal Code, are as follows:
12.22.050: Rules and regulations applicable in city open space lands.
The following rules and regulations apply in all open space lands within or under the control of
the City of San Luis Obispo, unless expressly stated otherwise elsewhere in this chapter.
B. Presence in Open Space Lands Restricted to Certain Hours—No Overnight Usage.
Open space lands where public access is permitted shall be open to the public from dawn to
dusk. It shall be unlawful to enter or remain within such lands between one hour after sunset
and one hour before sunrise of the following day without approval from the director.
On February 21, 2017, the City Council voted 4-1 to receive and file the Project Plan for
evaluation of the Open Space hours of use regulations as a Consent Agenda item. Numerous
individuals and interested groups provided written public comments, as well as testimony at the
hearing (Attachment B). The City Council provided parameters including eliminating from
consideration any extended hours of use at the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve and to consider
winter hours up to a level commensurate with summer hours of use. (Agenda Action Update,
February 21, 2017, pg. 2).
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Project Plan Overview and Implementation
The overarching strategy contemplated in the Project Plan detailed in the February 21, 2017
Council Agenda Report is to conduct a formal policy analysis in order to provide a rational fully
informed decision-making process for assessment and evaluation of current regulations
pertaining to Open Space hours of use. Staff is utilizing the process set forth by Eugene Bardach
in his text, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem
Solving (2nd Edition, 2005):
1. Problem Definition
2. Assemble Evidence
3. Construct Policy Alternatives
4. Select Evaluative Criteria
5. Project Outcomes of Alternatives
6. Evaluate Trade-Offs
7. Make a Recommendation
8. Provide Rationale for Recommendation
To implement this strategy, staff has completed the first four out of the five phases indicated in
the Project Plan:
1. Internal and comparative external policy review;
2. Review of academic, peer reviewed literature and nocturnal wildlife survey data;
3. Conduct stakeholder and affected user group interviews, as well as public outreach
(website, interested parties list, etc.) consistent with the Public Engagement and
Notification Manual;
4. Prepare a “white paper” of major findings and recommendations;
5. Public Hearing / Study Session with recommendations for Council action.
The major findings of the evaluation, together with staff’s resulting recommendations for
Council and the community’s consideration, are detailed in the attached report titled, An
Evaluation of Hours of Use for City of San Luis Obispo Open Space, and are summarized below.
Report Summary
Existing policy documents pertinent to the City’s Open Space express a clear priority for
protection of natural resource values, as well as compatibility of trailheads located in
neighborhood settings, while allowing passive recreation only when consistent with these
primary goals. An additional consideration is the extent to which additional hours of use may
result in increased safety risks to both trail users as well as emergency response personnel.
Problem Definition
Trail users are unable to lawfully utilize City of San Luis Obispo Open Space during winter
months after normal work hours under current Open Space Regulations. However, expansion of
hours of use for City Open Space appears to be in conflict with established City policies intended
to protect natural resource values and neighborhoods proximate to trailheads, and may also
pose increased safety risk to trail users and emergency response personnel.
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Alternatives
Possible alternative courses of action include: 1.) let present trends continue; 2.) allow for
increased hours of use; 3.) optimize hours of use through time-specific, seasonal hours of use; 4.)
consider site-specific locations for changes to hours of use; and, 5.) consider docent-led outings
as pilot programs. Combinations of the above alternatives are possible, and ongoing monitoring
and subsequent re-evaluation is recommended with all of the alternatives.
Evaluative Criteria
Criteria for evaluating alternatives for Open Space hours of use issue may include: 1.)
consistency with the City’s existing policy framework; 2.) environmental review and impact
analysis; 3.) stakeholder and trail user preferences; 4.) fiscal impacts pertaining to staffing
resources and equipment; and 5.) trail user and emergency response personnel safety.
Projected Outcomes of Alternatives
Open Space
Hours of Use
Decision Matrix
Consistent
with
Policy
Environmental
Impact
Stakeholders
- Change
Stakeholders
- No Change
Fiscal
Impact
Safety
Impact
1. Present trends Yes No No Yes No No
2. Increased
Hours
No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
3. Optimized
Hours
Yes No Yes Maybe No Maybe
4. Site Specific
Hours
Maybe Maybe Yes Maybe Yes Maybe
5. Pilot Program Maybe No Maybe Maybe Yes No
Findings and Recommendations
The extent to which changes to the existing hours of use policy will create substantive new
impacts to natural resource values, neighborhoods, and safety are unknown, nor have thresholds
for evaluating these impacts been established. When setting policy in the face of such
uncertainty, staff recommends a very cautious and conservative approach as adopted City
policies prioritize natural resource protection over public access and passive recreation (e.g.
Conservation and Open Space Element 7.3.3, 8.5.1, Appendix C). Should the City Council
desire to make changes to the existing policy, staff recommends a combination of optimized
hours of use, site specific locations, and docent -led outings as pilot programs with ongoing
monitoring and subsequent re-evaluation. This set of recommendations appears to best address
the evaluative criteria while still allowing an opportunity to address the problem statement.
Next steps
Following the Study Session, if Council provides direction to make changes to the existing
ordinance, staff will then prepare the appropriate ordinance language in consultation with the
City Attorney’s Office as part of the Natural Resources Program’s 2017-19 work plan and will
return to Council for adoption.
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CONCURRENCES
The City’s Ranger Service, responsible for Open Space maintenance and patrol, and the City’s
Fire Department, responsible for Open Space emergency medical and wildfire response, have
reviewed An Evaluation of Hours of Use for City of San Luis Obispo Open Space and have
provided their concurrence.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15306, no environmental review is required to conduct the
Project Plan and Study Session under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Depending on Council’s direction resulting from the Study Session, if significant changes to the
City’s existing ordinance are requested, an environmental review and determination will be
required.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in the Natural Resources Program’s operating budget to support
the staff time necessary to implement the Project Plan and Study Session. Depending on
Council’s direction resulting from the Study Session, if significant changes to the City’s existing
ordinance are requested, fiscal impacts would likely result that are related to Ranger Service
staffing, as well as changes that would need to be made to Open Space signs and kiosks, for
example.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council’s alternatives could include the following:
1. Continue the Study Session if more information is necessary in order to provide direction to
staff on preparing an ordinance.
2. Request clarification or revisions to An Evaluation of Hours of Use for City of San Luis
Obispo Open Space.
3. Discontinue further analysis to change hours of use in City Open Space.
Attachments:
a - An Evaluation of Hours of Use for City of San Luis Obispo Open Space
b - Written Comments Consolidated - Open Space Hours
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An Evaluation of Hours of Use for
City of San Luis Obispo Open Space
Prepared for:
City Council
Prepared by:
Robert A. Hill
Natural Resources Manager
March 21, 2017
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of San Luis Obispo has acquired approximately 3,850 acres of open space lands that feature a
publically-accessible trail network totaling over 50 miles. The City’s current Open Space Regulations
allow for passive recreational use of these properties from one hour before sunrise until one hour after
sunset. Recently, trail users have approached City Council requesting that the Council consider
allowing additional hours of use during the winter time in order to allow for trail use after normal work
schedule hours. Existing policy documents pertinent to the City’s Open Space express a clear priority
for protection of natural resource values, as well as compatibility of trailheads located in neighborhood
settings, while allowing passive recreation only when consistent with these primary goals. An additional
consideration is the extent to which additional hours of use may results in increased safety risks to both
trail users as well as emergency response personnel. This report seeks to cast these issues into a formal
public policy analysis framework to assist with defining the problem, understanding the background and
facts pertinent to the matter, identifying possible alternative courses of action, and establishing
evaluative criteria as a basis for making a recommendation for the City Council and community’s
consideration.
Problem Definition
Trail users are unable to lawfully utilize City of San Luis Obispo Open Space during winter months after
normal work hours under current Open Space Regulations. However, expansion of hours of use for City
Open Space appears to be in conflict with established City policies intended to protect natural resource
values and neighborhoods proximate to trailheads, and may also pose increased safety risk to trail users
and emergency response personnel.
Alternatives
Possible alternative courses of action include: 1.) let present trends continue; 2.) allow for increased
hours of use; 3.) optimize hours of use through time-specific, seasonal hours of use; 4.) consider site-
specific locations for changes to hours of use; and, 5.) consider docent-led outings as pilot programs.
Combinations of the above alternatives are possible, and ongoing monitoring and subsequent re-
evaluation is recommended for all of the alternatives.
Evaluative Criteria
Criteria for evaluating alternatives for Open Space hours of use issue may include: 1.) consistency with
the City’s existing policy framework; 2.) environmental review and impact analysis; 3.) stakeholder and
trail user preferences; 4.) fiscal impacts pertaining to staffing resources and equipment; and 5.) trail user
and emergency response personnel safety.
Findings and Recommendations
The extent to which changes to the existing hours of use policy will create substantive new impacts to
natural resource values, neighborhoods, and safety are unknown, nor have thresholds for evaluating
these impacts been established. When setting policy in the face of such uncertainty, staff recommends a
very cautious and conservative approach. Should the City Council desire to make changes to the
existing policy, staff recommends a combination of optimized hours of use, site specific locations, and
docent-led outings as pilot programs with ongoing monitoring and subsequent re-evaluation.
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BACKGROUND
Open Space Overview
The City of San Luis Obispo has acquired approximately 3,850 acres of open space lands comprised of
fourteen major properties held in open space reserve, natural reserve, agricultural reserve, or ecological
reserve status. These properties, collectively, feature a trail network of both single-use trails and multi-
use trails totaling over 50 miles. The Natural Resources Protection Program works in close
collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department’s Ranger Service to form the “Open Space
Team” in order to ensure the highest care, long-term stewardship, and appropriate public use of the
City’s Open Space network.
The City of San Luis Obispo formalized its Open Space program in 1994 with the adoption of an
updated General Plan Land Use Element and Open Space Element, with the allocation of land
acquisition funding in 1995, and the hiring of the first Natural Resources Manager in early 1996. A
subsequent General Plan update resulted in the establishment of the Conservation and Open Space
Element that was adopted in 2006. Other key policy and regulatory documents include the Conservation
Guidelines for Open Space Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo, property-specific Conservation Plans,
as well as various sections of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code including the City’s Open Space
Regulations (chapter 12.22) that were adopted in 1998. In 2015, the City adopted an Open Space
Maintenance Plan that established formal maintenance standards and specifications for the first time.
The City also conducted an Open Space Survey in 2015 in collaboration with Cal Poly’s City and
Regional Planning Department that documented existing site conditions, levels of use at various Open
Space properties, as well as trail user demographics and preferences. The foregoing planning and policy
framework is listed and hyperlinked under the References section at the end of this report.
The City’s current open space property inventory, as well as the land classifications and allowable trail
uses identified in associated property-specific Conservation Plans, are as follows:
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A map of the Open Space properties owned by the City of San Luis Obispo is shown below:
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Prior Council Direction
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of August 16, 2016, in response to public testimony
regarding a request for reconsideration of the City’s published hours of use for Open Space, “a majority
of the City Council directed staff to bring back on a future agenda a project plan for revising the ordinance
limiting public access of the open space from dusk to dawn.” (Council Minutes, Tuesday August 16,
2016, Regular Meeting of the City Council, pgs. 1-2).
On February 21, 2017, the City Council voted 4-1 to receive and file the Project Plan for evaluation of the
Open Space hours of use regulations as a Consent Agenda item. Numerous individuals and interested
groups provided written public comments, as well as testimony at the hearing. The City Council provided
parameters for this report including eliminating from consideration any extended hours of use at Bishop
Peak Natural Reserve and consideration of winter hours of use up to a level commensurate with summer
hours of use. (Agenda Action Update, Tuesday February 21, 2017, Regular Meeting of the City Council,
pg. 2).
Project Plan Overview and Implementation
The overarching strategy contemplated in the Project Plan detailed in the February 21, 2017 Council
Agenda Report is to conduct a formal policy analysis in order to provide a rational fully informed decision-
making process for assessment and evaluation of current regulations pertaining to Open Space hours of
use. Staff is utilizing the process set forth by Eugene Bardach in his text, A Practical Guide for Policy
Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving (2nd Edition, 2005):
1. Problem Definition
2. Assemble Evidence
3. Construct Policy Alternatives
4. Select Evaluative Criteria
5. Project Outcomes of Alternatives
6. Evaluate Trade-Offs
7. Make a Recommendation
8. Provide Rationale for Recommendation
To carry out the Project Plan, the following strategy was identified:
1. Internal and comparative external policy review;
2. Review of academic, peer reviewed literature and nocturnal wildlife survey data;
3. Conduct stakeholder and affected user group interviews, as well as public outreach (website,
interested parties list, etc.) consistent with the Public Engagement and Notification Manual;
4. Prepare a “white paper” of major findings and recommendations;
5. Public Hearing / Study Session.
INTERNAL AND COMPARATIVE EXTERNAL POLICY REVIEW
Regulations – City of San Luis Obispo and Five Other Agencies
The City’s current Open Space hours of use regulations, as codified in San Luis Obispo Municipal Code,
as well as the current regulations of five other public agency parks / open space purveyors (Mid-
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Peninsula Regional Open Space District, East Bay Regional Parks District, Santa Clara Valley Open
Space Authority, San Luis Obispo County Parks, and California State Parks ) are as follows:
City of San Luis Obispo
12.22.050: Rules and regulations applicable in city open space lands.
The following rules and regulations apply in all open space lands within or under the control of
the City of San Luis Obispo, unless expressly stated otherwise elsewhere in this chapter.
B. Presence in Open Space Lands Restricted to Certain Hours—No Overnight Usage.
Open space lands where public access is permitted shall be open to the public from dawn to dusk.
It shall be unlawful to enter or remain within such lands between one hour after sunset and one
hour before sunrise of the following day without approval from the director.
Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District
805.3 After Official Hours Use Prohibited. No person shall enter or remain on District Lands
after “Official Hours,” which are defined as the period of one-half hour after official Sunset to
one-half hour before official Sunrise the following day without a written permit. The times for
Sunrise and Sunset shall be determined by the U.S. Naval Observatory’s official postings for Los
Altos, California.
East Bay Regional Parks District
SECTION 906. CURFEW. No person other than the house guests of the concessionaire-resident
or an employee renting a house from the District, persons fishing in parks designated for
nighttime fishing, or person possessing valid written permission to camp, shall enter upon or
otherwise remain within the District for any purpose whatsoever between the hours specifically
posted as curfew hours at the entrance to the particular District parkland, or where no hours are
posted, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Those persons possessing a valid permit
shall be allowed to remain and use parklands and facilities as specified in their permit, after
which time they shall leave the District without any appreciable delay.
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
4.01.02 Curfew. No person shall enter, use, occupy or park any vehicle on any Authority Land
from sunset to sunrise, except when authorized by a permit.
San Luis Obispo County Parks
11.04.030 - General use.
(a.) Hours of Use—Closed Areas. The director or designee is authorized to promulgate opening
and closing hours for all county parks and facilities, including the waters within such parks. No
person shall enter, remain in, or camp in or on any county park or facility during the hours or any
part of the hours said park or facility is closed without a permit issued from the director or
designee, which shall be secured in advance. It is unlawful for any person to enter any county
park area or facility which is posted against entry unless authorized in advance by the director or
designee.
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(g). Curfew. A curfew is established between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. at all county
parks and facilities, excluding county operated campgrounds.
California State Parks (Montana de Oro)
California Code of Regulations §4320 Peace and Quiet and §4458 Nighttime Closure. 6:00 AM
to 10:00 PM.
Policies - City of San Luis Obispo Conservation and Open Space Element
The following programs, policies, and goals from the Conservation and Open Space Element appear
pertinent to the evaluation of Open Space hours of use issue:
7.0. Background
“Natural Communities” refers to the web of organisms, other than people, that live in the area.
Many of the physical requirements for natural communities are provided by open space. Natural
communities give open space much of its value for human enjoyment. Natural communities also
have value in their own right, independent of their role as sustainers of the human community or
as pleasant vistas. As urban uses expand into open space, the natural cycles and interrelationships
upon which natural communities depend are altered. This results in the disturbance,
displacement, loss of habitat or mobility and the loss of animal or plant populations. For
example, each species requires a specific range of environmental conditions to survive and
reproduce. Areas within this range constitute the species’ niche or more generally, habitat.
Animals move within and through habitat areas to find water, food, shelter, and to reproduce.
Such movements have evolved over time to fit animals’ needs within the natural landscape.
Urban development and linear barriers such as major roadways change the landscape too
quickly for many animals to adapt, thus interrupting and blocking such movement. As a result,
wildlife populations are separated from their historic habitat and from other breeding populations
of the same species. The result: a gradual reduction in the numbers and diversity of wildlife. As a
steward for the natural resources of future generations, the City must preserve habitat and the
species that it supports.
7.2. GOAL: Sustainable natural populations.
The City will maintain and enhance conditions necessary to enable a species to become self-
sustaining. Within the San Luis Obispo planning area, the City will seek to achieve self-
sustaining populations of the plants, fish and wildlife that made up the natural communities in
the area when urbanization began.
7.3.3. Wildlife habitat and corridors.
Continuous wildlife habitat, including corridors free of human disruption, shall be preserved and
where necessary, created by interconnecting open spaces, wildlife habitat and corridors.
8.4.2. GOAL: Open spaces access and restoration.
The City intends to allow public access to open space that fosters knowledge and appreciation of
open space resources without harming them and without exposing the public to unacceptable
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risk. The main goal is to protect open space and wildlife habitat, with a secondary goal of
providing passive recreation where it will not harm the environment.
8.5.1. Public access.
Public access to open space resources, with interpretive information, should be provided when
doing so is consistent with protection of the resources, and with the security and privacy of
affected landowners and occupants. Access will generally be limited to non-vehicular movement,
and may be visually or physically restricted in sensitive areas. …The City shall also designate
open space areas that are not intended for human presence or activity.
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, in accordance with an approved open space conservation plan. Passive recreation
activities may include: hiking, nature study, bicycle use, rock climbing, horseback riding or other
passive recreational activities as permitted and regulated in the Open Space Ordinance.
8.5.6. Determination of appropriate uses for City-owned open space.
Determination of the appropriate land management practices and the recreational uses of City-
owned open space lands shall be made on an area-specific basis, based upon the policies in the
Conservation and Open Space Element, the Open Space Ordinance (SLOMC 12.22), and the
adopted “Conservation Guidelines for City-Owned Open Space Lands.” These policies will be
applied through the public planning and review process specified in the Conservation Guidelines,
and will guide the preparation and adoption of conservation plans for City-owned open space
properties.
Appendix C: Management of Open Space Lands.
1. The City will manage land that it owns, or controls through lease or easement, to implement
the policies of this element…
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…
Priority 1
Protection of existing wildlife and natural habitat generally.
Protection of existing listed species and their existing habitat, or re-establishment of such
habitat where damaged.
Protection of public resources such as water quality (watershed runoff and groundwater
recharge).
Avoidance of threats to public health and safety…
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Priority 2
Public access and passive recreation.
Protection of scenic resources.
Priority 3
Scientific study.
Agricultural production.
Summary of Regulatory and Policy Review
The City of San Luis Obispo’s existing regulations for Open Space hours of use are generally consistent
with other agencies that allow for day-use only of trails for passive recreation purposes. Those agencies
that have camping facilities generally have hours of use that extend further into the evening until 10:00
PM. The City’s policy framework clearly expresses a preference for natural resource protection as a
primary management goal while allowing passive recreation and other uses as secondary or tertiary
priorities when compatible. Other agencies, even those with more restrictive hours, such as the Mid-
Peninsula Regional Open Space District, state in their policy documents that natural resource protection
and public recreation are considered co-equal and these goals are to be managed accordingly. One key
difference between the City of San Luis Obispo and all of the other agencies reviewed is that the City’s
total Open Space holdings are substantially smaller; thus, other agencies arguably are able to disperse
use impacts over a much greater land area.
LITERATURE REVIEW
City of Boulder
The City of Boulder, Colorado, served as a key case study for the City of San Luis Obispo when we
were developing our Greenbelt Protection Program in the early to mid-1990s. Staff again returned to the
City of Boulder as a reference and learned that their community has also studied and carefully
considered its hours of use for access to Open Space. In 2012, the City of Boulder requisitioned a study
prepared by ERO Resources Corporation titled, “Nighttime Access Management White Paper Analysis”.
The City of Boulder study is the most directly comparable study that staff has located on this specific
subject. Although there are many similarities, there are also important differences between our two
cities and Open Space programs, including total protected land area and associated staffing and
infrastructure, wildlife species and habitat composition, and landscape topography. This study analyzed
the effects of trail use on natural resources, the effects of lighting upon wildlife, and the specific effects
of nighttime trail use upon wildlife, while noting, “The likely impacts to natural resources of nighttime
use that are distinct from the impacts of daytime use are largely focused on wildlife… However, the
effects of temporary light exposure and nighttime trail use on wildlife are not well documented.”
One of the key differences in recreational patterns and equipment between 1998 when the City of San
Luis Obispo’s Open Space Regulations were adopted and today is that the quality and intensity of
mobile lighting equipment (headlamps, bike lights) has improved dramatically. The City of Boulder
study, following several other cited studies, found that this “spotlighting” effect can have immediate
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short-term effects on wildlife that disrupts “the natural patterns of movement and foraging” while
speculating that such short-term effects can lead to long-term changes in behavior and vigor.
The City of Boulder study also looked at changes in habituation related to trail use, in general, and
temporal displacement. Many species become habituated and accustomed to human interaction, while
others become more active at night in order to avoid human interactions and disturbance (temporal
displacement). In the either case, extending hours of use further into the nighttime hours was noted to
be deleterious to wildlife due to unpredictable visitor use such as “…travel along trails during unusual
times (e.g. at night)” while “Displacement may carry survival costs for wildlife such as increased
predation or decreased feeding efficiency at night for some species.” To reiterate, however, the
landscape and wildlife composition of Boulder, Colorado is different from San Luis Obispo, California,
and this study ultimately concludes that “The severity and scope of impact to individual animals or
populations is uncertain.”
Effects of Recreation on Animals
Adequate review of academic, peer-reviewed literature for the purposes of informing this report proved
challenging due to the differences in study design, statistical methods, or specificity of the study
hypothesis. One paper that appears useful, however, “Effects of Recreation on Animals Revealed as
Widespread through a Global Systematic Review” (Larson, Reed, Merenlender, Crooks, 2016) analyzed
the findings and trends of 274 other articles:
Outdoor recreation is typically assumed to be compatible with biodiversity conservation and is
permitted in most protected areas worldwide. However, increasing numbers of studies are
discovering negative effects of recreation on animals. We conducted a systematic review of the
scientific literature and analyzed 274 articles on the effects of non-consumptive recreation on
animals, across all geographic areas, taxonomic groups, and recreation activities.
From the articles reviewed in this study, a clear trend exists documenting negative effects of recreation
on mammals such as coyote, lion, bobcat, or lion. Articles that evaluated impacts of hiking/running,
wildlife viewing, biking, or dog walking also revealed clear trends showing negative impacts. It is very
important to note that this study did not specifically look at the nighttime use issue, although it would
stand to reason that if recreational impacts are clear, in general, that additional use could lead to
additional impacts. What is perhaps most useful about this study is that it also summarized the
management recommendations found in the articles it evaluated, where present. The most frequent
management recommendation, found more than twice as often as any other recommendation, is the use
of spatial restrictions to lessen or minimize recreational use impacts. Spatial restrictions imply
management actions such as designated trail-free areas within protected areas. Indeed, across all of the
City of San Luis Obispo’s Open Space areas, 80% of the total land area has been designated “Habitat”
through our Conservation Plan process (see summary table, page 2). Other prominent management
recommendations include visitor education, capping total visitation, and temporal restrictions (i.e.
seasonal closures). This study concludes, “The effects of recreation on animals is still a relatively
unknown and low-profile topic in the conservation science literature, despite growing evidence that
detrimental impacts can occur from a wide variety of recreational activities.”
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WILDLIFE SURVEY DATA REVIEW
The City of San Luis Obispo has recently taken steps to better understand the extent and diversity of
wildlife use in its Open Space network. Previously, biological resources inventories prepared for
Conservation Plans have relied on observations of animal tracks, scat, hair and other evidence of
wildlife use and occupation. These studies have also typically been conducted over a very short period,
thus only representing a “snapshot” in time. Anecdotal evidence and occasional sightings have also
helped enrich our understanding of wildlife use of City Open Space.
In the past few years, however, the City has begun to deploy wildlife game cameras that can be
positioned at various locations within a given Open Space property to detect and document wildlife use.
In 2014, a Cal Poly student, Ms. Jessica Engdahl, prepared a study of wildlife use titled Wildlife Survey
and Identification of Game Trails: Bishop Peak Natural Reserve for her Senior Project under the
guidance of advisor Dr. John Perrine and City Biologist Freddy Otte (see References). Ms. Engdahl’s
study revealed a wide variety of wildlife using Bishop Peak, especially during the evening hours. Since
then, City staff have continued to collect wildlife data using the same methodology at both Bishop Peak
Natural Reserve and Irish Hills Natural Reserve. Collectively, these data reveal a variety of different
animals using these areas, including animals such as skunk, possum, squirrel and raccoon, as well as
coyote, fox, deer, bobcat, and mountain lion (see photos, below). It is clear that these animals are often
active at dawn and dusk and throughout the night, although there are also numerous data points during
daylight hours. While these studies and data collection efforts are increasing our understanding of
wildlife use in City Open Space, it is premature to make definitive determinations about trends and
patterns of use and the potential effects of human use during evening hours.
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STAKEHOLDER REVIEW
The following stakeholders were identified in the Project Plan that is underpinning this report:
Residents Neighbors Property Owners
Passive Recreation Users Emergency Response Personnel Academia
Regional partners, natural
resources agencies & NGOs
Native plant communities and
wildlife
Future generations
In order to better understand stakeholder concerns and preferences, informal interviews and
communications were conducted in February 2017 with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo
(ECOSLO), the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo
County, Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers, SLO Trail Runners, as well as various individuals.
Staff from the City’s Fire Department and Ranger Service were also consulted. A prominent trend that
emerged across all stakeholder communications is that there is a high value placed on local land
conservation and protection. No one suggested that broad, sweeping changes and unfettered use is
needed or appropriate. It is also clear that City Open Space is a topic of considerable interest, and many
individuals have deeply held, passionate feelings about both wildlife and natural resources protection, as
well as the ability to access open space for physical and mental fitness and overall well-being.
Those expressing a preference for keeping Open Space hours of use as they are cited existing City
policies and the importance of upholding the General Plan. It was also mentioned that changes to
environmental quality and integrity are often insidious, occurring slowly over longer periods of time.
Another important discussion point was the idea of giving a voice to plants and animals, as well as
future generations. Neighbors and nearby property owners note that nighttime use is already prolific and
problematic due to noise, and additional hours of use would likely exacerbate these problems. An
additional consideration is that numerous City Open Space properties are encumbered with protective
deed restrictions or easements, or were acquired with grant funding with restrictive grant agreements.
Those expressing a preference for allowing additional use of Open Space during evening hours brought
forward many thoughtful ideas to explore. These included docent-led outings for full moon or star-
gazing, extended hours one night per week, a permit or quota system, allowance of extended hours at
Open Space properties that are not situated near trailheads, and a site-specific pilot program. It was
noted that nighttime use is occurring unlawfully now, and that the problem uses such as partying,
campfires, and camping could be curbed by allowing positive uses with more “eyes on the prize”. A key
consideration arising from one interview was that any decisions that might be reached on this topic
should be data-driven and factually-based.
Fire Department personnel were clear that emergency response is substantially more complicated in the
dark, and nighttime use exposes staff to increased risk of slips, trips, and falls, as well as environmental
hazards such as poison oak. Ranger Service personnel indicated their willingness to accommodate
additional hours of use, noting that some staff would enjoy flexible schedules / shifts, although
ultimately additional hours of use requiring Ranger patrol will spread limited staff resources out further.
Packet Pg. 288
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12
POLICY ANALYSIS
Problem Definition
Trail users are unable to lawfully utilize City of San Luis Obispo Open Space during winter months after
normal work hours under current Open Space Regulations. However, expansion of hours of use for City
Open Space appears to be in conflict with established City policies intended to protect natural resource
values and neighborhoods proximate to trailheads, and may also pose increased safety risk to trail users
and emergency response personnel.
Alternatives
Possible alternative courses of action may include:
1.) Let present trends continue. This alternative would keep Open Space hours of use as they are now,
while Natural Resources Program and Ranger Service staff continue to survey and collect wildlife data
to better inform future management decisions.
2.) Allow for increased hours of use. This alternative would increase hours of use during winter hours to
match available hours of use during summer months.
3.) Optimize hours of use through time-specific, seasonal hours of use. This alternative would seek to
optimize total hours of use throughout the year by setting time-specific hours of use by season. For
example, at present on the earliest sunset of the year Open Space closes at 5:50 PM and on the latest
sunset of year Open Space closes at 9:21 PM. Daylight saving time is not in effect between November
and March, a period of just over three months. Optimizing total hours of use so that Open Space closes
at 7:00 PM when daylight saving time is not in effect during the winter and 9:00 PM when it is in effect
during the summer would allow additional availability during the winter, but Open Space would close
somewhat earlier in the summer. The total number of hours of use throughout the course of the year
would be approximately the same.
4.) Consider site-specific locations for changes to hours of use. This alternative would allow either
increased hours or optimized hours at site specific locations only. Such a location would ideally avoid
Open Space properties where wildlife use is thought to be most prolific, avoid neighborhood, and would
have relatively straightforward emergency response access. Johnson Ranch Open Space and Irish Hills
Natural Reserve are part of a much larger wildlife habitat that is ecologically connected to the larger
Irish Hills landscape, while Stenner Springs Natural Reserve and Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve are
similarly connected to the Los Padres National Forest. Bishop Peak Natural Reserve, Terrace Hill Open
Space, South Hills Natural Reserve, and Islay Hill Open Space are all very proximate to existing
neighborhoods. This leaves Laguna Lake Natural Reserve and Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve as
possible candidates for site-specific hours of use; both properties are located away from neighborhoods,
feature designated parking areas, and have emergency vehicle access. Wildlife use and species
composition at these properties, compared to those connected to larger landscapes, is not known
although both properties are tangent to urbanized areas and disturbances such as Highway 101.
Packet Pg. 289
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13
5.) Consider docent-led outings as pilot programs. This alternative was suggested in several stakeholder
discussions, and is a fairly common practice among other agencies with Open Space properties.
Opportunities for full moon outings or star-gazing outings provide a valuable outdoor education
experience in a controlled setting.
No matter what alternative or combinations of the alternatives are selected, staff recommends ongoing
monitoring and subsequent re-evaluation given the uncertainty of the effects of nighttime use on City
Open Space and surrounding areas. This report also recognizes and acknowledges that the City Council
precluded from consideration increased hours of use at Bishop Peak Natural Reserve at its meeting of
February 21, 2017.
Evaluative Criteria
Criteria for evaluating alternatives for Open Space hours of use issue may include: 1.) consistency with
the City’s existing policy framework; 2.) environmental review and impact analysis; 3.) stakeholder and
trail user preferences; 4.) fiscal impacts pertaining to staffing resources and equipment; and 5.) trail user
and emergency response personnel safety.
Projected Outcomes of Alternatives
Open Space Hours of
Use Decision Matrix
Consistent
with Policy
Environmental
Impact
Stakeholders
- Change
Stakeholders
- No Change
Fiscal
Impact
Safety
Impact
1. Present trends Yes No No Yes No No
2. Increased Hours No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
3. Optimized Hours Yes No Yes Maybe No Maybe
4. Site Specific Hours Maybe Maybe Yes Maybe Yes Maybe
5. Pilot Program Maybe No Maybe Maybe Yes No
Findings and Recommendations
The extent to which changes to the existing hours of use policy will create substantive new impacts to
natural resource values, neighborhoods, and safety are unknown, nor have thresholds for evaluating
these impacts been established. When setting policy in the face of such uncertainty, staff recommends a
very cautious and conservative approach. Should the City Council desire to make changes to the
existing policy, staff recommends a combination of optimized hours of use, site specific locations, and
docent-led outings as pilot programs with ongoing monitoring and subsequent re-evaluation.
This set of recommendations appears to best address the evaluative criteria while still allowing an
opportunity to address the problem statement. With acknowledgment of the uncertainties associated
with wildlife management and complex ecological systems, this approach also appears to be
appropriately cautious. An additional benefit of the set, optimized hours of use strategy is that it may
lead to increased user compliance because the allowed hours of use are less ambiguous compared to the
existing policy, which, in turn, may lead to less enforcement burden on Ranger Service personnel.
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REFERENCES
Adopted Policy Documents:
1. Open Space Ordinance (Ord. 1332 § 1 (part), 1998)
2. Conservation and Open Space Element (2006)
3. Conservation Guidelines for Open Space Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo (2002)
4. Land Use Element (2014)
Adopted Open Space Conservation Plans:
1. Agricultural Master Plan for the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve (2011)
2. Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2015 Update)
3. Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2005)
4. Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2011 Update)
5. Johnson Ranch Open Space Conservation Plan (2008)
6. Laguna Lake Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2014)
7. South Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2007)
8. Stenner Springs Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2009)
9. Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve Conservation Plan (2013)
10. Terrace Hill Open Space Conservation Plan (2015)
Adopted Maintenance Plan:
1. Open Space Maintenance Plan (2015)
Literature Review:
1. City of San Luis Obispo Open Space Survey (Riggs et. al., 2015)
2. Wildlife Survey and Identification of Game Trails: Bishop Peak Natural Reserve (Engdahl,
2013) Note: This document is included as Appendix B to the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve
Conservation Plan.
3. Nighttime Access Management White Paper Analysis (City of Boulder, 2012)
4. Effects of Recreation on Animals (Larson, Reed, Merenlender, Crooks, 2016)
PHOTOS AND MAP CREDIT
Cover photo – Judith Hildinger
Wildlife game camera photos – Jessica Engdahl and City staff
Open Space Map – City staff
Packet Pg. 291
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From:Johnson, Derek
To:Gary Felsman General
Cc:Hill, Robert; Department Heads
Subject:RE: San Luis Obispo Open Space Update and Usage Request
Date:Wednesday, September 07, 2016 9:47:05 PM
Attachments:image001.png
Good Evening Gary,
Thank you for the email to the City Council. We appreciate your support and the volunteer
hours and dedication to the City’s open space. As you may know, the City Council
directed staff to explore opportunities to provide access to open space during evening
hours after public comment on August 16, 2016.
We intend to return to the City Council with a project plan to outline our approach and
anticipate returning to the City Council in Spring 2017 in a study session format to receive
specific direction. This email copies Bob Hill who will be leading the effort and will certainly
be in touch with the broad base of residents and stakeholders on the process ahead of us.
Please expect to hear from Bob soon and thank you for reaching out to the City.
All the best,
Derek Johnson
Assistant City Manager
City Administrations
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
E djohnson@slocity.org
T 805.781.7112
slocity.org
BCC: Mayor and Council
From: Gary Felsman General [mailto:backpackingary1@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 1:57 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: San Luis Obispo Open Space Update and Usage Request
September 7, 2016
San Luis Obispo City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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Subject: Open Space Update and Usage Request
Dear Mayor and Council Members;
I am writing this letter as it has been almost a year since the City hired additional Rangers, approved
a Maintenance Plan for City Open Space Areas and having served on the Open Space Round Table
that concluded in June of 2016 with Bob Hill looking at what we want the City’s Open Space
Program to look like over the next 20 years. My wife and I are now regular volunteers working with
City Rangers every week and maintaining other trails as needed such as Islay Hill. I can say the
Ranger Staff and Bob hill really care about the City’s Open Space Areas and go above and beyond to
make sure everyone has a good experience while enjoy the Open Space Areas.
First and foremost I want to thank the City Council for having the foresight to hire additional Rangers
and enforcing many of the rules concerning Dogs on leash and Open Space hour usage. The City of
SLO should be proud of what has been accomplished in the last year. I have seen a significant
increase in compliance with leashed dogs and fewer problems with late night outings on many of
the Open Space Areas such as the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve.
Unfortunately, as changes are made, there are sometimes unintended consequences as a result of
such changes. In particular, the closure of Open Space Areas one hour after dusk during winter
hours has forced some individuals to find other ways to access places like San Luis Mountain and the
Irish Hills. For San Luis Mountain, many people are now using Serrano Drive, Hill Street, or the
Madonna Inn to access San Luis Mountain. Others are using the Costco Parking Lot to access the
Irish Hills. These areas provide direct access across private lands where the City really cannot
enforce these rules. I cannot say how much this is affecting these areas, but it is sure to increase as
the word spreads. Many of the Informal hiking groups and Meet Up Groups are now using these
other entry points.
These unintended consequences were also brought up in the Open Space Round Table with Bob Hill
and Doug Carscaden. One of the comments made was; “How can we balance the desire of
recreating in the evenings while at the same time protecting the wildlife, habitat and the neighbors
surrounding many of the Open Space Areas.” To potentially address this I have been looking at how
we could possibly allow some Open Space Areas to remain open longer during winter months giving
an individual the opportunity to take a hike/ride to the top of San Luis Mountain, using the Maino
Open Space Area after work for a couple of hours, or take evening walk/ride on Johnson Ranch.
I would like to suggest that the City work with the Parks and Recreation Department, Rangers and
Bob Hill to look at creating a pilot program to explore this avenue at either San Luis Mountain
and/or Johnson Ranch, thereby continuing to protect impacted neighborhoods, such as Bishop Peak
from night usage and limit the impacts on other neighborhoods such as Serrano Drive.
Below is an example of what I might suggest the Pilot Program look like:
· On Sunday, November 6th, 2016, the Sun sets at approximately 5 p.m. due to Daylight
Saving Time Change allowing users to only access San Luis Mountain until 6 p.m. with the
current Open Space Regulations. (One hour before sunrise and one hour before sunset)
· I would propose to the City to extend the hours of use on one or more of the Open Space
Areas allowing users to stay on the Open Space Area(s) of choice until 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
· If 7 p.m. is chosen; the start date would be November 6th, 2016. (Sunset on November 5th is
6 p.m. DST)
· If 7:30 p.m. is chosen; the Start Date would be October 15th, 2016. (Sunset is 6:30 p.m.)
th
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· If the hours are changed, these hours would stay in place until March 11 , 2017. This is
when Daylight Saving Starts again. At this point, the Open Space Hours would revert back to
normal operation one hour before sunrise and one hour before sunset.
· The actual hours of usage, when it begins and other details should be determined by the City
of SLO, Rangers and Bob Hill.
The ultimate goal here is to continue to protect the neighborhoods of the City, not impact the other
neighborhoods that may become more impacted as time goes on with the continued enforcement
of night time hiking/riding, while at the same time providing sufficient hours for wildlife movement
and habitat protection. It is my belief, that if we do expand some areas for extended use the city will
have the opportunity to educate those that choose to still violate the Dawn to Dusk Rule in areas
like Bishop Peak and redirect them to an Open Space Area that has extended hours of use.
I hope the City Council finds this information useful as we strive to create a balance between public
use, neighborhood protection and the protection of wildlife and habitat on the City of SLO’s Open
Space Areas.
If there are any questions, or would like to discuss this further please contact me.
Sincerely,
Gary Felsman
1266 Sumac Court
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
(805)473-3694
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com
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1
Hill, Robert
From:Johnson, Derek
Sent:Tuesday, February 07, 2017 3:38 PM
To:Diane Behn
Cc:Hill, Robert
Subject:RE: Opening Bishop's Peak to night use
Dear Ms. Behn:
Thank you for your email and City staff will be presenting a plan to analyze any changes in allowed night time
activities in open space. This plan and the associated process to consider changes to allow for nighttime uses
in open space will be considered by the City Council on the consent calendar at the 02/21/17 meeting. Public
Comments are taken on consent items and the item is only discussed by the City Council should the Mayor or
individual Council Members elect to pull the item for discussion. The agenda packet that will include the
project plan will be available to the public at the City’s website on 02/14/17.
Thank you and please be in touch with Bob Hill should you have any particular questions about the proposed
approach.
Derek Johnson
Assistant City Manager
City Administrations
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
E djohnson@slocity.org
T 805.781.7112
slocity.org
BCC: Mayor and Council
From: Diane Behn [mailto:slocpm@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2017 3:07 PM
To: E‐mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: Opening Bishop's Peak to night use
Councilmembers:
Word has it that the Council is considering permitting the Bishop's Peak preserve to be used by the public after
dusk. Even on a trial basis, that use could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in rescue and evacuation
expenses. I sure hope you have your part of those expenses accounted for!
Packet Pg. 296
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2
Each year there are at least a few necessary rescues of people who have injured themselves. Most of these are
during daylight hours. In darkness it is logical to assume there are likely to be more accidents. I have been up
to the top many times, yet the trail remains challenging to maneuver in many places.
Aside from the expenses related to rescues, people are already making use of the preserve as a place to go and
have a few drinks and/or to smoke marijuana after nightfall. I know this to be the case because I live in the
neighborhood and I walk up Highland Drive early almost every morning. I see the evidence (empty bottles and
cans, blunts, once even a baggie of marijuana) all the time. If you officially declare the preserve to be opened at
night, you can expect that use to increase dramatically. People using the preserve after dark now do so because
they know City does not patrol after dark.
If you knowingly opening the preserve for the use of recreational drugs and alcohol, you will need to put
something in your budget to cover the cost of nighttime patrols. You might need to impose some type of fines
for smoking in the preserve. You might also need to patrol it more extensively for use by the homeless. That
will inevitably occur, and probably not near or on the trails, but in less seen, more remote areas. Oh yes, and
look forward to increased ranger service. Your employees will need to spend more time at the trailheads to pick
up the greater amount of litter left by the increased party activity night use invites.
Please do not inflict upon the residents of the neighborhood a much bigger burden by expecting them to let you
know how well night use is working (or not), or expect them to pick up exponentially more trash. The people
who reside on upper Highland Drive have already been picking up the trash left behind by day hikers on a daily
basis for years.
You have properly acknowledged the fire concerns the preserve represents. If you are serious about the fire
risk, and If you do not have a budget dedicated for many more rescues as well as for night patrol services and
trash removal, you will not open the preserve to use by the public after dark.
Diane Behn
939 Skyline Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
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COUNCIL MEETING:? :, _ RECEIVED
ITEM NO.: I - FEB 2 2 2017
SLO CITY CLERK
From: Kathy apRoberts
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 8:05 AM
To: E-mail Council Website «mailcoundl@slocity,org>
Cc: Hill, Robert <rhill@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>
Subject: 2/21 City Council Meeting
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
I addressed you last night on behalf of the natural inhabitants of all our designated Open
Spaces. They have no voice, and as a community we have committed to protect and preserve their
habitats. (COSE 2oo6). All land use decisions are governed by the General Plan and must be
consistent with the Plan's direction.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES (COSE 2006)
As urban uses expand into open space, the natural cycles and interrelationships upon which natural
communities depend are altered. This results in the disturbance, displacement, loss of habitat or mobility and
the loss of animal or plant populations. For example, each species requires a specific range of environmental
conditions to survive and reproduce. Areas within this range constitute the species' niche or more generally,
habitat. Animals move within and through habitat areas to find water, food, shelter, and to reproduce. Such
movements have evolved over time to fit animals' needs within the natural landscape. Urban development and
linear barriers such as major roadways change the landscape too quickly for many animals to adapt, thus
interrupting and blocking such movement. As a result, wildlife populations are separated from their historic
habitat and from other breeding populations of the some species. The result: a gradual reduction in the numbers
and diversity of wildlife. As a steward far the natural resources of future -generations, the City must preserve
habitat and the species that it supports.
I am so disappointed that four of you are in support of considering night hiking. It appears that you
are only listening to "the loudest voices in the room", who are not content to enjoy our Open Spaces
during current established hours. While your motion excluded Bishop Peak Natural Preserve, you are
opening up all other open spaces for consideration of night hiking. This is absolutely not
unacceptable.
Kathy apRoberts
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17
COUNCIL MEETING: -21-11
ITEM NO.: 5!
FEB 2 2 2017
CITY CLE
From: Richard J. Krejsa [
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 4:39 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcounci! slocit .or >
Cc: Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>;
Rivoire, Dan <DRivoire@slocitv.crg>; Christianson, Carlyn <cchristianson@slocity.org>
Subject: NIGHT HIKING IN CITY OPEN SPACES
To: City Council <emailcounciWslocity.yr >
cc: Heidi Harmon <hharmon@slocity.or>; Andy Pease <apease@slocity.or >; Aaron Gomez
agom ez @ sl ocity. o r >;
Dan Rivoire <drivoire@slocity.or >; Carlyn Christianson <cchristianson@slocity.org>
From: Dr. Richard J. Krejsa <
Subject: Night Hiking in City Open Spaces
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Dr. Richard J. Krejsa. In 1971, 1 became Co -Founder and Frist Chairman of ECOSLO. In 1994, after
35 years of teaching fisheries biology, resource conservation, and comparative anatomy at a total of 5 well-
known institutions of higher education, I retired from Cal Poly's Biological Sciences Department as Emeritus
Professor.
During 1994 and 1995, 1 was one of two biologists that served on the City of San Luis Obispo's Environmental
Quality Task Force (EQTF). At that time I also contributed to and helped review our first Open Space Element.
Our goal on the EQTF was to understand the diversity of organisms, plant and animals, that lived within the
planned borders of the City of SLO and to plan the preservation of Open Spaces that would be saved, not
developed, to protect those organisms in our greenbelt. If you have not yet read the EQTF's final report, I
heartily recommend that you do so.
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City Parks were to exist for People. The Open Spaces were to be protected spaces for the natural organisms
living therein or upon: They were NOT to become parks! Aside from erosion and plant damage, one major
potential widespread ecological damage of night hiking would be the role of lighting on behavioral activities,
e.g., feeding, mating, nesting, etc., on local terrestrial vertebrate fauna, i.e., amphibians, reptiles, birds, &
mammals. Lots of life histories!
Over those past years as professor, my job was to profess to my students whatever I believed, on the basis of
scholarship and experience, to be the current biological truths as I understood them. I now profess to you
that I am vigorously opposed to allowing any form of night -hiking in any of our City's Open Spaces and/or
Greenbelt. Asking city residents to allow night -hiking will definitely degrade the precious open space ecology
that some of us have spent thousands of hours trying to preserve over the last 20+ years.
Recently, a Cal Poly student, hiking illegally on Bishop Peak after dark, fell off a cliff and was severely injured.
Peakside neighbors and those from adjoining neighborhoods were subject to: the chopping noise from three
rescue helicopters; beams of powerful searchlights scanning the peak and surrounding areas; hillside
disturbances of rescuers climbing up and down the mountain; and sheriff's sirens. No one likes to hear of
anyone being accidentally injured but this accident happened while the hiker was illegally hiking on the
mountain after dark. It should and could have been avoided.
As a final thought, I don't know what the civic fine is for night-time hiking on Bishop Peak but I doubt if it
comes anywhere close to paying for the costs of such a rescue all of which, I presume, are borne by
city/county taxpayers. Please increase, but don't repeal existing fines for night-time hiking.
Dr. Richard J. Krejsa
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v uCOUNCILMEETING:
ITEM NO.: FEB 21 2017
CITY CLERK{
From: cc me lean [
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 10:21 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <ema_ilcouncil@slocity.org>
Cc: Harmon, Heidi <h_harmo9 slocity.orp>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.orp; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>;
Rivoire, Dan <i),Rivoire slocity.org>; Christianson, Carlyn <cchristianson@siocity.org>
Subject: City Council Agenda Item 8 NIGHT HIKING 2/21/ 17
Please place in Agenda Correspondence. Thank you.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Please consider the following regarding night hiking:
1. As cited in our city's Municipal code, Open Space is set aside primarily for conservation.
2. A secondary use is recreation, such as hiking.
3. Conservation includes the land, animals and plants of the Open Space.
4. Wildlife is very active at dusk and dawn; it's necessary for their survival.
5. Our General Plan & COSE support the preservation of wildlife corridors.
As our city has expanded, we have maintained our responsibility as stewards of the land and
wildlife. Please help our city continue in the direction of these environmental values and limit hiking
and other non-destructive recreational uses of our Open Space to the time after sunrise and one hour
before sunset. This would also help cut back on the frequent, expensive rescues and injuries that
mostly occur during non -daylight hours. Who shoulders this expense?
Wild animals need to be able to leave their homes to obtain food and water. To be forced into human
encounters would be unsafe for both the stressed animals and humans. We have moved into their
territory and have a moral responsibility to allow them to survive and live in what remains of their
habitats. Please do not endorse night hiking. Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity to
support our city's Open Space, wildlife, land, trees and other plants.
Sincerely,
Cheryl McLean
San Luis Obispo
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17
COUNCIL MEETING:
ITEM NO.: .
II
FEB 21 2017
LO CITY CLERK
From: Christine Mulholland [
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 11:59 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: c-8 - night hikeing
Dear Mayor and Council members,
I am in full support of maintaining the prohibition on night time hiking in our Open Space.
I stand with the Sierra Club's letter to you, and those of others who have shared the purpose of Open Space and the
reasons for its creation.
Please make quick work of this by directing staff to discontinue any efforts to further this proposal.
Thank you,
Christine Mulholland
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17
COUNCIL MEETING: , - 2.1-J Z
ITEM NO.: 13• _-- _-- _ FEB 21 2017
From: Tom Neumann
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 11:26 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emaiicouncilC&slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocitv.org>; Pease, Andy
apease_@)slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>; Rivoire, Dan <QRivoire@slocity.or&>; Christianson, Carlyn
cchristianson @slocity.or>
Subject: No Night Hiking
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Please consider the following regarding night hiking:
1. As cited in our city's Municipal code, Open Space is set aside primarily for conservation.
2. A secondary use is recreation, such as hiking.
3. Conservation includes the land, animals and plants of the Open Space.
4. Wildlife is very active at dusk and dawn; it's necessary for their survival.
5. Our General Plan & COSE support the preservation of wildlife corridors.
As our city has expanded, we have maintained our responsibility as stewards of the land and
wildlife. Please help our city continue in the direction of these environmental values and limit hiking
and other non-destructive recreational uses of our Open Space to the time after sunrise and one hour
before sunset. This would also help cut back on the frequent, expensive rescues and injuries that
mostly occur during non -daylight hours. Who shoulders this expense?
Wild animals need to be able to leave their homes to obtain food and water. To be forced into human
encounters would be unsafe for both the stressed animals and humans. We have moved into their
territory and have a moral responsibility to allow them to survive and live in what remains of their
habitats. Please do not endorse night hiking. Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity to
support our city's Open Space, wildlife, land, trees and other plants.
Thank you,
Tom and Ann Neumann
SLO.
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17
OUNCI L MEETING:
ITEM NO,: _ 5 „ FEB 21 2017
5LO CITY
From: Pam[
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 11:37 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.or >
Subject: FW: No night hiking
From: Pam [
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 201711:35 AM
To: 'apease@slocity.org'; 'Aaron Gomez'; 'Dan Rivoire'; 'Carlyn Christianson'
Subject: No night hiking
Dear City Council Members,
Night hiking is dangerous, and it is a time for the animals to not be burdened with the presence of humans. Because of
this I urge you to not allow night hiking.
Thank you,
Pam Racouillat
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
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COUNCIL MEETING: R COVED
ITEM NO.:
FEB 21 2017
SLQ CITY
From: Ruggles Joanne [
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 2:46 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncii@slocity.org>
Subject: Concerns About Night Hiking on Bishop Peak
Madame Mayor and City Council members,
My husband and I have had the privilege of living on the slope of Bishop Peak for 25 years. We designed our
home with the assistance of two on my former architecture students that I taught years before at Cal Poly. That
home (heavily scrutinized because it was in the city's viewshed) won an Obispo Beautiful award the year after
it was completed. Because of our desire to use native plantings including over two dozen oak trees, many birds
and animals now reside on or visit our 2 1/2 acre site that directly borders the open space on Bishop
Peak. During the time we have been here, we have never considered fencing our property because it is clear that
these wild animals consider this land their own, and that our occupancy is temporary.
We have just been advised that the city council is once again considering whether night-time use of this open
space should be allowed. For that reason we are writing to ask that you please be aware that the city's
consideration of night-time hiking on Bishop's Peak poses serious problems for our existing neighborhood, as
well as for the animals that reside in this wild area at the city's edge.
Nighttime use puts the homes, property and citizens in our Bishop Peak neighborhood at increased jeopardy of
fire. While our daytime temperatures are generally mild, nighttime hikers (or overnight campers) who
Packet Pg. 305
17
experience our region's cold night weather are more likely to consider a camp fire as a good idea to keep warm.
Unfortunately a wildfire that starts at night on the mountain could likely prove to be disastrous to a sleeping
neighborhood.
Nighttime users are less likely to read existing signs providing the regulations that inform their use of the trail
and open space. Hiking after dark increases the likelihood of individuals leaving the trails, and getting lost or
injured. If rescue activities increased as a result, our city would face additional cost and liability exposure for
those efforts. Furthermore residents of the existing neighborhood who have a reasonable expectation of the
quiet necessary for sleep can similarly be compromised by nighttime use and the associated rescue activities
occurring on the mountain.
Nighttime use will compromise the health and vitality of the animal and bird populations that exist within this
open space area. Most animals come out under the protection of darkness to hunt and feed. Only when water or
food supplies are low, do you see these animals in daylight. After living on this property for 25 years we know
that many songbirds, owls, hawks, turkeys, wild cats, coyotes, foxes, deer, and other wild animals share this
beautiful place with us. While it is not often that we see them out in the daytime, we have see them enough (or
find evidence of them) to know they are living here with us. We are sharing a few photos of the animals we
have observed on our property.
Packet Pg. 306
17
k
01 JiK.,;-
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My husband took these rare telephoto shots last summer of a bobcat who was crossing on the side of our
property next to the hiking trail.)
3
Packet Pg. 307
17
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Packet Pg. 308
17
Packet Pg. 309
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Packet Pg. 310
17
These wild creatures should not be denied their natural habitat. Because their primary time to hunt and feed is at
night, we have an ethical duty to help them survive and our grandchildren deserve to find them still thriving in
the wild.
For these many reasons, we do not believe allowing nighttime access to Bishop Peak is wise. Thanks for
listening to our concerns.
Joanne and Philip Ruggles
San Luis Obispo, CA
Packet Pg. 311
17
COUNCIL MEETING: + "
C16CJ Vcv
ITEM NO.: f FED 2 2 2M)
SLS CITY CL E_ R
From: Sara von Schwind [
E
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 7:21 PM
To: Hill, Robert <rhill@slocity.org>
Cc: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: Re: Thank you and Agenda available
Dear Bob,
I was glad to see the City Council recommending moving forward tonight with the amended Project Plan for
Item #8. 1 was also glad to see Bishop Peak removed from consideration as well as limiting the hours to mirror
the summer hours. I am very interested, as you know, in some ability to hike after work all year round as we
have discussed and I have relayed to the city council through letters and testimony. If there is anything that I
can do to facilitate, coordinate, participate, or engage in the process please let me know. Thank you, Sara
Sara von Schwind
San Luis Obispo, CA
Feb 15, 2017 9:40 AM, "Hill, Robert" <rhillfcr,slocity.org> wrote:
Dear Ms. Von Schwind:
Thank you so much for your thoughtful dialogue this past summer pertaining to City open space, and
the hours of use issue, in particular.
As you will recall from the prior meeting, we were to prepare a Project Plan and return to City
Council. The Project Plan is on the City Council's meeting agenda for 2/21 that posted yesterday
afternoon; please see item C8: http://www.slocity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=14917
If the Project Plan moves forward, we anticipate returning to Council on 3/21 for the Study Session.
Best regards,
Packet Pg. 312
17
Robert Hill
Natural Resources Manager
City Administration
Natural Resources
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
E rhill@slocity.org
T 805.781.7211
slocity.org
Packet Pg. 313
17
COUNCIL MEETING: 12 -.R I 1 .. . %-
ow V `j
ITEM NO,:_____ _ _ FEB 21 2017
From: Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club [
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 5:09 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: 2/21/17 Agenda Item C8: Project Plan for Open Space Hours of Use Evaluation
SIERRA CLUB
SANTA LUCIA
TO: San Luis Obispo City Council
RE: 2/21/17 Agenda Item C8: Project Plan for Open Space Hours of Use Evaluation
Dear Mayor Harmon and Councilmembers,
As the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization, the Sierra Club is all about exploring,
enjoying and protecting the wild places of the earth. We practice and promote the responsible use of
ecosystems and resources. So as much as we might enjoy hiking at night in San Luis Obispo's natural open
spaces, or how convenient this might be for the schedules of some residents, we must advocate for
responsible use.
Please retain the Open Space Ordinance's proscription against night hiking intact and unmodified. The
purpose of the ordinance is to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat. This — not providing a place to go hiking — is
the primary goal of the ordinance and the City's open space program.
Most wildlife is most active after sunset, and will be severely disrupted by an influx of humans bearing
flashlights and headlamps. The money to hire the rangers you would need to supervise and oversee the
locations where you might decide to relax or suspend the ordinance is money you don't have and/or an
indefensible expense compared to simple enforcement. It is also the first step down a path where the next
question will be: "What else can we allow in natural open space that is not currently allowed, but somebody
asked us to in the name of convenience?"
The language of the open space ordinance is was put in place for a good reason. Please receive and file the
staff report and proceed no further down this path.
Thank you for your attention to this issue,
Andrew Christie, Director
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
Packet Pg. 314
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COUNCIL MEETING: grUrMff
ITEM NO.:
FEB 2 Y 2017
From: Camille Small[
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 12:56 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emaiicouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: Night Hlking on Council Agenda
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a Community, we have to look for the good of all. It isn't about a
small group interested in the personal experience of hiking at night.
It is about the animals.
It is about safety.
It is also about drawing people into neighborhoods in the dark
who cause problems.
The good people who hike must consider the negative elements.
Each issue is about standing up for the part of the community personally
aware of and/or experiencing a negative impact.
We are a community of residents who believe in stepping up for one
another and we respect and support those with a legitimate cause. We know the differences in right and wrong
whether the situation affects us
personally or not. We respect those that have put time and effort into an issue --and do not need to express
personal opinions to the contrary on
some lofty (unrealistic) and/or political bent.
Just as importantly, we have a history that deserves recognition.
What we are facing on many levels in several locations is some with the "final say" are new to many issues;
therefore, do not have a full understanding of what neighborhoods (and in this case, also nature) deserve.
It is never about one section of town against another. It is not one age group vs. another. It is about what is
fundamentally right for the largest
number of people.
As a matter of inquiry, may I learn how night hiking got onto the Council Agenda? I add this final question for
a reason because I know there are many items that have not been addressed on our behalf.
Let me give you two quick examples.
1 *We know that a large number of residents do not want tall buildings (surveys show). We asked if it
could be placed on the ballot (as there was time before the general election). Jan asked Katie if this
were possible and Katie said Staff was too busy ('plate full' was the term). It would have taken a
short ballot -worthy wording. A savvy volunteer could have done it for Staff approval.
2 *We know that Cal Poly is responsible to build more housing on campus at a faster pace
private -public partnerships do not cost the CSU). A group participated in wording a petition along with
great statistics provided by the lead writer. Council would not agendize this item and none
individually signed it. We know (most have seen) the impact of housing 12, 000 Cal Poly students in the
City. We are fully aware how investors have caused rents and sales prices to rise affecting
everyone.
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Thank You,
Camille Small
May REASON reign!
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COUNCIL MEETING: Z -2_I -) 7 INC'"=' V V_"
Gardner, Erica
ITEM NO.: FEB 21 2017
CITY CLERK
From: Noni Smyth [mailto:no_knee@charter.net]
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 6:38 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Cc: Noni <no_knee@charter.net>
Subject: Staff Recommendation on Night Hikes/Open Use Space
I will be unable to attend tomorrow night's session regarding the deliberation on night hiking in San Luis Obispo due to
other commitments. However, I would like to log my voice AGAINST this proposal.
I live on Anacapa Circle. The back of my property butts up against the open space and trail. Make no mistake, I realized
when I moved here that there would be hiking and people using the trail. I've always been a huge fan of people utilizing
our open space and spending more time with nature. However, the City of San Luis Obispo did not take under
consideration the volume of hikers that would be using this trail when they started advertising it on the tourism site.
Personally, I feel that it is overused and I fear for the erosion, especially after a heavy rain, on this trail.
I see pp using the trail all the time after hours and early in the morning. I am deaf, so the noise is not a factor; they
often yell at one another going up and down the trail. My concern is with 1) the safety of the hikers in the dark and 2)
the fact that the animals should be given a time of day for their own --to hunt and to rest. It's just not fair that people
use the trail when the animals should have a fair chance at using it without our interruption.
Please take this under consideration as you deliberate. Thank you for your time.
Noni (Winona) Smyth
171 Anacapa Cir.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
805-543-6955
Packet Pg. 317
17
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 3:22 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <ennailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon_@a slocity.or >; Rivoire, Dan
DRivoire@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>; Christianson, Carlyn
cc h ri stia nso n @ sl oc4ty.o rg>
Subject: Night Hiking - Not in favor!
February 21, 2017
Mayor Harmon and City Council Members
City Hall
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Dear Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
As a lover of sports, the outdoors, and our City, I am writing to you about the prospects for night
hiking in our community.
I am, for the most part, opposed to any night hiking on the basis of safety and preserving our
environment. In brief, the reasons include:
1. As cited in our city's Municipal code, Open Space is set aside primarily for conservation.
2. A secondary use is indeed recreation, such as hiking.
3. Conservation includes the land, animals, and plants of the Open Space.
4. Wildlife is very active at dusk and dawn; it's necessary for their survival.
5. Our General Plan supports the preservation of wildlife corridors.
6. The safety of the hikers and residents.
We bear the collective responsibility to be stewards of the land and protect wildlife. Residents
continue to advocate for the protection of our open space.
As a resident of the Bishop Peak neighborhood, I have seen multiple rescues after dark.
These rescues are costly and preventable.
In the event that night hiking is permitted, I believe that there would be an increase in crime. Night
hiking would create fire hazards. Over time these areas would be utilized by our homeless population.
In addition, there are wild animals who need to be able to safely access food and water. Night hiking
would force them into human encounters that would be unsafe for both parties.
Please do not endorse night hiking. Please limit hiking and other non-destructive recreational uses of
our Open Space to the time after sunrise and one hour before sunset.
Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity to support our city's Open Space, wildlife, land,
trees, and other plants.
Thank you.
Packet Pg. 318
17
Sincerely,
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
San Luis Obispo, California
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Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Council Study Session - March 21; 2017
Gary Larson, The Far Side
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Council Study Session - March 21, 2017
1 A
4 C J
§tudy Session Background
• The Greenbelt Protection Program was started in 1995-96.
• Open Space Regulations were adopted in 1998.
• The City has acquired over 3,800 acres of open space
property and constructed over 50 miles of trails that are
open for hiking and biking.
• Open Space is currently open from one hour before sunrise
until one hour after sunset.
• On August 16, 2016, members of the public approached
City Council requesting reconsideration of Open Space
hours of use; City Council directed staff to bring back a
Project Plan to evaluate potential changes to the existing
ordinance.
■ On February 21, 2017, brought forward the Project Plan to
City Council and received direction to eliminate from
consideration changes at Bishop Peak, and consider winter
hours of use commensurate with summer hours of use.
3/22/2017
1
itCY C]�.
r�wq�^ ti
�{rs 0
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
G,ty Council Study Session - Maich, 21. 2o1?
City of San Luis Obispo Open �_pacq;
1. Bishop Peak Natural Reserve
2. Bob Jones Trail and Wetland
3. Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve
4. Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve
5. Filipponi Ecological Reserve
6. Irish Hills Natural Reserve
7. Johnson Ranch Open Space
8. Laguna Lake Natural Reserve
9. Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve
10. San Luis Obispo Creek Natural
Reserve
11. South Hills Natural Reserve
12. Stenner Springs Natural Reserve
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Gouncd Study Session — March 21, 2017
{ ±�
Policy Review
• The City's existing hours of use are comparable to other
-' open space districts and agencies, if not more lenient.
• Parks districts, SLO County Parks, and CA State Parks are
typically open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• The City's Conservation and Open Space Element
expresses a clear priority for protection of natural resource
values, as well as neighborhoods proximate to trailheads,
while allowing passive recreation only when consistent with
these primary goals:
7.2 "...the City will seek to achieve self-sustaining populations
of plants, fish and wildlife..."
7.3.3 "Continuous wildlife habitat, including corridors free of
human disruptions, shall be preserved..."
8.5.5 "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..."
3/22/2017
2
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
� 1 9 L•r Syron - !<larch 21 2017
! Literature Review — City of Boulder study
• The City of Boulder, CO study discusses nighttime access
impacts to natural resources and states, "The likely impact to
natural resources of nighttime trail use that are distinct from
daytime use are largely focused on wildlife..."
• Mobile lighting equipment has a spotlighting effect that can
have immediate short-term effects by disrupting "natural
patterns of movement and foraging" and suggests that such
short term effects can lead to long-term changes in behavior
and vigor.
• Other recreation impacts include changes in wildlife
habituation and temporal displacement that "...may carry
survival costs for wildlife such as increased predation or
decreased feeding efficiency at night for some species."
• There are key differences between Boulder and San Luis
Obispo, and this study concludes, "The severity and scope of
impact to individual animals or populations is uncertain."
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Council StLidy Session — March 21. 101 i
r Literature Review — Effects of Recreation on Animals
• The scientific literature is widespread in terms of study
design and research methods, geographic context, and
specificity.
• Larson, Reed, Merenlender, and Crooks (2016) analyzed the
findings and trends of 274 other articles: "Outdoor recreation
is typically assumed to be compatible with biodiversity
conservation and is permitted in most protected areas
worldwide. However, increasing numbers of studies are
discovering negative effects of recreation on animals."
• This evaluation of pertinent literature finds a clear trend of
negative effects on wildlife through hiking, biking, wildlife
viewing, or dog walking (although night use is not specifically
discussed).
• Management recommendations include spatial restrictions
such as designated trail -free areas within protected zones;
80% of Open Space area designated as "Habitat'.
3/22/2017
3
i N'T Y O�
Gtr
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
,,tyun;rd'�Pvr17 �rs.�n:n-ddnrcl�-�-' it).
Wildlife Survey - Bishop Peak & Irish Hills Natural Reserves
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
Cily Council Study Session — ivlai uh 2'l, 20 / /
Wildlife Survey- Bishop Peals & Irish Hills Natural Reserves
3/22/2017
4
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Council Study .Session - Muich 21 20 /7
Wildlife Survey -_ Bishop Peak & Irish Hills Natural Reserves
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Coimrd Study .Session - Arfarch 21 2097
Stakeholder Review and Public Input
• Open Space is a topic of considerable interest to many.
• Environmental, conservation, and trail user organizations
provided valuable feedback and input.
• A prominent trend is there is a high value placed on local land
conservation and protection among open space supporters.
• Those preferring no change cite the importance of upholding
the General Plan and giving a voice to plants, wildlife, and
future generations.
• Neighbors are concerned about increased noise and negative
behavior.
• Open Space properties often have deed restrictions,
conservation easements, or donation / contract restrictions.
• Those supporting a change suggested numerous ideas.
Responsible evening use may curb other, unlawful negative
uses. Decisions should be data -driven and factually -based.
• Council received over 40 pieces of written correspondence.
3/22/2017
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
+ 1 .S -t City �:ouncd Study Session - Odarch 21; 2017
? Policy Analysis
Problern definition:
Trail users are unable to lawfully utilize City of San Luis Obispo
Open Space during winter months after normal work hours
under current Open Space Regulations.
The expansion of hours of use for City Open Space appears to
be in conflict with established City policies intended to protect
natural resource values and neighborhoods proximate to
trailheads, and may also pose increased safety risk to trail users
and emergency response personnel.
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
City Council Study Session — iWaich 21. 2017
f Policy Analysis
Possible alternatives may include:
1. Let present trends continue
2. Allow for increased hours of use
3. Optimize hours of use through time -specific, seasonal hours
of use
4. Consider site-specific locations for changes to hours of use
5. Consider docent -led outings as pilot programs
Combinations of these alternatives are possible, and staff
recommends ongoing monitoring and subsequent re-evaluation
given the uncertainty of the effects of nighttime use.
3/22/2017
0
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
Citi Cnuocd �` (t,rlY esc awn - March 21, 2017
Policy Analysis
Evaluative Criteria and Potential Outcomes of Alternatives:
1. Consistency with existing policy framework
2. Environmental review and impact analysis
3. Stakeholder and trail user preferences
4. Fiscal impacts to staffing resources and equipment
5. Trail user and emergency response personnel safety
No Yes Yes
Yes No M Yes
Maybe Maybe Yes
Maybe & No
No Yes Yes
Maybe No Maybe
Maybe Yes Maybe
Maybe ■ ^ Yea No
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
r 1 r i GL i City i;nuncil Ses:,ioi, - Meich 21 2017
i f
t Findings, Recommendations. and Next Steps
• The extent of new impacts to natural resource values are
uncertain, nor have evaluative thresholds been established.
• Staff recommends a very cautious and conservative approach
due to the uncertainties associated with wildlife management
and complex ecological systems.
• Should Council desire to make changes:
➢ "Optimized Hours of Use" is the only option that does not
appear to have conflicts with existing policy or
environmental impacts.
➢ Docent -led outings or site-specific locations may also be
potential options with avoidance of neighborhoods,
backcountry wildlife habitat, and where emergency
vehicle access is feasible.
• Staff would need to prepare the necessary ordinance revisions
and environmental review / determination as part of the
Natural Resources Program's 2017-19 work plan.
3/22/2017
7
Evaluation of Open Space Hours of Use
r, r'.,,, i `rh 1,„—w� -March 2!, 2017
Robert A. Hill
Natural Resources Manager
(805)781-7211
rhill@slocity.org
Freddy Otte
City Biologist
(805)781-7511
fotte@slocily.org
Derek Johnson
Assistant City Manager
(805)781-7112
djohnson@slocity.org
3/22/2017