HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/16/2018 Item 9, Ashbaugh
From:
PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Johnson, Derek; Hill, Robert; Stanwyck, Shelly
Subject:Night hiking on Cerro San Luis (Agenda Item 9, January 16 meeting)
Dear Mayor Harmon and members of the Council:
I have read the latest staff recommendation to permit night hiking and mountain biking on Cerro San Luis Open Space
Reserve. I take note of the new item, BIO-4, that is featured here to provide for a reservation system to limit the number
of users of this night hiking program to 65; this recommendation is based on a previous finding that this number of
hikers is already using these trails after hours at present.
While I commend the staff for attempting to limit the impacts of this night-use program by this means, I do not believe it
to be practical nor sufficient, for the following reasons:
1. The recommendation makes no reference to limiting the number of MOUNTAIN BIKE trail users; it merely limits
the number of permits to 65 per night. In my opinion it is imperative that the City PROHIBIT mountain bikes in
these darkened hours. Mixing mountain bikes and hikers at night is a recipe for disaster in terms of public safety.
2. The Fiscal Impact section of the staff report notes that there will be a burden on our open space rangers in order
to enforce the reservation system, nor the costs to develop or maintain the online interactive web-based
reservation system that appears to be envisioned here. How much will this system cost to develop, and to
maintain? How much additional funding will be required for our Open Space Rangers to enforce this reservation
system?
3. The night use of our Open Space Reserves is specifically prohibited by our General Plan AND by the City’s
Municipal Code, Open Space Regulations (see excerpts below).
4. Finally, it should be noted that the staff report assumes that the reservation system will merely “capture” the
usage that now exists, and that no additional unauthorized use will occur. This assumption is fallacious, in my
opinion: There will continue to be a high level of unauthorized use, perhaps a little less, but just as likely to be
even HIGHER after the City “opens the floodgates” to night hikers and mountain bikers who may or may not be
carrying their permits. The net result is that far more than 65 people will be using these trails at night.
My recommendation continues to be to seek a reclassification of Terrace Hill, and consideration of portions of the
Laguna Lake Natural Reserve for a night hiking program. Stay away from Cerro San Luis… and step up enforcement of the
night hiking (and mountain biking) regulations.
Thank you for considering my views.
John B. Ashbaugh
Open Space Regulations (Chapter 12.22 of the Municipal Code, excerpt):
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“Consistent with the open space element of the city’s general plan, open space lands have been acquired (both in fee and
through easements) for specific purposes, such as protection of scenic character, wildlife habitat values, passive recreation and
agriculture. The open space element principles state that uses on open space lands owned or managed by the city:
1. Should preserve the natural amenities of the open space land;
2. May not include uses which would degrade or significantly impact resource preservation on-site or on an adjacent
parcel;
3. May consist of the following uses provided allowed uses are compatible with the purpose of the open space land:
a. Conservation of soil, vegetation, water, fish, and/or wildlife.
b. Passive recreation, including open areas, trails, viewing stations, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing,
photography, painting, sketching and other similar day recreation use.
c. Interpretation and scientific study of the natural environment.
d. Grazing, farming, growing of nursery stock, gardening, and harvesting crops.
e. Landscape or wildlife restoration and enhancement programs where the natural landscape has been altered or
degraded. Such programs may include restrictions on public access.”
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