HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2018 Item 14 - Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan - Waddell Ranch addition Meeting Date: 10/16/2018
FROM: Derek Johnson, City Manager
Prepared By: Robert Hill, Interim Deputy Director
SUBJECT: IRISH HILLS NATURAL RESERVE CONSERVATION PLAN – WADDELL
RANCH ADDITION
RECOMMENDATION
As recommended by the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commis sion, approve
a resolution (Attachment A) to:
1. Adopt the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition; and
2. Adopt a Negative Declaration of environmental impact for the Project.
DISCUSSION
The City’s Natural Resources Protection Program seeks adoption of the Irish Hills Natural
Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition (“the Plan”) that will incorporate the
recently acquired Waddell Ranch into the City’s existing Irish Hills Natural Reserve to guide the
conservation and stewardship of both properties together as a single management unit. This
process will also formally designate the Waddell Ranch as a City Open Space property in
accordance with the City’s Open Space Regulations (1996), the Conservation Guidelines for
Open Space Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo (2002), and the Conservation and Open Space
Element of the City’s General Plan (2006).
Overview of Waddell Ranch
The Waddell Ranch is a hidden gem located in a secluded setting within the Irish Hills area at the
southern boundary of the City of San Luis Obispo and its Greenbelt. The upper extents of the
property feature spectacular 360 panoramic views of the City to the north and the Pacific Ocean
to the south, as well as the surrounding region. Waddell Ran ch also hosts exceptional plant and
wildlife diversity, an interesting cultural resource legacy, and is well-suited to offer pleasant
hiking, biking, and passive recreational opportunities. The Waddell Ranch is contiguous with
the existing Irish Hills Nat ural Reserve and represents the capstone piece of a long-standing
conservation vision to establish permanent protection of the area’s outstanding natural resource
values including a suite of rare plants, artesian springs, and important wildlife habitat. T he
acquisition of Waddell Ranch also allows for the completion of a loop trail through the Irish
Hills Natural Reserve along the top of Mine Hill where outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean
can be gained and enjoyed.
Plan Overview
The Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition provides a
framework for both properties to be managed together as a single unit, while primarily
addressing property-specific site stewardship at Waddell Ranch:
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Item 14
1. Natural Resources Protection. The Plan places priority on maintaining the natural ecosystem,
while allowing passive public recreation as appropriate and compatible. The Waddell Ranch
provides habitat for four special status wildlife species and fifteen special status plant
species, including a newly discovered plant species, that shall be protected and monitored
over the long-term. Protective status is given to native plant communities and habitats that
persist or are establishing within the open space area for the functions and values that they
provide.
2. Scenic Resources. The upper ridgeline of the Waddell Ranch represents a scenic, if distant,
visible backdrop on the south side of the City of San Luis Obispo. The conservation and
protection of this property will ensure the integrity of this scenic resource.
3. Cultural Resources. The Waddell Ranch contains two rock walls that were constructed in the
first half of the 20th century to create separate livestock pastures that may be of historic
significance under CEQA Guidelines §15064.5. The wa lls will be protected and maintained,
and there are no actions in the Plan that would change or alter this potential resource in any
way. The Northern Chumash also expressed interest in the land during the preparation of the
Plan and will have the opportunity for ceremonial use.
4. Erosion and Drainage. A Custom Soil Resource Report was prepared for Waddell Ranch
using the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) website application. The report reveals that Wad dell Ranch is comprised almost
entirely of serpentine soils known as the Obispo -Rock Outcrop Complex and identified as
soil map unit No. 183. This soil is excessively well drained and characterized as having
severe erosion potential, especially given the 15-75% slopes. Accordingly, ongoing erosion
control and water management strategies are necessarily a part of the Plan.
5. Fire Protection. Waddell Ranch is surrounded by open land uses comprised of the existing
Irish Hills Natural Reserve and other larger ranch holdings. The Irish Hills landscape, in
general, represents a significant wildland fire hazard , but there is no significant recorded fire
history in this system. A key component of the Plan is to address fire hazard that could result
in unacceptable safety risk and property loss. This is due to prevailing westerly winds;
presence of annual grassland, chaparral, oak woodland, and mixed ornamental trees and
vegetation; and the Waddell Ranch’s adjacency with the larger Irish Hills landscape.
6. Trails and Passive Recreation. An existing system of old jeep trails provide access through
the Waddell Ranch. The Plan calls for maintenance of existing trails, as well as the addition
of two new trail segments; one will allow for access to the southerly are as of the property
where panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed, while the other provides a
return route back to the existing Irish Hills Natural Reserve. A short section is also mapped
to avoid the existing in-stream crossing of Froom Creek during the wet season with the
installation of a narrow, fiberglass kit bridge that can be easily assembled and installed on
site, while this trail will also encourage use away from the neighboring property line. An
existing trail traverses the upper meado ws area of Waddell Ranch. These meadows are
considered sensitive and remain wet in the winter and early spring; two sections of raised
wooden boardwalk are planned for these sections. The Plan also presents the opportunity to
bring forward two new trails in the existing Irish Hills Natural Reserve. One is an extension
of the Bog Thistle Trail that is designated for hiking only, that would allow for hikers to gain
a prominent lookout and the middle ridgeline before join ing the existing Durata Vista Trail.
The other links the top of the Mine Trail with the Morro View Trail creating a new loop in
the upper, westerly portion of the Irish Hills Natural Reserve. A brief linkage at the easterly
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Item 14
edge of the Froom Ranch portion of the Irish Hills Natural Reserve to the Mountainbrook
property is also shown; this segment is a previously approved trail, that has yet to be
constructed. All new trails have been carefully considered and mapped to avoid sensitive
resources and special status plants and wildlife areas, as well as encourage use away from a
few existing trail areas that are proximate to sensitive areas.
CONCURRENCES AND ADVISORY BODY REVIEW
City of San Luis Obispo Natural Resources Program staff, Parks and Recreation Department
staff, and Fire Department staff have reviewed components of the plan pertinent to their
departments and have provided concurrence.
The Planning Commission reviewed the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan –
Waddell Ranch Addition and Initial Study / Negative Declaration at its meeting on September 26,
2018. The Parks and Recreation Commission also reviewed these items at its meeting on
October 3, 2018. Both of these advisory bodies recommend adoption by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Initial Study has been prepared that identifies several areas where “Less Than Significant”
impacts have the potential to occur. These are: Aesthetics; Biological Resources; Cultural
Resources; Geology and Soils; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Hydrology and Wa ter Quality;
and, Recreation. Accordingly, a Negative Declaration is recommended for adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT
Day-to-day management of Waddell Ranch will continue to be supported through the operating
budgets within the Natural Resources Program and Ranger Service. City staff will also pursue
grants to augment funding and volunteer help for the Plan’s identified projects. Overall, the fiscal
impact of the Plan and its implementation is considered relatively minor given opportunities to
phase projects and leverage modest investments of City funds over time.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could:
1. Approve the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition; and
adopt the Negative Declaration with amendments.
2. Deny the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition and not
adopt the Negative Declaration, although this is not recommended given the unanimous
advisory body recommendations.
3. Continue the item with specific direction of more information or discussion t ime is required
before taking action.
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Item 14
AVAILABLE ONLINE
1. Draft Initial Study / Negative Declaration
2. Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition, Public Hearing
Review Draft, October 2018.
These documents are available on the C ity’s website by following the link below:
http://www.slocity.org/government/department -directory/community-development/documents-
online/environmental-review-documents/-folder-1968
Attachments:
a - Resolution
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Item 14
RESOLUTION NO. ________ (2018 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE IRISH HILLS NATURAL
RESERVE CONSERVATION PLAN – WADDELL RANCH ADDITION
AND ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has adopted policies for protection,
management, and public use of open space lands and cultural resources acquired by the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo manages twelve open space areas totaling
approximately 3,850 acres, including the approximately 154-acre Waddell Ranch; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the
general public have commented upon the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan –
Waddell Ranch Addition as it has moved through a Council-directed approval process, and staff
has considered and incorporated those comments where appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition.
The City Council hereby adopts the Terrace Hill Open Space Conservation Plan, an official copy
of which shall be kept on record with the City Clerk, based on the following findings:
a. The Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell Ranch Addition is
consistent with General Plan goals and policies relating to the oversight and
management of City open space areas, specifically Conservation and Open Space
Element Policy 8.5.6 that calls for the development of conservation or master plans
for open space properties to protect and enhance them in a way that best be nefits the
community as a whole; and
b. Implementation of the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan – Waddell
Ranch Addition will provide protection of identified natural resources and
appropriate public access to the site while maintaining a majority of the site for
habitat protection and enhancement.
SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The City Council hereby adopts the Negative
Declaration for the project, an official copy of which shall be kept on record with the City Clerk,
finding that it adequately identifies all of the potential impacts of the project and that those
potential impacts identified in the areas of Aesthetics; Biological Resources; Cultural Resources;
Geology and Soils; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Hydrology and Water Quality; and,
Recreation, are de minimis and less than significant.
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Item 14
Resolution No. _____ (2018 Series) Page 2
R ______
These findings, together with incorporation by reference into the Project Description that the
property will be managed in accordance with policies found in the City’s Conservation and Open
Space Element of its General Plan (2006), the Conservation Guidelines for Management of Open
Space Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo (2002), and the City’s Open Space Regulations
(Municipal Code 12.22), the issuance of a Negative Declaration is appropriate.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2018.
_______________________________
Heidi Harmon, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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Item 14
Newspaper of the Central Coast
1
SCP 19 2018
SL,O C1 TY CLERK
3825 South Higuera • Post Office Box 112 • San Luis Obispo, California 93406-0112 • (805) 781-7800
In The Superior Court of The State of California
In and for the County of San Luis Obispo
AD #3852945
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
OFFICE OF CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS.
County of San Luis Obispo
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the
County aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen and not
interested in the above entitled matter; I am now, and at
all times embraced in the publication herein mentioned
was, the principal clerk of the printers and publishers of
THE TRIBUNE, a newspaper of general Circulation,
printed and published daily at the City of San Luis
Obispo in the above named county and state; that notice
at which the annexed clippings is a true copy, was
published in the above-named newspaper and not in any
supplement thereof — on the following dates to wit;
SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 that said newspaper was duly
and regularly ascertained and established a newspaper of
general circulation by Decree entered in the Superior
Court of San Luis Obispo County, State of California, on
June 9, 1952, Case #19139 under the Government Code
of the State of California.
I certify (or declare) under the penalty of perjury that the
foregoing is true and correct.
(Sigh re of Principal Clerk)
DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
AD COST: $240.12
0 MOF
IASOBLSPO
SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A NEGATIVE DECLARATION
The Sari Luis Obispo City Council invites all interested persons to
aliond a public hearing on Tuesday, Oclober 16, 2018, at 6:00
P.f11 in the City Hall Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San
Lull Obispo, California, relative to the following:
IN bills Natural Reserve Conse vatinn Pian -- Waddell
Ranch AddHIon
Public Hearing to consider the following:
1. The City of San Luis Obispo has completed the Draft Initial
Study/ Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the proposed Irish
HIIIs Natural Reserve Cnnservallon Plan WadtfelI Ranch
Addfllon, The hllliat Study lound that the proposed project
could not have a signlffcant effect on the environment. The proj-
ect is located at the southern boundary of the City of San Luis
Obispo and is accessed from the Irish Hills Natural Reserve
trailhead located at the end of Madonna Road, San Luis Obi-
spo, CA 93401. The project site is not included on any of the
lists enumerated under Section 65962.5 of the Government
Code,
2. Adoption of a Negative Declaration.
Advance reference copies of the Initial Study Negative Declare -
lion are available at the City's Clerk's Office, at 990 Palm Street,
or by calling Hobart Hilt at 805.781-9211. These documents will al-
so be available on the 01y's website at www.slocity.org. The re-
quired 30 -day public review period for the Negative Declaration
will extend from Saturday September 15, 2018 to Monday Octo-
ber 15, 2018. Anyone interested in commenting on the document
should submit a written statement to the City of San Luis Obispo,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, Attention: Robert
Hill, Natural Resources Manager, or by email to rhill®siocity.org
by 5:00 p.m., October 15, 2018.
The San Luis Obispo City Council wl[I hold a public hearing on Oc-
tober 16, 2018 to consider the adoplion of the Negallve Dealara•
Von. Council Agenda Reports for Ihls meeting will be avallable for
review in the City Clerk's Office and online at www.slocltv.ora on
Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The City Council meeting will be
televised live an Charter Cable Channel 20 and live screaming on
www.SlaCl[y Arg
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
City of San Luis Obispo
Seplombw 15, 2016 3852945