HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/1991, 2 - STUDY SESSION FOR THE PROPOSED USE OF RECLAIMED WATER FOR THE LA LOMITA RANCH DEVELOPMENT, EAST OF THE COUNTY AIRPORT. MFFnNG
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
7FROM: William T. Hetland w'C Prepared By: Robert A. Livick, i
Utilities Director Water Reclamation Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Study Session for the proposed use of reclaimed water for the La
Lomita Ranch development, east of the County airport.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Receive report and hear proposal by RRM Design Group regarding the
development of La Lomita Ranch. Consider major issues identified in
conjunction with the proposal and provide direction to Staff.
DISCUSSION:
BACKGROUND
On October 7, 1991 a letter proposal requesting a study session to
consider serving reclaimed water to the La Lomita Ranch, development
was submitted to the Mayor and Council. Staff has had previous
discussions with PM regarding the possible use of reclaimed water
for this development.
On October 16, 1991 City Utilities and Planning Staff met with
County Environmental and Planning Staff to discuss key issues
involved with this proposed development. Council should consider
the following issues in hearing the proposal from RRM Design Group.
A. ADOPTED PRIORIEs FOR RECLAIMED WATER USE.
On August 20, 1991 the City Council adopted Resolution 7024
(1991 Series) regarding the priority for reclaimed water use.
The primary category for reclaimed water use is the offset of
existing non-potable demand of potable water, preservation of
the groundwater supply and maintaining a baseline flow to San
Luis Obispo Creek. The proposed. use of reclaimed water on La
Lomita Ranch falls within the lowest priority of the potential
reclaimed water uses and under current policy could only be
served if the reclaimed water demand of the higher priority
users is met.
B. CONSTRUCTION of REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE.
The developers for La Lomita Ranch have proposed to construct,
at their expense, an estimated four million dollar reclaimed
water transmission system to the La Lomita Ranch property.
This pipeline could also be used ,by high priority users within
the City to offset their non-potable demand of potable water.
This would be with the understanding that the developer would
be reimbursed through hookup fees.
C. IDENTIFICATION OF CREERFLOW REQUIREMENTS.
City Staff is currently working with the California Department
of Fish and Game (DFG) .in order to determine the appropriate
minimum discharge of treated wastewater to San Luis Obispo_
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Study Session for La Lomita Project
Meeting of November 4, 1991
Page , 2
Creek. When this amount is determined, Staff will be able to
quantify the reclaimed water supply potential. This issue is to
be resolved in a future study, tentatively to be completed by
Spring 1991.
D. PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STATUS.
A California Environmental Review Act (CEQA) review of the
City's reclamation program, regardless of the La Lomita
project, must be performed. How the La Lomita project impacts
the Citywide reclamation program will greatly affect the scope
of the environmental document. Also, since various
developments have been proposed for La Lomita Ranch, the full j
scope of the development to be served should be known.
E. FISCAL IMPACTS OF PROPOSED PROJECT.
Besides the construction of the required facilities for the
transmission of reclaimed water to the proposed La Lomita
development site, the City will benefit through the sale of
reclaimed water to the proposed development. This would be two
years. of income prior to the completion of the treatment
plant's tertiary facilities. This income could form the basis
for an enterprise fund that may finance a portion of the
remaining reclamation program.
F. INCONSISTENT WITH CITY ORDINANCE
City of San Luis Obispo Ordinance 13. 16.010 prohibits any
provision or entitlement to water or sewer service for the use
or benefit of properties outside the City limits. This
conflict with City ordinance would have to be resolved prior to
serving La Lomita Ranch.
G. CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
The City and County general plan show the La Lomita Ranch as
open space or agriculture.
H. LEAD AGENCY STATUS FOR PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
The City would be the logical choice for lead agency if this
project is approved by the Council.
CONCURRENCES:
This report has been reviewed by the Community Development
Department and they concur with the content and recommendations of
this report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If Council chooses to direct Staff to work with RRM in developing
this use of reclaimed water, the only direct fiscal impact will
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Study Session for La Lomita Project
Meeting of November 4, 1991
Page 3
involve additional Staff time required to coordinate with the
developer.
ATTAC REMITS:
1. wastewater Reuse Proposal for La Lomita Ranch from RRM Design j
Group.
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2. Letter from County Planning addressing their concerns.
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ATTACHMENT I
R R .M DESIGN GROUP
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October 7, 1991
Mayor Ron Dunin
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
SUBJECT: NAIASTER'ATER REUSE PROPOS4L FOR L46 LOI%UTA RANCH
Dear Mr. Mayor and Members of the Council:
After a number of meetings with various members of the City staff and administration, we
have prepared an important proposal that we would lie to present to the City at its next
study session. This proposal will involve a major private investment to construct a facility
of great public benefit — a wastewater trunk line that would convey first secondarily treated
wastewater, and subsequently tertiary treated effluent to La Lomita Ranch for the purposes
of irrigating two golf courses on La Lomita Ranch while serving a number of existing and..
future planned parks in the Margarita expansion and Edna Islay areas. "
We have attached a map depicting the general alignment of this pipeline that La Lomita
Ranch hopes to construct before the end of 1992 We are currently in the process of
acquiring the remaining increments of right-of-way that will be necessary.to construct the
pipeline in this alignment — conditioned, of course, upon City acceptance of this proposal.
This proposal, coming at a time when the City can ill afford to make an investment hke
this on its own, is central to creating a realistic and functional wastewater reuse program
in San Luis Obispo. We have been in close contact with Bill Hetland and Rob Livick of
your staff to work out the details and we are now at a point where we need a conceptual
go-ahead from the City Council to finalize our plans and conclude our negotiations with
the City. At the study session that we ask you hold to consider this item, we will have a
number of exhibits and issues to discuss with you regarding this proposal, including, but not
limited to:
• Appropriateness of this wastewater reuse project
• The private financing of this nearly $4 million improvement with the
understanding that we would recapture a portion of the investment that will
not be used by La Lomita Ranch from others that would hook into the
wastewater line as they develop. RECEIVED
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Mayor Ron Dunin
Page 2
October 7, 1991
♦ The timing of the Wastewater line installation.
♦ The purposes for which La Lomita wishes to use this effluent.
♦ The various public benefits and spinoffs associated with this project.
Please let us know if you need any further information from us prior to this study session
which we hope wilY lead to a firm Council direction to its staff to work with us on the
details and conclude negotiations so that this project might be constructed in 1992.
Otherwise, we look forward to the Council's timely scheduling of this important item.
Sincerely,
RRAi DESIGN GROUP
T. Keith Gurnee
'Senior Vice President
Planning Division
cc: . Doug Murdock
Jerry Michael
Bill Hetland
Rob L.Mck
John Dunn
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Department of Planning and Building
San Luis Obispo County
Alex Hinds, Director
Bryce Tingle, Assistant Director
Barney McCay, Chief Building Official
Norma Salisbury, Administrative Services Officer
October 28, 1991
William Hetlund, Utilities Director
955 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
HAND DELIVERED
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Dear Mr. Hetlund:
SUBJECT: PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF RECLAIMED WATER TRANSMISSION
SYSTEM FROM CITY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT TO LA LOMITA
RANCH
Thank you for enabling us to meet with your staff recently and comment on this proposal by RRM
Design Group. The following comments from our planning and environmental coordinator staffs are
based on information about the proposal made available to us by your staff and RRM Design Group. The
issues noted here also reflect the meeting we had with your staff on October 17, 1991.
RRM Design Group proposes the construction of a reclaimed water transmission line through areas in
the city and the county. Theie letter to the Mayor dated October 7, 1991 states that the purpose of this
facility is to irrigate two golf courses on La Lomita Ranch, which is presently in the county, while also
serving existing and future parks within the city. RRM has also previously indicated the reclaimed
wastewater would be used to irrigate a "sod farm" on the La Lomita Ranch.
RRM has proposed to develop golf courses and other related facilities on the La Lomita Ranch, a project
identified as "Las Nomadas," however, the proposal has not yet been formally submitted to the county
(RRM's staff have met with county staff to introduce the concept and solicit comments). The Las
Nomadas proposal would, in effect, replace the previous proposal submitted by RRM for a major business
park and residential development on the site.
We identified the following issues when we met with your staff on October 17;
1. Since the proposed reclaimed water transmission line would be constructed by private parties
through areas which are now under county jurisdiction, it will be necessary to determine whether
the city or the county should be the "lead agency" for purposes of environmental review, and
whether county land use, grading and construction permits are required. It may be possible for
a determination that the project is a public facility which is exempt from county permits, but it
is not exempt from environmental review under CEQA. If the city wishes to be the lead agency
for environmental review, then county staff would recommend a team approach to enable direct
participation by county staff.
County Government Center • San Luis Obispo • California 93408 • (805) 549-5600 2r�
Bill Hetlund Page 2
La Lomita Water Line
October 28, 1991
2. As proposed, the line would extend beyond the city limits to terminate on the La Lomita Ranch,
where it would support development of a sod farm, golf courses and related facilities, or a
business park and residential development. These facts raise the issue of what the "project" is
for purposes of environmental review. Information provided to us by RRM appear to indicate
that the water line is intended to serve the golf courses project, not just a sod farm. Therefore,
the impacts of the golf courses project should be evaluated as part of the environmental review
for the water line. However, if the reclaimed water line terminated within the city, and did not
extend to the La Lomita Ranch, then environmental review for the water line.might not need to
evaluate the full range of project level impacts from the development of the La Lomita Ranch.
Growth-inducing impacts at some level would still need to be addressed.
3. Your staff indicated to us that the amount of reclaimed water which will be available is not yet
known. The available supply and the potential demand for this water for all other sites within
the city limits (or proposed to be within the city limits)should be determined before this proposal
is approved. For example, another future golf course along the south side of Tank Farm Road
is proposed to use reclaimed water, and on a site which is already within the city's urban reserve
line. We also understand that a critical factor in determining the amount of available wastewater
will be how much water must remain for discharge into San Luis Obispo Creek to sustain the
fisheries habitat.
4. The La Lomita Ranch property is designated "Agriculture" in the existing Land Use Element of
the County General Plan, which would permit establishment of a sod farm, but not golf courses.
Whether the site should be redesignated to permit the golf course project has not yet been
determined. Alternatively, the city could choose to amend its Land Use Element to enable
annexation and subsequent development within the city. Extension of the proposed water line to
the site could result in expectations that the ultimate development of the golf courses and related
facilities will be approved.
These comments are intended to aid the city in conducting its review of the proposal by RRM, and are
not intended to convey county support or opposition to the water line or development of the La Lomita
Ranch. We encourage you to continue working toward the application of reclaimed water to irrigate
landscaped areas in order to minimize the amount of potable water used for such purposes.
Again, thank you for coordinating with us on this proposal.
Sincerely,
BRYCE TINGLE, AICP
Assistant Director,
Planning and Building Department
cc: Ellen Carroll, Environmental Coordinator
County Board of Supervisors
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Ms. Pam Voges 213,'r.r
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City Clerk
City of San Luis Obispo
P.O. Box 990
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
SUBJECT: LOS NOMADAS PRESENTATION AT DECEMBER 10TH MEETING
Dear Ms. Voges:
As we prepare for the City Council Study Session on December 10th, we wanted to clarify
our intentions about the presentation we will be making to the Council.
The purpose of our appearance at that session is two fold:
1. To present and explain our proposal to obtain treated City wastewater effluent and
convey it to the La Lomita site via a pipeline that would serve as the centerpiece
of the City's wastewater reuse program and that would be constructed entirely at
my client's expense.
2. To unveil our proposals for a new project on La. Lomita Ranch that would be one
of the projects served by this wastewater line -- the Los Nomadas project.
Since we are not asking the Council to study and make a decision on the Los Nomadas
project, we have not enclosed any materials for their review. Rather, this meeting should
be viewed as the first unveiling of this proposal that will be scheduled for further reviews
and hearings in the future. Our presentation should take approximately 30 minutes and
will involve the extensive use of slides and illustration boards.
The Public Works staff has already prepared written reports and issues papers on its
wastewater reuse program in general and our proposed wastewater line project in
particular. We will be requesting some Council direction to staff to further explore the
wastewater line proposal and determine under what conditions this pipeline could be
constructed in a manner acceptable to the City.
30-16 South Higuera Street,San Luis Obispo,California 93401 8051943-7794
im:-nth Street,Modesto,California cy5A;4 ZC19/F44-3 71)
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Ms. Pam Voges
Page 2
November 27, 1991
We are excited about the opportunity to meet with the City Council on December 10th.
Should you or your staff or any Council members have any questions regarding our
intentions, please don't hesitate to give me a call.
Sincerely,
RRM DESIGN GROUP
T. Keith Gurnee
Senior Vice President
Planning Division
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Unocal Land DeveloK —ant Company
A Unocal Company
1201 West 5th Street, P.O. Box 7600
Los Angeles, California 90051
Telephone (213) 977-5362
UNocaL7M
Michael A. Biggi
Vice President
Project Development & Sales
Mr. Mike Multari
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
City of San Luis Obispo
P.O. Box 8100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100
Dear Mr. Multari:
May 6, 1988 RECEIVED
MAY 1319W
Co of San Luis ®mroo
Community C -Mapment
Re: Utilization of Treated
Effluent of Irrigation
It was a pleasure meeting you and Mr. Hal Fones at our meeting of
April 27th. Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy
schedule. I am writing to formally initiate a dialogue between
UNOCAL and the City regarding the potential for the reuse of the
City's sewage effluent.
As you know, UNOCAL owns a considerable amount of property south of
the City of San Luis Obispo along both sides of Tank Farm Road.
Approximately 200 acres of UNOCAL's land is located south of Tank
Farm Road.
UNOCAL has an interest in developing that property into a privately
operated public golf course (as reflected in the conceptual land use
plan for the Airport Area Specific Plan).
Perhaps, one of the most significant considerations in golf course
development and maintenance is the impact on domestic water supplies
caused by irrigation demand. To overcome this, it has become more
common to utilize reclaimed water or treated effluent for irrigation
purposes. Although the ground water supply for irrigation of the
UNOCAL property can potentially be developed, I believe that there
is an opportunity to minimize the impact on the domestic ground
water supply in the airport area. Pursuant to our discussion, it
appears that the treated effluent generated by the City's sewage
treatment facility is a potential irrigation supply source for the
golf course. This would not only protect the City's future ground
water supply by reducing consumption, but it could also result in a
greater recharge to the basin. Further, the use of the effluent may
benefit the City's treatment plan capacity.
i>ir. Mike Multari
May 6, 1988
Page 2
The subject property is proximal to the City's facility and there is
ample space to accommodate any required storage facilities in
conjuction with the golf course.
Recognizing the need for researching the "mechanics" of such a
system, I am requesting that the City begin the initial research of
the required infrastructure and facilities. We will be willing to
work the City to assist in any way possible.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need
anything further from us. John Wilbanks of RRM Design Group can
also be contacted for assistance. Again, thank you. We look
forward to working with the City on this interesting project.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Biggi