HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/12/1995, COMM. 1 - DECEMBERFEST MING AGENDA
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Decemberfest
Jtt' I . 117yJ c/o Betsey Lyon
1605 Colina Court
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September 11, 1995 ❑ PERS DIR
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Mayor Settle and Members of the
San Luis Obispo City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Re: Decemberfest
Dear Mayor Settle and Council Members,
Decemberfest plans are well underway and we are pleased that every cultural and
business organization participating in 1994 will again be providing activities and
entertainment across our city from November 30th through December 10th. It is
especially rewarding to see the partnerships formed among these diverse groups -
Symphony members will be performing at Central Coast Mall, SLO Little Theatre
carolers will entertain at Madonna Inn and Monterey Street hotels, the BIA hosts a
Teddy Bear Tea at the Jack House, the Old Mission hosts the lighting of the Hanukkah
Menorah, and there are carrousels, snow and reindeer. And ballets, Christmas in the
Plaza and the parade. And more! Well, you get the idea.
Our plans for this year include many of the activities provided last year, and stretch
across San Luis. To help people move from activity to activity and see all the sights, we
would like to offer the trolley service as we did last year. The City's "backup" trolley was
used for a route between the Central Coast Mall area, downtown and past the hotels on
upper Monterey Street. Last year's PCC grant provided funding for the trolley, but this
year all funds for printing the full-color brochure, installing banners, and other costs are
being provided through participant sponsorships and two fund raising events.
The trolley adds to the festivities, ease of movement and is an important element for the
continuation of Decemberfest. Thus, we are hoping that Council members agree with
the importance of the trolley during these events, and we are asking you to provide the
trolley for Decemberfest this year. Critical service times are Thursday evenings through
Sunday afternoons (November 30th to December 3rd, and December 7th to December
10th).
Mayor Settle and Members of the
San Luis Obispo City Council
September 11, 1995
Page two
We will be issuing formal invitations to the Decemberfest Kickoff Ceremonies, to be
held at Central Coast Mall on Friday, December 1st at noon, and hope you will all
attend. (Your invitation is not contingent on a favorable trolley decision!) Brochures of
all of the activities will be available in October and we will certainly provide you with
copies.
We sincerely appreciate your support of all Decemberfest participants and activities.
Very truly yours,
Betsey Lyon
Decemberfest Committee Chair
ATTACHMENT #1
Please bring the copy of "Saving Special Places -- A Study of Open Space Values
in the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt" previously issued you.
ATTACHMENT #1
Open Space Element
CHAPTER IV - IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS
Introduction
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There are various methods for preserving and maintaining open space. Some of these methods are `
listed in this chapter; others have been discussed in previous sections. These options are not
alternatives; rather, they are a menu of choices from which the City can choose. Some of the methods
presented, such as general obligation bonds, require voter approval. Others (such as impact fees) ! j
generate revenue, while others involve developer incentives, such as density bonus. Finally, some
methods do not require any kind of tax or assessment measure, but rely on private initiative or
government regulation.
The City of San Luis Obispo, like many jurisdictions, has limited money available for open space ,
purchases. In the past, the majority of open space the City has received has come from donations or
regulations. These sources, even in conjunction with developer incentives and similar programs, are
not adequate. To provide a viable open space program, the City must have a broad range of
protection mechanisms and funding sources. In addition, this combination must include at least one
long-term funding source. Providing such a framework gives stability to an open space program,
enabling the City to act when land becomes available, and provides the City a means to retain the
community's quality of life.
This section establishes guidelines for implementing the City's open space program.
Community Goals
Utilize Iona-term financing mechanisms to fund open space programs.
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Work with landowners to form a broad based open space program; a program based on long-term `
working relationships.
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Utilize a broad base of resources to protect and maintain open space.
General Protection Policies:
I. The City shall:
A. Pursue long-term source(s) of funding for open space acquisition such as a bond measure,
special assessment district(s), or sales tax increase. Only utilize this long-term funding
source to preserve and maintain land and water areas that are consistent with the open
space definition provided in this document.
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ATTACHMENT #2
Open Space Element
B. Actively encourage private donations of land and funds by: (1) providing information to
landowners regarding the value and techniques for resource conservation; (2) soliciting
conservation easements from -landowners whose property is designated open space or
greenbelt; and (3)providing landowners and developers with information regarding general
tax advantages of donating land to nonprofit organizations and agencies, and the market
value of conservation easements.
C. Pursue Federal and State matching funds for open space acquisitions.
D. Be fiscally conservative in acquiring and managing open space lands.
E. Work with land trusts and other such organizations to augment the City's options for open
space preservation.
F. Require new development within the City (including annexation requests) to provide open
space preservation consistent with this element and the Land Use Element via development
conditions.
G. Sell, exchange, or transfer open space lands only by approval of the City Council and only
after a 60-day appeal period wherein the citizens can overturn the decision by referendum
with a majority vote.
H. Document the condition of property prior to acquisition through photographs, maps, and
written descriptions.
I. Maintain a current record of all open space holdings (by fee and easement) for public
information and review.
Criteria for Acquisition
This section discusses when the City should purchase property (either in fee, development rights, or
purchase easements). The criteria listed below are to help the City determine when open space funds
should be used to obtain open space properties or portions of properties, and under what priority. To
qualify for City purchase (in fee, development rights, or easements), the area considered for purchase
should be consistent with the criteria as noted in 1, 2, and 3 below.
1. To be considered for acquisition a site must have value in one or more of the following
categories:
A. Valuable natural resources (such as sensitive habitat, unique resources, creek corridors or
similar habitat).
B. Important scenic qualities, cultural characteristics, or natural features (such as unusual
terrain or locally important geologic attributes).
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Open Space Element
C. Public health and safety concerns which make reasonable development on the property
unlikely.
D. Important passive recreation opportunities. (such as providing a trail linkage), or valuable
environmental education opportunities.
E. Proximity to land that is already permanently protected as open space, or the property is
close to land that is likely to be protected in the foreseeable future, thus forming or
potentially forming a large area of protected lands.
F. The site is utilized for viable agriculture, has the potential to be used for viable
agriculture, or the property provides (either now or in the future) a meaningful agricultural
buffer that will protect agricultural operations.
G. The site will cumulatively or individually form an important part of the City's greenbelt.
2. A site that meets one or more of the criteria noted in 1 above, should have high priority for 46
purchase if it meets one or more of the following criteria, and would be eligible for purchase -
under item 3 below:
A. The property or resources on the property are under threat of incompatible development
or irreversible damage.
B. The site has timely or attractive purchase considerations or conditions. (For example, -
local cash contributions are available or additional land area is available). 14 -
C. The site represents one of the last sections providing trail linkage or habitat linkage.
D. The site is of sufficient size that resources are likely to remain intact, even if adjacent
properties are developed.
E. Purchase of the site would maximize the effectiveness of acquisition expenditures. (For
example, purchasing one piece of property may guarantee that a second piece of property
remains in open space or agriculture even though a public agency does not obtain the t6
second property).
3. A site that meet the criteria noted in 1 and 2 above should generally not be acquired by the City
as open space if:
A. The site or resource can be obtained in a timely manner as a condition of City, State, or
County development approvals or agreements. �.
B. The site's values are primarily scenic, but the property cannot be readily viewed by the
general public.
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Open Space Element
C. Adjacent properties are being developed in a way that is likely to significantly diminish the
conservation values of the property in question.
D. Management of the property will be very costly or management of an easement would be
unusually difficult to enforce (such as multiple owners, fencing restrictions, or other
considerations).
E. The site cannot be acquired with reasonable effort in relation to its value or purpose. One
site may be more valuable; however, all time and effort should not be expended if other
sites may be more easily obtained.
F. The site is developed with facilities or structures, and thus would not be consistent with
the open space definition.
Fee Ownership. Easements or Purchase of Development Rights
This section discusses when the City should obtain fee ownership (either.through purchase or
dedication) versus easements. These criteria should be utilized when attempting to purchase property
or easements as well as when private projects must dedicate property as part of their development
conditions.
1. The City should generally obtain fee ownership for:
A. Properties that may require or have frequent public access to the site or through the site.
For example, the property will have a public trail.
B. Agricultural lands when (1) public access is desired, (2) the property could be leased back
for continued agricultural use, (3) or there may be harmful impacts from current or future
agricultural practices.
C. Lands for which buying the development rights is almost as expensive as obtaining the land
in fee.
D. Lands which contain delicate habitat requiring monitoring and enforcement.
E. Land on which enforcing an easement will be difficult or costly.
2. The City should generally obtain an easement or development rights:
A. On agricultural lands where the cost of development rights is less than fee ownership.
B. For lands on which continuation of the underlying private use is compatible with its open
space designation and direct management by the City is not required.
C. To protect viewsheds or scenic resources that involve little or no public access.
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Open Space Element
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Methods & Sources of Protection
A variety of techniques may be employed to implement open space preservation. Examples include,
but are not limited to:
- Fair market value purchase.
- Donation by landowner.
- Exchange of property.
- Transfer of surplus government property.
- Use of State or Federal grants.
- Dedications and exactions of open space land to mitigate development impact.
- Securing conservation or open space easements.
- Creating assessment districts.
- Transfer of Development Credits.
- Bond Sales
- Lease/purchase options
- Life estate sales.
- Monies from Foundations
Programs oil
1. The City should:
A. Pursue implementation of long-term financing mechanisms such as a bond measure,
special assessment district, or a sales tax measure. The text of any measure should
specify the percentage of monies that will be: (1) committed to open space
acquisition, and (2) allocated for management and maintenance costs of protected
lands.
B. Revise the City's current parcel transfer tax fees. Monies from this source should
be available for open space maintenance and preparation of master plans.
C. Devise a program to have some maintenance costs of open space lands paid in part
by uses on these lands (such as agricultural lease back).
D. Develop an impact fee that will pay for some open space with new development, and
encourage the County to implement such an impact fee.
2. The City shall prioritize land available for acquisition/preservation as open space
consistent with the "Criteria for Acquisition" contained in this Chapter as a first step in
implementing this Element.
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MEETINGGENDA
DATE 9 ie2-9�TEM #
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
September 12, 1995 D. Land
COUNCIL
PJ CAO CDD��cu YcDircetor
W, CAO ❑ FIN DIR
The Hon. Allen Settle and San Luis Obispo City Council ATTORNEY 0 FIRE O PLV D CHIEF
San Luis Obispo City Hall L CLERI4ORIG 0 p LICE C
990 Palm Street ❑ MGMTTEgM C,[� EIVED
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 - SLE CIUTIL 0IIRR
O PERS DIR S P 1 2 1995
CITY COUNCIL
Dear Mayor Settle and Honorable Council Members: SA"
We present you these remarks and recommendations on behalf of the staff, board and
members of the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County(ECOSLO), a non-
profit environmental education and advocacy organization which for nearly a quarter
century has worked with the citizens of San Luis Obispo to protect and enhance the
region's natural environment.
ECOSLO applauds the City in its efforts to preserve and protect open spaces around
the City of San Luis Obispo, and to work towards the creation of a City Greenbelt.
Throughout its history, ECOSLO has advocated many of the goals inherent in the
Greenbelt concept, such as preservation of habitat and open spaces, maintenance of a
hard urban edge," facilitation�of wildlife corridors, and community participation in
municipal environmental policy-making.
The suggestions below are presented in response to the July 1995 report entitled "Saving
Special Places: A Study of Open Space Values in the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt,"
prepared for the City by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.
In general, we recommend that the City move forward with negotiations surrounding
the acquisition of critical habitat and open space around the city's limits. These results
of these negotiations should be presented for public review and discussion prior to any
acquisitions are made. We would be pleased to support and offer guidance to the City
during each of these processes.
While acquisition is potentially a valuable first step toward the realization of a
Greenbelt, it is just a start. The long term success of the Greenbelt initiative will require
a broader understanding of existing habitat values for available properties (e.g. maps of
plant communities and wildlife corridors) and a comprehensive Greenbelt management
plan—with broad community participation—for acquired properties. Moreover, the
;. development of a Greenbelt will require a higher degree of coordination between the
City and County on land use issues, as well as between other City initiatives on behalf
of the environment.
Environmental Center Mailing! Address Recycling Center
967 Osos Street P.O. Box 1014 45 Prado Road
Tel.805/544-1777• Fax 805/544-1871 San Luis Ohispo.CA 93406 Tel. 805/781-3199 • Fax 805/781-1198
San Luis Obispo City Council
Page Z
Please accept the following suggestions as preliminary recommendations regarding the
City's Greenbelt program:
• The City should work to develop a comprehensive Greenbelt policy for the City of
San Luis Obispo. Such a policy should provide the legislative, administrative and
budgetary (financing) mechanisms necessary to successfully carry out a Greenbelt
program.
• The City should work to ensure full public participation in all phases of the
Greenbelt program and policy development. Strong public involvement is essential
for the long term success of the Greenbelt initiative, and community 'ownership' of
the process will require new and innovative City programs to encourage public
discussion and participation.
• The City should move to ensure that all funds now set aside for open space
acquisition are used o—X for the acquisition of property in the city's peripheral
greenbelt, not within the City itself.
• The City should expand the geographic area under consideration for a Greenbelt to
include the broader southern and northern 'gateways' to San Luis Obispo along the
Highway 101 corridor. We would suggest that the northern Greenbelt area extend
to Cuesta Pass, and that the southern boundary be extended to See Canyon (???)
• We strongly encourage the City to develop new and lasting protocols for
cooperation and land use coordination with the County of San Luis Obispo in
order to protect and preserve open space and create a Greenbelt around the City.
We believe that the City would be well advised to begin initial negotiations on the
Morganti, Ayers and Muscia properties presented in the Land Conservancy Report. We
feel that these properties possess the habitat and open space values necessary to merit
the City's consideration for inclusion in a Greenbelt program for San Luis Obispo.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer these recommendations.
Sincerely, r
Zrnd
n Ewan (U`� eo
Chair, Board of Trustees Executive Director