HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/1998, 1 - LAGUNA LAKE PARK MASTER PLAN Council November 17, 199
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CITY O F SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: P ul LeSage,Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: LAGUNA LAKE PARK MASTER PLAN
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. By Resolution: amend the Phasing Plan of the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan as per the
recommendations found in this report.
2. By Motion: reallocate the $50,000 designated in the 1997-99 Capital Improvement Program
for design of the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan, Phasing Plan, to a $50,000 design and
construction project.
DISCUSSION
Background
On June 15, 1993, City Council,by resolution, adopted the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan. This
plan was developed with extensive public comment and with the recommendation of the Parks
and Recreation Commission.
The.plan designates Laguna Lake Park as a nature preserve. This designation comes as a result
of the park's unique scenic and biological resources. The implementation plan of the document
featured projects that would enhance the natural environment, while permitting passive
recreational activities. This includes:
• Creation of additional wetlands
• Significant tree plantings
• Wetland buffers
• A trail and road system that allows for access and protects the park environment
• A nature education center
• Create pedestrian portals for access to the nature preserve
The plan was divided into four, two-year projects (Attachment 1) that were to have commenced
in 1995. The total cost of the implementation was estimated at $1,115,000. No funding source
was identified for the projects. As of this date, and with a few minor exceptions, the plan has not
been implemented.
Council Agenda Report—Laguna Lake Park Master Plan
Page 2
The major reason that the plan has not been implemented is that many of the first-year projects,
such as excavating new wetlands and ponds, require permitting from agencies such as the
Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corp. of Engineers, and the Department of Fish and
Game. As Council is well aware, this permitting process is very difficult. After several years of
review, for example, City engineering staff recently received a permit to dredge the Prefinno arm
of Laguna Lake. The permit application for the dredging of the full lake and other projects
associated with implementing the Master Plan are still in the environmental review and project
plan stage.
Laguna Lake Park Master Plan Implementation Task Force
The Parks and Recreation Commission and Department staff have shared a frustration in the lack
of progress in implementing the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan. It was determined that the best
way to get the project moving would be to re-prioritize the Master Plan and move those projects
that do not require outside agency approval to the top of the list. Since the original plan was
developed with extensive community input, it was decided that this would be a good place to
start with the revisions.
The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the formation of the Laguna Lake Park Master
Plan Implementation Task Force. Members were drawn from the Laguna Lake neighborhood,
regular park users, and the community in general. Members included: Jim Bard, Gary Nichols,
Chris Overby, Keith Kidwell, Bob Johnson, Paul Buschur, Holly Naylor, Henry Rible, Christine
Mulholland, and Anne Phillips. Teresa Larson represented the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Paul LeSage provides staff support. Dave Foote,who worked on the original plan,
was a project consultant.
The Task Force met on three occasions. As a result of reviewing the project history, they
determined that their recommendations should be consistent with the original Master Plan.
Therefore, they only considered projects that were approved in the Master Plan. Stated simply,
these recommendations re-prioritize the implementation of the Master Plan.
To this end, the Task Force recommended a Capital Improvement Project for the 1998-99 fiscal
year:
• Enhance the park entry with a park sign and entry gate.
• Plant and irrigate trees in the section of the park bordered by Madonna Road, the lake, entry
road, and main parking lot.
• Stabilize the shore on the east side of the lake from Madonna Road to the main parking lot.
Remove and rehabilitate the area next to the main parking lot that is used for overflow
parking.
There is $50,000 available in the current City budget for design of the full Laguna Lake Park
Project. The Task Force recommendation transfers this funding to a design and implementation
proj ect.
/ -L
Council Agenda Report—Laguna Lake Park Master Plan
Page 3
The Task Force also recommended a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan consisting of-
*
f• 1999-01 (2-year): Complete Shore Stabilization of the East Side of the Lake
Complete Tree Planting and Irrigation in the Park
Finish the Park Entry(Cost: $200,000)
• . 2001-03 (2-year): Construct Nature Center
Install Split-Rail Fence Around Park Area With Pedestrian Portals
(Cost: $200,000)
• 2003-04 (1-year): Install Boardwalk and Park Trails(Cost: $100,000)
The Task Force also recommended that the dredging of the lake remain a City priority. When,
and if, the necessary permitting is completed, the original phasing plan should be reconsidered.
As is noted in that plan, the seeps and springs in the park should be identified, mapped, and
fenced.
CONCURRENCES
The Parks and Recreation Commission "enthusiastically" approved this recommendation at their
August 5, 1998, meeting.
FISCAL EMPACT
1. The 1998-99 Capital Improvement Project is funded from an existing allocation.
2. Funding of the 1999-01 Capital Improvement Project should be considered by Council in the
normal budget process.
ATTACHAEENTS
1. Resolution
2. Page 13 —Phasing Plan for the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan
3. Plan Map#1
(A COMPLETE COPY OF THE LACUNA LAKE PARK MASTER PLAN IS AVAILABLE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE)
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RESOLUTION NO. (1998 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE PHASING PLAN
OF THE LAGUNA LAKE PARK MASTER PLAN
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo adopted a Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact and approved a Master Plan for the development of Laguna
Lake Park; and
WHEREAS,that Plan designated Laguna Lake Park as a Nature Preserve; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of that Plan (as noted on Page 13 of the Plan) featured
projects designed to enhance the natural environment of the park; and
WHEREAS, implementing that Plan has been stalled due to permitting requirements of
other government agencies; and
WHEREAS, a citizen's group, known as the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan
Implementation Task Force has recommended a re-prioritization of the Plan; and
WHEREAS,this re-prioritization does not change any previously-approved projects; and
WHEREAS, this action has the endorsement of the Parks and Recreation Commission;
and
WHEREAS, as noted in Section IV of the original Master Plan, amendments to the plan
require City Council approval.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
Section 1. The previously-approved Negative Declaration (ER 141-92, adopted March
29, 1993) is still applicable to the Master Plan in that the proposed changes involve modification
to the implementation program and not the improvements that were initially evaluated.
Section 2. The Phasing Plan of the Laguna Lake Park Master Plan be amended as
follows:
The 1998 Implementation Project is to:
• Enhance the park entry with a park sign and entry gate.
• Plant and irrigate trees in the section of the park bordered by Madonna Road, the lake,
entry road, and main parking lot.
• Stabilize the shore on the east side of the lake from Madonna Road to the main
parking lot. Remove and rehabilitate the area next to the main parking lot that is used
for overflow parking.
The 5-Year CIP for the project shall be:
• 1999-01 (2-year): Complete Shore Stabilization of the East Side of the Lake
Complete Tree Planting and Irrigation in the Park
Finish the Park Entry(Cost: $200,000)
• 2001-03 (2-year): Construct Nature Center
Install Split-Rail Fence Around Park Area With Pedestrian Portals
(Cost: $200,000)
• 2003-04(1-year): Install Boardwalk and Park Trails (Cost: $100,000)
Additionally, if the permitting process for the Phasing Plan is completed, then that plan is
to be reconsidered.
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of ' 1998.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
Lee Price, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wd
GJJ rge n, Attomey
I-S
LAMM LAKE PARK MASTER, i
PHASING PLAN
Implementation of the Master Plan is envisioned to be phased over approximately ten
years. Initial City Council funding has been provided upon the adoption of the Master
Plan for design of the first phase of improvements.
The phasing schedule below was developed to initiate the nature preserve and
earthwork/windbreak construction early in the process. The second phase fills in
infrastructure (roads, stabilization, restrooms/utility extensions) and paths. The final
two phases include construction of the remaining active and passive recreation
improvements.
The phasing plan is tied to the City's two-year budget cycle. It is anticipated that each
phase would be considered during budget review.
Fiscal limitations may preclude major capital improvement allocations for the Park in
the near future. With this in mind, it should be emphasized that many of the elements
of the plan can be implemented out-of-phase as funds or donations become
available.
I
PHASE ONE Approximate Cost: $195,000 Time Frame: 1995 budget cycle I
-terminate grazing lease and remove fence
-excavate new wetland and pond
-construct and plant berms
-provide irrigation to new plantings
-construct interpretive area
•construct wetland buffer fence
-plant wildlife buffer i
-map and fence seeps
PHASE TWO Approximate Cost: $395,000 Time Frame: 1997 budget cycle
-construct new park entry and road extensions and realignments
-construct path along marsh
-develop shoreline stabilization and revegetation
-develop shoreline bike/waking path `
*construct restroom near boat launch
PHASE THREE Approximate Cost: $290,000 Time Frame: 1999 budget cycle
-develop turf and family picnic areas near existing '
play area and near interpretive area
-construct games areas I
•construct fishing dodo
-construct all remaining jogging walking paths
-develop maintenance yard
-construct boardwalk
PHASE FOUR Approximate Cost: $235,000 Time Frame: 2001 budget cycle
-develop group area and related turf and games area t
-construct play area, adventure play and pond {
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13
ATTACBMENT 2
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ATTACHMENT 3
DAI t ING�7 9Y ITEM # 1
COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
November 13, 1998
To: Council Members
From: Dave Romero ]
Subject. Communication Item for 11/17 Council Meeting
Downtown Association Security
I have recently become more aware of increasing problems in the downtown,with inappropriate
behavior during late evening on Thursday,Friday,and Saturday. This manifested itself as a near
riot and attack on Police at Farmer's Market several weeks ago. There are increasingly unruly
groups during the late hours on Farmer's Market evenings, extensive public urination in
doorways of downtown businesses, and the on-going general vandalism such as damage to trees
and trash cans, and graffiti, etc.
It would seem appropriate that the City Council direct staff to set up a task force to work with the
Downtown Association to arrive at a series of recommendations and actions which would be put
into place to improve the situation.
MtO
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DiveRNEY GODIR
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SLO CITY CLERK