HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02-2013 c7 adoption of map addendum irish hill conservation planMedi472 /1 3
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C I T Y O F S A N L U I S O B I S P O
FROM :
Michael Codron, Assistant City Manage r
Prepared By :Robert A . Hill, Natural Resources Manage r
SUBJECT : ADOPTION OF MAP ADDENDUM TO THE IRISH HILLS NATURA L
RESERVE CONSERVATION PLAN UPDAT E
RECOMMENDATIO N
As recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, adopt a resolution approving th e
Map Addendum to the Irish Hills Natural Reserve .
DISCUSSIO N
Background
Following several property acquisitions between 1998 and 2001, which together formed the Iris h
Hills Natural Reserve, staff prepared the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan in 2003
pursuant to requirements of the City's Conservation and Open Space Element and theConservation Guidelines for Open Space Lands of the City of San Luis Obispo .The Cit y
• acquired an additional property known as Froom Ranch in 2010 to be included as an expansio n
of the existing Irish Hills Natural Reserve, and an update of the Conservation Plan wa s
subsequently prepared and adopted in 2011 . The overarching purpose and goals for th eConservation Plan are stated as follows :
The Conservation Plan protects existing resources at Irish Hills Natural Reserve an d
balances recreational use, fire safety, and resource protection .
The 2011 update includes several map exhibits (see Figures 4, 6-8) that graphically depic t
proposed trails for the Froom Ranch addition to the Reserve . In addition, the 2011 updat e
narrative contemplated the potential need for changes to existing trails, as well as the potentia l
for the incorporation of several new trails (p . 16):
Several potential changes to existing trails include the realignment of portions of trail
where grades are excessive and improvements can be made without undue environmenta l
damage . Candidate trails for these improvements include Poppy Trail, Mine Trail ,
Sterling Trail, and Ocean View Trail . Any trails with a grade in excess of 12-15% will b e
a candidate for realignment if possible to do without undue environmental damage i .e .
without the need for bridges, heavy grading, shoring, and passage through wetlands o r
endangered plant communities .
• Potential for the incorporation of several new trails within IHNR include a "short cut "
connector from Froom Creek to upper portions of the proposed Froom property trails ,
Ocean View Trail from the lower gate to the road, a connector from Tower Trail t o
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Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update — Map Addendum
Page 2
Froom Creek, a loop trail at Froom Mine, and a connector from Froom Mine to Froo m
Creek via Old Prospector's Road and the continued exploration of other possible trai l
extensions .
Subsequent to the City Council's adoption of the 2011 update, Ranger staff and Natura l
Resources Program staff have had the opportunity to become much more familiar with the lan d
itself, as well as observe and communicate with actual trail users . Staff now proposes the Ma p
Addendum to provide clarity to the proposed and existing trails that were anticipated in the 201 1
update, and seeks the City Council's formal adoption of the same .
Design Proces s
A trail alignment and design team comprised of Ranger staff and Natural Resource Program staf f
have met on numerous occasions both in-house and in the field . Input has also been receive d
from regular volunteers that assist with trail construction . The proposed trail network revision s
incorporate the following criteria that were identified by the staff team :
1.Ensure user safety
2.Avoid sensitive plant communities and natural resource s
3.Minimize scenic impacts from both on-site and off-site location s
4.Construct new trails at grades under 10% to avoid erosion, maintenance, and decrease d
overall user experience of trails with excessive grade s
5.Construct new trails where rolling dips, grade reversals, and other design features whic h
minimize erosion, maintenance, and increase overall user experience and sustainabilit y
6.Provide trail loops and stacked loops where appropriate and possibl e
7.Provide both single use trails and multi-use trails
8.Provide opportunities for education, scenic vistas, and a more up close "intimat e
experience" with the unique vegetative and geologic features of the Reserv e
9.Provide trail connections between existing trails, as well as improved overall trai l
circulation within the Reserv e
The Map Addendum (Attachment 1) provides graphic depiction of the proposed new trails ,
revisions to existing trails, and those trails that are anticipated to be single use only, for the entir e
Irish Hills Natural Reserve (although most of the focus is on the newer areas within the Froo m
Ranch addition). It should be noted that, based on the above criteria, the trail from Tower Trai l
to Froom Creek shown in the 2011 update is no longer being considered due to its significan t
slope and difficulty of construction . Further, existing trails near the two mines within th e
Reserve will be de-commissioned once the re-alignments in those areas are implemented.
Review Proces s
In seeking review, input, and recommendation of the proposed trail layout, several aspects of th e
Map Addendum were further discussed and considered by the Parks and Recreation Commissio n
(See Draft Meeting Minutes, Attachment 2):
1 .Passive use balanced with resource protection .A few of the proposed trails have th e
potential to result in impacts to scenic resources and sensitive natural resources . These
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Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update — Map Addendum
Page 3
•include the proposed new trails from the "saddle" to Tower Trail, from Tower Trail to Froo m
Mine, and the re-establishment of Old Prospector's Road from Froom Mine to Froom Creek .
These trails were conceptually supported by the Parks and Recreation Commission subject t o
staff ensuring detailed biological surveys and viewshed analysis, as well as the incorporatio n
of trail construction techniques designed to avoid or minimize impacts .
2 .Implementation priorities .Staff sought the Parks and Recreation Commission's input on th e
logical ordering of implementation and relative importance of the proposed trails . The
Commission indicated priority for user safety first and foremost, followed by opportunitie s
for linkages and improved overall trail circulation .
In addition to the City's process (staff proposal, Parks and Recreation Commission review, Cit y
Council adoption), it should be noted that the Froom Ranch addition to the Reserve i s
encumbered by a Deed of Conservation Easement held by The Land Conservancy of San Lui s
Obispo County . New trails are categorized as a "conditional right" in the easement, an d
therefore staff will also need to make a formal written request and seek a consistenc y
determination of the proposed trails from the easement holder . There is a 30 day timelin e
specified in the easement for this process .
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIE W
•A Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document was adopted and filed for the Iris h
Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update .Through that process, the Initial Stud y
identified three areas where potential concerns exist : one is the potential for damage to specie s
of concern (both plant and animal) from new trail construction ; second is the potential fo r
erosion from new or existing trails ; and third is the potential for exposure (primarily by trai l
construction workers) to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA), which is often found in varyin g
amounts in serpentine-derived soils .
These concerns are addressed by the following mitigation measures : (1) ensuring that trail route s
are surveyed at the proper time of year to determine whether plant species of concern are present ,
and to ensure that animal species are protected from inadvertent impacts by imprope r
construction techniques or timing ; (2) the inclusion of commonly used "Best Managemen t
Practices" in the construction of trails and other feature of the site, and (3) the use of dusk masks ,
soil wetting techniques where feasible, and timing of frail construction to minimize or eliminat e
the potential for exposure to NOA .
With incorporation of these provisions, potential impacts are mitigated to less than significan t
and continued reliance on the existing Mitigated Negative Declaration remains appropriate, a s
the document included analysis of future trail projects and activities such as those contemplate d
by the Map Addendum . Community Development Department staff have provided thei r
concurrence relative to the environmental review process described above .
•' The Deed of Conservation Easement was a requirement of one of the grant funding sources used to acquire Froo m
Ranch.
Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update — Map Addendum
Page 4
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FISCAL IMPAC T
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the Map Addendum . The City has enjoye d
outstanding volunteer trail construction support in the past, and anticipates further volunteer tim e
directed towards these efforts . Staff time is supported by program budgets for Ranger Service s
and the Natural Resources Program, while hard costs incurred are supported by the approve d
Froom Ranch Enhancement CIP .
ALTERNATIVE S
The Council could reject the Map Addendum . This is not recommended, since the Ma p
Addendum has been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission in public session an d
received a unanimous affirmative vote, and the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan
Update anticipated the proposed trails to which the Map Addendum seeks to provide clarity as t o
exact location and configuration .
ATTACHMENT S
1.
Proposed Map Addendum to the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Pla n
Updat e
2.
Draft minutes of the March 6, 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission hearing
3.
Resolution to Adopt the Map Addendum to the Irish Hills Natural Reserv e
Conservation Pla n
ENCLOSURE/LIN K
The Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update (2011) document can be accessed at :
http ://www .slocity .org/naturalresources/download/irish%20hiIls2011 update .pdf
A hard copy of the plan and an 11" x 17" size color copy of the Map Addendum have bee n
placed in the Council reading file .
T :\Council Agenda Reports \2013\2013-04-02\Map Addendum to Irish Hills Conservation Plan (Codron-Hill)\&CAR Irish Hills Ma p
Addendum 4-2-13 .doc
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S S
City Open Space Reserves --..— New Trails
-- Streams Proposed Trail s
..t.ttit.,Existing Trails -- Decommission Trails
Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan - Map Addendum at■
Miles as San wi e titspo
0 0 .25 0 .5 0.75 1
Attachment 2
Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – March 6, 201 3
Page 3 of 6
4. Proposed Map Addendum to the Irish Hills Conservation and Open Space Plan –Hill
Natural Resources Manager Bob Hill gave a presentation to the Commissioners explaining th e
proposed map addendum (not changing substance, just adding detail). Hill gave the Commissioners a
brief history of property purchases and private easements beginning in 1998 up through the 2003 Irish
Hills Conservation Plan and the 2010 acquisition of Froom Ranch and updated Conservation Plan an d
ultimately Council's adoption of that plan in 2011 . Hill stated Johnson Ranch has become increasingl y
popular since finishing the trail connection to Irish Hills . Now that Ranger and Natural Resources staf f
know the land more intimately they are contemplating the rerouting of trail networks originall y
outlined in the Conservation Plan . Hill stated he and Natural Resources and Ranger staff have spen t
time in the field with topography maps outlining areas of minimal impact for trail re-routing while
keeping in mind maintenance needs, sensitive plant communities, user safety, as well as an enhance d
user experience . Also hope to provide both single and multi-use trails in the process . Hill feels the
Ranger Services team construct state of the art trails and, because of the team's expertise, is confiden t
there would be minimal impact. Will interact with trail users and conduct surveys to better understan d
their wishes prior to construction . Seeking Commissioners' review, input and recommendations of th e
proposed trail layout .
Commissioners inquired about maintenance and safety issues and signage . Hill explained issues wit h
slope, traffic and wear concerns, connector to Mountain Brook Church area and that there is a bi g
enough network of users now to be a safety issue . Also discussed bog thistle area closure, increase d
growth in trail running sport, mountain bike use, integrating boulders in design as boundaries . Hill also
explained partnering with Open Space goal includes Fire Department for fire abatement concerns .
Commissioner Kincaid expressed his full support of the addendum, the excellent work the Range r
Services division are doing and how much more enjoyable the trail is than he expected .
(Commissioner Kincaid left the meeting .)
MOTION:(Whitener/Parolini) Recommend Council adopt the proposed map addendum to th e
trails depicted in the adopted Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update to reflect in-
the-field conditions .
Approved : 6 yes : 0 no : 1 absent (Kincaid)
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Attachment 3
•RESOLUTION NO. (2013 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP O
ADOPTING THE MAP ADDENDUM FOR THE IRISH HILLS NATURAL RESERV E
CONSERVATION PLAN UPDAT E
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has adopted policies for protection ,
management, and public use of open space lands acquired by the City ; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo manages twelve open space areas totalin g
approximately 3,800 acres, including the 1,090 acre Irish Hills Natural Reserve ; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission has reviewed and commented upon
the Map Addendum to the existing Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update and a s
such it has moved through a Council-directed approval process, and the Map Addendum take s
into consideration the Parks and Recreation Commission's comments .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Lui s
Obispo as follows :
1 .Findings :The City Council hereby makes the following findings :
•a . The Map Addendum provides detail and clarity as to exact location and configuratio n
of trails that were previously anticipated to be realigned, decommissioned, o r
incorporated into the Irish Hills Natural Reserve system .
b.Continued implementation of trails within the Irish Hills Natural Reserv e
Conservation Plan Update as depicted in the Map Addendum will provide prope r
protection and management of the natural resources of the Reserve and will provide a n
appropriate level of public access, while maintaining the great majority of the site in it s
natural condition .
c.A Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document was adopted and filed fo r
the Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update .Through that process, the
Initial Study identified three areas where potential concerns exist : one is the potential fo r
damage to species of concern (both plant and animal) from new frail construction ; second
is the potential for erosion from new or existing trails ; and third is the potential fo r
exposure (primarily by trail construction workers) to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA),
which is often found in varying amounts in serpentine-derived soils .
These concerns are addressed by the following mitigation measures : (1) ensuring that trai l
routes are surveyed at the proper time of year to determine whether plant species o f
concern are present, and to ensure that animal species are protected from inadverten t
•impacts by improper construction techniques or timing ; (2) the inclusion of commonl y
used "Best Management Practices" in the construction of trails and other feature of th e
site, and (3) the use of dusk masks, soil wetting techniques where feasible, and timing o f
trail construction to minimize or eliminate the potential for exposure to NOA .
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With incorporation of these provisions, potential impacts are mitigated to less tha n
significant and continued reliance on the existing Mitigated Negative Declaration remain s
appropriate, as the document included analysis of future trail projects and activities suc h
as those contemplated by the Map Addendum .
2 . Based on foregoing findings, the City Council hereby adopts the Map Addendum for th e
Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update attached hereto as Exhibit A an d
approves implementation of the trail projects depicted therein .
On motion of
, seconded by
, and on the following roll call vote :
AYES :
Council Members
NOES :
Council Members
ABSENT :
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of April, 2013 .
Jan Howell Marx, Mayo r
ATTEST :
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
Maeve Kennedy Grimes, City Clerk
J . Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
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COUNCIL MEETING :0//r
ITEM NO .:('f'
Grimes, Maev e
From :Marx, Ja n
Sent Tuesday, April 02, 2013 3 :56 P M
To :Grimes, Maev e
Cc Lichtig, Katie; Hill, Robert
Subject :agenda correspondence C 7
Attachments :AppendixC.pd f
Please consider this document, Appendix C to the Conservation and Open Space element, agenda correspondence fo r
item C7 .
Thank you ,
Jan Marx
1
city ofsantuts o ispo Conservation and Open Spac e
THE GENERAL PLA N
APPENDIX C : MANAGEMENT OF OPEN SPAC E
LAND S
1.The City will manage land that it owns, or controls through lease or easement, t oimplement the policies of this element, and will encourage other agencies to do s oon their land . This Appendix focuses on management practices for land s
designated by the Land Use Element as Open Space or Agriculture, but does no texclude other designations such as Park or Public .2.The City's Conservation Guidelines for Open Spaces, in conjunction with approve d
individual Open Space Conservation Plans and the City's Open Space Ordinance ,
shall guide day-to-day management decisions and activities in open space areas .
3.On open space land that the City manages, the City may decide to permit mor ethan one type of activity or use . Where different uses may not be compatible, th e
following priorities will guide decisions . The items listed under a priority heading ar e
co-equal . (Land uses are subject to any deed restrictions placed by owner s
conveying land to the City for open space purposes, and to easements or right sretained by others .)
Priority 1
•Protection of existing wildlife and natural habitat generally .
•Protection of existing listed species and their existing habitat, or re-establishmen tof such habitat where damaged .
•Protection of public resources such as water quality (watershed runoff an d
groundwater recharge).
•Avoidance of threats to public health and safety, such as ground instability (In th e
case of vegetation management for wildland fire, separation between hazardou s
vegetation and structures generally should be provided on the land containing th estructure, by the owner of the land containing the structure . Where vegetatio n
management on City-owned land is needed or desirable, management practice swill minimize harm to wildlife habitat and scenic resources).
Priority 2
•Public access and passive recreation .•Protection of scenic resources .
Priority 3
•Scientific study .
•Agricultural production .12.Any encroachment of a private use onto the City's land must benefit the City'sownership and management objectives, and shall be subject to approval by th eCity Council .
13.The City will adopt conservation plans (or master plans with conservatio ncomponents) for large parcels, and for small parcels where conservatio nchallenges and solutions need to be clarified . The preparation and adoptio nprocess shall foster participation by resource-protection experts and by the public .On lands designated Park (such as Laguna Lake, Mission Plaza, and Meado wPark), the plans will provide for previously established recreational uses . They ma yprovide for passive recreational uses that do not adversely impact listed specie sand that minimize adverse impacts on other wildlife resources . The City's Lope zCanyon property (outside the planning area) and Reservoir Canyon property will b emanaged as open space .
14.The City will coordinate law enforcement and emergency response for its ope nspace lands with all potentially affected agencies .
6-77
Goodwin, Heather
Grimes, Maev e
Tuesday, April 02, 2013 10 :55 A M
To:Goodwin, Heathe r
Subject :FW: agenda corresponce C-7
Attachments :Irish hills amendment, Open Space and Parks elements .docx
RECEIVE D
APR 0 2 201 3
SLO CITY CLER K
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENC E
!D,q +:-1/01-..item#C i
Please distribute as correspondence for Item C-7 .
Thank you .
maeve kenneay Galme s
City Cler k
city Of san lull OBISp O
990 Palm Stree t
San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
phone : (805) 781-710 2
email :mgrimes@slocity .org
From :Marx, Ja n
Sent:Tuesday, April 02, 2013 10 :39 AM
Grimes, Maeve ; Codron, Michae l
Hill, Robert
ject :agenda corresponce C-7
Please consider the attached excerpts from the Conservation and Open Space Element and the Parks Element as agend a
correspondence .
Thank you ,
Jan Howell Marx
Mayor of San Luis Obisp o
(805) 781-7120 or (805) 541-271 6
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Conservation and Open Spac e
THE GENERAL PLA N
8 .4 .2 GOAL : Open spaces access and restoration .
The City intends to allow public access to open space that fosters knowledge an d
appreciation of open space resources without harming them and without exposin g
the public to unacceptable risk . The main goal is to protect open space and wildlife
habitat, with a secondary goal of providing passive recreation where it will not
harm the environment .
8 .5 Policie s
8 .5 .1 Public access .
Public access to open space resources, with interpretive information, should be
provided when doing so is consistent with protection of the resources, and wit h
the security and privacy of affected landowners and occupants .Access wil l
generally be limited to non-vehicular movement, and may be visually or physicall y
restricted in sensitive areas . Public access to or through production agricultural land, o r
through developed residential lots, will be considered only if the owner agree s
(Land for active recreation is typically designated "Park" in the General Plan Lan d
Use Map). The City shall also designate open space areas that are not intende d
for human presence or activity
8 .5 .5 Passive Recreation .
The City will consider allowing passive recreation where it will not degrade o r
significantly impact open space resources and where there are no significan t
neighborhood compatibility impacts, in accordance with an approved open spac e
conservation plan .Passive recreation activities may include : hiking, nature study ,
bicycle use, rock climbing, horseback riding or other passive recreational activitie s
as permitted and regulated in the Open Space Ordinance .
Parks and Recreation Elemen t
3 .9 Open Space And Recreational Trail sThe City's open spaces are undeveloped lands, which allow for nature study opportunities, passiv erecreation activities and habitat conservation . Recreational trails are typically Class 1 bicycle paths tha tprovide opportunities for runners and walkers as well as non-motorized transportation modes .
Policy 3 .20 .1
Open space shall be managed so as to provide appropriate public access and enhances the natura lenvironment, consistent with the Conservation and Open Space Element ,•