HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-13; City Council; 18933; Citizens Committee: Open Space & TrailsCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 10
AB# 18,933
MTG. 03-13-07
DEPT. PLN
Final Report of the Proposition C Open
Space and Trails Ad Hoc Citizens
Committee
DEPT. HEAD
CITY ATTY.
CITY MGR.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 2007-057 ACCEPTING the property acquisition
rankings developed by the Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On October 18, 2005, the City Council created the Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc
Citizen's Committee (also known as the Open Space Committee). The stated purpose of the Committee
was to establish priorities for open space property acquisition and trail linkage projects and make
recommendations to the City Council on potential candidate acquisitions and projects for future
expenditures.
The Committee has met regularly since its first meeting in February 2006 and members of the public
have attended and participated in all meetings. Most of the meetings involved exploration of pertinent
open space and trails documents, such as the Open Space and Conservation General Plan Element,
Open Space and Conservation Resource Management Plan, Habitat Management Plan, and Citywide
Trails Master Plan.
On October 10, 2006, the City Council received and approved a report detailing the Committee's public
outreach program and property ranking criteria to be used to gather and evaluate a list of candidate
acquisition properties. The Agenda Bill and exhibits covering this action are contained in Section 2 of
the Final Report. A 30-day public participation period began on October 18, 2006 with the publishing of
the ranking criteria and procedures for recommending an open space and/or trail property for
acquisition. Staff received nine proposals with sufficient information to be considered by the Committee.
In addition to those properties, staff identified four more properties that benefited HMP implementation,
two of which contained a future citywide trail, for Committee consideration.
On December 1, 2006, the Committee evaluated each property proposal and, after hearing from the
property proponent and other interested parties, voted on the point tabulations. The final ranking, noted
below, was derived solely from the approved ranking criteria and did not consider aspects such as a
willing seller or future development plans on the property. A matrix detailing the point tabulations for
each property is contained in Section 5 of the Final Report.
Property Rankings:
South Coast Quarry
Sherman Property (trail only)
Calavera Hills Village H
175 points
173 points
173 points (see member comment below/)
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONL Y.
COUNCIL ACTION:APPROVED JH
DENIED D
CONTINUED D
WITHDRAWN D
AMENDED D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D
RETURNED TO STAFF D
OTHER - SEE MINUTES D
Page 2 - Final Report on Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc Citizens Committee
County Airport Property 170 points
Kato Property 168 points
Mandana Property 168 points (see Committee comment below)
CUSD High School site (undeveloped
portion only) 168 points
Lubliner Property (trail only) 156 points
Rancho Carlsbad Property 146 points
Mitsuuchi Property 145 points (see Committee comment below)
Murphy Property 143 points (see Committee comment below)
Poinsettia Vernal Pools (mgmt only) 102 points
Brodiaea Preserve 82 points
There were four comments added to the recommendations. The first comment pertained to the Village
H property and dealt with the reason for a dissenting vote from Committee member Martyns. Dr.
Martyn's expressed concerns about the property description and potentially complicated land deal
involving the City purchasing existing, preserved open space and returning it to the current land
manager (Center for Natural Lands Management). The second comment pertained to the Mandana
Property and came from the entire Committee. The members desired to stress the importance of the
Mandana Property for habitat connectivity and vitality, even though its resulting point score was lower
than other properties considered.
The entire Committee also commented on the Mitsuuchi and Murphy Properties noting that these
properties, located on the north shore of Batiquitos Lagoon, were essential to allow the completion of a
heavily used public trail. They also noted that, had detailed biological information been available, the
properties would have likely scored higher in the rankings due to their wetland/upland habitat interface.
The Committee's final report, attached as Exhibit 2, contains background information on the
Committee's formation and extension, minutes from pertinent Committee meetings, property ranking
criteria and process, final property rankings, and maps. The report also contains the property
proponent's original proposal for each nominated property, as well as correspondence from interested
parties.
On January 12, 2007, the Committee met to finalize their report and several members of the public
offered comments. Prior to that meeting, the Committee received new information regarding the
presence of cultural resources on seven of the nominated properties. The Committee decided that their
rankings would be forwarded as determined at their December 1, 2006 meeting and any additional
information could be presented to City Council separately. Staff is analyzing the submitted cultural
resource information and will present the findings in a memorandum to Council.
In addition to the comments regarding archeological resources, the Vice President of the San Diego
Mountain Biking Association also offered testimony, stating the Association's desire for the City to
acquire mulit-purpose trail easements through the County Airport Property. The Committee
recommended that this information be included in the report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The request for acceptance of the report from the Open Space Committee will not produce any fiscal
impacts, in that no property acquisitions are proposed at this time. The fiscal impact of actually
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Michael Grim 760-602-4623 mgrim@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
Page 3 - Final Report on Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc Citizens Committee
acquiring the properties is unknown at this time. Once the candidate properties have been identified and
authorized by City Council, staff will pursue inquiries to those property owners and quantify the probable
acquisition costs. While the City could simply acquire these properties, in order for them to be included
in the HMP and count towards the City's Conservation Goals, the open space properties must be
maintained and monitored in accordance with the Open Space Management Plan and MHCP.
Therefore, long-term costs for this property management would be included in the acquisition cost
estimates.
There are several ways to offset some of these acquisition costs through other funding sources.
According to US Fish and Wildlife Service staff, properties that contain sensitive habitats and/or species
and would facilitate the implementation of the HMP would be eligible for federal matching funds. In
addition, City staff has been in contact with the Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Conservation
Board and the Trust for Public Lands about available funding to augment the Proposition C allocations.
Local non-profit organizations, such as the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, have also expressed interest
in partnering with the City on open space property acquisitions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The request for acceptance of the report from the Open Space Committee does not constitute a project,
as defined by Section 15378 of the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and
therefore no environmental documentation is necessary.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2007-057 .
2. Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc Committee Final Report
(On file in the Office of the City Cterk)
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Michael Grim 760-602-4623 marim@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2007-057
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSAD, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE FINAL REPORT
3 AND PROPERTY ACQUISITION RANKING FROM THE
PROPOSITION C OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS AD HOC
4 CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
5 WHEREAS, the City Council created the Proposition "C" Open Space and Trails
6 Ad Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee on October 18, 2005 for a maximum term of one year
7 unless extended; and
8 WHEREAS, the purpose of the Committee is to establish priorities for open
9 space property acquisition and trail linkage projects and make recommendations to the City
10 Council on potential candidate acquisitions and projects for future expenditures; and
11 WHEREAS, on October 10, 2006, the City Council extended the term of the
12 Committee until January 31, 2007; and
13 WHEREAS, the Committee has completed a ranking of all candidate property
14 acquisitions for open space and trail linkage purposes.
15 NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, does
1" hereby resolve as follows:
17 1. The above recitations and true and correct.
18 2. That the candidate property ranking contained in the "Final Report on the
JQ Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee" is accepted.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Carlsbad on the 13th day of March, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Sigafoose
LEWIS, Mayor
ATTEST:
LORRAINE
(SEAL)
, City Clerk 0
MEMO
March 13, 2007
TO: Carlsbad City Council
Joe Curran, President of The Crest of Camera Hills HOAFrom:
BE:
T^e'slrd'of Directors of the Crest of Calave. «.
preserving this land as open space.
AGENDA ITEM #.
c: Mayor
City Council
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
(0
MAR 13 2007
CITY OF CARLSBADCITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Proposition C Open Space and Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc CitizenTrails Ad Hoc Citizen’’s s CommitteeCommitteeFinal Report andFinal Report andProperty RankingsProperty Rankings
Committee MembersCommittee MembersMarty Montgomery Marty Montgomery --ChairmanChairmanDennis Villavicencio Dennis Villavicencio ––Vice ChairmanVice ChairmanDr. Joel Dr. Joel AltshulAltshulSaundra Saundra CimaCimaDr. Leonard Dr. Leonard MartynsMartynsCarl MillerCarl MillerFred Fred SandquistSandquist
BackgroundBackgroundProposition C Open Space Committee Proposition C Open Space Committee was formed by City Council to:was formed by City Council to:––Establish priorities for open space property Establish priorities for open space property acquisition and trail linkage projects; andacquisition and trail linkage projects; and––Make recommendations on potential Make recommendations on potential candidate acquisitions. candidate acquisitions. Council also requested review of all Council also requested review of all relevant open space and trails materials.relevant open space and trails materials.
Review of MaterialsReview of MaterialsThe Committee has reviewed a number of The Committee has reviewed a number of materials, including:materials, including:––General Plan Open Space and Conservation General Plan Open Space and Conservation ElementElement––Open Space and Conservation Resource Open Space and Conservation Resource Management PlanManagement Plan––Habitat Management PlanHabitat Management Plan––Citywide Trails ProgramCitywide Trails Program––Aerial photographs and development maps of Aerial photographs and development maps of CityCity
Ranking CriteriaRanking CriteriaDivided into three groups of differing Divided into three groups of differing importance.importance.Highest priority given to special interest Highest priority given to special interest habitats, trail linkages, and connectivity of habitats, trail linkages, and connectivity of biological/wildlife corridors.biological/wildlife corridors.Lower priority criteria include cultural, Lower priority criteria include cultural, historical, or historical, or paleontologicalpaleontologicalresources, resources, water quality, and scenic open spaces.water quality, and scenic open spaces.
Ranking CriteriaRanking CriteriaFocused purely on open space and trails Focused purely on open space and trails related issues (e.g. sensitive species, related issues (e.g. sensitive species, wildlife corridors, and trail linkages).wildlife corridors, and trail linkages).Did not consider potential sales price or if Did not consider potential sales price or if property owner would be willing seller.property owner would be willing seller.Criteria approved by City Council on Criteria approved by City Council on October 10, 2006.October 10, 2006.
Public ParticipationPublic Participation30 day period for public to propose 30 day period for public to propose properties for consideration.properties for consideration.(October 18 through November 17, 2006)(October 18 through November 17, 2006)Property identification and justification Property identification and justification required for submittal.required for submittal.Received nine proposals from the public Received nine proposals from the public and four from staff.and four from staff.
Ranking ProcessRanking ProcessStaff reviewed each proposal for accuracy Staff reviewed each proposal for accuracy and supporting documentation.and supporting documentation.Property proponent and public offered Property proponent and public offered testimony.testimony.Committee made several property specific Committee made several property specific comments.comments.Committee considered each property and Committee considered each property and voted on the proposed point tally.voted on the proposed point tally.
Property RankingsProperty RankingsSouth Coast Quarry siteSouth Coast Quarry siteSherman Property (trail only)Sherman Property (trail only)CalaveraCalaveraHills Village H*Hills Village H**Member comment noted*Member comment notedCounty Airport Property (easement)County Airport Property (easement)Kato PropertyKato PropertyMandanaMandanaProperty**Property****Committee comment noted**Committee comment noted
Property RankingsProperty RankingsCUSD High School site (undeveloped)CUSD High School site (undeveloped)LublinerLublinerProperty (trail only)Property (trail only)Rancho Carlsbad PropertyRancho Carlsbad PropertyMitsuuchiMitsuuchiProperty**Property**Murphy Property**Murphy Property****Committee comments noted**Committee comments notedPoinsettia Vernal PoolsPoinsettia Vernal PoolsBrodiaeaBrodiaeaPreservePreserve
Additional CommentsAdditional CommentsAdditional archeological information Additional archeological information provided after property rankings.provided after property rankings.––Summarized in memorandum to Council.Summarized in memorandum to Council.––No significant alteration to ranking order.No significant alteration to ranking order.Testimony from the San Diego Mountain Testimony from the San Diego Mountain Biking Association regarding trail access Biking Association regarding trail access through the County Airport Property.through the County Airport Property.
RecommendationRecommendationAccept CommitteeAccept Committee’’s final report.s final report.Direct staff to research availability and Direct staff to research availability and potential purchase prices of properties.potential purchase prices of properties.Remove properties with unwilling sellers Remove properties with unwilling sellers from consideration.from consideration.Staff to research eligibility for grants.Staff to research eligibility for grants.Return to City Council with list of available Return to City Council with list of available properties.properties.
Proposition C Open Space and Proposition C Open Space and Trails Ad Hoc CitizenTrails Ad Hoc Citizen’’s s CommitteeCommitteeReport and Extension Report and Extension RequestRequest
THE IDEA OF A PARKPALM CANYONANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK
falls
cascades
pools
palms
The idea of a large desert park in San Diego County began in September 1927 when Clinton Abbott, Guy Fleming, and Dr. Walter Swingleappealed to Californians to protect the uniquenative palm groves in what is now Borrego Palm Canyon. From this early call, the park idea gained support from the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and the newly formed California State Park Commission. In 1932, in the worst of economic times, funding was generated, mostly through private donations, and the park idea turned into reality. Seventy years later, the Park is comprised of over 600,000 acres of diverse desert and mountain terrain. - California State Parks (www.park.ca.gov)“”
Palm CanyonEl Salto
•