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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-18; Parks & Recreation Commission; 989-6; Commission Chariperson Follow upCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL AR* 989-fi MTG 9-18-89 OPPT P £ R TITLE: COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON/MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO-TEM FOLLOW UP (INFORMATION) DEPT. HD. CITY ATTY PITY MGR. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept and File Commission Chairpersons meeting follow up report. Review Open Space Committee findings and recommendations. O5 oz3 Oo ITEM EXPLANATION; Several months ago the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tern met with the Chairpersons of the various Commissions and Committees throughout the City to discuss areas of interests and concerns. The attached report (Exhibit 1) is a follow up to that meeting. Relating to the concerns of the Parks and Recreation Commission, also attached (Exhibit 2) is a copy of the recommendations of the Open Space Committee as presented and discussed by the City Council during the September 12, 1989 Council meeting. Although Council did not specifically act on any of the recommendations, they recommended that staff return with a work program which would establish Ad-Hoc Committees to evaluate the implementation and costs associated with each of the committees recommendations. It is anticipated staff will return with a work program in 30-45 days. The complete (two (2) volume) Open Space Report is available for reference at the Department Administration office. EXHIBIT; 1. Commission Chairperson meeting follow up Report. 2. Open Space Report (Summary) 27 August 23, 1989 TO: CITY MANAGER FROM: Assistant to the City Manager COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS MEETING FOLLOW UP Various City departments have been following-up on those items covered at the first quarterly meeting of the chairpersons of the City's boards and commissions held with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern. LIBRARY BOARD The Library Board feels the City should assist them in trying to locate additional storage facilities, for their surplus books/supplies that will be going into the new Library. They need help in locating storage. DEPARTMENT ACTION; City Council approved a lease on July 25, 1989 which will provide 2,060 feet for additional storage. PERSONNEL BOARD Has been having difficulty in getting quorums for meetings, but this is being corrected. They would like a definition of their responsibilities in the Commissioner's Handbook. DEPARTMENT ACTION: The Personnel Board will have a definition of its responsibilities included in the Commissioner's Handbook. HISTORIC PRESERVATION Feels there should be joint meetings held with other Commissions when items coming before their Commission deal with specific issues, i.e. parks, planning/zoning issues. Feels that joint meetings would help clarify questions that arise when certain items are being heard before their Commission. DEPARTMENT ACTION: Staff will work with various departments to ensure that when items arise needing joint meetings, such meetings can be held. 28 EXHIBIT 1 TRAFFIC COMMISSION They had some concerns about the expansion of Chase Field. Expressed the need for additional parking now that the expansion had taken place, and would like to know what priority parking was given on this project. DEPARTMENT ACTION; Parking was not a priority on this project because the work consisted of landscaping improvements, none of which increased parking needs. Chase Field is an existing field which was developed before the City applied parking standards to park development. Unfortunately, there are no practical alternatives to provide offstreet parking to serve this facility and continued use of onstreet parking will be necessary. BEACH EROSION Wanted to know a little more about the Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee and what their responsibilities and obligations were. Was wondering where "housing" falls into the redevelopment field. DEPARTMENT ACTION; The Committee consists of nine members appointed by the City Council. Members serve two years and at least two of the members must be tenants of the Housing Authority. Non-tenant members of the Committee must be registered voters of Carlsbad and are appointed as follows: A. Two members of existing organizations located within the Redevelopment project area; B. One residential owner/occupant from within a Redevelopment project area; C. Two business persons from within the Redevelopment project area, and; D. Two persons trained or experienced in architecture, urban design, real estate, human relations, housing, urban development, building construction, social services or relevant business or professions. The Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Carlsbad Housing and Redevelopment Commission as requested, on any matter relating to the operation and activities of the Commission. The City Council sits as the Carlsbad Housing and Redevelopment Commission. .. 29 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION They are very concerned about open space within the City, and they had heard rumors about the possibility of the City creating and Open Space Commission, and would like more information on this proposal. Feels that there should be some overlapping with the Planning Commission on certain issues that come before them, and feels there are times when it would be beneficial to have a planner attend their meetings to give them a broader scope of information in given areas of planning when items of a planning nature or zoning issues are before them. DEPARTMENT ACTION; The Open Space Committee's final report is currently being printed. It will be presented to the City Council and will include a recommendation to form an Open Space Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission's concern about the creation of an Open Space Commission is a possibility that the City Council will have to decide as a policy matter. The Parks Director will monitor and review the Planning Commission agendas and bring items that he believes of interest before the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Parks Director will also work with the Planning Director in ensuring when necessary, a planner will attend the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. Staff believes there should be an overlap between the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission in the following areas: A. Future park planning B. Growth management as it relates to parks and recreation C. Issue regarding open space versus parks, i.e. responsibility for planning, administration and maintenance In the future they may want to consider holding joint Planning Commission/Parks and Recreation Commission workshops. GENERAL ITEMS; It was requested that Council minutes be sent to all members of all Boards and Commissions, so they are aware of actions and discussions on various issues facing the City. .. 30 DEPARTMENT ACTION; Although it is possible to send Council minutes to all Boards and Commissions, this may not be an effective way to keep them informed. The minutes come out well after the fact and will require a considerable amount of time on one's part to keep up with Council activities. Board and Commission members might be encouraged to watch Council meetings on cable tv and to contact department staff representatives for information about specific policy issues or activities of the City. GENERAL ITEMS CONTINUED; It was suggested that each commission should have some type of workshop, at least once a year, to reaffirm their goals and determine what they would like to accomplish; and to review their duties and responsibilities. DEPARTMENT ACTION: An annual Commission workshop or goal setting session sounds like a good idea and is something that each Commission could determine the need for on a Commission-by-Commission basis. At the present time, the Planning Commission conducts an annual workshop to establish its goals and objectives for the coming year and to discuss issues of importance. It would be suggested that this item be discussed at the various Boards and Commission meetings to determine how they would like to approach this suggestion. This concludes the summary of the follow-up items from the Commission Chairpersons meeting. If there is additional follow-up necessary or clarification of any of these items needed, please contact me and I will see that the information is obtained. PHILIP 0. CARTER saf c: Assistant City Manager Community Development Director 31 1 I 1 1 REPORT OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW OF CARLSBAD'S OPEN SPACE PLAN AND PROGRAMS JULY, 1989 City of Carlsbad EXHIBIT 2 SECTION I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND A. CHARGE OF CITIZENS COMMITTEE In 1988, concern was expressed about the adequacy and protection of Open Space in Carlsbad. In response to that concern, the City Council passed an interim urgency ordinance locking into place the City's current Open Space plans and ordinances. At the same time, the Council decided to appoint a 15-member Citizens Committee. The general charge given to the Citizens Committee was to review the City's existing Open Space plans and programs and to report on their adequacy and the overall status of Open Space protection in Carlsbad. The more specific charge given to the Committee was as follows: 1. Thoroughly review the City's present policies, standards, plans and programs regarding Open Space in Carlsbad. 2. Review and provide input on the draft of the updated Open Space Element and Open Space Map which reflects the City's present Open Space plan. 3. Make recommendations on specific changes, modifications or refinements to address any identified areas of concern or issues regarding Open Space. 4. Prepare a final report on the status of Open Space protection in Carfsbad. 5. The charge of the Committee is not to specifically review or make recommendations on individual parcels of land within the City. The Committee's review should focus on standards, goals, policies and programs of the City relating to Open Space. B. SUMMARY OF ITEMS REVIEWED The Committee met from December, 1988 through July, 1989 and faithfully addressed it's charge. The full Committee met 16 times. This included a Saturday field tour of the City and a Saturday public input workshop. Five, three-member subcommittees were formed to prepare recommendations on different topics for full Committee consideration. Finally, subcommittees were appointed to draft an updated Open Space and Conservation Element and to draft a final report. In fulfilling its task, the Open Space Committee used the following approach. First, an attempt was made to define what is meant by Open Space today. A detailed workbook was provided to each Committee member which contained the complete text of all existing ordinances and policies regarding Open Space. 1-1 33 The entire first five working meetings of the Committee were devoted to staff presentations explaining the City's current Open Space plans and programs. During this phase of its work, the Committee also examined how Open Space is depicted (maps, graphics), how it is used and maintained, how it is protected, and finally, what is "counted" to meet the City's Open Space performance standards. The following reports were prepared by staff and the consultants and reviewed by the Committee (copies of the reports are included in the appendix): 1. Summary of City of Carlsbad Open Space Provisions - undated. 2. Open Space Report to Citizens Committee to Study Growth dated 6/27/88. 3. General Plan and Updated Open Space Element dated 2(8/89. 4. 15% Open Space Performance Standard of Growth Management Plan/Density Transfer and Clustering dated 2/8(89. 5. Carlsbad Open Space Review Comparative Studies w/matrix -undated. 6. Methods of Acquisition and Funding - undated. _ 7. Carlsbad Agricultural Programs - undated. / 8. Administration of Open Space dated 3/8(89. 9. Trail System dated 3/8/89. 10. Description/Purpose of Open Space Map dated 3(22(89. 11. Open Space Administration Systems dated 3/30(89. With this basis of understanding, the Committee then projected the amount and status of Open Space into the future, to ultimate buildout of the City and beyond. To make this projection, with 1 much help from the City staff, it was assumed that the current plans, policies, programs, and J standards would remain in effect to buildout. Finally, the resultant projection (or "snapshot") was evaluated by the Committee to determine if the inventory and status of Open Space under }existing policies would produce the type of City that would be a desirable place to live, work or visit. 1 3 1 I Based on this evaluation, the Committee came to the conclusion that several additional measures could be taken which would involve features not currently envisioned by or incorporated into the City's existing Open Space plans and policies. These features constitute the key elements of the Committee's recommendations and form the basis for its report. 34/2 •1 11 J C. DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS OF REPORT Besides this introductory section, the Committee's Report contains four other additional sections. Section II includes Vie Committee's Overall Findings and Major Policy Recommendations. This is written in the form of an executive summary or preamble highlighting the Committee's major policy recommendations. Section III includes a more detailed description of the Topics Considered by the Committee and specific recommendations regarding those topics (specific recommendations are highlighted in bold type and followed in parenthesis by the vote of the Committee). This section is arranged according to the approach used by the Committee which was described in Subsection B above: 1) Current status of Open Space, 2) Status of Open Space at buildout under current policies and standards, and 3) Desired status of Open Space at buildout. It is not arranged in terms of priority of the recommendations. Section IV contains the Committee's recommendations for an Updated Open Space and Conservation Element. Finally, Section V is an Appendix to the Report which includes a copy of all the staff/consultant reports reviewed by the Committee, copies of Committee minutes, comments received at the public input workshop, a complete list of all the motions approved by the Committee, a matrix showing a comparison of Carlsbad's Open Space program with other cities and a financing matrix. 35 M || * I SECTION II. OVERALL FINDINGS AND MAJOR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Based on its evaluations, the Committee concluded that there are a number of gaps in current Open Space programs and at present there is no cohesive policy nor any plan setting forth Open Space goals and guiding acquisitions, protection, maintenance and financing. To remedy these perceived deficiencies, the Committee agreed, generally unanimously and always overwhelmingly, on Open Space policies to enhance the beauty of the city and quality of life of its citizens, both for the near future and looking ahead to buildout. These policy matters may be summarized as follows: 1. In order to focus City efforts in setting Open Space goals and guiding preservation, acquisition and maintenance of Open Space, the Committee urges that an Open Space plan embodying the Committee's detailed recommendations be drafted as the basic framework for Open Space policy. 2. Because no public body has been designated as advocate and policy maker for Open Space, and no existing group is charged with the responsibility for developing an Open Space plan, the committee has recommended unanimously that the City Council authorize and appoint an advisory Open Space Commission. That commission would recommend Open Space policy; fashion a plan in accordance with that policy; monitor implementation; act as advocate on Open Space matters before the City Council and Planning Commission; recommend priorities for Open Space acquisition, use and maintenance, to be exhibited graphically on an Open Space map; and set and refine guidelines for specific project review of Open Space. 3. Information submitted to the Committee showed that a very small percentage of Carlsbad's existing Open Space is accessible to the public except on a visual basis. The Committee felt strongly that the city should work toward ameliorating this situation by emphasizing the desirability of public access in future Open Space acquisitions and by public ownership where feasible. However, the committee recommends that Open Space be a mix of private and public ownership. 4. Since surveys by the state have shown that the most popular outdoor activities, and those with the greatest participation, are individual pursuits such as walking and hiking, the committee recommends unanimously that the City Council give high priority to studies preparatory to establishing a trail system throughout the city. The committee recommends further that trail routes and connections be given urgent consideration in staff's Open Space negotiations with developers. 36 t 5. The Committee's recommendations on the financing of Open Space acquisition, protection, improvements and maintenance may be summarized as follows: L The Committee strongly recommends that new developments should support at least the Open Space needs of the occupants of such developments. These requirements should ~j i be satisfied through exactions including, but not limited to: legislative protection; Quimby •- -cJ Act dedication; park-in-lieu fees; industrial recreation fees; and setback requirements, the provision of essential improvements and the adoption of appropriate local facility -> 7 management plans, master plans and specific plans. In those instances where exactions j j may not provide the required Open Space, other acquisition, protection, or financing may be necessary, with emphasis on the policy that funding should come primarily from those - -p, benefiting from the Open Space and in direct proportion to the benefits derived. In the case of "build-out' sections of the City, the Committee feels that General Obligation -. „ Bonds are a highly desirable source of funding for acquisitions, protection, improvements > ' and specifies further that such bonds should be the choice for funding particularly in those cases where the greatest number of voters will benefit from the acquisition. In .__._, those instances where the proposed benefits do not seem to justify issuance of General \ \ Obligation Bonds, the full spectrum of alternative funding should be explored. Finally, to encourage private gifts for Open Space acquisition, protection, improvements \ i _ and maintenance, the Committee recommends the City promptly create a trust or other J^ "~ mechanism to accept such gifts and make arrangements to identify, as the donor requests, those Open Space projects resulting from such gifts. J --* 6. Effort should be made to accumulate Open Space in the largest possible parcels and to create natural and manmade links between Open Space areas, giving the ~ ] perception of large Open Space areas and facilitating construction of the trail system --- outlined in Point 4 above. Furthermore, the committee urges that the city strive for a I balance of visual, passive and active Open Space within each of the city's four ' \ quadrants. 7. The Committee feels that it is particularly desirable to preserve Open Space areas •j j as buffers around ecologically sensitive areas, to encourage development of . J cultural/educational amenities in suitable Open Space areas and to leave natural Open Space areas in their natural state. 'J 8. With respect to protection of undeveloped areas, the committee recommends that a city permit be required to clear such areas and that the city be responsible for monitoring the development and construction process from beginning to end, to avert possible violation of Open Space policies and regulations. All of these recommendations are discussed in greater detail in the section of the Report which follows. } •j 11-2