Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-16; Parks & Recreation Commission; 991-4; Beach Parking IssuePARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL _ TITLE: BEACH PARKING ISSUE (INFO) s*i ' . I A / MTG._ DEPT. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept and file staff report. ITEM EXPLANATION: As part of the impacts relative to the State budget, recommendations regarding the possibility of charging for public parking at local beaches under State jurisdiction have recently been at issue with the City of Carlsbad. Although no official action implementing a parking fee has yet been instituted by the State, the issue is currently under review by several agencies including local coastal cities, Coastal Commission, and the State Parks and Recreation system. Staff will give a verbal update regarding both efforts to initiate and prevent paid parking at local beaches. FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time. EXHIBITS; 1. City Council Agenda Bill No. 11,260 - Beach Parking Fee Proposal 2. Memo to City Manager from Research Office, 7-23-91 3. Mayor Lewis's letter to Henry Agonia, Director of State Parks and Recreation, 7-23-91 CIT' OF CARLSBAD — AGEND" BILL AR« DEPT TITLE; BEACH PARKING FEE PROPOSAL DEPT. HD. CITY CITY RECOMMENDED ACTION: Direct staff to prepare letters to the State Department of Parks and Recreation and the California Coastal Commission in opposition to the imposition of beach parking fees at the lot at the end of Tamarack Avenue. /&*~* • ?*/- 33-5~ ITEM EXPLANATION: The State Department of Parks and Recreation has applied to the California Coastal Commission for approval to install fee collection devices at 16 state park sites, including the beaches in Carlsbad at Tamarack Avenue and Ponto Drive. These devices, either automatic ticket machines known as "park-ur-self" devices or "iron rangers", would augment the existing fee collection program throughout the State. Each device will generally be located near the entrance to the park, in a previously paved or disturbed area. Two by three foot information signs will also be installed along with each device. The permit submitted to the Coastal Commission is only for mechanical devices; other devices such as gates or metal teeth in the roadway to prevent vehicular entrance are not included in the application. These are the same devices currently being used in Oceanside at the harbor and beach parks. As part of the FY 1990/91 budget, the Legislature and the Governor directed the State Department of Parks and Recreation to increase its fees throughout the State park system in order to make up a $16 million shortfall in funding for the operations and staffing of the Department. Accordingly, the Department analyzed its existing fee schedule, the areas where fees were not being collected and its fee collection practices and found that fees were only being collected in about 16% of the day use areas of the system. The Department then identified units and areas in the system where new fees could feasibly be collected, areas where parking is available but no fee is collected, and areas where fees were only being collected during the peak season (May - September). Based on this analysis, the Department identified sites throughout the state, including the Carlsbad sites, where new or more efficient fee collection practices could be instituted. The Carlsbad State Beach at Tamarack Avenue does not currently have a fee collection system. The State Department of Parks and Recreation is asking the Coastal Commission for approval to install either a park-ur-self device or iron ranger at this 120-space lot. On June 11, 1991, the Commission postponed their decision on this beach, among others, until the Department held public meetings. A public meeting has tentatively been scheduled in Solana Beach on Monday, July 22,1991 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. In January, 1991 the Coastal Commission denied coastal permit applications for the installation of 16 fee collection devices at 11 state park sites because it was determined that the imposition or increase in fees were not consistent with several policies of the Coastal Act. However, Coastal Commission staff is recommending that the Commission limit its review in this case to the physical impacts of the collection devices on the natural resources and nearby communities. In denying the Department's prior applications, the Commission was 30 EXHIBIT 1 x-v_PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. concerned about the potential adverse impacts of new or increased fees on persons of limited economic means, adverse impacts on natural resources and surrounding communities, and the absence of any relation between fees and services or facilities. In addition, the Commission was also concerned that the Department had failed to adequately involve the public in its decision-making process. In response to the Commission's action, the Department has taken several steps towards addressing these concerns. First, the imposition of new fees has been deferred until a series of public meetings have been held to allow public input on all issues relative to day use fees. Second, the Department will look at the relation of fees to services and facilities provided at the sites. Third, the Department has included in their application a monitoring component which will result in an identification of potential impacts on natural resources and neighboring communities and which is intended to result in corrective action being taken to mitigate any significant adverse impacts. Fourth, the Department will provide the Commission with an annual report as to the impacts, if any, in the areas of primary concern to the Commission relative to the installation and operation of the fee collection devices. As a result of the Commission's action denying the Department's applications for fee collection devices, the Commission was asked to explain its actions to the Legislative Budget Committees of both the Assembly and the Senate. Members of the fiscal committees made it clear that the Commission's action, which had the effect of preventing the Department from imposing new fees at coastal parks, was viewed by them as being in direct defiance of the Legislature's and the Governor's intent as reflected in the FY 1990/91 budget. The Legislative Committee of the City Council has reviewed this proposal, and is recommending opposition to beach parking fees at the Carlsbad State Beach at Tamarack Avenue. 31 54 ( * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 91-235 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA OPPOSING A PROPOSAL BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO IMPOSE PARKING FEES AT CARLSBAD STATE BEACH. WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has applied to the California Coastal Commission for approval to install a fee collection device at the beach parking lot at Tamarack Avenue; and WHEREAS, many residents visit the beach daily, including swimmers, seawall walkers, surfers, and beachcombers; and WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad has assumed the responsibility for improving State owned property near this beach; and WHEREAS, the Carlsbad State Beach is one of the City's greatest assets and should be enjoyed without charge. NOW, THEREFORE, BE fT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the City Council hereby opposes the imposition of fees at the 120- space beach parking lot at the foot of Tamarack Avenue. 32 HI 55 r i 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 16ch day of July , 1991, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Larson, Nygaard, and Stanton NOES: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: ALETHALRAUTENKRANZ, City Clerk ] (SEAL) 27 28 July 23, 1991 TO: ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER FROM: Management Analyst, Research Office BEACH PARKING FEES At their meeting of July 16,1991, the City Council directed staff to look into the possibility of the City taking over maintenance of the State-owned beach parking lot at the foot of Tamarack Avenue. This matter was investigated previously by City Parks and Recreation Department staff. In 1989, Council instructed staff to negotiate a land exchange for the bluff top whale watch from Tamarack Avenue to Cherry Avenue, excluding the rest rooms, parking lot and the west-facing slopes above the sea wall. The City's concern was that because of City improvements made to the bluff top to the north, and the high visibility and public use of the property, the area deserves a higher level of maintenance than was being provided by the State. The State Director of Parks & Recreation responded that they lack adequate funding to develop and maintain these areas compatible with City standards. In addition, the State was not willing to transfer any of their property to the City, but would consider a long-term operating agreement at no cost to the State if the City would include the following: • Tamarack parking lot; • grass and hardscape area; • restrooms; and • the marine bluff/slope area from Tamarack Avenue to Oak Avenue. In his report to Council in December, 1989, Dave Bradstreet expressed staff's opinion that it would not be in the City's best interest to assume ongoing improvement and maintenance responsibilities and the liability exposure of the parking lot. Council agreed, and staff entered into an agreement with State for the enhancement of the landscaped area of the bluff top walkway. Also in 1989, Mr. Bradstreet's department prepared a maintenance and development cost study of the whale walk and bluff top area from the cold water jetty north to Cherry Avenue (see attachment). In order for us to provide the Council with current information in their pursuit of an operating agreement with the State, it is suggested that Parks and Recreation staff once again study the costs of such an arrangement with the State, and begin negotiations with Bill Fait and State Parks and Recreation to reach an agreement. JONI WILTGEN jw Attachment 57 EXHIBIT 2 c City of Carlsbad Office of the Mayor July 23, 1991 Henry R. Agonia, Director State Department of Parks and Recreation 1416 9th Street, #1405 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Mr. Agonia: On behalf of the entire Carlsbad City Council, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak at your public meeting in Solana Beach on July 22nd. As we expressed at the meeting, we are quite concerned with the effect of beach parking fees on our community. Not only will these fees preclude beach access for those who use it the most - the residents of Carlsbad - but it will also cause beach goers to find other places to park in our community, creating traffic congestion and pedestrian hazards. Because Carlsbad State Beach is near residential and commercial neighborhoods, the potential impacts are obvious. At our meeting of July 16, 1991, we directed City staff to look into the possibility of entering into an operating agreement with the State, whereby the City would maintain the parking lot at Tamarack Avenue at no cost to the State. Please consider this a formal offer to begin work on an agreement. We are most anxious to keep this beach free of charge for everyone and, as such, are willing to take on maintenance responsibilities. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lori Lieberman, Assistant to the City Manager, at (619) 434-2822. Sincerely, CLAUDE A. Mayor UD" LEWIS Pgk City Council City Manager Assistant City Manager Bill Fait, District Superintendent Kenneth B. Jones, Regional Director Assembly Member Robert Frazee Senator William Craven 58 EXHIBIT 3 1 2OO Carlsbad Village Drive • Carlsbad. California 92OO8-1989 • (619)434-2830 © , iyyi TO: PARKS AMD RECREATION DIRECTOR - FROM: Senior Management Analyst -* , MAGNOLIA ACQUISITION AM© DEVELOPMENT/CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM It is my understanding that the Council action relative to the agenda item concerning the Magnolia acquisition and development presented August 6, 19»1, was as follows: 1. Staff was directed to report back to the Council with specific information on the establishment of a Community Facilities District (CFD) in the northwest quadrant for park enhancement. This report is to include various amounts of money which would be generated at various levels of assessments over various time frames. 2. Relative to the acquisition of the Magnolia site, we should at this time keep ai options open including unilateral acquisition and development of the entire 13.9-acne site as well as joint possibilities for acquisition- and development o* the site with the Carlsbad Unified School District. tt was suggested by the Council that we inform the School District of our efforts to establish a CFD for the acquisition and development of the site as they may wish to consider this as an alternative in their efforts to pursue acquisition and development of the 5.3-acre site to meet their needs. _ ( 3. Relative to the Mosp Grove area, staff is to prepare a scoping assessment as to what we envision as an enhancement plan for Hosp Grove which is to also include 1he entire south shore of the Buena Vista Lagoon encompassing* th® area at the Duck Feeding pond to the north and extending westerly to include Maxton Brown extension ending at the Pacific Ocean. There are additional points which wi be necessary as support information when this issue will again be addressed by the CHy Council. That inlormation would include: Descriptions for the recommended northwest quadrant park enhancement projects The estimated costs of each project Any direction that the Carlsbad Unified School District is pursuing relative to their efforts to acquire and develop the Magnolia site This information was requested to return to the City Council in late September or October for their consideration. For information relating to the formation of a CFD, we will need to meet with the Financial Manager. However, I believe all other issues can be addressed within our department. We will begin on this issue directly and keep the Parks and Recreation Com/fission abreast of our endeavors. Ks •ITH BEVERLY VJ> 9 7 \ - o/ . ryuTDTT 1 c:' Assistant City Manager 60 LAHiDAI X [T ! r-« •** v* S*% i ** I