HomeMy Public PortalAbout20221011 - Minutes - Planning and Natural Resources (PNR)
* Approved by the Planning & Natural Renounces Committee on December 13, 2022
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
The Committee conducted this meeting in accordance with California Government Code section
54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33. All Committee
members and staff participated via teleconference.
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
APPROVED MINUTES *
CALL TO ORDER
Director Riffle called the meeting of the Planning and Natural Resources Committee to order at
1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members absent: None
Staff present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Susanna Chan, Assistant General Brian Malone, Chief
Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak,
District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer Woodworth,
Planning Manager Jane Mark, Senior Planner Gretchen Laustsen, Planner
II Tyler Smith, Senior Resources Management Specialist Coty Sifuentes-
Winter, Capital Projects Field Manager Bryan Apple
Director Riffle announced this meeting is being held in accordance with California Government
Code section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33
allowing Committee members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a
meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The
public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to
this meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting
agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District
website. Director Riffle described the process and protocols for the meeting.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda.
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October 11, 2022
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-0-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no comments were submitted.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
1. Approve the August 2, 2022 Planning and Natural Resources Committee Meeting
Minutes.
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the
August 2, 2022 Planning and Natural Resources Committee meeting minutes.
Public comment opened at 1:03 p.m.
No public comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 1:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-0-0
2. Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Area Feasibility Study – Trail Alignment
Options and Parking Area Conceptual Design Alternatives (R-22-111)
Senior Planner Gretchen Laustsen provided the staff presentation giving an overview of the
project and related projects in the Purisima Open Space Preserve, such as Purisima Uplands site
cleanup and soil remediation, marbled murrelet recovery planning, and the preserve-wide
Purisima multimodal access study. The Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail is planned to be a regional trail
connecting Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve to the San Mateo County coast and
would provide connections for the Bay Area Ridge and Bay to the Sea Trails.
Capital Projects Field Manager Bryan Apple described the trail planning process, including field
review and analysis, trail scouting, biological and cultural resources assessment, and site
feasibility study. Mr. Apple highlighted the various trail alignment alternatives and planning and
construction opportunities and constraints for each of the options.
Director Kishimoto suggested including visuals of the potential trail alignments with views from
the trail and a view of the trail from the road for the options.
Chair Riffle inquired regarding potential dog access for the trail alignment.
Ms. Laustsen stated the trail is planned for a multi-use trail with hiking, biking, and equestrian
access. The existing trails in Purisima do not allow dog access, so dogs are not planning to be
allowed to maintain consistency throughout the preserve.
Chair Riffle requested additional information regarding potential seasonal closures.
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October 11, 2022
Mr. Apple provided additional information regarding potential seasonal closures for the various
trail alignments.
Chair Riffle suggested creating a shorter loop trail utilizing trail alignment option 2.
Director Kishimoto suggested building trail alignment options 1 and 3 if the funding allows.
Ms. Laustsen stated there are restrictions in the District’s conservation easement for the South
Cowell property that regulate the number of trails that are allowed to cross the property.
Chair Riffle commented that additional visual aids can also help the Board of Directors and
members of the public better understand the gradient of the trail options.
Mark Brandi, with SWCA Environmental Consultants, reviewed the parking area planning and
site analysis process, which included riparian setback analysis, topographic survey, culvert
drainage study, and traffic and multimodal access studies. An opportunities and constraints
analysis was completed for the project to better understand key considerations for the site, such
as protection of scenic resources along the Highway 1 corridor, adjacent farmland and grazing
operations, sensitive habitats and riparian setbacks, and public safety. Mr. Brandi displayed the
three design alternatives for the parking and trailhead areas and summarized the key similarities
and differences between each.
Director Kishimoto commented regarding this high demand for parking at the site and suggested
alternative B would help break up the visual of a large parking lot.
Chair Riffle requested additional information regarding the amenities located on both sides of
Verde Road in Alternative B and whether these amenities are available in the other alternatives.
Mr. Brandi suggested the amenities located on the east side of Verde Road in Alternative B
could also potentially educational opportunities. These amenities are located on the western side
of Verde Road in Alternative C. Even minimal improvements on the east side of Verde Road
would impact the grazing tenant located there.
Chair Riffle commented the District does not have other parking areas located on this area of the
San Mateo Coast, so the proposed Purisima parking area would help alleviate the parking needs
there.
Director Siemens suggested providing wiring to all of the parking areas to allow for electric
vehicle charging to prepare for additional electric vehicle needs in the future. Additionally, a
permeable surface should be used to help prevent drainage issues.
Planner II Tyler Smith described the District’s public engagement efforts for the project and
feedback received. Feedback included support for public access with interest in maximizing the
number of parking and equestrian parking capacity, neighbor concerns related to potential traffic
congestion and trespassing on neighboring properties, support mid-trail facilities for the general
public and equestrians, and support for equity with interest in a shuttle program, and support for
English and Spanish signage, mapping, and online information.
Public comment opened at 2:21 p.m.
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October 11, 2022
No public comments submitted.
Public comment closed at 2:21 p.m.
Director Kishimoto requested field visits to the site for the Board of Directors prior to Board
consideration.
Director Siemens spoke regarding the high visitor demand for parking in the area and in support
of providing shuttle service for visitors. Director Siemens spoke in support of moving quickly on
the project and designing the parking lot in parallel with the environmental review.
Chair Riffle requested additional information on how the Measure AA portfolios will be handled
when proposed projects exceed the amount in the portfolio budget.
Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak reported staff is
drafting a policy to address this topic which would first be considered by the Measure AA Bond
Oversight Committee before the Board deliberates on it. Additionally, funding options also
include grant funding, interest on the bond funds, and the District’s general fund.
Chair Riffle suggested the District learn from past projects regarding increasing public access
and parking for a preserve including extensive outreach to the
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to accept the
General Manager’s recommended Trail Alignment 1 and Connectors A and B, and the
Conceptual Parking Area Design Alterative C and forward the recommendation to the Board of
Directors for consideration as the project scope that would serve as the proposed project
description to initiate environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-0-0
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Riffle adjourned the meeting of the Planning and Natural Resources Committee at 2:42
p.m.
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk