HomeMy Public PortalAbout19770224 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 77-6
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Special Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
February 24 , 1977 Heather Elementary School
2757 Melendy Drive
San Carlos, California
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Wendin at 8 :05 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko,
George Seager, Edward Shelley, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson,
Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington, Del Woods and Phyllis Lee.
Audience of approximately three hundred people.
PUBLIC HEARING
G. Seager introduced several San Carlos residents in the audi-
ence, including Mayor David Nolan, Councilman William Steele ,
Councilman James Kilburg, Councilman Charles Calderhead and
San Carlos City Planner Malcolm Byce.
H. Grench presented slides of the District, showing one of its
most recent acquisitions , the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve.
He explained briefly the history of the District, its sources
of revenue and the Master Plan process scheduled for completion
in March, 1977 as a draft for public review.
J. Olson described the types of low-intensity uses encouraged
by the District on its open space preserves .
H. Grench introduced his report (R-77-10) dated February 24 ,
1977, regarding the Site Evaluation of the Hassler Health Home
Property. He noted that the District has been investigating
possible acquisitions in south San Mateo County even though
tax revenues from that area will not be received until Decem-
ber, 1977. He said the District was very much aware of citizen
interest in preserving the Hassler site, and that there was a
great deal of sentiment against the prospect of a State cor-
rectional facility being located on the site. He felt that
even if such a facility proved to be non-threatening to the
safety of residents , its physical presence would probably
B. Minutes of February 24 , 1977
B. Green said she did not think councilman James Kilburg had
attended the meeting of February 24 , and suggested his name
be deleted from the minutes .
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of February
24 , 1977 be approved with the above change.
Meeting 77-6 Page two
prevent the site from being utilized to its best advantage as
a park or open space preserve.
J. Olson described the location of the Hassler Health Home
site near Interstate 280 and Edgewood Road in San Carlos,
pointing out an 80 acre undeveloped parcel to the northwest
which is privately owned. The Hassler site has a prominent
ridge and creek canyons on either side of the ridge , and the
maximum elevation is 653 feet. The property is characterized
by varied Vegetation and wildlife. Access to the site is from
Edgewood Road, which crosses over a San Francisco Water Depart-
ment right-of-way, and local public buses currently run within
a block of the site. Existing structures include the Hassler
Health Home complex, a sewage treatment plant, and miscellan-
eous animal enclosures . Water is supplied from the Hetch
Hetchy Aqueduct, and a sewer line connects with the new
Edgewood sewer system. J. Olson said that other adja-
cent properties include a 20 acre San Mateo County Hospital
inholding, and San Francisco watershed lands across Interstate
280 .
H. Grench pointed out that the Hassler site ranked about aver-
age on the composite map of the District ' s draft Master Plan.
The site can be reached within 10 to 20 minutes from the popu-
lation center of the District 's San Mateo County annexation
area.
J. Olson said there were three potential levels of use for the
Hassler area: passive use involving protection of natural
resources and occasional hiking; low intensity use involving
activities such as hiking, horseback riding and nature programs ,
and providing some parking and trails; or more intense use
involving these activities as well as picnic areas and play
meadows. He pointed out that all of these uses presuppose
either removal of the existing buildings or finding a compati-
ble use for the buildings. The estimated cost of removing
the buildings is from $200 ,000 to $400,000.
J. Olson suggested there were several alternative management
arrangements which could be considered for the site if acquired.
San Carlos could appropriately manage the site for any of
the previously mentioned use levels; the District and San Carlos
could jointly manage the property if the use were kept either
passive or of a low-intensive nature; San Mateo County could
appropriately manage developed recreational facilities. He
added that San Carlos has already filed an Environmental Impact
Analysis for all the discussed use levels, and the project
is in conformity with both the City and County General Plans.
H. Grench discussed the District's financial situation, noting
that if the District committed itself to a major expenditure
Meeting 77-6 Page three
during the remainder of this fiscal year, it would have to fund
such an acquisition through long term financing, such as a bank
loan or installment purchase from the landowner, so that cash
reserves would not be adversely affected. He said there still
remained some other possible income sources, such as from the
sale or lease of the Hassler Health Home buildings, the possi-
bility of receiving a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund
grant, or funds from SB 174 or federal Revenue Sharing programs.
H. Grench said the Hassler property is unique among the sites
which the District has acquired or may acquire, since the major
portion of the land is undeveloped and the site is immediately
adjacent to heavily urbanized areas, and reachable by public
transportation. The site has specific attributes such as
canyon areas, vista points and trail route possibilities; how-
ever, the site's integrity has been compromised by
the Hassler Health Home buildings and adjacent uses .
H. Grench said he recommended the Board adopt the following
position with respect to the Hassler site: (1) the District
will lend its support to the acquisition of the property and
to the search for use of the buildings as San Carlos projects;
(2) the District will finance its contribution through a
means not requiring cash; (3) assuming financing is available,
the District will contribute the lesser of $1.05 million, or
50% of the fair market value as determined by an appraisal
approved by the District; (4) San Carlos will convey a conser-
vation and open space easement on the undeveloped portion of
the property to the District; (5) All net income from the sale
or lease of the portion of the site with the hospital facilities
and all income from any grant which helps finance acquisition
will accrue equally to the District and San Carlos, and any other
grant toward the project arranged solely by one of the agencies
will accrue only to that agency; (6) the District will consider
managing the open space portion of the site as public open
space in accordance with a District site use and management
plan, provided that a compatible use is found by San Carlos
for the hospital buildings and that San Carlos will provide
police and fire protection; (7) San Carlos shall be reponsible
for the maintenance and security of the buildings, and any
new construction would be subject to District approval; (8)
the District would not bear the cost of site operation and
development of picnic or other facilities. He further recom-
mended that the President of the Board send a letter to the
San Carlos City Council outlining the Board's position. If
the Board did approve the recommendations, then staff would
work with the San Carlos staff to prepare necessary documents
for Board and City Council consideration to implement the
policy.
D. Wendin pointed out that the Board would be considering
arrangements for a specific loan at a Special Meeting on Monday.
Meeting 77-6 Page four
G. Seager explained that the District' s figure of $1.05 million
is based on a letter from the City of San Francisco which
set forth its asking price of $2.1 million for the site.
In response to a question from G. Seager, J. Olson explained
that regular, routine patrol by District rangers seems to be
sufficient for District open space preserves, but the degree
of patrol required depends on the kind of use on the individual
site and proximity to the urban area.
In response to a question from E. Shelley, H. Grench said details
on use and management would be worked out by the staffs, includ-
ing use of the buildings, and that the District would retain
some control over building use.
D. Wendin commented that the San Francisco Water Department would
have to be approached regarding public access on their right-of-
way.
D. Wendin acknowledged the receipt of dozens of written communi-
cations regarding the Hassler property. He said the Town of
Woodside had also sent a letter to the Board dated February 23,
1977, urging- the Board to participate with other agencies in
financing the acquisition of the Hassler property.
San Carlos Mayor David Nolan said he was pleased with the recom-
mendations contained in the report and he gave his total support
to the project. He said he was certain the staffs of the two
agencies could work together on implementing the plan.
Bryan R. Baarts, 2934 Eaton Avenue, San Carlos, said he fully
supported the recommendations in the report. He suggested that
any monies received that would accrue to both agencies should
accrue proportionately, rather than equally, depending on each
agency's share of the purchase price. He added that he felt the
District should manage the site if San Carlos provides fire and
police protection. He further suggested removal of the buildings
and that the agencies determine who would be liable for injuries
that might occur on the site.
In response to a question from the audience, H. Grench explained
that acquisition of the site was considered to be mainly a San
Carlos project, since their citizens had initiated the effort,
approved a bond measure to be supported by their taxes, and
because the site will require staff resources which the District
does not have, especially regarding the use of the buildings.
He said he anticipated that the District would be involved in
areas left in open space and the City of San Carlos would be
involved in the finding a use for the more heavily used ares
of the site.
Meeting 77-6 Page five
In response to a question from the audience, H. Grench said
there used to be a HUD open space funding program, but it was
now defunct. Any HUD funding at this time would be available
only to the City of San Carlos, not to the District. Mayor
Nolan added that there were no funds presently available.
Robert Black, 585 Dartmouth Avenue, San Carlos, said he sup-
ported the recommendations.
Jacqueline Massing, 1719 Valley View Avenue, Belmont, said
Belmont residents consider Hassler an important open space
area, too, and she urged the Board to accept the recommenda-
tions in the report.
Barbara Wachter, 209 Stevens Court, San Carlos , said she felt
the report was well thought out and she appreciated the Board
holding the meeting in San Carlos. She added that the resi-
dents of San Carlos share the District's desire for open space.
N. Hanko urged the Board to adopt the recommendations in the
report. She said she had attended a meeting last week regard-
ing the Hassler property and was very impressed with citizen
support for its acquisition.
G. Seager introduced Councilman Gayten DeRosa. He said he con-
sidered this meeting to be a milestone in the many years that
he and others have worked toward acquisition of the Hassler
property. He said he felt the site would be an asset to the
community. He commended staff on the report.
Motion: G. Seager moved adoption of the recommendations con-
tained in the General Manager's report (R-77-10) dated
February 24 , 1977, and that the staff proceed with
arranging for financing and work with the San Carlos
staff on the implementation of the policy statements
in the report. H. Turner seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :43 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk
i