Loading...
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