HomeMy Public PortalAbout19751218 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 75-27 AA, Meeting 75-27. 1.
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Special Meeting
Board of Directors
December 18 , 1975 7 : 30 P.M.
Midpeninsula Regional Park District
745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park
District will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, December
18 , 1975 for the purpose of conducting a Public Hearing
on the Draft Master Plan of the Midpeninsula Regional Park
District , as indicated on the agenda below.
A G E N D A
(7 : 30) ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 10 , 1975
PUBLIC HEARING
(7 : 45) 1. Draft Master Plan of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District - K. Duffy and
E. Shelley
CLAIMS
(8 :45) EXECUTIVE SESSION Land Negotiations
ADJOURNMENT
M-75-190
AA� (Meeting 75-27,
1�610e Agenda item No. 1)
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
MEMORANDUM
December 15, 1975
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: H. Grench, General Manager
SUBJECT: Draft Master Plan of the Midpeninsula Regional Park
District
At its December 10, 1975 meeting, the Board of Directors
decided to hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, December 10,
1975 for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing on the
Draft Master Plan of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District.
Attached for your consideration are the materials relating
to this subject.
HG:acc
M-75-189
(Meeting 75-27
Agenda item No. 1)
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
MEMORANDUM
December 15, 1975
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: D. Wendin
SUBJECT: Master Plan of Midpeninsula Regional Park District
Dear Colleagues:
In general the effort to eliminate words has resulted in
the deletion of unnecessary words, usually with an improvement
in style. Many of the "District believes" deletions have been
reinstated. However, here and there phrases or sentences have
been deleted from the acquisition policy introductions. These
deletions helped to define the District' s overall policies and
beliefs, and added to the overall content of the presentation.
Any individual deletion is probably unimportant. Taken together,
however, these deletions in the name of brevity and format are,
I believe, unfortunate. Moreover, some are individually important
enough to require discussion.
Page 6. The following was deleted from the presentation
on Wildlife Protection:
"The marshes and saltponds provide a valuable feeding
and nesting area for a variety of waterfowl, small
mammals and marine life. These baylands also lie along
the Pacific Flyway and thus provide a sanctuary for
waterfowl and migratory birds which roam far beyond the
borders of the District. The chaparral, grasslands,
forests and streams of this area each contribute to the
support of a great diversity of birds and animals. "
This was replaced by :
"including waterfowl and migratory birds which roam
far beyond the borders of the District. "
The specificity of the original language was included be-
cause we wished to emphasize that each different kind of open
space contributes to the protection of wildlife, in particular
the baylands and saltponds to which we have consistently tried
to give "equal time" .
Page two
Also on Page 6, the phrase "The District believes" was
deletedfrom the paragraph which begins "governmental
agencies must. . ." . We had been consistent in stating that
we believe that other agencies should do such and such
think the deleted phrase should be returned. As an aside, I
think the word "all" should be inserted before "governmental" .
Page 7. The following was deleted at the end of the
first paragraph in the presentation of Low Intensity Recrea-
tion:
"This accessibility will become increasingly impor-
tant as the fuel shortage becomes more acute. "
How quickly we forget. This is an important statement
calling attention to one of the important long term reasons
for opening up open space to low intensity recreation.
Page 8. The following was deleted from the last para-
graph in the presentation on Wilderness Experience:
"These sites are not compatible with open space uses
which involve substantial amounts of human activity;
they are, however, fully compatible with such open
space uses as wildlife and vegetation protection,
water production, (and) the protection of the public
from natural hazards. "
The thought here is important although it could probably
be expresspd better. Sites appropriate for Wilderness Experi-
ence will not accomodate substantial numbers of people, cer-
tainly not at any one time and probably not over a long period
either, as these sites will tend to be fragile. The current
statement leaves the impression that we will acquire enough
such sites to accomodate all those in the District who wish a
Wilderness Experience. This, of course, is not the case and,
on the contrary, such sites will allow relatively few people
such an Experience. I propose including the following language:
"The sites will not accomodate a substantial amount
of human activity. On the contrary, use of the sites
will need to be limited to a level which insures that
their generally fragile environment is protected from
disruption."
Page 8. The following sentences were deleted from the
presentation on trails:
"Easy accessibility through trails will be an increas-
ingly important factor in the enjoyment of the open
spaces of the foothills and baylands . "
"Various methods may be used to establish trail
right-of-way, such as outright purchase or acquisi-
tion of trail easements . "
Page three
In addition our role in planning regional trails was
changed to participation from leadership.
These deletions cut out the heart of our policy on reg-
ional trails. As originally adopted, we are committed to plan-
ning a regional system of trails giving access to open space in
the foothills and baylands. We may wish to back off from this
policy , but this step should not be taken casually in the desire
to save space.
Page 10. In the presentation on Scenic Preservation,
specific advice to local jurisdictions was replaced by a bland
request that they protect the natural landscape. Originally we
had stated that regulations should be adopted so that no inten-
sive development in the hills surrounding the valley will be
permitted" and "carefully regulated low density development
should be allowed only in a manner that will preserve the in-
tegrity of the natural landscape. Scenic ridge tops which sur-
round the valley should be preserved in their natural state-, I
believe that we want to continue the emphasis of these statements.
Page 10. In the presentation on Scenic Roads and Highways,
the following was deleted:
"prohibiting roadside advertising and other development
incompatible with the scenic quality of the roadside
and landscape. "
It was replaced by a general reference to "appropriate
land use regulations. "
This is another policy statement which was changed in the
interest of saving space without a review by the Board.
Page 12. In the presentation on Agriculture, the following
was deleted:
"The District believes that lands with value for agri-
culture should be identified as potential agricultural
preserves. Those agencies having jurisdiction should
discourage urbanization and encourage retention of
agricultural use. Urban services should not be extended
to such land."
These sentences represent policy and were replaced by a
general statement that agricultural lands should be protected.
Page 13. The detailed statements relating to the sub-
categories of Public Health and Safety were deleted. In par-
ticular the references to the automobile as a polluter are gone.
These background statements were replaced by the usual bland
generalities.
Page four
Page 18. In combining the original first and fourth
factors as one (now the third) , the order of the factors was
changed.
Page 19. The word "encourage" changed to "support" in
the discussion of LAFCO. This is a policy change.
Summary: As you all know, I am opposed to the proposed map
format. If we do go ahead and use it, I would like us to make
it available in typed form on 8h" X 11" paper for the Board and
those of the public who will actually use the document. At a
minimum the Board will need it in this form for our green binders.
I would also like our transmittal letter to advise the recipients
that the Plan is available in this alternate form.
DW:jg
Planning Department
314 County Administration Building
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, California 95110
County of Santa Clara 290,2521 Area Code 408
California
MEMORANDUM
December 11, 1975
To: Herb Grench, General Manager, Midpeninsula Regional Park District
From: Don Weden
Subject: FINAL EDITED VERSION OF THE MRPD MASTER PLAN TEXT
Enclosed for your information is the final text of the District's
Master Plan, incorporating the changes agreed to at the December 4
meeting of the Board's Master Plan Subcommittee.
I am currently in the process of marking a copy of this text with
instructions to the typographer who will be typesetting it. I hope to
have all matters relating to typography completed early next week so
that the project will not be held up while I am on vacation during the
week of December 22 and most of the following week.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Purpose and History: The Mldpeninsu|a Regional Park
� District (MRPD) is an independent, special-purpose district
created by the voters in November of 1972 for the purpose
�
� of preserving and acquiring open space lands in the
foothills, mountains, and baylands, outside the urbanized
area.
Area Included: The MRPD encompasses the cities of
Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte
5erano, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale,
� and the unincorporated areas adjacent to these cities,
including Stanford University.
Body:Governing The District is governed by a Board of
Directors consisting of five members, each of whom is
elected for four year terms From a separate ward within the
District. The Board has regular meetings on the 2nd and
4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m, in the District's
office in Los Altos.
The MRPD is empowered, acting through its Board of
Directors, to spend its funds to acquire land, through
� purchase or gift, for open space, park, and recreational
� purposes' When necessary, the DistrYcc has the power of
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� eminent domain.
The District is also empowered to create and maintain
recreational facilities. In order to maximize the
effectiveness of its open space preservation efforts,
however, it is the District' s policy to allocate the vast
majority of its funds during the first years of its
� existence to the acquisition of open space, rather than to
� the development and maintenance of facilities.
The MRPD does not have zoning or other regulatory powers
with regard to privately owned lands.
Finances: The District' s primary source of revenue is a
property tan of 10� per $100 assessed valuation of real and
personal property within the District. This, together with
property tax relief payments from the State of California
and interest earned on District funds not yet committed to
land purchases or operating expenses, is expected to
provide approximately $2,000,000 in fiscal year 1975-76.
The MRPD also seeks to supplement its regular revenues with
state and federal grants and donations from private
individuals and organizations. To data, the District has
received $935,000 in grants and over $500,008 in gifts of
land.
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The District has the power to issue bonds, to borrow money,
and to enter into installment purchases.
� Enabling Legislation: The MRPD was established and
operates under provisions of the Regional Park District
Act, contained in Section 5500 and following sections of
the California Public Resources Code.
Lands Acquired: Although the District did not receive its
first tax revenues until December of 1973, it has already
acquired almost 3,000 acres of open space land, divided
among seven sites within the District.
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INTRODUCTION
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MASTER PLAN
Since its creation in November of 1872, the Midpunlnsula
Regional Park District has been working to acquire open
space lands, It has also been working to present to the
public a clear and detailed statement of the District's
basic philosophy and policies,
In March of 1974 the District adopted its Basic Policy
containing five basic objectives to guide the MRPD in its
efforts to preserve open space. Each of these five
objectives is accompanied by additional policy statements
which clarify and elaborate upon the objectives. The
District also adopts an annual Action Plan which sets �
forth the specific programs and sub-programs it intends to
pursue to carry out each of the five major objectives and
their related basic polYcies.
Two of the objectives in the Basic Po| icy, relate to the
acquisition of open space lands by the District, and to
working with other governmental agencies and private
organizations to preserve open space. The purpose of the �
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District's Master Plan is to aid the District in carrying
� out those two objectives by providing guidance for the �
� Land Acquisition and Governmental Liaison programs in
the District's Action Plan
' The Master Planis organizedfollowing
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THE FUNCTIONS OF OPEN SPACE
"Open space / is generally defined as any land or water area
which remains in a natural state, is used for agriculture,
or is otherwise essentially undeveloped. One way to
differentiate between and evaluate open space areas is to
� examine and compare the beneficial functions they perform,
or have the potential to perform. Some of these functions
include providing opportunities for low intensity or
intensive recreation, providing scenic beauty, providing
habitat for wildlife, preventing urban sprawl , and
� protecting the public from natural or manmade hazards.
� Both the Open Space Acquisition Policies and the Open
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Space Lands Evaluation included in this Master Plan are
organized according to the various beneficial functions
performed 6v open space.
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| , OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION POLICIES
The following open space acquisition policies define the
role the District will play in the preservation of open
space and reflect the roles the District believes other
� public agencies and private organizations should play.
They will be a major factor in the District' s land
acquisition decisions.
� OPEN SPACE FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL VEGETATION
�
Much of the beauty of the remaining open space in the
District is due to the abundance, diversity, and in some
cases the uniqueness of the natural vagetetYon. This
vegetation, from the pickiewead of the baylands to the
majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, provides
necessary habitat for a great variety of wildlife. It is
also of inestimable value in reducing soil erosion,
decreasing runoff and aiding water absorption in watershed
areas, improving air quality, and providing educational and
nature appreciation opportunities to the area's residents.
These vegetative resources are threatened by the pressures
of urbanization, by logging, grading, land filling in the
baylonds' certain intensive recreational activities, and
quarry operations.
Human activities which destroy vegetation, particularly
rare or endangered plant species, should be regulated by
the appropriate governmental agencies. Provision must be
made for enforcement of these regulations, and for
� restoration of natural vegetation whenever possible.
Policies:Acquisition |
1 , The District will acquire, through purchase and
� donation, land or rights in land for the protection
of natural vegetation.
2, The District will acquire and preserve
representative examples of major vegetative
communities.
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OPEN SPACE FOR THE PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE
Each wildlife species has its own intrinsic value and
contributes to the quality of life around us' This and
future generations must have the opportunity to observe and
enjoy the wild creatures which inhabit nearby open spaces.
The opportunity to study wildlife can also add to our
� knowledge of the effects of human intrusion on the natural
env ironment.
Human settlement of this area and the resulting conflicts
with nature have had harmful affects on the wildlife of the
region. Gone are the grizzlies, cats, and condors that
once roamed freely in this area. Several other species are
presently threatened with extinction by the continued human
intrusion on the open spaces which provide the foud,
nesting, and resting areas necessary for their survival .
Although some species can adapt to this urbanization`
others can survive only if their habitats are preserved in
a natural ' largely undisturbed state'
We are fortunate to have in the District a great variety of
natural areas which provide habitat for numerous species of
wildlife, including waterfowl and migratory birds which
roam far beyond the borders of the District.
Governmental agencies must take appropriate action to
protect wildlife in general , those species unique to this
area, and particularly those animals and birds which are on
the state and federal lists of rare and endangered species.
Acquisition Policies:
1 . The District will acquire, through purchase and
donation, land or rights in land for the protection
of wildlife.
2. The District will consider acquisition and
establishment of special preservation areas in
order to protect the habitats of rare or endangered
wildlife species found in this area.
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OPEN SPACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION
Low Intensity Recreation
In this commercial and mechanized society, one of the most
rewarding experiences can be the escape from the noise and
pressures of an urban center to the peace and quiet of
unspoiled open spaces. Hare' where there is little �
development and few panp|a` an individual may rejuvenate
body and spirit with such activities as walking, horseback
riding, picnicking, and kiteflying, or by simply observing
and communing with nature. Such recreational lands have
even greater value when they can be reached easily and
quickly from home or work,
Open space necessary for low intensity recreation must be
preserved while it is still available. Such land must also
be protected from concentrations of human activity so that
the natural setting is not substantially dls1urbed. Low
intensity recreation requires little investment in
buildings, utilities, or other facilities' and is
frequently compatible with other open space uses.
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Acquisition
Policies:
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� 1 . The District will acquire, through purchase and
donation, land or rights in lend for low intensity
recreation.
2, The District will cooperate with and consider joint
ventures with appropriate agencies in order to
provide opportunities for low intensity recreation.
.Intensive Recreation
Intensive recreation is recreation in which there is a �
concentration of human activity in a limited area. Such
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activity generally requires the construction of facilities
such as ballflelds, swimming pools' playgrounds, �
. campgrounds, and buildings. The District believes that the �
provision of facilities for intensive recreation within the �
District is mainly the responsibility of school districts, �
the cities, the County, and private enterprise.Acquisition �
Policies:
1 . The District will consider acquiring, through
/ purchase and donation, (and or rights in land which
is valued for intensive recreation if such land
also has other substantial open space value.
2' The District will consider entering into
cooperative programs whereby other agencies (public
and privata) will provide recreational facilities
on District land, if other significant open space
values will be protected.
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Wilderness Experience
Wilderness experience is a form of recreation which is
basically "communing with nature" in a quiet, secluded
| natural area. Areas suitable for this experience should be
! free from the visual signs, sounds, and smells of
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civilization, an
d should provide a sense of isolation and
privacy, There are a number of locations within the
District that are attractive and secluded, and are
potentially excellent locations for wilderness experience. �
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Policy:Acquisition
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1 ^ The District will acquire, through purchase and
donation, land or rights in land to provide for the
wilderness experience.
Trails
In recant years, walking, bicycling, and horseback riding
have become among the most rapidly growing forms of
recreation. There is a great need for more public trails
�and pathways to accommodate this growing demand. The energy
shortage adds to the desirability of having more public
trails both in and near the urban area. |
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The District believes that all levels of government have
roles to play in the development of a comprehensive trail
and pathway system within the District. The MRPD intends to
participate in the planning and implementation of a
regional recreational trails system within the District.
Policies:Acquisition
1 . The District ill acquire, through purchase and
donation` land or rights in land for a regional
trail system. Such acquisitions will primarily
� involve trails in the baylands and foothills
� outside of the urbanized area. �
� 2^ The District will enter into cooperative programs
with public agencies and private groups in order to
� provide a trail system which ties together the
urban area with the major open space and
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OPEN SPACE FOR GUIDING URBAN FORM
Uncontrolled urban sprawl and leapfrog development have
been destructive to agriculture, have made efficient local
government difficult and provision of urban services
costly, and have aggravated pollution and transportation
problems. This destructive and wasteful process of urban
development must be controlled by careful planning and
proper land use regulations, and by the phased extension of
urban services and facil )tlas. To this end, the District �
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encourages and supports the efforts of the cities` the
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County, and the Local Agency Formation Commission to enact �
and enforce land use policies and regulations to guide
urban form and to confine urban development within
designated Urban Service Areas. The District believes that �
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� these areas should be strictly limited to reflect
� anticipated five-year growth plans.
Along with the planning and regulation of development,
permanent open space areas on the urban fringe should be
acquired to induce compact development and to limit urban �
sprawl . It is this critical open space which is |
particularly threatened by development that is most
valuable for guiding urban form.
Policy:Acquisition
1 ^ The District will acquire, through purchase and |
donation, land or rights in land for guiding urban
form.
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OPEN SPACE FOR SCENIC PRESERVATION
The Scenic Backdrop
The slopes and ridges of the mountains visible from the �
Santa Clara Valley are especially valuable as scenic
� resources. Bodies of water, including the Bay, the �
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� reservoirs, and stmaamsidas are important scenic resources
as well . The scenic value of these land and water areas
can be greatly diminished if inappropriate development is
allowed to encroach upon thmm.
Preservation of the scenic backdrop does not necessarily
require public purchase of the lands involved, nor does it
require public access to these lands. It can be �
accomplished through the use of scenic easements, the
Williamson Act, and appropriate land use regulations.
� The District believes that local jurisdictions should enact
and enforce reasonable zoning and land use regulations to
protect the natural landscape of the hills and ridgetops
surrounding the valley. Streams, reservoirs, marshes, the
� Bay, and lands adjacent to them should also be protected
for their value as scenic open space areas.
Acquisition Policy:
1 , The District will acquire, through purchase and
donation, land or rights in land for the
preservation of the scenic backdrop.
View from Scenic Roads and Highways
Within the District there are a number of roads and
highways traversing scenic rural areas. Leisurely travel
on these roads can be pleasurable recreational and open
space experience. Some of the views from these roads have
been given protection by scenic highway zoning; others �
remain relatively unprotected' �
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The District believes that local jurisdictions should �
protect key scenic corridors through the use of scenic
easements, the Williamson Act, and appropriate land use
regulations.
Policies:Acquisition /
1 . The District will consider acquiring land or rights
in land for the preservation of the view from
scenic roads and highways, if such land also has �
other substantial open space value or if such land �
is particularly threatened by inappropriate
development.
2, The District will consider accepting gifts of land
or rights of land in order to preserve the view
from scenic roads and highways.
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� OPEN SPACE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF UNIQUE SITES
Historical and Archeological Resources
Substantial cultural and educational benefits can be
derived from preserving the historic and archeologYc
remnants of our paat. within the District there are a
number of identified points of historical or archeological
significance, as well as many sites of probable
significance. The District believes that local
jurisdictions should identify those sites and implement
ordinances and programs for their preservation and
restoration.
Policies:Acquisition
1 , The District will consider acquiring, through
purchase and donation, land or rights in land which
is valued for the purpose of preserving unique
historical and archeological features, if such land �
also has other substantial open space value.
2. The availability of cooperation from other public
agencies or private institutions in meeting the
| costs of preserving and operating historic
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structures and facilities will be an important
factor in considering acquisition.
Geological and Topographical Features
There are within the District a number of unique landforma,
� outstanding view sites, and areas of geological interest
which can provide exceptional educational and recreational
experiences. The District believes these sites should be
identified and preserved.
Policy:Acquisition
1 ~ The District will consider acquiring, through
purchase and donation` land or rights in land which
is valued for the purpose of preserving unique
geological and topographical features, if such land
also has other substantial open space value.
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OPEN SPACE FOR THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural land has traditionally been an important form
� of open space in Santa Clara County. However, the prime |
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agricultural soils in the District have largely been
covered by homes, industry, and pavement, and few .
| economically viable agricultural enterprises remain. Those
agencies having jurisdiction should protect these remaining
agricultural lands through the use of the Williamson Act,
! appropriate land use regulations, and the withholding of
urban services.
� The District also believes that local jurisdictions should
pnaaerwa remnants of orchards and other agricultural lands �
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within urban areas as educational and historical reminders
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of the agricultural heritage of the Santa Clara Valley.Acquisition L
Policies:
1 , The District will consider acquiring land or rights
in land which is used for agricultural production
if such land also has substantial open space value.
2. The District will consider accepting gifts of land
or rights in land in order to preserve and protect
agricultural production.
OPEN SPACE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MINERALS
The evaporation ponds in the baylando of the District are
the first stages in the harvesting of appreciable
quantities of salt. Thera are also mineral extraction
sites, particularly gravel and limestone quarries, in the
foothill areas. While in some cases these mineral recovery
operations have served to preserve both land and water open
spaces, they have also damaged or substantially altered the
natural environment.
The District believes that mineral recovery activities
should be carefully regulated by appropriate jurisdictions
in order to minimize damage to the environment and to
insure that extraction sites and salt ponds are ultimately
returned to a more natural condition.
Policy:Acquisition
1 . The District will consider acquiring, through
purchase and donation' land or rights in land
presently used for mineral production in order to
protect other substantial long Lann open space
values.
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| OPEN SPACE FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
� Certain undeveloped areas within the District are subject
to hazardous conditions such as flooding, geologic
instability, and high fire danger which could pose threats
| to human life and property if they were allowed to develop. �
Retaining these hazardous areas in open space uses can help
| minimize the potential for loss of life or damage to
property.
The preservation of open space lands may also contribute to
� the protection of air and water quality,
� The District bol {awas that land use planning and zoning
policies should be adopted and implemented by local �
� jurisdictions to limit, and in some instances prohibit,
| development in areas which present a significant threat to |
| public health and safety.Acquisition |
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Policy:
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\ . The District will consider acquiring, through |
purchase and donation, land or rights in land for |
� the protection of public health and safety, if such |
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land also has other substantial open space value. |
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OPEN SPACE FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Air Quality
� Air pollution is a significant problem in the Santa Clara
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� Valley. It causes harm to human health, and damage to
� property, animal and plant life, including agricultural
� crops. Containment of urban sprawl can help to limit the �
� problems of pollution caused by the auLomobile. The
vegetation and water surfaces of open space areas in the |
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District can also contribute to air quality by generating
� oxygen and cleansing pollutants from the air.
Water Luality
Water resources within the District are used for a variety
of purposes including domestic water supply, agricultural
irrigation, groundwater recharge, recreation, and water
supply for vegetation and wlldlYfa. Water quality can be
adversely affected by human activity on lands within the
District' s watersheds.
Geologic Hazards
�
Certain areas within the District are subject to earthquake
fault rupture and landslldos. Keeping these areas in open
space uses can reduce the dangers to human life and
property.
Fire Hazards
Most of the Santa Cruz Mountains is rated as an extreme
fire hazard area due to poor access, slow response time for
firefighting vehicles, lack of water, flammable vegetative
cover, steep slopes, climate conditions' and accumulated
brush. It is in the public interest that human habitation
in these areas be limited.
Flooding
Certain streamsYde and baylands areas within the District
are subject to flooding from time to time. When urban
development is allowed in these flood prone areas, human
life and property are endangered.
Summary
Land use planning and zoning policies should be adopted and
implemented by local jurisdictions to limit, or in some
instances pnuhlbYt, development in areas which present a
significant risk to public health and safety.
Acquisition Policy:
1 ^ The District will consider acquiring, through
purchase and donatlon, land or rights in land for
the protection of public health and safety, if such
land also has substantial open space value~
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URBAN OPEN SPACE OF REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
The District believes that the preservation of urban open
space is basically the responsibility of local
jurisdictions. The MYdpan\nsula Regional Park District was
established to acquire open space lands in the foothills,
mountains, and baylands outside the urbanized area.
There may arise, however, exceptional circumstances under
which the MRPD may consider possible acquisition of "urban
open space of regional significance," that is, undeveloped .
� or essentially undeveloped land within the urbanized area
having unique or unusual characteristics of sufficient
natural value and importance to transcend its relevance to
the immediate locality'
A number of different characteristics might contribute to
designating an urban open space area as being regionally
significant. It might serve as a trail link connecting
non-urban regional open space, or have exceptional scenic
or recreational value to the entire region. Unique flora
and Fauna might require the open space to preserve a
vanishing species. Important geological or archeological
features and historically important trails, ethnic
locations, agricultural lands and the like whose
� preservation is important to the entire region are also �
�
factors which could make urban open space regionally
significant.
� Acquisition Policy:
� 1 , The District' s primary purpose will continue to be �
the acquisition of non-urban open space lands, �
although it will consider acquiring urban open
space land or rights in such land if they are of
regional significance.
�
� 15
�
�
| | , OPEN SPACE LANDS EVALUATION !
The Open Space Lands Evaluation was done in order to �
identify those areas which have the greatest composite open
space value, as well as those having the greatest value for
individual open space functions. It will aid the District
in making land acquisition decisions. The information
provided by this evaluation, however, is only one of a
number of considerations which will enter into such
decisions, �
� SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGY
For the Open Space Lands Evaluation, the baylands`
foothills, and mountains in the District were divided into
approximately 480 individual "land units" or geographic
areas within which the vegetation and topography is
relatively homogeneous. Using numerical scores based upon
30 different evaluation criteria, each land unit was
evaluated to determine its relative suitability to perform
each of /4 different open space functions. These scores
were used to produce maps which will aid the District in
� identifying those areas which have the greatest value for
�
each of the individual open space functions, (These maps �
|
� are available for inspection at the District' s office. )
�
� A composite open space evaluation rating was than
calculated using numerical "weights" assigned to each of
the open space functions by the District's Board of �
|
Directors based upon the relative importance of each of
these functions to the District' s open apace acquisition
program. The following weights were assigned by the Board:
Protection of natural vegetation . . . . , . 15% �
�
Protection of wildlife . . . . , , . , . . . 15%
Outdoor recreation . . . . , . . . - . . . . 20%
Low intensity recreation (10%)
Intensive recreation (
Wilderness experience / 5%\ �
Guiding urban form . ' . . . . , . . . , . , 25%
Scenic preyervatlmn. ' , . . . . . . . . , , 20% �
Scenic backdrop (15%)
View from scenic roads
and highways / 5%\
Protection of agriculture. ' . . . . . ~ . .
TOTAL 10004
The resulting composite scores were used to prepare the
� 'Open Space Lands Composite Evaluation Map_
A detailed description of the methodology used in this
evaluation is contained in the technical appendices to the
Master Plan available from the District office.
16
ANALYSIS OF THE OPEN SPACE LANDS COMPOSITE EVALUATION MAP
Analysis of the Open Space Lands Composite Evaluation Map
� printed on the reverse side of this report, and the data
used in its preparation indicates that the following kinds
of areas generally received the highest composite open
� space evaluation ratings: Gently rolling Foothill lands
�
� near the urban area, areas highly visible from the valley
floor, stneamside areas, prominent ridgatops, lands with
relatively level terrain, and lands adjacent to the Bay.
The analysis above relates only to the composite open
space evaluatYon. Areas important for certain individual
� open space functions may not necessarily possess these same
charactaris1icy. Some areas of great scenic importance,
for example, may be neither level nor readily accessible
from the urban area, but may still be appropriate lands for
acquisition by the District. Those other individual open
space functions and the characteristics associated with
� them will be considered in addition to the composite
evaluation ratings when the District makes land acquisition
decisions.
�
| �
17
| | | , IMPLEMENTATION
The preservation of open space is the principal objective
of the MidpenYnsu{a Regional Park District. This section
describes the open space preservation powers of the MRPD,
other governmental agencies, and private individuals and �
� organizations whose activities may affect open space within
the District.
M|DPEN|NSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Open Space Preservation Powers of the District
The MRPD has several means by which it can work to preserve
open space. Its most effective tmnl is the acquisition of
open space lands, which may be accomplished either through
purchase or gift of fee title or lesser interests. When
purchasing fee title or certain types of open space
easements, the District has available to it the pcxyar of
eminent domain. In accordance with the District's Basic
Policy, this power will only be used in those instances
when reasonable attempts at voluntary negotiations fail
and the lands involved are of central importance to the
District's program. '
To increase the effectiveness of its acquisition efforts,
the District can seek state and federal grants, issue bonds,
and borrow money to supplement its regular sources of funds,
The District can also solicit private gifts of land, open
� space easements, and money. Such gifts are tax deductible
for income tax purposes and in the case of open space
easements can provide the landowner with property tax
� relief as well .
The MRPD can also employ various other acquisition
techniques which may be mutually beneficial to both the
District and the landowner. These include the use of
installment purchases, life estate arrangements allowing
the landowner to continua to occupy the land for the
remainder of his or her lifetime, and purchase-leaseback or
purchase-salmback agreements.
The District can participate in joint projects with other
governmental agencies to acquire, develop, or maintain open
space lands. It can also encourage these other agencies to
use their open space preservation powers, although there is
� no assurance that such efforts at persuasion will always be
� successful .
The District does not have regulatory power over lands
other than those it owns. Consequently, it cannot adopt
zoning ordinances or other such regulations affecting
privately-owned lands. The power to protect open space by
regulating land use is held primarily by the cities and the
County.
1�
^
. . �
- /
Factors Affecting MRPD Land Acquisition Decisions
�
� In addition to the District's Basic Policy and Open Space
Acquisition Policies, there are a number of other factors
which enter into the land acquisition decisions of the MRPD,
including the following:
Amount of public support for the acquisition; �
Composite open space importance of the area involved;
Importance of the area in performing individual open space
functions considered in the District's Open Space
Acquisition Policies;
Costs of acquisition, with special attention given to gifts,
bargain sales, installment sales, and sales of open space
easements;
Net costs of maintenance, including potential revenue from �
agricultural and other uses;
Degree of threat of loss to development;
Location of the area involved relative to other
publicly-owned open space lands, including those of the
MKPD^
Initiative or willingness of the owner(s) to negotiate
acquisition terms;
Prospects for preservation actions by other agencies; �
Opportunities for joint actions with other agencies.
� The relative importance of each of these considerations may
vary from one decision to the next.
,
� �
/
19
' OTHER AGENCIES
/
/ |
| |
There are e number of other governmental agencies whose |
activities can play important roles in the preservation of |
open space within the boundaries of the Mldpeninyula |
|
Regional Park District. The District will encourage them to /
use their powers to protect open space resources and will |
/
| seek opportunities to work cooperatively with them on open /
' space projects of mutual benefit. /
The Cities and the County
/
|
/ The units of government which have the greatest ability to
' protect open space within the MRPD are the nine cities and
|
| the County. They make the most important decisions
regarding land use and have the largest array of open space
preservation tools available to them.
Each of them possesses essentially the same open space
acquisition powers as the MKPD. But in addition, they have
certain powers the MRPD does not have, including the power
to regulate private land use, to control the urban
development process, to provide economic incentives to open
space landowners through the Williamson Act, and to require
developers to dedicate easements or lands as a condition
for approval of their subdivision proposals.
� Thus, the success of open space preservation efforts within
the District is very much dependent upon whether the cities |
|
and the County make effective use of their open space
preservation powers.
The Local Agency Formation Commission
| One of the primary functions of the Local Agency Formation
' Commission is to prevent urban sprawl ' To accomplish this
/ task, LAFCO requires each city to submit for approval an
| urban service area boundary that delineates the area within
| .
| which urban development is necessary and appropriate over ,
/ the next five years. This is intended to prevent the type /
/ of leapfrog urban development which has historically /
resulted in the loss of open space within Santa Clara |
/ County, The MRPD will support efforts by LAFC0 to use its
|
/ |
/ powers regarding urban service area boundaries and
/ annexations to prevent further urban sprawl '
/
/
20
Other Special Districts
� The Santa Clara Valley Water District, because of its �
projects involving stnsamsidoy, reservoirs, and the
baylands, can have significant impacts on open space
resources. The MRPD will work cooperatively with the
| Valley Water District and other agencies on projects
�
involving the protection of water related open space
resources and the provision of hiking trails as part of a
regional trail system.
Regional Agencies
The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development
Commission (BCDC) is an important regional agency with |
regulatory jurisdiction affecting the open space resources
of the bay7ands. Specifically, BCDC has permit
jurisdiction over filling and dredging in San Francisco Bay,
| substantial developments within a 100-fmot strip inland
|
from the Bay shoreline, and any proposed filling of salt
ponds or managed wetlands.
The Association of Bay Area Governments (A8AG) is a
voluntary organization of cities and counties in the Bay
Area. It is responsible for the preparation of a regional
land use and open space plan. It has very limited power to
implement its plans however. It is primarily important to
| the MRPD because it is the regional clearinghouse
responsible for reviewing applications for state and
federal grants including grants for open space land |
, �
acquisition.
State Agencies
The Department of Parks and Recreation administers Castle
Rock State Park adjoining the boundary of the District. it
also shares administration of Loghry State Forest, which is
partially within the District, with the State Division of
Forestry.
The State Lands Commission has responsibility for the lease,
� sale, or disposal of state-owned lands, including tide and
� |
� submerged lands' The Department of Parks and Recreation
� and the Wildlife Conservation Board administer programs
providing funds for local parks and open space projects.
| '
� |
|
/
21
Federal Agencies
The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife
Service is responsible for planning, acquisition, and
management of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife
Refuge, portions of which are adjacent to the boundaries of
the MRPD, The Department of the Interior is also important
to the District because of its federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund program which provides grants for open
space acquisition.
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS
� Private individuals and organizations can play a variety of
� important roles in preserving open space within the
� District. They can, for example, urge their city and
County governments to use their powers to protect open
space and oppose public and private projects which would
�
adversely affect open space resouroes.
They can also aid the MRPD by soliciting gifts of land or
donations of funds to the District. The District's Board
of Directors has endorsed the concept of the formation of a
"Friends of the MRPD// foundation to serve as an independent
organization to receive BYf1y of land and other assets for
the District.
Some private mrganlzatYons, such as the Sumpervlrans Fund,
the Nature Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Lands
acquire open space lands with private funds for subsequent
re-sale or transfer to public agancYas.
Private landowners can also play important roles in open
space preservation, particularly owners of large
landholdings, major portions of which are devoted to open
space uses. Within the MRPU, these major landowners
include Stanford University, the San Jose Water Works
Company, Kaiser-Permanante, and the Archdiocese of San
Francisco' Use of Williamson Act contracts and open space
easement agreements are means by which landowners can
mitigate the economic burden of maintaining their lands in
open space.uses.
�
'
REVISED
C-75-24
December 18 , 1975
Meeting 75-26
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT +
C L A I M S
Amount Name Description j
1516 $4 ,000 . 00 Dennis & Karon Fredrickson Relocation assistance
1517 350. 00 Dennis & Karon Fredrickson Moving costs
i
1518 135.15 Hearne Brothers Map
1519 _ 18 .10 Emergency Vehicle Field equipment
Equipment Services
1520 31. 27 Altoan Press Printing
1521 816 . 20 Real Estate Data, Inc. Map books
1522 7 . 63 Peninsula Blueprint Maps
Service
1523 432.89 Xerox Corporation Duplicating
1524 300 .00 U.S. Postmaster Postage
I
1525 21.78 Jon Silver Office supplies
1526 28 .20 Western Fire Equipment Co. Field supplies
1527 38 . 41 Petty Cash Office supplies $16 .86
Postage .49
Meal conference 3 .06
Meeting expense 6 .00
Mileage 12 .00
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