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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19810502 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 81-12 .Meeting 81-12 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415) 965-4717 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Saturday, May 2, 1981 10 : 00 A.M. to 12 : 30 P.M. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on Saturday, May 2 , 1981 from 10: 00 A.M. to approximately 12 : 30 P.M. at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. The purpose of the meeting is to have an on site review of the proposed Monte Bello Use and Development Plan. Interested persons should gather at 10: 00 A.M. in the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking lot on upper Page Mill Road. Herbert A Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Barbara Green,Nonette G Hanko.Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A Turner,Daniel G Wendin 0 Meeting 81-12 Al 00P, 0 an m MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE CIA,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415) 965-4717 Special Meeting Board of Directors Saturday, May 2 , 1981 Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (10 :00) I. Roll Call (10 :05) 11 . Presentation of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for the Black Mountain and Page Mill Road Areas - S . Sessions (10 : 50) 111. Tour of Parking Lot Location L and Other Parking Areas Studied (11: 35) IV. Tour of Trails and Other Areas (as time permits) (12 :30) V. Adjournment Informal Walks on the Preserve Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Barbara Green,Nonette G Hanko.Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin R-81-16 (Meeting 81-11 April 22 , 1981) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REPORT April 17 , 1981 TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manager RESPONSIBILITY AND PREPARATION: S. Sessions , Land Manager, and D. Woods, Open Space Planner SUBJECT: Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for the Black Mountain and Page Mill Road Areas Introduction: At your meeting of July 11, 1979 , the Use and Management Plan for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (report R-79-29 , dated July 5, 1979) received your preliminary approval. On September 26 , 1979 , the plan was presented to the City of Palo Alto Planning Commission and was continued to examine further the proposed parking lot location. The development plan, with the exception of the proposed parking lot , was approved by Palo Alto in October, 1980 . In August 1979 , a grant application for the development of the Monte Bello open Space Preserve was submitted for federal Land and Water Conservation funding. Since the project was not selected for fiscal year 1979-1980 funding, it was resubmitted the following year, and the grant was awarded in February, 1981. The grant funding amounts to $35 ,000 , which is one-half of the estimated project cost. In addition to the usual items considered in a use and management plan, the Monte Bello plan contained certain development elements necessary to accommodate potential preserve users. The parking area, a trail plan, a backpack camp area, and demolition of existing hazardous structures are the major elements of the development plan. The Monte Bello open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for the Black Mountain and Page Mill Road areas is now being presented to you for approval and final adoption. Changes have occurred since the plan was initially reviewed almost two years ago. The site has been increased in size , portions of the plan have been modified, and the demolition and backpack camp sections of the plan have received Board approval . Following is the complete use and management plan, incorporating all changes and the status of implementation of previously approved recommendations. A. Site Description The Monte Bello open Space Preserve encompasses 2900 acres and is currently the largest preserve managed by the District. It is part of a 6300 acre greenbelt which extends from Arastradero Road in Palo Alto, to Saratoga Gap, and also prpvides connecting R-81-16 Page two links to public lands to the west of Skyline Boulevard. The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is comprised of three areas : the Picchetti Ranch Area, which includes the isolated parcels of the McCone, Collins, and Melton properties , the Black Mountain Area, and the Page Mill, Road Area. The use and management recommendations contained in this report relate to the 2530 acres of contiguous land located between Monte Bello Ridge and Skyline Ridge, namely the Black Mountain and Page Mill Road Areas (see attached Exhibit A) . The site is located in the foothills to the west of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Cupertino. It is accessible by Page Mill Road, Skyline Boulevard, and Monte Bello Road, and indirectly by way of Highway 9 and Stevens Canyon Road. It is also accessible by trail from Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve via Hidden Villa Ranch. B. Planning Considerations The northern portion of the Preserve, consisting of approximately 2200 acres , is located in the City of Palo Alto and is zoned Open Space. The District has complied with the City' s zoning regulations, and staff is in the process of obtaining use permits for the demolition of structures and the development of the backpack camp. Although the proposed parking lot has been changed to a new location outside the City of Palo Alto, the District is forwarding a copy of the final parking lot plan to City staff for their information upon approval by the Board. City staff has been made aware of the revised plan on an informal basis in accor- dance with their request of October 21, 1980 to be kept informed of the alternate parking lot location. Since the parking lot portion of the development plan is now located within the County of San Mateo, it is necessary to comply with San Mateo County' s Resource Management District ordinance by submitting grading, design, and landscape plans. Upon review by the Zoning Administrator, the project may be certified as a minor development, thereby not requiring further site and design review, The plans would be formally submitted following your approval, and the San Mateo County process will most likely take four weeks. C. Use and Management Recommendations 1. Access and Circulation. The Preserve and adjacent parklands contain a variety of environments , offering unique recre- ational experiences to Peninsula residents . The proposed access and trail system for the site is designed to invite visitors into the many diverse landscapes while attempting to minimize potential environmental impacts. a) Primary Access. The preliminary use and management plan proposed the development of a 55 car parking lot located adjacent to Page Mill Road just to the south and west of the existing Los Trancos parking area. The Palo Alto Planning Commission expressed objections to the location of the lot, and following almost a year of study, the Board directed staff to withdraw its application from the City of Palo Alto to develop the proposed parking lot. (see Board meeting minutes of September 10 , 1980 . ) R-81-16 Page three In October, 1980, staff directed its planning efforts to locate a parking lot to the south and east of the existing Los Trancos parking area. The new location was evaluated according to the same criteria used on other suggested locations, emphasizing public safety, visibility, environ- mental impacts, and relationship to the resource. The new location was found to be acceptable, although not as desirable in staff' s mind as the initial proposal. A field survey was completed in November, 1980 to deter- mine if the project was within the County of San Mateo. District staff met with the San Mateo County Public Works Department and Planning Director to discuss the planning process by which the District could secure permits. It was suggested that the project, with appropriate engineering and design, may comply with ordinance 6461 allowing admini- strative approval for minor development. In February, 1981, upon approval of the Land and Water Conservation Fund development grant, the District con- tracted a landscape architect to prepare the necessary plans for grading, design, and landscaping. The plans show the parking lot to be situated on a relatively level terrace adjacent to Page Mill Road, approximately 700 feet east of the Los Trancos lot (see Exhibit B) . Page Mill . Road has a moderate grade near the proposed entrance to the parking area and a turn-out lane would be developed to accommodate slow traffic. The parking lot plan specifies minimal grading of less than 1000 cubic yards, improved drainage , and a compacted surface parking area that would provide 35 parking spaces. Split-rail type of fencing would be used around the parking area and on some road frontage, with the balance of fencing to be post and wire. Landscaping with native plants in the parking area is in- cluded in the plan. The detailed plan will be presented to you on April 22 , 1981. The final plans will be submitted to the State Department of Parks and Recreation who require design review upon adoption of this use and management plan. Approvals are expected to take three to four weeks following submittal. b) Secondary Access. Secondary access would be provided at a number of other points shown on Exhibit C where roads and trails meet the boundary of the site. These would not be emphasized but would be signed appropriately with District regulations and have stiles provided where necessary. The docent parking area shown on Exhibit C is used by District docent tour groups and would be graded and de- lineated to accommodate 5 to 10 vehicles . This parking area would remain closed except for docent group use. X-61-1b Page four c) Trail System. The trail system is --signed to allow visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of trails ranging from short, leisurely walks to strenuous all day hikes. The trails described below and shown on Exhibit C have been approved by the City of Palo Alto. It should be noted that the trails plan shown on Exhibit C is a schematic alignment and is subject to field adjustment during con- struction. There are four major trails proposed for the site: (1) Stevens Creek Nature Trail would be three miles in length connecting the PYg--e Mill Road parking area to Stevens Creek. This trail would use existing roads and paths and require some trail construction and improvement of one or two creek crossings. This would undoubtedly be a popular route as it would pass through diverse environments , grassy meadows with spectacular views , damp creek corridors and shaded forest. Sections of this trail would be available only to hikers and not equestrians because of the delicate nature of the terrain and vegetation in the lower canyon. Portions of this route would be a self-guided nature trail . (2) The Geology Trail passes many dramatic geologic features associated wit theSan Andreas Fault which are not as easily interpreted as on the earthquake trail at Los Trancos. Staff has worked with Tim Hall , a geology instructor at Foothill College, on an alignment of the trail which would be signed but not developed as on a self-guided interpretive trail . This trail would not be intended to be for general public use, although it would be usable by individual hikers . Rather it is intended to be used for in-depth investigation of fault features by geologists and students. Funding for trail construction through educational or scien- tific groups will be explored. (3) The Page Mill Road to Saratoga Gap Trail would be 7 . 6 miles long and a regionally significant connecting link between Palo Alto' s Foothills Park, the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, Saratoga Gap and the California State Trail System which continues to the ocean. It provides the longest public trail route on the Penin- sula and is presently enjoyed by many hikers and equestrians travelling from the urban area to the coast. It would require no new construction but it will re- quire regular maintenance due to heavy storm damage occurring regularly in the creek. Ideally a bridge would be placed across Stevens Creek, but because of extreme and variable flow conditions and inaccessi- bility, it would be difficult to maintain. Therefore, a pylon creek-crossing would be used instead. R-81-16 Page five (4) Docent trails include the terraced hillsides near Waterwheel Creek and the ridgetop along Monte Bello Road. Docent-led group tours of these two areas have proven to be an effective use of the less regularly visited portions of the site, and it is recommended they be continued. The trails would be signed so that they would be usable by individual hikers without a docent guide. (5) Other connecting trails on the Preserve would be maintained and kept open, and no new trails will be constructed on the west side of Stevens Creek because of the steep terrain, loose soils and continual land- sliding. Access to the site from Skyline Boulevard would be limited to Charcoal Ridge Trail and Grizzly Flat Trail. Trail construction would be required near the junction of Grizzly Flat Trail and Stevens Creek. The Skyline trail connection at the southwest boundary of the Preserve would be maintained but access would not be developed or encouraged because of parking problems along the highway. 2. Provision for Use by Physically Limited. The design of physical improvements would accommodate the American National Standards Institute 's "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible and Usable by the Physically Handicapped" in the following instances: a) A section of trail leaving the parking area would be acces- sible to wheel chairs and aligned at the required 5% grade as far as Canyon Fire Trail , affording spectacular views down Stevens Canyon. b) A specially designed restroom would be provided near the parking area. 3 . Signs. A sign identifying the Preserve would be placed at the Page Mill Road parking area which would be the main entrance to the site. A District regulations sign and a sign showing the trail system would also be located at the Page Mill Road entrance. Regulatory signs would be posted at all other access points and District identification signs would be mounted on perimeter fencing. Trail directional signs would be placed where appropriate. Signs within the Preserve would be kept to a minimum to provide the visitor a more enjoyable wilderness experience. The place- ment of trail signs would be designed to keep the trail system as clear as possible. 4. Brochures . A brochure would be available in the Page Mill Road parking area and at the main office. it would include infor- mation about the District and the Preserve and interpret the Stevens Creek Nature Trail, including geologic features and natural history. R-81-16 Page six S. Structures and Improvements. The structures and improvements located on the Preserve are described below. a) Page Mill Road Area. The large concrete water tank near Page Mill Road is a potential water source for future agricultural or recreational development on the site. it is recommended that the tank be secured with a lid and screened with vegetation. An adjacent property owner has expressed an interest in using a portion of the water for agricultural purposes in exchange for making these suggested tank modifications: Staff is currently exploring this possibility. other structures in this area include a concrete pad, cisterns above the sag pond, a partially destroyed cabin, and a free standing chimney. On January 14 , 1980 , you authorized staff to proceed with demolition of the structures. This demolition is. scheduled to occur when approval is received from the State Department of Parks and Recreation, as it is part of the grant funded project. b) Black Mountain Ranch. The current residents , who were formerly caretakers for Stanford University, the previous owner of the property , rent. the upper residence and use the barn and nearby pastures for their livestock. In the winter of 1980, a section of the barn was destroyed and the remaining portion was stabilized. The condition of the old Morrell cabin is deteriorating, and the cost of repair associated with bringing the struc- ture up to the District' s rental standard far exceeds its usefulness . However, its removal is not being recommended at this time, because it could be useful in its present condition in the vicinity of the proposed backpack camp area. All the structures at the ranch would continue to be used until they become hazardous or unstable . Their construction and condition do not warrant major rehabilitation, so they would eventually be dismantled and materials salvaged, as practical, for District purposes. The water system includes a number of spring impoundments, pumphouse and storage tanks. The pump has been replaced and the main reservoir has been secured. other impound- ments are in poor condition and present a hazard. This system would be upgraded to eliminate hazards. c) Skyline Cabin. The one bedroom cabin is located on an addition to the Preserve near Skyline Boulevard. It was occupied at the time the District took possession, and the residents remained until September of 1979 . The interim use and management plan for this area designated the cabin as a ranger residence, and it is recommended that this continue pending resolution of the ranger residence policy. Locating rangers near the Page Mill Road, Skyline Boulevard, and Saratoga Gap areas reduces off-hours response time to nearby preserves. R781-16 Page seven Portions of the cabin were unstable and reconstruction was completed in January, 1979 . The service road leading to the cabin should not be part of the designated public trail system because it ends shortly beyond the structure and no new trail construction is proposed in this area. It may become necessary to close this trail to public use in order to provide security for the ranger residence. 6. Camping. In the past, the City of Mountain View Department of Parks and Recreation and Hidden Villa, Inc. have used a camping area on Black Mountain as part of a five day back- packing program which ends at the ocean. Since these programs were initiated, there have been an increasing number of requests by individuals and groups for overnight camping on the ridgetop, but the designated area was not suitable because of its exposure and lack of water. The area immediately surrounding the Morrell cabin is one of the few places on the ridgetop protected from the wind and offering a water source. The cabin could be used for the storage of District supplies and provide mounting for an emergency pay tele- phone in the vicinity of the backpack camp. The camp area, as approved by you on February 11 , 1981, would be operated on a permit system with permits issued to hikers and groups up to a total of 12 people with at least one member over 18 . Please note that it is being recommended that even individual hikers be accomodated. It is anticipated that the Land Management office staff would be able to handle the permit system. Management of the camp area could be handled by contract with the Black Mountain tenants who are close to the camping area. Staff is suggesting the establishment of a nominal fee system for the backpack camp to help defray operating costs. Specific fees are not being recommended at this time . However, staff will return with a request to implement a reasonable fee structure before the backpack camp opens . Staff is currently applying to the City of Palo Alto for the conditional use permit to operate the camp. At the meeting of March 11 , 1981 , you concurred with staff' s recommendation for the use of campstoves by permit within the designated camping area. 7 . Restroom Facilities . Restroom facilities would be installed in two locations; near the parking area and adjacent to the back- packing camp area. These units would be a vandal-resistant, recirculating chemical type of restroom which require no plumb- ing but need regular maintenance . A specially designed unit to accomodate the physically limited would be located near the parking area. R-61-1b Page eight The continual vandalism problem along the ---uth side of Page Mill Road may make it difficult to maintain these facilities. If this is the case, the restrooms would be located across the road near the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking lot. This option would be considered at the time of development. 8 . Natural Resource Management. Steps should be taken to protect the natural resources of the site through study, monitoring, and active management. a) Numerous roadbeds on the site that are not designated as patrol roads or trails should be disced and seeded with grasses similar to those found in surrounding areas . The reason for this is to eliminate visual scars created by the roads, to halt soil erosion, and to focus use onto designated trails. Such work has been completed in the vicinity of Page Mill Road. b) That portion of the site located west of Stevens Creek should be designated a Natural Area and should remain free of develop- ment. The slopes in this area are extremely steep and the loose soils are highly susceptible to sliding. However, this designa- tion would not preclude the establishment of a section of the Skyline Scenic Recreation Route Corridor at a future date. c) Stevens Canyon is a high fire hazard area (as mapped in the Safety Element of the Santa Clara County General Plan) with a dangerously high fuel load and poor emergency access. The District has contracted with a fire management consulting service to perform a field inventory and develop a plan to decrease the fire danger particularly in this most critical portion of the Preserve . The initial phase of the Burn Plan was implemented successfully in February, 1981. Staff has submitted a proposal to the California Division of Forestry for grant funding of the next part of the burn project. The second phase, if approved, would be conducted in the late fall of 1981. The fire management plan as prepared calls for subsequent phases to be implemented over the next 8 years. Staff will investigate the feasibility of possible alternate methods of removing fallen timber which creates a fire hazard but may have salvage value . d) There are many edges between grassland and chaparral on the west-facing slopes of Monte Bello Ridge. In order to assess the dynamics of these two communities (i .e . , whether the chaparral is advancing into the grassland to potentially take it over) , vegetation transects should be established to monitor the change , if any, over the years . San Jose State and De Anza College students are performing this study for the District. e) Serious soil erosion is occurring at two sites . Staff con- tinues to work with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service to study these problem areas and come up with control measures . An area shown on the attached Exhibit C indicates excessive gully erosion approximately a half mile in length and reaching R-81-16 Page nine 20 feet in depth. A soil scientist and engineer have made an initial evaluation of the area and have suggested three possible corrective measures that would involve different levels of funding. (Costs are included only as preliminary estimates . ) Plan 1: Minimal control consisting of some rock fill in places where side-channels are developing and modification of steep banks by hand labor followed by revegetation with grasses . Accomplished with $1 ,000 in labor and $500-$1,000 in materials. Plan 2 : Same as Plan 1 with the addition of more intensive bank modification and gully control requiring a larger labor force such as the CCC. Cost $1,000-$5 , 000. Plan 3 : Total restoration to a grassland swale requiring substantial filling, grading, recontouring and revegetation. Cost $20 ,000-$50 ,000. District staff has concluded that the probable cause of the erosion resulted from drainage from a City of Palo Alto water tank. This is confirmed from aerial photographs taken before and after the water tank was constructed and by common sense observations noting that the erosion emanates from the outflow of the tank. Attempts at a staff level asking Palo Alto to undertake the repairs have not been successful . it is recom- mended that a letter be sent from the President of the Board to the City Council with a specific request for the City to restore the eroded area as proposed in Plan 3 . It is desirable to return this area to its original state with total restoration to mitigate the existing visual impacts from the erosion and eliminate further erosion and possible silting of downstream areas. An area located near Skyline Boulevard contains 'a narrow trench- like gully and a wider bowl-shaped cut which is visible from a great distance. The impact of these two gullies can be con- sidered moderate. Corrective measures consist of controlling the water leaving the roadside ditch, and grading and shaping each gully to conform to the surrounding topography to reduce the probability of forming another gully . The grading should be followed by seeding with appropriate grasses. 9 . Agriculture. Over the past three years , the resources on the site have been carefully evaluated , and agricultural advisors have suggested the most appropriate uses and applicable areas. a) Agricultural crops such as hay, orchards , or vineyards are suitable in the flat area adjacent to Page Mill Road east of Canyon Fire Trail and the area adjacent to Skyline Boulevard along the southwest boundary. b) An existing 20 acre tree farm adjacent to Skyline Boulevard has been leased to Skyline Ranch for a period of fifteen years. c) Grasslands on the east side of Stevens Creek where the soils are shallow and ground moisture low, are suitable for cattle grazing. R-81-16 Page -ten Cattle grazing would be the most extensive agricultural activity considered for the site. As previously stated in the report titled "Agricultural Use Approval and Lease Information" (R-78-3 , dated December 13, 1978) , cattle grazing is a management tool and allows for productive use of District lands , lessens the hazard associated with wildfires , and minimizes the protective discing needed during the summer months which is disruptive of the grass- land community. Cattle grazing was recommended for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and would have been implemented if technical problems could have been resolved. In order to avoid any long term detrimental effects which could be caused by grazing, such as the deterioration of range quality or conflicts with site users, a specific plan would be addressed when a request for grazing is received by the District. As brought out at recent discussions on site emphasis and related subjects , it is not clear whether you wish to actively solicit agricultural uses, to continue existing uses, or simply to respond to unsolicited proposals . Further policy definition is needed before the District proceeds much further. 10. Site Cleanup. As part of the proposed development plan, areas around the proposed parking area, the cabin, cistern areas , and other areas are to be cleaned up by removing trash and debris which is not only unsightly but presents potential hazards. It is planned to try to recruit volunteers for additional clean-up on the site. 11. Visitor and Site Protection. In addition to the regular pa- trolling of the site by District ranger staff, a resident ranger would continue to be located on the Preserve near Sky- line Boulevard (pending resolution of the ranger residency program questions) . This would decrease emergency response time during non-patrol hours. The District' s Docent Program is also a benefit to visitor and site protection. The presence of docents who are leading tours often deters potential problems , and docents are presently aiding the rangers by providing field reports on unusual occurrences. It is planned to continue this practice . The City of Palo Alto staff had a previous discussion with District staff as to the possibility of constructing a station on District land in the Page Mill Road area for use by fire and police services and as a ranger office. There would have to be extensive consideration on the part of the District, if we were to receive a request of this type . The visual impacts alone would be significant enough to discourage construction of structures in this area. R-p1-16 Page eleven 12 . Cost Analysis A) Improvements LWCF Grant District funded District Funds (Land Management Force Maintenance & Account & Operations Volunteer Budget) . .. Labor Page Mill Road parking area in- cludes fencing & landscaping $20,000 $1,000 $6 ,000 Fencing & stiles 3,000 - 4 ,300 Trail construction & creek crossing 2 ,500 1,000 6 ,000 Signs 1,000 500 4 ,000 Brochures - 200 - Demolition 2,000 - 2 ,500 Backpack camp includes water system & restroom 2 ,500 2 ,500 Site cleanup in- cludes discing & reseeding - 500 5,000 Restroom for parking area 4 ,000 1 ,500 TOTAL $35,000 $3 ,200 $31,800 13 . Name . The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve was formerly divided into the following areas : A. Page Mill Road Area B. Black Mountain Area C. Picchetti Ranch Area Now that the Page Mill Road and Black Mountain areas are con- tiguous, these area names should be combined and the entire area named Monte Bello open Space Preserve - Page Mill Road Area. The Picchetti Ranch Area would incorporate the more recent additions which are not contiguous to the Picchetti Ranch Recommendation : It is recommended that you adopt the use and management recommendations contained in this report and authorize staff to imple- ment the plan, including the development items , following receipt of appropriate permits from the City of Palo Alto and San Mateo County and State design approval. Staff should also be authorized to solicit bids on the parking lot and restrooms and return to you for approval . EXHIBIT A - REGIONAL, MAP ~-" San Francisco Bay I San ) Carlos ` + e o� Ba�sno,a F O� 1pt eage °oo Fast / Redwood City alo alto ¢' K �. g Atherton 3/ Palo AltoJ/ `e 9 l I Menlo Park � 1� 1Wn Hp I lWoodsicle� y<< j I .7 �+Portola Mountain + f ' Valley 1 Los ,Altos � 'i L i i tlill, u 1- cac ° v CII I)P 1'tlll of +{t�.ne ts6s a I I V 4 k k.1._, - 1 1k c°° D Saratoga NIonte�'°aq Sereno / r V ei i Los Gatosepl AUDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT a;• 1 sue, Boundary of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District open space preserves 1'1 Major city, county, and state parks and open space preserves } E. cj f _ J j M-80-25 (Meeting 80-4 3/12/80 Agenda Item No. 1) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MEMORANDUM March 6, 1980 TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manager SUBJECT: Location of Parking Lot at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Attached is a report R-80-5, dated March 5, 1980, from S. Sessions to me regarding the location of the parking lot at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. This matter has been placed on your agenda by Director Hanko and myself because of questions that have arisen regarding the place- ment of the parking lot. It appears to me that the location proposed earlier is still the best, all things considered, and I recommend that you reaffirm your approval of that location. If after discussion and review of slides showing the various locations, you are hesitant to make this reaffirmation immediately, then I recommend that you individually (or in small groups) visit the site and continue the matter to the April 9 meeting. R-80-5 /�e MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REPORT March 6, 1980 TO: H. Grench, General Manager FROM: S. Sessions, Land Manager PREPARED BY: D. Woods, Environmental Management Planner SUBJECT: Location of Parking Lot at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Introduction: At the Board of Directors ' meeting of July 11, 1979, the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan was preliminarily adopted. The plan was then submitted to the City of Palo Alto for Site and Design Review. During the past six months , District staff has worked closely with the City of Palo Alto Planning Department in resolving problems relating to the design of the proposed parking lot. As a result, the design of the lot, (i.e. the configuration, grading specifications, and landscaping) has been modified to complement the proposed location. Unfortunately, though, since the completion of these modifications, there has been some concern expressed over the exact location of the lot. Staff has, therefore, re-evaluated the plan for the parking area and is requesting confirmation by the Board of Directors before returning the plan to the City of Palo Alto. Discussion: The basic criteria used in the initial study for the selection of the parking area were addressed in the adopted Use and Management Plan. The factors have been expanded in the attached table and have been applied to each potential location. As in the initial study, the proposed McNiel acquisition has also been evaluated. Each location is shown on the attached map. Each site has some disadvantages as well as advantages. The evaluation, therefore, considers the cumulative impacts of each proposed site. Recommendation: Based on the current evaluation, staff reconamends retaining the initial proposed location "G" for the parking area. R-80-5 ;analysis of Site Location With Respect to Various Factors Page Mill Road Location Factors limiting development 1. Line of sight for safe accessibility Cood Poor Poor Poor Good Good Good Good Fair Fair *2. Close visual proximity to roadway Fair Good Poor Good Good Good Good Good Good Poor 3. Visual impact from Page Mill Road Poor Fair Good Fair : Fair . Fair , Fair ' Fair Fair Good 4 . Visual impact from Skyline Blvd. Good Cood Good Good . Good Poor Fair . Good Good Poor 5. Visual impact from Monte Bello Ridge Fair Fair Good Good Fair Poor Fair Poor Poor Poor 6 . Restrictive view *from site to Good Good Good Good ' Fair . Fair Fair Poor Good Fair discourage packers 7. Engineering - lack of excessive grading Fair Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Fair : Good Fair Good i or geologic problems II 8 . Expansion potential Good Fair Fair Poor Poor . Fair Fair Good Fair Good 9 . Close proximity to attractive Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Good Good Fair Fair Poor parts of site * The design and location of a parking lot in relationship to a public roadway is a critical factor with direct inpacts on the District's ranagemnt program. If the lot is highly visible from the roadway and has a limited view, it will be less inviting to vandals and loiterers. A lot positioned away from the roadway will most likely result in a security system with extended patrol coverage and locked gates during the nights. ** Location adopted on July 11, 1979 _ - - V- �`"+ - - ,•� (�e � moo• _ Irk„ o\ �•./q s�,a �Oac9• �_=: 1 •6ry 1'� \.•�•\•I �rC��/ / <�', : t .� _�- • �� , '-b.`\-•s`. � � � S+t1l � .. _ 1 -, q :. ; _ � a� � -�:�'.-. 1./�.' ��\ •.?� /� ! '�.' \g- \� /' Ca` •,\ \t 1 I f It \, '2000 It =e��i�/r�.��\,y�`• --��� '-r' a LOS..TR-AU OS-Q58 -te r ••a i .r �_._._: -, 00 \h• l 2377 - \ i �� .., .\\ `\'•�v,�.-��\ ??op 1%/�"`�' -.'.' o '_:� �.\ ���J `.\A-/'!Apo '} Bore! 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'' �,)�'1 , �1� ���r-i� ``e;•✓'� �,/./_� _�`�-: /-•'. .}, }�� 1 O- .A ae.-o `i l '� s /t,4•'L _ 1_` � � _ �/\ �,`-��^r -\ ✓ -- - �i � _ :Y-. g i ^. ;' � �-� °F 1`ln.� ~ �= ', \� \ u \J�ti��r`` )_,i� �� � _,f ..). _Pen�er�✓yC�4 \'^ _��'�: ;. Pcrloia ¢,vsn.:.'" Lns +,`e. ,.� �; ..�, ;�`-1�i ~ t� , % L Q:dG. R _ '0 S r � •- r=-j_ ," da Valley 7 m y'' � Alto! Altos s I 2 t'+�vale �Fcor- l• t:Jos mrA r.rr• ♦p "S I I^ , =rr �.� _ Q� r f v`� /,� �� -__ 4_�\ �` •1 1 `� 3219. •: \ .jc�pM f 7.l ~STFv-vs, - - �� kh D~-!%` _ r-•r •-"�-'1 ' ,�.f c CREEK i euar „ s. Co.aR -,;ra pi /\ h` V_ �C�� 1 _�' r/ •r to.-v. .aka :.� to ° c� �\� - I `LJi\1' `r a\.` �/\ ,'); L •- SAPAi L_ .,I �,-li �`\ GAv ., �',t� r r f si' �� , 'L✓ .r � `N.\--�\` _' f. oiA x`•r =,-� - _ t�� f''.:c...�CF..., ,4 no y `7, I q0"')� r` � i� - ��o' � �?g a _ - +l•t .JJ R-80-50 (Meeting 80-19 0 September 10, 1980) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REPORT September 4, 1980 TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manager RESPONSIBILITY AND PREPARATION: S. Sessions, Land Manager, and D. Woods, Environmental Management Planner SUBJECT: Location of Parking Lot at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Introduction: At the City of Palo Alto Council meeting of August 11, 1980, the District was granted a continuance of the parking lot issue, and the matter is to be heard on October 20, 1980 . The continuance was requested by District staff in order to evaluate a potential lot location which had not been addressed in previous discussions. The site (Area L) is located adjacent to Page Mill Road and to the east of Area F as shown on the attached map. The following is an evaluation of this site and the same criteria pre- viously used to study each potential location were applied. Discussion: The suggested parking lot site, Area L, is situated on gently sloping terrain alongside Page Mill Road on the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. It is located primarily in the County of San Mateo, but depending on actual design, it may extend into the City of Palo Alto. A 30 car parking area could be developed on the San Mateo County parcel. Any expansion beyond that 30 car capacity would have to be within the City of Palo Alto. A schematic design has been prepared illustrating a possible con- figuration for parking in this area (see attached Exhibit B) . The entrance to the lot would be opposite and to the east of the Los Trancos gate which leads to the old riding ring (Area K) . This access provides an acceptable line of sight on the road for ingress and egress. The close proximity to the roadway should inhibit undesirable use of the parking area. Although the location offers an attractive view of the Peninsula, the parking scheme would not encourage motorists to use the parking lot as a vista turnout. Perimeter landscaping could also be used to discourage this type of use. Surveillance of the lot could be satisfactorily accomplished from a westerly approach on Page Mill Road. The lot would not be visible from the east approach because of a steep embankment along the road. Page Two The suggested site is close to the attractive portions of the Preserve and the various trailheads. Trail links would include a connection to the existing Canyon Fire Trail and the proposed Stevens Creek Nature Trail. The site also lends itself to the establishment of a handicapped trail which would provide vistas of Stevens Creek Canyon. Grading would be confined to an area approximately � acre in size. A six foot cut would be necessary in the southeast corner and the displaced earth would be used to build up the northeast corner near the roadway. The resulting scars and compacted area would be visible for a short distance along Page Mill Road and highly visible along Monte Bello Ridge. These areas would be reseeded; there- fore, any impact from the cut and fill operation would be short term, although the parking area would always be visible from Monte Bello Ridge. The ten factors used to evaluate each of the potential parking areas have been applied to this site and are included in Exhibit C. Although a comparison indicates that this site is not as desirable as Area G, site "L" would be the best possible alternative if Area G were eliminated as a considered parking lot location. The visual impacts from Monte Bello Ridge are not favorable, but the site's relationship to the Preserve, its location on the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve side of Page Mill Road, and the advantage of good surveillance would make the location acceptable. Recommendation: From a site use and management planning standpoint, Area G is still recommended as the location for a parking lot to serve the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. The proposed Area L would be the recommended second choice. Accordingly, the Board could direct staff to continue with Area G until a determination is made by the Palo Alto City Council. If the City Council does not approve Area G, the Board could then consider the location of a parking lot in Area L or other options . EXHIBIT A SITE MAP (USGS) MONTE BELLO .I Da(�t 1\'//, -~� ) \ /��" \a` • fl?2r — \ .i ( � } ..� I rtf `�`� �..\ )�l 1.� C-`i�/I l� _ %a�: OPEN SPACE PRESERVE J ,r �+cn� ti �� r�J o� �`_-y2=-_ D �, ��f t lir = 2000 North kai All ­ar- v 19 1\_J et,\B I.a Or T via-, 77... NK 6 Z I KZ 10 1.2 kL ")N r ol t:j\ Y"11 )00 I W-11 ) 4 f It k M, ll P77 r BM F13 G; yo f 1 —el It A h. ARDS'l MIS!, nnyN vile le JR 7 ',PC�AAI awaW, I'M I.A.11 -11A--I WC-O 6, Sir, 2 -7 vc, 3 11"Y1 )`\01 AI s. pArd6.—* Ic W o UI{ rAas n,~ ".iu cq•r"'" .,no. •'\ I I � \ -�`�1! ���`. .\,1� r ! G- `� ) '����`, `{\\� f i.��NrC'\m V1 v .......... ...... EXHIBIT C R-80-5 Analysis of Site Location With Respect to Various Factors Page Mill Road Location Factors limiting development i A B C D E F **G H I L 1. Line of sight for safe accessibility Good Poor Poor Poor Good Good Good Good Fair Fair Fair Fair *2. Close visual proximity to roadway Fair Good Poor Good Good Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Good 3. Visual impact from Page Mill Road Poor . Fair Good Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Fair Fair 4. Visual impact from Skyline Boulevard Good Good Good Good Good Poor Fair Good Good Poor Good 5. Visual impact from Nbnte Bello Ridge Fair Fair Good Good Fair Poor Fair Poor Fair Poor Poor Poor *6. Restrictive view from site to discourage parkers Good Good Good Good Fair Fair Fair Poor Good Fair Poor Poor 7. Engineering - lack of excessive grading or geologic problems Fair Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Fair Good Good Good Fair Fair 8. Expansion potential Good Fair Fair Poor Poor Fair Fair Good Fair Good Good Good 9. Close proximity to attractive parts of site Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Good Good Fair Good Poor Poor Good 10. Relationship to the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and proxi- mity to trail system �Poo� r. .1F it Good Good Fair Good Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Good *The design and location of a parking lot in relationship to a public roadway is a critical factor with direct impacts on the District's management program. If the lot is highly visible from the roadway and has a limited view, it will be less inviting to vandals and loiterers. A lot positioned away from the roadway will mast likely result in a security system with extended patrol coverage and locked gates during the nights. **Location adopted on July 11, 1979 r 4tt •`t t1.