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
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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 .
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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
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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
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OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
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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
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