HomeMy Public PortalAbout19981216 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 98-31 i
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Reg-tonal
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 98-31
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AGENDA*
7•.00 P.M. 330 Distel Circle
Wednesday Los Altos, California
December 16, 1998
***PLEASE NOTE***
7:00 P.M. Public Meeting Start Time
(7:00) ROLL CALL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
** ORAL COMMUNICATIONS --Public
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
*** ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR--M. Davey
BOARD BUSINESS
(7:05) 1. Recommendation for the Composition and Procedure for the Formation of the San Mateo
County Coastal Advisory Committee and Authorization for the President of the Board to
Send a Letter to Each of the Proposed Participating Organizations to Request Their
Representation on the Coastal Advisory Committee --B. Crowder
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(7:30) 2. Review of Basic Policy: Objective 2, Open Space Management, Policy "c", Recreational
Use and Improvements; Adoption of the Final Basic Policy Document Tentatively
Adopted July 8, 1998 --R. Anderson
(9:30) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS --Directors and Staff
*** REVISED CLAIMS (( onsent Item)
ADJOURNMENT
*NOTE.- Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed Agenda is subject to change
of order.
** TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is
considered by the Board of Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during oral
communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to 3 minutes.
Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates.
***All items on the consent calendar shall be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the
General Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar
during consideration of the Consent Calendar.
330 Distel Circle . Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone: 650 691-1200 .
FAX:650-691 04t3.5 . F-mail: mrosdrropenst)at:(,.org . Weh site:www.ol)ensl>ace.org
Board of Due(tots fete Sienwnti,Mar C Dave led C r, Deane Little,Nanette Hanko, Betti v Crowder, Kenneth(�. Nit
� Y Y- Y ? "e°ner,tt M rn,t,t;er:G.Craig;N,ritUm
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Regional Open - ,)ace
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 98-31
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SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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AGENDA*
7:00 P.M. 330 Distel Circle
Wednesday Los Altos, California
December 16, 1998
***PLEASE NOTE***
7:00 P.M. Public Meeting Start Time
(7:00) ROLL CALL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
** ORAL COMMUNICATIONS --Public
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
*** ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR--M. Davey
BOARD BUSINESS
(7:05) 1. Recommendation for the Composition and.Procedure for the Formation of the San Mateo
County Coastal Advisory Committee and Authorization for the President of the Board to
Send a Letter to Each of the Proposed Participating Organizations to Request Their
Representation on the Coastal Advisory Committee--B. Crowder
(7:30) 2. Review of Basic Policy: Objective 2, Open Space Management, Policy"c", Recreational
Use and Improvements; Adoption of the Final Basic Policy Document Tentatively
Adopted July 8, 1998 --R. Anderson
(9:30) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS --Directors and Staff
*** REVISED CLAIMS (Consent Item)
ADJOURNMENT
*NOTE: Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed Agenda is subject to change
of order.
** TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is
considered by the Board of Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during oral
communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to 3 minutes.
Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates.
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***All items on the consent calendar shall be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the
General Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar
during consideration of the Consent Calendar.
` 3:30 (piste) Circle . Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone:650 691-1200
FAX: 650-691 0485 . E-mail: mrosda)openspace_org . Web site:www.openspace.org
I Board of Biro(tors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davev,Jed Cyr,Deane tittle, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, Kenneth C. Nit/ Genoa/Man,gwr_( Crmu Britton
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Regional Open -,)ace
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
R-98-160
Meeting 98-31
December 16, 1998
AGENDA ITEM 1
AGENDA ITEM
Recommendation for the Composition and Procedure for the Formation of the San Mateo County
Coastal Advisory Committee
AD HOC COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Approve the proposed composition of the participants on the San Mateo County Coastal
Advisory Committee.
2. Authorize the President of the Board to send a letter to each of the proposed participating
organizations to request their representation on the Coastal Advisory Committee, and further
authorize the Ad Hoc Committee to follow up with these groups to assist with their appointment
and scheduling process, if needed.
BACKGROUND
At your meeting of June 24, 1998 you declared your intent to form a Coastal Advisory Committee,
which will be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board on certain District
policies as they relate to the coastal area of San Mateo County under consideration for possible
annexation into the District (see report R-98-81). The policies to be reviewed are those on land
acquisition, eminent domain, and agricultural use. The Board stated that the formation of this committee
was to proceed depending on the outcome of Measure F, the advisory measure on the November 3,
1998 ballot.
Measure F subsequently passed by a vote of 55% "yes" to 45% "no." Based on these positive results,
at your meeting of November 12, 1998 you directed the Ad Hoc Committee to proceed with a
recommendation for the process of establishing a Coastal Advisory Committee (see report R-98-134).
This process included meeting with a proposed consultant that would assist and advise the Ad Hoc
Committee on the process of policy development, annexation, environmental documentation, and the
formation of the Coastal Advisory Committee.
The Ad Hoc Committee has met with the proposed consultant, and recommends that the following
organizations be requested to each appoint one of their members to the Coastal Advisory Committee:
Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council
Half Moon Bay City Council
Midcoast Community Council
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San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
San Mateo County Farm Bureau
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Peninsula Open Space Trust
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3 10 Distel Circle . Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone: 650-691-1 200
FAX: 650-691 0485 . F-mail mrosd o openspace.org . Web site:www.openspace.ort;
Roam of Oirec tor,.Pete Sien nn,Mary C. D,ivey, Ied Cyr,Diane Little, Noneite Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz L CT,lig Britten
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R-98-160
Page 2
In addition, it is recommended that the three members of the Ad Hoc Committee (Directors Crowder,
Davey, and Hanko) be appointed as District representatives to the Coastal Advisory Committee. This
will create a committee comprised of nine members.
The proposed composition includes representation of the various stakeholder and interest groups on the
coastside. Utilizing representation from elective bodies (the Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council, the
Half Moon Bay City Council, the Midcoast Community Council, and the Board of Supervisors) is an
effective means of bringing the communities' issues, concerns, and suggestions to the Board in a
manageable and efficient manner. Given that there are over 40 identified stakeholder or interest groups
that may wish to provide input, the Ad Hoc Committee felt it was most equitable to include members of
these elective bodies on the advisory committee to ensure the widest-possible level of representation,
and thereby providing the greatest level of input from the stakeholders, interest groups, and individuals.
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Further, representation from the Farm Bureau will ensure that the agricultural community's crucial j
input is focused and brought to the Board. The Ad Hoc Committee also believes that it is important for
the Peninsula Open Space Trust to be included on the Coastal Advisory Committee, given its high level
of land acquisition activity on the coastside and its experience and expertise in creating opportunities
for the preservation of agricultural land.
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If the process is approved by the Board, the President will contact each of the proposed participating
agencies by mail to request that each organization appoint a representative from their group to the
Coastal Advisory Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee will be available to these groups to assist with
the appointment process, if needed. It will be requested in the letter that each organization respond to
the District by January 15, 1999, if at all possible.
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Assuming a timely response from each agency, the first meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee is
expected to take place in late January. The first order of business of the Coastal Advisory Committee
will be to elect a chair, set ground rules, determine other rules of procedure, establish objectives, and
set an initial schedule of meetings.
Prepared b :
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Committee Directors Crowder Dave and Hanko Ad Hoc Co ( y, )
Contact person:
L. Craig Britton, General Manager
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&<ural Coast Open Space Trust
"It's R Coastl"
2830 N. Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
(650) 726-8495
DATE: December 16, 1998
TO: Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
FROM: Michael Murphy
RE: Coastal Advisory Committee
It is very important for this District to reach out to the 45% of the Coastside voters
who voted against Measure F, and especially the 57% in the affected area that voted no.
After saying the District would review the result precinct by precinct, you chose to
ignore the vote in the rural area and trivialize the long-standing opposition to eminent
domain on the rural coast. That opposition was clear in your own polls, taken before the
Measure F campaign began.
By combining the heavily populated urban coast with the lightly populated rural coast
where any acquisitions would take place, you created a "cram down" situation in which
those in the affected area couldn't win.
Now you are perpetuating the cram down by creating a Coastal Advisory Committee
that probably will include only one opponent of Measure F—the representative from the
Farm Bureau. The other five organizations came out in support of Measure F. In
addition, you propose to name three MROSD directors to the committee to create an 8-to-
1 vote against the Farm Bureau. You are stacking the deck. This is unfair.
Where is the representation for the 45%, or for the 57%? Do you really expect to get
through the LAFCO process and the inevitable judicial proceedings without giving the
opponents of eminent domain a voice?
Agenda Item #1 says: "The policies to be reviewed are those on land acquisition,
eminent domain and agricultural use." Those policies do not affect Half Moon Bay or the
Midcoast. Why are they represented on this committee?
The Rural Coast Open Space Trust urges you to create a FAIR committee by:
- making the Ad Hoc Committee members non-voting advisors to the Coastal
Advisory Committee
reducing the committee to one representative from PMAC, the Board of
Supervisors, the Farm Bureau and POST, plus
o appointing at least one opponent of Measure F to create a committee of 5 voting
members who live in or are directly concerned with the rural area affected by these
policies.
Board of Directors
MROSD
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022-1404
Dear Board of Directors:
I enjoy walking through MROSD preserves, except when I encounter mountain bikers. Mountain
bikers seek thrills and exhilaration at the expense of the natural resources, cause measurable negative
impact on the natural environment, and detract from nature's peace, quiet, and tranquility. Hikers, on the
other hand, have minimal impact on natural resources and typically do not disturb others on preserve
trails.
I was pleased to see that the District is addressing trail usage in its Basic Policy Revision Draft of
7/23/98. Dividing recreational use into Basic and Special Use categories is a good way to make sure that
people on foot like me can enjoy the preserves without fear of being disturbed by mountain bikers. I
hope the Board of Directors adopts this draft.
Sincerely,
s �
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�C-C
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Bpsterra@aol.com, 06: 07 PM 12/16/98, Coastside Advisory Committee
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Return-Path: Bpsterra@aol . com
From: Bpsterra@aol . com
Date : Wed, 16 Dec 1998 18 : 07 : 30 EST
To: mrosd@openspace. org �
Subject : Coastside Advisory Committee
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace.org
Dear Directors :
Whereas you are to be complimented and encouraged regarding your plans to
go
ahead with the formation of a coastside advisory committee following the
solid
victory of Measure F, I have qualms about the proposed makeup of the group.
First, the Farm Bureau and POST are private special interests representing
points of view but not, by far, the entire agricultural or
environmental/open
space communities, respectively. Specifying committee members from these,
or
any other private groups, should be done with great care to maintain a fair
balance that represents the values and interests of the overall coastside
public . Either the proposed private groups should be eliminated or they
should be joined by committee members with other outlooks, the latter being
drawn from other NGO' s or citizens at large .
Second, the political bodies mentioned for representation--the several
councils and the county Board of Supervisors--may not harbor or designate
representatives who are familiar with coastal ecological, open space, and
outdoor recreational issues . At a candidate' s night in El Granada several
years ago, not a single person running for the county Board of Supervisors
could name or describe the location of all the unincorporated communities
on
the Midcoast . Our county' s planners worked for years with Caltrans or
private
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developers to destroy ecological and open space values at such places as
Montara Mountain and Cascade Ranch. Lifetime residents of the coast on the
Half Moon Bay City Council in past decades showed in their statements that
they had never even been to various places at the center of contentious
issues
miles from the city limits . So simply being a government involved with an
area does not confer the expertise necessary to recognize the values and
manage that area .
I suggest that directors of the District (MROSD) be prescriptive in
h would suited for
designating the kinds of people fromgovernments t at ou d be suit
g g P P
the
advisory committee . It might well be that someone from San Mateo County' s
Department of Parks and Recreation would bring far greater knowledge and
sensitivity to coastal open space issues than a representative of the
planning
department .
,Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1
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Bps terra@ aol.com, 06: 07 PM 12/16/98, Coastside Advisory Committee
With thanks for your attention to these opinions,
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Carl May
Moss Beach
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Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 2
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April Vargas, 02 :55 PM 12/16/98, Ad Hoc Committee Recommendatio
Return-Path: april@montara . com
Return-Receipt-To: <april@hax.com>
Date : Wed, 16 Dec 1998 14 : 55 : 10 -0800
To: mrosd@openspace .org
From: April Vargas <april@hax. com>
Subject: Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org
December 16, 1998
Dear District Directors Siemens, Davey, Cyr, Little, Hanko, Crowder, Nitz
and General Manager Britton:
I am disappointed that I am unable to attend the meeting tonight . Please
accept these comments for your consideration.
First and foremost, I appreciate the District ' s enthusiasm for moving
forward with the Coastal annexation process . The positive outcome of the
November 3 election has indicated the willingness of Coastside residents to
become part of the District .
I also applaud your immediate steps to form and seat the Coastal Advisory
Committee . I urge you to carefully consider the comments you receive
regarding the make-up of this committee . Coastside residents have ongoing
and justified concerns about the quantity and the quality of the
governmental representation we receive. While meeting with the voters on
numerous occasions during the Measure F campaign, it was my personal
experience that questions about specific Coastside representation within
the District were among the most frequently asked.
It has been my opinion that restricting voting membership on the Committee
to elected officials or their appointees (as in the case of the
Agricultural Advisory Committee) is the most publically accountable way to
structure the group. Private entities, including at least one
representative from the environmental management community, would then
offer input as advisors . Regardless of your final decision on the
composition of this panel, the importance of its work cannot be overstated.
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The Coastal Advisory Committee will be our first opportunity to see how our
views will be represented to the District and how our concerns will be
factored into the decision making process . I urge you to ensure that the
Committee ' s review and revision of District policies is a deliberative and
open process . To that end, I strongly suggest that the meetings of the
Committee be held on the Coastside, at varying geographical locations, so
that local citizens will be provided convenient access to these
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proceedings .
Thanks and best wishes to you all .
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Sincerely,
Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1
Scott Boyd, 12 :21 PM 12/16/98, MROSD Coastal Advisory Committ
Return-Path: scott@montara. com
Date : Wed, 16 Dec 1998 12 : 21 : 27 -0800
T <o: Open Space District mrosd@openspace .org>
From: Scott Boyd <scott@montara.com>
�I y
Subject : MROSD Coastal Advisory Committee
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org
I ' ll keep this very short .
I support the creation of the committee .
I support accountable elected officials as the sole members of the
committee .
The people of the coastside expect to have an accountable committee
to research and review review policies regarding property
acquisition, use of eminent domain, recreational access, and
protection of agricultural lands .
The committee must engage as many of the stakeholders as possible to
learn about their issues, desires, and recommendations .
However, I do not support the notion that all stakeholders should sit
on the committee . Stakeholders should all have the right to make
their case to a representative body, but have no intrinsic right to
be the body.
The committee must serve in a representative fashion. Our community
is best served by a committee which represents the community at
large. Public accountability cannot be underemphasized.
Should MROSD choose to include some stakeholders, I would then press,
as an issue of fairness and consistency, to require inclusion of all
key stakeholders . However, doing so would result in a committee of an
untenable size, a size that would essentially render it powerless .
Please give us an open and accountable public process . This community
needs openness and accountability to clear up misinformation, to heal
the rifts, and to move towards an overall beneficial MROSD presence
here on the coastside .
Thank you for your efforts .
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Sincerely,
Scott Boyd
266 4th Street
Montara
650/728-0552
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Chuck Kozak/Coastal Alliance V(650)728-8239 MO 12/16/98 06:35 AM L 1/1 4
1 December 16, 1998 re: M' CAC Page 1
To: President Betsy Crowder and Members of the Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos CA 94022-1404
(650) 691-1200 FAX: 691-0485
From: Chuck Kozak
PO Box 370702 Montara CA 94037
(650) 728-8239 cgk@tnontara.com
re: Coastal Advisory Committee
Dear President Crowder and Members of the Board:
Thank you for the opportunity to address the board regarding the Coastal Advisory Committee
(CAC).I appreciate the careful deliberation the District is giving to this matter,and I am very
glad to hear that Supervisor Gordon has agreed to chair the committee;he is certain to bring
qualities of fairness and mediation to the proceedings.
I support the formation of the CAC.And I believe there must be a level of public accountability to
the committee.I encourage the participation of the three elected councils from the Coastside,
and of Supervisor Gordon's office.In March of 1997,your Board received resolutions from these
Councils asking you to begin the process of preserving open space resources on the coast These
resolutions were the foundation and justification for beginning this process.Much of the appeal
Of MROSD's expansion to the coastal area was for a responsive,elected district dedicated to
coastal open space resource preservation with coastal representation.
This concept needs to begin now,with the CAC.There are public representatives,and there are
private stakeholders.Decisions on policy recommendations for a public agency like MROSD
should come from accountable representation of the people affected.Regardless of how much
land you own or manage,or how man members in our organization,or how large of an
Y g Y Y gi
economic interest you represent-it shouldn't buyyou more voting power or influence than
Y p Y g Po �
individual citizens.Stakeholders bring valuable valbl experience and knowledge to the table that
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comes from their advocacy of their particular vested interests,be they economic,political,
environmental,spiritual,whatever.But they are not publicly accountable.There needs to be a
way to tap this experience and knowledge without undo favoritism toward any special interest.
The CAC should be the vehicle for citizens of the Coastside to have their say in the formation of
coastal policies for MROSD. Representation,responsiveness and accountability are critical to
public support and participation.The membership and the conduct
t of the committee should
reflect this important fact.
Thank you all again for your diligent work on this issue.I look forward to continued progress
and good work.
Respectfully,
a future voter in the expanded Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,
T�,Lq�,4
Chuck Kozak
�~w�RA clad
of,'VOE
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Sierra Club
December 13, 1998
President Betsy Crowder and Members of the Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos CA 94022-1404
Via fax: 691-0485
Dear President Crowder and Board Members:
The Sierra Club strongly endorses the formation of a Coastside Advisory Committee, as it does the
expansion of the MROSD to the San Mateo County coast. Given the wide range of opinion in the coastside
community it is particularly important that the board have the benefit of hearing from a broad,
representational sample of constituencies. The proposed makeup of the advisory committee would certainly
accomplish this, and demonstrate the district's commitment to an open, participative process.
As a coastside resident I would like to thank you for your continuing work to preserve open space on the
coast.
Sincerely,
Chris Thollaug
DEC i 5 ;
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Loma Prieta Chapter
3921 East Bayshore,Palo Alto,CA 94303 (650)390-8411 390-8497(fax)
F Tim Duff, 10 :30 PM 12/15/98, Advisory Committee
Return-Path: tim@montara. com
Date : Tue, 15 Dec 1998 22 : 30 : 22 +0100
To: mrosd@openspace .org
From: Tim Duff <tim@hax. com>
Subject : Advisory Committee
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org
I am writing as a member of the San Mateo County Agricultural Advisory
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Commit
tee in support of the formation of a Coastside Advisory Committee
reviewing the District ' s policies related to the management of agricultural
lands, trail access planning and resource management .
Representatives of the farming, conservation and open space communities
should be joined on the committee by individuals with professional
backgrounds in watershed management, forestry, creek restoration, coastal
resource planning, and sensitive habitat management planning. Their
expertise will be tremendously important as your board and staff begin to
review District policies addressing the protection of agricultural lands
and fragile coastal resources, property acquisition, and recreational
access .
Inviting a broad base of Coastside stakeholders, resource and land
management professionals, and local community leaders to participate in
this important effort is crucial to the success of the District ' s future
here on the coast .
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Sincerely,
Timothy Duff
101 12 St .
Montara, CA 94037
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tim@montara . com
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December 9, 1998
To: President Betsy Crowder and Members of the Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos CA 94022-1404
(650) 691-1200 FAX: 691-0485
From: MidCoast Community Council
PO Box 64
Moss Beach, CA 94038
re: Coastal Advisory Committee
Dear President Crowder and Members of the Board:
The MidCoast Community Council would like to express its support of your
plans to convene a Coastal Advisory Committee for the coastal expansion
process. We understand that this committee will meet with identified
stakeholders throughout the coastal area and help define policies and
procedures for MROSD's operation on the coast.
Our council is willing to help by accepting a seat on this committee, and we
look forward to working with the District, the other elected councils and
representatives of the Coastside on this important process.
Respectfully,
Mary Hobbs, Vice-Chair
MidCoast Community Council
MCC/P&R/cgk
DES 1 5
12/10/14 WED 05:05 FAX 9001
Norbert Riedy& Hilary Morgan
7170 Peseadero Creek Road
Pescadero, Caly'ornia 94060
650-879-9149
December 14, 1998
President Betsy Crowder and Members of the Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos CA 94022-1404
Dear President Crowder and Board Members:
We strongly support the formation of a Coastside Advisory Committee to aid the work of
the Midpeninsula,Regional Open Space District(MROSD). We want the MROSD to
expand its boundaries to include the coastside. We believe that a committee made up of
representatives*of the coastal communities and other interests can work with MROSD to
review policies regarding property acquisition,use of eminent domain,recreational
access,and protection of agricultural lands.
Unfortunately,the proposed composition of the Advisory Committee does not,but
should,include members representing ecological and recreational resources. By
proposing inclusion of the Farm Bureau and POST,the District's Board agrees that
representation on the Committee should reach beyond inclusion of locally elected and
appointed government bodies. We urge the Board to include additional Committee
members who would specifically represent the interests of the resources the District
intends to help preserve.
The debate over Measure F left much of the public misinformed about the likely impacts
of an expansion of the District. We believe an open and honest discussion of these issues
would help not only the MROSD move forward,but educate the public. To this end,we
also ask the Board to require that meetings of the Advisory Committee take place on the
coastside at places and times convenient to the general public.
We look forward to participating in this process ourselves. We feel the Advisory
Committee has an opportunity to provide an open forum that will diminish the
misunderstandings and address the legitimate concerns of all the people who will benefit
from an expansion of the District.
Sincerely,
I Aa, plcq
n'Z*V /Z 1
Norbert Riedy&Hilary Mo
- -- - -- - - - - -- --- - - -1 B VanderWerf IR 712-1082 Mo 12113198 08:41 AM Dill
December 13, 1998
Barbara and Bill VanderWerf
P.O. Box 1574
El Granada, CA 94018
President Betsy Crowder and Members of the Board of Directors
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos CA 94022-1404
Via FAX 691-0485
Dear President Crowder and Board Members:
We support the formation of the Coastside Advisory Committee as promised to
the voters of the Coastside during the recent Measure F campaign.
Coastside representatives must work with MROSD to review policies regarding
property acquisition, use of eminent domain,recreational access, and protection
of agricultural lands. An open and publicly accountable process which addresses
the concerns of all Coastside residents will ensure the success of the MROSD
expansion.
The Advisory Committee should seek the input and expertise of the many
stakeholders and special interest groups in our communities. We look forward to
participating in this process.
Thank you,
Barbara and Bill VanderWerf
(650)726-3123
Regional Open ,jace
R-98-159 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 98-30
December 16, 1998
AGENDA ITEM 2
AGENDA ITEM
Review of Basic Policy: Objective 2, Open Space Management, Policy "c", Recreational Use
and Improvements
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION-
Adopt as final the Basic Policy document tentatively adopted July 8, 1998, including potential
minor corrections presented in Attachment 1 to this report, or:
Due to the controversy and confusion associated with the "basic" and "special" recreational use
designation concept contained in the draft policy, adopt an alternative, criteria-based policy for
Recreational Use and Improvements (Objective 2, policy "c") presented as alternative 2 in this
report.
BACKGROUND
At your July 8, 1998 meeting you tentatively adopted a final draft of the revised Basic Policy
document (see report R-98-93). Attachment 1 to this report presents the Basic Policy
document with the amendments that were directed at the July 8 meeting, and correction of
some minor errors that came to light during the process. Attachment 2 presents the previous
version of the Basic Policy, originally adopted in 1974 and last updated in 1980.
The Basic Policy has been discussed and revised in stages during the two-year Regional Open
Space Study process. The Study was intended to focus upon and review the District's overall
greenbelt preservation goals. Through this extensive public and inter-agency participation
process, no significant changes in priorities or practices have been supported by the Board, nor
by any significant segment of the public, nor by other agencies. Thus, the effort to update the
Basic Policy has focused on clarifying existing policies and bringing them in line with the
current practices, conditions and priorities of the District. The July 8 draft document
(Attachment 1) contains language under Objective 2, Open Space Management, Policy c,
Recreational Use and Improvements (pages 3 and 4), defining categories of "basic use" and
"special use" and setting policies for accommodating uses on this basis.
Although the suggested new Basic Policy statements are consistent with long-established
District policies and practices, the proposed "basic-special" language generated significant
concern from mountain bicyclists, and, to some extent, among equestrians and dog owners,
that their access would be limited or that they would be excluded from District trails now and
in the future. A great deal of correspondence was received from persons opposed to, or
330 Distel Circle . Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone:650-691-1200
FAX:650-691-0485 . E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org . Web site:www.openspace.org
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz . Genera!Manager:L.Craig Britton
i
(
R-98-159 Page 2
supporting, the new language, or the concepts they interpreted from the words. As of
Wednesday, December 9, staff had received 54 letters or e-mail messages from 61 individuals
generally opposing the new language, and 108 letters or e-mail messages from 121 individuals
generally supporting the new language. Based on the controversy and volume of interest, a
public workshop was scheduled for December 16 to allow further public input and Board
discussion on the issue.
In addition to comments focused on the wording and concepts of policy 2c, a number of letters
suggested improvements to language in many other sections of the tentatively adopted
document. However, except for policy 2c, the Basic Policy had been reviewed several times
and had been approved by the Board as final wording. Rather than attempt to indicate these
potential changes in the attached draft, staff will be prepared to review them at the meeting,
but only if the Board desires.
Recreational Use Policy Wording Alternatives
There are a number of alternative approaches to stating or clarifying District policy regarding
recreational use. This report presents three alternatives for recreational use policy, including
the tentatively adopted policy which is referenced to the originally adopted policy.
" lic 2c, es 3 and 4)
Alternative 1 - Basic-Special Access Polic�(see Attachment 1, pppp�y Mg
es
idea of carefully planning and limiting public access to District preserves is not new. The
previous version of the Basic Policy was adopted in 1974, soon after the District's founding,
and last revised in 1980 (see Attachment 2). In this version, key statements about public
access and other public use were contained in section 3, land management, policies a, c, and
d. These recreational use policies, summarized below and highlighted in Attachment 2, have
been in place since the District's founding:
Original Public Access Policies (see Attachment 2).
Objective 3: Proper care of open space land, allowing public access appropriate to the
land, and consistent with ecological values
Supporting policies:
a. Careful planning and great care will be taken to protect the natural beauty and
ecological balance of the lands
c. The District will allow limited public access [based on]:
Priority for basic land maintenance and acquisition
Site conditions (vital habitat, safety factors, agricultural use)
Availability of facilities and supervision and carrying capacity of the land
d. development will be for low-intensity recreation
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The new wording in the current draft Basic Policy concerning recreational use was intended to
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R-98-159 Page 3
more clearly and completely state the above policies, particularly parts c and d, consistent with
long-established policies and practices that are more detailed than the Basic Policy, such as the
Trail Use Policies and Guidelines, the Resource Management Policies, and site-specific
planning and management practice.
The "basic-special" language contained in the draft reflects current District practice of
allowing hikers everywhere except where specifically excluded, and considering all other uses
on a case-by-case basis. Within this version, many commentors have suggested changes, at
minimum correcting the word "equestrians" to "horseback riding" in the second paragraph on
page 4, and potentially eliminating the words "particularly basic use" later in the same
paragraph. Other commentors have requested changing horseback riding from the special use
category to the basic use category, and still others have suggested the same for dog access.
Overall, this version has generated a tremendous amount of controversy that has taken
attention away from the pertinent issues of how the District will interpret the policies at a more
detailed level to implement its objectives. However, staff believes that this wording best
describes District practice, both past and present, and, as such, is the recommended language.
Alternative 2 - Criteria-Focused Access Policy
Like Alternative 1, the language in Alternative 2 is intended to update the old public access
and recreational use policy to make it consistent with long-established detailed policies and
practices. Unlike Alternative 1, it does not differentiate between uses, but focuses on the
criteria against which all uses will be evaluated for access decisions. For example, although
hiking generally has a much lower level of impact and management requirements than other
uses, and so may be easier to plan and manage than other uses, allowing hiking access still
carries the obligation to be aware of sensitive resources, site safety concerns, property rights,
and other constraints as outlined in the new Basic Policy section 2b, Public Access and
Constraints. This alternative language would replace the second, third, and fourth paragraphs
in the current version of policy 2c on pages 3 and 4 in Attachment 1:
Access to or public recreational use of District land will be evaluated in terms of three
basic criteria:
1. Avoid or mitigate significant environmental impact
2. Avoid or mitigate significant conflict with other uses
3. Availability of Board and staff time, and/or other means, to plan and
manage the use
The District will plan for public access to ensure that these criteria will be met before
use is allowed, and will control use that does not meet the criteria, as interpreted by the
Board. To protect open space qualities, the District will use a high standard in defining
"significant" impacts and conflicts.
R-98-159 Page 4
Consistent with the access criteria, the District actively seeks to provide access to all
types of low-intensity use, and is committed to the concept of multi-use trails. Many
types of potential impacts and conflicts can be resolved through careful, creative
planning and management, in partnership with user groups. The District is committed
to working with different trail user groups to find practical solutions and mitigations.
However, some sites, or new or significantly expanded uses, require extensive effort to
plan and resolve. Board and staff time is limited and special planning and management
effort is expensive. Both must be focused on the District's basic greenbelt
preservation, planning, and stewardship activities. Therefore, access that requires
special planning and management effort may be delayed or limited until adequate time
and resources can be allocated to resolving such complicated issues.
The actual procedures and standards for determining appropriate uses are too detailed to be
contained in the Basic Policy. They are contained in the Trail Use Policies and Guidelines
document, and in the Use and Management Planning Process document (this would be
indicated through a footnote in the policy language). Both these documents are scheduled for
review and update through a separate process. A public debate on "wilderness policies" by the
Board of Directors is also planned.
Alternative 3 - Trail User Coalition Proposed Access Policy
A third alternative approach to the policy language, which is not recommended, has been
suggested in a letter from a coalition of representatives of user groups including bicyclists,
equestrians, dog owners, and hang gliders. Their suggestions are consistent with many of the
letters opposing the "basic-special" policy. This would also replace the second, third, and
fourth paragraphs in the current version of policy 2c on pages 3 and 4 in Attachment 1:
Trail use may be for a variety of passive recreational pursuits that are not motorized
(such as bicycle riding, horseback riding, dog walking, rock climbing, hang gliding,
etc.).
Although not a specific policy suggestion, the letter included a statement recognizing that such
trail access should be conditional. This statement would be a potential addition to this
alternative.
As new property comes on line, increasingly there should be designated places where
mixed users are allowed to recreate in passive, low-impact, non-motorized modes, as
long as they respect the property rules, assure the safety of others, and protect the
environment.
Prepared by:
Randy Anderson, Senior Planner
Contact person:
Same as above
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Attachment 1
Basic Policy Revision Draft
INTRODUCTION MISSION STATEMENT
i
I "...to to try to save for everyone, for the
hostile and indifferent as well as the The District's mission is:
committed, some of the health that flows
down across the green ridges from the To acquire and preserve a regional
Skyline, and some of the beauty and greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity;
refreshment of spirit that are still available protect and restore the natural environment;
to an resident of the valley who has a and provide opportunities for ecologically
� Y Y P oPPo g� Y
moment, and the wit, to lift up his eyes sensitive public enjoyment and education.
unto the hills."
-Wallace Stegner
OBJECTIVES
Open space:
• Is land area that is allowed to remain in 1. Open Space Land Preservation: The
or return to its natural state. Open District seeks to purchase or otherwise
space lands may include compatible acquire interest in the maximum feasible
agricultural uses. area of strategic' open space land within
the District, including baylands and
• Protects areas of scenic beauty and foothills. The District seeks to link its
preserves natural habitats necessary to open space lands with federal, state,
sustain plant and animal life, especially county, and city parklands and
native and endangered species. watershed lands.
• Offers opportunities to the public for
education, recreation, and renewal of Policies
spirit.
District Purpose
• Enhances public safety by preventing
development of areas prone to a. As an open space agency, the District's
landslides, earthquake damage, primary purpose is to preserve open space.
flooding, and wildland fires. Development of traditional park and
recreation facilities is the responsibility of
• Establishes boundaries for urban the cities and counties.'
growth, provides a respite from urban
living, and enhances regional quality of
life.
In short, open space is "room to breathe."'
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Strategic Emphasis District's eminent domain policies:
b. The District uses its available resources "The District does not want to use eminent
primarily to acquire or otherwise preserve domain as a means of purchasing land
land outside the Urban Service Area unless the property concerned is an open
boundaries of cities that has regionally space parcel of critical importance or is
significant open space value and that might under some dire emergency, such as
be lost to development if the District fails immediate destruction of natural resources,
to act.' or clearing for development purposes.
Even under such urgent circumstances,
The District's goal is to acquire lands however, eminent domain would still be
within its own boundaries and Sphere of used only as a last resort. The District
Influence. Acquisitions outside the would continue to use negotiations as its
District's boundaries will be considered objective in purchasing the land.
only if exceptional purchase opportunities
arise that clearly support the District's Master Plan, Regional Open Space Study
mission.'
d. To guide the Districts open space
Open Space Acquisition preservation efforts, the District produces a
master plan and a regional open space
c. The District acquires land most often study. The master plan sets forth
through fee simple interest (outright guidelines for District acquisitions and
ownership). Options and installment shows the relative desirability of potential
purchases may be employed to this end. open space land acquisitions. The regional
To conserve funding for preservation, the open space study shows the general extent
District may seek to preserve open space of lands and public access improvements
without outright ownership of the land. existing and under consideration to
The District may act as a land bank through complete the District's greenbelt mission.
acquisition of less than fee interest to Both documents are subject to periodic
accomplish the same results with less review and modification by the Board of
immediate expenditure of the District's Directors after public hearings. The
funds. Examples include acquisition of a Regional Open Space Study is subject to
remainder interest following a life tenancy; periodic technical updates. Both documents
open space, conservation, or scenic are submitted to the counties, cities, and
easements; and purchase and leaseback other conservation-oriented local, state, and
arrangements. The District actively strives federal agencies and organizations for
to acquire open space through gifts and review and comment in order to encourage
matching grants. Gifts of land with life coordination with their planning and
tenancy are encouraged. Other creative policies.
open space preservation techniques are
explored and utilized when possible.'
The District desires to acquire open space
from willing sellers. Eminent domain will
be used only in strict compliance with the
2
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2. Open Space Management: The parking, restrooms, mapboards and signs,
District follows management policies that and identification and mitigation of
ensure proper camof the land, that potential safety hazards.'Z
provide public access appropriate to the
nature of the land, and that are Because of the District's commitment to
consistent with ecological values and maximum open space preservation efforts,
public safety.9 expenditure guidelines will be established
for the amount of funding available for
recreational improvement projects and
Policies restoration activities."
Resource Management Agricultural, residential, and other limited
revenue producing uses of the land may
a. The District protects and restores the limit public access in certain areas. Where
natural diversity integrity and inte ri of its appropriate, access may be provided on a
g
resources for their value to the permit basis.
environment, and the public, and provides
for the use of the preserves consistent with The District strives to provide public access
resource protection.10 to its lands to everyone, regardless of place
of residence, physical abilities, or
Public Access and Constraints economic status. (See Access Plan for
Persons with Disabilities)
b. The District provides public access to
the open space lands for low-intensity Recreational Use and Improvements
recreational uses. The District's highest
priority is acquiring land to complete the c. Improvements on District lands are
greenbelt and to protect natural resources generally limited to facilities (ie: parking
on open space land. Public access will be areas, trails and patrol roads, restrooms,
provided gradually to ensure that the higher mapboards, and signs) for low-intensity
priorities of acquisition and resource recreational uses. Low-intensity recreation
protection are maintained." avoids concentration of use, significant
alteration of the land, and significant
Developing facilities and managing public impact on the natural resources or on the
use activities while protecting natural appreciation of nature.la
resources and providing for public safety
may require limits on access to some open Low-intensity public recreational use of
space lands. Areas found to be vital District land will be considered in two
wildlife or plant habitats are designated as categories: "Basic Use" and "Special Use."
refuge areas, and in these areas access will
be severely restricted. In addition to Basic Use is defined as access to
protection of sensitive natural resources, pedestrians and reasonable accommodation
factors that may delay or limit access for people with disabilities. This use is
include the carrying capacity of the land, "basic" because it allows access to
geologic features, restoration efforts, the everyone with the lowest possible level of
ability to plan and implement trails, environmental impact, conflict between
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uses, and management cost. The District Public Safety
will typically open its lands to Basic Use as
soon as an appropriate planning document d. The District monitors and manages its
is adopted and access and safety conditions preserves to provide a safe environment for
can be satisfied. In cases of extremely visitors and neighbors.ls
sensitive resources, access may be
seasonally or permanently limited. Cultural Resources
Special Use is defined as use that involves e. Historic structures and sites will be
extra equipment or accouterments that considered for protection by the District
creates potential environmental or where they are associated with lands
management impacts beyond those of Basic acquired for overall open space values.
Use. This includes such activities as Due to the high cost of evaluating,
bicycle riding, r managing, and restoring such facilities, the
equestrians, dog walking, rock climbing, District depends on grant assistance,
hang gliding, etc. Special Use will be public-private partnerships, and outside
accommodated based on a careful decision- assistance to support these activities. Sites
making process, including adopted criteria are evaluated for archaeological resources
for mitigating environmental impact, prior to any new use or improvement which
conflict with other uses, particularly Basic might impact the site. Archaeological
Use, and constraining planning or resources are evaluated, protected, and
management costs to affordable levels. In made known to the public as appropriate to
this regard the District will carefully ensure their preservation.16
consider overall trends in use and try to be
equitable in providing access to various Agriculture and Revenue-Producing Use
user groups. I
f. The District supports the continued
Special Use facilities, (i.e. nature centers, agricultural use of land acquired for open
historic structures, picnic tables, or space as an economic and cultural resource,
backpack camps), and Special Use activities including, but not limited to, grazing,
(i.e. large recreation events, hang gliding, orchards, row crops, and vineyards. The
or off-leash dog areas), are considered on a District does not consider commercial
case by case basis. In some cases Special logging as agriculture. The District
Use activities may require a permit. These requires sound agricultural management
types of uses may be allowed when they do practices on land it manages or monitors, in
not monopolize significant areas of natural accordance with its Resource Management
land, do not significantly impact natural or Policies.17
aesthetic resources, and provide benefits
such as environmental education, heritage g. Revenue-producing use of District land,
resource protection, or public enjoyment such as rental residences, communications
and appreciation of nature. The cost of antennas, or special commercial use such as
management and exposure to liability of filming, may be allowed when it does not
these types of facilities and activities may utilize significant areas of natural land,
be a factor in deciding whether to permit does not unduly impact natural or aesthetic
them on District lands. resources, does not unreasonably restrict
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public access, and provides benefits or Research
income to the District.
d. The District supports the development
of scientific knowledge about natural and
3. Inter-Agency Relationships: The cultural resources and management
District works with and encourages techniques through cooperative
private and other public agencies to arrangements with educational and
preserve, maintain, and enhance open scientific institutions, and by supporting
space. research on which to base its management
and improvement decisions. Such studies
shall not unreasonably restrict public access
Policies or significantly impact the environment.
Cooperation Advocacy
a. The District cooperates with and e. In order to better plan, acquire and
encourages cooperation between operate a regional greenbelt of open space
governmental agencies, community preserves and trails, and to further
organizations, and individuals to preserve cooperate in this effort with other
open space.$ jurisdictions, the District may encourage
and advocate preservation of open space by
The District works cooperatively with other other governmental agencies. The District
governmental agencies and community may support and encourage community
organizations to facilitate development and groups, non-profits, and other conservation
management of recreation facilities and of oriented groups in their efforts to urge
public use. The District ensures that such other agencies to take actions which will
development is consistent with protection of help accomplish the purposes and goals of
important natural values of the open space. the District.
Participation
4. Public Involvement: The District
b. The District participates in the public educates and makes clearly visible to the
review processes of land use plans of other public the purposes and actions of the
agencies and development proposals that District, and actively encourages public
affect the District's mission. input and involvement in the District's
decision-making process and other
Joint Projects activities."
c. The District explores and engages in
joint projects to maximize the opportunities Policies
for preservation of open space. Examples
include interagency land management Public Information
agreements, joint planning or research
studies, and joint acquisition, improvement, a. The District works through a variety of
or resource management projects. means and media to inform the public of
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the District's goals and objectives, its short maintenance, and public education are
and long-term plans, the critical need for provided to minimize threats to public
open space preservation, and the safety, fire hazards, litter, noise, erosion,
appropriate use of District lands. This unsound use of the land, disturbance of
information is disseminated as widely as wildlife and vegetation, and trespassing.18
possible throughout the District. Land-
owners and potential donors are adequately Participation
informed of the District's purpose and
goals, and of the possible methods of e. The District seeks to involve the public
preserving land as open space. in the operation and decision-making of the
District and in general planning for
Meeting Procedures acquisition and future use of open space
lands through special workshops,
b. The District diligently follows the committees and task forces, and public
provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act outreach activities. Through staff and
regarding open meeting procedures, and volunteer programs, the District provides
will be guided by its enabling legislation ecological and environmental education and
under the state Public Resources Code, fosters public appreciation of open space
Article 3, Division 5, Chapter 3, Section values.
5500. The District encourages and
welcomes public participation at its Volunteerism
meetings and make its actions, intents, and
decisions clearly visible to the public. f. Through its volunteer programs, the
District encourages active public
Public Input participation in the maintenance,
restoration, and protection of its natural
c. The District encourages and welcomes resources. In addition, volunteers assist the
communication from the public by being as District in scientific research, and
accessible to the public as possible and by providing cultural, historical, and
I
regularly soliciting public comments about environmental education opportunities to
what the District should be accomplishing the public.
and how it should proceed.20
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Neighbor Relations 5. Administration: The staff
administers the affairs of the District on
d. In both the day-today conduct of its behalf of the public so as to maximize
business and in the long-range planning for accomplishment of the goals and
public open space preserves, the District objectives of the District within existing
I
makes every effort to cooperate with financial constraints.
preserve neighbors, to take into account
their perspectives, to fully address their
concerns, and to engage and involve them
in the process of making decisions
regarding the preserves of which they are
neighbors. Active management, patrol,
6
Policies These policies are intended solely for the guidance
of the Board in the exercise of its discretion and are
Cost Constraints not intended to give rise to private rights or causes
of action in individuals or other persons. The Board
shall be the final arbiter as to any question of
a. Because the District is committed to interpretation of these policies. It is not the purpose
maximum preservation efforts, of these policies to adopt any legal requirements.
administrative ex Pe nse rowth is limited b Failure to comply with these policies shall not affect
g Y
the validity of any action taken by the District.
following an average annual operating
expenses growth guideline, and by utilizing
the help of other governmental agencies,
private entities, contractual services, and
volunteers.21
Professional Organization
b. The District employs a highly capable
and professional staff and provides them
with the facilities and resources needed to
run an efficient and responsible
organization.
Board of Directors
c. The Board of Directors is the governing
body of the District and determines all
questions of policy. The District is divided
into seven geographic wards of
approximately equal populations, each
represented by an elected Board member.
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FOOTNOTES:
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1. Open Space Acquisition Policies, Pg 3 21. Average Six Percent Growth Guideline for
District Operating Expenses and Annual
2. Open Space Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 2-6. Budget.
3. Master Phm/Open Space Acquisition 22. Public Resources Code, Section 5537
Policies, Pg. 3; Land Acquisition Policies,
Pg. 3, Par. F.
4. Master Plan/Open Space Acquisition
Policies, Pg. 6.
5. Land Acquisition Policies, Pg. 3.
6. Land Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 5- 10.
7. Polices Regarding Use of Eminent Domain,
Ordinance No. 86-1.
8. Open Space Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 9,
10.
9. Resource Management Policies
10. Resource Management Mission Statement
11. Resource Management Policies
12. Resource Management Policies
13. Average Six Percent Growth Guideline for
District Operating Expenses and Annual
Budget
14. Resource Management Policies
15. Good Neighbor Policy, District Land Use
Regulations
16. Resource Management Policies
17. Resource Management Policies, Goals 10
and 11.
18. Good Neighbor Policy, Public Notification
Policies, District Land Use Regulations
19. Rules of Procedure, Notification Policies,
Land Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 15, 16 NOTE: The public may obtain policy documents
by contacting District office during regular
20. Public Notification and Good Neighbor business hours Monday through Friday 8:30 am
policies. to 5:00 pm.
8
C OL-I Gar' / 1980 L)PVATr—:
INTRODUCTION Acquisition in Fee, Development Rights, Policies
Open space is defined as land or water area that Easements, Leaseback, Gifts, Grants, Life Cooperation
Condemnation
either remains in its natural state or is used for Estates, a.The District will promote cooperation with and
agriculture or otherwise essentially undeveloped. c.The District will acquire direct interest in land, encourage governmental agencies, private organiza-
Open space provides protection for areas of probably most often through fee interest, that is tions, and individuals to preserve open space.
particular scenic beauty and enhances the outright ownership.Options and installment
ation
survival prospects for endangered plant and purchases will be employed to this end. The District Participation
animal species. It enhances public safety through will act as a land bank through acquisition of less b.The District will participate in the formulation of
the minimization of flood erosion, landslide, than fee interest to accomplish the same results with land use plans of other agencies that affect the
less immediate expenditure of the Districts funds. District.
earthquake, and fire hazards. It provides room for For example, acquisition of a remainder interest with
production of food. It can help shape urban life tenancy for the owner will allow current use of joint Actions
growth and thus provide a more liveable•and the land to continue with no expenditure for land
efficient urban environment. In short, open space management. Open space, conservation,or scenic C.The District will explore and engage in joint
means "room to breathe." easements will be acquired.Where agriculture is at actions in order to maximize the opportunities for
least marginally profitable, purchase and leaseback preservation of open space. For example, in some
arrangements will be used in some cases.The Distric� cases the counties or other governmental agencies
OBJECTIVES will actively strive to acquire open space through may have resources available to commit to land
gifts and matching grants. Gifts of land with life management or to park development but not to
tenancy will be encouraged. Other creative open
acquisition, and the District may acquire the
1.The District will purchase or otherwise affected land or water area. In other instances, the
space preservation techniques will be explored and
acquire interest in the maximum feasible District will support joint studies that appear to
open
amount of strategico spa
ce land within the developed. afford the most economical means of gathering data
District includingba lands and foothills. The power of eminent domain will be used only in needed to make an acquisition decision.
bay
those instances where all reasonable attempts at
voluntary negotiations fail and the parcel in question Advocacy
Policies is central to the open space program of the District. d. The District will propose and urge preservation of
District Purpose Any contemplated condemnation action will include open space to other governmental agencies, such as
a.The District will function as an open space a full public hearing. As in all condemnation proce- the cities and the counties which, unlike the District,
agency. Its primary purpose will be to preserve open dures, fair market value as decided by a jury and have zoning powers to aid in this protection. It will
space;traditional development of park and recre- based on adequate appraisals will be paid by the also serve as an advocate for the protection of the
ation areas will remain within the province of the District. area's natural environmental resources. The District
will lend support to those groups which are urging
cities and the counties. Master Plan other agencies to take actions consistent with the
Strategic Emphasis d. As a guide to appropriate land acquisition,the goals of the District.
b.The District will use its available resources
District will develop a master plan, which will be
published.This plan will set forth the District's
primarily to acquire open space outside the Urban ement
acquisition policies and priorities and will be subject 3.The District will follow a land mana$
Service Area boundaries of the cities. This policy to periodic review and modification by the Board of policy that provides Proper care of oven space
would allow some acquisition of key open space
within the Urban Service Area.The District's priority Directors after public hearings.The master plan will land, allowingublic access a ro riate to
will in to use its limited resources to acquire interest be submitted to the counties and cities for review a nature o t e an and consistent with
in parcels Navin i h open space value which and comment in order to assure compatibility with ecological va ues.
g g
PI n .
might be developed if the District fails to act.
their Generala s
g P
The primary thrust of District policy will be to Policies
acquire lands within its own boundaries.The 2.The District will work with and encourage Preservation Ppocy
District will consider acquisitions outside the District private and other public agencies to preserve, a.Careful planning-and great care will be taken to
only if exceptional purchase opportunities arise that maintain,and enhance open space. protect the natural beautyand ecological balance of
clearly would accrue to the benefit of the District. _fFe-Fan-cls of the District.
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Good Neighbor Policy other agencies by long term lease, sale,or similar proceed will be encouraged. And third, the District
b. The District will make every effort to be a "good arrangement.The District will insure that such will seek from the public at large information
neighbor" to other property owners. Adequate development will protect important natural values of concerning specific parcels of land to aid in making
patrol, maintenance, and public education will be the open space. acquisition decisions.
provided to minimize fire hazards, litter, noise, Agriculture
erosion, unsound use of the land, disturbance of Participation
wildlife and vegetation, and trespassing. e. Where feasible, agricultural use will be sustained
and encouraged. d. The District will seek to involve the public in the
operation of the District and in general planning for
Public Access,Cost Constraints, Environmental acquisition and future use of open space lands.
Constraints,Other Constraints, Permitted Access 4. The District will educate and make clearly
fOL.1 Cy c. With certain limitations the District will allow visible to the public the purposes and actions 5. The staff will administer the affairs of the
public access to its lands. Because no agency in this of the District, and will actively encourage District in behalf of the public so as to
area has contemp ated acquiring open space in such public communication and involvement in maximize accomplishment of the goals of
quantity so close to urban areas, the financial District activities. p
resources required for maintenanceo—mac ulr District within existing financial constraints.
lands will be an important consideration. It is clear
t iTat tfie more funds are expended in development f Policies
facilities and supervision o ublic access, the less Policies
will a avai a e or ac uisitio . This constraint will Information Dissemination
necessitate smite types and quantity of access on at a.The District will work through a variety of
Cost Constraints
least some of the lands of the District. Some lands avenues, including newspapers and other mass a. Because the District is committed maximum
will be banked for a period of time prior to opening communications media, brochures, speakers, and acquisition effort, it will keep administrative
expenses low by operating with a limited staff and
to public use. Areas found to be vital w_as , ildlife by utilizing the help of already existing governmen-
. r the schools, to inform the public of the critical need
latent habitats will be designated refuge areas, and for open space preservation and the.appropriate use
in these T areas access will be severely restricted. of District lands as they open to the public. Land- tal and private agencies and contractual services.
Safety factors such as dangerous physical conditions owners and potential donors will be adequately Professional Organization
wi necessitate limited access in some areas. informed of the District's purpose and goals,and of b.The District will employ a highly capable and
Agricultural land will also require restricted public the possible methods of preserving land as open
use. In some cases use will be regulated by a permit space. professional staff and provide them with the facilities
stem. In general, access will be allowed and resources needed to run an efficient and
system. g responsible organization.
to the availabilit i o aci ities and 5upervision Visibility
essential tot the inten ed use, and accordin jq tbg b.The District will work in the open, making its
carryi g capacity of the land. Use will be open to actions and motives clearly visible to its consti-
everyone regardless o place of residence. tuency. In order to insure fair prices to the public Adopted March 27, 1974
and maintain the confidentiality the owner requires, Revised May 1, 1980
Recreation,Cost Limits,Cooperative Efforts the District will often have to wait until proposed
! terms of sale have been negotiated before announc-
POLICY d. Initial development will be primarily for low- ing its interest in acquiring a particular parcel.Then .SkrY
intensity recreation, such as hiking, riding,-grass the Board of Directors will ask for public comment EIS , �. , ,�44.
picnic kind, photography, and nature study Because before finally deciding to purchase specific property.
�
oft the commitment to maximum acquisition efforts, r,
initial expenditures on recreational improvements �Ii w,,
will be limited to not more than 5%of the District's Communication �u; .,t;
income in the first 10 years.The District will seek c.The District will encourage communication from
arrangements with other governmental agencies the public in three principal areas. First,the staff and -"' \ • �,tl I
whereby the other agencies will provide some or all Board will strive to be as accessible to the public asdevel
access. publicpment of facilities and supervision of This can include mak ng land ava lable to Distrct should be acc about accomplishing and how it should
I
^,[oimo No. &8-3
Meetng98-3O
Date: December 1G. 1S98
�
Revised
K8|OPEN|NGULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
# Amount Name Description
5303 659.86 Acme&Sons Sanitation Sanitation Services
5304 20.41 Allen Equipment Co. Inc. Vehicle Parts
5305 87,50 American Red Cross CPR Training Manikin Rental
5306 415.00 American Trails Registration-K8. daBaauv|aneo
5307 180.76 ArtenhLominedinQ Lamination Supplies
� 5308 16.67 AT&T Telephone Services
� 5309 264.37 Bailey's Uniform Boots
� 5310 168070 Richard Beale Land Use Planning Land Density Study Consultant �
5311 3OGQ� B�ck'n8hoem. Inc. Uniform Boots
|n�
� �
� 5312 4900.00 llmothyC. Bao . CEG Road Inventory Project Consultant
6313 242.79 LC. Bhtton Reimbursement-Local Business Meeting Expense
5314 122.90 California Water Service Company Water Service �
6315 360.40 Cal-Line Equipment Inc. Chipper Service
5316 534.48 Communication &Control Inc. Mt. Umunhum Pump Utilities �
5317 25.00 K8orhCoaarotto Reimbureemant-Boot Repairs
5318 90.00 Cougar Couriers Express Mail Service �
|
5319 134.00 Council on Education inManagement Membership Renewal �
/
5320 75.50 Dennis Danielson Reimbursement--Film
5321 87.60 Deluxe Business Forms Year End 109B Tax Forms
5332 410.41 Film toFrame Film & Pnooeaoing
5323 30.14 Foster Brothers Security Systems, Inc. Key Duplication
5324 30.01 Q & KServices Shop Towel Service
5325 55.31 Gerden|ond Power Equipment Tool Repairs
6326 1029.52 Goodyear Auto Service Center 7le*o
5327 205.03 GTE Wireless Cellular Phone Service
5328 298.00 Green Waste Recovery, Inc. DumpaberRenta|
5329 135.00 International Right of Way Association Class Registration-M.Williams
5330 381.33 Gold Seal Collision Center Vehicle Fender Repair
5331 264.88 Jodi Isaacs Vehicle Expense |
5332 456.16 JnhabyEngineehng La Honda Bridge Consultant
5333 231.84 Jobs Available, Inc. Recruitment Advertisement
5334 2469.05 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Copier Lease
5335 306.10 Los Altos Garbage Company DumpsterSon/ioa
5336 138�51 yWeinoKAobi|eCommunicmtionm Radio Repairs
� 5337 580.00 Micro Accounting Solutions Computer Consultant
5338 197.48 yNinbzna Lumber&Supply Field Supplies
5339 44078.32 Mission Valley Ford 19Q9 Ford FS5OVehicle
5340 622.28 Nmvonmne Mailing Service Winter Newsletter Mailing
5341 320.22 Office Helper Products Office Supplies
5342 -246.9M2- Pacific Bell Telephone Services
275.42 �
5343 25OOOO Popish Appne|mo| Gemice� �
� �
5344 800 OO Town of R��oin�p-�o�n Planner
� �
5345 46.00 °1 Town ofPortoaValley Room Fee-Public HoehnQ
� 5346 13�78 Precision Engravers, Inc. Name Tag Engraving
|
� 5347 2000.00 Tom Randall December&January--Rerta|Agreement
� 6348 10.08 Regal Dodge Vehicle Parts
� 5348 865.00 Re-New Sealers, Inc. Driveway Repair-Monte Bello Permit Lot
/
' Pagel
�
|
/ ,laims No. 98-22
| K8eotng88-3O
Date: December 1G. 1Q9W
| Revised
| K8|DPEN|NGULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
|
# Amount Name Description
5361 116.00 Rich's Tire Service llna Repair and Tire
5352 41.94 Roberts Field Supplies
5353 352.48 ROK8|C Environmental Technologies Corp. Hazardous Materials Pick Up
5354 11475 Safety-K|een Solvent Tank Service �
5355 745.33 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Recruitment Advertisement �
5356 79.87 San Jose Mercury News Recruitment Advertisement �
�
5357 8.091.33 Scribner Graphic Press Winter Newsletter Printing
� 5358 7713 Shell Oil Fuel �
� 5359 117.32 Steven's Creek Quarry Base Rock—RanchoDriveway �
5360 192.89 Summit Uniforms Uniforms
5381 4221.75 Sutter Equipment Company 8VVECO Slope Board Attachment �
� 5362 94.00 Swift Attorney Service Service ofDocuments |
5383 464.89 Too|and. |nu. Tool Parts
5364 1665.16 Trails Unlimited GVVECOTrai| Dozer Training & Instructor �
� 5365 16.45 U.S. Rentals Rental 8nmine Charge
5366 120.00 Rich Voss Trucking Gabion Rock Delivery
5367 146.26 West Coast Aggregates, Inc. Drain Rock /
5368 361.83 Wheel Works Tires |
� 5369 300.00 Roberta Wolfe Recording Services |
5370 200.00 Woodside& Podo|a Private Patrol Secure E|otom—VWndy Hill Parking Lot
� 5371 201.46 VVodkingmanoEmpohum Uniforms
� 6372R 100.00 CAPPO. |nc. Conference Ragiotodion-O. Top|ay �
� 5373R 4847.13 Alice Cummings Grant Application Consultant
� 5374R 12632.39 Gilroy Motorcycle Center 2C>uodrunnena
5378R 645.00 Home Depot Field Supplies |
6376FK 488.42 KooNooRoo Staff Event Caterer �
6377R 896.00 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies
�
6378R 64.00 ^2 United States Postmaster Holiday Card Postage
�
°1 Urgent Check Issued December 11. 1QQ8
� °2 Urgent Check Issued December 15. 1S98 �
� Tote $iOQ�O5�3 �
�
�
�
|
|
Page 2
|
/
|
lohnsNo 98-22
| MmeUngS8-3O
Date: December 18. iQQ8
| K8|DPEN|NSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT �
�
# Amount Name Description
5303 659.86 Acme&Sons Sanitation Sanitation Servic;-s
6304 20.41 Allen Equipment Co. Inc. Vehicle Poda �
5305 87.50 American Red Cross CPR Training Manikin Rental �
5306 415.00 American Trails Registration-K8. deBeamvienam �
5307 180.76 ArtauhLominating Lamination Supplies
�
5308 16.67 AT&T Telephone Services �
5309 264.37 Bailey's Uniform Boots
�
5310 1690.70 Richard Beale Land Use Planning Land Density Study Consultant
5311 305.92 Beck's Shoes, Inc. Uniform Boots
�
� 5312 48OOUU Timothy 8aat C��� Road
� C. ' |
� 5313 242.79 LC. Britton Reimbunaement--Loce| Business Meeting Expense �
� 5314 1120� California ��b�rG�n/ioa��ompany VV��orGmrvica �
� � �
� 5315 360.40 Cal-Line Equipment Inc. Chipper Service �
� 5318 534.48 Communication &Control Inc. Mt. Umunhum Pump Utilities �
� 5317 25.00 K8orhCowaretto Reimbursement--Boot Repairs
5318 90.00 Cougar Couriers Express Mail Service
5319 134.00 Council on Education inManagement Membership Renewal �
�
5320 7b�O Dennisanie|mon Reimbursement--Film
�
� 5321 8780 Deluxe Business Forms Year End 1OS8 Tax Forms �
� 5322 410.41 Film boFrame Film & Prooeaaing �
5323 30.14 Foster Brothers Security Systems, Inc. Key Duplication
� 5324 30.01 G &NServices Shop Towel Service �
� 5325 55.31 Garden|ond Power Equipment Tool Repairs
� 5326 1029.52 Goodyear Auto Service Center Tires �
� 5327 205.93 GTE Wireless Cellular Phone Service �
� 5328 298.00 Green Waste Recovery, Inc. DumpmterRento|
� 5320 136.00 International Right of Way Association Class Registration--M.Williams
5330 361.33 Gold Seal Collision Center Vehicle Fender Repair
�
5331 264.88 Jodi Isaacs Vehicle Expense
� 5332 458.16 JahabyEnginaahnQ Le Honda Bridge Consultant
�
� 5333 231.84 Jobs Available, Inc. Recruitment Advertisement
� 5334 2468.95 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Copier Lease
5335 306.10 Los Altos Garbage Company DumpotarGerviom
5336 139.51 P0etnok8obi|oCommuninationm Radio Repairs
5337 500.00 Micro Accounting Solutions Computer Consultant
5338 197.48 PWinhmng Lumber&Supply Field Supplies
5339 44078.32 Mission Valley Ford 1HAB Ford F55OVehicle
5340 622.28 Novanmne Mailing Service Winter Newsletter Mailing
5341 320.22 Office Helper Products Office Supplies
5342 246.92 Pacific Bell Telephone Services
5343 2600.00 Popish Appraisal&Consulting Appraisal Services
5344 800.00 Town ofPodo|aValley Retainer--Town Planner
5345 45,00 ^1 Town ofPodo\aValley Room Fee-Public Hearing
5346 13.78 Precision Engravers, Inc. Nome Tag Engraving
| 5347 200¢.00 Tom Randall December&January-Ranta|Agreement
|
5348 10.08 Roga| Dodgo Vehicle Parts
| 5349 885.00 Re-New Sealers, Inc. Driveway Rapoip-K8onte Bello Permit Lot
�
|
| Pagel
|
| ---- --- -- �—� --- --- ---- � -- -��������
| "[aims No. QB-22
| AneUng08-3U
Dabs December 1G. 1998
K8|OpEN|NSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
# Amount Name Description
5351 116.00 Rich's Tire Service Tire Repair and Tire
5352 41.94 Roberts Field Supplies
5353 352.48 ROKA|C Environmental Technologies Corp. Hazardous Materials Pick Up
5354 114.75 Safety-K]een Solvent Tank Service
5355 745.32 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Recruitment Advertisement
5358 70.87 San Jose Mercury News Recruitment Advertisement
5357 8.991.33 Scribner Graphic Press Winter Newsletter Printing
� 5358 77.13 Shell Oil Fuel
�
� 5359 117.32 Steven's Creek Quarry Base Rock—RonohoDriveway
5360 192.69 Summit Uniforms UnihVnnn
� 5361 422175 Suffer Equipment Company GVVECO Slope Board Attachment
5362� 94. �OO � ft Attorney Service Service ofDocuments
5363 464.99 Too|mnd. |no. Tool Parts
5364 1665.16 Trails Unlimited SVVEC[>Trail Dozer Training& Instructor
5365 16.45 U.G. Rentals Rental Service Charge
5366 120.00 Rich Voss Trucking Gobion Rock Delivery
5367 146.35 West Coast Aggregates, Inc. Drain Rock
� 5368 361.83 Wheel Works Tires
�
5369 300.00 Roberta Wolfe Recording Services
5370 200.00 Woodside& Podo|o Private Patrol Secure Gates—Windy Hill Parking Lot
� 5371 201.46 VVorkingmanmEmpohum Uniforms
� °1 Urgent Check Issued December 11. 1S9H
� Total $89.193.38
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
|
|
|
/
| ' Page 2
i
`
Regional Open ,>pace
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: C. Britton General Manager
DATE: December 16, 1998
SUBJECT: FYI
330 Distel Circle . Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 . Phone:650-691-1200
FAX:650-091-0485 . E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org . Wet)site:www_opensl)ace.org
Board of Dire(tors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr, Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nit/ . Generr(Mana,;er:L Craig Britton
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
December 15, 1998
TO: C. Britton, General Manger
FROM: G. Baillie, Operations Analyst
SUBJECT: MONTHLY FIELD ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Month November Year 1998-
VIOLATIONS TOTALS CITES CRIMES TOTALS CITES
Bicycles Auto burglaries 1 —0
Closed area 9 8 False info to peace officer 1 —0
Speed 4 3 Resisting officer 1 —0
Helmet 3 2 Poaching 1 0
Night-riding 3 1
Unsafe operation 0 0 ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS
Dogs Bicycle 2
Prohibited area 4 3 Vehicle 1
Off-leash 13 7 Search & Rescue 1
Off-road vehicles 1 1 Fire 1
Closed area 1 —0
After hours 0 0 ENFORCEMENT
Vandalism 2 0 Citations 38
Parking 13 9 Written warnings 27
Parking after hours 11 4 Arrests — 0
Dumping/littering 1 0 Police assistance - 4
Campfires 1 —0
Camping 0 0 MUTUAL AID
Weapons Accidents —3
Actual contact (paint-ball guns) 6 0 Law Enforcement 0
Report only 2 0 Landing Zone — 0
Evidence of 0 0 Fire 0
Dangerous device 1 —0
Unlawful trail construction 1 0
Illegal grazing 1 0
Event w/out a permit 1 —0
Intimidation 1 0
SUMMARIES OF SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS
Nov. 15: At Russian Ridge OSP a citizen reported that a person was discharging a handgun near the
White Oaks Trail. Rangers and a sheriffs deputy were unable to locate the person. D.
Danielson, L. Paterson.
Nov. 16: A citizen stopped T. Lausten in Cupertino and reported two teenage males with B-B guns in
Fremont Older. P. Hearin and K. Miller assisted in checking the preserve. The boys were
not located.
Nov. 20: A female visitor called 911 to report a suspicious male following her and a friend in Sierra
Azul. T. Lausten and K. Miller responded to the area, but were unable to locate anybody
associated with the event. Los Gatos Police did not respond, although the call was in their
jurisdiction.
Nov. 20: At El Corte de Madera OSP a citizen reported a fire ring, empty bottles of Jack Daniels and
an unattended pack. She said she had seen a transient type person in the area in the past and
felt unsafe. A ranger checked the area and found the fire ring and starter logs, but no other
items. W. Phillips.
Nov. 21: At El Corte de Madera OSP a bicyclist in violation of the helmet required ordinance
resisted arrest. The person was confronted three times and continued to evade and flee
from the ranger. The person was never identified. D. Danielson.
Nov. 21: At Long Ridge OSP the remains of a deer that had possibly been poached were found near
the Grizzly Flat Trailhead. D. Danielson.
Nov. 21: At Russian Ridge OSP just north of the parking lot, part of an American flag rolled around
a metal cylinder and topped with a railroad spike was found. This is the same location used
for ceremonies over the past seven years by a person known to the ranger staff. He was last
issued a citation in October. The items were removed and placed in the evidence locker.
Nov. 21: A driver lost control when parking her vehicle in Rancho San Antonio OSP. The vehicle
went over a log barrier and down the embankment into the creek. The driver was not
injured and the vehicle was towed. P. Hearin, K. Miller, County Fire, and the CHP
handled the event.
Nov. 26: A county ranger received a report of a six-year-old boy who had been missing for forty-five
minutes in Rancho San Antonio OSP. A command post was established and a hasty search
was conducted. M. Newburn located the child with family friends on Wildcat Knoll. He
reunited the child with the parents. County rangers, deputies and T. Lausten assisted.
Nov. 26: Illegal trail construction was discovered in Picchetti Ranch. The trail was built to bypass a
steep section and leads to a nearby stable.
Nov. 28: A female bicyclist felt intimidated when she was followed by a male bicyclist in St. Joseph's
Hill OSP. She repeatedly asked the man to pass her and leave. He refused. Upon seeing
T. Randall, the woman asked the man again, at which point he rode away. The woman
reported the incident to T. Randall.
Nov. 29: Two bicyclists riding in a prohibited area of Rancho San Antonio OSP were reported to T.
Randall. He and P. Hearin located the bicyclists hiking through the brush. The bicyclists
attempted to hide in the brush before giving up. Both were cited. One cyclist had a $2,000
warrant for a traffic violation. T. Lausten and K. Carlson assisted.
Nov. 29: At Long Ridge OSP a brush pile near the intersection of Hwy 9 and Hwy 35 was illegally
burned. CDF, State Parks and District rangers responded to the incident, which occurred
on or near a boundary with state lands. The pile was allowed to burn out. W. Phillips, D.
Danielson.
UTATE CAPrIOL COMARTTERS:
PO.BOX 042949 BUDGET
SACIRIAMENTM CA 042404=1 BUDGET SUBOOVAMTTEE ON
(916)319-M4 STAVE AOPANMTRATION
F4=t An CummendIesnm9w ENMONMENIX SAFETY AND
gilt TO=MATEFAALS
DISTRICT OFFICE Urivruia 'J4-,0`s1afur:e HIGMER EDUCATION
X"CAMPS1 WAY.SUITE 3W MISUPANCE I&
CAMPBELL.CA EEN SW= JIM CUNN JOW LEGAMF MXXWT
ASSEMBIA11040,TWENW-FOUM DISTRICT PUBLIC SAFETY,VW*.Chwr
FW"V 11 the ommutin of Qvm",CWertim. RAM OMMMU(AM
Lm Alto,Loa Got=,Monk Smm,&m low,Sa".ma Sum"k
Oecember is, 1998
Keith Steinhart
Project Officer, Local Services Section
Department of Park and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296
RE: Support for Recreational Trails Program Grant Application
(Jacques Ridge Staging Area)
Dear Keith:
I am writing to express my strong support for the Midpeninisula
Regional Open Space District' s Recreational Trails Program
application for a $90, 000 matching grant to construct the Jacques
Ridge Staging Area for the Bay Area Ridge Trail at the
intersection of Hicks and Mt . Umunhum Roads.
This grant will provide a staging area for access to trails,
including the Bay Area Ridge Trail, in both the District's Sierra
Azul open Space Preserve and in Santa Clara County' s Almaden
Quicksilver Park. once completed, this will be the first
official public access point for the 13, 624 acre Sierra Azul Open
Space Preserve, representing a major milestone in public access
for this area. The project consists of a parking area, restroom,
and trail improvements to the Bay Area Ridge Trail including
drainage facilities and a safe trail crossing at Hicks Road.
Completion of this project will result in a large gain in public
recreational opportunities for a relatively small cost. By
creating a staging area that links the County park and District
preserves, it will allow a continuous 17.9 mile segment of the
Bay Area Ridge Trail to be opened to public use. This multiple-
use trail will traverse the entire Sierra Azul range from Almaden
valley to Lexington Reservoir, connecting with extensive trail
networks in the park and preserve, and including links to
residential areas. This segment of the Ridge Trail is expected
to be heavily used due to its scenic qualities and accessibility.
Construction of the Jacques Ridge Staging Area will help meet the
recreational needs of a very large urban population (over 1.5
million residents in Santa Clara County alone) . I urge you to
ft0d an Roe)vlyd PWw
ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
receives funding for this important access project.
Sincerely,
JIM SEEN
Assemblymember
24th District
JC/sm
Kofoed, Linda, 01:28 PM 12/15/98, RE: Pulgas Ridge Restoration I
Return-Path: lkofoed@g-c.com
From: "Kofoed, Linda" <lkofoed@g-c.com>
To: Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.orc >
Subject : RE: Pulgas Ridge Restoration Info
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 13 :28 : 59 -0800
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org
Your memo is quite thorough and well thought out; I
commend you. I now feel that your work has been thoroughly researched
and that your approach is the correct one . Thank you for keeping me
informed.
-----Original Message-----
From: Open Space District
[SMTP:mrosd@openspace .org]
Sent : Tuesday, December 15, 1998 11 :23
AM
To: marflint@aol . com;
lkofoed@g-c . com; dphelpsl@ix.netcom.com; jeanne_turner@trimble .com
Subject : Pulgas Ridge Restoration
Info
December 15, 1998
Subject: Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve -
Resource Restoration and Habitat
Enhancement Project
Thank you for your recent letter
regarding the phased removal of eucalyptus
trees within the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District ' s Pulgas Ridge
Open Space Preserve. The District ' s Board of
Directors reviewed your letter
at its regular meeting last night . I 'd like to
take this opportunity to
provide some background on this project, and
hopefully address your concerns .
The District ' s Board and staff understand your
anxiety regarding the visual
impact of this project. I can also assure you
that there is no plan or
action to "clear cut" this area, as some may
have mistakenly stated.
Certainly, many people find eucalyptus to be
picturesque and have come to
appreciate them as an integral part of the
California landscape . However the
District, like the National Park Service and
other resource
Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1
Jeanne Turner, 01: 10 PM 12/15/98, RE: rulyas Riig: Restoration 2
Return-Path: Jeanne_Turner@Trimble .COM
From: Jeanne Turner <Jeanne Turner@Trimble.COM>
To: " 'Open Space District '" <mrosd@openspace .org>
Subject : RE: Pulgas Ridge Restoration Info
Date : Tue, 15 Dec 1998 13 : 10 : 13 -0800
X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace.org
Thank you for your detailed response. I feel better. _,
> -----Original Message-----
• From: Open Space District [SMTP:mrosd@openspace .org]
> Sent : Tuesday, December 15, 1998 11 :23 AM
> To: marflint@aol .com; lkofoed@g-c.com; dphelpsl@ix.netcom.com; Jeanne
> Turner
> Subject : Pulgas Ridge Restoration Info
> December 15, 1998
> Subject: Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - Resource Restoration and
> Habitat
> Enhancement Project
>
> Thank you for your recent letter regarding the phased removal of
> eucalyptus
> trees within the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ' s Pulgas Ridge
> Open Space Preserve. The District ' s Board of Directors reviewed your
> letter
> at its regular meeting last night. I ' d like to take this opportunity to
> provide some background on this project, and hopefully address your
> concerns .
> The District ' s Board and staff understand your anxiety regarding the
> visual
> impact of this project . I can also assure you that there is no plan or
> action to "clear cut" this area, as some may have mistakenly stated.
> Certainly, many people find eucalyptus to be picturesque and have come to
> appreciate them as an integral part of the California landscape. However
> the
> District, like the National Park Service and other resource
> protection-oriented agencies, recognizes the fact that eucalyptus is an
> invasive, non-native species that, over time, will crowd out native
> vegetation. These trees also inhibit the growth of any vegetation beneath
> them, further reducing natural habitat values . This process is occurring
> at
> Pulgas Ridge .
> I
> Because the District ' s open space resource management policies are
> designed
> to protect the natural resources in perpetuity, we must consider the
Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1
Regional Open9pace
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
December 15, 1998
Ms. Lilly Santos
3350 La Mesa Dr. #16
San Carlos, CA 94070
Subject: Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - Resource Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Project
Dear Ms. Santos:
Thank you for your recent letter regarding the phased removal of eucalyptus trees within the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The District's Board
of Directors reviewed your letter at its regular meeting last night. I'd like to take this opportunity to
provide some background on this project, and hopefully address your concerns.
The District's Board and staff understand your anxiety regarding the visual impact of this project.
I can also assure you that there is no plan or action to "clear cut" this area, as some may have mistakenly
stated. Certainly, many people find eucalyptus to be picturesque and have come to appreciate them as an
integral part of the California landscape. However the District, like the National Park Service and other
resource protection-oriented agencies, recognizes the fact that eucalyptus is an invasive, non-native
species that, over time, will crowd out native vegetation. These trees also inhibit the growth of any
vegetation beneath them, further reducing natural habitat values. This process is occurring at Pulgas
Ridge.
Because the District's open space resource management policies are designed to protect the
natural resources in perpetuity, we must consider the long-term impacts of allowing this non-native
species to continue to thrive. In addition, a benefit resulting from removal and replacement of this
species is a reduction of the fire danger that can result from unhindered flourishing of eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus and acacia, another very invasive non-native plant species, are both currently a
priority for management at Pulgas Ridge. We expect to be focusing on replacement of these species for
many years. In fact, the removal of these plant species, and their replacement with native species, is a
very gradual process expected to extend over the next 20 years or more. This long-term focus is being
taken due to the District's limited financial resources, as well as to minimize the short-term visual
impact. Restoration actions include re-seeding large areas with native grassland vegetation species,
planting of cuttings from native "donor" plants, and planting of coast live oak and coastal sage-chaparral
species where deemed necessary.
At the request of a concerned resident, District staff held an informational meeting at the Brittan
Heights Club House on September 29, 1998. The purpose of the meeting was to inform interested
residents of the scope and status of the entire project. The resident who proposed the meeting
volunteered to inform other concerned residents of the meeting; however, only a total of nine
homeowners attended. An overview of the restoration plan and its objective of preserving native habitats
was presented at the meeting, and we shared with the attendees how the project's objectives were
consistent with the District's mission statement and resource management policies.
330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone: 650-691-1200
FAX: 650-691-0485 * E-mail: nirosd@openspace.org e Web site:www.openspace.org
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C_Davey, led Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, Kenneth C.Nitz . General Manager:L.Craig Britton
December 15, 1998
Ms. Lilly Santos
Page -2-
In order to provide further information to nearby residents, an informational field trip is
scheduled for January 10, 1999 to view the restoration sites and discuss the future efforts identified in
the restoration plan. Those interested in participating should meet at the Blue Oak Trail head at 2:30
p.m.
The anticipated timetable for implementation was described, after which homeowners expressed
their concerns, which focused primarily on the planned removal of large eucalyptus trees on the
predominant ridgeline of the preserve. It was made clear that removal of many of the larger trees on the
ridgeline would probably not occur until the later stages of the 20-year program.
The work you've seen recently was done by the California Conservation Corps, under the
direction of District staff. They completed a one-week portion of this resource management project at
Pulgas, consisting of cutting selected eucalyptus and acacia trees, primarily those bordering the native
coast live oak habitat. The restoration project is now finished for this year. The District's efforts will
continue incrementally each year until completion, as stated in the Restoration Plan.
I hope that I have adequately addressed your concerns with this project. I do feel that the phased
implementation will help to preserve the visual aesthetics of the site, specifically as viewed from Brittan
Heights. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the long-term need for the District to
address the issue of non-native invasive plant species which are virtually eradicating native plant species
at this public open space preserve. I have included for your information a Pulgas Ridge Open Space
Preserve Restoration Plan Overview that provides additional detail on the project's objectives and
methods. If you have additional questions,please feel free to contact the District's resource management
specialist, Ms. Jodi Issacs, at(650) 691-1200.
Sincerely, /
Betsy Crowder
President
BC/mcs/ji
cc: MROSD Board of Directors
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Regional Open ,pace
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
December 15, 1998
Ms. Judy Wood, Mr. Gary Wood, Mr. Allen Gale
Friends of the Field
P.O. Box 607
Moss Beach, CA 94038
Dear Ms. Wood, Mr. Wood, & Mr. Gale:
I'd like to thank the representatives of Friends of the Field for attending the
Mid peninsula Regional Open Space District's Board meeting on De
cember 9. In addition
to receiving your comments at that meeting, Senator Byron Sher forwarded to the District
the letter and materials Mr. Gale provided to him regarding the Vallemar Bluffs
preservation issue.
As I'm sure you know, the District clearly recognizes the regional and national
significance of land preservation on the San Mateo County coastline. That is the very
reason that we are proposing to annex the coastal area from the southern border of Pacifica
to the Santa Cruz County line. However, in order for the District to participate in
acquisition or other preservation efforts in your area, it must first expand its boundary to
include the coastside. The advisory Measure F on the November 3 ballot indicated that a
majority of voters on the coastside approve of such an expansion. The District will first
form a coastal advisory committee so that District policies on land acquisition, agricultural
preservation, and eminent domain can be debated and modified as necessary to best serve
the purposes of open space and agricultural preservation in the coastal area.
Following that, the District will be in the initial phases of preparing an application
for annexation, to be submitted to the Local Agency Formation Commission(LAFCO).
The process of annexation can take a great deal of time, anywhere from six months to a
year, or more. At this time the District cannot make any commitments as to lands that it
might acquire or manage.
Assuming that all goes well and the District does indeed annex the coast, the issue
of funding must still be addressed. Sometime in the future we hope to put a measure on the
ballot and ask the voters for additional funding to assist in land preservation activities on
the coastside. It is doubtful that the District would be in a position to make major
acquisitions on the coast until such time as additional funding is available.
For your general information, I have enclosed a District visitors map. In addition,
I'd like to take this opportunity to provide a little more background. The Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District is an independent single-purpose special district currently
extending from San Carlos to Los Gatos, and from the Bay to somewhat west of Skyline
Boulevard.
330 Distel Circle . Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 . Phone:650-691-1200
FAX:650-691-0485 e E-mail:mrosdrtopenspace.org e Web site:www.openspace.org
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,;Mary C. Davey,led Cyr,Deane Little, Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz . General Manager:L.Craig Britton
December 15, 1998
Friends of the Field
Page -2-
The mission of the District is: "To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of
open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide
opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education." During the last
26 years, we have been very successful in accomplishing this mission, having preserved
over 43,000 acres of land, managed in 23 open space preserves. Of course, this Mission
Statement is reflective of the District's current program, and may be modified should the
coastal annexation and funding occur.
I wish that I could provide you with a more positive message. Please do keep us
informed of your progress, and if we can be of assistance in providing information or
advice, don't hesitate to contact our staff.
Sincerely,
Betsy Crowder
President
BC/mcs
cc: MROSD Board of Directors
Honorable Byron Sher
SAN MATEO
LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
910 455 COUNTY CENTER,2ND FLOOR-REDWOOD CITY,CA 94063-1663-PHONE(650)363-4224-FAX (650)363-4849
December 8, 1998
TO: Members, Formation Commission
FROM: Executive Officer DEC '
SUBJECT: Midpeninsula Open Space District Application to Annex
the San Mateo County Coastside
This report provides a review of the process for annexations to
the Midpeninsula Open Space District (MROSD) and an update on the
District' s progress in preparing an application to LAFCo for
annexation of San Mateo County territory west of Skyline to the
Coast .
Process
MROSD was formed in 1972 for the purpose of acquiring and
maintaining open space lands . District offices are located in the
Town of Los Altos in Santa Clara County. MROSD is a multi-county
district with territory in southern San Mateo County,
Northwestern Santa Clara County and a small area of Northern
Santa Cruz County. The Cortese-Knox Act sets forth that when a
district has territory in more than one county, the county with
the most assessed valuation is the LAFCo which has jurisdiction
over boundary changes for the district in any county. Therefore
because the majority of the assessed valuation of the District is
located in Santa Clara County, Santa Clara LAFCo is the
"principal" LAFCo for the District . As such, Santa Clara LAFCo is
lead agency for environmental review and adopts the resolution
either approving or denying an application to annex territory to
the District .
However, San Mateo and Santa Clara LAFCos have an agreement which
was established in 198V that gives San Mateo LAi.:Co the authority
to hold a hearing and make a reco=endat11on to Santa Clara LAFCo
for formal action. Pursuant to this agreement, Santa Clara LAFCo
receives applications and forwards them to San Mateo LAFCo to
process referrals to affected agencies and County departments and
prepare a recommendation to be considered at a noticed public
hearing .
Commissioners: Supervisor Ruben Barrales,Vice Chairman-Council Member Malcolm H Dudley-Special District Member Roger
S.Goodrich,Chairman-Supervisor Tom Huening - Public Member Ho,.-;ard Jones- Special District Member Pierre
D. Palengat-Council Member Steven W.Waldo
Alternates Special District Member Iris Gallagher-Supervisor Rich Gordon � Council Member t,daomi Patridge-Public
Member Joseph Zucca
Officers Paul M.Koenig,Executive Officer-Carol L.Wooc!,%,Jrd, Legal Martha Poyatos,management Analyst
Midpeninsula open Space Annexation 2 December 8, /1998
Although the District states that it is not requesting an
xchange of property tax revenue, the process would also J itiate
operty tax exchange negotiations between the District nd the
my as required by Section 99 of the Revenue and Ta Code.
CoC
0 On property tax resolutions have been adopted and a other
c '
requ rements for the LAFCo hearing have been met, yo r Commission
would then hold a noticed public hearing and, by mo ion, make a
Although
C
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the t
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y tax
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recomm dation to approve or deny the proposal . T LAFCo
Executi Officer would forward the recommenda 1 to Santa Clara
L C f I
LAFCo fo consideration at a hearing at which they would adopt a
j 4
resolution either approving or denying the appyication.
Y
If the propo-4,al is approved, MROSD would be esignated the
conducting aul ority and would be directed o hold a hearing to
measure protest
Section 57075 of the Cor ese Knox Act states
that at the cone usion of the hearing, t e conducting authority
i
shall take one of\\the following actions f 500 or more of the
registered voters 6,f an affected terrd/fory protest annexation,
terminate annexatioir, Proceedings; if Aess than 50% and more than
25% registered voters\protest, orde V/annexation subject to an
election; and if less \�han 25% registered voters protest, order
annexation without election. ;/St
't1ion. As or the the November 3, 1998 election,
the registered voter couht for tYie proposed annexation area is
15, 903 .
Previous MROSD Annexatio
ns
Since 1990, your Commission' ha`s\ reviewed five proposals for
annexation of territory 1, San teo County to the District .
Proposals involved uninhibited territory (less than 12 registered
voters) ranging in area rom 70 acr to 1001 acres . In one case,
to
territory proposed for annexation w�\aowned by the Peninsula Open
is
Space Trust and in t4Z rest, the Dist ict had acquired all or a
portion of the terr4�ory being annexed nd received landowner
consent to annex nO-district owned ter ' tory.
MROSD' s Annexation Efforts
As you know/ au" advisory vote was recently he d in the twenty-
five square/e e area proposed for annexation .
on esults from the
November
3 ection showed fifty-five percent
cen - vo er approval of
expansion o District boundaries to include the a ea west of
Skyline an south of Pacifica to the Santa Cruz Co ty line .
t
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a
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e
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ap
proval P
we s y
P west f r w r 0 st line .
Since Skyline an
the District has begun a process to for a coastal
j
advisory committee to assist the District Board in m 1 ng
o
t he asl
revisio s to district policies that could affect the astside .
s
, c III
Supervisor/ Rich Gordon has been asked to chair this co iittee .
contract
L t I
The Di,' Lrict has also begun the process to contract wit a firm
related
to co,,nduct environmental- review and manage other ITI t t r s I
matters relat
Midpeninsula Open Space Annexation 2 December 8, 1999
Although the District states that it is not requesting an
exchange of property tax revenue, the process would also initiate
property tax exchange negotiations between the District and the
County as required by Section 99 of the Revenue and Tax Code.
Once property tax resolutions have been adopted and all other
requirements for the LAFCo hearing have been met, Your Commission
would then hold a noticed public hearing and, by motion, make a
recommendation to approve or deny the proposal . The LAFCo
Executive Officer would forward the recommendation to Santa Clara
LAFCo for consideration at a hearing at which they would adopt a
resolution either approving or denying the application.
If the proposal is approved, MROSD would be designated the
conducting authority and would be directed to hold a hearing to
measure protest. Section 57075 of the Cortese Knox Act states
that at the conclusion of the hearing, the conducting authority
shall take one of the following actions : if 50% or more of the
registered voters of an affected territory protest annexation,
terminate annexation proceedings; if less than 50% and more than
25% registered voters protest, order annexation subject to an
election; and if less than 25% registered voters protest, order
annexation without election. As of the November 3, 1998 election,
the registered voter count for the proposed annexation area is
15, 903 .
Previous MROSQ Annexations
Since 1990, your Commission has reviewed five proposals for
annexation of territory in San Mateo County to the District .
Proposals involved uninhabited territory (less than 12 registered
voters) ranging in area from 70 acres to 1001 acres . In one case,
territory proposed for annexation was owned by the Peninsula Open
Space Trust and in the rest, the District had acquired all or a
portion of the territory being annexed and received landowner
consent to annex non-district owned territory.
MROsqDls. Annexgtion Efforts
As you know, an advisory vote was recently held in the twenty-
five square mile area proposed for annexation . Results from the
November 3 election showed fifty-five percent voter approval of
expansion of District boundaries to include the area west of
Skyline and south of Pacifica to the Santa Cruz County line.
Since then, the District has begun a process to form a coastal
advisory committee to assist the District Board in making
revisions to district Policies that could affect the Coastside .
Supervisor Rich Gordon has been asked to chair this committee .
The District has also begun the process to contract with a firm
to conduct environmental review and manage other matters related
Midpeninsula open space Annexation 3 December 9, 1998
Discussion
In response to concern expressed by Commission members that
authority over this significant annexation is vested by State law
in a public agency that will take final action outside of San
Mateo County' s boundaries, staff wanted to bring to the
Commission' s attention Section 56388 of the Cortese Knox Act
which provides that the principal LAFCo may vest jurisdiction in
the Commission of the county in which the affected territory is
located if both Commissions agree to the transfer of
jurisdiction.
This report is for information only. Staff will be prepared to
answer any questions you may have at your December 16 LAFCo
meeting.
Respe. tfully submitted
Paul M. Koenig
Executive Officer
PMK/mp
cc: Autumn Arias, Executive Director, Santa Clara LAFCo
L. Craig Britton, General Manager, MROSD
SACRAMENTO ADDRESS COMMITTEES:
STATE CAPITOL HIGHER EDUCATION,Chair
P.O.BOX 942849 BANKING AND FINANCE
SACRAMENTO,CA 94249-0001 EDUCATION
(916)319-2021 TRANSPORTATION
FAX:(916)319-2121 Ufforni a '�4 Vp a,islafurr Chair,SELECT COMMITTEE ON
ted.lempertgassembyea.gov COASTAL PROTECTION
DISTRICT OFFICE TED LEMPERT Chair,SELECT COMMITTEE ON
4149-B EL CAMINO WAY ASSEMBLYMAN TWENTY-FIRST DISTRICT EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
,
PALO ALTO,CA 94306-4010 JOINT COMMITTEE ON
(650)856-2181 REPRESENTING PORTIONS OF SAN MATEO AND SANTA CLARA COUNTIES HEADWATERS FOREST AND
FAX:(650)856-2187 wwwassembly.ca.govAempert ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
PLANNING
December 7, 1998 LEGISLATIVE ETHICS
COMMITTEE
Keith Steinhart
Project Officer, Local Services Section
Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-001
Re: Support for Recreational Trails Program Grant Application (Jacques Ridge Staging Area)
Dear Mr. Steinhart:
I am writing to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Recreational
Trails Program application for a$90,000 matching grant to construct the Jacques Ridge Staging Area for the
Bay Area Ridge Trail at the intersection of Hicks and Mt. Umunhurn Roads.
This grant will enable the construction of a staging area for access to trails, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail,
in both the District's Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and in Santa Clara County's Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Once completed, this will be the first official public access point for the 13,264-acre Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve, representing a major milestone in public access for this area. The project consists of a parking area,
restroom facilities, and trail improvements to the Bay Area Ridge Trail including drainage facilities and a safe
trail crossing at Hicks Road.
Completion of this project will result in a large gain in public recreational opportunities for a relatively small
cost. Creating a staging area that links the County park and District preserves will allow a continuous 17.9-mile
segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail to be opened to the public. The multiple-use trail will traverse the entire
Sierra Azul Range from the Almaden Valley to Lexington Reservoir, connecting with extensive trail networks
in the park and preserve, and including links to residential areas. This segment of the Ridge Trail is expected to
be heavily used due to its scenic qualities and easy accessibility.
Construction of the cques Ridge Staging Area will help meet the recreational needs of a very large urban
population (ovey75 million residents in Santa Clara County alone). I urge you to ensure that the Midpemnsula
Regional 0 pace District receives funding for this important access project.
Sincer y
Regional 1 0
S I ncer Y'
TE EMPERT
Assemblyman, 21st District
TL/ernk DEC
E6
AA
Printed on Recycled Paper
12/08/1998 23:43 40185326Q BAPPY BOULTON PAGE 01
• W 77
ao
SIERRA CLUB • LoMA PRIETA CHAPTER
San Matra Santa Clara•San Benito Counties
December 9, 1998
Dear MROSD,
Following a meeting with MROSD Director Betsy Crowder earlier this week, please
agendize this action request for the Board meeting on December 16.
If you have any questions, I think that Betsy would be pleased to answer them
Alternatively, one of our activists, Bruce Bettencourt, is available by phone at(408)354-
5661.
Sincerely,
i
��'"�T`'�,,.,,'•"'�,—may
1
Barry Boulton
,III
3921 East Bayshorc Read Suitt 204
Pall,Alto,CA 94303
415.390-8411
FAX 415-190-M97
12/08/1998 23:43 40853260dq SAPPY BOULTON PAGE 02
loco
SIERRA CLUB • LOMA P'RIETA CHAPTER
San Matro• Santa Clata•San Benito Ccnmctes
MIDPENISULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos,Ca 94022-0485
December 9, 1998
Dear MROSD Board of Directors,
As you know, California Department of Parks and Recreation is currently writing a
General Plan for Castle Rock State Park,a neighbor of MROSD As the most significant
neighbor of Castle Rock, and as an organization dedicated to the preservation of natural
values and open space,we are asking that MROSD support language in the General Plan
that prioritizes the protection, preservation and recovery of Castle Rock SP.
We have reviewed MROSD's Basic Policy Revision Draft of 9-9-98, and we note that
"The INstrict participates tit the public review process of land use plans of other agencies
and development proposals that affect the District's mission." And "The l.)istrict ensures
that.such development is consistent with protection c�f important natural values of the
open space"
We further note that "The Mstricl's highest priority is acaluiring land to complete the
greenbelt and to protect natural resources on open space land Public access will be
provided gradually to insure that the higher priorities of acquisition and resource
protection are maintained„
Review of early drafts of the proposed General Plan for Castle Rock reveal what is
essentially a development plan, rather than a preservation plan. The existing Declaration
of Purpose states that "the Cal forma state Park System is to manage park resources in
such a wary as to maintain them in a near-wilderness state. ." We perceive that Castle
Rock is recovering from clear-cutting over the last century to a more natural state,a state
of wilderness, and so that declaration we believe to be accurate However, apparently in
order to allow its proposed development plan, State Parks Department has removed any
reference to "near-wilderness" in the latest Declaration of Purpose. We have requested
State Parks to restore this protective language, and to add language that sets preservation,
protection, and restoration of the Park as the clear priority
3921 East Bay%hore Road Suite 204
Palo Alto,CA 94303
ti 1' 415-390-8411
I FAX 415-390 8497
i
i
12/08/1998 23:43 4085326@A'-- BARRY BOULTON PAGE 03
We think that Castle Rock State Park deserves the designation of"State Wilderness", for
reasons detailed in our Position Paper as shown here italicized: ('W is uniquely
positioned in the Santa(nnr Mountains. It is mostly surrounded b greenbelt, .some of it
publicly held and managed, some trot. But, in either caw. ( astle Rock provides habitat
for native species of plants and animals; atKI its location, confignotis with other open
1xice, is ofparticular impWance to many native species(if birds and other animals that
ctinnot survive in afiragmen(ed habitat. In a world of increasing poltulation, (with
increasing demands on natural resources). increasing global worming and decreasing
biotfiversity, (astle Rock's unique location in the regional ecosystem makes the
protection of a ':State Wildertiess"designation an important step in.securing the
ecological health qf the region and perhaps thewirvival(?four planet Indeed .State
0xie 5019.68(c), acknowledges the importance qf"..contiguous areas possessing
wilderness characteristie,v,..."itidefittitig "State Wilderness". And *A .State Wilderness
is further defined to mean an area(If relatively undeveloped...land which has retained its
primeval character and influence or has been substantially restored to a near-natural
appearance.-, vh(,-wv intent by the State that past human disturbance need not prevent
the desigiratiori qf"State Wilderness** to an area that has recovered to a nctioning
ecosystem.
Thus, State Wilderness designation,along with a Declaration of Purpose that prioritizes
protection and restoration, would shape an ecologically healthy General Plan for Castle
Rock SP, a plan that could be consistent with the basic policy of its most significant
neighbor, NMOSD.
We invite MROSD to join us in calling for a "State Wilderness" designation for Castle
Rock State Park,and for the"near-wilderness" language to be restored to the Declaration
of Purpose.
Sincerely,
On behalf of
Barry Boulton, Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
Leda Beth Gray, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Rich Hunter,California Wilderness Coalition
Micah Posner, Earth First!-Santa Cruz
Bruce Bettencourt,Friends of Castle Rock State Park
' • Peninsula Open Space Trust
December 8, 1998
Board of Directors
Allan F. Brown Mr. Keith Steinhart
Patricia A.Compton Project Officer, Local Services Section
Vince S. Garrud EC ( ,it
Sukey Grousbeck Department of Parks and Recreation
Christina A.Holloway P.O. Box 942896
Robert C. Kirkwood Melvin B. Lane Sacramento, CA 94296-001
Dianne McKenna
Norman F.Matteoni Dear Mr. Steinhart:
David W. Mitchell
F.Ward Paine
Bill Relier The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) strongly supports the
Karie Thomson
Anne M.Westerfield Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) in their application
for a $90,000 Recreational Trails Program matching grant to construct the
Robert Augsb
Advisory SburUFcil Jacques Ridge Staging Area for the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
ger
James E. Baer
Eleanor Boushcy Over the past 20 years, POST has protected more than 35,000 acres of land
Sheldon Bremer,Ph.D. throughout the San Francisco Peninsula and has worked extensively on
Robert V. Brown
William H.Clark,M.D. land acquisition projects in Santa Clara County. The Bay Area Ridge Trail
sue Crane offers unrivaled recreational opportunities for Peninsula residents, and
Lois Crozier-Hoglc
Laurence Dawson POST s work in the region of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve has been
Herbert J. Dengler guided by the hope that this segment of the trail will be completed.
J. Philip Di Napoh
Phyllis Draper
Clarence J.Ferrari,Jr. Not only will construction of the Jacques Ridge Staging Area extend the Bay
David L.Fletcher Area Ridge Trail along the entire length of the Sierra Azul range—almost 18
Thomas W. Ford g g g g
Rosemary Hewlett continuous miles from Almaden Valley to the Lexington Reservoir—it will
Patricia L.Ilo°per also provide vital public access to the 13,624-acre Sierra Azul Open Space
Mary 11. 1-lufty,M.D.
Suzanne B. King Preserve and connect the extensive networks of trails in Sierra Azul Open
Robert W. McIntyre
George M. Marcus
Space Preserve and Santa Clara County s Almaden Quicksilver Park.
�
Jacqueline Mayer
Robert H. Miller POST urges you to ensure public recreational access to our magnificent
Gordon F. Moore,Ph.D. —�� spaces. Please. +h 1� � f Open �J'�aC2
Bette Moorman --yen spaces. . ease, approve the M idpeninsula Regional p p
Janet Morris District's application for a Recreational Trails Program matchingrant to
C s Su an 11.Orr g
fund construction of the g
Jacquesg g Ridge Staging Area.
Paul O. Reimer
Barbara Doyle Roupe
Alexander If, Schilling,Jr. Sincerely,
Fritz Snidemaan
Geraldine F.Steinberg
Rosemary Young
I-ca Zaffarom
Executive Director Audrey C. Rust
Audrey C. Rust Executive Director
cc: MROSD Board of Directors
3000 Sand Hill Road,4-1 35
Menlo Park,California 94025
Tel: (650)854-7696
Pax: (650)854-7703
www.openspacetrust.org
Ki:c}'cicrl t';q�rr
u
�V)
Environmentai Services Agency BOARD OF SUPERVIS RS
Parks & Recreation Division RUBEN BARRALES
RICHARD GORDON
MARY GRIFFIN
TOM HUENING
MICHAEL D.NEVIN
r
MARY E. BURNS
COUNTY OF SAN MATE O DIRECTOR
(650) 363-4020
455 COUNTY CENTER,4TH FLOOR • REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA 94063-1646 FAX (650) 599-1721
December 9, 1998
Keith Steinhart
Project Officer, Local Services Section
Dept. of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-001
Re: Support for Recreational Trails Program Grant Application (Jacques Ridge Staging
Area)
Dear Mr. Steinhart:
I am writing to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District's Recreational Trails Program application for a $90,000 matching grant to
construct the Jacques Ridge Staging Area for the Bay Area Ridge Trail at the intersection
of Hicks and Mt. Umunhum Roads.
I
This grant will provide a staging area for access to trails, including the Bay Area Ridge
Trail, in both the District's Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and in Santa Clara County's
Almaden Quicksilver Park. Once completed, this will be the first official public access
point for the 13,624-acre Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, representing a major
milestone in public access for this area. The project consists of a parking area, restroom,
and trail improvements to the Bay Area Ridge Trail including drainage facilities and a
safe trail crossing at Hicks Road.
Completion of this project will result in a large gain in public recreational opportunities
for a relatively small cost. By creating a staging area that links the County park and
District preserves, it will allow a continuous 17.9-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge
Trial to be P opened to public use. This multiple-use trail will traverse the entire Siena
P P
Azul range from the Almaden Valley to Lexington Reservoir, connecting with extensive
trail networks in the Preserved an g
ark and including links to residential areas. This
P
segment of the Ridge Trail is expected to be heavily used due to its scenic qualities and
accessibility.
Construction of the Jacques Ridge Staging Area will help meet the recreational needs of a
very large urban population (over 1.5 million residents in Santa Clara County alone). I
urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receives funding
for this important access project.
Sincerely,
Mary E. urns, Director
San Mateo County Parks and Recreation
cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District