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COUNTY OF SAN MATEOInter-Departmental Correspondence | ||
Environmental Services Agency | ||
DATE: |
August 23, 2006 | |
BOARD MEETING DATE: |
September 12, 2006 | |
TIME CERTAIN: |
9:45 a.m. | |
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING: |
None | |
VOTE REQUIRED: |
Majority | |
TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors | |
FROM: |
Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency | |
SUBJECT: |
Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan and Proposed Agreement for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report | |
RECOMMENDATION: | ||
Review the Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan and adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Environmental Services Agency to execute an agreement with Environmental Sciences Associates, in the amount of $118,371, for preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan. | ||
VISION ALIGNMENT: | ||
Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment. | ||
Goal 14: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship. The recommended action contributes to this goal in that these are the next steps in finalizing the Master Plan, which defines for the next 20 years how best to use these two rural parks while preserving and enhancing their natural resources through environmental stewardship. | ||
BACKGROUND: | ||
Planning for the Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan was initiated in April 2004. Numerous public meetings were held to address the various issues at these parks, including three public workshops held on July 10 and November 18, 2004 and June 7, 2005. The Park and Recreation Commission at their July 14, 2005 meeting visited sites relevant to the Draft Master Plan and received public comment. | ||
DISCUSSION: | ||
At the August 4, 2005 meeting, the Park and Recreation Commission requested that staff explore the creation of a bike trail from Highway 84 to Skyline Boulevard prior to recommending approval of the Master Plan to the Board of Supervisors. Staff evaluated bike access options, found a potential bike alignment from Highway 84 to Skyline Boulevard (“the Valley to Skyline Trail”), and revised the Draft Master Plan to reflect those changes and other minor clarifications as identified in Appendix H of the Draft Master Plan. | ||
On March 22, 2006, the Parks and Recreation Commission held a special public hearing on the revised Draft Master Plan that focused primarily on the proposed “Valley to Skyline Trail,” but also on the issue of equestrian crossings of West Union Creek with over 400 people in attendance. The Commission continued the public hearing to their April 6, 2006 Commission meeting. | ||
At the April 6, 2006 meeting, after receiving comments from 79 speakers and over 300 letters, the Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors: 1) approval of the Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan without the proposed alternative bike trail, 2) development of an updated, system-wide Trails Master Plan for San Mateo County, and 3) the formation of a Blue Ribbon Trails Committee to be selected by the Parks Director for input on the Trails Master Plan. Parks Director Holland indicated that the “Valley to Skyline Trail” would be evaluated within a regional context for a Trails Master Plan. He also clarified that the issue of horse crossings in West Union Creek would not be closed until there was a better alternative, unless the existing pedestrian bridge was determined to be unsafe, or the Regional Water Quality Control Board or California Department of Fish and Game required County Parks to take mitigating action related to sedimentation and erosion. | ||
A Request for Proposal (RFP) to prepare the EIR for the Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan was circulated. One proposal was received from ESA, a well-regarded environmental planning consultant. Staff recommends a Program EIR to address the scope of improvements identified in the Master Plan. County Counsel has reviewed the proposed agreement and Board resolution. A copy of the Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan is available for review in the County Manager’s Office at 400 County Center, Redwood City, or can be accessed online at www.sanmateocountyparks.org under “Planning.” | ||
FISCAL IMPACT: | ||
There is no Net County Cost associated with the contract. It will be paid from funds established with $500,000 from proceeds of the sale of a .5-acre parcel of Wunderlich Park property to an adjacent private property owner. To date, $115,685 was spent on the Master Plan development costs. With approval of this contract with ESA, the amount remaining in the account will be $265,944. | ||
