COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

DATE:

December 19, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 9, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

10-Day Publication

Public Hearing

9:15 A.M. Set Time

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director

SUBJECT:

Approval of Final Sanchez Adobe Master Plan, Certification of Negative Declaration and Adoption of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan

RECOMMENDATION:

1.

Open the public hearing to receive comments.

2.

Close the public hearing.

3.

Adopt a Resolution approving the Sanchez Adobe Master Plan; certifying the Mitigated Negative Declaration as amended based on responses to public comments and making the required findings; and adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal(s) 14 and 15: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship; Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

The preparation of a Master Plan for the Sanchez Adobe site contributes to these goals, as it will allow for better preservation, interpretation and promotion of this historic site as an educational recreation activity for school children, County residents, and visitors to the area. As a result of the environmental review process, natural resources will be preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.

BACKGROUND:

The County Parks and Recreation Commission at their May 19, 2005 meeting recommended unanimously that the Board of Supervisors approve the Draft Sanchez Adobe Master Plan, and direct staff to proceed with the environmental review process. At the December 6, 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting, the draft Plan was approved and staff was directed to proceed with the environmental review process. Alta Planning prepared a Negative Declaration focused on archeological and traffic issues. The Negative Declaration was circulated for a 30-day review from June 27, 2006 to July 26, 2006. The Commission then held a public hearing on September 7, 2006 and received comments, directed staff to respond, and recommended to the Board of Supervisors to approve the Sanchez Adobe Master Plan and certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration.

DISCUSSION:

Upon approval of the Master Plan and certification of the Mitigated Negative Declaration, the next step will be to initiate fundraising to implement the Master Plan. The San Mateo County Historical Association, County Parks Foundation, and County Parks will fundraise for this project. County Parks is currently preparing an application for a California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) grant that will require 50 percent in matching funds within nine months of the grant award. There will be a three phase approach to site restoration, the first of which would be funded by the grant and matching funds.

Phase 1:

Sanchez Adobe and Interpretive Center (current Ranger residence) improvements estimated at $4,000,000 will be the primary focus of this CCHE grant application. Included in this phase will be a security system negating the immediate need for a replacement onsite Ranger residence.

Phase 2:

Creek restoration will be completed by the Parks Department through restoration grants.

Phase 3:

New Ranger Residence - The need will be evaluated at a later date and will be the responsibility of the Parks Department.

The Sanchez Adobe Master Plan and Mitigated Negative Declaration are available for review and download at www.sanmateocountyparks.org, under “Park Planning.”

FISCAL IMPACT:

Preparation of the Master Plan was funded by a State legislative request and the Mitigated Negative Declaration was funded by the County Parks Foundation.

The San Mateo County Historical Association, County Parks and Recreation Foundation, and County Parks will share in fundraising for this project. County Parks is preparing an application for a California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) grant, which will require a 50 percent in matching funds within nine months of the grant award, and those funds would fund the proposed Phase 1 as described previously.