COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

PARKS DEPARTMENT

 

DATE:

April 2, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 22, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

10-Day Notice

Public Hearing

TIME CERTAIN:

9:45 a.m.

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Certification of the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan and Approval of the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Conduct a public hearing on the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan and the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan.

Adopt a resolution 1) certifying that the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan are adequate and prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and 2) approving the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan dated May 2006.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

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

Goals 14 and 15: Preserve and enhance the important natural resources through environmental stewardship, and provide residents with nearby access to green space such as park and recreational opportunities.

 

The Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan and the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan contribute to these goals by examining best uses for these Parks and ensuring the environmental impacts of the Plan are identified, avoided or mitigated to a level of less than significant.

 

BACKGROUND:

On September 12, 2006, the Board of Supervisors reviewed the Draft Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan and adopted a resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Environmental Sciences Associates for the preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft Program EIR was circulated for public review from July 16, 2007 until August 30, 2007. Copies of the Draft Program EIR were made available for public review at the County Parks Department, Redwood City Main Library, Woodside Town Hall, and Woodside Library.

The County Parks and Recreation Commission held a public hearing on August 2, 2007 to receive public comments on the Draft Program EIR, at which time they extended the public comment period until September 12, 2007 as requested by the Town of Woodside; directed staff to respond to all verbal and written comments received; and recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan and certify the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Program EIR and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan.

 

DISCUSSION:

At the August 2, 2007 public hearing, the Parks Commission received numerous verbal and written comments. All of those comments have been responded to, and specific clarifications were made to the Program EIR as a result of those comments. There are three outstanding concerns likely to be raised at the public hearing before the Board on April 22, 2008: a. Public Use of Greer Road; b. Potential for Increased Use of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks, and c. Crossings of West Union Creek. These three issues are discussed on pages 5 through 7 of the staff report.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost associated with the certification of the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Program EIR and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan or approving the Final Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan.