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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFunds to Support Planning of Proposed Orange Coast River Par a�I - C6411, .del, J� CO". 4A-o-. Council/Agency Meeting Held: i�/9d� �p Wa Deferred/Continued to: ©Approve ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ enied. .,� ty Clerk'!'Signature -ZLf et 1ka c Council Meeting Date: February 17, 1998 Department ID Number: CS 98-004 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH m REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ==,ten CO r, fn SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS o SUBMITTED BY: RAY SILVER, Acting City Administrator W*/ f IN. 7, PREPARED BY: RON HAGAN, Director, Community ServiceA-_� CAI. MELANIE FALLON, Director, Community Developmen -A�4_ SUBJECT: APPROVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT PLANNING OF PROPOSED ORANGE COAST RIVER PARK Statement of Issue,Funding Source,Recommended Action,Alternative Action(s),Analysis,Environmental Status,Attachment(s) Statement of Issue: Should the city appropriate $5,000 for financial assistance to the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks in Orange County, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Friends") to plan a proposed park along the Santa Ana River extending up coast along Pacific Coast Highway to Beach Boulevard? Funding Source: General Fund Unappropriated Fund Balance. Recommended Action: Approve an amendment to the current year budget by appro- priating $5,000 for financial assistance to Friends in planning the proposed Orange Coast River Park. Alternative Action(s): Do not appropriate $5,000 in financial assistance to Friends for planning proposed Orange Coast River Park, and notify Friends that the city is not interested in the proposed park at this time. Analysis: The Friends organization is a nonprofit corporation formed by concerned citizens in 1997 with the goal of protecting, expanding, and enhancing public parks, recreation, and open space in Orange County. While the Friends intend to pursue many projects throughout thel county, its most current activity is centered on creating Orange Coast River Park. The' idea for the park is as an overlay extending on both sides of the Santa Ana River and north along Pacific Coast Highway to include remnant wetland parcels up to Beach Boulevard. The exact boundaries, design amenities, park uses, improvements, trails, etc. have not been determined. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: February 17, 1998 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: CS 98-004 The Friends are seeking financial assistance from Orange County cities and private donors to do a master plan of the proposed park. Their plan is to link areas within the park and create a regionally significant park/nature preserve containing approximately a thousand acres. The Friends have provided some descriptive materials which are attached. This proposal is consistent with the city's General Plan RCS 2.1.2. Environmental Status: This project will require CEQA processing once the master plan has been completed. Attachment(s): City Clerk's - . . - NumberDescription1. Location Map 2. Descriptive Materials 3. FIS RCA Author: RH:cr 0029900.01 -2- 01/28/98 4:08 PM ATTACHMENT # 1 ur IC IN H.Lip 61 4 y ` %WMKV1� b!• y!::�sl� ',�� �'� '"' �' �•,ice a,,,,,�,.,' -(z• itif T�+W •rye.. �� ,J�I w ATTACHMENT # 2 JAN 30 '99 11:49 AT YOUR SERVICE P•2/7 _'PROPOSAL TO: THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ORANGE COUNTY AND THE CITY COUNCILS OF Friend COSTA MESA of HUNTINGTON BEACH Harbor NEWPORT BEACH Beache &FROM: The Friends of Harbors, Beaches & Parks I'ark 8 in Orange County, Inc. FOR: A Multijurisdictional Park and Nature Preserve S i d e n t Centering on the Mouth of the Santa Ana River Jean Watt to Function as an "Ecological Staircase" �,.g„u_tive Director Bob Fisher BACKGROUND: 3oard of Qircctors The Santa Ana River is the longest and historically the most important Ron Broughman river in Southern California. It extends nearly 100 miles from its Don Carr headwaters in the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear to the Sandy Genis Pacific Ocean, passing through San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Earl Grahl Counties. Although now tamed by a billion dollar Corps of Engineers Vic Lcipzig flood control project, until recently it posed the most serious flood Matt Rayl-Vice President damage threat west of the Mississippi River. Janet Remington Nancy Skinner Flood control works have severely reduced the scenic and wildlife Alice Sorenson Don Thomas-'i'rcasurcr habitat values of the river along much of its length. And in coastal Carolyn Woad-Secretary Orange County, the river is a bleak, steep-sided concrete box channel that is as utilitarian as designers could conceive. However, lying alongside the river from just south of Adams Avenue in Costa Mesa, to its ocean outlet at the Huntington Beach/ Newport Beach border (a distance of some three miles), are nearly 1,000 acres of prime coastal property which is extraordinarily rich in existing and restorable wildlife — s p sz' r S habitat and recreational open space. CaslctsP«-kPreservationFoundation Capers I Vildemcss Park Volunteers Yet, perhaps surprisingly, there is no overall land use plan to define the Eqmtfian Coalition oforangvCounty future of this special area. What is needed is a vision to coordinate the various land ownerships under fragmented governmental. jurisdiction L•aguna Canyon Conservancy and to achieve the best overall development and management I aguna Canyon Foundation arrangement for wildlife and human enjoyment. I=Grmnbclt,Inc. WHY IS TH_ IS AREA, SO SPECIAL? me Newport conservancy Jack Skinner MD. The area was once part of an 8,000 acre marsh system in the Santa Ana 5 op Polluting Our Neatport River delta. It is located on the Pacific Flyway, and within a significant Wilderness Park Trust Fund corridor between the Bolsa Chica/Huntington Beach wetlands and the Upper Newport Bay estuary. In County studies sponsored by the State Coastal Conservancy in 1990, the rivermouth area was found to function as a virtual "ecological staircase." It links the open ocean, sandy intertidal area, upland beach and dunes, wetlands, saltwater marsh, brackish marsh, fresh water marsh and pond, riparian wood- 4 Park Newport,Newport Beach,CA 92660 -Phone(714)644-PARK(7275) -Fax(714,= 64z-0577 JAN 30 '98 11:50 AT YOUR SERVICE P.3i7 land, upland grassy area, and higher level mnesas with scattered remnant coastal sage scrubland and vernal pools. Over 180 bird species can be found in this area, including the officially endangered and threatened least tern, Belding's savannah sparrow, cactus wren, California gnatcatcher, peregrine falcon and brown pelican. Many species of mammal and reptiles make this area home. When the County restored approximately 100 acres of streamside grassland, the wildlife population virtually exploded in number and activity. The area lying upcoast of the rivermouth in Huntington Beach, oceanw and of Pacific Coast Highway, has been set aside by the state as a least tern refuge. On the inland side, the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy manages a restored wetland preserve. The City of Costa Mesa has just adopted a master plan for its 210-acre Fairview Park, The City designated much of the area for passive recreation, native plant restoration, and protection of vernal pools (harboring the endangered San Diego fairy shrimp) and remnant patches of rare native Californiz. evening primrose. The residents of 'West Newport Beach have long sought additional parrs and public open space land for their community. The City of Newport Beach has responded with efforts to acquire as parkland surplus property owned Iky the California Department of Transportation (acquired for the never-built Pacific Coast Freeway). The CalTrans East property has been acquired z-nd park development is underway. CalTrans West, now called "Sunset Ridge", is being appraised by the City for possible acquisition and park development, as w,!ll. The remaining 200 acres on the downcoast side of the river, which includes some of the most valuable natural resource areas, are not protected from proposed development_ This area, a remnant of the historic Banning Ranch, is currently operated as an active oilfield by the West Newport Oil Company. Just recently, the oil company entered into a joint venture agreement Nit l the Taylor-Woodrow Company of California (a subsidiary of an English multinational corporation) to develop the property. WHAT IS INTENDED BY THE HBP FRIENDS? The Friends propose to prepare a concept plan, in parallel with the development planning of Taylor Woodrow, that envisions a cooperative multiagency venture to develop and manage the riverside lands as a, cc astal nature park with interpretative trails. This would require agreement and participation of the County, the three cities, the state and the federal government -- all of whom have property ownership and/or re(ul story authority in the area. 2 4 Park Newport,Newport Beach, CA 92660 •Phone(714)644-PARK(7275) • Fax(714) 644.0577 JAN 30 198 11:50 AT YOUR SERVICE P.4i7 The Friends intend to seek a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy for detailed planning, once the concept plan is complete and endorsed by the County and cities. The cooperation and support of the County and the cities are necessary to make the effort successful. To begin, the Friends reed to prepare the concept plan to accompany the grant application. WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF HARBORS, BEACHES AND PARKS? The Friends are a recently formed non-profit, tax-exempt California corpnation dedicated to the preservation, expansion and enhancement of parks, trails and open space preserves in Orange County. The organization is fivanred by member dues and contributions from recreation and conservation-minded individuals and organizations. The Friends President is Jean Watt, recently retired member of the; N�wport Beach City Council. Two other members of the Friends Board of Directors -- Sandy Genis and Vic Leipzig are former mayors of Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach, respectively. Other Board members are long-time advocates and volunteers for the County's Harbors, Beaches and Parks program. The Friends Executive Director is Bob Fisher, who served for eight years as the Cc,unty's Planning Director and eight additional years as the Director of H�Tbors, Beaches and Parks, until his retirement from the County in February 1997. 3 4 Park Newport,Newport Beach, CA 92660 •Phone(714)644-PARK(7275) •Fax(714) 644-0577 JAN 30 198 11:51 AT YOUR SERVICE - P.5i7 The Jrange Coast Riv,,,- Park A Proposal of the Friends of Harbors, Beaches & Parks 1 . What, and where, is t e River Park? The Orange Coast River Park is envisioned as a linkage of the public parks and private open-space lands --approximately 1,000 acres --along and near the mouth of the Santa Ana River in the cities of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. (See map on reverse side.) We propose one comprehensive park plan and a coordinates l management pr'o - 2. jlndpr the r_roposal. wa uld g: cities. and 'County giyg up Their o]g=shin _,r auibori X ovgr the Vrk;? No.. They will,continue-to own and manage their properties_ Some of the land will become conventional urban parks. On the other hand,much of the land is planned as nature preserve and passive parkland. It will be restored to a natural state, to provide 1 getter wildlife habitat and nature enjoyment for people. (Still other properties are privately owned, and plans for their use are not yet available to the public.) 3 . Why has an *nftgndent gtjzgn group lindextak_gn two forMutate a plan? The area is greatly fragmented in ownership,with some private land holdings,but most of the prop.rr in public hands. Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, the County,the State,and the federal government all own land there. Coordination is complicated by multiple and overlapping agency jurisdictions, such as those of the U.S Fish& Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and California Dfpariment of Fish and Game. None of the above has plans that would coordinate development and management of the.',ands,despite ft following a vanta_ s: • Grants and donations are easier to obtain for a large, widely-supported, regionally significant park complex than for small, uncoordinated,community-oriented ones., Funding can transform barren and neglected stretches of land into major recreational assets. • Joint planning, building and operating of parks reduces expenses significantly. • A well-planned and managed park -- especially one designated for natural land:;caping with hiking trails-- is likely to attract mostly visitors respectful of the park. • A common vision will amplify the voice of citizens,enabling them to insist that agencies work together for the best use of each park. Therefore, the Friends of Harbors, Beaches & Parks, a non-profit, citizen park-and-open-space advocacy group,is working toward this goal. 4. The Rrlgg lag? The good news: With most of the parkland already in public hand3, little land purchase is needed. But there is the possibility of acquiring additional parcels of privately owned land through donations. The bad news: Development and restoration of the numerous bare, degraded piece,, of land will be expensive ($15 to$20 million), However,development of the park can be phased as money becomes available from various public and private agencies. The Friends intend to seek fords from a State park bond act likely to be on the ballot in November 1998. WE NEED YOUR SIGNATURE Federal,state and foundation funds are available for parks. At this point,none of the individual river-edi a parks are included in either Gov.Wilson's upcoming park bill or in any of I I park bills in the legislature,sr though Gov. Wilson has chosen the coast as one of his priorities. We believe that an important new coastal park would receive favorable attention from him,from the legislature,and from foundations. It is fsseng,ol that we receive your signature and those of your friends on our petitions. Local vMemment oftialS need to hear that large numbers of citizens support the Friends' vision of a comprehensive park. Then, with support and seed money from those local governments($5,OW each from the throe cities, $1 O,000 from the County),we can prepare applications for additional funding. The Friends of Harbors.Beaches&Parks,4 Park Newport,Newport Beach 92660. Phone Bob Fisher at 644-7275 P' /7 R SEVICA N CUJAN 30 8 11 52AT YO [ ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA TUMAY,NOVEMBER 4, 1997 23 CENTS■INDEk AND SEL11ON GUIDE ur FORMER OFFICIALS BAND RIMER project for all those concerned abort coastal and recreational TO RESCUE THE RIVER MOUTH `ROM 1 C City Mz said Nvin X ! (leach 'water wetlands. City Msnager Kevin aVlurplry, His group, known as dic he park would reach north to ENVIRONMENT: The proposed Orange Coast Friends of I lai hors,Beaches And en,:ontp ass Costa Mesa's rair- Rivef•Park would he a walk down an ecolo et>l Packs, tuday will begin making view Fark, scheduled to be g1 its;lritclt for funds to plan the turned i ito a bhowease of habitat stairc.wge to the Sea. transformation of its idea into restoral on, with vernal pools the Orange Coast River Park, and coa ital sage scrub. By PAT BRENNAN Can — in the middle of tit'- '.We're asking for$5,000 from Adjoining the park is the coun- The Orange County Register ban Orange County. eiidt of the cities, and S10,W0 •ty'y Ta bent Nature Preserve, Such a park may seers a whirr_ from the county to put together where rt re and endangered How- ie vision is astonish- sical bit of wishful thinking, but this plan," Fisher said. ers and!Itrubs are replanted and lag: a rambling, 700- its main proponent is no idle Perhaps most surprising.Fish- thr.ving acre nature park dreamer. He is Bob Fisher, the er hopes in create the park with. }'talking south through tire along the west bank of county•s fortner parks director, out the painful,years-Inug fights park,a 1 iker would drop to lower the Santa Ana River, and he's put together a team of that have plagued similar pro. ele,atious—Fisher's^staircase transforming what many see as other heavy hitters that includes pusals•—even though the tnvner effect," Balow l�rsirview 1'li nothing more than a concrete former mayors from Newport of at least one of the parcels is the hila'r would cncuunter• a ditch isito a place of coastal Beach, Huntington Beaph and pr'eprrring plans for a large rest- fre.hwatcr wetland — proposed dunes, a salt marsh and other Costa Mesa to push the proposal. dential development. for a part of the property now rare and vanishing habitats. "Otte could take a lour through "We're ant trying to engage Ica owt,ed bt the cottnly.and partial- linked by a hiking trail. an ecological staircase• rind sec a battle with anyone," Fisher ly iavada-d by non-native plants- The reality is complicated: a this variety of habitats," Fisher said. Listly the park would open patchwork of property that in- said of the proposed hiking trail Although the Santa Ana River iritc a restored salt marsh• and eludes an active oil field and that would travel from upland itself is lined with concrete,pro- the trail vould lend to other frog- scattered parcels controlled by coastal sage scrub to lowlands viding little or'none of the habitat inertts or the coast to the north three cllies,the coutaty, and the containing freshwaler and salt- it once did, large, undeveloped and soul r of the river's ulaaails, California Department of Trans- Please see RIVER Page 10 fragments of wild land remain A's hard to believe all this near the river's mouth.These in- land is undeveloped," Fisher elude a 100-acre wetland pre- saic as ha stood in a friend's back __-serve, a restored breeding area yard overlooking the proposed for the endangered California p,arx area. Oil pumps were visi- = } a least tern on Huntington Beach, ble alon.l with dry, daniaged r .~<. a patch of restored coastal dune habitat. vegetation that has all but disap• "As yo i can see,it nerds a lot geared elsewhere in the county of Nvork,' lie said. and a 400-acre remnant of salt Ailhuul;h no strong opposition marsh pocked with oil pumps. to l,re id sa has emerged. there fAIRVIEW Tlae oil property is ow►ted by are obstacles — ninst notably PARK Aera Energy,a merger of Mobil fwrcing- Fisher said creating (COSTAOil had Sheli Oil,and the Rancho and recto•ing the park could cost MESA) Santiago Partners.Taylor Wood- tens of millions of dollars, and rota homes Vice President Torn sources cC tile money have opt Redtvitz, the development man beet' identified, althougis grants age;r•for the property,said he ltas .are one rossibility. a, t /� w discussed the proposal with Fish- TI e plat tvili be presented to ll, r L'' er."And while no definite plans Nett port 3ench's Parks, Beach- have been made,he said the own. es a id Re creation Committee,nt TALBERT NATURE ers; are considering allowing 7 tonight in the Newport Beach PRESERVE some of the land to be Included in City Council chambers. Fisher's V the=park and turning the rest into group holies to make a similar r. M, ., ?r: a residential development, presentat on to the City Council 11 ` City Itminagers in Newport on R?onday,Arid later-,to the olh- t - Beach and Costa Mesa also say cr cities t nd lice county- ; .. r._% ,$"'��� they favor the proposal if juric- _ diclaona! tangles can be worked To vi•:w an OCN videotape of Santa t out. And 1'avet rabitbt.check "Potentially, it's a Koine-run www ocreg-ster.<om/news . fT 64 The Orange County Reglstef ATTACHMENT # 3 � CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION To: Ray Silver, Acting City Administrator From: Dan T.Villella, Director of Finance Subject: FIS 98-23 Approve Funds to Support Planning of Proposed Orange Coast River Park Date: January 28, 1998 As required by Resolution 4832, a Fiscal Impact Statement has been prepared for Proposed Orange Coast River Park. If the City Council pproves this request (total appropriation $5,000) the estimated u cumbered, undesignated General Fund balance at S t r 0 998 will be reduced to $5,260,795. Robert J. Fra z, Deputy City Administrator fis9823 Adopted Current Fund Balance-General Fund Budget Estimate Beginning Fund Balance 10/1/97 (Est) $5,100,000 $6,852,026 Plus Estimated Increased Revenue 1,500,000 Plus One Time Revenue (Estimated) 1,370,000 Less Approved Budget Amendments (1,770,000) Less Labor Contingencies (610,000) Less Self-Insurance Transfers (1,800,000) Less Pending FIS's (276,231) Less FIS 98-23 (5,000) Estimated 9/30/98 Balance $5,100,000 $5,260,795 Estimated General Fund Balance at September 30, 1998 i r $5,000,000 i i I $4,500,000 $6,260,795 i $4,000,000 $5,100,000 i $3,500,000 $3,000,000 ADOPTED BUDGET CURRENT ESTIMATE G-VICCTG4F I S9798.X LS]fis 9823 Page 1 RCA ROUTING SHEET INITIATING DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES SUBJECT: APPROVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PLANNING OF THE PROPOSED ORANGE COAST RIVER PARK COUNCIL MEETING DATE: I February 17, 1998 RCA ATTACHMENTS STATUS Ordinance (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Not Applicable Resolution (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Not Applicable Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Attached Contract/Agreement (w/exhibits if applicable) (Signed in full by the City Attome Not Applicable Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc. (Approved as to form by City Attome Not Applicable Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Not Applicable Financial Impact Statement (Unbudget, over $5,000) Attached Bonds (If applicable) Not Applicable Staff Report (If applicable) Not Applicable Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Not Applicable Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Not Applicable EXPLANATION FOR MISSING ATTACHMENTS REVIEWED RETURNED FOR 13DED Administrative Staff Assistant City Administrator Initial City Administrator Initial o� City Clerk EXPLANATION FOR RETURN OF ITEM: Only)(Below Space For City Clerk's Use RCA Author: