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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-08-2005-3ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 8, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. 3 SUBJECT: Proposed Process — Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No Conservation ATTACHMENT 1) Overview of Comprehensive Plan Elements 2) Proposed NCS Element Process/Timetable 3) Proposed Timetable by Month 4) 1/26/04 Staff Memorandum 5) Possible Outline of Parks Component 6) Marin County (CA) Countywide Plan Info INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245 -2590 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336 - 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To provide an overview of a draft process to develop a Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Comprehensive Plan is in reality a series of individual .'elements" that together comprise the overall plan and serve as the policy guidance documents for County ordinances and policies. Orange County moved to this model in 1988, known as the "California model" comprehensive plan. The California model plan features individual elements that address different components of the overall quality of life, natural resources and physical development of the jurisdiction. The model plan that was used for Orange County in 1988 was Marin County, California, located just north of the San Francisco bay area. Over the past 24 years, some elements of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan have been created, while others have been deferred. The Land Use Element (originally adopted as the Land Use Plan in 1981) is the oldest and most widely- recognized element of the Plan, but other elements have also been adopted over the years as County policy. For example, a Master Recreation and Parks Element was adopted in 1988, and the Historic Preservation Element was adopted in 1992. In some cases, provisional elements were adopted to serve as interim plans until a more comprehensive plan could be developed (this is the case for the Economic Development and Housing elements). Since the late 1990's, BOCC goals and staff workplans have reflected the creation of some of the pending additional elements of the Comprehensive Plan. With the formation of the ERCD in early 1999, the Plan elements of Natural Areas and Water Resources (in conjunction with Planning) were assigned to ERCD for coordination, and the planned update to the Parks Element was also to be coordinated by ERCD (in conjunction with Recreation and Parks and Planning). However, activity on other fronts — such as Lands Legacy and park design, among other projects — kept staff from proceeding with these additional Comprehensive Plan elements. In January 2004, staff prepared a memorandum to the Board outlining an idea for moving ahead with and accomplishing these and a few other elements. In general, the January 2004 memorandum suggests that the interest of time and a more concise, user- friendly document would be served by combining some of the proposed elements into one "super-element" of the Comprehensive Plan. The individual elements such as Parks and Water Resources would become component "chapters" of this document, along with other linkage sections that referenced the many inter - relationships with the rest of the Comprehensive Plan that exist, Ironically, a check of Marin County, California found that Marin had also come to a similar conclusion — grouping together previous documents into a few comprehensive combined elements, such as a Built Environment (land use, transportation and other related tropics) Element and a Natural Systems elements (biological resources, water resources, climate, open space and trails, agriculture). If the Board decides that this approach is desirable, the attached proposal would break the Natural and Cultural Systems Element into two phases — one in 2005 -06 and a second phase to follow in a subsequent year. Phase 1 would include completion of the Natural Areas component (as this has been underway for a few years by the Commission for the Environment), the Parks component and a proposed Agricultural component (as requested by the Agricultural Preservation Board in a memo to the Board last year). Phase 2 would include the remaining linkages sections, along with Water Resources, Air Quality and Cultural Resources (including an update of the 1992 Historic Preservation Element). The proposed process suggests the creation of a Natural and Cultural Element Oversight Committee, or EOC. As a whole, this group would meet 3 -4 times per year to review progress on the individual components and provide a sounding board for ideas and discussion. Subcommittees from this EOC would then be comprised to work with staff on the individual components. Since the Natural Areas component is already advanced to a draft stage, this is proposed to be completed first, followed by the creation of a Parks Chapter Subcommittee to develop the Parks component, and subsequently an Agricultural Subcommittee for that chapter. Opportunities for public input have been built into the early, middle and latter stages of the component preparation, Because of the amount of work to be accomplished and the other ongoing projects, staff believes that two phases will be needed to accomplish this major undertaking. The proposed timetable could result in a public hearing on the draft Natural Areas component Chapter in November 2005, the Parks Chapter in August 2006, and the Agricultural Chapter in November 2006. ERCD staff would take the lead in coordinating the creation of these chapters, with assistance from Recreation and Parks (Parks Chapter) and Soil and Water, 3 EDC and Cooperative Extension for the Agricultural Element., For coordination with the Land Use Element and inter - relationships with the proposed chapters, Planning staff and Planning Board representatives would also be invited to participate, The Parks Chapter update to the 1988 Parks Element would be consistent with the ongoing Recreation and Parks Strategic Management Plan, and many of this reports' ultimate conclusions or products would be easily incorporated into the Parks Chapter. A possible outline of the Parks Chapter is also included as an attachment. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the proposed process. The work is proposed to be accomplished in -house by County staff, The undertaking would involve a substantial amount of staff time, primarily from ERCD, but also from Recreation and Parks, Planning and other departments, RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the proposed process and provide feedback to staff, as desired. If this process and timetable is acceptable, the Board may wish to authorize the Clerk to begin soliciting for potential appointments to the proposed Natural and Cultural Element Oversight Committee, N a v y C d t O o`. E 0 U c 0 U m m c 0 F _ c 5 c 7�5 N E E 16 E E c 2 E E'o m N E ro ta ° Z5 > W c D W a N W �O oU c O (O (n o U c W C N O �% r � Na E o 'LD aEirn Q Z° m O r2 W D « W > .0 N D a od N � O _ c 5 c 7�5 N 16 E E c E'o m N E ro ta ° w n �j ° E -� N aEi 'o W w N N W O W f0 [) N W �O oU c O (O (n o U c W C N O �% r Z Z N Z O O �-,U N Z O Q Z° m O r2 N O y 0 O N N N D a O N N � O N N a N N O yO N 6 Z O` d O d `. h @ d d O y O O d = d p_ 5 Orange County Comprehensive Plan Elements (As per Section 2.2.12 of the Zoning Ordinance) The Orange County Zoning Ordinance includes a section that speaks to the intent and structure of the County's Comprehensive Plan: `The Comprehensive Plan shall constitute an internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the long - terra, physical development of that portion of Orange Connta, under County jurisdiction. The Comprehensive Plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include maps and tent setting ,forth objectives, principles, standards and plan proposals'... The Zoning Ordinance goes on to note that the Comprehensive Plan shall be comprised of the following individual elements: a) Land use element (distribution, extent and location of land uses for housing, business, industry etc)) b) Transportation element (location and extent of existing and proposed transportation facilities) c) Housing element (evaluation of housing problems and standards and programs for unmet needs) d) Open space element (location and extent of proposed open space for preservation of natural resources and managed production of resources) e) Recreation element (system of areas and public sites for recreation, including parks and playgrounds, and trails) f) Economic development element (analysis of the local economy and projections of future economic activity, and identify existing and proposed sites for new and expanding businesses and industries) g) Services and facilities element (existing and proposed service areas and improvements for water, sewer, solid waste, schools, EMS and other utilities) h) Additional elements as needed (subject in the judgment of the BOCC that relate to physical development, including but not limited to historic preservation, rural design and growth management, etc) The following section summarizes the activities that have taken place toward this end to date: Land Use Element (1981) Originally adopted as "Orange County Land Use Plan" in 1981 as a 20 -year plan. Individual township components created 1985 -1989. A number of amendments from 1981 -1998 The planned 20 -year update for 2001 was delayed in order to receive 2000 Census data and use Shaping Orange County's Future report. Update of this element is underway. G 2. Housing Element (provisional, 1989) The 1989 Affordable Housing Task Force report was adopted as the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan, pending completion of a more comprehensive element (which has not been completed) 3. Open Space (Natural Areas) Element (underway) Efforts to create a Natural Areas Element were begun in 1994, but suspended. In 1998 the Board of Commissioners goals authorized ERCD staff to complete and update to the 1988 Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat and then draft and complete a Natural Areas Element, to address components such as natural areas and wildlife habitat, prime forests, nature preserves and other related topics. In 2002 -2003, a first draft of the document was created by staff and the Commission for the Environment. This was suspended until the Inventory update was completed in late 2004. A final draft of the Natural Areas Element is to be completed in early -mid 2005, with a projected public hearing in November 2005. 4. Transportation Element (included in Land Use Element) Work toward a Transportation Element of the plan was undertaken in 1989 -1990. However, the document that was created was eventually summarized and added as a section to the Land Use Element. 5. Recreation (Master Recreation and Parks) Element (1988) The Master- Recreation and Parks Plan was created in the mid 1980's and adopted as the Master Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan in July 1988. From 1996- 2001, a series of four park - related reports have been considered and /or adopted, including the .Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group report of 1999 (adopted May, 2000). Adopted BOCC goals in 2001 and in subsequent years have called for an update to the 1988 plan using these new reports and other new information and research. This is planned for inclusion in the new Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Plan (2005 -06). A Recreation and Parks Strategic Management Plan addressing operational and management considerations is also underway, and portions of this document would be incorporated into the Parks component of the Natural and Cultural Systems Element, 6. Economic Development Element (provisional, 1991) Air Economic Development Strategic Plan was created in 1991 and was adopted as the provisional Economic Development Element until such time as a full Element could be created. The 1991 Economic Development Strategic Plan us currently being updated. 7. Service and Facilities Element (TBD) Work towards this element was begun in 1991, but was suspended. 8. Other Elements such as historic preservation, rural design, growth management and others to be determined. 7 Other Elements That Have Been Created or Determined (under #9 Above) 9. Historic Preservation Element (1992) Created by staff and outside consultant, the Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan was created and adopted in September 1992. However, this element did not include components of archaeology or visual resources, and these pieces are to be added to the plan in 2006 -07 as part of Phase 2 of the Natural and Cultural Systems Element. 10. Water Resources Element (proposed) The creation of a Water Resources Element to bring together a plethora of surface water studies and ground water studies from 1985- present was identified in 1997 in the Water Resources project. Since that time, BOCC goals have reflected the creation of such an element. In 2004, this was proposed to be incorporated as part of the Natural and Cultural Systems Element (Water Resources component). Other Elements Proposed by the BOCC or Advisory Boards Agricultural Element The Agricultural Preservation Board wrote to the BOCC and Planning Board in mid -2004 to propose the creation of an Agricultural Element, noting that agriculture was not explicitly addressed in detail in any elements, and that new State legislation of 2002 asked counties to develop a Countywide agricultural plan. Staff has proposed that this be incorporated into the Natural and Cultural Systems Element, Phase 1, and be created in 2005 -06. Others? a Ic Proposed Natural and Cultural Systems Element 6. Water Resources (NEW - Phase 2) 7. Historic, Cultural and Archaeological Resources (HP Element exists, Phase 2) 8. Air Quality and Other Natural Resources (NEW - Phase 2) 9. Inter - relationships Among the Chapters (Phase 2) 10. Inter - relationships and Consistency with Other Plan Elements (Phase 2) 11. Evaluation and Monitoring of Progress (Phase 2) 12. Conclusion (Phase 2) Possible Calendar of Activities — Phase 1 (green = Natural Areas, blue = Parks, yellow = Agricultural) Commission for the Environment prepares 2003 -2004 draft Natural Areas Chapter February 8, 2005 Presentation on proposed Natural and Cultural Systems Element process March -April 2005 Appoint Natural /Cultural Element Oversight Committee* May 2005 Initial meeting of NCEOC, schedule of activities considered May 2005 Commission for the Environment report on Natural Areas Chapter draft August 2005 Public Input Session for Parks Chapter (update of 1988 Plan) — PC Subcommittee June 2005 Open House Session for presentation/ comments on Natural Areas Chapter August - October 2005 Creation of draft Parks Chapter with Parks Chapter (PC) Subcommittee July- September 2005 CFE revises and completes final draft of Natural Areas Chapter October 2005 NCSEOC meets to review progress on NA and Parks Chapters November 2005 Public Input session — Agricultural Resources Chapter Ag Subcommittee) November 21, 2005 Public Hearing — Natural Areas Chapter of Natural and Cultural Systems Element November 2005 Open House Session for presentation/comments on draft Parks Chapter (PC Subcommittee) a December 2005 — March 2006 PC Subcommittee revises draft chapter December 2005 Advisory Board review of NA Chapter January - February 2006 Board of Commissioners considers Natural Areas Chapter January -March 2006 Creation of draft Agricultural Resources Cha ter with A g Subcommittee February—March. 2006 Natural Areas Chapter adopted April 2006 NCSEOC meets to review rogress April 2006 PC Subcommittee report to BOCC on draft Parks Chapter May -July 2006 PC Subcommittee completes final draft of Parks Chapter May 2006 Open House Session for presentation/comments on draft Agricultural Resources Chapter (Ag Subcommittee August 2006 Public Hearing - Parks Chapter of the Natural &Cultural Systems Element June- August 2006 Ag Subcommittee revises draft chapter September 2006 Advisory board review of Parks Chapter September 2006 AR Subcommittee report to BOCC on draft AR Chapter October - November 2006 Board of Commissioners considers Parks Chapter November 2006 NCSEOC meets to review progress October - November 2006 AR Subcommittee completes final draft of AR Chapter November 2006 Public Hearing, Ag Resources Chapter, Natural & Cultural Systems Element December 2006 Parks Chapter adopted December 2006 Advisory board review of Ag Cha ter January- February 2006 Board of Commissioners considers Ag Resources Chapter March 2006 Agricultural Resources Chapter ado ted Natural/Cultural Element Oversight Committee (EOC) This committee would serve as the steering committee for overall creation of the NCS Element. It would meet periodically in 2005 and beyond to provide oversight recommendations and serve as a sounding board for concepts and draft chapters. The Oversight Committee is envisioned to have a subcommittee for each chapter to be created. Thus, the Oversight Committee in full might only meet 2 -3 times per year, with the subcommittees working on individual chapters meeting more frequently during the development stage of the chapter in question. io Since the Oversight Committee would serve as the sounding board — and provide the core of the subcommittees wonting on the individual chapters — one idea of the makeup of the group would be as follows: Natural & Cultural Systems Element Oversight Committee (21) 2 County Commissioners 3 members of the Commission for the Environment (changing at Phase II) 3 members of the Agricultural Preservation Board 3 members of the Historic Preservation Commission 3 members of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee 2 members of the Planning Board 1 member Soil and Water District Board 4 At -large appointees (changing at Phase II of project) Natural Areas Biological Resources) Chapter Since this document has been underway for two years now, and a draft is nearly completed by the Commission for the Environment Biological Resources Committee, it is proposed to be handled with a modified process. After review of the draft chapter by the Oversight Committee and resultant revisions, a public info session would be held. Following any changes from this session, a public hearing would be held and the draft chapter considered for adoption. Primary staff— David Stancil and Rich Shaw. Parks Chapter The primary goal of this chapter will be to update the adopted 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan (which was formally adopted as the Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan). This would be done using the series of reports on parks that have been accomplished and/or approved, as well as a new look at the changing landscape of parks planning and activity since the 1988 document. It would also include any relevant adopted provisions that result from the Strategic Management Plan currently underway. The result would be a new plan for future parks, both conventional and linear, recreational opportunities. It would also link to the sections of the Natural Areas Chapter that address nature preserves and public access areas within proposed future preserves. As shown in the above table, the PC Subcommittee would start with a public info session to gain general thoughts and ideas on how the update to the Parks Plan proceeds. The subcommittee would then work with staff as a draft plan is created, presented to the full Oversight Committee, and then revised and prepared for a final public info session and eventual public hearing. Proposed Parks Chapter Subcommittee 1 -2 County Commissioner 3 RPAC members 1 Commission for the Environment 1 HPC member I Planning Board 2 at -large Primary staff administrative responsibility: ERC Director and R &P Director. Other staff asked to participate: County Manager or designee, Planning Director, County Engineer, Open Space Design Specialist, Parks Services Director, Land Conservation Manager, Preservation Planner, others as needed. Agricultural Chapter Currently, there is no section of the Comprehensive Plan devoted to agriculture. The existing 1981 Land Use Element addresses in a limited way agricultural preservation and other agricultural issues and their link with land use issues. In early 2004, the Agricultural Preservation Board sent a memo to the Board of Commissioners asking that an Agricultural Element of the Plan be created to comprehensively address the issues of agriculture within Orange County. This would encompass farmland preservation, incentives for agriculture, mapping of farmlands and farm priority areas identified by the Ag Board, agriculture as economic development, land -link and other agricultural viability programs, and an assessment of the future of agricultural activity in the County. The Agricultural Chapter Subcommittee would work with staff on the document and start with a public info session to gain general thoughts and ideas on what an Agricultural Chapter should encompass. The subcommittee would then work with staff as a draft chapter is created, presented to the full Oversight Committee, and then revised and prepared for a fmal public info session and eventual public hearing. Agricultural Chapter Subcommittee 1 -2 County Commissioner 3 APB members 1 HPC member 1 Soil and Water District Board member 1 Planning Board member 2 at -large Primary Staff Administrative Responsibility: ERC Director and EDC Director, along with CES County Agent, District Conservationist, and Planning Director. Other staff invited to participate: County Manager or designee, Preservation Planner, Agricultural ED Specialist, others as needed. Phase 1— Natural Areas Chapter, Parks Chapter, Agricultural Chapter Phase 2 — Water Resources Chapter, Air Quality Chapter, Cultural Resources Chapter Month February March April May June July August September October November December January February March April May June July August September October November December January February March Machm -2n+ 3 is Natural and Cultural Systems Element Kickoff 2/2/2005, NOSE by month AWnmen- `( Orcw,oe Couvtu 6 vwi ro vi. me nt avA 2esource Co vvs e rvn tio vi. DepnrtmetAt Mewi.oravOkvv To: John Link, County Manager From: David Stancil, ERC Director Date: January 26, 2004 Re: Completing /Updating Resource -Based Comp Plan Elements For several years now, the BOCC goals have reflected the creation or updates of several elements of the County's Comprehensive Plan. As we know, the Planning Department has been working hard on updates to the Land Use Element, and the Commission for the Environment has worked with our staff on a partially- complete draft Natural Areas Element. Three of the Plan elements (Natural Areas, Parks and Open Space, and Water Resources) are to be developed /coordinated by ERCD. However, completion of these Plan elements has been elusive, primarily because we have been so focused on accomplishing results on other projects (the 1300 acres acquired by Lands Legacy to date, the many parks and open space projects out of the 1997 and 2001 bonds, among others). These accomplishments have been notable, and satisfying. However, I feel that we are now at a point where we need a touchstone for our overall planning for these goals, and that we should spend some time revisiting long -range plans. To this end, I would like to propose an approach that will I think meet several purposes, among them: • Achieving the needed updates and creation of Plan elements called for in BOCC goals, • Engaging the public in assessing our future course of action in the conservation of natural and cultural resources, • Creating Plan elements that are reader - friendly and (while still containing the useful factual and scientific underpinnings upon which such plans should be made) more concise, • Allowing us to accomplish these tasks in a relatively shorter period of time The method that I propose for accomplishing these tasks is to merge the following Plan elements: • Natural Areas Element (draft developed) • Parks and Open Space Element Update (existing *, adopted 1988) Fi .vii c nteAt ana Rtsow cz Canstiv,76on. Po Box .BZ.I2 /.3oG .4 f_."ve) i Roaa HillsGa�oc<gh: n/C2r� =.4 Iq • Water Resources Element • Historic Preservation Element Update (existing, adopted 1992) • Proposed Agricultural Element (proposed by the Agricultural Preservation Board, 2003) into a single- multi - chapter Natural and Cultural Systems Element. All of these elements share a common theme — the conservation of natural or cultural resources. I envision the document containing chapters that address each separate area of focus (a Water Resources chapter, a Natural Areas/Wildlife Habitat chapter, etc.), along with an intertwining mechanism that would identify and highlight the many inter- relationships between these components, with a concluding section that ensures that all of the strategies proposed are consistent with the overall resource conservation approach. I think such an approach would also mesh well with the underpinnings of the proposed new Land Use Element, as I understand it. A common strand or thread weaving throughout these chapters would be goals like Lands Legacy, Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, which transcend the topical boundaries. The idea for a combined document came from a recent web site visit and conversation with a staff person in Marin County, California. Located just north of San Francisco, Marin County has been lauded in planning circles for many years as the paragon of what has come to be known as the "California - model" comprehensive plan (multiple but inter - linked elements), and when Orange County converted its plan methodology to this in 1990, Marin's plan was the basis for the series of elements called for in Plan today, In talking with Marin County staffers, their rationale for this integration of elements is similar to our own needs - they too are in the midst of a plan update, and have combined several of their elements into a Natural Systems Element for many of the same reasons listed above (need for concise readable documents, creating a more- doable project for staff, the inter - relationships between the different elements). I have attached a few pages about their plan. If this is acceptable, I would like to begin planning for creation of a Natural and Cultural Systems Element to be undertaken between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005, and submit this idea to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at an upcoming worksession as a proposed major topic of activity in 2004 -05. * - The 1988 version of this document is termed the Recreation and Parks Element. In keeping with the resource -based approach to these plan documents — and in keeping with the New Era for Parks report that noted the distinction between the land resource function of parks and open space and the human resource function of providing recreation facilities and programs — I would propose that the Recreation portion of the document be "spun off' from the Parks and Open Space portion and addressed either in a separate element, or perhaps as part of another planned element that is similar Is topic — the Service and Facilities Element. Although this would separate the functions by their primary governmental function, the documents would continue to recognize the inter - relationships between park facilities and recreation programming and the use of the land for parks and open space, separating them only for consistency with the resource -based approach. EIQviraN xO e' apta ResoLti ce cal sei' a6 iolc PO 8,,x 81,RS /305 -,q Revere Roaa HLCfsGar�c<gln, Nc2 2, 8 ,4ad-weJ 5 /5 Natural and Cultural Systems Element Parks Component (Chapter) Possible Outline I. Executive Summary II, History/Background of Parks in Orange County III. Purpose of a Parks Master Plan a, Goals and Objectives b. Rationale and Factors for Planned Activities/Facilities c. Identification of Community Needs d. Action Strategy and Proposed Plan IV. Cultural, Natural and Socioeconomic Factors a. Natural Areas Network (green infrastructure) b, Water Resources and other Natural Features c. Open Space Network d. Population (existing and projected) e. Land Use Patterns (existing and projected) f. Transportation Networks (existing and projected) g. Economic and other Demographic factors h. Other' V. Implications of Other Plans and Studies a. Master Recreation and Parks Plan / Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan (1988) b, Other Elements of the Comprehensive Plan (Land Use, Natural Areas etc) c, Town Master Park Plans (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Mebane) d. Recreation and Parks Work Group Report (1996) e, Coordination of Recreation and Parks Services in Orange County (1997) f Joint Master Recreation and Parks (7MRP) Work Group Report (1999) g. Lands Legacy Program (2000) h. "A New Era for Parks," Organizational Structures for Parks Coordination in Orange County (2001) i. Recreation and Parks Strategic Management Plan (2005) VL Inventory of Current Facilities a. Master Inventory (1999, annually updated) b. Other c. Programs? VII. Changes to the Landscape — 1988 -2005 a. The "New Era" b. Greater emphasis on intergovernmental coordination c. 1997 and 2001 Parks and Open Space bonds d. Lands Legacy - parks and open space acquisition e. Rustic Woodland Trails and Regional Open Space Inter connectivity f Review of Funding Mechanisms VIII. Methods for Assessing Future Parks Needs a. Community Identified Needs (use 2004 R &P assessment) b. Standards? c, Travel Time / Geographic d. A Different Approach e, Types of Parks i,. Regional Parks ii. District Parks iii. Community Parks iv. Linear Parks v. Rustic Woodland Trail Connectors vi, Public Access Areas at Nature Preserves (link to NA Chapter) vii. Other f. Special Facilities i. Pools ii, Recreation Centers iii. Nature/Environmental Centers iv, Campgrounds v. Stage/Amphitheatre/Bandstand vi. Community Meeting Facilities IX. Goals, Objectives and Recommendations a. List goals and objectives b, List recommendations (action strategies) X. Proposed New Park Facilities Plan - 2005 -2025 a. Basis for changes b. Map and text on proposed facilities XI. Implementation and Monitoring a, Operational policies - use sections adopted from upcoming Strategic Management Plan XIL Conclusion Appendices COUNTYWIDE P D� Iutroductiook/de Countywide Plan .......... .,..~~..~......._—,,..— ..... ___ ..... .___ ....... l^l Ll What lo die countywide ....... --.—....... ...----.^........... ................... ...}'l L2(}v,rvicnxud Environmental Setting ....... .--..,........... '....... ..,-----..,..—...\`} L3Fimuxoo/k .... — ........... ........,,—..----........ .—.--,,.---....... -----~.... l`% L4History .... ....... .—.... ___ ......... . ........... .... ~ .... ,~,.-.—..—~.`.....,. ...... ----.... l^5 1^5Ux,o ...... ....... ........ ..._,—,—..—.—........ ---.—.—.—...... —..... . ....... |~7 Section 2 —The Natural Systems IOvouoot. ....... —.--... ... .~...~—...,....~......... 2-1 2.iloVn6ucLivo .... ... .—. ....... .--........ —~........ ......... .......... .---,—.,—.—.............. 2-1 12 Key l6 ends and Issues '..'.—~—~—.......,......... —..,.^...—...—.,---...--.2'3 23Frazncxw,k.—..~..~....—.—.. ........... `,......... ^~'~.~.~..—.—~,.'.~~~~—.-2'5 14 Biological KrSvu/c^o. ... ,._,.—.—...... .—..—.—.---`--.~........ ...,...—.......... 8`7 2"j Water Resources. ....... ,.—.—`..`.—.~.~.~~.................. .,....—.--,.._^—.—.X`45 2.6 Mio;nJDeu/uuzx .... ... ........ ........... .~'~.......... ...—,—...... —..~--.—........... .~.... 2'J7 2.7 Atmospheie and {JiunKe., ...... ...~~....—.......... ..,..—.—.-.`^...--.~---... 2'V5 2.8 Open Space ... .—...—..—..—.—.,...... ,____ ,............. .......... --...... —.--~~,.2'?8 l91Gails ~....--.............. —.—.......... ....... —............. ,.—....~...—..2`90 2,lOAmicuku~ and Food ...... ...... ____ ........ ..—~......-.—.`..,.._..—.--.--%`llj Section 3-- The Budt Environment E6o/tu/— .... .,...--....~................. ....... ........ .3^l 3] Introduction .... ___ ....... .. .......... .,........ ___ .... ........ . .... ---....~......... — ...... .—..—. ...... J^) 3.2&r}l\nn6omn6 Issues ... ... ,— ......... ... .......... ..~..,....—,~........ ,'......... ____ ...... U'8 13 ...... ................. ...... ..,.,..—,--...—~.—.............. .'...... 3'J 3.4 Community i.,..,—..— .... .—.~—.—......~........ ..--........ .,.____ 8'3 3.5 Community Desin ....... — .... . ......... ^—............. ......... .—...... —.............. ...,...—'J^45 3.VEoer6yan6 Green Boilding ......... ,~--.--.— ...... .—,—...--~.~,—,,~--.,—,....8`0l 3.?CoviinonionkJ}{zouJm ........ ...... .'.—,,.—........ ~—.—...`.. ..... .---....'....... ..8`77 3.8 Housing. —..'.' .... ... ___ ............... .....^.....--,--..... —. ... . ... ..... —.`....... �3^93 3.9 — .... .—,....—............ —,---.......... ....—.... .......... 3^137 3.l0 Noise ... —.--..~..—...—..—..—'.......... ................. ...... ............ ...,—.......... ... 8'i63 8J} Community Fn6|itics~— .......... .—............ ~-.—.~...... 3~177 3.l2,Pkunuing/\n:u. ............ ......— ....... '. ...... ---......... ........ .~.,.,...... .—................ 3`l88 �� Iq Section 4 —The Socioeconomic Element..........— ................................................. ..............................4 I 4.1 Inu oduction ........................................................................_,..,......................... ..,........._..........._,,..., 4 -1 42 Key Trends and Issues,.._ ........................ ____ ..... .. ...... ......,,_...,.,..,,.,....,... ___ ... ,.... .... ...... ,... ..,.....,4 -3 4.3 Prarnework ............................................................. .... ... ____ ... .... ____ ... ... ....... .,.. ....... ,.,.,.,,., ..... .4 -7 4.4 Economy.,.......... ........ ............. ...... .................... __ ...... ....... ....... _'-_ .......... ..... 4-11 4,5 Childcare ....................._.,......,........,...,...,,....,....,........,....,,......,,,........ .,........,......,.,...,,,.,.., ,.,.........,4 -23 4.6 Public Safety.....,.. ....... ...... ...... ........ .... 4-31 4,7 Community Participat ion .................._......,..,.,...,..,.._..,,,,.._..,_,..,.,..,...,,,......,.....,, ...,,,,.,...,....,....,....4 -43 4.8 Diversity .... ... ...... ......... .................... .... ... ............. ............. ...... ............._......._,.......... ,.,...... .._........... 4 -49 4,9 Education..................................................................._...,..... ,,....,,..,................,.., ....,,,..,,.,,..,,....,..,.4-,55 4,10 Environnienud, justice ................................................._...., ..,.,,...,,...,.,..,...,,...... ,.,.,........,............,.4-63 4.11 Public Heahli . .... ........... ____ ... .... .... ........ — ..... _... ..... ... ,.,._..,..,,,...,,...,..,..,.,. ,,,.,,.,.,,,..,,,,, ....... ., 4-69 4,12 Arts and Culture ................................................................. ............................... ............................4-89 4.13 Historical and Archaeological Resources .......................... ............................... ............................4-97 4.14 Parks and Recteation ......................................................._.,.........,,._.....,....... ......,...........,..,,,..,,..4 -107 ® �'.rx= -:max.` 0,. ©6 0 WORKING GROUPS Faye D'Opal Vinh O, Luu Built Environment Manny Fernandez Charles McGhrshan Sue Beittel Debbie Ilubsmith James Stark Mark Birnbaum Bill McCubbin Chantel Walker Raison Cln Betty Pagett Patsy White Ken Eicbstaedt Alicia Retes Cecilia Zamora Tom Hinman Tim Rosenfelt! Madka Benko, Intern Economy, Equity, and Culture Ch k Blasdell Faye D'Opal Vinh O, Luu Virginia Brunini Manny Fernandez Charles McGhrshan Hilda Castillo Darcy I Lunnons Byron Sig,l Katherine Crecelius Jim I-lenderson Michael Walker I 6s'tene Cristobal Lisa Lord Amy Wilson Natural Systems Robert Berner Jaed I- Iullnnan Don Neubacher Janet Bioun Penny Livingston -Stark Carlos Porrata Kadnerine Cuneo Kathy Lowrey Ellie Rilla George Grossi Peter Luchetti Ellen Straus Randy Mayes (';no] Misseldine Dennis Healey, GIS Analyst II Sustainability Meg Arnard Jeffery Ehlenbach Charles McGlashan Sue Beittel ,Jim Goodwin Linda Novy Clark Blasdell Grace I lughes Larry Rosenberger Nona Dennis Arie Kurtzig Sim Van der Ryn Nancy Ducos Luke McCann Dennis Healey, GIS Analyst II MARIN COUN'T'Y COMMUNI'T'Y DEVELOPMENT- AGENCY Stall Alex Hinds, Director Bryn Cnuvfnd, Deputy Director Michele Ruch iguez, Project Manager Carol Williams, Former Assistant Planing Director Fred Vogler, Manager, Geographic Information Systems Toni Ld, Principal Planer Dan Dawson, Senior Planner Christine Gimnnler, Senior Planne Nubia Collins, Affmcl able Housing Strategist Kristin Drumm, Pkumer Duran Weisz, Planner Sam Ruark, Assistant Planner Luisa Roznmvski, Planning Aide Robert Taylor, CIS Analyst Dennis Healey, GIS Analyst II Marg,uet Moster, GIS Analyst 11 Link Allen, GIS Technician Dam Annnino, Intern Ariel Birdey, Intern Adam Fleisher, Intern Madka Benko, Intern Alexandra Morales, Senior Secrewy Sharon Silver, Senior Clerk/Typist Nancy Brooks, Secretary Donald Allee, Senior Clerk/Typist Consultants Chines Knox, Editor Dan I tiltner, Residential Design Jim Martin, Environment Susan Bercu, Graphic Designer Lunt IL•dl, Urban Designer Bonnie Nelson, Trnspmtation David Strong, Agnicultui l Economics Lisa Krieshok, Illusuations ii jell Baird, Housing Bob Berman, Environmental Quality Lsa Bush, Agriculune and Environnent Suzanne Lunpert, Economics Karen Engel, Ph.D, Economics Alec I-Insen, Ph,D,, Economics Tim Rosenfeld, Energy Steve Price, Photo Simulations �• a�; SYSTEMS ELEMENT NATURAL SYSTEMS ELEMENT N& AOF © Richard Blair Marin County is known for its distinctive natural setting and environmental heritage. Surrounded on three sides by water, Marin encompasses abundant environmental resources both beautiful and rich in diversity. From the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the landscape where we recreate, we depend on nature to provide for us. Recognizing our responsibility to understand and protect the environment is a fundamental component of the Natural Systems Element of the Countywide Plan, while reinforcing the critical role Introduction t;�3 of watershed planning is an overarching concern. Watershed functions, water quality, riparian habitat, wetlands, and baylar ds are all addressed in the Natural Systems Element. The topics addressed in this element are interrelated, as are all the components of natural systems. Issues that threaten Marin County's biodiversity - such as water quality degradation, invasive flora and non -native animal species, habitat fragmentation, and loss of sensitive biological resources as a result of land conversion and development - are also threats to agriculture and food production. How we treat streams, marshes, and wetlands not only affects the plants and animals that depend on these aquatic habitats, but also creates flood- related and other impacts in low -lying areas. Below are the topics covered in this portion of the Countywide Plan: ♦ Biological Resources ♦ Water Resources ♦ Mineral Resources *Atmosphere and Climate ♦ Open Space ♦ Trails ♦ Agriculture and Food Topics related to environmental hazards are located in the Built Environment Element while issues pertaining to environmental justice, public health, historic and archaeological resources, and parks and recreation are in the Socioeconomic Element. ® Introduction 4 -. 2.2 Key Trends and Issues Biological Resources The richness of local biodiversity is illustrated by the fact that, in 2001, Maria ranked 17 "' among the 58 California counties in the number of special status species documented here. In fact, Lagunitas Creek supports the most important remnant population of federally threatened wild coho salmon in central California. Despite these positive indicators, however, loss of habitat, habitat fragmentation, and invasion by exotic species pose significant threats to native plants and animals. Additional concerns include loss of wildlife movement corridors, filling of wetlands, and loss of oak woodlands to disease. Water Resources Providing adequate water for human use while supporting habitat for fish and other aquatic species is an increasingly difficult challenge. Water demand among Maria residents has risen, while fish populations have declined in response to a variety of factors. Human impacts are adversely affecting water quality. Urbanization increases die rate of storm runofl'to local creeks. The runoff scours creeks and causes habitat loss. Mineral Resources The County is required by the State to preserve mineral resource sites and ensure that nearby land uses are compatible with extraction. The underlying rationale - that construction materials should come from sites close to consumer markets - supports the County's sustainability goals, including reducing transportation impacts associated with imports. The volume of deposits remaining in local quarries needs to be determined, and reclamation plans need to be updated. Atmosphere and Climate Transportation and energy production are among the activities associated with the combustion of fossil fuels that are increasing the amounts and concentrations of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere that contribute to global warming. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that by 2100 "Trend is not destiny. Rene Dubois Key Trends and Issues MR� a5 carbon dioxide concentrations could be up to three times higher than current levels. Much of the air pollution in Marin results from motor vehicle use, and many private automobile trips cover short distances, which tends to concentrate emissions in certain areas. Open Space The County Open Space District manages and protects ridgelands, baylands and other environmentally sensitive lands. County Open Space also accommodates low impact recreational uses. Most of the District budget goes toward managing open space, leaving little for land acquisition. The District relies increasingly on conservation or open space easements from private landowners to extend its preservation efforts. Trails The Marin trail system is widely recognized as one of the best anywhere, and Marin has become a trail recreation destination. Demand by hikers, road and mountain bicyclists, and equestrians is increasing, as is commercial use, such as organized hiking, dog walking, and nature interpretation. Trail use also is rising among sports enthusiasts, such as downhill skateboarders and BMX bikers. Increased activity on nails has led to conflicts among users and with neighbors, especially regarding parking and private property issues. Agriculture and Food Nearly one - fourth of Marin's agricultural land has been permanently protected from subdivision and development, but working ranches are increasingly being converted to single - family residential estates. The majority of local agricultural operations are only marginally profitable. Major issues facing local agriculture include the high cost of land, regulation by multiple agencies, and difficulty recruiting younger generations. Many local operations have begun diversifying to increase their viability, producing row crops and value -added products such as cheese, butter, organic foods, and grass -fed beef: ® Key Trends and Issues