HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - OPEN SPACE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: . Mayor Pederson and Members of t
FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manage
DATE: March 30, 1994
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION
ELEMENT
BACKGROUND:
The City adopted its General Plan on June 25, 1991. As mandated by State law, this plan includes
an Open Space and Conservation Element. The purpose of this element is to guide and set a policy
framework for existing and future open space areas and uses. The Open Space and Conservation
(OSC) Element identifies open space areas and important natural resources in the City and its
planning area. The OSC Element includes a preliminary inventory of private and public open space
in the planning area, categorized as follows: Open space, biological, soil, mineral, water, cultural,
and historical. At the Study Session of October 15, 1991, the City Council Initially reviewed the
proposed Open Space Acquisition and Management Strategy presented by the Parks and
Recreation Department.
The intent of the OSC Element is further defined by its goals and policies, along with those of
several other General Plan Elements, to achieve a mix of uses in the Santa Clarita Valley. The use
of open space should be considered in terms of a comprehensive planning strategy for growth and
development. Land Use Element policies mandate that the City establish an open space district,
with funding capability, to acquire and maintain land suitable for conservation and open space use.
Several groups and agencies share an interest in open space management in the Santa Clarita
Valley, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game, Santa
Monica Mountains Conservancy, Friends of the Santa Clara River, Santa Clarita Oak Conservancy,
private land owners, sand and gravel companies, oil and mineral extraction operators, the
construction trades, SCOPE, and City residents.
The designation of open space areas Is needed to preserve the special natural features which
define the Santa Clarita planning area and give it its distinct form, Identity, and aesthetic character.
These natural features include significant ridgelines, natural waterways, ecological resources and
ecosystems, and sensitive flora/fauna habitat areas in the planning area. Many of these features
are associated with natural hazards, and should be designated as open space to ensure public
health, safety and welfare in these areas.
ANALYSIS:
The General Plan sets forth specific actions to implement the Open Space and Conservation
Element, including the following: A checklist of open space and conservation resources to evaluate
proposed development; resource protection guidelines; open space zoning; transfer of development
rights; land acquisition fund; and development design criteria. The City has the ability to acquire
open space through the application of the following: Implementation of the Ridgeline Preservation
and Hillside Development Ordinance; designation of Open Space zoning; special setbacks;
development agreements; special standards districts; and the clustering of structures on proposed
pcvaltem:.
hillside developments. The City has investigated the various funding sources available to purchase
and develop land for open space and recreational purposes, including grants from the Habitat
Conservation fund, and Proposition "A" monies. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Department is currently preparing a Parks and Recreation Master Pian, which will include provisions
for open space acquisition and management.
The Open Space and Conservation Element is not necessarily Intended to preclude access or
eliminate development. It can be effectively used as a resource management tool. Open space can
provide a natural buffer to more intensive land uses, or create a subtle transition between dissimilar
or conflicting land uses. Open space can also provide opportunities for recreational activities,
ensure present and future productivity and utility of valuable mineral/oil resources, protect the
quality and quantity of local water resources, and preserve sensitive species and their habitats.
Finite resources are consumed on a continuous basis due to our standard of living, and
conservation efforts are a valuable way to reduce our reliance on limited resources such as water,
electricity, and fossil fuels. The General Plan encourages land conservation as well, and the use
of available conservation technology. Resource conservation methods and practices currently
include reduction, reuse, and recycling. Open space can be used as a land conservation method
to preserve aesthetic, historical, and culturally significant resources which contribute to community
identity and a sense of history.
As development occurs in the Santa Clartta Valley, opportunities will arise to acquire open space
to accomplish General Plan goals. The City has already worked with developers to obtain open
space land and easements through the development review and approval process. Since
Incorporation, the City has negotiated for or obtained open space associated with the following
projects: Begonias Lane Park, the Valley Gateway project (including Beale's Cut, a State historic
landmark), the North Hills project, the Porta Bella project, Weston\Landmark project (including a
future park and library site adjacent to Canyon High School), and various multi-purpose trails. The
City is also currently working with various land owners to acquire property and/or easements to
implement the Santa Clara River Trail project. A formal acquisition and management mechanism
is needed to administer open space as it becomes available. Consideration should be given to the
formation of a joint powers authority which Includes another agency (or agencies) to manage open
space resources.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and discuss.
Attachments:
1. October 15, 1991, memo from Jeff Kolin to the City Manager and City Council
2. List of General Plan policies supporting the creation of an open space management
mechanism
advl. f.mj,
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO City Manager
City Council
FROM: Jeff Kolin, Deputyityr, Parks and Recreation
DATE:: October 15, 1991
SUBJECT:. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE STRATEGY
Preservation of open space has been a high priority with the residents of the Santa Clarita Vallev.
Telephone surveys, public forums, focus groups and strategic planning processes have all confirmed
the community's interest in preserving significant ridgelines, hillsides and open space areas.
The City Council authorized a study of the Santa Clara River to determine what should be done with
the river to enhance its potential for water features and recreational uses. The consensus planning
process used in the River Study helped formulate a clear picture of what the community would like to
see this important open space asset be in the future. One of the most strongly expressed desires of the
planning process and citizen's committee was to acquire and preserve the open space represented by the
River.
The City Council requested staff to begin researching methods and techniques to acquire and preserve
open space in the City. Tonight's Study Session will highlight a number of possible alternatives for
open space acquisition and maintenance as well as present a comprehensive process for planning for
open space preservation and acquisition, regulation of development to protect and acquire open space,
acquisition alternatives and regional approaches to the acquisition and maintenance of open space..
The League of California Cities published an excellent series of work books entitled, 'Building
Sustainable Communities.' One entire volume is dedicated to Open Space: Preservation and
Acquisition. A copy of the introduction to the work book is contained in Attachment L It highlights
many of the issues which will be discussed this evening and identifies many of the opportunities present
through a coordinated open space acquisition and maintenance strategy.
A brief presentation will also be made by Scott Parker, Project Manager for the Western Region of the
Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Land is a non-profit land trust which works with units of
government to acquire land for open space. Information on the Trust for Public Land and one of its
recent projects is contained in Attachment II.
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 2
ELEh1ENTS-OF_AN OPEN 5 -ACF ADQU SITIQN STRATEGY
Planning to determine what is open space within our community• i
developing an overall os an essential step in the process of
pen space strategy. A mission statement should be developed for the open
space program which clearly communicates the program's goals and objectives, The process should
include development of criteria and a grading system to review possible. acquisitions for openspace.
Criteria which will be used for to determine whether a property .should he acquired for open space
should follow naturally from the program mission statement. The environmental values of the
proposed acquisition, public access to the parcel, possible environmental hazards, legal issues,.
stewardship or maintenance costs and consistency with the program mission and mals should all be
included,
An inventory of the existing open space resources within the Santa CWita Valley is already been
undertaken as a part of the City's General Plan. The Open Space and Conservation Element of the
General Plan includes some of the criteria necessary to help define open space in our community. An
overview of the open space resources has also been mapped, as part of the General Plan efforts: A
much more detailed assessment of the open space should be completed which includes the habitatand
resource values of each parcel. Another possible option would be to establish urban growth boundaries
for future development. Growth boundaries can be used to identify agricultural lands, open space and
park land. Some of these urban growth boundaries may have already been established through the
creation of national forests, state parks, SEA's and purchases of park land by the Santa Monica
Mountains Conservancy.
The second major element of an open space strategy involves the use of regulatory powers and
techniques. The primary focus of this area is contained in the City's General Plan and its zoning
ordinances or unified development ordinances. Establishment of zoning to protect open space is
critical to the overall strategy. The use of open space zoning, agricultural zoning, overlay zones and
special standards zones or performance zoning can help protect important environmental features while
encouraging the development of a diversity of housing types and land uses.
The Santa Clara River Recreation and Water Features Study also recommended establishing buffer'
zones or special standards districts for the preservation of riparian corridors and wetlands. As part of
the City's Open Space and Acquisiton Strategy it may be desirable to develop and adopt a wetland and
flood plain protection ordinance, special standards districts, or riparian corridors. These types of
measures should be carefully crafted to avoid possible inverse condemnation issues. Land owners still
must retain rights to develop properties at their currently zoned levels if the City is to avoid purchasing
the property. .
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 3
Development Impact Fees are another form of regulation which can be mcorpor.acd into open sp;iar
acquisition. Development Impact Fees are the latest step in the continuing process of ,blltine the calf
for facilities from the community at large to those who benefit. The. City is currcntle emplovmg the'
consulting firm of RechtHausrath and Associates to establish a program ofimpsct fees. 'I hes Fees
could include funds to be used for the acquisition of open space and park land.
The third step in an open space acquisition strategy is the acquisition of the actual open space, !slant
open space preservation strategies are currently in use in California, each (if them being effective in
varying degrees. Some strategies are more effective for preserving large parcels of land when limited
resources are available for acquisition purposes, and other strategies are more effective when funds are
needed to maintain and operate the open space as well as acquire it. Attachment III provides a matrix
for identifying in summary form a number of different acquisition and operational strategies and lists
some of the disadvantages and advantages for each strategy:
The next portion of this report is a discussion of some of the open space preservation strategies that can
be used in the Santa Clarita Valley, including comments on their advantages and disadvantages_ [t is
not anticipated that any single strategy by itself will provide the maximum benefit for open space
preservation and acquisition. Staff feels that a coordinated effort using almost all of the strategies at
one time or another in different situations will provide the Santa Clarita Valley the best opportunity to
preserve and protect its natural resources, and better manage its growth.
Preservation of open space may take several forms, only one of which is outright acquisition by fee
simple. Private corporations, conservation groups and private land holders may still hold fee title, but
are restricted from developing the land through assignment of development rights to others, prior
agreements, conservation easements, etc., thus preserving the open space without the need to spend
public funds for acquisition.
There are many types of open space. Small open space parcels adjacent to development are desirable
to preserve as scenic outlooks, wildlife corridors or hedges against further development. While these
Parcels are desirable to preserve, they are distinct from larger open space preserves which are usually
characterized as a wildlife land area comprised of a single parcel of land or a group of contiguous
parcels. This open space preserve is generally acquired to protect the natural resources of the area for
the benefit of present and future generations. A good example of this type of open space acquisition is
the proposed Santa Clarity Woodlands Park.
Certainly both types of open space are desirable to preserve in the Santa Clarita Valley, but often
different types of preservation strategies are most suitable for their preservation. Open space should be
evaluated according to the City's established criteria and goals for open space to determine whether
public funds should be spent for their acquisition and long term maintenance.
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 4
REC.9MMENDED OPEN SPACE ACOUISITION AIF THODS FOR 1141, ,SAN FA CLARI
\ ,ALLEY
I. Donation - Outright donation can be an effective strategy for preserving a desirable parcel of
open space: The obvious limitation of this strategy is that land in the ,Santa Clarita Valley is
very valuable and the landowners are seldom willing to donate it for public use without some
trade for development rights, zoning or other financial consideration.
2. Homeowner's Associations - Often the slopes in canyon areas that are adjacent to new
development are cared for and owned by homeowner's associations. This preservation strateLy
provides a distinct advantage to the City in that no City revenues are associated with the
preservation, and there is no liability exposure to the City, The downside is that there is
limited regulation of how these areas are maintained, and there is limited access, except in
those cases where a trail easement is identified and acquired during the approval process.
Access to these areas is generally not required as they are usually buffer zones and viewscape
improvements only. It is possible to place an underlying LMD under the homeowner's
association open space preservation, which can become activated if the homeowner's
association fails, disbands, or fails in its maintenance responsibilities.
3. Conservation Easement - There are instances when there is no need for public access to a
piece of property; that is, no need for tails or parking. However, the City would like to see the
property preserved as a scenic backdrop and would consider a conservation or open space
easement, in which the City would acquire only the development rights and preclude any future
disturbance to the land. This is less costly to the City, yet preserves the natural habitat. This
conservation easement provides a tax relief to the fee holder because the parcel is reassessed,
yet the City benefits from the property remaining on the tax roll. Access to the property is
only available by permission of the fee holder on a case-by-case basis. Liability and
maintenance and operations are the responsibility of the property owner.
4. Trail Easements - When public access is necessary, the City can acquire a trail easement
only. This strategy does not prevent future development, but does provide access. The fee
holder retains maintenance and operations responsibilities, liability exposure and does not
receive the tax relief that a conservation easement provides. This lack of tax relief is a benefit
to the City.
5. Leasebacks - This strategy is used when a rather large piece of property, say 100 acres
including a ten acre section of ranch buildings, i
City could buy ths targeted for open space preservation. The
e entire property and lease back the developed ten acre site for a long period
of time, or the owner could retain a life estate. This strategy requires funding for both
acquisition and operations and maintenance, and has liability exposure.
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 5
6; Bargain Sale -This presersation and acqutsitiori technique iS used when the landowner dctitreS
the tax advantage which is secured when selling the land for less than market value and chloro
the balance of the v;due i6 a charttihle contribution. This strategy requires the owner to iilx:un
an appraisal on his own because tax laws preclude the purchaser from being involved in the
appraisal. This strategy requires funding for both acquisition and maintenance and operations.
and of course has liahility exposure- The obvious advantage to the City is the reduct•d
acquisition cost.
7,. Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Council {WHEC) - This newly formed preservation Ivroup
demonstrates the concept of a non-profit conservation group working in partnership with
corporations to manage their undeveloped lands. In this concept, large parcels of wildland are,i
are jointly preserved by corporations and conservation groups for wildlife habitat enhancement
purposes. The fee title remains in corporate hands or may be shifted to the conservation
group. The intent of WHEC is to be a broad based group, not owned by any single compar%
or conservation group. Since corporations own one quarter of the U,S. land base; this stratc2%
could be a useful tool in an overall preservation. strategy, This strategy generally offers public
access, yet does not impact City revenues for either acquisition or maintenance and operations.
8. Landscape Maintenance Districts - Generally, this strategy is used to fund operations and
maintenance costs for medians and side panels in developed areas. However, it can also he
used to preserve open space around and within developments. This strategy is most often used
when new development occurs and a portion of the development is being dedicated as open
space to a publicly held LIVID. This strategy provides access, revenues for operations and
maintenance and generally all the rights associated with outright ownership. This strategy is
generally limited to smaller areas adjacent to new development and brings liability
responsibility, but has no impact on general fund monies.
9• Bond Act - When general fund monies are limited and the City is aggressively pursuing an
open space acquisition strategy, a Bond Act is an effective strategy. This is accomplished
through a local or statewide election and when successful, provides funds for immediate
purchase of desirable lands. Some drawbacks to this process are the sometimes risky, costly
and drawnout ballot process; and the fact that the interest on the bonds can make this an
expensive strategy. However, a local electorate firmly behind open space preservation and
growth management may be favorably disposed to adopting such an initiative,
10, Grants - Grant funds and federal programs which provide funds for open space acquisition are
a valuable means of preserving open space. Frequently these funds are available on a matching
basis and therefore require a general fund commitment. While this strategy reduces local
government capital outlay, it is a competitive process and cannot be depended upon for any
long term preservation strategy. An additional disadvantage of grants is that they frequently
require that funds only be used for acquisition and not for operations and maintenance of the
open space. This strategy can play an important role in an overall preservation plan.
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 6
I I. SEA - Significant ecological area are designated by the County of Los Angeles through its
SEATAC Committee_ Signifi
ficant ecological areas are designated to help preserve particularly
valuable hahttat and wildlife areas. SEA's establish a goal of limiting development in order -to
preserve the open space, However, there have been numerous examples where the land use
authority, such as the Board of Supervisors, has decided to permit development within SEA's.
II Trust for Public Land Non-profit land trusts such as the Trust for Public Land can work
cooperatively with local governments to help acquire options for the purchase of property at
bargain rates. A non-profit land trust negotiates with private property owners to acquire tracts
of open space and then transfers ownership of the land at or below the appraised value.
13. Open Space District - One strategy that appears to have some of the advantages required for a
long term open space acquisition strategy is the formation of an Open Space District. This
strategy provides funds for operations and maintenance as well as acquisition, provides an
ongoing source of revenue for long term planning.
The creation of an open space district does not require the use of general fund monies for
acquisition purposes, yet in most circumstances allows the placement of open space lands
acquired through Genreal Fund, Grants, Bond Acts, etc., into the district itself, The proposal
and legislation are outlined below.
Prop ca - Under existing state law, a regional park and open space district could be
established in Los Angeles County to address our growing park, recreation and open
space needs. The proposed regional district could raise funds to acquire, improve,
operate and maintain park, beach, recreation and open space lands throughout the
County. Under the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, a regional park and open space
district may form a special assessment district to levy a per parcel assessment for park,
recreation and open space purposes.
The proposed Los Angeles County Regional and Open Space District would be
county -wide and would include all incorporated and unincorporated areas. Funds raised
by the district would be allocated to all areas within the district, including all cities, and
would be used primarily to acquire and improve land for park, beach, recreation and
open space purposes. Voter approval is required to form the regional district and to levy
the assessment.
Funds raised through a landscape and lighting assessment district could be used to secure
issuance of a bond for land acquisition and improvements. Proceeds from assessments
could also help fund annual operations and maintenance costs. A special benefit
assessment must be directly related to the amount of benefit received by those property
owners being assessed; it is therefore not a property tax under Article 13A of the
California Constitution; A county -wide regional park and open space district would
benefit everyone in the County, as all funds generated would be spent throughout the
County,
City Manager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15. 1991
Page 7
Legislation - Senate Bill 659 (Hill) has been introduced to amend the Regional Open
Space Law (Public Resources Code See. 5500) to address they specific; needs of Lot
Angeles County in forming a regional park and open space district_ Key provisions
of SB 659 would; require voter approval to form the district and levy the
assessment, combine the elections for formation of the district and levying of the
assessment; require allocations of fundsgenerated to all cities within the district; and
require presentation of a specific expenditure plans to the voters.
The original, draft of this bill provided that individual cities could choose to exclude themselves from
the District. The Slvib4C has indicated that legal problems have surfaced which prohibit the abilnv of
the cities to exclude themselves, so all incorporated and unincorporated areas of the Countv' x ill he
included in this District should the initiative pass.
A number of thoughts arise when considering this initiative:
a. Who would be the: governing body? The County Board of Supervisors is identified as the
governing body of this District.
b. The creation of the District and the creation of the Benefits Assessment District per the 1972
LLA require a 50% majority vote of the electorate.
C, Can the City join with non profits to purchase open space in unincorporated areas and then
deed the land to the District? Yes, but the City would then have operations and maintenance
responsibilities for that land.
d. Does this prohibit formation of a special park and open space district locally? Yes, the
preliminary indication is that the Regional District would prevail. Staff has not secured a legal
opinion on this matter, however.
e. What does this cost the voters? While final figures are not completed, the estimate is
somewhere between $26 to $30 per parcel per year.
f. How much money will go to the City? $1,500,000 plus per capita M&O money and possible
inclusion of special regional projects.
14. Establish a Municipal Land Trust _ similar to a non-profit land trust; this technique is to
establish a land trust with a more focused mission. This would involve possible combination of
City resources with those of other partners wishing to participate in an effort toward
community wide open space acquisition. This new non profit organization would then manage
the combined assets in order to acquire options on possible open space acquisition properties.
City Alanager.('ity Council
Open Space Acquisition
October 15, 1991
Page 9
15. Transfer of Development Rights - 'Transfer of development rights is a devise by which the
development potential of a site- is severed from its title and made available for transfer to
another location. The owner of a site within the transfer area retains property ownership, but
not approval to develop. The owner of a site within the receiving area may purchase
transferable development rights, allowing a receptor site to be developed at greater density..
TDR allows transfer of development away from environmentally sensitive areas to areas where
development is more appropriate. This may be particularly useful for protecting sensitive lands
or agricultural lands.
16. Establishment of a Local Park, Recreation or Open Space District - The City may choose to
form its own park, recreation and/or open space district if the Los Angeles County Park,
Beaches and Recreation Act fails to receive approval from the electorate. The process
necessary to form a local district is similar to that explained for the Countywide district. The
boundaries of the local park, recreation and open space district can include areas outside of the
city limits_ State legislative sponsorship as well as approval of the County Supervisors for
County unincorporated areas is a requirement of the formation process.
Regional approaches such as the Los Angeles County Park, Beach and Recreation Act are
another way of preserving open space. Joint Powers Authorities can be formed which involve
the cooperation of existing units of government in order to acquire open space. There are
several examples of such joint powers authorities such as; the Mountains Recreation and
Conservation Authority, the Conejo Open Space and Conservation Authority and several more
in the northern California area. One possible area for the development of a joint powers
authority is the extended preservation, planning and development of recreational features for
the Santa Clara River, This potential joint powers authority would include the County of Los
Angeles, the County of Ventura and the cities of Santa Clarita, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Oxnard
and San Buenaventura.
Public information and education area also important parts of an overall open space and
acquisition and maintenance strategy. Sponsorship of a local open space conference is one way
of focusing public support and educating citizens on the importance of open space
preservation. Several civic groups have already undertaken to support the County's
designation of SEA'S. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has also hosted a conference
recently on wildlife corridors.
The Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments are also working together with the
Pride Committee to develop a program of environmental education foruse in parks and
schools. These types of outreach efforts and educational programs are critical to the
development of a constituency in the future. The Parks and Recreation Department is also
working to develop a series of tours, educational programs and outdoor adventure programs to
help increase our citizen's awareness of the value of open space.
Clty Ntunager/City Council
Open Space Acquisition
Octoher 15, 1991
Page 9
RLCOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the City Council:
Direct staff to begin preparation of a Comprehensive Open Space Acquisition, Preservation and
Maintenance Program.
'- Support the Los Angeles County Park. Beach and Recreation Act as a regional resource for
open space acquisition and maintenance.
3. Authorize use of the Trust for Public Land to begin negotiating options for the acquisition of
high priority open space within the Santa Clarita Valley.
4. Direct Community Development and Parks and Recreation Departments to work together to
establish a wetlands and Flood plain protection ordinance, a program of development impact
fees for acquisition of park land and open space, and special standard zones for hillsides,
ridgelines and riparian areas.
5. Authorize staff to begin work on a local Park and Open Space District formation process
should the LA County Parks, Beaches and Recreation Act fail to be enacted.
JCK:gmrn
OPEN SPAC
Attachment I - Open Space: Preservation and Acquisition
Attachment II - Trust For Public Land Background
Attachment III - Financing and Acquisition Options
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR
OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT
OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT
(1.1) Utilize major environmental features (significant landforms, significant ridgelines,
significant vegetation, ecologically significant areas, other natural resources) as
open space within the planning area.
(1.5) Investigate, develop and prepare a long-term plan to consolidate and acquire open
space using one or more of the following options to maintain viable natural
ecosystems in conjunction with the orderly development of the planning area: open
space easements; dedication of development rights; joint powers authority; open
space district; City ownership and management by the Parks and Recreation
Department; Homeowners Associations; and/or Landscape Maintenance Districts.
(1.6) Link buffer areas, wherever possible, to provide for contiguous areas of open space.
(1.8) Identify and prioritize open space lands which should be held In public trust and
seek acquisition and the means to gain control of such land, Including Santa Clarita
Woodlands State Park.
(1.9) Establish the Santa Clara River and Its tributaries, when appropriate, as a major
centralized open space corridor linking a variety of public recreation and open space
uses.
(1.14) Encourage the preservation of the National Forest and open spaces surrounding the
City through regular meetings with the Los Angeles County Regional Planning
Department, alliances with other Cities and environmental groups, and utilizing our
congressional and state legislative delegations.
(3.4) Consolidate open space areas that represent regionally significant wildlife corridors
to promote continued wildlife productivity and diversity on a regional scale, and
restrict development and Intensive human activity In areas which sustain rare or
endangered species, such as migratory birds, fish, and rare plant species.
(3.7) Preserve, to the extent feasible, natural riparian habitat and ensure that adequate
setback is provided between riparian habitat and surrounding urbanization.
(4.2) Facilitate the acquisition of park and open space sites through grants, budget
allocations, exactions, and other Innovative techniques.
(4.4) Encourage the cohesive development of trails and open space as a unified system,
contiguous throughout the City and planning area with linkages to county, state,
federal, and other parklands and trail systems.
(5.1) Integrate natural hazard areas, such as floodways, seismic fault zones, and unstable
soils, Into the open space network.
(6.1) Use open space to buffer potentially valuable mineral resource areas from future
residential and other sensitive land uses.
(10.5) Integrate historic sites with recreational and open space areas whenever possible.
LAND USE ELEMENT
(1.10) Consider the establishment of additional SEA's where unique environmental or
geological conditions exist or may be created by future land uses.
(1.11) Establish an open space district with funding capability to acquire parcels that may
be suitable for development.
(Goal 2) To achieve the development of a well-balanced, financially sound, and functional mix
of residential, commercial, industrial, open space, recreational, institutional, and
educational land uses.
(2.8) Explore the use of utility rights-of-way for tree farms, nurseries, row crops, trails,
and greenbelts.
(2.9) Encourage the development of equestrian -oriented housing in areas that are
presently equestrian -oriented, and ensure that other surrounding land uses are
compatible with the adjacent equestrian zones.
(2.10) Establish an open space district with funding capability to acquire parcels that may
not be suitable for development.
(2.12) Promote the retention of open space to preserve significant ridgellnes, to provide
land use buffers, and to provide for both public safety and oak tree preservation.
(2.13) Encourage the preservation of the Angeles National Forest and Los Padres National
Forest as an open space reserve close to the urban interface, and an important'
wildlife habitat and corridor.
(3.7) Continue the established pattern of attractive greenbelts, golf courses, open space,
(including the protection of adjacent significant ecological areas), and
entertainment/recreational amenities along Interstate 5, and promote a similar
pattern along State Route 14 to strengthen and enhance the Image of the City as a
pleasant and fun place to live, work, visit, and play.
(4.1) Establish a land use pattern that Is constructed around a framework of established
greenbelts and a linear system of equestrian, pedestrian and bike trails tied to the
primary network of the river corridor.
(4.2) Promote the development of key gateway design identification measures that will
promote a positive community Image and Implement community design themes
there appropriate.
(4.3) Encourage setbacks, landscaping, or other measures to provide physical and visual
buffers between land uses to minimize potential land use conflicts between
dissimilar uses.
(4.12) Maintain and enhance the desirable rural qualities found In the certain existing
neighborhoods which are rural In character, such as Placerita Canyon and Sand
Open Space Goals and Policies
Page 3
Canyon, and Hasley Canyon.
(4.17) Promote the development of greenscape corridors and setbacks along major streets
and arterials.
(Goal 5) To provide protection of the environmental setting and habitat through the location
of land uses and the use of sensitive design.
(5.1) Allow only responsible and sensitive development of hillside areas and prohibit
development on ridgeling designated as "Significant Ridgelines".
(5.3) New development must be sensitive to the significant ecological areas (SEA'S)
through utilization of creative site planning techniques to avoid and minimize
disturbance of these and other sensitive areas.
(5.4) Discourage the removal of a Hillside Management overlay designation In
unincorporated areas when urbanization proposals are made for such areas, and
work with the County to develop reasonable and workable standards to provide for
both urban and nonurban development.
(5.8) Preserve and protect designated wildlife corridors from undue encroachment and
disruption.
(5.9) Promote the acquisition of significant ecological areas with the Intent of preserving
them as natural open space.
(5.10) Promote the concept that development and circulation Improvements should not
adversely affect wildlife corridors.
HOUSING ELEMENT
(7.1) Restrict housing development In areas containing Important natural resources
consistent with other goals and policies pertaining to natural resource areas.
(7.2) Encourage clustering or grouping of structures within areas containing Important
natural resources In order to preserve those resources.
(7.4) Require residential projects situated In mountainous terrain to preserve mayor
rldgellnes and other significant environmental features.
(7.5) Designate areas of restricted development due to their highly sensitive natural
characteristics; such areas Include significant ecological areas, mountain rldgellnes,
and water resources.
COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT
Open Space Goals and Policies
Page 4
(2.8) Develop performance and design standards for buffer areas at the interface between
uses.
(3.3) Encourage the establishment of mixed use and village commercial centers
throughout the planning area and provide opportunities for plazas, urban open
spaces, and the effective use of street furniture in downtown areas.
(Goal 5) To preserve and Integrate the prominent and distinctive natural features of the
community as open space for the use and visual enjoyment of all City residents.
(5.1) Retain designated major landforrns, such as ridgelines, natural drainage ways,
streams, rivers, valleys, and significant vegetation, especially where these features
contribute to the overall community identity.
(6.5) Promote the concept of a network of neighborhood parks and open space areas;
where possible Integrate neighborhood parks with a larger communitywide system;
Incorporate jogging and hiking trails, bicycle paths, and equestrian trail links
wherever possible.
(6.6) Promote the preservation and enhancement of open space and recreational uses
tied to the Santa Clara River Corridor as Identified in the Land Use Element.
(6.7) Promote visual and physical buffers, where appropriate, by use of easements,
roadways, trails, ridgelines, and other features, to delineate various communities in
the valley.
(6.8) To the extent possible, promote the development of equestrian trails in river and
stream channels and other open space areas away from urbanization and to connect
with trails In the national forest In addition to locations within and adjacent to road
easements.
(9.8) Promote sensitive landscape treatment of fuel modification zones between
development and open space areas.
(9.10) Promote the establishment of landscape maintenance districts, homeowner
association, assessment district, property owners assessment district or other
methods to maintain open space and slope areas around residential areas.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
(2.8) Assist In planning for the need to balance City environmental and permit processes
with the objectives of economic development.
(2.9) Develop a Public Financing Plan for the General Plan which balances funding from
all sources to meet City goals and policies. Include Federal, State and Local Funds,
grants, fees, exactions, and special financing techniques.
Open Space Goals and Policies
Page 5
PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT
(1.5) Promote the integration of the network of trails and open space to provide linkages
to parks within and outside the planning area.
(1.6) Use every opportunity to obtain land and facilities as it becomes available and/or
ahead of need and hold, or landbank, for subsequent improvement to meet future
park and recreation needs. Establish an open space district for the purpose of
acquiring park and open space land.
(1.7) Actively encourage support where practical, for the acquisition of the lands of the
Santa Clarita Woodlands Park.
(2.5) Explore alternative funding sources for the acquisition and development of new
parks and recreation/open space districts.
(Goal 5) Utilize the Santa Clara River as a central recreational corridor and Identify other
significant natural features to be designated as open spaces, parks, and recreational
opportunities.
(5.4) Investigate and Implement, where appropriate, buffer zones between sensitive
ecological areas and proposed development.
(5.6) Encourage development of a linear greenway system.
(6.4) Provide design guidelines for the preservation of natural resources.
(7.1) Establish a valley -wide regional trail system complete with staging areas and trail
heads which link City parks, wilderness open space areas, regional parks, and the
trail system.
(7.15) Public open space acquisitions shall be designed to provide trail segments to
accommodate public access.
(7.16) Private open space areas shall be conditioned to provide public trail easements at
appropriate locations.
SAFETY ELEMENT
(1.10) Promote open space and recreational uses in designated floodzones unless the
hazard can be adequately mitigated.
(4.5) Provide fire resistant landscaped buffer zones between high risk fire hazard areas
and urban development, and restrict access from development Into the wilderness
areas during periods of high fire risk.
(4.7) Development in or adjacent to wilderness/chaparral areas should have a fuel
Open Space Goals and Policies
Page 6
modification zone to minimize the risk of wildfire as appropriate, Fuel modification
areas should be encouraged in the forest areas when adjacent to residential
development.
(4.10) Evaluate the need for fire-resistant buffer zones for existing developments located
In high risk fire hazard areas.
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