HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - RIVENDALE PARK OPEN SPACE PLAN (2)Agenda Item: 9
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: September 10, 2013
SUBJECT: RIVENDALE PARK AND OPEN SPACE CONCEPTUAL
MASTER PLAN
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the Rivendale Park and Open Space Conceptual Master Plan.
BACKGROUND
Since the City acquired the Rivendale property in 1995, its use has been limited primarily to
trailhead and trail access for the adjacent Towsley Canyon Open Space. The 60 -acre property
serves as a buffer between the state's major north -south transporation corridor and the 3,000 -acre
Santa Clarita Woodlands, which includes Towsley Canyon. Due to the site's visibility from
Interstate 5 and direct access from The Old Road, it has potential for development as a venue for
events or for park and recreation amentities.
In recent years, several individuals, event promoters, and groups have shown interest in seeing
the development of cultural or historical interpretive areas at the site. In the FY 2012-2013
Capital Improvement Program Budget, the City Council authorized the expenditure of funds for a
public participation process and master plan of the Rivendale property.
RRM Design Group (RRM) was selected from among 15 qualified firms that responded to the
City's request for proposals to prepare the Master Plan for the site. Staff worked closely with
RRM to develop a communications plan that reached a broad cross-section of the community.
Initial community outreach included three focus group meetings, a public meeting, and a site
tour. Using the initial public input, two master plan alternatives were developed and presented in
a second round of meetings. These meetings included a follow-up focus group meeting, a second
public meeting, and a presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission. Staff made additional presentations to internal stakeholders, the Sierra Club, and
the West Ranch Town Council. Forty-five property owners located within a 1,000 foot radius of
the site received notices of all public meetings. Finally, a website was developed to provide
project updates to the community and provide a means for additional public input. In all, the
project outreach effort included ten public participation events attended by over 100 individuals.
Staff believes that the final concept plan fairly represents the community's vision while also
minimizing impacts on the environment and overall character of the site. The plan identifies
improvements on approximately 14 acres of the 60 -acre property, leaving the majority of the site
in its natural state. As proposed, the master plan increases parking from the existing 100 spaces
to approximately 310 spaces, and adds over 2.5 miles of new trails, trailhead enhancements, a
cultural/educational use area that reflects the Native American culture, an amphitheatre with
300-400 fixed seats, and an informal turf seating area. The plan also features three passive use
"meadows" designed to accomodate informal recreational use, outdoor classroom use, or as
festival space for arts, crafts, or musical events. Finally, the centrally -located park hub would
feature a covered gathering area, educational exhibits, and an informational kiosk with a
restroom immediately adjacent.
Implementation of the master plan will require funding for design, preparation of environmental
documents, obtaining permits from regulatory agencies, and preparing construction plans and
specifications. Included in the permitting process, a Conditional Use Permit will be sought, in
compliance with the City's zoning requirements.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
Rivendale Conceptual Plan
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