Designation of St. Joseph's Hill & Novitiate Park Open Spaces as Priority Conservation areas!ps GA��S
DATE:
TO:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 02/17/15
ITEM NO: 5
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF ST.
JOSEPH'S HILL AND THE NOVITIATE PARK OPEN SPACES AS
PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS THROUGH MIDPENINSULA OPEN
SPACE DISTRICT APPLICATION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA
GOVERNMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution supporting the designation of St. Joseph's Hill and the Novitiate Park open
spaces as Priority Conservation Areas (PCA) through Midpeninsula Open Space District
(Midpen) Application to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).
BACKGROUND:
In July 2013, the ABAG Executive Board and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
approved Plan Bay. Area, a long -range, integrated transportation and land - use/housing strategy
through 2040 for the San Francisco Bay Area. Plan Bay Area includes the designation of PCAs
to balance housing and transportation demands with the need to preserve the region's diverse
farming, recreational, scenic, and natural resource lands and their many ecological values and
ecosystem functions for future generations.
PCAs are intended to identify lands of conservation significance that are broadly supported by
the public and local jurisdictions to be eligible for future PCA Program funding and potentially
other conservation based funding. PCA designations are strictly for grant funding purposes only,
to identify lands of key open space importance that merit grant funding. PCAs are neither
regulatory in nature, nor do they have any effect on local land use or zoning designations or
future local land use decisions. They are, however, intended to align with and build upon local
General Plan strategies for open space conservation to remain consistent with local policies and
objectives.
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY �" 1 ` a
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: (Assistant Town Manager own Attorney
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF ST.
JOSEPH'S HILL AND THE NOVITIATE PARK OPEN SPACES AS
PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS THROUGH MIDPENINSULA
OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPLICATION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF
BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
BACKGROUND (cont'd):
Midpen approached the Town regarding two Town open spaces that are adjacent to open space
controlled by Midpen. Both St. Joseph's Hill and the Novitiate Park connect with Midpen
controlled properties for which they will be seeking PCA designation.
DISCUSSION:
Staff met with Midpen to discuss the process and the reasons behind pursuing the PCA
designation. Ultimately the PCA designation creates no burden on the Town properties, but may
provide greater opportunities in the future for grant funding to retain the open space and provide
access in the way of improvements to trail systems and pursuing designation in conjunction with
Midpen will demonstrate the established partnership and cohesiveness of the adjacent open
spaces.
Staff brought this effort to the Parks Commission at their February meeting. The Parks
Commission was generally supportive, but did want to ensure that limitations were not placed on
the Town property or on adjacent property owners. As mentioned above, the PCAs are not
regulatory in nature and do not affect local land use or zoning designations.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Council adopt a resolution supporting the designation of St. Joseph's
Hill and the Novitiate Park open spaces as PCAs through Midpen application to the Association
of Bay Area Governments.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is a not a project as defined under CEQA and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No expenditures are required as a result of this action.
Attachment:
1. Resolution
2. Proposal letter dated January 29, 2015 from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
RESOLUTION 2015-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF ST. JOSEPH'S HILL AND THE NOVITIATE
PARK OPEN SPACES THROUGH MIDPENINSULA OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
APPLICATION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS
WHEREAS, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has established Priority
Conservation Areas (PCA) as an integral part of Plan Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, PCAs are intended to identify lands of conservation significance that are
broadly supported by the public and local jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, PCA designation will provide enhanced grant opportunities for
improvements to designated open spaces; and
WHEREAS, Midpeninsula Open Space Authority ( Midpen) is seeking PCA designation
for lands adjacent to the Town's St Joseph's Hill and Novitiate Park open spaces; and
WHEREAS, the Town supports the designation of St. Joseph's Hill and Novitiate open
spaces as PCAs in conjunction with the Midpen application
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos supports and endorses the designation of St. Joseph's and Novitiate Park open spaces and
adjacent Midpen open space designation as PCAs.
ATTACHMENTI
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the 17`h of February 2015 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
GENERAL MANAGER
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January 29, 2015
Town Manager Greg Larson
Town of Los Gatos
Office of Town Manager
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
SUBJECT: Proposed Priority Conservation Area within the Town of Los Gatos
Dear Town Manager Larson:
In July 2013, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Executive Board and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC) approved Plan Bay Area, a long - range, integrated transportation and
land - use/housing strategy through 2040 for the San Francisco Bay Area, Plan Bay Area includes the
designation of Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) to balance housing and transportation demands with
the need to preserve the region's diverse fanning, recreational, scenic, and natural resource lands and their
many ecological values and ecosystem functions for future generations.
PCAs are intended to identify lands of conservation significance that are broadly supported by the public
and local jurisdictions to be eligible for future PCA Program funding and potentially other conservation-
based funding. PCA designations are strictly for grant funding purposes only, to identify lands of key
open space importance that merit grant funding. PCAs are neither regulatory in nature, nor do they have
any effect on local land use or zoning designations or future local land use decisions. They are, however,
intended to align with and build upon local General Plan strategies for open space conservation to remain
consistent with local policies and objectives.
PCAs are of high importance to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ( Midpen), as these
designations will affect future funding opportunities for land conservation and recreation on the
Peninsula. Midpen is reaching out to the Town of Los Gatos at this time to notify you of the PCA
designation that is being considered within your jurisdiction, for which Midpen has already initiated
conversations with staff from the Town's Community Development Department and Parks and Public
Works Department (see Attachment 1 for PCA Map and Attachment 2 for PCA description). Over the
next three (3) months, Midpen will continue to work alongside Community Development and Parks and
Public Works to further develop and refine the PCA to ensure that the PCA is aligned with the Town's
conservation strategies. Midpen anticipates submitting an application to ABAG by the May 30'h deadline
for PCA nominations.
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ATTACHMENT
If you have questions about the PCA Program and Midpen's proposed PCA within Los Gatos, please do
not hesitate in contacting me at (650) 691 -1200 or via email at SAbbors @openspace.org.
Sincerely Yours,
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Stephen E. Abhors
General Manager
Attachments: Map of proposed PCA within Los Gatos
Table of proposed PCA designation
CC (email): Joanna Bullock, Association of Bay Area Governments
Laurel Preveni, Assistant Town Manager /Community Development Director, Town of Los Gatos
Matt Morley, Parks and Public Works Director, Town of Los Gatos
ATTACHMENT
Proposed PCA within Town of Los Gatos
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