Full Text
Environmental Quality Committee Parks and Recreation Commission Joint Study Session October 22nd, 2014 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Welcome & Plan Purpose Overview of Plan & Development Process Plan Structure Policy and Program Review Project Review Close JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Urban Greening JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- What is Urban Greening? Funded through a Prop 84 grant, the El Cerrito Urban Greening project aims to identify projects, policies & programs to create an interconnected network of green spaces, accommodate infill growth and improve quality of life and environment for existing and future El Cerrito residents… JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Parks & Recreation Master Plan Urban Greening Plan Programs sports & athletics hikes arts & crafts nature classroom summer camps environmental stewardship gardening Landscaping turf green infrastructure grass biodiversity Bay Friendly/drought tolerant/low maintenance/no pesticides Facilities park rain garden clubhouse streets play field public right-of-way public and quasi-public places (i.e. BART) Benefits health & wellness resource conservation fun economic vitality walkability JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Parks & Recreation Master Plan Urban Greening Plan Programs sports & athletics hikes arts & crafts nature classroom summer camps environmental stewardship gardening Landscaping turf green infrastructure grass biodiversity Bay Friendly/drought tolerant/low maintenance/no pesticides Facilities park rain garden clubhouse streets play field public right-of-way public and quasi-public places (i.e. BART) Benefits health & wellness resource conservation fun economic vitality walkability JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Related Planning Efforts JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Integration With City-Wide Initiatives! Climate Action Plan San Pablo Ave Specific Plan Urban Greening Plan Ohlone Greenway Plan Pedestrian & Bike Plan Update El Cerrito Strategic Plan General Plan Update • Baxter Creek Maintenance and Management Guide • Draft Creeks Inventory and Booklet • Pedestrian Safety Assessment • ADA Transition Plan • Cerrito Creek Maintenance and Management Plan • Urban Forest Management Plan • Fluvius Inominatus Watershed Assessment Memorandum • Landscape Management Plan • C.3 Requirements STAR Communities JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – Multi-year plan for maintaining and enhancing the capital assets of the City to ensure they meet service needs • Parks • Creeks and Trails • Streets-Transportation • Storm Drain – 2014-2024 CIP • Hillside Natural Area Improvements (Trails and Landscaping) • Citywide Path/Stairway/Boardwalk Rehabilitation & Improvements • Urban Forest Management Plan Improvements • Canyon Trail Clubhouse Improvements • Park Facilities Rehabilitation & Improvements • Creek Major Maintenance & Restoration – Parks & Recreation Commission Input Capital Improvement Program JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Process Overview JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Community Engagement Process JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Community Engagement Process JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Needs Assessment and Community Survey • 848 Respondents • Parks, rec facilities and natural areas: 86.33% “Very Important” • Park and open space system: 91.32% “Somewhat Satisfied” – “Very Satisfied” • Most important benefits of local parks, recreation areas, trails, greenways • Health and fitness • Observe and interact with nature • Protect and enhance air, water and natural resources • Priorities for improving open spaces, parks, streets, and trails • Restore or protect creeks, forests, natural areas • Improve existing parks and recreation facilities • Create new parks, pocket parks and green spaces • Expand/improve the trail network • Improvements to encourage walking and biking • Safe and comfortable facilities • Amenities/aesthetics • Sidewalk activities JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Connectivity and Activity Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- STAR Communities Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- STAR Communities Analysis JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Level of Service Standard • General Plan (1999): – 5 acres publicly owned parkland/1,000 residents • 142.35 acres/23,549 residents (2010) – 6.04 acres/1,000 residents currently – San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan • 142.35 acres/25,255 residents (2040) – 5.20 acres/1,000 residents at build-out • STAR Communities – 7.3 acres/1,000 residents for Intermediate-High density • Intermediate-High density = 7.6 - 10.08 people/acre – 23,549 residents / 2,360.32 acres » 9.97 people/acre Clarifications 10.23.14: Specific Plan population represents the projected 1,706 new housing units anticipated at build out. Population growth would be 3,840 based on 2.25 ppl/additional new unit. Total public open space acreage would also increase by approximately ¾ acre or more as new development will be required to provide open space and assuming that ¼ of the potentially 2 new acres of open space required would be provided as public open space. The point of this slide is that even with new residents and with no additional open space acquisition, without a change in LOS, the City could meet its current LOS standard. There are other LOS emerging nationally that may better reflect the needs of El Cerrito. The Urban Greening Plan proposes additional open space projects that would improve our LOS. JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Opportunity Inventory JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plan Structure JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Vision Framework JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Overarching Goals Economic Vitality Community Identity Environmental Sustainability Environmental Stewardship Active Living/ Transportation Greener Gateways Enhanced Creeks Improved Trails and Paths Strengthened Ohlone Greenway Active Commercial Corridors Stronger Higher Density Areas Enhanced/ Expanded Parks Enriched Natural Areas Objectives Supporting Policies and Programs Sustainable Landscape & Maintenance Partnerships/ Volunteerism Urban Livability Green Streets Green Schoolyards Urban Agriculture JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Overarching Goals Economic Vitality Community Identity Environmental Sustainability Environmental Stewardship Active Living/ Transportation Greener Gateways Enhanced Creeks Improved Parks and Trails Strengthened Ohlone Greenway Active Commercial Corridors Stronger Higher Density Areas Enhanced/ Expanded Parks Enriched Natural Areas Objectives Supporting Policies and Programs Sustainable Landscape & Maintenance Partnerships/ Volunteerism Urban Livability Green Streets Green Schoolyards Urban Agriculture JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Sustainability JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Stewardship JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Community Identity JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Active Living / Active Transportation JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Economic Vitality JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Urban Livability JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Objectives JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Overarching Goals Economic Vitality Community Identity Environmental Sustainability Environmental Stewardship Active Living/ Transportation Greener Gateways Enhanced Creeks Improved Trails and Paths Strengthened Ohlone Greenway Active Commercial Corridors Stronger Higher Density Areas Enhanced/ Expanded Parks Enriched Natural Areas Objectives Supporting Policies and Programs Sustainable Landscape & Maintenance Partnerships/ Volunteerism Urban Livability Green Streets Green Schoolyards Urban Agriculture JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Continue to invest in bicycle, pedestrian, trail and pathway improvements to reduce reliance on the private automobile, provide active recreation opportunities and support the local economy. 1. Improved Trails and Paths JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 1.1: Trail Maintenance Volunteer Program – 1.2: Parks and Trails Recreational Programs – 1.3: Education Program to encourage use of Paths & Trails to get around – 1.4: Way Finding and Signage Program – 1.5: Community Organization Co- Sponsorship 1. Improved Trails and Paths JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 1.6: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – Open Space and Midblock Connection Standards – 1.7: Active Transportation Plan – Pedestrian Improvement Projects – 1.8: CIP – Creeks & Trails – 1.9: Develop a Master Plan for Trails – 1.10: Trail Maintenance Technical Standards – 1.11: Priority Conservation Area designation 1. Improved Trails and Paths JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Reinforce community identity and sense of place by creating distinct gateways that improve and highlight natural elements, reinforcing the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability. 2. Greener Gateways JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 2.1: Expand the Green Teams Program – 2.2: Street Tree Program – design guidelines to establish and reinforce the El Cerrito identity – 2.3: Volunteer Plant Propagation Effort – 2.4: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – Gateway Streets 2. Greener Gateways JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 2.5: Green building and landscapes in BART Station Modernization – 2.6: Gateway landscaping guidelines in Plant Palette – 2.7: District-specific plant guidelines for priority Gateway areas 2. Greener Gateways JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Continue to strengthen the Ohlone Greenway through public projects and private development that increases connectivity, creates community gathering spaces and activity nodes, and improves community health and safety. 3. Strengthened Ohlone Greenway JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 3.1: “Adopt the Greenway” or “Friends of the Greenway” Program – 3.2: Community group intersection landscape adoption – 3.3: Volunteer Safety Patrol Program – 3.4: Way Finding Program with pedestrian-oriented signage – 3.5: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – Ohlone Greenway design guidelines 3. Strengthened Ohlone Greenway JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 3.6: Ohlone Greenway Master Plan – 3.7: Project design review to increase ecological functions – 3.8: Incentivize community events and programs along the Greenway 3. Strengthened Ohlone Greenway JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Enhance and expand existing parks to improve environmental and ecological services while reducing maintenance costs, maximizing volunteer efforts and meeting multiple Urban Greening goals. 4. Enhanced/ Expanded Existing Parks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 4.1: Expand the Green Teams Program – 4.2: Citywide Way Finding and Signage Program – 4.3: Recreation Master Plan – 4.4: Project design review to increase ecological functions – 4.5: CIP - Parks 4. Enhanced/ Expanded Existing Parks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 4.6 – Sustainable landscape maintenance practices – 4.7: Play fields for large flat spaces in high density areas – 4.8: Partner to raise maintenance funds – 4.9: Enhance our Urban Forest 4. Enhanced/ Expanded Existing Parks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Create active commercial corridors that allow community members to gather and interact while meeting their daily needs close to home. –5.1: Street Tree Program – design guidelines to reinforce the El Cerrito identity and support economic development 5. Active Commercial Corridors JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 5.2: re:Streets Program – commerce, play and pop-up uses along commercial corridors – 5.3: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – In-Lieu Program – 5.4: Create social gathering spaces and streetscape amenities 5. Active Commercial Corridors JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 5.5: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – Open Space requirements – 5.6: Green Streets Policy – 5.7: District-specific landscaping guidelines 5. Active Commercial Corridors JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. Support Higher Density Neighborhoods Emphasize the availability of strategic open spaces in higher density neighborhoods to provide multifamily housing residents with active recreation, urban agriculture, and community gathering opportunities JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. Support Higher Density Neighborhoods – 6.1: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan – In-Lieu Program – 6.2: Community Garden Program JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 6.3: Prioritize multipurpose projects in higher density areas – 6.4: Zone-specific Level of Service Standards – 6.5: Explore acquisition of new park spaces in higher density neighborhoods 6. Support Higher Density Neighborhoods Clarification 10.23.14: Yellow asterisks represent areas where potential pocket parks have been identified as strategic opportunities for urban greening. Asterisks are no to scale. JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Enrich natural areas by strengthening and enhancing natural features throughout the community in order to expand urban ecological opportunities and provide recreation in natural environments. – 7.1: Expand the Green Teams Program – 7.2: Recreation Department afterschool and summer programs – 7.3: Community Organization co- sponsorship 7. Enriched Natural Areas JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 7.4: Strengthen and restore natural habitats – 7.5: Partner with community groups on sustainable maintenance and improvements – 7.6: Priority Conservation Area designation 7. Enriched Natural Areas JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Protect, enhance and celebrate creeks and riparian areas through landscaping, art, signage and other amenities that maximize their environmental services and create distinctive community gathering spaces. Restore the health of El Cerrito’s watersheds through coordinated public projects and partnerships. 8. Enhanced Creeks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 8.1: Expand the Green Teams Program – 8.2: Creek design guidelines for private development – 8.3: Creek Daylighting Incentives Program – 8.4: Watershed Management Plan – 8.5: Green Infrastructure Projects 8. Enhanced Creeks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Continue to invest in making the Public Right-of-Way more sustainable by reducing impervious surfaces, maximizing access and connectivity, softening the streetscape and creating streets that are safe, comfortable and attractive for everyone. 9. Green Streets JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 9.1: Contra Costa Clean Water Program – 9.2: Require new developments to plant trees along the PROW – 9.3: Event Program – 9.4: Municipal Green Infrastructure Ordinance – 9.5: Designated Green Infrastructure Standard 9. Green Streets JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 9.6: Bay Friendly Landscaping Ordinance – 9.7: Pop-Up Use Policy 9. Green Streets JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Partner with the West Contra Costa Unified School District to maximize the benefits provided by their schoolyards. Encourage multipurpose spaces that jointly allow school children to learn from and interact with nature while reducing the need for additional recreation spaces for community members. 10. Green Schoolyards JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 10.1: Wilderness Classroom Program – 10.2: Green Schoolyard Design Guidelines 10. Green Schoolyards JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Ensure that all El Cerrito residents have opportunities to grow their own food by removing barriers to urban agriculture. – 11.1: Public Right-of-Way Urban Agriculture Program – 11.2: Community Garden Program – 11.3: Low maintenance edible plants that provide pollinator services – 11.4: Remove barriers to food production on private property, including greywater regulations and others – 11.5: Support community garden initiatives 11. Urban Agriculture JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Supporting Policies and Programs JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Overarching Goals Economic Vitality Community Identity Environmental Sustainability Environmental Stewardship Active Living/ Transportation Greener Gateways Enhanced Creeks Improved Parks and Trails Strengthened Ohlone Greenway Active Commercial Corridors Stronger Higher Density Areas Enhanced/ Expanded Parks Enriched Natural Areas Objectives Supporting Policies and Programs Sustainable Landscape & Maintenance Partnerships/ Volunteerism Urban Livability Green Streets Green Schoolyards Urban Agriculture JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- 12. Sustainable Landscapes & Maintenance – 12.1: Sustainable Landscape Program – 12.2: Sustainable athletic field maintenance guidelines – 12.3: Become a “Pollinator Friendly” City: ban the use of neonicotonoids and other harmful pesticides; pollinator friendly maintenance and planting guidelines – 12.4: Integrated Pest Management Policy JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- 12. Sustainable Landscapes & Maintenance – 12.5: Bay-Friendly Landscaping Maintenance Staff – 12.6: Bay-Friendly Rating for new developments – 12.7: Landscape Management Plan – 12.8: Convert landscapes to Bay-Friendly, low maintenance, resource- conserving JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- 12. Sustainable Landscapes & Maintenance – 12.9 – Landscape conversion to drought- tolerant, Bay-Friendly, resource-conserving – 12.10 – Adaptive Management practices for Creeks JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 13.1: Expand Green Teams Program – 13.2: Hillside Natural Area Stewardship Program – 13.3: Edible Landscape Stewardship Program – 13.4: Community Events – 13.5: Volunteer Recognition Events – 13.6: Adopt-a-Park Program 13. Partnerships /Volunteerism JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – 13.7: Urban Greening Project Stewardship – 13.8: Private Property and Business Partnerships – 13.9: Employer- sponsored Events 13. Partnerships / Volunteerism JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plant Palette JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plant Palette Adopt a plant palette for public landscaping that benefits the local ecosystem, is easily maintained, and brings beauty, enjoyment and a sense of place to the community. JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Plant Palette • Native – how to define? • Ecological services – how to define? – Pollinator – Improve air quality • BAAQMD – Improve water quality • Bay-Friendly • Water filtration and absorption • Drought-tolerant and water-efficient • Sense of place – Maintain continuity – Celebrate distinctive natural features • Sufficiently broad • Maintainability JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Focus Areas JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – Ability to Address Multiple Urban Greening Strategies – Result in Implementable and Funding-Eligible Projects – Fulfill City Planning Sustainability Goals and Policy Priorities – Build off Previous Investments and Create Synergy Across Departments to Maximize Return on Investment Key Criteria for Focus Areas JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- CITYWIDE 1.Blue to Green Connections EXISTING PARKS 2. Ohlone Greenway – Portola to Schmidt 3.Ohlone Greenway – Gladys to Blake 4. Fairmont Park 5. Central Park 6. Creekside Park 7. Hillside Natural Area JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNER- SHIPS 8. El Cerrito Plaza Southern Gateway 9. Conlon Ave/ Key Blvd - Baxter Creek 10. San Pablo Ave and Cutting Blvd 11. Avila St / San Pablo Ave 12. Former Portola Middle School Site JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- STREET ROW 13. Ashbury Ave 14. Lower Fairmount Ave JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Charrette Opportunity Sites JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- – Bay Trail (Blue Belt) to Wildcat Canyon (Green Belt) Connections – Hillside Natural Area – Fairmont Park – Lower Fairmount Ave Breakout Design Groups Focus Areas • Overall Vision / Character • Key Programming Elements, Activities, Settings, etc. • Location of Elements, Routes, etc. • Maintenance Strategies JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Vision • Improved multi-modal access – – At Realigned Intersections – Along the block • A Green Gateway – Landscaping – Rain gardens • re:Street Placemaking – Pop-ups: Liner retail, incubator spaces, etc – Temporal programming: farmers market, etc • Incremental Change Key Elements • Traffic Lanes + Parking • Promenade with Community Gathering Spaces (Beer Gardens, etc) • Multi-purpose Containers for Cafes, Libraries, Shared Work Spaces etc • Opportunities for Play • History Wall JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- • Big picture concept • Simplify routes • Use trails and existing ped infrastructure • Connect to BART • Different opportunities bike-only, ped-only, and multi-use trail sections Route Ideas • Blue-green crosswalks • Big blue green arrows on street and sidewalks • Signage • Trees and green infrastructure Vision JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Vision • Trailheads and signage • Incorporate Bike Park • Fire Safety • Nature trails • Amphitheater Elements • Improved pedestrian crossings and nature trail connections • Bike Park at old water tank site • Trailheads and signage at all legal entrances • Enhance fire safety JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Vision • Let’s make a deal ! With elementary school • Accessible for all ages • Park as Community Garden • Artful • Let the dogs be Elements • Improved and expanded garden, with school and senior center • Central multi-use area • Young children’s play area • Access points from Ohlone Greenway • Enhance art wall JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Next Steps JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Next Steps • Implementation Strategy – Financing and Capacity Memo – Grant Opportunities • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Analysis • Urban Greening Task Force Meeting • Public Comment Period on Draft (Early 2015) • Parks & Recreation Commission/Environmental Quality Committee Consideration of Recommendation • City Council Consideration of Adoption • Map JOINT STUDY SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Environmental Quality Committee Parks and Recreation Commission Joint Study Session October 22nd, 2014 JOINT STUDY SESSION