HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.3 Altamount Landfill Open Space
CITY CLERK
File # 530-40
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 17,2006
SUBJECT:
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund - Application
for Grant Funding.
Report by Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Application from East Bay Regional Park District
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Application
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: As part of the settlement of litigation over the expansion of the
Altamont Landfill, the parties to the litigation (Alameda County, Waste Management of Alameda County,
the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, and various environmental groups) agreed that the County would
charge Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC) two fees totaling $1.25 per ton of waste
disposed at the Landfill. Of the two fees, $0.75 per ton must be spent on acquisition of open space, either by
purchasing the land or obtaining a permanent easement. Twenty percent of the total amount of money
acquired through the fee will be spent in the Dublin-Pleasanton area and the other eighty percent must be
used to acquire property in eastern Alameda County, around Livermore. Under the terms of the settlement
agreement, the County must convene an Advisory Committee to make decisions about the expenditure of the
funds in the account. The County, Livermore, Pleasanton, and the Sierra Club may appoint voting members
to the Advisory Committee. Dublin has a non-voting representative.
The City has entered into two Agreements to guarantee that the interests of the City of Dublin are
represented when the allocation of funds is made. The first Agreement is with the City of Pleasanton and
ensures that Pleasanton will use its vote on the Advisory Committee to assure that funds allocated for open
space in the western area will be divided evenly between Dublin and Pleasanton. The second Agreement is
with the County of Alameda and ensures that the County will use its vote in a similar fashion. Both votes
are needed in order to secure a majority vote on the Advisory Committee.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COPY TO: Altamont Landfill Open Space Committee/EBRPD
Page 1 of2
ITEM NO.
~.3
G:\COUNCIL\Agenda Statements\2006\I 0- I 7 Altamont.DOC
To date, the Advisory Committee has approved one application for funding from the East Bay Regional Park
District (EBRPD) for $450,000. This grant allowed EBRPD to acquire 106 acres of open space located at
the northern boundary of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
A second application has been received by EBRPD for $200,000. EBRPD proposed to acquire 103+/- acres
of open space in the northeastern area of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. The addition of this property will
bring the total acreage of the park to nearly 5,000 acres. Located in close proximity to the cities of
Pleasanton and Dublin, the property is situated approximately one mile west of Foothill Road.
A subcommittee of the Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from P1easanton, Alameda County
and the Sierra Club is recommending approval of the request. As per the Settlement Agreement, the request
must be formally approved by the Pleasanton City Council and Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
However, neither body can approve the application without the City's of Dublin's approval. As the City of
Dublin does not currently have a project through the Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund and given the
proximity of the Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park to the Dublin Hills Regional Park, Staff recommends
approval of the application. At this time there is $773,460 available for expenditures in the Dublin-
Pleasanton area; with this application, the available funding will be reduced to $573,460.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve application for funding from East Bay Regional Park District
and direct Staff to notify the City of Pleasant on and the County of Alameda of Dublin's action.
Page 2 of2
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
GRANTEE INFORMATION
Name of Applicant Requesting Funding (Project Sponsor):
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
2950 Peralta Oaks Court
P. O. Box 5381
Oakland, CA 94605
Project Manager or Contact Person:
Nancy Wenninger, Manager, Land Acquisition
Telephone No. 510-544-2607 Fax No. 510-569-1417
E-mail Address: nwenninger@ebparks.org
Is the Applicant a Non-profit or 501 (c)(3) organization: No
Federal Tax Identification No. 94-6000-591
LANDOWNER INFORMATION
Leonard R. Swartz & Doreen M. Swartz, Trs et al (20% interest)
Frank M. Lehne & Imelda A. Lehne (45% interest)
Charles E. Roberts & Leticia S. Roberts (15% interest)
Larry D. Butler & Juanita C. Butler (20% interest)
Site Address: Tehan Canyon Road, Pleasanton
Mail: 50TehanCanyonRd.Pleasanton.CA 94588
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Title:
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition (Swartz, et al)
Project Location:
Unincorporated area of Alameda County, 1 mile west of Foothill Rd, Pleasanton
APN: 941-2300-001-10
Jurisdiction in which property is located:
City of Pleasant on
Land Use Description and Zoning applicable to the property:
"Large Parcel Agricultural" Zoned: A-100
lO-V7-0~ '133
A't'.\O\L.h ~fj""
lo" ~
o
Project Objective:
Acquisition of 103+/- acres of open space
Funding Requested: $ 200,000
Total Project Cost (including in-kind contributions): $ 990,000
(Property appraised at $930,000)
Itemized Project Expenses, including transaction costs:
(Include all project expenses; indicate those that would be paid for with Altamontfunds.)
Itemized Expenses (estimated)
Purchase Price
Appraisal services
Title & Escrow
Staff Time
Total
Requested Funding
From Altamont Comm.
$200,000
$200,000
Funded by Other Sources
$730,000
$ 16,000
$ 4,000
$ 40,000
$790,000
Funds listed under "Funded by Other Sources" from:
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Habitat Conservation Fund
1988 EBRPD Regional Open Space Bond Measure AA
$200,000
$200,000
$390,000 *
*(Measure AA and/or Prop 40 funds.)
Proposed Funding Date: September 30, 2006
Estimated Completion Date of Project: December 1, 2006
Is the property currently under a Williamson Act contract? No.
Are there other easements on the property or are other easements being negotiated?
An easement for the purposes of ingress and egress in favor of Dorothea Porter
Swezey, recorded August 15, 1953, affects existing roads located on the property.
Present ownership of the easement is known.
Who will hold fee title to the land or hold the easement?
East Bay Regional Park District will hold fee title to the land.
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
~eu~
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
East Bay Regional Park District proposes to acquire 103+/- acres of open space in the
northeastern area of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. The addition of this property will
bring the total acreage of the park to nearly 5,000 acres. Located in close proximity to
the cities of Pleasanton and Dublin, the property is situated approximately one mile west
of Foothill Road.
Consisting of rolling and steeply sloped terrain, the property is comprised of portions of
Tehan Canyon and Tehan Creek. A significant feature of the property is Tehan Falls, a
seasonal waterfall. The property contains a mix of oak woodland, bay-oak riparian
corridor, mixed chaparral, and grassland. This environment provides habitat for Alameda
whip snake, California tiger salamander, and California red-legged frog. Other species
supported by the property's habitat include mountain lion, bobcat, deer, golden eagle and
other raptors. Acquisition of this acreage will provide an important habitat linkage
between publicly owned parcels and will create a protected wildlife corridor in this
highly urbanized region.
The proposed acquisition is contiguous with Park District property on the east and the
west and acquisition will connect these two portions of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
Elevations on the property range from 600 to 1,100 feet in elevation. The property grants
panoramic views of the San Ramon Valley, the cities of Pleasanton and Dublin, the
Livermore area, and Mt. Diablo. Steep terrain, with portions heavily wooden, provides
excellent habitat and wildlife corridor links with Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
Located in an unincorporated area of Alameda County, the property's zoning designation
would allow it to be developed into one home site. Access is currently via a substandard
unpaved road. Acquisition of this property by the Park District will prevent its
development.
Acquisition of this 103 acres will provide essential trail access to the northern end of
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and aid in important resource protection goals by
maintaining open space, protecting endangered species habitat, extending a wildlife
corridor, and connecting portions ofthe park.
~oo{
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
FUNDING CRITERIA
1. Significant Native Biodiversity Value
Tehan Canyon and Tehan Creek traverses the entire property which consists of rolling to
steeply sloping topography and includes a mix of oak woodland, an oak-bay riparian
corridor, mixed chaparral, grassland, creeks, seeps and springs. A significant feature of
the property is Tehan Falls, a seasonal waterfall in a heavily wooded area estimated at a
height of 60 feet.
Arboreal vegetation consists of coast live oak, black oak, California bay-laurel, sycamore
and arroyo willow. Other woody plants include coyote brush, snowberry, sticky monkey
flower, coffeeberry, jimbrush, toyon and blackberry. Six species of ferns are also
present. This environment provides critical habitat for various rare, threatened or
endangered species, including Alameda whip snake, California tiger salamander, and
California red-legged frog. Other species supported by the property's rich habitat include
mountain lion, bobcat, deer, golden eagle and other raptors.
Corridors
Acquisition of this property will add a critical connection to established parklands by
linking the Ill-acre Garms Ranch, purchased by the Park District in 1994, with the other
4,850 acres ofthe park. Acquisition ofthis important connection will protect this open
space from fragmentation by development and protect the natural habitat.
Riparian habitats in general are threatened throughout California. Ranked among the
most valuable habitats to wildlife, they also enhance adjacent upland habitats such as
grasslands. The riparian corridor on this property supports a number of threatened or
endangered species such as the California red-legged frog and the Alameda whipsnake.
Numerous raptors such as the golden eagle and prairie falcon are dependent on prey
which forage in this riparian area. This corridor also supports other species such as deer,
mountain lion, coyote and various other mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Acquisition of this land will protect it from residential development and preserve a
valuable wildlife corridor and habitat by connecting this acreage to the existing parkland.
With this additional acreage, Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park will total nearly 5,000
acres of contiguous open space that will be permanently protected.
1
4-~"?t
Risk
Located in an unincorporated area of Alameda County, the property is zoned A-I 00
(Agriculture: 100-acre minimum), with a General Plan designation of "Large Parcel
Agriculture". The property is located outside the "Urban Growth Boundary" and is
classified as "Large Parcel Agriculture" under Alameda County's Measure D. Although
it is currently accessed by a substandard unpaved road, with these designations, the 103-
acre property could be developed into one residential unit.
Residential development not only brings construction and permanent human residents
into the area, it also brings domestic animals into areas otherwise occupied by native
species. Acquisition by the Park District ofthisl03 acres will prevent residential
development.
2. Significant Visual and/or Non-Motorized Recreational Value
Scenic area
The highest point on the property is a portion ofthe ridgeline of Pleasant on Ridge. This
prominent feature is visible from the tri-valley area as well as Dublin and the 1-580 and
1-680 corridors. Preservation of this ridgeline viewshed is an important element in the
Alameda County General Plan. Acquisition by the Park District also supports the goals
ofEBRPD's 1997 Master Plan, which seeks to guide the stewardship and development of
the parks and trails in such a way as to maintain a careful balance between the need to
protect and conserve resources and the recreational use of parklands for all to enjoy now
and in the future.
Trail Connections
The acreage of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is situated in a lineal manner. Currently
the only public access point is from Foothill Road at the southern end ofthe park.
Acquisition of the Tehan Falls property will provide public access to the interior of the
park and its northern section by providing local trail access from Foothill Road near W.
Las Positas Blvd. This connection will be not only a local access for the citizens of the
City of Pleasant on, but also will provide a future connection to the Calaveras Ridge
Regional Trail which will pass through Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
3. Strategic Value in Land Protection
Acquisition of this property will accomplish part of a long-term strategic plan of
EBRPD's 1997 Master Plan, which calls for the expansion of Pleasanton Ridge Regional
Park. The subject property will be incorporated into the "Pleasanton Ridge Regional
Park Interim Land Use Plan." An amendment to the ILUP will integrate the resource
values into the existing parklands. This land will become part of a resource-based
management system, allowing for protection in perpetuity as dedicated parkland. The
goal of the management plan will be to conserve and enhance important natural resources
(soil, vegetation, wildlife and water) to ensure that the ecosystem is maintained in a
2
s-rn't
healthy and productive condition. By providing much needed access and by preserving
critical habitat and open space, this acquisition creates a special opportunity to
accomplish two essential goals.
As mentioned above, the property could be purchased for speculative residential
development. Acquisition by the Park District will prevent development. Also
previously mentioned is the property's strategic location, connecting two portions of
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. Currently, this property is the only one available to
provide access through the previously purchased Garms Ranch property.
The property will be operated and maintained by East Bay Regional Park District and
will become part of a resource-based management system, allowing for protection in
perpetuity as dedicated parkland.
4. Additional Funding Sources
The purchase price of the property is $930,000. East Bay Regional Park District will
request $200,000 from the Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund to aid in
this acquisition. Two grants of $200,000 each have been awarded by California
Department of Parks and Recreation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and
the Habitat Conservation Fund. Measure AA Interest and/or Prop 40 will be used to
complete the acquisition.
5. Willing Sellers
The Park District has negotiated an Option to Purchase and Sale Agreement with three of
the four property owners, representing an 80% ownership interest. Staff continues to
negotiate in good faith with the final owner.
3
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
Additional Information
Easements
An easement for the purposes of ingress and egress in favor of Dorothea Porter Swezey,
recorded August 15, 1953, affects existing roads located on the property. Present
ownership of the easement is known.
Environmental Hazards
There are no known environmental hazards on the property.
CEQA Exemption
This project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA. The project consists ofthe acquisition
of land in order to create a park. This land is currently in a natural condition and will
remain in a natural condition.
/.f;rfb$
~ -VfJ cr
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
Upper Tehan Falls
'1~1
Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund
Application for Grant Funding
East Bay Regional Park District
Tehan Falls Property Acquisition
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
Riparian Habitat