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CC 2014-05-27_08.e. Support Letter Pismo PreserveMEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER# SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LAND CONSE.RVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PISMO PRESERVE PROJECT DATE: MAY 27,2014 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the acquisition of the Pismo Preserve by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: There is no cost to the City for the proposed action. BACKGROUND: At the May 13, 2014 meeting, representatives from the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County (LCSLO) made a presentation to the City Council on the proposed acquisition of the Pismo Preserve. LCSLO is currently working to purchase this approximately 900 acre property from a private owner, PB Coast View LLC, with the intent to own and operate the site as a public preserve with dawn-to-dusk access for passive outdoor recreation. LCSLO is currently raising funds for the acquisition. As part of that effort, they are submitting a request this month to the California State Coastal Conservancy for funding. At the Council meeting, LCSLO, requested a letter of support to assist with these efforts. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: The preserve offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, ten miles of existing trails, majestic oaks, and beautiful rugged terrain. The Land Conservancy, through the Heart and Soil Campaign, is intending to increase public support for the Pismo Preserve project that is the first project in a series of milestone conservation projects for the county over the next five years. The project includes a significant fund raising campaign in order to raise $11.7 million dollars, approximately $9 million dollars of which is anticipated to come from State grants. The project would create a resource for a regional preserve accessible from Mattie Road in Pismo Beach. The Item 8.e. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PISMO PRESERVE PROJECT MAY 27, 2014 PAGE2 conservation goals include the addition of more than ten miles of publicly accessible trails with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Lucia Wilderness, significant opportunities to preserve habitat and federally protected species, and the protection of coast live oak woodland and permanent wildlife corridors. This proposed preserve could be open to the public as early as Summer 2015 for outdoor recreation opportunities if the necessary funding is raised. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for City Council consideration: 1. Approve staff's recommendations; 2. Make changes to the letter of support; 3. Do not approve the letter of support; or 4. Provide staff other direction. ADVANTAGES: New hiking, mountain biking, and horse-back riding opportunities will make an extremely valuable resource conveniently accessible for both residents and visitors of our community. It will support opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. In addition, the project will protect prime wildlife corridors and habitat for several sensitive species, such as the South-central California coast steelhead, among others. Therefore, staff believes the project will provide an important asset to Arroyo Grande. DISADVANTAGES: No disadvantages have been identified with the proposed action. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: No environmental review is required for this item. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, May 22, 2014 and on the City's website on Friday, May 23, 2014. No public comments were received. Attachment: 1 . Proposed Letter of Support Item 8.e. - Page 2 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR May 27, 2014 Doug Bosco, Chair California State Coastal Conservancy 1330 Broadway, 13th Floor Oakland, CA 94612-2530 Dear Mr. Bosco: ATTACHMENT 1 300 E. Branch Street Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Phone: (805) 4 7 3-5400 FAX: (805) 4 7 3-0386 tferrara@arroyogrande.org www.arroyogrande.org On behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande, I would like to express the City's strong support for the acquisition of the Pismo Preserve by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County (LCSLO) and the allocation of California State Coastal Conservancy funds to help make this a reality. The City Council recently voted unanimously to endorse the proposal as the first project of the Land Conservancy's Heart & Soil campaign. This project is critically important to the residents of San Luis Obispo County. The City has placed a high priority on the conservation and preservation of land of significant importance. This includes agricultural, visually scenic, environmental and biological, cultural, and recreational importance. Arroyo Grande has taken steps to protect its land resources and .supports neighboring agencies to do the same in hopes of creating a public benefit. LCSLO is currently working to purchase this 900-acre property from a private owner with the intent to own and operate the site as a public preserve with dawn-to-dusk access for passive outdoor recreation. Located along Highway 101 in South San Luis Obispo County, the Pismo Preserve will be of great benefit to local residents, residents of the greater San Luis Obispo County, and those who visit this region for its many recreational and scenic resources. The preserve offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, ten miles of existing trails, majestic oaks, and beautiful rugged terrain. New hiking, mountain biking, and horse-back riding opportunities will make an extremely valuable resource conveniently accessible for both residents and visitors and support opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. In addition, the project will protect prime wildlife corridors and habitat for several sensitive species, such as the South-central California coast steelhead, among others. With minimal infrastructure needs, the property could be open to the public as early as the summer of 2015 if necessary funding is secured. Our City is proudly supporting this effort, commends the Land Conservancy for undertaking such an important project to San Luis Obispo County, and urges your support for California State Coastal Conservancy funding of this extraordinary opportunity. Thank you for your consideration of our input and let us know if we can provide any additional information that would be of assistance. Sincerely, Tony Ferrara Mayor Item 8.e. - Page 3 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Item 8.e. - Page 4