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
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