HomeMy WebLinkAboutsanta ana river vision plan-advisory committee formationCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 2
February 8, 2006
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: City Manager's Office
Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager – (949) 644 -3002
dkiff(a.city. newport- beach.ca. us
General Services Department
Chris Marcarello, Administrative Analyst -- (949) 644 -3057
cmarcarelloO..city.newport- beach.ca. us
SUBJECT: Santa Ana River Vision Plan— Advisory Committee Formation
Recommendation
Appoint a member of the Planning Commission to serve on the City's Santa Ana River
Trails Advisory Committee and participate in the planning process for future
improvements along the Santa Ana River trail.
Backaround
Background
The City has participated in planning for the Orange Coast River Park (OCRP), a park
that would link Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach via the Santa Ana
River. The OCRP would be one of the largest parks in Orange County, but is currently
still in the conceptual design phase. In order for the OCRP to become reality, land must
be purchased and recreational amenities must be constructed. The City has offered
about $10,000 in direct donations or staff time in support of the OCRP planning
process.
The Santa Ana River Trail is a 110 mile trail that passes through the counties of
Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. The trail's bike path helps to connect several
recreational amenities, including national forests, state and county parks, and the
Pacific Ocean. Over the past several years, The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) has led
a renaissance of the Santa Ana River, offering private funding to public agencies in
efforts to restore the bike trail and establish a tri -county natural lands parkway. So far,
TWC has funded several projects, including a grant to the City of Santa Ana to restore
habitat and enhance outdoor education programs at Santiago Park; a grant to San
Santa Ana River Vision Plan
Trails Advisory Committee Formation
February 8, 2007
Page 2
Bernardino County to purchase land and create a new regional park; and a grant to
Riverside County to perform ecological restoration work.
TWC has offered up to $5,000 to cities that abut the Santa Ana River, to assist with
developing vision plans for their portion of the river. The vision plans will help to restore
and enhance environmental and passive recreational elements along the Santa Ana
River. In addition, these vision plans will create trail linkages and increase public
access between neighboring communities.
The Santa Ana River passes by Newport Beach along our western border. The river
carries stormwater and sediment from as far away as San Bernardino County and the
foothills of the Redlands area. Only about one mile of the Santa Ana River is within the
City's boundaries. However, since this mile includes the mouth of the river, it is an
important mile for habitat restoration and passive recreation.
Committee Formation/Participation
On November 28, 2006 the City Council adopted resolution 2006 -100 (Attachment 1),
forming an advisory committee that will develop a vision plan for the Santa Ana River
trail. The committee's makeup includes several groups, including the City Council, the
Planning Commission, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission, local non - profit
groups, nearby community associations, community representatives, and City staff.
These groups will offer a blend of perspectives —the Planning Commission will ensure
that the vision complies with City planning elements; the PB &R Commission will ensure
that recreational elements are considered; community associations will ensure that trail
improvements compliment residential areas; and non - profit groups will ensure that
improvements enhance the environmental significance of the area.
Over the next twelve months, the Santa Ana River Trails Committee will meet at least
four times to develop a vision and identify enhancement opportunities for the areas
adjacent to the Santa Ana River. The first committee meeting will be held on Tuesday,
January 30th at 4p.m. The committee will use the grant from TWC to develop a vision
document and report that outlines these opportunities and better positions the City for
future improvements along the Santa Ana River trail.
Submitted by:
Chris Marcarello
Administrative Analyst
Attachments:
1 — Resolution 2006 -100
2 — Santa Ana River Advisory Committee Roster
RESOLUTION NO. 2006 -100
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
ESTABLISHING THE SANTA ANA RIVER TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AND ACCEPTING A GRANT FOR HABITAT AND RECREATIONAL PLANNING
WHEREAS, residents of the city of Newport Beach value the habitat and
recreational value of the Lower Santa Ana River; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach has long supported the planning and
formation of the Orange Coast River Park, which would abut and include the Santa Ana
River; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach supports future
planning activities to' protect habitat and encourage passive recreational uses in
accordance with State and local laws, as established by Resolution 2006 -25; and
WHEREAS, future planning efforts may be supplemented by a $5,000 grant from
The Wildlands Conservancy or one of its partner funders if River - adjacent communities
form committees to conduct this planning; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to establish a community- and stakeholder -
based team to assist in planning activities along the Santa Ana River.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach hereby declares the following:
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT
The Santa Ana River Trails Advisory. Committee (Committee) shall be established as of
the date this Resolution is approved by at least four members of the City Council voting
at a duly noticed meeting of the City Council.
SECTION 2. DUTIES
The Committee shall have the following duties:
A. Assist the City Council and. City staff in planning activities that protect habitat and
encourage passive recreational uses along the Santa Ana River;
B. Develop a vision plan document that recommends goals and policies that can be
used by the City Council on issues that affect the Santa Ana River.
C. Advise the City Council as needed as to community and stakeholder interests as
associated with the Santa Ana River and the Orange Coast River Park;
SECTION 3. COMPOSITION
The Committee shall consist of the following members appointed by, and serving at the
pleasure of, the Mayor.
One (1) City Council Member (to serve as chair);
One (1) member of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission:
One (1) member of the Planning Commission;
One (1) member of the Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee
Two (2) designees from the Wildlands Conservancy
One (1) designee from the Newport Bay Naturalists end Friends
One (1) designee from the Earth Resources Foundation
One (1) designee from the Orange County Coast keepers
One (1) designee from the Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks
One (1) designee from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
One (1) designee from the Orange County Bicycle Association
One (1) designee from the Newport Shores Community Association
One (1) designee from the West Newport Beach Association
One (1) designee from the Orange County Harbors, Beaches, and Packs
Department
Two (2) community representatives
SECTION 4, TERM
The term of the Committee shall expire at such time as the planning activities and vision
plan document are complete.
ADOPTED this 2e day of November, 2006.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } es
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I; LaVonne M. Harkless, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven, that the foregoing
resolution, being Resolution No. 2906.100 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by
the City Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council, dully and regularly held on the
28th day of November 2006, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to
wit:
Ayes: Selich, Rosansky, Ridgeway, Daigle, Nichols, Mayor Webb
Noes: None
Absent: Curry
Abstain: Nom
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the
official seal of said City this 29th day of November 2006.
(Seal)
City 4Merk -
Newport Beach, California.
City of Newport Beach
Proposed Santa Ana River Trails Advisory Committee Roster
1- City Council (Committee Chair)
2- Planning Commission
3- Parks, Beaches, Recreation Commission
4- CoastallBay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee
5- The Wildlands Conservancy
6- The Wildlands Conservancy
7- Newport Bay Naturalist and Friends
8- Earth Resources Foundation
9- Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
10- Orange County Coastkeepers
11- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
12- Orange County Bicycle Association
13- Newport Shores Community Association
14- West Newport Beach Association
15- City of Newport Beach Staff
16- Orange County Harbors, Beaches, and Parks
17- Community Representative
18- Community Representative
*To be approved by City Council in February 2007.
Nancy Gardner, or designated representative
Designated representative
Christine Trapp or Designated representative*
Designated representative
DP Myers, or designated representative
Jerry King, or designated representative
Dennis Baker, or designated representative
Stephanie Barger, or designated representative
Jean Watt, or designated representative
Garry Brown, or designated representative
Ken Morrison, or designated representative
Designated representative
Howard Rich, or designated representative
Paul Watkins, or designated representative
Chris Marcarello, or designated representative
Kevin Thomas, or designated representative
Jan Vandersloot*
Ray Halowski*