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CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK CONCEPT PLAN UPDATE
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-149 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADOPTING THE OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK CONCEPT PLAN UPDATE
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
In 1990 the Cities of Chula Vista and San Diego, and the County of San Diego entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) to initiate and coordinate acquisition, planning, and design of the Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP) for the benefit of south bay residents and visitors. As a result, in 2001 the OVRP Concept Plan was created to:
• Identify areas adjacent to open space areas for active and passive recreational opportunities;
• Develop a trail system with staging areas;
• Locate viewpoints and overlooks, and provide connections to recreation areas and adjacent public lands and trails; and
• Establish interpretive centers for environmental and educational programs while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and important cultural resources.
Given that the Concept Plan is now 16 years old, County of San Diego Supervisor Greg Cox, allocated $40,000 of Neighborhood Reinvestment funds on June 9, 2015 to update the Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan (the “Concept Plan”). This update represents a collaboration between the three jurisdictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Statutory Exemption pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State Guidelines.
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Environmental Determination
The City of Chula Vista, as a responsible agency, and the County of San Diego, as the lead agency, have found that the Concept Plan update qualifies for a Statutory Exemption pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) of the CEQA State Guidelines. The Concept Plan update is general in nature, and does not propose to construct park improvements. Prior to the development of any park improvements, detailed development plans will need to be prepared that will require environmental review when the permitting process commences. Furthermore, the Concept Plan update is a framework that does not propose to construct any physical facilities or improvements without subsequent City Council Action.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On November 16, 2016 the City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan Update to the City Council.
On June 14, 2017 the City of Chula Vista Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan Update to the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Former Chula Vista Mayor, and current County Supervisor and OVRP Policy Committee member, Greg Cox, introduced the idea of creating a regional park in the Otay River Valley to the Chula Vista City Council in 1988. He recommended that there be a collaborative planning effort between the Cities of Chula Vista and San Diego, and the County of San Diego. The three agencies entered into a JEPA in 1990, and subsequently adopted the Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan followed by a series of resolutions.
In 2015 joint staff reviewed the Concept Plan to bring the plan up to date with existing conditions on the ground, incorporate subsequent adopted land use plans and regulations for the feasibility of planned uses, and to revise figures and images in the plan, and presented the plan update to OVRP committees. The OVRP Citizen Advisory Committee recommended approval of the Concept Plan update to the Policy Committee, which approved the plan update in July 2016. Subsequently the Policy Committee directed joint staff to present the Concept Plan update to their respective Councils, Boards, and Commissions for approval. In November 2016, the City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend approval of the plan update to the City Council as did the City of Chula Vista Planning Commission on June 14, 2017. The City of San Diego and County of San Diego have recently adopted the Concept Plan update.
Otay Valley Regional Park
The planning area for the OVRP is located in the southern portion of San Diego County approximately four miles north of the international border. The OVRP extends over 11 miles from the southeastern edge of the South Bay Wildlife Refuge through the Otay River Valley to the land surrounding the Otay Lakes area, and encompasses approximately 9,000 acres (Attachment 1). When OVRP trails connect to the proposed Otay Ranch open space, this will provide a 19 mile open space corridor extending from San Diego Bay to State Route 94. Currently, the OVRP has approximately 6,500 acres of public ownership. The Concept Plan is the framework that will provide direction and guidance for parkland acquisition, development efforts, and proposal evaluations that may affect the OVRP.
Concept Plan
The Concept Plan consists of nine elements including the Boundary, an Alternative Boundary, the Open Space/Core Preserve Area, the Recreation Areas, the Trail Corridor, the Staging Areas, the Viewpoint and Overlook Areas, Interpretive Centers, and the Park Study Area, which are described in the Concept Plan update (Attachment 3). These elements are the foundation for the Concept Plan, dividing the plan into five geographic segments that includes South San Diego Bay to Interstate 5, Interstate 5 to Interstate 805, Interstate 805 to Heritage Road, Heritage Road to the Otay Reservoir Vicinity, and the Otay Reservoir Vicinity. The segments have been updated as described below:
• South San Diego Bay to I-5:
The boundary has been adjusted to incorporate the Swiss Park staging area and a trail connection from OVRP to the Bayshore Bikeway, and includes as-built viewpoints and overlooks along the trail.
• I-5 to I-805:
This segment contains as-built features including trails for multi-use, hiking and biking trails, hiking-only trails, staging areas and trailheads, a ranger station, viewpoints and overlooks, existing waterbodies, acreage for Recreation Areas 3 and 4, and Recreation Area 7 (Eucalyptus Grove) was converted to open space.
• I-805 to Heritage Road:
Trail corridors were updated pursuant to the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) trails siting criteria and OVRP Trail Guidelines. Potential staging area locations were added, and an alternative boundary was incorporated as open space. Additionally, the Otay-Nestor community trails were mapped, and the Heritage Road Bridge trail underpass is now included.
• Heritage Road to Otay Reservoir Vicinity:
Recreation Area 10 now includes portions of the OVRP park study area in accordance with Chula Vista MSCP approvals. Approximately 15 acres for mixed use commercial have been added pursuant to the Chula Vista General Plan, and Recreation Area 11 has been updated pursuant to the MSCP approvals. Additionally, an interpretive center was relocated to this segment, and the northern trails now reflect trails identified in the Chula Vista Greenbelt Trails system, along with three potential trail crossings.
• Otay Reservoir Vicinity:
Recreation Area 16 (Sky Dive San Diego) will be converted to an Open Space/Core Preserve Area, with restoration potential. As-built conditions have been incorporated at Otay Lakes, and the County Park includes a ranger station, an interpretive center, a staging area, and the potential for an Equestrian staging area.
Additionally, residential trail connections to the OVRP are shown for Otay Villages 8 West, 8 East, 9, and 10; the trail connections will incorporate OVRP signage.
Over the past 27 years since the execution of the JEPA, approximately nine miles of multi-use trails have been constructed and rehabilitated; seven staging areas were improved and opened; a ranger station has been constructed; wetland and upland areas have been restored; hundreds of community habitat cleanup and educational outreach events have been held; and natural and cultural resources have been protected. The JEPA agencies will proceed with the development and implementation of the OVRP following the adoption of the Concept Plan update by the three jurisdictions.
Privately Owned Property
Much of the land within the Concept Plan is privately owned, and has development potential based on existing zoning, land use plans, and other development regulations. The Concept Plan update does not change the existing zoning, land use plans, or add new development regulations. It does not preclude private development, but does provide policy direction for the jurisdictions to coordinate land acquisition and development for the OVRP within the framework of private property rights.
The OVRP Concept Plan update will continue to develop new trail segments on the south edge of the Otay River Valley, and a trail system on the north edge, which will result in a complete trail loop experience for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, and will promote community habitat cleanup and educational outreach events, while preserving and protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has not found any property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the OVRP boundaries which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.). Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The Concept Plan update addresses the Healthy Community and Connected Community goals as it seeks to provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
All staff costs associated with preparing the Concept Plan update are included in the adopted budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing land acquisition and implementation of the Concept Plan will be funded through a combination of federal and state grants as well as General Fund city staff services. Future costs for park development and management will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council when more information is available.
ATTACHMENTS
1. OVRP Boundary Map
2. OVRP Concept Plan
3. City Council Resolution
4. Planning Commission Resolution
5. Parks & Recreation Minutes
6. Planning Commission Minutes (Draft)
Staff Contact: Michael Walker, Senior Planner, DSD Advanced Planning Division