Stevenson Ranch Library 25950 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381 Thursday, November 9, 2017 6:00-8:00 pm
Project Team County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Kathline King Chief of Planning Michelle O'Connor Trails Planning Section Head Zachary Likins Project Manager Julie Yom CEQA Lead Sapphos Environmental, Inc. Marie Campbell President Laura Male Project Manager Alta Planning+Design, Inc. James Powell Project Lead Matthew Wild Trail Designer With support from Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger 3 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Purpose of the Meeting Describe the Proposed Project Provide an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process Provide key dates and deadlines for engagement Present the Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) Findings Solicit input from the community 4 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Background Rich history of trail use, acquisition, and planning with strong support from the Board of Supervisors and various agencies in the region 5 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Background Statistics LA County has over 210 miles of existing regional multi-use trails. In recent years, the County has made significant investments in comprehensive planning for trails, trail maintenance, and trail development in response to the increased demand for trails. Running / jogging / trail running, bicycling, and hiking are among the top 5 most popular outdoor activities. There are an estimated 10.2 million people in Los Angeles County in 2016, and the population is expected to grow by almost 1 million by 2035. 6 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Background Los Angeles County Trails Manual (2013) Los Angeles County Trails Website (2015) Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase I (adopted 2015) Castaic Area Multi-Use Trails Plan (adopted 2016) Los Angeles County Signage Program (2016) Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment (2016) 7 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
LA County Trails Website: trails.lacounty.gov Provides detailed, regularly updated information on trails, and allows users to: Show or search for trails based on current location or city/zip View, sort, and filter trail results to be viewed in the list view or map view Provide trail information, directions to trailhead and access points, an interactive map, elevation profile, etc. 8 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Overview: Study Area Study area encompasses approximately 24 square miles State Route-126 to the north Interstate-5 and the City of Los Angeles to the east City of Los Angeles and Phase I of the Santa Susana Mountains Final Trails Master Plan Area to the south Newhall Ranch Specific Plan Area and Ventura County to the west Adjacent to the communities of Val Verde, Chatsworth, and West Hills 9 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Process and Timeline 10 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Goals #1: Develop a complete multi-use trail system connecting user groups and local populations to desired recreation destinations and experiences, with seamless transitions to the trails of adjacent jurisdictions, compatibility with adjacent land uses and environmental resources, and a safe and sustainable design. 11 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Goals #2: Develop a recreational trail system that supports lowintensity use, including mountain biking, equestrian use, and hiking, to accommodate the population increase anticipated in the Santa Clarita Valley and San Fernando Valley planning areas. 12 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project Objectives 1. Accommodate a wide range of trail user types and abilities, consistent with the County s multi-use trail policy. 2. Connect to desirable destinations, features, and settings. 3. Provide safe and sustainable trails. 4. Avoid or minimize environmental impacts. 5. Develop a strategy to implement and maintain trails identified within the Trails Master Plan. 6. Emphasize trails that close gaps in existing trail networks and provide regional connectivity. 7. Develop a plan consistent with relevant County plans and policies. 13 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Benefits of Trails Master Planning Support the expansion and overall connectivity of the County s regional multi-use trail network in a manner compatible with adjacent land uses and environmental resources Encourage and promote informed use of authorized County trails by the public Recommend and prioritize improvements to existing trails 14 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Benefits of Trails Master Planning Provide seamless transitions between trails of adjacent jurisdictions and prime destinations within and adjacent to the study area Provide increased recreational opportunities to meet increased need for access to parks and open space Attract or obtain funding for trail development and/or maintenance 15 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Potential Benefits to Property Owners 1. Planned and managed trail development can help prevent trespassing and discourage unauthorized use by focusing users to authorized areas. 2. Authorized trails help pass the liability risks and hazards of trail use from the property owner to the trail user. 3. Any trails proposed as part of this master plan will be conceptual in nature, and no development will take place without the consent of property owners. 16 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Process: Acknowledge Land Ownership 17 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Process: Topography 18 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Environmental Opportunities and Constraints 19 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Process: Network Gaps and Barriers DISCLAIMER: Some trails shown do not exist currently and are planned for the future, or they exist but are not officially designated. Permission to use trails shown on this map should not be assumed. Some trails may traverse private property and suggested alignments do not imply rights of public use. 20 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Process: Network Gaps and Barriers DISCLAIMER: Some trails shown do not exist currently and are planned for the future, or they exist but are not officially designated. Permission to use trails shown on this map should not be assumed. Some trails may traverse private property and suggested alignments do not imply rights of public use. 21 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Process: Public User Input DISCLAIMER: Some trails shown do not exist currently and are planned for the future, or they exist but are not officially designated. Permission to use trails shown on this map should not be assumed. Some trails may traverse private property and suggested alignments do not imply rights of public use. 22 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Project At-a-Glance Approximately 87 Miles of Trails 17 miles of existing trails 70 miles of planned trails Proposes 20 Trail Facilities 4 Trailheads 2 Equestrian Parks 2 Bike Skills Areas 8 Trailhead and Staging Areas 4 Trailheads Outside Study Area Up to 12 Restrooms Up to 12 Parking Areas 23 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Proposed Trails Master Plan: Phase II.a EUGENE TO ADD FIGURE DISCLAIMER: Some trails shown do not exist currently and are planned for the future, or they exist but are not officially designated. Permission to use trails shown on this map should not be assumed. Some trails may traverse private property and suggested alignments do not imply rights of public use. 24 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Proposed Trails Master Plan: Phase II.a Many existing bridges connect trails in Pico Canyon in the Phase II.a area. The Towsley Canyon Loop Trail follows a creek to meander through two ridges towards a slim gap called the Narrows. Existing trails around Pico Canyon are lined with Coast Live Oak trees. 25 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Proposed Trails Master Plan: Phase II.b DISCLAIMER: Some trails shown do not exist currently and are planned for the future, or they exist but are not officially designated. Permission to use trails shown on this map should not be assumed. Some trails may traverse private property and suggested alignments do not imply rights of public use. 26 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Proposed Trails Master Plan: Phase II.b The Chatsworth Reservoir, now a nature preserve, sits beneath the boulder topped ridges of the Phase II.b area. The Santa Monica Mountains are seen to the west. Long views are offered from many peaks in the Phase II.b area (such as view of Twelve Apostles in Ventura County). 27 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Overview of the CEQA Process 45-day Public Review Period (Nov. 2-Dec. 16, 2017) Nov. 9, 2017 Public Meeting Nov. 16, 2017 Public Meeting Prepare & Publish Response to Comments Present Proposed MND and Trails Master Plan to County Board of Supervisors for Consideration in 2018 28 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Mitigated Negative Declaration Findings 15 of 19 CEQA issues determined to have no impacts or less than significant impacts: Agriculture/Forestry Air Quality Energy Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards/Hazardous Materials Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population/Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation/ Traffic Utilities/Service Systems 29 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Mitigated Negative Declaration Findings 4 of 19 CEQA issues determined to have potential for significant impacts that would be reduced to below the level of significance with the implementation of mitigation measures (MMs): Aesthetics (state scenic highways; 2 MMs) Biological Resources (habitat loss, nesting birds, use of native wildlife nursery sites, potential for removal of mature trees; 4 MMs) Cultural Resources (significance of prehistoric and historical resources; 4 MMs) Tribal Cultural Resources (significance of tribal cultural resources; 3 MMs) 30 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Opportunities to Provide Input At Today s Meeting: 1. General Questions 2. In-Person Comments 3. Comment Cards Outside of Today s Meeting: 1. SantaSusanaTrailsPlan.org 2. Upcoming Public Meeting November 16, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Chatsworth Branch Library 21052 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311 3. Letters of Comment via mail or email All comments must be received by December 16, 2017 31 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Opportunities for Public Participation Comment period opens November 2, 2017 and closes December 16, 2017 Comments should be sent to: County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Attn: Julie Yom, Park Planner 510 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90020 Email: jyom@parks.lacounty.gov Comments can also be provided at Board of Supervisors Hearing Spring 2018 32 Santa Susana Mountains Trails Master Plan Phase II
Thank You! For more information, please contact: Zachary Likins Project Manager: ZLikins@parks.lacounty.gov Please visit the project website at: http://www.santasusanatrailsplan.org/ For more information on existing trails, visit: http://www.trails.lacounty.gov