City of Santa Clarita General Plan Conservation and Open Space CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT JUNE, 2011 PART 1 BACKGROUND AND PLANNING ISSUES A. Purpose and Intent of the Conservation and Open Space Element The Conservation and Open Space Element combines two of the mandatory General Plan elements required by State law into a single element. Section 65302(d) of the California Government Code requires “a conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources.” Article 10.5 of the Government Code establishes the framework for open space planning by local jurisdictions and the required contents of an Open Space Element including open space for outdoor recreation, public health and safety and preservation of natural resources. Many resource conservation issues are related to planning for open space preservation. For example, lands containing significant natural resources, such as Towsley Canyon and Elsmere Canyon, are designated as open space on the General Plan land use map. Some historical and cultural resources have been incorporated into park and recreational facilities, such as the William S. Hart Park and Museum. Many hiking and recreational trails connect open space lands with developed parks, and provide access to natural resource areas. Open space areas provide opportunities for groundwater percolation to enhance water quality and recharge of groundwater aquifers. These examples show the connection between resource protection and open space preservation, and highlight the benefits of planning for both as a coordinated effort. Because of the close relationship between resource conservation and open space planning, these two topics have been combined into an integrated Conservation and Open Space Element. This combined Element establishes a policy framework for the designation and long-term preservation of open space within the planning area, and addresses the wide range of community benefits derived from open space. In addition to providing land for park and recreational facilities, open spaces provide the benefits of wildlife habitat preservation, scenic views, water recharge and watershed protection, enhancement of air quality, protection of cultural and historical resources, moderation of microclimates, and enhanced property values. In addition, preservation of scenic and accessible open spaces around the urbanized portions of the Valley, and between neighborhoods and districts, contributes to community character and the distinctive sense of place enjoyed by Santa Clarita Valley residents. B. Background Consistency with Other General Plan Elements The Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan is consistent with the Land Use Element, because those areas having value for resource conservation purposes have been designated for open space, agriculture, or rural, low-density development on the Land Use Map. In addition, policies in the Conservation and Open Space Element to protect air and water quality are consistent with Land Use and Economic Development Elements policies promoting mixed-use development, sustainable and walkable communities. The Conservation and Open Space Element is consistent with the Circulation Element, because both Elements promote air quality goals through multi-modal strategies to reduce vehicle trips. The Element is consistent CO-1 June, 2011 Conservation and Open Space City of Santa Clarita General Plan with the Safety Element, because many of the areas prone to natural hazards, such as flooding and seismic shaking, are also subject to conservation issues such as water quality, groundwater recharge, slope stability, and soil erosion; the maps, policies and programs of both elements have been coordinated to preserve such areas as open space. The element is consistent with the Housing Element, because adequate residential uses have been designated within the planning area to meet the need for new housing without impacting natural resource areas; and because parks, recreational, and open space amenities have been planned to serve Valley residents. The Element is consistent with the Noise Element, because policies have been included to ensure that noise from aggregate resource extraction will not be detrimental to residents and other sensitive uses, and that noise from human activities will not be detrimental to natural communities. Resource Maps The background, goals and policies of this Conservation and Open Space Element are supplemented with exhibits that show the locations and extent of the following resources within the planning area: • Significant ridgelines and hillsides subject to development restrictions (Exhibit CO-1); • Mineral Resources, including areas with significant aggregate resources as designated by the State (Exhibit CO-2); • Water Resources, including surface waters such as rivers and lakes, and underground basins (Exhibit CO-3); • Groundwater Recharge Areas including groundwater Basins and recharge areas (Exhibit CO-3b); • Biological Resources (Exhibit CO-4) and Significant Ecological Areas as designated by the County (Exhibit CO-5); • Cultural and Historical Resources, including areas of local significance as well as sites having State or national historical designations (Exhibit CO-6); • Scenic Resources, including canyons, geological features, and significant ridgelines (Exhibit CO-7); • Open Space Resources, including passive and active parks and natural open areas protected for resource conservation (Exhibit CO-8); • Master Plan for Trails, including regional, County, and City trails and bikeways (Exhibit CO-9). Development and conservation policies have been established for each of these resource types, as set forth in Part 2, Goals and Policies, of this element. DRAFT May, 2011 CO-2 City of Santa Clarita General Plan Conservation and Open Space Organization of the Element The Background section of the Conservation and Open Space Element contains subsections for the following resource issues: soils and geological resources; water, including water supply, quality and conservation; biological resources; cultural and historical resources; air quality, energy conservation and climate change; parks, recreation, and trails; and open space conservation. Goals, objectives and policies have been included in Part 2 to address each of these issues. C. Prior Planning Efforts for Conservation and Open Space City Planning for Open Space and Conservation The City adopted its first Open Space and Conservation Element in 1991, and updated the Element in 1999. The element addressed the issues of open space, biological resources, soil resources, mineral resources, water resources, energy conservation, and cultural and historical resources. Policies in the element addressed preservation of natural features and ridgelines, sensitive habitats, recreation, the designation of open space as a buffer from natural hazards, protection of mineral resources, groundwater quality and recharge, and preservation of cultural resources. In addition, policies were included to address energy conservation and recycling. In order to implement the resource conservation policies of the original General Plan, the City adopted ordinances as part of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code to regulate soil erosion and dust prevention, hillside development, ridgeline preservation, stormwater quality, and oak tree preservation. The City also adopted a Park and Recreation Master Plan in 1995, which is currently being updated; and an Open Space Acquisition Plan in 2002, which will be updated as part of the Open Space Initiative passed by the voters in 2007. The City adopted the Non- Motorized Plan in 2008. These plans are discussed in greater detail in subsequent sections of this Element. County Planning for Open Space and Conservation The County adopted the Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan in 1984 with a comprehensive update in 1990 to address specific planning issues within the Valley. Areas with special significance for resource preservation were depicted on the Land Use Map of the Area Plan, including Open Space, Hillside Management, Significant Ecological Areas, and Floodways/Floodplains. The Area Plan contained a Scenic Highways Plan and plans for Trails and Bikeways, along with goals and policies to promote preservation of open space and conservation of resources. Hillside development policies were included for areas with slopes of 25 percent or greater. The County has also adopted ordinances to regulate and protect natural resources, including native oak trees, water quality, significant ecological areas, and hillside development. In 2007 the County recently updated the Master Trails Plan for the Santa Clarita Valley, and has made numerous improvements to park and open space areas. More information about these topics is contained in applicable sections of this element. D. Environmental Sustainability The term sustainable development has been defined as balancing the fulfillment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was first used in 1980 in the World Conservation Strategy published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In CO-3 June, 2011 Conservation and Open Space City of Santa Clarita General Plan 1987 the Brundtland Commission (established by the United Nations