Land Use Plan for Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park July 17, 2012 Planning/Stewardship/GIS Services Department East Bay Regional Park District 2950 Peralta Oaks Court Oakland, California 94605 Land Use Plan for Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park Adopted: July 17, 2012 Resolution No.: 2012 - 7 - 184 Planning/Stewardship/GIS Services Department East Bay Regional Park District 2950 Peralta Oaks Court Oakland, California 94605 Pleasanton Ridge Land Use Plan Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Chapter Summaries……………………………………………….……….. ....................... 1 1.1.2 Setting ........................................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2.1 Study Area ....................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2.2 Location ........................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2.3 Site Characteristics…………………….………………………….. ..................... 4 1.1.2.4 Park Access ..................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Project Purpose & Goals ........................................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.2.2 Goals ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Planning Process ....................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.2 Data Gathering, Mapping & Documentation ................................................................. 8 1.3.3 Meetings & Public Queries ........................................................................................... 9 1.3.3.1 Meetings .......................................................................................................... 9 1.3.3.2 Distribution of Planning Process Documentation ............................................ 9 1.4 Parkland Classification & Land Use Policy Consistency…….……………….. ......................... 10 1.4.1 Parkland Classification - Regional Park Designation ................................................. 10 1.4.2 Land Use Policy Consistency ..................................................................................... 10 1.4.2.1 Prior Planning Studies .................................................................................... 10 1.4.2.2 EBRPD Master Plan (1997) ............................................................................ 11 1.4.2.3 Wildland Management Policies & Guidelines (EBRPD 2001) ........................ 11 1.4.3 Park Facility Naming…….…………………………………………….…….. ................... 12 CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 Overview of Land Use Plan Recommendations…….…………………………….. .................... 13 2.2 Parkland Challenges …….………………………………………………….……….. .................... 14 2.2.1 Resource Challenges ................................................................................................. 14 2.2.1.1 Topography & Soils ....................................................................................... 14 2.2.1.2 Biological Resources ..................................................................................... 14 2.2.1.3 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................ 15 2.2.2 Public Access & Recreation Challenges .................................................................... 15 2.2.2.1 Staging & Trailheads ..................................................................................... 15 2.2.2.2 Inclusive Trail Use ........................................................................................ 15 Universal Access .................................................................................... 15 EBRPD 1997 Master Plan & District Ordinance 38 ................................ 16 2.2.2.3 Inter-Agency Coordination ............................................................................ 16 2.2.3 Maintenance & Operations Challenges ..................................................................... 17 2.2.3.1 Staffing .......................................................................................................... 17 2.2.3.2 Facilities ......................................................................................................... 17 2.2.4 Permits, Agreements & Easements Challenges ........................................................ 17 2.2.4.1 Private Access Easements in the Park.......................................................... 17 2.2.4.2 Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Access (EVMA) …….……….. ................. 18 2.2.4.3 Pleasanton Ridge Conservation Easement …….……………….. .................. 18 2.3 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 18 2.3.1 Resource Recommendations .................................................................................... 18 2.3.1.1 Biological Resources ..................................................................................... 18 2.3.1.2 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................ 19 2.3.1.3 Biological & Cultural Resource Monitoring ................................................... 19 2.3.2 Recreation Recommendations .................................................................................. 19 2.3.2.1 Recreation Facilities & Infrastructure ............................................................ 19 2.3.2.2 Interpretive & Recreation Programs ............................................................. 20 2.3.3 Maintenance & Operations Recommendations………….……………….. ................... 20 2.3.3.1 Public Safety…….………………………………………………….. ................... 20 2.3.3.2 Maintenance & Operations Facilities ........................................................... 20 2.3.3.3 Land Use Agreements ................................................................................... 21 2.4 Implementation of the LUP…….……………………………………….…………….. .................. 21 2.4.1 Authorization & Phasing…….………………………………………...…….. .................. 21 2.4.2 Permitting…….……………………………………………………………….. .................. 22 CHAPTER 3 EXISTING CONDITIONS Section 3.1 - Park Setting ..................................................................................................................... 25 3.1.1 Parkland Creation…….……………….. ....................................................................... 25 3.1.1.1 Parkland Vision .............................................................................................. 25 3.1.1.2 Parkland Jurisdictions .................................................................................... 26 3.1.2 Park Environment…….……………….. ....................................................................... 26 3.1.2.1 Topography, Geology & Soils ........................................................................ 26 Topography…….……………….. ............................................................. 26 Geology ................................................................................................... 28 Seismic & Landslide Hazards ........................................................... 28 Soils......................................................................................................... 29 3.1.2.2 Air & Sounds .................................................................................................. 29 Climate…….……………….. .................................................................... 29 Temperature & Precipitation ................................................................... 29 Wind…….……………….. ........................................................................ 29 Air Quality…….……………….. ................................................................ 30 Potential Effects of Global Climate Change on the Park ........................ 30 Predominant Sounds …….……………….. .............................................. 31 3.1.2.3 Hydrology & Water Resources …….……………….. ..................................... 31 Watershed…….……………….. ............................................................... 31 Surface Water & Drainage Pattern ......................................................... 31 Seasonal Drainages …….……………….. ............................................... 32 Ponds, Springs & Seeps …….……………….. ........................................ 32 Groundwater ........................................................................................... 33 3.1.2.4 Biological Resources Overview…….……………….. ..................................... 33 Data Collection ...................................................................................... 33 Methodology…….……………….. ..................................................... 33 Plant & Wildlife Surveys .................................................................. 33 3.1.2.5 Plant Communities & Associated Wildlife …….……………….. ....................