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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-15 City Council (4)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO: FROM: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLA. NNINI COMMUNITY ENWIRONMENT CMR: 472:04 DATE: SUBJECT: November 15, 2004 UPDATE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES ON BAYLANDS BACKGROUND In 1978, the City Council adopted the Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report for the Palo Alto Baylands. The following year, the Baylands Master Plan Summary Report was prepared to serve as a reference document, and included all of the significant recommendations approved by the City Council in adopting the Baylands Master Plan. The Summary Report was updated in 1987-1988 to reflect City Council actions in the intervening years regarding the Baylands. A copy of the 1987-88 Amended Summary Report of the Baylands Master Plan and EIR is attached to this memorandum. (See Attachment 2). The Planning Division has undertaken the task of preparing an update of the Baytands Master Plan. The update is expected to be completed in mid- or late-2005, depending on other work assignments and availability of the consultant, Ken Kay Associates. The updated plan will reflect City Council actions regarding the Baylands and projects completed since 1988, and will include additional contextual and back~ound material from the original approved Baylands Master Plan and improved maps and graphics to provide an up-to-date, easily understood Baylands Master Plan. Preparing the update has involved identifying Baytands-related City Council actions since 1988 and reviewing Baytands-related goals, policies and pro~ams found in the 1998 Comprehensive Plan. Staff has been asked to bring forward this part of the work for City Council to use in reviewing the Environmental Services Center proposal. City Council actions related to the Baylands since 1988 have essentially been actions to implement various elements of the Baylands Master Plan. The only significant policy change was the decision to locate the solid waste transfer station in Sunn?-,,ale rather than at the Los Altos Sewer Treatment Plant site. Following is a summary of City Council actions since 1988: In 1989 the City Council approved a revised Byxbee Park Plan for the landfill area, and in 1991 a final design for construction of Phase I of Byxbee Park was approved. This 1989-91 Byxbee Park Plan is a similar but somewhat simplified version of the B?~xbee Landfill Park, Park Conversion Plan adopted in ! 981. The two main changes in the CMR:472:04 Page 1 of 6 1989-91 Plan are: the entrance to the park is relocated from Embarcadero Way to off Harbor Road; and a provision is made for the possibility that the recycling center, which according to the 1981 Plans was to be removed when the landfill was completed, may remain. A possible location of approximately one or two acres near the Electrical Generation Facility is identified for that purpose (page 26). Excerpts from the 1989-91 Bs~bee Park Plan are attached to this report. (See Attachment 3). The 1989-91 B?~bee Park Plan (page 27) anticipated the possible use of the proposed Sunnyvale Material Recovery and Transfer (SMART) Station. This is a change from the 1987-88 update of the Baylands Master Plan which refers to 1984 City Council direction to staff to investigate use of the Los Altos Sewer Plant site as a future solid waste transfer station. Subsequently, the City became a partner with Mountain View and Sunnyvale in construction of the SMART Station located in Sunnyvale. During the 1990s, several key provisions of the Baylands Master Plan were implemented, including final closure of the yacht harbor, extensive marsh restor~ation, construction of the sailing station for hand carried boats, restoration of the Harbor Master’s Cottage, the bicycle and pedestrian trail system substantially completed, and completion of Phase I of the landfill conversion to B~xbee Park. Relationship to the 1998 Comprehensive Plan. The adopted 1978 Baylands Master Plan and EIR were incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan by Resolution 5675, April 2, 1979. When the 1998 Comprehensive Plan was prepared, a different approach was followed. Rather than incorporate the Baylands Master Plan document in total, the 1998 Comprehensive Plan recognizes the Baylands Master Plan as the adopted planning policy document for the area east of Highway 101, reaffirms the City policy of protecting the Baylands, and includes many goals, policies, and programs throughout the Comprehensive Plan that are consistent with and support the policies of the Baylands Master Plan. Baylands-related policies and references to the Baytands and the Baylands Master Plan are found in the Introduction, and in the Land Use and Community Design, Natural Environment, Community Services and Facilities, and Transportation Elements, and in the Glossary of the Comprehensive Plan. DISCUSSION The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council a comparison of key policies in the Baylands Master Plan (as updated in 1987-88) with related goals, policies and programs found in the 1998 Comprehensive Plan. Additional policies in the Comprehensive Plan that are relevant to the ESC proposal, such as those addressing solid waste management, are discussed in the City Managers Reports: CMR:470:04 and CMR:471:04, November 15, 2004. The report is organized into the following nine topic areas: 1. Land Use: Overall Environmental Protection of the Baylands Urban Service Area 2. Parks: Byxbee Landfill Park ITT Property 3. Natural Environment CMR:472:04 Page 2 of 6 4.Views, Scenic Routes and Gateways 5.Los Altos Sewer Plant Site 6.East Bayshore Employment District 7.Airport 8.Access and Circulation 9.Park Enhancements In addition to this narrative, the attached matrix (Attachment 1) compares Baylands Master Plan for policies each topic area in with related Comprehensive Plan goals, policies, and programs. Land Use The primary land use principles of the Baylands Master. Plan are that the development already in place east of Highway 101 when the Plan was adopted may continue but will not be expanded, and the remaining undeveloped Baylands will be conserved as open space and restored where it has been degraded, including converting the landfill to pastoral park, removing the yacht harbor, and restoring the ITT property to marsh at such time as the antermas can be removed. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan reaffirms these principles, recognizing the Baylands Master Plan as the adopted planning policy document for the area east of Highway 101 and stating that the Baylands will continue to be conserved as open space over the term of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan treats the city’s Urban Service Area as an urban growth boundary and states that future urban development will be limited to property within the urban service area. Baylands areas that are outside the urban service area are the landfill; the aquatic park including the Interpretive Center, Duck Pond, and Harbor; the Nature Preserves; and the Athletic Center and Golf Course. The Baylands Master Plan policies for these areas are consistent with their location outside the designated urban service area. The landfill is to be converted to park, and the other areas are park land that are proposed to have little or no change, or, in the case of the nature preserves, for conservation and restoration. The Baylands Master Plan also provides that there will be no more "urban intrusion" outside the currently urbanized corridor along Embarcadero Road. (See Attachment 4: Comprehensive Plan map L-2, Urban Service Area) Parks The Community Services and Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan recognizes that the City currently owns and operates several large open space preserves, including Byxbee Park, and describes the City’s focus regarding parkland as maintaining and rehabilitating these existing facilities, given that as a "built-out" community there will be little opportunity to acquire new par’~and. The Natural Environment Element provides that the baylands will continue to be conserved as open space and that the City will seek out new opportunities for more open space in the baylands. Converting the landfill area to parkland as provided for in the Baylands Master Plan is consistent with and helps to implement these Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. The Comprehensive Plan land use designation for the landfill area is public park and the site is dedicated park land. CMR:472:04 Page 3 of 6 The Comprehensive Plan Community Services and Facilities Element addresses the possibility that there may be proposals to locate infrastructure improvements in public open space and provides that this should be done only when such improvements are consistent with goals to protect and conserve the natural environment. Provision for possible location of the recycling center in BF~bee Park changed since the 1987-88 update of the Baylands Master Plan. The original Baylands Master Plan and the 1987-88 update provided that the recycling center would be removed from B?~xbee Park when the landfill was completed. The revised Byxbee Landfill Park Master Plan adopted in 1989 states that a location for the recycling center may be provided in Phase III (later Phase IIc) of Byxbee Park, and identifies an area about one or two acres in size adjacent to the Electrical Generation Facility for that purpose. The Baylands Master Plan calls for the former ITT property to be restored to marshland and incorporated into Byxbee Park when the existing antem~a field located in the center of this site is removed. The eventual restoration of this property to marshland was reaffirmed by City Council action in 1981. The City does not have the authority at this time to remove the antenna field because federal regulatory authorities consider the facility essential for communication with ships at sea. Consequently, the 37 acres in the center of the site where the antenna field is operating is currently designated Open Space/Controlled Development. The remainder of the site which completely surrounds the antenna area is designated Publicly Owned Conservation Land. The entire property is park dedicated. Restoring this property to marshtand and adding it to Byxbee Park would be consistent with Comprehensive Plan policies to restore the natural environment where it has been degraded by past development, and to seek out new opportunities for permanent open space in the Baytands. (See Attachment 5: Comprehensive Plan map C-2, Parkland Open Space) Natural Environment The Comprehensive Plan goals and policies in the Natural Environment element recognize the significance of the Baylands as a high value ecosystem, provide for the preservation and protection of the natural areas, and the conservation and preservation of the Baylands as open space. The Baylands Master Plan includes more specific recommendations for the natural areas that are consistent with and would help to implement the Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. The Baylands Master Plan includes specific recommendations for management of the wild life areas, including the need for a management plan and for controlling access to these areas. Policies and programs in the Comprehensive Plan Natural Environment Element address these same issues: managing open space in a way that meets habitat protection goals; the need to examine and improve management practices; and the need to review- and control access to enviromnentally sensitive areas. Views, Scenic Routes and Gateways The Comprehensive Plan recognizes the importance of dramatic views from the Baylands, and ac "knowledges the importance of visual connections in defining the character of the community. Map L-4 showing Community Design Features identifies major view corridors in all directions from within the Baylands. (See Attachment 6) In the Baylands Master Plan, a major design concept for the landfill park is the introduction of a high place in an otherwise horizontal landscape that will provide panoramic views of the surrounding marshes and beyond to the hills CMR:472:04 Page 4 of 6 ringing the south Bay. The Baylands Master Plan also includes several recommendations to enhance the park quality of Embarcadero Road as the entrance to the Baylands and to create a gateway experience for visitors to the park. This is consistent with Comprehensive Plan identification of Embarcadero Road as a scenic route and as a gateway to the Baylands at East Bayshore Road. Los Altos Treatment Plant Site The 1978 Baylands Master Plan recommended that the Los Altos Sewer Plant site should remain in park land. However, the 1987-88 update refers to City Council direction to staff in 1984 to explore use of the site as possible location for a solid waste transfer station~ The adopted 1989- 91 Byxbee Park Master Plan anticipates the possible location of the transfer station in Sunnyvale. By the time of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, the location of a regional transfer station had been resolved with construction of the SMART Station in Sunnyvale. The Comprehensive Plan land use designation for the Los Altos site is public park and the site is dedicated park land. East Bayshore Employment District The Comprehensive Plan provides that the design of buildings east of the Bayshore Freeway should reflect their location near the Baylands, that visual connections should be developed by exploiting views of the Baylands, and that physical connection to the nearby open space for bicycles and pedestrians should be enhanced. The Baylands Master Plan includes several related and more specific recommendations that would help implement the Comprehensive Plan policies. Airport The Comprehensive Plan continues the airport policies that were adopted in the Baylands Master Plan, reaffirming the limit of a single runway, not more than two fixed base operators, and only minor expansion and improvement of airport facilities without significantly increasing its intensity or intruding into open space. Access and Circulation The overarching concepts in the Baylands Master Plan regarding automobile access are to reduce automobile use in the park as much as possible, facilitate alternative ways to get to the park and to move around in the park, to provide only the amount of parking that is really needed and to locate and design parking lots in a way that will minimize their visual impacts in the Baylands. These objectives are consistent with the policies in the Transportation Element to support programs that reduce auto use and to minimize negative physical impacts of parking lots. The objectives of the Comprehensive Plan policies and programs for bicycle and pedestrian access are to provide a system that is inte~ated with local and regional networks, and to maintain bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are safe and easy to use. The Transportation Element includes policies regarding completion of the Bay Trail and evaluating a Bay-to- Foothills trail. The recommendations in the Baylands Master Plan are consistent with these policies and programs. CMR:472:04 Page 5 of 6 Park Enhancements The Baylands Master Plan includes specific proposals for park improvements such as landscape screening in strategic locations, park quality signs, the undergrounding of telephone and electric lines, and reduction of glare from night lighting. While there are no Comprehensive Plan programs that specifically address these park improvements in the Baylands, the Comprehensive Plan Community Services and Facilities Element includes a g~ ~eral policy to maintain and enhance existing park facilities. ~ ~ PREPARED BY: DEPARTMENT HEAD APPROVAL: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: EMIL~ HARRISON Assistant City Manager ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 : Attachment 2: Attachment 3: Attachment 4: Attactunent 5: Attachment 6: Matrix shows Baylands Master Plan policies in the left column and related Comprehensive Plan goals, policies, and progams in the right column. Amended Summary Report, Baylands Master Plan, 1987-88. Excerpts from the 1989-91 Byxbee Park Master Plan Comprehensive Plan Map L-2, Urban Service Area Comprehensive Plan Map C-2, Parks and Open Space Comprehensive Plan Map L-4, Community Design Features CMR:472:04 Page 6 of 6 ATTACHMENT 1 Comparison of Baylands Master Plan Policies with Comprehensive Plan goals, policies and programs. 1. LAND USE: Overall Environmental Baylands Master Plan "A new awareness of the ecological value of baylands, mudflats, and marshlands arose in the 1960’s. Palo Alto specified in 1965 that its parks were to be used for conservation and recreation. Plans for the Baylands ~dvocated development up until 1974, then they changed dramatically. Santa Clara C(~unty’s plans for a shoreline park have been dropped; expansion and upgrading of the harbor have been held to a minimum." "Why a Baylands Master Plan? The Baylands Master Plan was draw-n up for two reasons. The first was to meet the requirements of the California Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) .... The second was to serve as a comprehensive guide to future conservation and improvements in the entire Baylands." "Policies concerning the overall environmental quality- of the Baylands fall into four categories- the future of the landfill and the marshes, wildlife, access and traffic, and the future of the urbanized area. The landfill will ultimately become an environmental asset and a continuation of the natural open space as it is converted into a pastoral park. The marshes will be kept open to the Bay along the entire shoreline. Wildlife will be protected. Automobile traffic will be reduced in the Baylands. The urbanized Embarcadero Road corridor’s relationship to the open land wil! be recognized and maintained, but no more urban intrusion will be allowed?’ (Summary, page 1) Protection of the Baylands Comprehensive Plan Planning Context, Page L-4: "With adoption of the Baylands Master Plan in 1978, urban uses were limited to approximately 200 acres of existing development along Embarcadero Road and East Bayshore Road. The remaining 1700 acres were dedicated for recreation and restoration of marshland wildlife habitat." Goal N-1 Text: "Palo Alto’s foothills and baylands will continue to be conserved as open space over the term of this plan. The City will seek out new opportunities for permanent open space in both areas." Goal L-1 Text: "In a community survey conducted during the Comprehensive Plan process, the community overwhelmingly reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of the baylands and foothills." Glossary. "Baylands Master Plan (1987). City Council adopted Palo Alto planning policy document for areas east of Highway 101 ." Page 1 of 11 Baylands Master Plan "Recognize and maintain the relationship between the urbanized Embarcadero Road corridor in the northwest and the remaining recreation-oriented three-quarters. Allow no more urban intrusion." (Adopted recommendation A. 10, page 5) LAND USE: The Urban Service Area Comprehensive Plan ¯ Map L-2. Urban Service Area. Baylands areas identified as outside the urban service area include the landfill, the aquatic park, nature preserves, golf course, and athletic fields. "A 146-acre pastoral park wilt emerge from the landfill at the refuse Disposal Area." (Summary, page 1) "See that the disposal area ultimately becomes an enviroi~rnental asset and a continuation of the natural green space." (Adopted Recommendation A. 12, page 5) ’~...areas in the Baylands that will be changed very tittle, if at all .... the Lucy Evans Baytands Nature Interpretive Center...the Athletic Center ....The Municipal Service Center and Animal Services ....Municipal Golf Course...the Regional Water Quality Control Plant...the duck pond and lagoon...the natural area." (Summary, page 2) Policy L-1 Text: ~The City’s Urban Service Area boundary identifies areas that may be developed during the term of this Plan." Policy L-1. "Continue current City policy limiting future urban development to currently developed lands within the urban service area. The boundary of the urban service area is otherwise know as the urban growth boundary .... Retain undeveloped Baylands northeast of Highway 101 as open space." Page 2 of 11 2. PARKS: Byxbee Baylands Master Plan "Forecast Plan. This will be achieved when the landfill is converted into a pastoral park." (page "A 146-acre pastoral park will emerge from the landfill at the Refuse Disposal Area. An aquatic park will replace the Yacht Harbor .... These two park elements will be connected by a pedestrian promenade that roughly follows the harbor shoreline." (pages ! and 2). "Landfill Area-Grading Plan. The adopted grading plan is based on closing the landfill,,o ...... o,,~,, as v..........................15to¯.,,,; ...., consistent with the development of alternative disposal and resource recovery methods at the most affordable costs. The 15 20 ?’ear grading plan is intended to provide passive upland meadow recreation and meet Regional Water Quality Contro! Board requirements." (Adopted Recommendation N., page 6-7; strikeouts shown in 1987-88 update) "The landfill ,.,;11 ~.~ ~1~o~,~ ............;M~ and ...... ~r an~_~, .....c sure me depends on the development of affordable alternative ways to dispose of waste and to recover materials." @age 15) "Seeing that the landfill ultimately becomes an environmental asset and a continuation of the natural open space is one of the most important aspects of the overall environmental quality plan for the Baylands." (page 15) Landfill Park Comprehensive Plan Page C-4, Text: "The City also owns and operates several large open space preserves such as Byxbee Park .... Because of the "built-out" nature of the community, it is unlikely that many new parks will be created in Palo Alto. Maintenance and rehabilitation of existing facilities will be the City’s primary concern relating to parks." Goal N-1 Text: "Palo Alto’s foothills and baylands will continue to be conserved as open space over the term of this Plato. The City will seek out new opportunities for permanent open space in both areas." Policy C-25. "Make infrastructure improvements on public open space only when these improvements are consistent with the goals of protecting and conserving the natural environment." Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. The land use designation for the landfill area is Public Park. Map C-2. Parks and Open Space. The landfill area is identified as Dedicated Park Lands and Open Space Preserve Owned by the City of Palo Alto. Page 3 of 11 2. PARKS : Baylands Master Plan "Remove antenna field and replace with marshland. Incorporate this area into B),~bee Park." (Adopted Recommendations 0.2.a and b., page 7) Former ITT Property Comprehensive Plan Page N-1. Natural Enviromnent Vision Statement. "Elements of the natural environment will be conserved where they remain intact and restored where they have been degraded by past development." "This 154 acres of diked marshland was sold to the City by ITT in 1977. The future of the former ITT property goes beyond conservation into rehabilitation, and fits perfectly with the overall goal of the Baylands Master Plan- to preserve and enhance unique and irreplaceable resources .... ITT will control 37 acres in the central part of the property~,,~+’~ -,,,’~a ,~,~,, ,.,~ : ...... ,,~,~ o until approximately the year 2000 .... The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that the antennas are an essential communications link to ships at sea .... The property will be opened to the tides and again become a salt marsh after the antennas are removed. The diked marshlands and antenna field w~ill be restored to their natural states, made biologically productive again, and will become a part of Byxbee Park." (page 17; strikeout and italics appear in 1987-88 update) (City Council action, December 14, 1981, reaffirmed marsh conversion for this site.) Goal N-1 Text: "Palo Alto’s foothills and baylands will continue to be conserved as open space over the term of this Plan. The City wil! seek out new opportunities for pelnnanent open space in both areas." Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. Land Use designation for this site is Publicly Owned Conservation Land, except the 37 acres in the center of the site where the antenna field is still operating, which is designated Open Space/Controlled Development. Map C-2. Parks and Open Space. The ITT property is identified as Dedicated Park Lands and Open Space Preserve Owned by the City of Palo Alto Page 4 of 11 o Baylands Master Plan The Baylands are one of the most significant areas of native marsh vegetation, endangered species habitat, and habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds in the South Bay. The Baylands are large, and much of the marsh is undisturbed. The area can provide a complete food web. The salt marsh harvest mouse and the California clapper rail, both on the federal endangered species list, are ~ermanent Baylands residents." (Summary, page 3) NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: Conservation and Restoration Comprehensive Plan PageN-1. Natural Environment Vision Statement. "Elements of the natural environment will be conserved where they remain intact and restored where they have been degraded by past development." "Restore the diversity of plants and animals to disturbed upland sites." (Adopted Recommendation A.7., page 5) "Keep marshes open to the Bay along the entire shoreline." (Adopted Recommendation A.4., page 5) "t4- I¢~en the dredging of the Harbor is stopped, it will silt up and will again become a salt marsh. The area will return to a relatively natural state." (Adopted Recommendation P.2., page 8; strikeout and italics shown in 1987-88 update) "Reclaim the area north of Harbor Point, referred to as Mundy marsh, as a marshland." (Adopted Recommendation P. 1.a., page 8) "Reclaim a section of marsh at Harbor Pont as the stockpile of dredge spoil is removed or reshaped." (Adopted Recommendation P.l.c., page 8) "Open up the old channel to serve the shallow pond area called Mundy Marsh." (Adopted Recommendation T.5., page 9) Goal N-1. "A citywide Open space System that Protects and Conserves Palo Alto’s Natural Resources and Provides a Source of Beauty and Enjoyment for Palo Alto Residents." Goal N-1 Text: "Along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, open space is contained in what is generally called the Palo Alto baylands. ...includes the John Fletcher Byxbee Recreation Area, the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, the Baylands Athletic Center, the Palo Alto Landfill (part of which has been closed and converted into Byxbee Park), a flood control basin and several natural salt marshes .... Most of the area consists of passive open space,.., and some of the most extensive salt marsh and mudflat habitats remaining in the Bay Area .... Pato Alto’s foothills and baylands will continue to be conserved as open space over the term of this Plan." Policy N-8. "Preserve and protect the Bay, marshlands, salt ponds, sloughs, creeks, and other natural water or wetland areas as open space." Policy N-8 Text: "The 1987 Baylands Master Plan identified the baylands as a special resource warranting conservation and preservation as open space." Policy T-52. "Participate in seeking a regional solution to improved roadway connections between highway 101 and the Dumbarton Bridge without construction of a southern connection across environmentally sensitive baylands." Page 5 of 11 o Baylands Master Plan "Marsh preserve, Faber and Laumeister Tracts, Sand Point area, Hooks Island, Inner Harbor Marsh, Flood Basin. Because of the high biological value of these areas, only a few changes are proposed. They include the proposed landscaping of the duck pond, the approved levee and flood wall construction in the flood basin, and proposed trails described in the access and Circulation section. Develop a management plan for these areas as these changes require." (Adopted Recommendation Q., page 8) NATURAL ENVIRONMENT : Management Comprehensive Plan Policy N-1. "Manage existing public open space areas ... in a manner that meets habitat protection goals, public safety concerns, and low impact recreation needs." "Be sure there is enough native food and cover for wildlife." (Adopted Recommendation A.8., page 5) "Control access to environmentally sensitive marshland and upland meadow habitat. Prohibit access to Hooks Island. Protect the duck-breeding area with a vegetation buffer and control the high-tide bird refuge in the flood basin. Use the flood basin only in certain seasons to protect the waterfowl and shorebird refuge area. Restrict access to protect breeding species and their habitat and to preserve and enhance flood basin wildlife and vegetation." (Adopted Recommendations A. 1., 2., 5., 6., and C.2., page 5) Program N-2. "Examine and improve management practices for natural habitat and open space areas,...." Program N-3. "Review the need for access controls in environmentally sensitive areas, including the baylands, foothills, and riparian corridors." Prograna N-3 Text: "While the City recognizes the need to provide adequate access to open space for fire protection and utility maintenance, it should not be provided at the expense of natural resources." Page 6 of 11 Baylands Master Plan Views: "The land is open, spacious, and horizontal, with nothing between the planes of ground, water, and sky except for the landfill in the center portion." (Summary, page 2) VIEWS, SCENIC ROUTES and GATEWAYS "The two off-set upland meadow bowls provide enclosed open space for passive recreation as well panoramic views of the surrounding marshlands and the South Bay." (Adopted Recommendation N., page page 7) "The park will be the main high-ground landmark in the flatness of the Baylands. The hills, the highest of which will be 44-fe~ 60feet (Council action, October 6, 1986), will allow visitors to enjoy panoran~ic views of the marsh, south Bay, and wildlife. (page 15; strikeout and italics shown in 1987-88 update) Scenic Routes and Gateways. "Use the excess right-of-way for trails and landscaping to improve the entrance to the Baylands. Run the utilities in the Baylands underground when Embarcadero Road is rebuilt." (Adopted Recommendations D.2 and D.4, page 6) "Provide a strip of planting.., at the airport from its entrance east along Embarcadero road to its junction with the shoreline road." (Adopted Recommendation M.2, page 6) "Install park-quality lighting from Embarcadero Way toward the Bay." (Adopted Recommendation T.3, page 9) "Create a "gateway" feeling for Bs-xbee park at the intersection of Embarcadero Road and the airport." (Adopted Recommendation S.5.e., page 9) Comprehensive Plan Policy L-3, Text: "Palo Atto’s backdrop of forested hills to the southwest and San Francisco Bay to the northeast is a character-defining element of the City. ... Views from the baylands are equally striking, taking in the Bay, the East Bay hills, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. These visual connections are part of what makes Palo Alto attractive. The design and siting of new buildings should take into account impact on views, and should frame existing views of the hills, where possible." Map L-4. Community Design Features. This map identifies major view corridors within the Baylands. Program L-71. "Recognize Sand Hill Road, University Avenue, Embarcadero Road, ... as scenic routes." Program T-57. "Provide a planting strip and bicycle/pedestrian path adjacent to Embarcadero Road that is consistent with the open space character of the Baylands." Map L-4. Community Design Features. This map identifies Embarcadero Road east to Harbor Road as a scenic route, and identifies Embarcadero Road at East Bayshore as a gateway Page 7 of 11 5. Los Altos Sewer Plant site Baylands Master Plan Comprehensive Plan "Keep the Los Altos Sewer Plant site in parkland as shown in the Comprehensive Plan. Staffwas directed to explore the use of this site as a future solid waste transfer station (Council Action, July 2, Goal N-7 Text: "Approximately one-third of the solid waste generated within the City is delivered to the 137-acre municipal landfill .... The remaining two-thirds of the waste stream is transferred to the regional Sunns’,,ale Material and Recovery Transfer (SMART) Station. There, waste is sorted to remove recyclable goods ..... Waste that cannot be 1984)." (Adopted Recommendation L., page 6) "The Los Altos Sewer Plant site will be kept in parkland as shown in the Comprehensive Plan. Staffwas directed to explore the use of this site as a f!¢ture solid waste transfer station (Council Action, July 2, 1984). " (Surmnary, page 2; italics shown in 1987-88 update) recycled is deposited at the Kirby Canyon Landfill in San Jose. Assuming that conditions remain approximately the same, Palo Alto’s municipal landfill will be operational until 2014. After its closure, all of the City’s waste will go to the SMART Station." Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. Land use designation of Los Altos Treatment Plan site is Public Park. Map C-2. Parks and Open Space. The Los Altos Sewer Plant site is identified as Dedicated Park Lands and Open Space Preserve Owned by the City of Palo Alto. 6.EAST BAYSHORE EMPLOYMENT DISTRICT Baylands Master Plan "Privately Owned Lands. Be sure any future development is consistent with the comprehensive Plan and continues to receive extensive design review." (Adopted Recommendation F., page 6) "Improve the public easement between the industrial and research area on the north side of East Bayshore Frontage Road with landscaping, pavement, and signs. The signs should be part of a total system." (Adopted Recommendation S.5.e, page 9) "Provide Screen Planting along the southerly urbanized edge of the private property facing the fomaer ITT property." (Adopted Recommendation T. 1, page 9) "Provide access from the public easement (ITT site) to By-xbee Park along the south side (and) parallel to the urbanized area." (Adopted Recommendation S.4.3., page 9) Comprehensive Plan Policy L-46. Text: "The design of new or redeveloped buildings and landscaping, particularly northeast of the Bayshore Freeway, should reflect the area’s locati.on near the baylands. Connections to the nearby baylands should be strengthened by taking advantage of views and improving bicycle and pedestrian connections to the open space area." Page 8 of 11 7. AIRPORT Baylands Master Plan "In general, make no changes in the airport activities that will increase the intensity of airport use or will significantly intrude into open space." (Adopted Recommendation M. 1, page 6) "Do not construct the second runway. Plant indigenous grasses on the existing pad and leave as open space. Proceed with construction of Fixed Base Operator #2 .... delete Fixed Base Operator #3 from the Airport Master Plan." (Adopted Recommendations M.2.a,b,c, page 6) "The Palo Alto Airport, base for no more than 510 aircraft, wil! stay much the way it is ..... The County lease was amended May 20, 1980, to clarify that a second runway and expansion of permanent aircraft tiedown spaces shall not occur without concurrence of the City. Charter flights and general aviation, which is mostly private aircraft, made about 193,000 flights to and from the Palo Alto Airport between Nov. 1, 1985 and Oct. 31, 1986, and this total is expected to remain about the same." (page 13) Relocate the terminal. (Adopted Recormnendation M.2.d, page 6) Comprehensive Plan Policy T-57 Text: "Airport policies were first adopted in the Baylands Master Plan of 1978, and are continued in this plan. Palo Alto will allow for improvement and only minor expansion of existing Airport facilities. In the sensitive baylands area, and immediately adjacent to homes in East Palo Alto, traffic and aircraft noise should be minimized." Policy T-57. "Support the continued vitality and effectiveness of the Palo Alto Airport without significantly increasing its intensity or intruding into open space areas. The airport should remain limited to a single runway and two fixed base operators." Program T-58. "Encourage Santa Clara county to relocate the terminal building away from the Runway 31 clear zone, allowing for construction of a new terminal." Page 9 of 11 8. ACCESS AND CIRCULATION: Baylands Master Plan "Expand bicycle and pedestrian activities while reducing vehicle traffic in the Baylands as far as possible. Restrict storage and parking of vehicles in the Baylands." (Adopted Recommendations A.9. and A. 11, page 5) "Make it easier for people to use transit systems. Provide for transit destination points and connect them to existing and future pedestrian and bike systems." (Adopted Recommendations S.3.b. and S.5.b., page 9) "Conduct a study of traffic circulation along Embarcadero Road from the Bayshore Freeway overpass to East Bayshore Frontage Road to reduce conflicts between vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians .... " (Adopted Recommendation S.5.a. 1., page 9) " Supply about 100 more parking spaces to service the park. They should blend into the Baylands without major visual intrusion." (Adopted Recommendation S.5.c, page 9) "Enclose the parking areas with earth forms to screen them from surrounding areas." (Adopted Recommendation P. 1 .b., page 8) Autos and Parking Comprehensive Plan Policy T-3. "Support the development and expansion of comprehensive, effective programs to reduce auto use at both local and regional levels." Policy T-75. "Minimize the negative physical impacts of parking lots .... " Page 10 of 11 Baylands Master Plan "Integrate the City’s bike path and trail system with auto and public transit facilities to make free and easy movement possible through the Baylands and to connect with regional systems to the south, west, and north." (Adopted Recommendation E. 1, page 6) ACCESS AND CIRCULATION: Bicycles and Pedestrians "Improve, protect, and maintain the existing nature trails." (Adopted Recommendation E.3., page 6) "Provide safe bicycle storage in the Baylands at appropriate places." (Adopted Recommendation E.2., page 6) "Provide separate pedestrian and bike paths away from vehicle traffic wherever possible and connect the existing segment of bike path to the regional bike system." (Adopted Recommendation S.5.d., page 9). "The regional bike trail route will create a continuous off- road bike path system from Mountain View in the south to the north portion of the area, towards Cooley Landing." (Adopted Recommendation S. 1., page 8) "Upgrade the PG & E boardwalk for safer pedestrian use." (Adopted Recommendation A.3., page 5) Comprehensive Plan Policy T-14. "Improve pedestrian and bicycle access to and between local destinations, including public facilities, ...parks, open space, employment districts,...." Policy T-20. "Improve maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure." Policy T-19. "Improve and add secure bicycle parking..." Program T-25. "Evaluate the design of a Bay-to-Foothills path." Progam T-26. "Complete development of the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail in Palo Alto." Maps T-5 and T-6. Primary bicycle and pedestrian paths in the Baylands are identified on these maps. o Baylands Master Plan "Continue current activities at the Athletic Center and go on with efforts to reduce the external glare of night lighting." (Adopted Recommendation H, page 6) PARK ENHANCEMENTS Comprehensive Plan Policy C-26. "Maintain and enhance existing park facilities. " "Add screen landscaping between the Mtmicipal Service Center/Animal Services and the future landfill area park." (Adopted Recommendation K., page 6) "Supply park-quality signs for the Interpretive Center, duck pond, harbor, refuse area, and recycling center at the park entrance." (Adopted Recommendation T.2., page 9) "Eliminate telephone and electric wires and poles from the Baylands .... Remove utility poles being used as bumpers." (Adopted Recommendations P. 1 .f., page 8 and ) T.4., page 9) Page 11 ofll ATTACHMENT 2 ..... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: i:i :’: ......... ..:’::::::!:i:i :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.... :.:::::: February 26, 1988 AMENDED SUMMARY REPORT BAYLANDS MASTER PLAN AND E.I.R. I.Update to Amended Summary Report In January 1987, Public Works staff distributed an Amended Summary Report, Baylands Master Plan (maroon-colored binder) to members of the City Council, Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, and various City departments and divisions. Attached is information to be placed in your binder, as follows: o Summary, page 2. Replace page 2 of the Report with the attached page 2. It contains a correction to the land use designation of the ITT property. Foldout map of the Baylands Forecast Plan. The binder has a pocket inside the back cover in which the map can be stored. II.New Baylands Master Plan Document On January Ii, 1988, Council discussed CMR:I02:8 pertaining to the Yacht Harbor restoration study. On February 18, 1988, Council received an informatibnal staff report (CMR:165:8), which summarized implementation of Council’s direction of January ii. This report included the project description for a proposed FY 1988-93 Capital Improvement project (CIP). Both CMR’s are attached for placement in the front of the binder (along with this transmittal sheet). One segment of the proposed CIP is the preparation of a new Baylands Master Plan document by design/environmental consultants. This new document will incorporate all past changes to the Plan, as well as the specific project elements of the CIP. Please update your Amended Summary Report as described in I and II above. be retained for reference. It should Comments and questions should be directed to the Public Works Administrator, 329-2566. Distrkbution:City Council Planning Commission Architectural Review Board City Departments/Divisions INTRODUCTION ~M,E~DED SUMMARY REPORT BAYLANDS MASTER PLAN AND E.I.R. JANUARY 1987 On October i, 1978, Palo Alto City Council adopted the Baylands Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report (E.I.R.). In 1979, a S~ummary Report of the Baylands Master Plan and E.I.R. was distributed for use as the primary reference document. Since 1979, numerous Council-approved actions and completion of projects have occurred. To the degree practicable, the Amended Summary Report reflects these Baylands-related actions, providing an updated and handy reference document. The original text from the 1979 Sunmlary Report has been reproduced, in the Amended Summary Report.All actions have been noted in italics; outdated text is lined-out but readable for historic reference. The Amended Summary Report will be updated in a timely manner as future actions and project completions occur. Approximately one month after an action receives Council approval, a brief update sheet will be distributed to Report-holders. Each January, the text affected by the action will be reprinted and distributed, with instructions to replace the appropriate page(s) in the binder. In January 1988, an updated foldout map of the Baylands forecast plan will be distributed. Questions regarding this Report should be directed to the Public Works Administrator, 329-2566. Distribution list:Council Planning Commission Architectural Review Board City Departments/Divisions In the Pale Alto Baylands, a unique and ir- replaceable resource, the City of Pale Alto is balancing ecological preservation with continued commercial and recreational use of the land. This is accomplished through a long-term in- vestment in management, planned improvement, and controlled growth. The Baylands Master Plan is a far-seeing docu- ment. Most of the major changes will not be realities for 15 tc twcnty-years until closure of the landfill. A 146-acre pastoral park will emerge from the landfill at the Refuse Disposal Area. An aquatic park will replace the Yacht Harbor. Municipal Air- port expansion will slow significantly. The City recommends that the long-planned South Bay Discharger not be built. The Master Plan also provides a guide and framework for future proposals and development in the Baylands. A major goal of the Master Plan is a unification of the Baylands. The site is now divided into natural areas, the harbor, airport, golf course, the former International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT) property, and landfill. Baylands planning had been done piecemeal before this-report the 1978 flaylands Master Plan, without considering the area as an integrated whole. The City’s first Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1976, established planning guidelines, espe- cially for the urban core and foothills. The Bay- lands Master Plan focuses on one of the key areas in the City still to require comprehensive planning. A new awareness of the ecological value of baylands, mudflats, and marshlands arose in the 1960s. Pale Alto specified in 1965 that its parks were to be used for conservation and recreation. Plans for the Baylands advocated development up until 1974, then they changed dramatically. Santa Clara County’s plans for a shoreline park have been dropped; expansion and upgrading of the harbor have been held to a minimum. WHY A BAYLANDS MASTER PLAN? The Baylands Master Plan was drawn up for two reasons. The first was to meet the requirements of the California Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)o The 1975 dredging of the Pale Alto Yacht Harbor required a BCDC permit that stipulated that further development and main- tenance dredging could be considered only after the City and County completed a comprehensive recreational plan and found a suitable way to dis- pose of the dredged mud, called "spoils." The second was to serve as a comprehensive guide to future conservation and improvements in the entire Baylands. The Master Plan presents concepts for the Baylands. More detailed design studies are needed to carry out each element of the Plan. OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY POLICIES Policies concerning the overall environmental quality of the Baylands fall into four categories-- the future of the landfill and the marshes, wildlife, access and traffic, and the future of the urbanized area. The landfill will ultimately become an environ- mental asset and a continuation of the natural open space as it is converted into a pastoral park. The marshes will be kept open to the Bay along the entire shoreline. Wildlife will be protected by prohibiting human access to Hooks Island, by management of the flood basin to protect the duck-breeding area with a vegetation buffer and to control the high-tide bird refuge, and by providing adequate food and cover where natural vegetation is deficient. Other wildlife protection measures include using the flood basin only in certain seasons to protect the waterfowl and shorebird refuge area, and restoring the diver- sity of plants and animals to disturbed upland sites. Automobile traffic will be reduced in the Baylands while bicycle and pedestrian activities will be expanded. Storage and parking of vehicles will be restricted. Other access and traffic policies include controlling entry to the environmentally sensitive marshland and upland meadow habitat, and upgrading the Pacific Gas & Electric Com- pany boardwalk for safer use by pedestrians. The urbanized Embarcadero Road corridor’s relationship to the open land will be recognized and maintained, but no more urban intrusion will be allowed. BAYLANDS tN-T-ER t M-ANt) FORECAST PLAN tN--FE~RtM-P-t:AN.:-Mud-wi!l-~e-dredged-f~em-the yaoht-haflger-and-tgroeessed-in-elewater4ng-pends en-t he-fer4~er-t:FT-preper4 y:-As-tger4iens-ef-t he-land- fitl-Feeeive-t heir-finat-eever,-t hey-ean-be-epened as-par4~landqn-a-phase6Leperatien. Council action on June 2, 198[) restricted the harbor to one final dredg- ing, and the harbor lease with the Cottttty w~ls sttbse- qttently atnended to termittate ott June 30, 1986 771e August 25, 1981 BCDC pernlit, as atnended, allowed the final dredging to extend over a five-)’ear period and imposed the condition that the piers and pilings of tile }[wllt Harbor be’ removed after the last dredging. De- waterin,q conce7~t drol)ped (Cottncil Action, December 14, 1981). FORE~GAST-PL-AN~ This will be achieved when the landfill is converted into a pastoral park. The 2 buildings and berths will be removed from around the harbor and that area will be converted into an aquatic park. These two park elements will be con- nected by a pedestrian promenade that roughly follows the harbor shoreline. The former ITT prop- erty will be restored to marshland and connected to the other natural areas of the Baylands. AREAS OF LITTLE CHANGE There are many areas in the Baylands that will be changed very little, if at all. The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center will continue its present activities, as will the Athletic Center. Also continuing present operations are the Municipal Service Center (MSC) and Animal Services. Landscaping will be added between the MSC and the landfill. The Municipal Golf Course will also go on operating and will proceed with its renovation program. The Regional Water Quality Control Plant’s ad- vanced waste water treatment improvements will continue. Palo Alto recommends that the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s flood protection proj- ect proceed, subject to final plan approval by the City (completed 1986). The City also recommends that the proposed salt-water levee not be constructed. Also remaining much the same are the duck pond and lagoon, which will be landscaped. The Los Altos Sewer Plant site will be kept in parkland as shown in the Comprehensive Plan. Staff was directed to explore the use of this site as a future solid waste tran.~fer station (Council Action, July 2, 1984). Only a few changes are planned for the natural area. They include approved flood basin levee and flood wall construction and trails. A management plan that takes these changes into account will be developed by a citizens’ advisory committee work- ing with City staff. ELEI~IENTS OF THE BAYLANDS The Baylands consist of an urbanized core of about 200 acres surrounded by 1,700-acre John Fletcher Byxbee Park. Most of the acreage is owned by the City and zoned for public facilities. The urban area includes the Palo Alto Municipal Airport, the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, the Municipal Service Center, Animal Services, and privately owned lands. Business and industry is concentrated along Embarcadero Road and East Bayshore Road. These include a major automobile dealership, restaurants, office buildings, and other light industry. The landfill, Yacht Harbor, duck pond, lagoon, the natural unit and marsh preserve, Athletic Center, and Municipal Golf Course are included in Byxbee Park. The former ITT property is dedi- cated as open-spaee park hind (City Onfimmce #33,16, May 3, 1982). The Comprehensive l’hm hind- use designation for this property is publicly-owned con- servation land (Council Resolution #6171, Augttst 15, 1983). The park is mostly marshes and open land that extend to the edge of San Francisco Bay. It is bounded on the north by San Francisquito Creek and on the south by Charleston Slough. The land is open, spacious, and horizontal, with nothing between the planes of ground, water, and sky except for the landfill in the center portion. Wildlife is conspicuous in the grass-covered marshes and along the watercourses. Intensive structured recreation is carried on only in. the center of Byxbee Park, where it is the least destructive to wildlife habitat. The shoreline and the Bay are the major features of interest. This makes it possible to have a goal of recreation in harmony with resource preservation. REGIONAL LOCATION The Baylands are located at the northern end of the Santa Clara Valley and at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. They are about three miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide. Most of the Baylands are in Santa Clara County, with a small portion in southeastern San Mateo County. San Francisco is 35 miles north and San Jose is about 15 miles south. HISTORY City planning for the Baylands began in about 1923 when city engineer John Fletcher Byxbee drew up an elaborate development plan. Before Byxbee’s plan, the Baylands had been a source of food for early settlers and Native Americans. Local produce was shipped in the 1870s to markets in San Francisco from a wharf. The yacht harbor was dredged, the duck pond, then a swimming pool, and lagoon were con- structed in the early 1930s, with the dredge spoils used to reclaim the adjacent marshland. The airport and sewage treatment plant were built in 1934. WILDLIFE IN THE BAYLANDS The Baylands are one of the most significant areas of native marsh vegetation, endangered species habitat, and habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds in the South Bay. The Baylat~ds are large, and much of the marsh is undisturbed. The area can provide a complete food web. The salt marsh harvest mouse and the Califor- nia clapper rail, both on the federal endangered species list, are permanent Baylands residents. HOW THE MASTER PLAN CAME ABOUT The study that resulted in the Baylands Master Plan began in 1976 with the evaluation of specific alternatives for various areas in the Baylands followed by a report on which alternatives were chosen. The consultant team had met several times with a technical advisory committee composed of representatives from government agencies which had jurisdiction or regulatory authority over the Baylands. An extensive community participation program was an important element of the study. Citizen workshops, public workshops, public hearings, and personal interviews with interested citizens brought in a great deal of valuable information and opinion. Public hearings were held before the Planning Commission in early 1977. The Planning Commis- sion then .presented its recommendations to the City Council for review. During City Council review, Cooper-Clark Associates began a study of alternatives for clos- ing the landfill. The City was negotiating to buy the 154-acre ITT property at the same time. The draft Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report was presented on July 19, 1978 to the Planning Commission. The City Council approved the Baylands Master Plan on October 11, 1978. HOW THE VARIOUS REPORTS RELATE This report is-a-~m ~mtctt~l~,~t summary of the Baylands Master Plan and Environmental Im- pact Report. The parts of that report that discuss alternative landfill closure plans were based on technical information in the report titled Com- parison of Alternative Closure Plans for the City of Palo Alto’s Sanitary Landfill, Cooper- Clark and Associates, 1978. San ~Bay Lucy Evans Interpretive MARSHPRESERVE \\I1 4 COURSE AIRPORT FORMER’~ I.T.T. PROPERTY BYXBEE PARK 17ooacre. MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSEATHLETIC CENTERSAND POINT AREA HARBORLAGOON & DUCKHOOKS ISLAND LANDFILLFLOOD CONTROL BASIN CURRENT LAND-USE 5 A. Overall Environmental Quality of Baylands 1. Control access to environmentally sen- sitive marshland and upland meadow habitat. 2.Prohibit access to Hooks Island. 3.Upgrade the PG&E boardwalk for safer pedestrian use. 4. Keep marshes open to the Bay along the entire shoreline. 5. Protect the duck-breeding area with a vegetation buffer and control the high-tide bird refuge in the flood basin. 6. Use the flood basin only in certain seasons to protect the waterfowl and shorebird refuge area. 7. Restore the diversity of plants and animals to disturbed upland sites. 8. Be sure there is enough native food and cover for wildlife. 9. Expand bicycle and pedestrian activities while reducing vehicle traffic in the Baylands as far as possible. 10. Recognize and maintain the relationship between the urbanized Embarcadero Road corridor in the northwest and the remaining recreation-oriented three- quarters. Allow no more urban intrusion. 11. Restrict storage and parking of vehicles in the Baylandso 12. See that the disposal area ultimately becomes an environmental asset and a continuation of the natural green space. B. Flood Protection 1. Background The flood protection project proposed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District for Barron, Matadero, and Adobe Creeks has received initial approval of the County and the City and was in its final pre- construction stages in early 1979. The project consists of a flood watt levee along East Bayshore Frontage Road and a flood levee continuing behind the Municipal Service Center and along Matadero Creek to the refuse disposal area (com- pleted 1986). There is a concern about salt-water flooding, particularly in the urban areas of the City. However, it is believed that the levee design proposedin the "Baylands Saltwater Flood Control Planning Study" completed in 1973 does not adequately identify the adverse effects and ways to lessen their severity. It also appears that the proposed levee cross-sections were based on the most unfavorable site con- ditions which resulted in maximum heights and widths. Recommendations Recommend that the Santa Clara Valley Water district flood basin project to pro- tect Barron, Matadero, and Adobe Creeks proceed as proposed, subject to final plan review by the City (completed 1986). Take no position on the salt-water levee until the San Francisco Bay Shoreline Sti.~dy is reviewed. The levee should be built as low as posdible to prevent frequent flooding, so that its visual and ecological effects will be reduced. 3. Flood Protection Measures a. Coordinate any flood protection on San Francisquito Creek with East Palo Alto and San Mateo County. b. Do not allow new levee construction to intrude on any marsh or wetlands. C. Flood Basin Access 1. Permit access to the flood basin for organized and supervised dog training programs in specified areas with enough controls to protect other visitors and wildlife. Restrict access to protect breeding species and their habitat and to preserve and enhance flood basin wildlife and vegetation. Use of the f, lood basin would be com- patible if: a. access were closed or substantially restricted during the breeding season, approximately March 30 to June 30; b. access to some areas were restricted during the hunting season, specifically including the fresh-water/brackish- water pond area; c. access were limited to existing trails and those above the high-water line with the proposed flood plain mitiga- tion project. A continuing survey should be started to establish the most productive and critical wildlife areas in the flood basin. If necessary, access to trails that cross or are next to sen- sitive areas should be closed or regulated; 6 d.most uses, including bicycle trails, were limited and encouraged only along the perimeter levees of the flood basin; e. a portion or portions of the flood basin were closed to unguided access and reserved for occasional educational use under supervision. D. Embarcadero Road 1. Consider a two-lane road from the airport entrance toward the Bay when Embarca- dero Road is rebuilt (completed by Santa Clam County, 1985). 2. Use the excess right-of-way for trails and landscaping to improve the entrance to the Baylands. 3. Provide adequate turning lanes, no park- ing areas, and whatever else is appro- priate to the continued flow of traffic. 4. Run the utilities in the Baylands under- ground when Embarcadero Road is rebuilt. E. Bike Paths and Trails 1. Integrate the City’s bike path and trail system with auto and public transit facilities to make free and easy movement possible through the Baylands and to con- nect with regional systems to the south, west, and north. 2. Provide safe bicycle storage in the Baylands at appropriate places. 3.Improve, protect, and maintain the existing nature trails. F.Privately Owned Lands Be sure any future development is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and continues to receive extensive design review. Baylands Interpretive Center Continue present operations at the Interpretive Center. H.Athletic Center Continue current activities at the Athletic Center and go on with efforts to reduce the external glare of night lighting. I.Regional Water Quality Control Plant and South Bay Discharger Proceed with the advanced waste treatment improvements to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Recommend that the South Bay Discharger Pipeline not be constructed. J. Duck Pond and Lagoon These will stay the same except for the ap- proved landscaping plan, which provides for development of a green, park-like treatment between the duck pond, road, and Harbor with some parking to remain for those unable to walk from remote lots (completed 1978). K. Municipal Service Center and Animal Services Continue current operation of the Municipal Service Center and Animal Services and add screen landscaping between the MSC and the future landfill area park. L. Los Altos Sewer Plant Keep the Los Altos Sewer Plant site in parkland as shown in the Comprehensive Plan. Staff was directed to explore the use of this site as a future solid waste tran.~fer station (Coun- cil action, Jtdy 2, 1984). M. Airport 1. In general, make no changes in the air- port activities that will increase the inten- sity of airport use or will significantly intrude into open space. -T~e--safety haL~ards-a~d-env-ir~nmentat-hazards-ef the-se~end-r-um~ay ,~,.~t,~, ~ ........ that-the-Git~luate-the-effe~ cf such a-faeitity-and-tenegetiate-the-GeUF~ty tease-as-appr~pr-iate. T/re County lease was atnended May 20, ]980, to clarify that a second runway and expansio~ of perma- nent aircr~ tiedown spaces shall not occur without concurrence of file City. 2. Provide a strip of planting, consistent with existing development and in character with the Water Quality Control Plant across the road, at the airpod from its entrance east along Embarcadero Road to its junction with the shoreline road. Also: a.Do not construct the second runway. Plant indigenous grasses on the ex- isting pad and leave as open space. b. Proceed with construction of Fixed Base Operator #2, another service area for aircraft (completed 1976). c. Delete Fixed Base Operator #3 from the Airport Master Plan. d. Relocate the terminal. N=Landfill Area -- -t-rS-20-Yee~ G ra di n g Plan The adopted grading plan is based on closing the landfill as-soon-as--pessible~-and--ne tater-than-lfi-te-2_O-years, consistent with the development of alternative disposal and resource recovery methods at the most afford- able costs. The -16-;~O-year grading plan is 7 intended to provide passive upland meadow recreation and meet Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements. The "hill and valley" concept will present a sequence of unique spatial experiences for people passing through the area and for others looking at it from outside. The two off- set upland meadow bowls provide enclosed open space for passive recreation as well as panoramic views of the surrounding marsh- lands and the South Bay. The vallo’s will be filled to prolong file use of the landfill (Council action, August 18, 1986). This plan protects vis- itors from stiff Bay winds and screens un- desirable views with its sculptured earth forms and plantings. Picnic areas and an environmental sculpture garden could be included. The textures and colors of the sur- rounding marsh area will carpet the park. The walkways in the park will double as drainage channels to reduce the vertical slope require- ments. Maximum elevation will be 44-feet 60feet (Council action, October 6, 1986). Cover material will come from dred~je-spoils-and imported material. Council action on June 2, 1980 restricted the harbor to one final dredging, attd the harbor lease with the County was subse- quently amended to terminate on June 30, 1986 "1Tie August 25, 1981 BCDC permit, as atnended, allowed the final dredging to extend over a five- ),ear period attd imposed the condition that the piers attd pilings of the Yacht Harbor be removed after the last dredging. NOTE:Park design will undergo Site attd Design review at a fttture date. O. Former ITT Property 1. Interim Operational Plan Use-dredge-speits-frem-the-yaeht-ha~be~ for-ta nd fitt-eever.-Genve~a-30-aere-pareet in-t he-heft hwesFee~ner-ef-t he-fe~mer-tT-T- prepe~ty-to-t hree-dewaterin~J-19ends-te preeess-the-d redged-mater-iatqnte-fitt-e~ tepseiDDur-ing-the-pr-eeess,-the-slseits-witt be-19um ped-te-ene-pond-at-a-t ime-to-a depth-ef-feur-feet-and-attewed-te-settte4e~ et-teaskfive-day .~The-water-witt-thembe drained-and-pumped--!sae#te-t he-yaeht harbor; Te-eenveP,--t-he-speit-J-te-tepseit-fer-ta sea pe-~use;-t he-same-pr-eeedure-witl-be fettewed-butT-befere-drying;-e~ganie-mate- fiat-such-as--0 rass-end-teaves-e~luat-teth[ee-pereenFef4hewetume-witl-be-added te-the-19end-ater~g-with-19ewdered-ejypsum et-t he-~ate-ef-10-tens-#er-ae[ .e;-Treated waste-witt-be-pumped-f~emqhe-Reejienet Water-Qu atity-Oentrot-Ptant-te-the-pends te-a-depth-ef-ene-feeD-A fter-feur-te-si.~ weeks;-t he-water-wilt-be-d ~ained-a rid-the ponds-dried~-. A-seeend-wash-with-treated waste-water-or-fresh-water-may-be-neees- sar .Y~-A fter-t hat-t he-pend-witt-be-d~ied and-t he-mate~iat-used~-T-his-preeed u~e remeves-t he-sedium-satts-and-eenver-ts theqren-sutfide4e-sutfater-making4he-seit usefut-fer-tandseape-pu[19eses. Ats~ e~-Ftoed-and-dewate~inffpends-when-net in-use-to-ereate-refteeting-pends-and wildlife-areas. b. Clean up all areas outside the de- watering-pond-and antenna field. R c. Use earth forms and vegetation that can serve as food for wildlife to soften the geometric form of the floodwall on the south side along Matadero Creek. d. Keep the rest of the site the way it is, except where otherwise recommended. Forecast Plan The forecast plan represents what the former ITT property could be after de- water4ng-eper-ations-step-and the I]-f antenna lease ends. It could be opened to the tides and allowed to revert to a salt marsh. It may be possible, using a tide gate, to open the site to partial tidal circulation from the harbor and to create fresh-water circulation at the opposite end. This could create a situation similar to that in the flood basin. Also: ao Remove ~lewater4ng-pends-and the antenna field and replace with marshland. Incorporate this area into Byxbee Park if-there-is-a-80-aereoareel-leeated-i~ the-no~t hwest-eemer--for-dewete~ing pends-es-eatted--fer-4m4 he--t nte~im Operational-Plan. Dewatering cottcept zh’opped (Council action, December 14, Yacht Harbor Area 1. Interim Plan Dredgin~j-and-etse~:ation-ef-the-N a~be~ wiltoo-on~-b ut-no-new-berths-witt-be-buitt: Between-66;000-and-80~000-eubie-ya~ds ef-d~edged-spoit-will-be-removed -eash year-in-threo-separ ate-olgeratiens-of-a bout two-wee~s-eae~ Council action on June 2, 1980 restricted the harbor to one final dredg- ing, and the harbor lease with the Cottttty was subsequently amended to terminate on June 30, 1986 77~e August 25, 1981 BCDC permit, as amended, allowed the final dredging to ex- tend over a five-year period and imposed the condition that the piers attd pilings of the Yacht Harbor be removed after the last dredging. a. Reclaim the area north of Harbor Point, referred to as Mundy Marsh, as a marshland. b. Enclose the parking areas with earth forms to screen them from surround- ing areas. c. Reclaim a section of marsh at Harbor Point as the stockpile of dredge spoil is removed or reshaped. d. Develop a salt marsh demonstration garden for interpretive use. e. Clean up the building area and define existing areas more clearly; build bet- ter storage facilities. f. Remove all utility poles. g. Provide a public hoist and auxiliary facilities in the inner Harbor. h. Install an access control gate at the south end of the tide gate overpass. 2. Forecast Plan If When the dredging of the Harbor is stopped, it will silt up and will again become a salt marsh. The area will return to a relatively natural state. It is uncertain how long it will take for the yacht harbor to build up enough silt naturally to hold plants. It will take many years for plants to start to grow throughout the entire area and it is possible the center of the South Arm will never fill in without human in- tervention. The harbor will revert to salt marsh much more quickly if helped by a carefully planned filling program. If im- plemented, low, temporary dikes will be built where required around the harbor and the area then hydraulically filled by dredging from the entrance channel or other area. More than one dredging cycle may be necessary to raise the ground to the desired level in the harbor area. Also: a. Remove the yacht club and berths. b. Remove the buildings except for the harbor master’s cottage and the restrooms. NOTE:On June 9, 1986, Coancil directed staff to hire a consultant to study possible uses in the pro- posed aquatic park. ao Natural Unit Marsh preserve, Faber and Laumeister Tracts, Sand Point area, Hooks Island, Inner Harbor Marsh, Flood Basin. Because of the high biological value of these areas, only a few changes are proposed. They include the proposed landscaping of the duck pond, the approved levee and flood wall con- struction in the flood basin, and proposed trails described in the Access and Circulation section. Develop a management plan for these areas as these changes require. Municipal Golf Course Continue its present use, incorporating the approved renovation program. Access and Circulation 1. Regional bike trail route location The regional bike trail route will create a continuous off-road bike path system from Mountain View in the south to the north portion of the area, towards Cooley Landing. Proposed Improvements: a. Paved bike path (completed 1985). b. Bridge extension at Adobe Creek and Matadero Creek (completed 1982). c. Pedestrian-bike bridge on San Fran- cisquito Creek (completed 1985). d. Access control fence along north side of golf course. 2.Harbor~lnterim Plan a. Transit Design a circulation plan for the north basin parking lot to include a transit stop and turnaround. b. Parking 1. Provide for safe pedestrian and bicycle access around and through the area from the end of Embar- cadero to the Interpretive Center. 2. Improve the function and ap- pearance of the north parking area. 3. Lower the parking lot at the end of the north berthing area to the height of the road when the lot is resurfaced. c. Pedestrian and Bicycle 1. Provide for separate pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle systems where possible. 9 2.Potential routes on land except where necessary to connect with existing systems. 3.Harbor--Forecast Plan a. Vehicular Encourage limited access. b. Transit Make it easier for people to use tran- sit systems. c. Pedestrian and Bicycle Carry out the Forecast Plan for Yacht Harbor Point. 4.ITT Property--Interim and Forecast Plan a. Vehicular Consolidate access roads for levee maintenance, dewa ter4ng---l~e~ts, antenna field, and injection wells, and limit them to official maintenance workers. Dewatering concept dropped (Council action, December 14, 1981). b. Pedestrian and Bicycle 1. Use the maintenance roads for pedestrians and bicycles. 2. Provide for access to the regional trail system from the pedestrian bridge over the Bayshore Freeway. 3. Provide access from the public easement to Byxbee Park along the south side parallel to the urban- ized area. 4.Maintain access along the Matadero Creek Levee. 5.Embarcadero Corridor a. Vehicular 1. Conduct a detailed traffic study of circulation along Embarcadero Road from the Bayshore Freeway overpass to the intersection of East Bayshore Frontage Road to reduce conflicts between vehicles and non- vehicular traffic and to encourage the separation of pedestrians and bicycles. 2. Delete and reroute the landfill ser- vice road on the north side of the treatment plant to Embarcadero Way. 3, Extend Embarcadero Way from its present end to the landfill opera- tion. This road will lead to parking. lots near the recreational area. Transit--Internal Provide for transit destination points and connect them to existing and future pedestrian and bike systems. Supply about 100 more parking spaces to service the park. They should blend into the Baylands without major visual intrusion. Pedestrian and Bike Provide separate pedestrian and bike paths away from vehicle traffic wher- ever possible and connect the existing segment of bike path to the regional bike system. General Area Improve the public easement between the industrial and research area on the north side of East Bayshore Frontage Road with landscaping, pavement, and signs. The signs should be part of a total system. Create a "gateway" feel- ing for Byxbee Park at the intersection of Embarcadero Road and the airport. Other Recommendations 1. Provide screen planting along the southerly urbanized edge of the private property facing the former ITT property. 2. Supply park-quality signs for the inter. pretive center, duck pond, yacht harbor, refuse area, and recycling center at the park entrance. 3. Install park-quality lighting from Embar- cadero Way toward the Bay. 4. Eliminate telephone and electric wires and poles from the Baylands by using radio communications or running utilities underground. 5.Open up the old channel to serve the shallow pond area called Mundy Marsh. 10 Master Plan Concept -- Existing Land Use Master Plan Concept -- Forecast Land Use Master Plan Concept -- Interim Land Use 11 PARK DESIGN UNDER REVISION 12-86 PASTORAL PARK DRAWING BY: MARK PECHENIK AIRPORT The Palo Alto Airport, base for no more than 370 510 aircraft, will stay much the way it is. No changes in airport activities are planned that would take over a significant amount of the airport. The second runway, provided for in the, Airport Master Plan, will not be built because it would present asafety hazard and be detrimental to the environment. The runway pad will be planted with native grasses and left as open space. The City has leased the airport to Santa Clara County un- til 2017. se-the-Gity-wilt-have-te-~eRegetiate-the ~ca.~c to c×etude--the-ptanRed-seee~d-r-u~way. T/re County lease was amended May 20, 1980, to clarify that a second ntnway and expansion of permanent air- cra.ft tiedown spaces shall not occur without cotzcttr- rence of the Oty. Mititar~,-tr-aining--ftights, Charter flights and general aviation, which is mostly private aircraft, made about ~-16~000 193,000 flights to and from the Palo Alto Airport between ,9ept~-1976-and-Sept~ 4977Nov. 1, 1985 and Oct. 31, 1986, and this total is expected to remain about the same. The airport will have two Fixed Base Operators (FBO), service areas for aircraft, when the second one is constructed (completed 1976), but the third FBO will not be built. A strip of plants and shrubs much like those now growing at the airport and at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant across the road will be put in at the airport from its entrance east along Em- barcadero Road to its intersection with the shoreline road. // IiL~,,tt ,.IAIlL 15 N. LANDFILL/PASTORAL PARK The conversion of the landfill into a rolling pastoral park is one of the major changes for the Baylands. Seeing that the landfill ultimately becomes an environmental asset and a continuation of the natural open space is one of the most important aspects of the overall environmental quality plan for the Baylands. The 146-acre Refuse Disposal Area landfill rises to as much as 80-feet 60 feet (Council action, October 6, ]986). It is bordered on three sides by flat, tidal marshland. About 100,000 tons of solid waste are dumped there every year in a modified sanitary landfill operation that accepts nontoxic decomposable rubbish and inert solids which will not decompose. All of the site has been filled except for about 10 acres of marshland near the remnant of the Magfield Slough. This is being saved for possible rehabilitation. Interim Plan: The landfill witl-19e-etesed-as-seen ae-pessi!~te;-aF~d-~eqater-t ham-16qe-P.O-yea r~e- closure time depends on the development of af- fordable alternate ways to dispose of waste and to recover materials. In order to close the landfill, the City must meet the requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). These requirements protect the surrounding water from contamination by gases from the land- fill and by harmful landfill material that could be carried by rainwater from the land surface through the landfill underneath and then into the Bay water. At least one foot of impermeable material, material that does not allow water to pass through it, must be placed on top of the landfill. At least two feet of topsoil must go on top of that. The land surface must maintain a three percent slope so that water will drain away and not stand in puddles. Refuse will be placed in the landfill in the con- toured forms that will create the hill-and-valley ef- fect of the pastoral park. The 46-te-20-yea~ closure plan calls for the use of t~eth imported anffdredged materials to cap the landfill. It provides for a park and meets RWQCB requirements. Pate-Atte-witt-keep-theqandfilt-and-the-yaoht ha~ber-epen-for-u p-te-l.5-te-P.O-years-under-t his 19tan-and-witkeonstr-uet-dewatering-ponds-en-the for-m er-CTq-proper~here-is-a-direet-teehnieet eneLeeenemie-eonneetien-between-harber-dredg. ing--and-tandfi!t-eeverage. As portions of the pastoral park are finished, they will be opened as parkland. M anu faeturing-eever-mate~iat--fer-theq and fitPcvitt put-interim-plan s-inte-ef feet-fer-t he-had~er-aneLthe ¯ fe~meF-l-TZr-p~opeFty-a~-spoits-a~e-d Fedged_and Preeessed-in-the-dewate~iF~gtgends. Council action on Jutte 2, 1980 tz, stricted the harbor to one final dredg- ing, attd the harbor lease with the County was subse- quently amended to terminate on June 30, 198d 7he August.25, 1981 BCDC permit, as atnended, allowed the final dredging to extend over a fi re-year period atut imposed the condition that the pietw attd pilings of the Yacht ftarbor be removed after the htst dredging. Dewatering concept dropped (Council action Decem- ber" 14, 1981). Forecast Plan: When the landfill is completed, it will create a park with hills and-valleys that will blend with the textures and colors of the surround- ing marshland. The park will be the main high-ground landmark in the flatness of the Baylands. The hills, the highest of which will be 44feet 60feet (Council action, October 6, 1986), will allow visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the marsh, South Bay, and wildlife. Two-upland--meadow vatteys-witt-preteetwisiters-frem-stif f~ay-winds-aF~d wit~deaHe~a~i~~~att~itt se~ee~att~aetiv~i~it~tanti~g~nd ~utptur~a~fe~s. 7~e va/lo,s ~ll be filled to prolong the use of the landfill (Council action, August 18, 1986): NOTE:Park design will undergo Site and Design reffew at a fitture date. ¯¯ preserve view marsh preserve Mounds Meadow Meadow hest Meadow Flood Basin : Fresh Water Marshoo 16 LEGEND ~-~ V~3etation ~;~Pedestrian/Bike Circulation &Drainage Swales PARK DESIGN UNDER REVISION 12-86 y location of dewaterlng ponds ~]Earth Forms¯ enclose space ¯ protect from wind Environmental Sculpture Picnic Areas Garden Pastoral Pad( Conceptual Diagram perty no scale 17 O,, FORMER ITT PROPERTY This 154 acres of diked marshland was sold to the City by the International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT) in 1977. :Fhe-fer-mer--FT~-i~re#eFty;-the-tand fitt~-a nd-t h e h ar-19er-ereq he-eere-ef-t he-B ayl-a nd~. T-hese-thrcc corc ~r~’as-areqinked-teeeauee4he dredged-mud-frem-t he-haFber-witt-be-madeqnto imper-mea!9te-eaFth-and4epseit-in-the-dewatering pends-eR-t he-t-TT-pr~leert y-a nd-wit~eed-te make-the-tend filt-inte-a-p asteFat-par~. The future of the former ITT property goes beyond conservation into rehabilitation, and fits perfectly with the overall goal of the Baylands Master Plan--to preserve and enhance unique and irreplaceable resources. This marshland is flat and low, just about at sea level. It is not as productive now as it could be because the water environment has been disrupted by the diking. However, when the winter rains are heavy, ponds form. These ponds give feeding and nesting habitat for gulls, ducks, and shorebirds. Burrowing owls, rodents, jack rabbits, and ground squirrels nest there during the dry season. Birds of prey, pheasants, and mourning doves also visit the site then. ITT will control 37 acres in the central part of the property fer-~O-te-~f-years until approximately the year 20(X). This section is a condensed antenna field and must be maintained because the Federal Communications Commission has ruled that the antennas are an essential communications link to ships at sea which still don’t have satelliti~ com- munications equipment. Interim Plan: -Th~ee-dewatering-ponds-te-I~e toeated-in-e-30-aere-pa~eet-in-the-no~thwest-eome~ oFthe-preperty-witt-preeess-t he-spoils-dredged frem-the--yaeht-harbo~. Mest-ef-t he-~esFef-the-site-witl-beqeft-t he-way it-ie-unt it-t he-dewatering-#ends-etose~-a fter-t hey h ave-#meessed-eneug h-speits-te-pteee-a-tayer-ef impermeable-east h-over-theqand filt-erea-and-te-put tepseit-en-tep-ef-t hat. When-t he-#ends-a~en’-t-being-used,-t hey-witt-t~e fteeded-te-ereate-refleeting-peets-that-wilt-be ettraeti~,,e-te-animats~i~dsranffpeepte. De~vatering concept dropped (Council action, December 14, 1981). The property outside the antenna field and dewatering-pend-area will be cleaned up. The angular floodwall that is proposed along Matadero Creek will be masked and softened by plantings and earth forms. Forecast Plan: The property will be opened to the tides and again become a salt marsh after t he--dewate~ing--pen~ls--are--etesed--and the antennas are removed. The diked marshland and antenna field will be restored to their natural states, made biologically productive again, and will become a part of Byxbee Park. A possibility to be explored would be construc- tion of a tide gate to open the area to partial cir- culation of harbor tides and to let fresh water circulate at the other end. This would make the marshland similar to the flood basin. DE-WATERING-AND-TOPSOIL- PRODUCTION-PROCIcSS A-30-aer-e-pa~eeFin-the-nort hwest-eo~ner-ef-t he former-tT-T--preper-ty-witt-be-eenverted-teq hree dewatering-ponds. These-pends-wilt-proeess-t he-dredged-mud-inte fitt-er-telSsoit-in-an-e×perimental-p~eeess. During-the-p~eeess~-the-speils-witl-be-pumped to-ene--pond-at-a-time-to-a-dept h-of-four-feet-and altewed-te-settle-fer-at-teast-five-days. The-water-witt-then-be-dr-ained-and-pumfeed baek-inteqhe-yaeht-ha~bo~. Te-pred uee-tepsei ,t~t he-same-pmeedu~e-wi!l-be fettewed-butT-befere-dr-ying,-e~ganie-mate~iat-sueh es-g~ass-and4eaves-equat-to-t h~ee-pe~eent-ef-t he votume-witt-be-added-te-the-pend-ateng-with pewdered~yps um-at-t he-Fate-ef-10-tens-per-aere. Seeendarity-treated-waste-water-witt-bepumped f rem-t he-Regienat-Water-~uatity-Gentret-Pta nt-te t he-pends-te-a-depth-ef-ene-feot-betew-t he~end;9 edge. A fter-feur-te-six-wee ksr-the-water-witt-be-d mined f~em-t he-pends-and-t he-spoils-d ~ied. A-seeend-wash-wit h-treated-waste-water--e~ fresh-water-may-tee--neeess ars,. After--that,--t he-pend-witt--I~e--dried-and-t he material-used. -T-his-proeess-remeves-t he-sed iu m-satt s-a~d eonveFts-the-i~en-sutfide-te-sut fater-making-the m ateriet-usef ut-fe~-tandseepe-pu~peee9. Dewater- ing concept dropped (Council action, December 14, INTAKE San Francisco BayLucy Evans and Point Palo Alto ReseamhPark Embarcadero OUTLET Channel 30 Acres OUTLETWEIR- Basin Dredging Schedule ~~,M arch May- June July-Aug. .See drawing fo~ Ioca~tonof dredging operation. 1r PARK / CONTROLI~WATE RIN~t~PONDS, ~ & RECACCESS PATH ACCESS WEIR 18 Note: This drawing Is Interpretive In character and not to scale. LIFT Existing ~INJ.ECTIOI~ XTRACTIONPipeline ~yszem 153acre FORMER I.’ITE. PROPERTY BAYLANDS SUMMARY DREDGING & DEWATERINGJ DIAGRAM DEWA TEFUNG STOPPED 1981 DREDGING STOPPED 1986 19 P. YACHT HARBOR/AQUATIC PARK The Palo Alto Yacht Harbor was created in 1928 when the course of San Francisquito Creek was dredged out where it entered Mayfield Slough. witt--be-etoeed-qn--t~-o-to-P.O-yearg. Harbor berthing fitcilities closed July 1, 1986 (Council action, February 10, 1986). :l:he-hadger-has-19een-eperated-19y-the-Santa (~laFa-Goun ty-PaFks-a~d-Reereatienqgepa Ft.ment 9inee-t968-ur~der-aqe ng-tc r m ~ease-with-t he-Gity:. T-he-Geu nty-is-r-eslaensitgte-fer-dredging4he-her bet te-keeff-itmavigabte-fer-sma!t-19eats-tgerthed-t here. :ghe-hadger-master-’,=j-effiee~-t he-109-tgerth-hadger~ a-deut~le-eenerete-teunehing,-ramlg~ar~d-varieu9 tguitdings-areqnetuded-in-t he-har-be#s4aeilities. Interim--Plan; The hadger--witt-eentinue-in eper-atiemfer-4~ tc 20 year-s-and-witt-19e-dr-edged Th ..... ~,~,, ate-dredgmgsvqastmg-tweqe4hree weeks-eeeh;-will-remeve-19et weerr-66,000-and 80,O00-eUtgie-yar4t,.~-ef-mud-frem-the-hadger-eae h year. -T-he-er~trar~ee-eh anr~et-witt-tge-d redg ed-befere Mareh-4&-, ahead-ef-t heqgeating-seasen,-te-kee19 interferenee-wit h-beat-t~e ffie-te-a-minimum. Thequr~etiemef-the-ehar~net-and-t he-heft h-arid eeut h-a~ms-witthge-dredged-f rem-e bout-M ay-184e dune-30:-Beats-ean-gass-by-white-the-dredging is-~jeir~!.~pen-beeeuse-t he-ehanneFis-epemenough. T-he-,aeut h-ar-m-a holt hemer-t h-be rt hing-eree-witt tge-dredged-frem-abeut-Juty-18-te-August-8. :Fhe-d redged-mud-witt-t~e-pumped-threugh-a temlgora r4/-fteatingffgitge-t hreug h-a n-intake-portal at-the-edge-ef-the-hadger~-tt-wilt-then-pass-t hrough 19uried-inta ke-pipes-te-t he-dewatering-pend.~-. At the-ponds~-t hesetids-wilt-settte-eut-and.-t heexeess water-witt-19e-pumped-baek-toqhe-ha~bor-throug h t he-buried-retum-water-system~-The-dried-speits witt-t hen-19e-t r4~eked4e-t he-landfitl~-eady-te-~used or-stoekpited. A-more-eom plete4zle~er-iptien-ef-the-dewatering proeess-is-en-page-16. Council action on June 2, 1980 restricted the harbor to one final dredging, attd the harbor lease with the County was subsequently amended to terminate on June 30, 1986 "17ze August 25, 1981 BCDC permit, as atnended, allowed the final dredging to extend over a five-year period and intposed the condition that the piers atzd pilings of the }~cht tlar- bor be removed after the last dredgbtg. Dewatering con- cept dropped (Council action, December 14, 1981). There are several other aspects of the harbor interim plan. The area north of Harbor Point, which has been overgrown with Salson, will be opened to tidal action and reclaimed as marshland. The area is proposed-to-be named Mundy Marsh, after Harriet Mundy, a tireless advocate of marsh preservation in the Baylands (Council Resolution #50"71, October 4, 1982). A section of marsh at Harbor Point will be reclaimed as the stockpiled dredge spoil is removed. A salt marsh demonstration garden (a collec- tion of labelled Bay Area plants that tolerate salt) will be planted. The parking lots will be screened with earth forms so that they are not so obvious. The building area will be cleaned up and exist- ing areas defined more clearly. Better storage fa- cilities will ’be built. All utility poles carrying overhead lines or used as parking bumpers will be taken out, a public hoist and.auxiliary equipment will be provided in the inner harbor, and an access control gate will be installed at the south end of the overpass between the harbor berthing area and the salt- water lagoon. Forecast Plan: The yacht club and berths will be taken out along with all the buildings except for the restrooms and the harbor master’s cottage, which was designated as a local Point of Historic Interest in 1969. The harbor itself will silt up naturally wher~ dredgiF~g-steps-ir+-l,~-te-P.O-years, and eventually revert to a relatively natural salt marsh. The soil will someday be deep enough to hold plants, but it’s not certain how long that would take. It will be quite a few years before the plants start growing in the harbor, and the south arm may never support plants unless humans intervene with a filling program that will help the harbor revert to a salt marsh much more quickly. The filling program, ifin~plemented, will use low, temporary dikes built around the harbor where they are needed. Dredging from the entrance channel or other area will be used to fill the har- bor hydraulically. The City may need to dredge more than once to raise the ground high enough. NOTE:On June 9, 1986, Council directed staff to hire a consultant to study possible uses in the pro- posed aquatic park. 2O San Francisco Bay LUCY EVANS BAYLANDS INTERFPG&E BOAI: ~,RSH SIN POINT marsh pre~mrve EastPak) Alto P~DS. BIKEBRIDGE ,PRIVATE FORMERITT PROPERT’ BRIDG~ NOTE: This drawing Is Interpretive In character and not to scale. Matadero FLOOD -BASIN . limited EXTENSION Blcycle I Illllll~ Refuse Access i-’-- P=~tr~n J LEGEND BAYLANDS SUMMARY ACCESS & CIRCULATION So ACCESS AND CIRCULATION The use of automobiles will be very limited in the Baylands. Byxbee Park visitors may drive their cars to the park, but must leave them in one of the parking lots and travel around the park on foot or on bicycles. Embarcadero Road is the only street that leads to Byxbee Park and the rest of the Baylands. It is a four-lane divided arterial from the freeway to the airport entrance, where it becomes a two-lane road out to the Bay. A "gateway" feeling for Byxbee Park will be created where Embarcadero and the airport access road cross. Because the 1700-acre park is so large, 500 acres larger than Golden Gate Park in San Fran- cisco, an internal transit system to carry people between major activity centers should be con- sidered, especially between the future parking lot at the pastoral park and a proposed drop-off spot in front of the Nature Interpretive Center. It is very important that public transit service be expanded to Byxbee Park, particularly because the number of visitors is sure to increase, the number of parking spaces will be reduced, and automobile circulation will be suppressed. There is no bus service to the park now. A pedestrian promenade will connect the pastoral and aquatic parks. It will roughly follow the form of the harbor at the water’s edge and will be tied into the overall system of walkways. The present road and trail system hinges on Embarcadero Road. From Embarcadero Road, beyond the Bayshore Freeway, cars can drive about a mile-and-a-quarter to the yacht harbor and public boat ramp. There are six parking lots that serve the heliport, yacht harbor, duck pond, Nature Interpretive Center, and boat ramp. All the streets beyond the freeway frontage road intersection with Embarcadero Road are dead-end streets. There are now bikeways enty along East Bayshore Road, at the frontage road between the Baylands and the Bayshore Freeway, and Embar- cadero Road, Geng Road (completed 1983), and the levee along San Francisquito Creek into San Mateo County (completed 1985). Pedestrian routes follow the bikeways but extend beyond them. There is a pedestrian-bicycle overpass over Bayshore Freeway south of the Embarcadero Road off-ramp which connects indirectly with a pedestrian-bicycle path through the urbanized area to the former ITT property. Walking paths follow the main levees around the duck pond and lagoon, north to the shore of the Bay, and south from the yacht harbor around the flood basin. This system connects with the Mountain View regional path system to the south and should-be eonneeted to the north along San Francisquito Creek to the levee between East Palo Alto and the Faber-Laumeister tracts (completed 1985). A boardwalk with railings runs east from the Na- ture Interpretive Center to the shore of the Bay, crossing .the PG&E service boardwalk. Access and Circulation Plan: This plan for the Baylands includes the regional trail system as welt as transit, parking, and bicycle facilities at tile yacht harbor, along the Embarcadero corridor and Embarcadero Road, and on the former ITT property. The harbor’s interim plan for access and circu- lation includes a circulation plan for the north ba- sin parking lot which includes a transit stop and turnaround. This plan will improve the lot’s func- tion and its appearance. The parking lot at the end of the north berthing area will be lowered to the height of the road when it is resurfaced. Safe pedestrian and bicycle access will be provided around and through the harbor from the end of Embarcadero Road to the Nature Interpre- tive Center. Separate pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle routes will be planned for, and these routes will be on land except where it is necessary to span sensi- tive water areas and to connect them with exist- ing systems. The harbor’s forecast plan’s policies are to en- courage only limited automobile access and make it easier for people to use transit systems. The former ITT property’s interim and forecast plans for access and circulation are the same. They advocate consolidating access roads for le- vee maintenance and those that lead to the dewate~ing-ponds (Dewatering conce[~t dropped, Cottncil action, December ]4, 1981), antenna field, and injection wells, and allowing only maintenance workers to use vehicles on them. These roads, however, would be open to pedestrians and bicy- clists. Access to the regional trail system from the pedestrian bridge over Bayshore Freeway will be arranged (cm~ph,ted 1985), as well as access from the public easement to Byxbee Park along the south side parallel to the urbanized area. Access along Matadero Creek will be maintained. 22 The landfill service road on the north side of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant will be taken out and rerouted. Embarcadero Way will be ex- tended from its present end to the landfill, leading to parking lots near the recreational area. Transit destination points should be considered and connected to present pedestrian and bike systems and to new systems as they are built. About 100 more parking spaces that blend unobtrusively into the Baylands will be added to service the park. Separate .pedestrian and bicycle paths along Embarcadero Road will be built, away from vehi- cle traffic wherever possible. The current bike path will be connected to the regional trail system. Landscaping, pavement, and signs will be in- stalled to improve the public easement between the industrial and research area on the north side of the frontage road. The signs will be part of a total system. Utility lines will be run underground when Embarcadero Road is rebuilt and narrowed from four lanes to two lanes from the intersection of the Airport Road to the Shoreline Road. The excess right-of-way will be used for trails and landscaping. Adequate turning lanes will be built, but no parking spaces will be added. Safe bicycle storage will be provided in Baylands, and the present nature trails will be im- proved, protected, and maintained. Four improvements will be made to the regional bike trail route that will create a continuous off- road bike path system from Mountain View to Cooley Landing. They are a paved bike path (completed 1985), an extension of the bridge at Adobe Creek and Matadero Creek (compl~,t~,~l 19,~2), a pedestrian- bike bridge over San Francisquito Creek (com- plete~11985), and an access control fence along the north side of the golf course. The City of Pale Alto’s long-term investment in management, planned improvement, and con- trolled growth balances ecological preservation with continued commercial and recreational land use in the Baylands. The investment, described in the Baylands Master Plan, will create a pastoral park where there was a landfill. It will also create an aquatic park and slow airport growth significantly. It will unify the Baylands, providing a com- prehensive guide for future proposals and development. 23 RECOMMENDATION REPORTFor the Baylands Master Plan & E.I.R. November 1976 ¯E.I.Po ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTPLANNING CORPORATION Environmental Assessment Hans Feibush and Russ Faure-Brac, principals¯GARRETT ECKBO AND ASSOCIATES Planning and Design Garrett Eckbo and Ken Kay, principals BAYLANDS MASTER PLAN & E.I.R.May 1978 ¯E.I.P.ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PLANNING CORPORATION Environmental Assessment Russ Faure-Brac, Project Manager¯STUDIO KAY Master Plan and Graphics Ken Kay and Garrett Eckbo, principals¯COOPER ¯CLARK ASSOCIATES Engineering Bob Cooper, principal Mark Young. project manager SUMMARY REPORT April 1979 ¯ ECKBO ¯KAY ASSOCIATES Design and Graphics Ken Kay, principal ¯ JAN FORD Writer and Editor -- 4 stars at thatl PLANNING COMMISSIONERS 1976 -- 1978 1978-- 1979 ¯ Anne Steinberg ¯ Emily RenzelChairmanChairman ¯ Frank J. Rack ¯ Jay Mitchell,Vice Chairman Vice Chairman ¯ Peter F. Carpenter ¯ Michael Cobb¯ Mary Gordon ¯ Mary Gordon ¯ William E. Green ¯ William E. Green ¯ Jay W. Mitchell ¯ Constance K. Heneke ¯ Emily Renzel ¯ Frederic W. Nichols COUNCIL MEMBERS 1976 -- 1977 ¯Stanley R. Norton Mayor ¯Roy L. Clay Vice Mayor ¯John V. Beahrs ¯John J. Berwald ¯Scott T. Carey ¯Kirke W. Comstock ¯Fred F. Eyerly ¯Byron D. Sher o Anne R. Witherspoon 1977 N 1978 ¯ Byron D. Sher Mayor ¯ Francis Hallam Brenner Vice Mayor ¯ Scott T. Carey ¯ Roy" L. Clay ¯ Fred F. Eyerly ¯ Gary P. Fazzino ¯ Ellen Fletcher ¯ Alan Henderson ¯ Anne R. Witherspoon SANTA CLARA COUNTY STAFF ¯ Arthur L. Ogilvie, Planning ¯ Charles Rockwell, Parks and Recreation ¯ Jim Hunter, Transportation 1978 -- 1979 ¯ Scott T. Carey Mayor ¯ Alan Henderson Vice Mayor ¯ Byron D. Sher ¯ Francis Hallam Brenner ¯ Roy L. Clay ¯ Fred F. Eyerly ¯ Gary P. Fazzino ¯ Ellen Fletcher ¯ Anne R. Witherspoon CITY STAFF All Reports CITY MANAGER ¯ George Sipel PROJECT COORDINATION ¯ Larry White, Director of Parks and Open Space Management, Project Manager ¯Ben Pawloski, Public Works Director ¯Ken Schreiber, Assistant Planning Director ¯Dale Pfeiffer, Sanitary Landfill/Park Project Engineer = Linda Fox and Ted Chandikvegetation and wildlife maps SPECIAL CONSULTANTS For Environmental Impact Planning Corporation ¯ Dr. H. Thomas Harvey, Biology ¯ Rod Jackson, Biology ¯ Alan M. Voorhees and Associates, Transportation ¯ Charles Salter, P.E.0 Noise ¯ Dr. Phillip Williams, P.E., Sediment Hydraulics ¯ Omar J. Lillevang, P.E., Yacht Harbor Design For Cooper ¯ Clark Associates ¯ Dr. Ray Krone, Sediment Hydraulics ¯ Mike Cheney, Dewatering Pond Design ¯ Helen Proctor, Plant Specialist photographs Clayton Thorpe NOTE:The above acknowledgements are those contained in the original Baylands Master Plan. BYXBEE PARK PALO ALTO BAYLANDS PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA June 1991 City of Palo Alto Client Dave Adams ................................ George Bagdon ............................... Edgar Ugarte ................................. Leon Kaplan ................................ Mike Miller ................................. Hargreaves Associates Peter Richards, Michael Oppenheimer Director of Public Works Assistant Director of Public Works Senior Engineer and Prqject Manager Director, Arts and Culture Division of Social and Community Services Deputy Director of Public Works Landscape Architects, Planners Artists SUMMARY INTENT AND PURPOSE This report documents the update to the 1981 Master Plan for Byxbee Landfill Park. The update was generated by a collaborative team of Hargreaves Associates - Landscape Architects, and Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer - Artists, with the City and community. The City Council of Palo Alto approved the update to the Master Plan March 27, 1989 and at that time renamed the park: Byxbee Park. This report also records the design for phase I of Byxbee Park which was generated in conjunction with the updated Master Plan and which was approved for construction, in total, by the City Council of Palo Alto November 13, 1989. Phase I will be built in 1990. BACKGROUND In 1980 the overall environmental issues of the conversion of the landfill to a park were listed as follows: preserve and expand the marshes. protect the wildlife and restore upland diversity of plant and animal life. control access to environmentally sensitive areas. expand pedestrian and bicycle activities. allow pedestrian and bicycle activities. allow no more urban intrusion. see that the disposal area ultimately becomes an environmental asset and a continuation of the natural green space. Today the issues remain the same with the addition of an added criterion: fully integrate art with the park landscape and its surrounding environment. The technical considerations of park development on top of landfill (as regulated by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Integrated Waste Management Board, Local Enforcement Agency and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District) also remain largely the same today as in 1980: final landfill closure (clay and soil caps) to seal the garbage. slope stability of the finished grade. settlement and compaction of the refuse below the park. water percolation and leachates. subsurface collection of the methane A few specific regulatory requirements which affect the park’s development have become more defined since 1980 and will be discussed in more detail under BACKGROUND; PROJECT HISTORY, Landfill Regulations Update. PHASING PLAN STATEMENT The phasing plan reflects the sequence of phases of landfill closure adopted by City Council. (The direction of closure has been reversed since 1980.) The phase I area is completed in terms of overall landforms and @ill be completed with the park construction in 1990. Phase II of the park will be completed as the landfill capacity is reached, which completes the overall landforms shown in the master plan. The garbage will then be "capped" with fill and soil per regulations. PHASING CONCEPT Thephases are graded in such a way that valleys divide each of the phases. This will provide a natural separation between the park, as it is developed in each phase, and the remaining landfill phase still in operation. Fencing in these valleys will thus be somewhat hidden and will stop blowing debris from entering the park. PLAN PHASES Phase I - Recommendations Phase I will create a 35 acre park which contains all of the elements described under DESIGN PLAN, DESIGN ELEMENTS. The Phase I elements include a gravel parking area for twenty cars, including handicap spaces, bike racks, informational and directional signage, and a restroom building. These facilities are located just off the landfill entry road and are tucked behind the existing berm planted with irrigated wildflowers. The restroom building and signs, though simple, are designed as integral design elements within the entire park system. As one enters the site on bicycle one will either explore the interior of the site on foot or continue on the bike path which crosses the slough. As one enters the site by car, one parks and proceeds through the park on foot. In order of sequence, a visitor will proceed along the shell trail at the marsh and pass through the chevrons which create a gateway to the park. Proceeding, one encounters the pole field at the tip of the site or turns into the interior of the park. Passing into the interior of the site one moves through the landgate which forms an intimate entrance. The large mounds which flank the landgate are topped with hillocks which provide perches for viewing or shelter from the wind. The hillocks will be planted with lupines. Proceeding along the shell trail, having passed through the land gate one descends through a series of weirs which control erosion and collect water for plant life. One then encounters the flare and keyhole which highlights the shadows of the flare’s invisible flame. The viewing platforms occur along the perimeter trail and are tucked into the existing vegetation along the slough edge. In the last valley of the park as one moves south the alluvial berms and wind wave piece illustrate the implied and actual forces of wind on the site. Phase II - Recommendations Phase II adds another "alluvial fan" series of rippling berms in the valley between phases I and II and completes the shell trails. Hillocks cover the single large mound which forms phase II to relieve the overall massive scale and provide points of prospect and refuge. An astronomical viewing platform at the very highest point of phase II provides the only paved area in the entire park. This small paved area is aligned north/south and will have the coordinates inscribed in its surface. This viewing platform for the heavens is the highest most remote part of the site. Phase II will expand the parking to 40 spaces. In addition, phase II may incorporate an area for the Recycling Center. Adjacent to the planned area for the Recycling Center the Electrical Generation Facility which converts the landfill gases into electricity is already in place. Also, with the completion of the phase II park, the entry road will be aligned so that it enters the park in one large arc, rather than a sharp turn. With this, the entire park will be complete. Timing and Costs The projected timing and costs of the future landfill and park development are outlined in Tables 1 and 2, pages 27 and 28. TABLE 1 BYXBEE LANDFILL CLOSURE AND PARK DEVELOPMENT Phasing Projections Activities Phase I Phase IIA Phase IIB Phase IIC Landfill Closure Completed Summer 1991 Sun~mer 1995 Summer 2003 Park Development Spring 1991 Summer 2003 Summer 2003 Summer 2003 Note:The time frame for the landfill phase closures and the development of the park may change due to the implementation of Assembly Bill 939 and the possible use of the proposed Sunnyvale Material Recovery and Transfer Station to be located in Sunnyvale, California. NV~ld DNISVHd S ] 1 ¥ I D 0 S S V 0 I 1 V 0 1 V d :I 0 A 1 I D VII ~ISV B Y X L A L P P:edwood ATTACHMENT 4 P a t o Alto Ci~7 of Palo Alto Surrounding Jurisdictions --Sphere of Innurn~ boundary line Urban Service ,xrea Source: City of Palo Alto, Planning Division Map [Sphere of Influence _L,-_2 [ .....& t~.r~_a_n S,.erviee _A~’e~ Ijn~i~ ~.ort~orai~ T ~ e c i t y ~ r P alo Alto COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1998 20i0 Clara c-_;Parks and Open Space ATTACHMENT 6 Re~iwood Map I L-4 Community Design Features