Community Meeting March 24 2014 Meeting Agenda Welcome

Community Meeting March 24, 2014

Meeting Agenda • • • Welcome Introductions Overview Master Plan Process Overview Existing Conditions Facilitated Discussion: Issues and Opportunities • Next Steps and Close • Adjourn

Master Planning Process

Add vicinity map here Wilderness Area Project Vicinity

Master Plan Goals 1. Preserve sensitive environmental resources; 2. Manage for visitor capacity; 3. Minimize impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods; and 4. Fully engage interested parties, users and the community at large in the planning process

Scope of Work • • • Task 1: Review Existing Documentation Task 2: Public Engagement Plan Task 3: Inventory of Existing Conditions Task 4: Carrying Capacity Task 5 a: Environmental Baseline Task 5 b: Resource Mgmt Plan

Scope of Work, continued… • • Task 7: Task 8: Task 9: Task 12: Usage, Amenities & Operations Parking Evaluations and Options Site Maps Final Master Plan Preparation

Technical Advisory Committee • TAC Membership includes: – 2 members at large – 1 Chair of Planning Commission – 1 Chair of Community and Health Services Commission – 1 member Claremont Wildlands Conservancy – 1 member Claremont Hills Conservation Corporation – 5 neighborhood/HOA representatives

Technical Advisory Committee • Purpose is to provide feedback into the public engagement process and input on specific issue areas. • 11 -person ad hoc committee comprised of diverse interests and backgrounds. Each person represents interests of their group/organization.

Opportunities for Input • Attend community or TAC meetings • Participate in online or visitor intercept survey • Communicate with a TAC member • Email: chwildernessplan@gmail. com

Historical Background

1900 -1950 • Johnson family owns and uses Johnson’s Pasture for picnicking and hiking. • The hillsides also used for agriculture, irrigation, and recreation. Gale Ranch was used to raise goats for mohair. • College students hiked in the hills from 1800’s to present.

Initial Protection Efforts • 1975: Acquire 40 acres from the Claraboya developer. • 1989 -1997: Garner Family donates 1440 acres to Pomona College, City annexes eastern foothills and negotiates with Pomona College. • 2003 -2005: City awarded state grants to purchase the Rancho de Los Amigos, Claremont Mc. Kenna College, and Wang properties.

Recent Protection Efforts • 2006 -2007: General obligation bond issued to acquire Johnson's Pasture, Supervisor Mike Antonovich awards Proposition A Excess Funds, City funds added, Johnson's Pasture added. • 2011: Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board split cost of acquiring Gale Ranch and contribute it to the Wilderness area.

Growing Visitor Use • 2011: Estimated use more than 300, 000 visits annually. • 2013: City establishes park hours and parking policies. • 2014: City begins the Master Planning process.

Existing Conditions

Wildfire History • Wilderness area and surroundings a fire prone environment. • 6 documented wildfires since 1989. – Padua (Grand Prix) – Williams – Mills – Sycamore – Webb – Amarillo Tank

Claremont Hills Wilderness • More than 2, 000 acres (including Sycamore Canyon Park) • Adjoins other protected areas • Headwaters for multiple streams • Multiple habitats: – Mixed coastal sage-chaparral scrub – Riparian oak woodland – Ruderal grasses

Sensitive Habitats and Plants

Large Mammals

Preliminary Planning Issues – Stewardship • RMP, environmental analysis of use levels, unofficial trails – Sanitation and Safety • Etiquette, signage, restrooms, rest areas, steep bike trails – Balance between resource protection & use • Number of visitors & neighborhood impacts + hillside conservation • Types of users: hikers & bikers and occasional horse riders • Hours of operation: expanded or reduced, nighttime options • Enforcement? – Equity • For all interested parties – Education – Other Issues?

Process Recap

Project Milestones • Project launch January 2014 • Tasks Completed January – November 2014 • Committee, Commission, Council Review – December 2014 • Plan Adoption – January 2015

Meeting Schedule • TAC Meetings – – Meeting 1: March 6 Meeting 2: May 19 Meeting 3: July 14 Meeting 4: October 6 • Community Meetings – Meeting 1: March 24 – Meeting 2: July 21 – Meeting 3: October 20

Facilitated Discussion

Format and Guidelines • Facilitated Discussion – Issues and Opportunities – Key Themes • Oral Comment: 3 -minute maximum per comment • Written Comment: Comment Card or Charts

Format and Guidelines • Maintain mutual respect the views of others • Wait to be called on by facilitator • No interruptions