04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Alameda County Akamont Landfill Open Space Fund Castleridge Property Acquisition Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park East Bay Regional Pork District • Pleasanton Ridgelands Initiative i Measure F: Preserves die open space of the ridgelands and designates the ridgelands as either Park and Recreation or Agriculture. However, even with these measures designed to preserve scenic viewsheds and curtail development in place, the threat of agricultural or residential development still looms. EBRPD's independent appraiser characterizes the City of Pleasanton as an area with above average potential for growth and, after reviewing the property and applicable policies, the City of Pleasanton's Community Development Department concluded in a letter to EBRPD that "...it appears that the property could support two home sites." In May 2013, Science and Collaboration for Connected Wildlands published Critical Linkages: Bay Area and Beyond as a compliment to the Conservation Lands Network. The report analyzes linkages beyond the scope of the Conservation Lands Network in addition to linkages outside of the Bay Area and identifies development as an impediment to the movement of critical species through habitat corridors. It says that development "...decreases abundance and diversity of native species, and promotes displacement of natives by non-native species." The study reports that evidence of the negative effects of urbanization can been seen in areas with as little as one dwelling unit per 40 —50 acres and says that while some animal species can exist in an urban environment most carnivores, small mammals and reptiles cannot. Acquisition of the Castleridge property by EBRPD will protect regional habitat corridors from foothill development and consequent habitat fragmentation. The Casderidge property, which abuts Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in its southwestern corner and along Its southern boundary,will be protected in perpetuity, free of the threat of development: habitat for native and special status plants and animals will be forever preserved. The addition of the Castleridge property will expand the existing East Bay Hills to Diablo Range critical wildlife corridor, linking vital habitat for foraging, breeding and migration. Native and special status plant and animal species such as purple needlegrass, Santa Clara red ribbons, chain fern, western burrowing owl, Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog. San Joaquin kit fox and golden eagle will flourish. EBRPD has a long history of employing best practice resource management principles that support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems while bringing the public closer to the natural world in their back yards and providing opportunities for recreation and biological and cultural resource education. The Castleridge property presents an opportunity to develop a trailhead off of Foothill Road, allowing for the expansion of low intensity recreation on the eastern side of the ridgelands. EBRPD's acquisition of property in the ridgelands area is supported by the City of Pleasanton. In the Open Space and Conservation Element of City of Pleasanton's General Plan, the City