SR 05:301 - Laserfiche WebLink

The approved PUD site plan is to be incorporated into the greater Community Park Master Plan. The PUD is consistent with the "Option 1" Preferred Plan approved by the Council on June 21, 2005 and with the Preliminary Draft Phase II Specific Plan. Bernal Environmental Impact Report (EIR) The Draft EIR is currently being prepared by City staff and consultants. It will evaluate both the Phase II Specific Plan and the Community Park Master Plan. Measures intended to mitigate otherwise potentially significant environmental impacts posed by the Specific Plan are planned to be integrated directly into the Draft Plan text during the next three months. The Council will be informed of any recommended major changes that may arise. The Draft ElR is scheduled to be completed for public review by mid-January 2006. PHASE II SPECIFIC PLAN PURPOSE The Phase I Specific Plan applied "neo-traditional" planning principles to the development of residential neighborhoods within the Phase I area. Neo-traditional planning is based largely on the concept that higher density neighborhoods with social gathering areas, reduced traffic, and pedestrian-oriented streets are more conducive to neighbor interaction, thus creating more livable communities. The Phase II Specific Plan vision is one of an open space/park-like setting within which a variety of public and quasi-public uses and facilities are to be carefully integrated. Planning focuses primarily on the development of public facilities, parks and open space. Phase II further envisions the entire Phase I and II Bernal Property area as a 516-acre integrated community to be set within a "Grand Park" environment. The Phase II Specific Plan refines the City's General Plan guidance for the site and supplements the Phase I Specific Plan with regard to the 318-acre City-owned portion of the Bernal Property. Policy guidance is provided to facilitate the development of a range of public and quasi-public uses, and a comprehensive public planning process is outlined for identifYing, prioritizing, planning, and reviewing future site-specific development projects. Some of the primary aspects of the Phase II Plan that the Council may wish to discuss are presented below. 1. The underlying use with which all future development is to be integrated consists of open space. This area is to feature a coordinated system of linkages including planted woodland and meadows, restored and recreated channels, lakes and ponds, vegetated stormwater basins, other wetlands, trails with rest stops and staging areas, and protected view corridors. The open space Grand Park-like character is intended to create the dominant visual theme for designing future development. SR 05:301 Page 5