RES 06035 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chapter 4 Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures B. Agricultural Resources 1. Framework for Analysis This section addresses the relationship between the proposed Phase II Bernal Property Specific Plan and agricultural resources of the site, 2. Setting a. Agricultural Resources at the Site The Phase I Specific Plan EIR (DEIR 1997; FEIR 2000) describes the agricultural resources value of soils on the site, which include lands meeting U,S, Soil Conservation Service criteria for designation of prime farmland (Class I and II soils). The County of Alameda's EIR (1995) estimated that there were 500 acres of prime agricultural land on the site: in general, all of the site except for the knoll and the corridor of the Arroyo de la Laguna, A description of that resource and a map showing the location of Class 1 and Class II soils is presented in the Phase I EIR, pp, 61-62, Open areas of the site have long been used for production of alfalfa hay, b. Site Context The site lies in an area surrounded by urban development, including the development on the Phase I Specific Plan portion of the site, Urban use of this land (both Phase I and Phase II areas) has been planned for many years, Development of the site is envisioned in Pleasanton's 1996 General Plan, as it was in Alameda County's East County Area Plan of 1995 (the applicable plan prior to Pleasanton's annexation of the site), 3. Key Project Characteristics, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures a. Key Project Characteristics The Bernal Specific Plan Phase II site would be devoted to public uses as described in the Specific Plan (see Chapter II of this EI R and the use descriptions in Appendix B), The Plan would convert lands previously used for agricultural production to recreational, institutional, public, and open space uses, This conversion is anticipated to occur over a period of years, so that some interim agricultural use will remain pending completion of the development program, contingent on agreement between the City and an agricultural operator. In addition to temporary agricultural use, permanent agriculture is a potentially permitted use, Such use might include demonstration gardens; cultivation plots for garden clubs, restaurants, and/or individuals; and areas for sales of agricultural products (e,g" pumpkins, Christmas trees), Agricultural education (e,g" farming classes, 4-H club) may also be part of the area committed to permanent agricultural use, providing opportunities for children and young people to produce crops and raise livestock, Equipment and materials might be 47