SR 06:208 - Laserfiche WebLink

minerals, and other natural resources. The Open Space Element must guide preservation and conservation of "open space land," which is defined as any public or private land or water that is unimproved and devoted to open-space use. Under State law, the Element should address the following four types of open space: preservation of natural resources, managed production of natural resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety. The 1996 General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element includes background information related to (1) an inventory of existing resources including animal and plant life, soils, water resources, sand and gravel, and historic resources; (2) open space lands including parks and recreation, agriculture and grazing, public heath and safety, and wildlands overlay; (3) and a description of future plans and programs for existing resources and open space lands. The General Plan also contains goals, policies and programs related to natural resources, open space, cultural and historic resources, sand and gravel, agriculture, water quality, parks and recreation, and health and safety hazards. The proposed revisions to the General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element are the result of review of the 1996 Element by City staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission (reviewed on April 13, 2006, minutes included as Attachment 3), and the Planning Commission (reviewed on May 24,2006, minutes included as Attachment 4). Following the Planning Commission review, staff prepared a memorandum and a revised Draft which included the Planning Commission's recommended amendments. The memorandum is included in Attachment 5. The Draft Element reflects the comments of both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. Attachments 1 and 2 provide a redlined and clean copy with graphics (respectively) of the Draft Element. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE 1996 PUBLIC FACILITIES ELEMENT In summary, the proposed changes to the background text include: · General editing, updating and reorganizing of background material from the 1996 General Plan. This includes changing the three sections of the original element into two new sections: "Resource Conservation" and "Open Space Lands," while deleting "Description of Future Plans and Programs" and consolidating its relevant information into the new "Resource Conservation" section. The reason for consolidating the third section with the first two is to eliminate repetitious discussion. · Adding a discussion on Sustainability. · Updating "Animal Life" to include a discussion of changes to Department ofFish and Game Species of Special Concern and federal-listed animal species that live in the Planning Area; updating the table about animals to list only potential wildlife species of concern; including more information about birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates; and adding a discussion of mountain lion sightings. · Updating "Plant Life" to make changes to Department ofFish and Game's Sensitive Plant Species; updating the table about plants to list only potential rare, threatened, or SR 06:208 Page 2 of6