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BACKGROUND <br />In May, 2006, the City Council adopted the Bernal Property Phase II Specific Plan, <br />which allows for temporary agricultural use of undeveloped portions of the property. As <br />outlined in the Plan, agricultural acreage will gradually be reduced and be replaced by a <br />variety of uses, including a 50 acre community park, open space, native woodlands, and <br />meadows. <br />Bill Rose, who previously farmed the entire Bernal Property under a lease with the San <br />Francisco Water Department, expressed an interest in continuing to farm a portion of <br />the central parcel once the City assumed ownership of the land. In September 2002, <br />prior to approval of the Phase II Specific Plan, the City Council approved a five (5) year <br />lease Agreement with Mr. Rose to continue farming 90 acres of the central parcel. <br />Farming continued until 2006, when in anticipation of Phase I construction for Bernal <br />Community Park, the City began stock-piling soil in the southern portion of the site. <br />Stockpiling operations, coupled with the construction of Bernal Creek, effectively <br />removed 30 acres from the farming operation. With this significant acreage removal, <br />Mr. Rose indicated that he was no longer interested in continuing his farming activities. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Construction of Bernal Community Park, Phase 1 (lighted baseball fields) is expected to <br />commence in mid-January, 2008. Construction activities will occur on approximately 20 <br />acres of the central parcel, located south of the existing tree line. That area will be <br />fenced, and not affect the remaining acreage of the central parcel. Tom Greene, a local <br />farmer who had previously assisted Bill Rose when he farmed the central parcel, has <br />expressed an interest in farming the remaining area located to the north of the central <br />parcel tree line. The term of the proposed Farming Lease is for one (1) year, from <br />January 16, 2008 to January 16, 2009, and would be automatically renewed unless <br />terminated by either party prior to December 1 of each year. In future years, as <br />subsequent improvements occur on the site, the lease would be terminated without cost <br />to the City. Mr. Greene anticipates planting oat hay in late January to early February <br />each year, and harvesting in May or June. <br />The proposed lease requires Mr. Greene to use modern farming practices, limit the use <br />of herbicides, minimize dust generation, remove and dispose of rocks on the property, <br />control rodents, limit the growth of weeds, and otherwise keep the property in good <br />condition. Farming activities would be limited to 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through <br />Friday, and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday. Extended hours or days for <br />planting or harvesting due to weather may be approved by the Parks Maintenance <br />Superintendent. <br />As noted in the Bernal Property Phase II Specific Plan, farming the central parcel is <br />consistent with historic practices. Dry farming also provides a low cost maintenance <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />