RPVCCA_CC_SR_2012_11_20_01_Amendment_Lower_Pt_Vicente_Portion_Of_RPV_Coast_Vision_PlanCfTYOF
MEMORANDUM
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY
COUNCIL
JOEL ROJAS,COMMUNITY DE~ENT DIRECTOR
NOVEMBER 20,2012
SUBJECT:AMENDMENT TO THE LOWER POINT VICENTE PORTION
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES COAST VISION PLAN.
REVIEWED:CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER cf:2--
Prepared by:Ara Mihranian,Deputy Community Development Directo~
RECOMMENDATION
1)Approve text and graphic amendments to the Coast Vision Plan reflecting the
withdrawal of the Annenberg Facility project from Lower Point Vicente;and,
2)Initiate a public review process for developing an updated concept plan for the
Lower Point Vicente portion of the Coast Vision Plan.
BACKGROUND
On September 2,2008,after an extensive public workshop process,the City Council
adopted the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast Vision Plan (Coast Vision Plan).The Coast
Vision Plan is an informational planning document for the City's coastal areas (including
five key sites not included in the City's Palos Verdes Nature Preserve),that addresses
public access,interpretive materials,recreational amenities,and other public facilities to
improve the experience of the coast and open space for residents of and visitors to the
Peninsula.The Coast Vision Plan for Lower Point Vicente (one of the five key sites)
currently describes the development of the site with an educational public use facility
featuring companion animals that was proposed by the Annenberg Foundation.
Earlier this year,Councilman Knight identified a possible future City Council item to discuss
updating the Coast Vision Plan for Lower Point Vicente given the deed restrictions that
were identified as part of the review of the Annenberg Foundation's project.On September
1-1
CITY COUNCIL MEMO -UPDATE TO RPV COAST VISION PLAN
NOVEMBER 20,2012
18,2012,Councilman Knight followed up with a Study Session Report (see attachment)
summarizing a proposal to amend the Coast Vision Plan to eliminate the Annenberg
Foundation's project from Lower Point Vicente given the withdrawal of the project in August
2011 and to initiate a new public outreach program to obtain feedback for what type of
public project should be pursued for Lower Point Vicente.Councilman Knight's proposal
was discussed by the City Council at which time it was agreed to place this item on a future
Council agenda for discussion.As such,this agenda item is now before the Council.
DISCUSSION
Councilman Knight's Proposal
At the September 18,2012 Study Session,Councilman Knight's proposed the following
two prong approach for finding an alternative plan for the Coast Vision Plan's description of
Lower Point Vicente:
1)Amend the Coast Vision Plan by taking out the Annenberg Foundation's
proposal and substituting it with a more general description that leaves open the
possibility for a future alternative plan to be developed at Lower Point Vicente;
and,
2)Initiate a public outreach process to develop an alternative plan for Lower Point
Vicente to be incorporated into the Coast Vision Plan.
Given the withdrawal of the Annenberg Foundation's proposal,Staff concurs with
Councilman Knight's proposal because the Coast Vision Plan is currently outdated.By
updating the Coast Vision Plan,it allows the City to pursue future grant opportunities to
improve Lower Point Vicente for the public's use.As such,provided below is Staff's
recommendation for implementing Councilman Knight's proposal.
Proposed Text and Graphic Amendments to the Vision Plan Related to Lower Point
Vicente
The concept plan envisioned for the Lower Point Vicente site is described in the Coast
Vision Plan as having the potential for,among other things,the construction of a
complementary educational public use facility proposed by the Annenberg Foundation (see
attachment).In light of the withdrawal of the Annenberg Facility,Staff is recommending
that the text for this section of the Coast Vision Plan (pages 3-1,3-5 through 3-7),as
shown under the second bullet point be entirely deleted (see attachment).The text under
the remaining bullet points would remain allowing the potential for the following
improvements:
•Outdoor History Museum and PVIC Phase III Program Components (Tongva
Village,geology display,interactive archaeology exhibit,and dry farming/water
wise landscaping demonstration garden.
•Parking and Access (to accommodate 136 parking spaces).
1-2
CITY COUNCIL MEMO -UPDATE TO RPV COAST VISION PLAN
NOVEMBER 20,2012
•Open Space and Expanded Public Picnic Areas and Trails
In addition to the recommended text amendments,Staff also recommends amending the
graphic illustration depicting the proposed improvement for Lower Point Vicente.
Specifically,Staff proposes deleting the education public use facility (identified as Item No.
2)on the graphic illustration.Staff does not propose any further amendments to the
graphics as the plan shown in the Coast Vision Plan is conceptual.
With the removal of the education public use facility,there will be a gap in the conceptual
plan.Until an updated plan is considered for the Coast Vision Plan by the Council as
discussed later in this Staff Report,Staff recommends this area be considered a public
green in the event a grant opportunity arises.As such,Staff recommends that the Council
approve the proposed text and graphic amendments to the current Vision Plan for Lower
Point Vicente.If adopted,the amendments described herein would go into effect
immed iately.
Developing an Updated Plan for Lower Point Vicente
With the withdrawal of the proposed Annenberg Facility from Lower Point Vicente,Staff is
aware that some members of the public have expressed an interest in developing an
updated concept plan for Lower Point Vicente that is consistent with the General Plan and
the deed restrictions that apply to the property.In light of this public interest,as well as the
public process used to develop the original Council adopted Coast Vision Plan,Staff
recommends using a similar approach to update the concept plan for Lower Point Vicente.
Specifically,Staff envisions the following approach /schedule:
•Public Workshop NO.1 (February 2013)-Solicit public input.This step would
include contacting the Los Serenos Docents,the California Native Plant Society,
and other interest groups or persons who have expressed an interest in developing
a plan for Lower Point Vicente.
•Develop Draft Concept Plan (February -April 2013)-based on public input,Staff
would work closely with local interest groups to develop a conceptual plan
illustrating the desired improvements envisioned for Lower Point Vicente.
•Public Workshop NO.2 (May 2013)-Present the public with the updated Draft
Concept Plan and make any refinements for Council consideration.
•City Council Meeting -(June 2013)-Present the City Council with an updated
Concept Plan for adoption.
Staff envisions engaging the public by conducting the workshops during non-business
hours to encourage a higher participation rate and by informing the public of the workshops
through public notices,the City's website,and list-serve messages.Lastly,as part of
developing the Concept Plan,Staff will ensure that the proposal is consistent with the City's
General Plan,Zoning Code,Coastal Specific Plan,and the deed restrictions.Furthermore,
Staff will consult and coordinate with the National Park Service (NPS)and the State Office
of Grants and Local Services (OGALS),who oversee the deed restrictions,to ensure the
updated Concept Plan is consistent with the deed restrictions.
1-3
CITY COUNCIL MEMO -UPDATE TO RPV COAST VISION PLAN
NOVEMBER 20,2012
Based on the foregoing discussion,Staff recommends that the City Council initiate a public
process for developing an updated concept plan for the Lower Point Vicente portion of the
Coast Vision Plan.
CONCLUSION
In light of the withdrawal of the Annenberg Facility at Lower Point Vicente,the Council
adopted Coast Vision Plan needs to be updated to reflect this change.As such,Staff
recommends that the text and graphics depicting the Annenberg Facility be deleted from
the Coast Vision Plan as identified in the attachment.Furthermore,in-order to proceed
with developing an updated Concept Plan for Lower PointVicente,Staff recommends that
the Council initiate a public process for developing the final updated design concept for
Lower Point Vicente.
FISCAL IMPACT
At this time,Staff envisions the proposed changes to occur entirely by in-house Staff using
existing computer software to make the necessary changes to the Coast Vision Plan.
Therefore,no additional costs will be borne by the General Fund.However,in the event
that it is realized that access to more sophisticated computer software or specialized
consultants are needed to finalize the Concept Plan,Staff will come back to the Council
with a budget adjustment.
ATTACHMENTS
•September 18,2012 City Council Study Session Report (Councilman Knight's
proposal)
•Amended Coast Vision Plan Text and Graphic for Lower Point Vicente (excerpt
pages)
1-4
September 18,2012
City Council Study Session Report
(Councilman Knight's Proposal)
Amendments to the Rancho Palos
Verdes Coast Vision Plan
November 20,2012
City Council Meeting
1-5
Study Session Memorandum
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Mayor Misetich and Council Members
Council member Knight
September 18,2012
Update of the Coastal Vision Plan (CVP)
BACKGROUND
With the withdrawal of the Annenberg facility component of the Coastal Vision Plan,the
Plan needs to be updated so the City can move forward with an alternative plan for the
undeveloped areas in this park.
I am proposing a two pronged approach for finding an alternative plan for the Lower
Point Vicente (LPV)area:
-
1)Move the CVP through the needed channels to update the language/graphics
of the plan taking the Annenberg component out and substituting a more general
description that leaves open the possibility for an alternative plan to develop at LPV.I
would think the CVP update language would follow a normal public hearing process.
Although my main goal is to get us back on track with LPV,if staff feels other sections
need revision due to changed circumstances,they should come forth with
recommendations accordingly.
2)Begin the public outreach process to develop an alternative plan for the LPV
area.This may turn out to be a combination of agendized public hearings and
workshops.
8taff can prepare a draft of the needed language changes and proposals for how public
outreach can be implemented,with a rough estimate of time to accomplish both tasks.
The language change and outreach are closely related but 8taff can help with whether
or not we need the CVP language update to be settled first before starting the public
outreach process or if the two tasks can run in parallel.
STAKEHOLDERS
8taff should reach out to groups that have either been working on alternative plans for
1-6
Study Session Topic:Update of Coast Vision Plan (CVP)
Date:September 18,2012
Page 2
LPV or have comments including the California Native Plant Society,the Palos Verdes
Land Conservancy,our own Parks and Recreation Dept.,the residents at the Enclave
next to the park and our residents in general.
I envision an inclusion of some of the elements of the original CVP including the Los
Serenos Docent display requests,trails,picnic areas,etc.but we need to be very clear,
with any proposal,that the deed restrictions and positions of the National Park Services
(NPS)and the State Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS)are reviewed so as
to help guide any suggested plan to be in compliance with these agencies.
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
There is an ongoing update of the City's General Plan by the Planning Commission that
has yet to ,come before the City Council for final approval.I was part of that of that
process when on the Planning Commission and was witness to the length of time it
takes to get it right.For the CVP update,the examination of possible new definitions of
open space,such as at the LPV Park,is only one part of the larger GP update process.
I would like to see if the GP Land Use definitions for the parks like LPV can be
separated out to get a consensus (PC,CC,public)so an alternative LPV plan can move
forward without being bogged down'waiting for the entire GP update approval.
NOW IS THE TIME
As it stands now,the Lower Point Vicente park section of the Coastal Vision Plan is in
limbo.As currently written,it cannot be implemented.Even if we started today,it will
take time to amend the CVP,get public outreach to come up with an alternative plan for
LPV,put it through the CEQA process and get it in the queue to be agendized for final
approval.The longer we wait the more we miss out on grant opportunities for this park.
And,as time passes with the State budget crisis,grant opportunities could dry up.
More importantly,the longer we wait to find an alternative plan the longer the public is
kept from the full enjoyment of this beautiful site.
1-7
Amended Coast Vision Plan
Text and Graphics
for Lower Point Vicente
Amendments to the Rancho Palos
Verdes Coast Vision Plan
November 20,2012
City Council Meeting
1-8
THE KEY SITES
Five Key Siles have been selected for inclusion in the
Vision Plan because they serve as key open space
parcels within the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast,but are
not a part of the City's NCCP Preserve,and/or because
they provide ideal public use opportunities.Although
several of the key sites have been lhe subject of
community conversation and planning prior to the Vision
Plan process,there has previously been no public
process to consider all of these properties together,and
10 consider the unique role each sile plays in the context
of the emerging Rancho Palos Verdes Coast.Goals for
each of these sites were developed and reviewed with
Cily Staff as part of the Vision Plan process,and were
also reviewed with lhe City Council and community
members,as part of the public process for this Plan.
Background information on existing conditions at each
key site,together with site goals,sile concept design
descriptions and recommendations for implementation,
are included befow for the following Vision Plan key
sites.
UPPER POINT VICENTE
Presenlly housing the City Hall complex,this site is
identified as the civic and cultural heart of Rancho Palos
Verdes.Additional facilities for the arts,culture and
community,together with connections to the surrounding
trail network are envisioned that would complement the
ultimate build out of the Civic Center.
LOWER POINT VICENTE
Given the existing Point Vicente Interpretive Center's
focus on the marine environment of lhe Rancho Palos
Verdes coastline,the educational emphasis of this
sile is proposed to be expanded to include outdoor
history museum elements long envisioned by the Point
Vicente Interpretive Center docents,together with
enhanced recreational amenities.
These componenls are intended to expand
the learning opportunities at the sile,to connect
the ocean and land,people and animals,and the
community.
DEL CERRO PARI<
While the park functions of this site remain
unchanged,i1s amenities are enhanced to celebrate
the environmental stewardship that made the City's
NCCP Preserve possible.Proposed improvements
are oriented to the dramatic views of the Preserve and
coast that are experienced from its bluff edge.
ABALONE COVE
Abalone Cove is one area of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Coast from which direct access to the ocean,as well as
access to the Preserve trails,can be made.Thus,this
site is identified as a gateway to nature,on land and
at sea,with an enhanced bluff palhway.overlook and
picnic areas envisioned.
GATEWAY PARI<
This site,sel within a portion of the City's most unusual
geological setting,is surrounded by and a gateway to,
the City's Preserve,but is outside its boundaries.This
site has long been the focus of lhe City's Equestrian
community as an area for equestrian training and
recreation,as well as an area identified by Palos
Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy as an outdoor
educational resource related to the Preserve.The
site is identified as a portal to outdoor education and
recreation.
UO!ND
(i)UPPER POINT VICENTE
CD LOWER POINT ViCENTE
@ ABAlONE COVEoGATEWAYPARKoDELCERROPARK
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Five Key Sites
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KEY SITES I 3-1
1
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9
lower roint Vicente Existing Conditions
SITE GOALS
LOWER POINT VICENTE
Develop the conceptual design of the entire Lower
Point Vicente area that integrates,in terms of design
and amenities,existing and proposed facilities
3-5KEYSITES
SITE CONCEPT PLAN
These include the Point Vicente Interpretive Center
and its proposed outdoor education components
(PVIC Phase III,relating to CUltural,social,physical
and natural history and environments),surrounding
public parkland,and olher potential,complimentary
educational public uses
Determine broad site design and program
possibilities for publicly accessible space at
the Lighthouse property,should the City obtain
permission to Ihis land via the Coast Guard
Implement an integrated approach to access and
parking for all users
"'ilR tRa C'ty's a~".e"al,TRe °RRaRl:le'§FaHRsatieR
6poarheadad fl:1o do"olepFRSAt 0'a ..leta;!cd GOAssptldal
sasi§fHeHf1a l8'"ar Paiflt-lJiseAle-&ile The detailed
concept plan was guided by input from City staff and
elected leadership,as well as input from a Community
Advisory Committee.The associated report.produced
as the result of this concept design process is available
under separate cover,and the results of the process
have been presented to the public and City leadership
at each Vision Plan public meeting,the City Council
meeting on the Vision Plan process,as well as at
numerous community meetings alleREleEl-ey-ll;e
Fe>lRElalieR.Materials relating to this proposal were
also posted on the City's website during the Vision Plan
process.
(',..........f,..,.......h,..,,·'")'1f1f1Q
OJ .....,....,....,.'........,_,_............
Presently the Lower Point Vicente site is zoned
Open Space Recre~tion,and is identified for passive
recreation in the City's General Plan.The 20.5 acre
site incorporates the Point Vicente Interpretive Center
(PVIC),at 10,000 sf of developed building area,
and 13,000 sf 01 hardscaped plazas and outdoor
amphitheater area.The Interpretive Center is focused
on the coastal setting,marine life and history of the
Peninsula,and since its expansion,also serves
as a destination for community funclions,such as
meetings,weddings and parties.The Interpretive Center
continues its tradition of hosting Ihe annual Whale of
a Day celebration as well.The adjacent Point Vicente
Lighthouse is presently closed to the public,and home
to Coast Guard personnel.The Lighthouse itself is
periodically open for tours,and Coasl Guard related
exhibits and activities are integrated into the Whale of
a Day event as well.A pathway along the bluff edge
01 the sile connects into the Ocean Front Estales bluff
Ironl trail system via a bridge over the storm drain at
the northern edge of the site.However,the connection
terminates to the south at the Lighthouse property line.
A farming operation is presently the only active use on
Ihe portion of the site inland of the existing PVIC parking
lot.
As a result of the public Vision Plan process.and
discussion with City Staff and elected leadership,the
following goals have been established lor the concepl
design for this site:
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e::tC'iC;C'"sf bc+r the ird ......r ...p.........Sf 0\111""......,..,,.......
Outdoor History Museum/PVIC Phase til Program
Components -The outdoor history museum must
be designed to complement the Interpretive Center,
as envisioned by the Point Vicente Interpretive
Center docents,(It is depicted on the concept plan
at 69,000 slfl,8%of tha sita area),The components
include a Tongva Village,geology dispiay,interactiva
archaeoiogy exhibit,and dry farming/water
wise landscaping demonstration.This could be
complemented by an exhibit tying the story of the
site together,and focusing on the whole ecology of
the Peninsula and the continuum of marine,coastal,
bluff top and terrestrial life within it.
......'''eli GS OF .........,,·"""'S"Q...l....s..;...g ........l .........1;...;
a"o;;'"j'"..p ..la "n..l p'a-"ep g 1-.;....
Parking and Access -Parking,driveways and drop
off areas must be provided in order to serve ail
site uses (in the concept plan depicted at just over
102,000 sf/11,4%01 the site area,and 136 parking
spaces)
~·""'·i"'n ........a 's"c"pc ....iccs a...·;..a:c ...,
Open Space -Open space and picnic areas,both
those existing along the bluff edge of fhe site,
and new areas,are shown in the concept plan,
to be planted with native and locally appropriale
vegetation.New,accessible open space areas
are depicted on the inland portion of the site
prasently oniy occupied by and accessible to the
existing farming operation in a leasehold.Further,
this component includes a new trailhead and Irail
system encompassing an enhanced existing bluff
front trail,as well as a new connection through
a "se S"SR as IRis se"la iAsl"ae aaA'le eRslcsea
~~j1jeR te tRiG site,a facility SHtH:;
sSRaa'§,a"~s,s~asa fa,Ii ...i'aa aa"'~"A'aA "Ai ...al
Gare anB Gosializatien,as 1O'ell as a r;:;ultipl:Jr;;ssa
IRa saAaaet e'aA fSRa'''A al 1li,QQQ ",,"a"a 'a"'
PVIC -The existing Point Vicente Interpretive
Center (shown at 10,000 sf of building area and
13,000 sl of surrounding hardscape,or 2,5%01 the
site area)remains.
BI'TRa "R"aRha,§~a"Aa~e'"'aA a"
P.Cemplo ......on·cp/i eauGat:sna i Pl:Jbr:,..,leG ?"'Gi~
Ie9lpFiAI "'iIR ~"a l8Wll&-aRa a ~ar1iaA af ils ea,lciA§
,,"aa,~ar1 af IRe-e"il8iA~aA'l~aasiA§Aal
a&lRis A'l"sl Ba aesi!tAea la iAla§,ala iAla IRa
f3R%iaal aaAla",s af IREHaAMe-eeAsislaAI 'vilR
IRe-eB6i~e8-f3FBYiaea-iA GRa~le"li af IRis
eee..meAI,aAa Aal aGffiiAala ailRa,IRa sila a',""IG
eitRa,iA la,A'ls af A'lassiA~§RI.TAa B"il8iA!j
m,,6I-ge-j3l18lis!l'-"66e66iBI&.-aA8-66mf3lemeAl
IRe-effilealieAal-mlssiefl-Bl-lRe P"IG,as wefl-as
e9AlFiIwkHa-leUiA§-lRe-eemflelliA§aAa "Ai,,"a
efef¥-eI-aRi al lila aA IRa Palas "a"aas PaRiA""*,,
TRi&-lasility ay iAsl"aa iAaaa,"aas S"sR-as;
m"oo"A'l ,,"alily aa"ealieFlai-ellRiBiI-afea&8FaWlA§
esmm,,"ily-afl8-66Aaal ,'iaila,s,..."i'i~""~ese
IRaal,a seasa "Jl;is!'H;e"Ia-ee "sea fe"lea"R'A!!"S
welles a"aila.le-fef-esmm"Aity-aAlk;~
The concept design for this site,shown at left,has been
extrapolated from this process,as well as public input
and discussions with City staff and ieadership,and
depicts fhe potential for:
1 Point Vicente Interpretive Cenler
2 Public Green
3 UUTooor 11lSl0ry Museum I t'IOza Area
4 Habilol restoralion I native planling
5 Surface Porking lot
6 Possible Future Trail connecting
through Coost Guard properly
Oi Picnic Pods
_'"Trails
7 Ughthou~e
B Coast Guard buildings
'00'00
lower Point Vicente Concept Plan
D
3-6 I KEY SITES
1
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1
1
Bluff Side Trail at I.ower Poinf Vicente Existing (1)and Proposed (2)
#le-sile-iRiafH:l-#l_!lMll<Hl~eA-6~a6ll;-f'la"*'lially
a1eR§IRa ReF\l,e'A e~§e afiRe .ile.Ie l"ales-lJefElee
9,i"e.TRi.I,eil '''e"l~open access across the site,
connect to the Preserve trail,and extend toward
the bluff and the Upper Point Vicente site.Finally,a
potential new trail alignment is shown,connecting
from the southern edge of the site,through the
Palos Verdes Drive edge of the Lighthouse property.
This alignment would facilitate implementation of the
Coastal Access Trail alignment south,to connect
to the Fishing Access trail head and amenity araa.
The open space component of this concept plan is
shown at over 15 acres,or nearly 74%of the site
area
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
IMPLEMENTATION
Enter into a planning process,engaging community
stakeholders,PVIC staff and docents,and City staff
and leadership,to complete detailed design of the
eeffl~leffleAla'Y e~"ealieAal-laeilily,outdoor history
museumlPVIC Phase III,and sile wide improvements
Open a discussion with the Coast Guard relating
to the possible future trail connection to the
south,requiring relocation 01 the fence line of the
Lighthouse property toward the bluff in order to
allow a trail connection off Palos Verdes Drive to the
Fishing Access
KEY SITES I 3-7
1
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1
2