HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-10-10ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 58--1 0• -10
of the
Public Works Department
City of Eugene, Oregon
that:
ADOPTING THE EASTERN RIDGELINE EXTENSION MASTER PLAN.
The Executive Director of the Public Works Department of the City of Eugene finds
A. Pursuant to the Eugene Charter of 2002, the_ City Manager is the administrative
head of the City. of Eugene, and as such, has authority with respect to City parks or may delegate
the authority to others.
B. Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 21-03-12, the City Manager has delegated
to me, as Executive Director of the Public Works Department, authority to regulate and supervise
the administration, acquisition, maintenance, use and operation of areas designated as city parks,
park lands, recreation areas, open space areas, city buildings, and such other properties as may be
assigned by the City Manager. The City Manager has also delegated to me the authority to
protect City park and open space visitors, resources, facilities, and the environment of City parks,
open space, and recreation areas.
C. On May 22, 2006, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4863 approving the
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan ( "PROS Project and Priority Plan
The PROS Project and Priority Plan identifies, prioritizes, and estimates costs of proposed
actions for parks, open space and recreation facilities, programs and services. An identified
priority in the PROS Project and Priority Plan is the acquisition of natural areas to connect the
Ridgeline Trail system east to Mt. Pisgah and the Willamette River System.
D. On May 20, 2008, the City Manager and Arlie & Company entered into a
Purchase and Sale Agreement ( "2008 Agreement ") in which the City purchased real property
from Arlie for the east Ridgeline Trail extension. Paragraph 3 of the 2008 Agreement provides
that the City shall complete a master plan of the acquired property on or before July 1, 2010.
Paragraph 3 of the Agreement also provides that, within 60 days of the master plan approval,
Arlie shall donate $600,000 to City or to a mutually agreed -upon third party.
E. The Eastern Ridgeline Extension Master Plan, dated June 2010, a copy of which
is attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein, has been prepared consistent with the PROS
Project and Priority Plan and the 2008 Agreement. Although not required, public input on the
draft Eastern Ridgeline Extension Master Plan was solicited through: (1) the formation of a
Community Task Team (composed_ of representatives of key community -wide stakeholder
groups and corridor neighbors); (2) two public workshops: (3) several web -based surveys; (4) a
website with contact information; and, (5) numerous e- mailed comments, direct phone calls and
meetings with interested community members. The Eastern Ridgeline Extension Master Plan
Administrative Order - Page 1 of 2
attached as Exhibit A hereto is responsive to the recommendations of the Community Task Team
and comments submitted to the City.
Now, therefore,
The Executive Director of the Public works Department of the City of Eugene
Order and Directs that.
Based on the above findings, which are hereby adopted, I approve and adopt the Eastern
Ridgeline Extension Master Plan, attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Dated and effective this day of June, 2010.
h,
lee
K t Corey, Execut' e Director
Public Works Dep ment
Administrative Order - Page 2 of 2
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EUGEENE Y,
City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division (POS)
1820 Roosevelt Blvd
Eugene Oregon 97401
www.eugene-or.gov/parks
Prepared by:
Philip Richardson, Landscape Architect
City of Eugene POS Division, Parks and Open Space Planning Section
Acknowledgements
The Eastern Ridgeline. Extension Master Plan was developed and produced by the City of Eugene Parks and
Open Space Planning office. We would like to extend our deep appreciation to the many community members
who gave their time, comments, energy and passion to help guide the development of this plan.
Community Task Team
Sarah Bascom
Eugene Parks Foundation
Teresa Bishow
Arlie & Company
Rebecca Duffy
Eugene Disc Golf Club
John Jacobsen
The Obsidians
Dick Lamster
Lane County Audubon Society
Dave Predeek
Native Plant Society of Oregon, Emerald Chapter
Margaret Robertson
Lane Community College
Dave Roth
Lane County Mountain Bike Association
City of Eugene staff
Roger Bailey
Recreation Division, Senior Recreation Programmer
Lorna Baldwin
Parks and Open Space Planning Section, Volunteers in Parks Coordinator
Dave Battaglia
Recreation Division, Recreation Manager
Neil Biorklund
Parks and Open Space Planning Section Manager
Jesse Cary -Hobbs
POS Natural Resources Section, Maintenance Operations Coordinator
John Clark
POS Natural Resources Section, Maintenance Operations Supervisor
Vince Dill
POS Park Operations Section, Park Specialist 3
Christer Labrecque
POS Natural Resources Section, Park Specialist 2
Lee Shoemaker
Public Works Engineering Transportation Team, Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator
Emily Steel
POS Natural Resources Section, Restoration Ecologist
Adam Steffen
Public Works Engineering East Team, Landscape Designer
Trevor Taylor
POS Natural Resources Section, Restoration Supervisor
Eric Wold
POS Natural Resources Section, Manager
Eastern Ridgeline Extension Master Plan
Contents
1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Context Map
3. Habitat Assessment
4. Public Involvement
5. Master Plan Map
6. Plan Map Component Definitions
7. Plan Goals
8. Development of Plan Features
9. Appendices
9.1. Appendix A
9.2. Appendix B
9.3. Appendix C
9.4. Appendix D
Action Plan
— Purchase Agreement
— Habitat Assessment
— Public Surveys and Comments
—
Ridgel Area Open Space Vision and
Map
1. Introduction and Purpose
In 2008, the City of Eugene purchased 200 acres from Arlie & Company just southeast of the city
limits as an addition to the Ridgeline Park. The acquisition is notable for its size, length, topography,
habitat, views, the connections it makes, its recreational potential, and its purchase agreement.
Currently named the Eastern Ridgeline Extension, the parcel is adjacent to the existing Mt. , Ba ldy
segment of the Ridgeline Park and heads due east about one and a half miles, mostly along an
existing ridge before dipping down into a prairie, and then rising back up to a prominent butte on the
east end. Varying in width from about 360 to 2500 feet, and in elevation from about 600' tol 080',
the parcel contains a number of regional priority habitat types, including prairie, oak savanna and
oak woodland. The eastern end is close to both Lane Community College and Interstate 5,
completing an important link illustrated in the Ridgeline Area Open Space Vision and Action Plan
Map, included in Appendix D. The parcel has a number of striking views, points of interest, and is
well aligned for a number of exceptional new trails. Additionally it has sufficient area and diversity of
both topography and habitat to provide an 'outstanding disc golf course in the future as surrounding
development warrants.
The purchase agreement, included in Appendix A, specifies a number of conditions relating to
granting of easements, roads and utilities, naming and the stipulation that a future cash donation is
contingent upon the city completing a master plan on or before July 1, 2010.
The Eastern Ridgeline Extension Master Plan is based on a combination of direction provided by
existing plans (e.g. Ridgeline Area Open Space Vision and Action Plan), site opportunities and
constraints, public desires expressed through general public involvement and input of key community
stakeholders, and Parks and Open Space staff experience and expertise. The Master Plan is intended
to provide a vision which will guide decisions relating to recreational development, maintenance and
management of the site. Additionally it is hoped that the plan will raise public awareness of and
interest in the park, provide guidance to balance multiple and sometimes conflicting interests, and
help obtain additional funding and resources for development and management.
2. Context Map
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3. Habitat Assessment
In April 2009, Bruce Newhouse of 5alix & Associates was contracted to complete a habitat assessment
of the 200 acre parcel; the work was completed in October 2009. In order to make most efficient use
of funding, and to enable gathering of as much field data as possible on ecologically significant
resources the contract specified that field survey time should be maximized and report writing and
formatting minimized. The objectives of the assessment were to:
• Map plant communities, including locations of significant or rare communities (if any)
• Document confirmed rare plant and animal population locations and information
• Identify potential rare species habitat areas
• Document invasive exotic species occurrence
• Conduct ecological habitat assessment, including condition, and threatslstressors
The Habitat Assessment is included as Appendix B.
The Master Plan map indicates those areas mapped in the Habitat Assessment which are considered
regional priority habitats', and include wet prairie, upland prairie, oak savanna, oak woodland,
hardwood woodland with an oak component, and seasonal wetland.
4. Public Involvement
Public involvement in development of the Master Plan included formation of a Community Task Team
composed of representatives of key community -wide stakeholder groups and corridor neighbors,
along with two public workshops, several web -based surveys, a website with contact information, and
numerous emailed comments, direct phone calls and visits with interested community members.
The intent of the Community Task Team (CTT) was to provide a forum for discussion and feedback
about the plan from a group of citizens well - informed about the needs and interests of all the major
stakeholders, corridor neighbors and organizations with interest in the Ridgeline Park. CTT
representatives included: Sarah Bascom of the Eugene Parks Foundation, Teresa Bishow of Arlie &
Company, Rebecca Duffy of the Eugene Disc Golf Club, John Jacobsen of The Obsidians, Dick
La mster of the Lane County Audubon Society, Dave Predeek of the Emerald Chapter of the Native
Plant Society of Oregon, Margaret Robertson of Lane Community College, and Dave Roth of the Lane
County Mountain Bike Association. The CTT officially met three times as a group, with_ an introductory
session, a site visit, and a concluding session. Additionally, members organized and participated in a
number of separate site tours, and most attended the two community -wide public involvement
meetings.
The two community -wide public meetings were held at the Hilyard Community Center, the first on
June 29, 2009 and the second on March 16, 2010.
The first public meeting was an informational session and was attended by over 60 community
members. A presentation of site history, policy and planning background, and site analysis was given,
followed by small group discussions on relevant topics where comments were taken by city staff.
Topics included Habitat, Trails, Active Recreation, and Connections. A website address was given
containing contact information for further comments and questions as well as a link to a web survey.
The first web survey had 165 responses. The highest priorities of respondents were:
• Active Recreation Facilities (Disc Golf and Mountain Bike features)
• Trails and Trailheads
• Habitat Protection and Enhancement.
i See Plan Map Component Definitions for a partial list of studies used to determine regional priority habitats
Respondents were most opposed to pedestrian -only trails.
The second public meeting was attended by over 50 community members. A draft plan map and draft
plan goals were presented, developed from public input and a staff design charette. The presentation
was followed by a question and answer period, and comment forms were handed out for participants
to provide feedback. The form was a hard copy of a web based questionnaire, to which a link was
also provided.
The questionnaire had 44 responses, including both web and hard copies submittals. Over 85
percent of respondents ranked the draft goals and plan a 7 or higher on a scale of 1 -1 0, 10 being
best. Only three respondents ranked the plan and goals as clearly negative, and from comments it
was evident that these negative rankings were in response to the exclusion of equestrian uses. The top
ranked priorities of respondents were:
• Multi -use (Shared -use) Trails
• Habitat Management Areas
• Technical Mountain Bike Features
• Disc Golf
Disc Golf however, also received the most rankings of lowest priority.
Results of the surveys and public involvement process are included in Appendix C.
5. Master Plan Map