conservation strategy - psb 061312 ppt

7/31/2019 Conservation Strategy - PSB 061312 Ppt

1/22


2/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYOverview

Past Actions

Work Efforts

Open Space Designations

Conservation Options

Recommended Strategy

Next Steps

PSB Action Needed

06/13/12 PSB Meeting

Item #11


3/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYPast Actions

March 5 PSB recommends Scenario 1 as preferred

development scenario for PSB Northwest Properties

PSB authorizes EPWU staff to present recommended

conservation strategy to City staff for vetting

- Code amendments

- Conservation Covenant

March 20 City Council selects Scenario 1 as preferred

development scenario for PSB Northwest Properties &

authorizes SmartCode rezoning application & development

of conservation strategy

March 27 First EPWU/City staff meeting held to discuss

recommended conservation strategy


Item #11


4/22


5/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYWork Efforts

Specific Tasks:SmartCode Regulating Plan

Dover Kohl & Partners in third draft development

Survey of Properties (developable & open space designations)

Evaluation of Environmentally Sensitive Infrastructure & Low Impact

Development Standards

Code Amendments Drafted

Inclusion of Stormwater Open Space designation in Titles 19, 20, & 21

Inclusion of Utility Green Space designation in Titles 19, 20 & 21

Pertinent definitions and standards

Designation of areas within SmartCode Regulating Plan

Conservation Strategy

Four primary options identified

Strengths, limiting factors & outstanding issues developed

Conservation Covenant finalized (if applicable)


Item #11


6/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYOpen Space Designations

Corrected

boundaries

Required

transect data &

diagramdevelopment

Survey of

developable

sites

Survey of openspace areas


Item #11


7/22


CONSENSUS APPROACH:

Major arroyo areas in path of or adjoining development must be treated

differently to manage stormwater management

Development will impact water flow into the arroyos and will need to be

modified to provide flood control- increased peak flow

- increased runoff volume

- Increased pollutant loads

Not all arroyos can be preserved in their natural state and utilized as is

for stormwater drainage

Improvement of portions of the arroyos will be necessary to handle

volume and velocity of water in the development and adjoining areas


Item #11


8/22


CONSENSUS APPROACH:

When improvements are necessary, all tools to preserve as much of the

arroyos should be incorporated (hybrid channels with environmentally

sensitive infrastructure)

Adjoining development shall utilize Low Impact Development designapproach to minimize disturbance of arroyos and to better manage

stormwater flows

LID goals: Non-structural controls first through better site design, conservation of

natural areas, watershed planning, etc.

Implement stormwater measures that harvest, infiltrate & evapotranspiratestormwater to reduce volumes

Reduce impervious surfaces where possible

Treat stormwater as resource, not waste


Item #11


9/22


Open Space

Designations:

Stormwater

Open Space


Item #11


10/22


STORMWATER OPEN SPACE:

A natural open area to be used to help manage stormwater, reduce flooding

risk and improve water quality as its primary purposes, while still permitting

passive recreational use of the open space as secondary purposes to the

area. Water, wastewater and stormwater utility systems within areas

designated for stormwater open space shall be designed with

environmentally sensitive infrastructure and constructed with a low impact

development approach. Any area designation shall:

- require approval of the Floodplain Administrator

- conform to the Master Stormwater Management Plan

- conform to the Open Space Master Plan

- be shown within the boundaries of any platting or zoning

document required by the City

06/13/12 PSB Meeting Item #11


11/22


12/22


UTILITY GREEN SPACE:

An area of protected or conserved land where development is limited or

controlled to preserve large areas of undisturbed open space as its primary

purpose, while still permitting passive recreational uses and necessary

water, wastewater and stormwater utility systems as secondary purposes to

the area. Any area designation shall be shown within the boundaries of anyplatting or zoning document required by the City.

- Conservation covenant may be required to provide further protection of the

area

- Uses allowed and prohibited are enumerated, and may be further restricted

in a conservation covenant

- Property shall be subject to development standards of the City Code

- Defines water, wastewater and stormwater utility systems



13/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYConservation Options

FACTORS APPLICABLE TO ALL OPTIONS AS RECOMMENDED BY

EPWU/CITY STAFF:

SmartCode rezoning application for entire site (Scenario 1)

Designation of open space areas as presented

Utility Green Space areas only are subject to conservation

protection

All options will allow water, wastewater & stormwater utility

systems that may be necessary to serve future development



14/22


Requirements/Conditions

in Deed of Conveyance

RestrictiveConservation Covenants

Special Zoning

Designations

Conservation Easements

PROTECT

OPEN SPACE


15/22


1 Deed to State

(Inclusion into Franklin Mountains State Park)

2 Dedicate as City Park3 Record Conservation Covenant

4 Record Conservation Easement



16/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYConservation Options Conservation Easement

STRENGTHS LIMITING FACTORS

Perpetual Protection Operation and maintenance unfunded

Amendable with agreement of Limited inspection of lands by land trust

owner and third party Mostly used on private lands for tax

Landowner retains fee simple title incentive purposes

Flexibility in easement structure Third party must demonstrate financial

Legal enforcement is applicable if staying power

breach occurs Practice of flipping easements among

Difficult to remove easement land trusts

Supported by local environmental Greater municipal funding partnerships

groups may be necessary

Provision for a management plan

Non-profit or government agency canbe holder of the easement



17/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYConservation Options Conservation Covenant


Perpetual Protection Oversight of covenant

Amendable pursuant to its Determination of covenantee to manage land

terms Operation, maintenance & inspection

Landowner retains fee simple title unfunded

Flexibility in covenant structure Limited local experience

Legal enforcement is applicable if

breach occurs

Difficult to remove covenant

Same legal effect as easement

Provision for a management plan

Covenanting program used by

national trusts



18/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYConservation Options City Park


Perpetual Protection Operation, maintenance & inspection

(requires referendum vote to remove) unfunded

Adds to open space amenities Burdens current maintenance levels of active

State regulations impose limiting park space

restrictions on park and open Maintenance crews not attune to

space usage requirements for environmentally sensitive

lands



19/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYConservation Options Deed to State


Perpetual Protection Burdens current operations/maintenance

Links trail-head access points budget for 26,000+ acre state park

Adds to open space amenities Requires Legislative authorization for park

Can tailor terms of land transfer to inclusion

protect values & goals Conditions of land transfer to be agreed upon

Land reverts to City if conditions of deed by state

are not met Public cost for entry into the park

Past partnership success with State

On-site park rangers to monitor use &

maintenance

Adds to the largest urban park in the

countryProven record of stewardship, $1.7 million

facelift to park grounds

Active park management plan

Hold expertise in sensitive lands



20/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYRecommended Option

UNANIMOUS EPWU/CITY STAFF

RECOMMENDATION:

Deed to State for Inclusion into theFranklin Mountains State Park

(with language that reverts land back as a City Park)



21/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYNext Steps

PSB Endorsement of Recommended EPWU/City Staff Conservation Strategy

City Council Approval of EPWU/City Staff Conservation Strategy

Finalize & Adopt:

Municipal Code Amendments (Titles 19, 20 & 21)

SmartCode regulating plan, surveys & LID standards

Add Land Transfer to 2013 State Legislative Agendas at City and EPWU/PSB

Coordinate with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department on all aspects of landtransfer

Prepare Deed for land transaction

Secure 2013 State Legislative approval & execute Deed



22/22

A CONSERVATION STRATEGYPSB Action Needed

Endorse Recommended EPWU/City Staff ConservationStrategy presented

Recommend EPWU/City Staff Conservation Strategy be

imposed on Utility Green Space within SmartCoderegulating plan, Scenario 1

Authorize President/CEO to forward PSBrecommendation to the El Paso City Council

(July 17)


conservation strategy - psb 061312 ppt

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