Open Space Element (continued)

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4.0  OUTDOOR RECREATION

Open space for outdoor recreation, including parks, equestrian and hiking trails, and bicycle routes, provides pleasure and enjoyment for County residents. The Public Facilities and Services Element contains a detailed analysis of parkland needs and implementation measures. Figures OS-4a and 4b on pages 187 and 189 show designated outdoor recreation areas.

4.1 POLICY FOR PARKS AND EQUESTRIAN AND HIKING TRAILS

As of 1986, hiking and riding trails were primarily confined to parklands and to Coastal access trails within the Sea Ranch Subdivision. A trail system plan developed by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department links various parks and expands hiking and riding opportunities. The trail plan is not a trail users guide but a plan for securing lands for a countywide trail system. Many property owners, especially those engaged in agriculture, are concerned about trespassing, liability, and damage if hikers release farm animals or bring unleashed dogs. Funding the acquisition and maintenance of trails is also an issue.

Goal 0S-7. Establish a countywide park and trail system which meets future recreational needs of the county's residents while protecting agricultural uses. The emphasis of the trail system should be near urban areas and on public lands.

Objectlve OS-7.1: Provide for adequate parklands and trails primarily in locations that

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are convenient to urban areas to meet the outdoor recreation needs of the population, while not affecting agricultural uses.

The County shall use the following policies to achieve this objective:

OS-7a: Apply the "Public-Quasi Public/Park" designation to all existing local, county, and state parklands.

OS-7b: Apply the "Park" designation to indicate general areas where a need exists for parks.

OS-7c: Consider requiring dedication of public access by fee or easement from a public roadway to a navigable stream (Subdivision Map Act), the ocean, public lakes, and major reservoirs as a condition of approval for major subdivisions if 1) the project blocks an existing public access point or it results in the need for additional access, and 2) other reasonable access is not available.

OS-7d: The trails on Figure OS-4a on page 187 make up the County's designated plan for trails. Trail locations are approximate and are described below. Roadways may be used where access cannot be obtained through private property.

1. Gualala River Waterway Trail. The Gualala River is a navigable waterway and as such, public access is protected by Article XV, Section 2 of the California Constitution. The trail follows the river from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Stewart's Point Road.

2. Sonoma Coast Trail. The proposed trail extends from Black Point southward to the Estero Americana, is consistent with California State Coastal Plan policy 145 which calls for establishment of a coastal trail system statewide.

3. Russian River Waterway Trail. The Russian River is a navigable waterway from Cloverdale to the coast and as such, public access is protected by Article XV, Section 2 of the California Constitution. This proposed waterway trail extends from the coast to Preston Bridge immediately north of Cloverdale.

4. Santa Rosa Creek Trail. The proposed Santa Rosa Creek Trail is located between Guerneville Road and Highway 101 and is owned in fee by the SCWA.

5. Santa Rosa - Forestvllle Trail. The proposed trail primarily follows the abandoned right-of-way of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad from Highway 101 to Forestville at Highway 116.

6. Gossage and Hinebaugh Creek Trail. The proposed trail follows a SCWA channel between Llano Road and Petaluma Hill Road. The trail further extends southward to the intersection of Stony Point Road and Highway 116. It is owned in fee by the Agency.

7. Copeland Creek Trail. The proposed trail follows Copeland Creek and links Rohnert Park near Sonoma State University to Crane Creek Regional Park.

8. Taylor Mountain Trail. The proposed trail connects the proposed Taylor Mountain County Park with Annadel State Park.

9. Stevenson Trail. The proposed trail was proposed by the California State Department of Parks and Recreation in 1958 to connect Robert Louis Stevenson Park and the Napa Valley.

10. Hood Mountain Trail North. The proposed trail links Hood Mountain County Park to a 240-acre Bureau of Land Management holding to the east at the Sonoma/Napa county line.

11. Hood Mountain - Annadel Trail. The proposed trail links Hood Mountain County Park to Annadel State Park, however a crossing at Highway 12 will be necessary to obtain.
    
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12. Valley of the Moon Trail. The proposed trail traverses the Valley of the Moon between Jack London State Park and the Sonoma/Napa county line and links Sonoma Valley Regional Park to the Glen Ellen community.

13. Sonoma Trail. The proposed trail follows the right-of-way of the Northwestern Railroad from the City of Sonoma to Highway 121/12.

14. Petaluma River Waterway Trail. The Petaluma River is a navigable waterway and as such, public access is protected by Article XV, Section 2 of the California Constitution. The proposed trail extends from Shollenberger River Park to San Pablo Bay.

Classify potential trails as follows:

1. Recreational Waterways: Recognize boating and canoeing activities on designated waterways. Limit hiking trails to connections between urban areas, parks and the waterway.

2. Hiking and Equestrian Trails: Locate a trail system along the Sonoma County/Napa County boundary. Link existing and proposed state and county parks adjacent to urban areas.

3. Multiple Use Trails: Use railroad rights-of-way and water agency channels as multiple use trails for hiking, equestrian and bike use. Use existing roadways as alternative routes if access cannot be obtained.

OS-7e: Encourage private organizations to assist in the construction and maintenance of trails.

OS-7f: Consider requiring a dedication in fee or by easement for trails as a condition of approval of subdivisions. There must be a need identified on Figures OSAa or OSAb on pages 187 and 189 and the project must either block an existing access or result in the need for additional recreational opportunities. Locate and fence trails to minimize impacts on agricultural uses.

OS-7g: Use the following guidelines to determine consistency of projects involving lands with abandoned railroad rights of way where reasonably related to the impacts of the project:

1. The project does not or will not preclude the use of the right-of-way for trails.

2. A width of 60 feet generally is reserved for trail purposes, unless the Regional Parks Department determines that a different width would be adequate.

3. An irrevocable offer of dedication for the right-of-way has been made to the County of Sonoma.

OS-7h: Identify and evaluate alternative sites in the Boyes Hot Springs area to meet the projected need for a regional park facility in Sonoma Valley.

4.2 POLICY FOR BIKEWAYS

Bicycles are used both for daily transportation and for recreation. At present, however, the bicycle must compete with the automobile for roadway space. The lack of an adequate bikeways system discourages their use. There are three types of bikeways:

1. Class I Bikeway is a bike path for the exclusive use of bicycles. It is separated from the road by space or a barrier. A bike path may be on part of a road right-of-way or on a separate right-of-way.

2. Class II Bikeway is a bike lane on a right-of-way for the primary use of bicycles. Through travel by autos or pedestrians is not allowed, although vehicle parking is permissible.

3. Class III Bikeway is a bike route which shares its right-of-way with either moving autos or pedestrians.

State bicycle touring routes in Sonoma County include Highway 1, Highway 116, Highway 128, and a north/south route including "D" Street in Petaluma, Petaluma Hill Road, Old Redwood Highway, Dry Creek Road, and Dutcher Creek.

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Goal OS-8. Provide a bicycle trail system which meets both the transportation and recreational needs of residents.

Objective OS-8.1: Provide bikeways which connect major residential, commercial, employment, educational, cultural, and recreation areas.

Objective OS-8.2: Coordinate the locations and types of bicycle routes with CalTrans and city routes.

Objective OS-8.3: Use abandoned railroad rights-of-way, natural waterways, flood control rights-of-way and public lands for Class I bikeways. Where portions of rights-of-way are difficult to obtain, existing roadways may provide alternative alignments.

The County shall use following policies to achieve these objectives:

OS-8a: Recognize the bicycle routes on Figure OS-4b on page 189 as the County's bikeways plan. Proposed bikeways are for planning purposes only.

OS-8b: Allow flexibility for design of bikeways where an alternate bikeway class may be considered more appropriate than that designated on Figure OS-4b.

OS-8c: Designate the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department as the agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Class I bikeways along railroad rights-of-way, flood control channels, waterways and in parks. Design bikeways to protect residences with fencing and/or landscaping. Coordinate bikeway design with appropriate law enforcement and fire agencies.

OS-8d: Designate the Sonoma County Department of Public Works as the agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Class II and Class III bikeways along roadways in unincorporated areas.

OS-8e: Use the following criteria to determine consistency of public projects with this element:

1. Construction or widening of arterial and collector roadways designated for Class II bikeways include roadway space for bikeways.

2. Construction or widening of arterials and collector roadways designated for Class III bikeways include paved shoulders for bikeways.

3. Review acquisition and development of railroad rights-of-way for transit for potential multiple use as bicycle trails.

OS-8f: Ensure the provision of adequate bikeways while preserving visual quality along scenic corridors.

OS-8g: Seek state and federal funding and grants for bikeway construction.

OS-8h: Encourage private organizations to assist in the maintenance and patrol of bikeways.

OS-8i: Encourage state and federal projects to be designed in conformance with proposed bikeways shown on Figure OS-4b. Request that projects be designed to accommodate the proposed bikeway routes.

Open Space Element (partial)

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6.0 OPEN SPACE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM:

Open Space Program 1: Open Space Zoning Ordinance Amendments

Program Description: Prepare a Scenic Resources combining district, a Biotic Resources combining district, an amendment to the sign regulations to prohibit off-site advertising signs in designated scenic corridors, an amendment to regulate the placement of satellite dishes along scenic corridors, and a revision of parking regulations to provide bicycle parking spaces.

Open Space Program 2: Subdivision Ordinance Amendments to Establish Open Space Siting Requirements

Program Description: Prepare an ordinance amendment which would require building envelopes in community separators and scenic landscape units and building setbacks for scenic corridors, riparian areas and critical habitat areas.

Open Space Program 3: Request State Scenic Highway Designations for Highway 1 and Highway 37

Program Description: Adopt a resolution requesting a state study and appointment of citizens committeewhich includes representation from property owners along the corridor. The final scenic highway report will be sent to the Board and the State for approval.

Open Space Program 4: Establishment of an Open Space District

Program Description: Consider a ballot measure to establish an Open Space District to acquire and administer open space lands. Include an appropriate funding source, such as a special tax, to finance acquisition of partial or in-fee interests in lands, including purchase of development rights on a voluntary basis, in designated open space areas.

Open Space Program 5: Acquisition of Lands for Trails

Program Description: The Regional Parks Department shall continue to include in its five-year capital improvement program any proposed county acquisition or development of lands for trails.

Open Space Program 6: Community Separator Implementation Plan

Program Description: Prepare a plan which evaluates each of the eight community separators and establishes guidelines and implementation tools such as 1) transfer or purchase of development rights programs, 2) establishment of incentives to encourage agricultural uses, 3) wastewater spray irrigation programs, 4) purchase for parks or agriculture and 5) sign and landscaping standards. The plan should be coordinated with cities to achieve uniform city/county policies and to provide funding mechanisms.

Open Space Program 7: Scenic Landscape Unit Visual Study

Program Description: Prepare a visual study of designated scenic landscape units to identify critical scenic areas within these areas. Include mechanisms for long term management and preservation of scenic values, such as easements, within critical scenic areas.

Open Space Program 8: Boyes Hot SprIngs Regional Park Study

Program Description: The Regional Parks Department shall prepare a study of alternative sites in the Boyes Hot Springs area of Sonoma Valley to identify an appropriate location for an approximate 38-acre regional park.

Public Facilities and Services Element (partial)

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3.0 OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES

3.1 PARK AND RECREATION SERVICES

Outdoor recreation contributes to the tourism economy, enhances the quality of life for county residents and visitors, and conserves unique natural and cultural resources. The various types of parklands found in Sonoma County are classified based upon the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) category recommendations. Federal Recreation Areas and State Parks provide recreation opportunities intended to serve national or statewide populations. Regional parks provide opportunities for a broad range of recreational activities generally within a 30-60 minute drive from urban areas at a rate of 20 acres per 1,000 persons. Community parks are large enough to accommodate a variety of activities within a 30 minute drive of population centers at a rate of 2.5 acres per 1,000 persons. Neighborhood parks are smaller, multi-use facilities within one half mile of the population serviced. The standard is 2.5 acres per 1,000 persons.

Tables 3-3.18 through 3-3.26 and 5.8 through 5.16 of the General Plan EIR present detailed data on park and recreation services. Potential future state acquisitions total 1,600 acres. Proposed additions to the county regional park system (5,923 acres), would result in a ratio of about 19 acres per 1,000 population in 2005. The ratio is substantially higher when region serving state parks are included. Up to 290 acres of community and neighborhood parks are proposed, which would result in a ration of 5.7 acres per 1,000 population in unincorporated areas by year 2005.