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Home My WebLink AboutSS3 - Back Bay Loop TrailCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Study Session Agenda Item No. ss3 Septemberr26�-2006- _......._ TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Managers Office Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager 949/ 644 -3002 or dkiff @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: Back Bay Loop Trail — Concept and Proposed Route ISSUE: Should existing trails and roads around the Upper Bay be designated as the Back Bay Loop Trail? If so, where should the route go? RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. DISCUSSION: Background: Throughout central Orange County, the former Irvine Ranch has seen extensive planned development. along with the long -term dedication of open space resources. Recreational aspects of the land are addressed as well - one of these recreational resources is the "Mountains to the Sea" Trail, a system of multi -use trails that go through parks, flood control channels, creekbeds, along roads, and under major roads and freeways. The Mountains to the Sea Trail links Peters Canyon (near Orange and Tustin off of Jamboree) to Upper Newport Bay. The Mountains to the Sea Trail is linked by consistent signage that offers directions to walkers, runners, cyclists, and equestrians along the Trail network. The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust (IRLRT), a non - profit organization established by Donald Bren (of The Irvine Company) to provide resource stewardship to the open space lands of the former Irvine Ranch (collectively, these lands are referred to as the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve), manages the Mountains to the Sea Trail (among other things). Back Bay Loop Trait — Study Session Item September 26, 2006 Page 2 In addition to resource management, IRLRT also coordinates research and provides public access and educational programs within the Reserve lands. IRLRT's land management, research, or education and access efforts occur in Bommer Canyon in Irvine, the Hicks Canyon Trail in the Central Orange County foothills near Tustin and Irvine, Limestone Canyon off of the 241 Tollroad, and a portion of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (to name a few). Attachment A shows a map of the former Irvine Ranch, and the recreational amenities within it, including the Mountains to the Sea Trail. IRLRT approached me earlier in the year with the concept of a Back Bay Loop Trail that would be consistent with (in terms of signage) and connect to the Mountains to the Sea Trail. The Loop Trail would be contained within Newport Beach and go around the Upper Bay (see attached diagram of the proposed Trail in Attachment B).. It would be signed in a manner similar to the Mountains to the Sea Trail, including small pole signs and pavement markings (see attached diagrams in Attachment C). It would go around the bay using existing trails and roads - no new trails or roads are needed to make the Trail work. The only change to the existing conditions would be a signed designation (again using pole signs and pavement markings) showing walkers, cyclists, and runners the route. There is one portion of the proposed Trail that I see as engendering some community concern - that is the area of the Trail that would go along the west side of the Bay down residential streets like Santiago and Galaxy. I have discussed this route with IRLRT and with some of the neighborhood leaders there - generally, the neighborhood leaders have asked that the designations make Dover Drive and Irvine Avenue the primary route to transit around that side of the Bay. IRLRT, on the other hand, thinks that directing people down Dover and Irvine would discourage them from visiting areas like Galaxy Park with its great views of the central Upper Bay. Arguably, any walker, runner, or cyclist familiar with the area would know to go down Santiago and Galaxy if he or she wanted to see Galaxy Park - regardless of signage. Council's input is welcomed during this Study Session item as to the following issues: Is Council supportive of the Back Bay Loop Trail concept? If so, does the proposed route seem appropriate? What signage is appropriate for the Trail? Are the graphics appropriate? Depending on feedback from the Council, I recommend bringing the item to a night -time meeting at a date in the near future, along with additional notification to residents and stakeholder groups. Back Bay Loop Trail — Study Session Item September 26, 2006 Page 3 also discussed the concept and route with Anders Folkedahl of Dover Shores, and provided him a map to take back to his neighborhood. Environmental Review: The City Council's discussion of this Agenda Item does not require environmental review at this point. If the Trail is designated by a future Council action, such an action may be Categorically Exempt from CEQA. Public Notice: This agenda item may be noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Funding Availability: The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust (IRLRT) proposes to provide all of the funding to designate the Trail. There is no expense proposed for the City - however, once the signage is up, such signage will require replacement on a routine schedule. Submitted by: Dave Kiff Assistant City Manager Attachments: Attachment A — Map of the former Irvine Ranch Attachment B — Back Bay Loop Trail Proposed Route Attachment C — Signage Concepts 3 LEGEND RECREATION PARK J TRAIL ROUTES (u Wlr &racW D) - LANDMARKS STABLES b GOLF COURSE PICNIC GROUNDS FISHING/BOATING HISTORIC SITE 7► VISTA POINT AT STAGING AREAITRAILHEAD A CAMPGROUNDS MARSH ig BOTANICAL GARDENS .4 NATURE CENTER Irvine Ranch Open Space and Recreation Concept . 97 s � � o•r ej � r � .� � k ury � i �• •./ •� ..rte w Elevation -Trail Markers Scale: 1 " =1' -0" Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Back Bay Loop Trail - Trail Marker Signs 06 -0079 105/09/06 .; Im D0b_ Panel Detail Scale: 1:2 J IV B 3 D Architectural Graphics & Branding 731 N. Main Street • Orange, California 92868 714.744.2300 • 714.744.8061 fax • jb3d.com �a1Elevation -Trail Markers Scale: l " =1' -0" Side Scale: 1 " =1' -0" zits„ 2 4 4 J Enlarged Detail O Scale:3 " =1' -0" DIA. ALUMINUM LIRITY ROD. 10" DIA. X18 "DEEP FOOTING. B 3 D Architectural Graphics & Branding 731 N. Main Street • Orange, California 92868 714.744.2300 • 714.744.8061 fax • jb3d.com DESIGN NOTES: 12" DIA. X 3/16" THICK ALUMINUM SIGN FACE W/ 13/16" HOLES DRILLED TO ACCEPT #10 SCREWS. WHITE POWDER COATED FINISH. 11 3/4" DIA. DIGITAL PRINT GRAPHICS APPLIED TO FACE. 2. 1 1/2" SQUARE ALUMINUM POST. POWDER -COAT FINISH KRINKLE -COAT GREEN. TRAIL MOUNT TO BE DRILLED 6" FROM BOTTOM TO ACCEPT 1/2" DIA. ALUMINUM SECURITY ROD. 3. RIV -NUT TO ACCEPT #10 SCREW 4. STAINLESS STEEL #10 FLAT HEAD COUNTERSINK ALLEN SCREW. (GRAPHICS TO BE APPLIED OVER FLATHEAD SCREWS FOR TAMPER - PROOF.) 5. ARROW TO BE INCLUDED IN DIGITAL PRINT. MATCH PROJECT BLUE. REVISIONS: CLIENT CONTACT DRAWING TITLE IRVINE RANCH LAND RESERVE THE IRVINE COMPANY JOHN GRAVES DIRECTIONAL POST &PANEL - DETAILS DATE 05/09/06 JOB# 06 -0079 SCALE 1 NOTED DESIGNER I PL SHEET# 1 IRVINE, CA The following drawings, specifications, ideas, designs, and arrangements represented thereby, are and shall remain the property of the designer, and no part thereof shall be copied, disclosed to others or used in connection with any work or project other than the specified project for which they have been prepared and developed without the written consent of the designer. Visual contact with these plans or specifications shall constitute conclusive evidence of acceptance of these restrictions Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Back Bay Loop Trail - Ground Stencil 06 -0079 105/09/06 J B 3 D Architectural Graphics & Branding 731 N. Main Street • Orange, California 92868 714.744.2300 • 714.744.8061 fax • jb3d.com