Slide 1:EAST PALO ALTO March 2, 2009 COOLEY LANDING UPDATE


Slide 2:Site Background Ownership History Stakeholder Process Conceptual Plans Community Input Alternatives Development & Selection Site Control and Use Restriction Latest Developments Next Steps


Slide 3:The “Birthplace of East Palo Alto” Remains of historic structures on site, including historic dredging boat 1848 – Ravenswood Landing – Isiah Woods home, dairy, wharf 1868 – 1932 – Lester Cooley’s Landing – active port commerce center 1932 – 1957 – Wellar Realty Company, Oakland: South County Dump 1960: Mr. Schoofs: Palo Alto Boat Works


Cooley Landing – Regional Context :Cooley Landing – Regional Context Ravenswood Open Space Preserve City of Menlo Park jurisdiction (light yellow) City of East Palo Alto Boundary Parcels owned by Mid-Peninsula Regional Space District (Mid-Pen) Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Land Owned by Palo Alto POST parcel BLACK (Within City of East Palo boundary)


Parcel now under study :Parcel now under study Site Area: Approximately 297,990 sq. ft. = 6.84 Acres


Slide 6:Aerial View East Palo Alto jurisdiction Center Section Remains of launching facility Remains of dredge Remains of boatworks Old bridge


Ownership History :Ownership History 1994 San Mateo Co. Harbor District & City (Jerry Groomes) negotiations 1996: TPL – Schoof negotiations 1998: Packard Foundation Board approves Cooley Landing acquisition. Packard financed POST to buy property from Schoof family & transfer to EPA East Palo Alto requested POST transferred the land to City POST board wanted to ensure transfer was consistent with POST’s mission Community planning process initiated re: alternative uses for Cooley Landing Alternatives developed Consistency with POST was determined Site transferred to City


Stakeholder Process :Stakeholder Process City of East Palo Alto City of Palo Alto City of Menlo Park Peninsula Open Space Trust Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Coastal Conservancy Audubon Society Trust for Public Land San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory Facilitated by National Park Service-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Process financed by Packard Foundation Grant


Stakeholder Process :Stakeholder Process Started with list of uses generated during 11/12/03 Study Session Categorized uses by level of support Identified resources available to implement uses at Cooley Landing Described concepts and assumptions for ways to incorporate uses at Cooley Landing


Concept Drawings :Concept Drawings Council authorized contract with Cypress Environmental and Land Use Planning 10/19/04 Received grant from Packard Foundation for concept drawings 11/16/04 Drawings presented to stakeholders 12/6/04


Concept Drawings: Assumptions :Concept Drawings: Assumptions Emphasis on nature, open space, and history, with public access and interpretive information Facilities support appropriate uses at the site but are not regional draws in themselves Discussion of appropriate uses (i.e., levels of support) included by reference Contingent on further site analysis, environmental review, and community support.


Slide 12:Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning A B C D Existing Conditions


Slide 13:Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning A B Existing Conditions


Slide 14:Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning Ex. Structure Dredge Ex. Asphalt Access Road Bridge Bay Road Parking Lot 13 Stalls Habitat Existing Conditions


Concept Drawings :Concept Drawings Concept A: Primary uses limited to the former boatworks building and adjoining paved area of the site, with low intensity secondary uses (e.g., kayak launch, fishing, picnicking) located beyond the building/pavement area. Concept B: Primary uses limited to the former boatworks building, the dredge, the adjoining paved area and the open space area between the boatworks building and the dredge. Some low intensity secondary uses are located beyond this area. Concept C: Uses are located throughout the site


Slide 16:Conceptual Plan A Bay Road Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning Callander Associates Landscape Architecture Inc.


Slide 17:Conceptual Plan B Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning Bay Road Callander Associates Landscape Architecture Inc.


Slide 18:Conceptual Plan C Bay Road Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning Callander Associates Landscape Architecture Inc.


Slide 19:Trail Design Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning


Slide 20:Interpretive Exhibit Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning


Slide 21:Outdoor Amphitheater Cypress Environmental & Land Use Planning


Community Input :Community Input Cooley Landing Subcommittee met on March 3, 2005 and supported holding a community meeting on the conceptual vision for Cooley Landing Staff obtained direction from Council on the format and date(s) for a community meeting(s): Special City Council Study Session – Concept A or B Regular City Council Meeting Planning Commission Meeting Other formats preferred by Council


Site Control & Use RestrictionAs a result of Community Planning Process :Site Control & Use RestrictionAs a result of Community Planning Process The City now controls the property via a Quit Claim deed from POST…(1/2006) with the following environmental use restriction: Limitation on Environmental Use:  The use of the Property shall be limited to activities involving environmental education and/or passive recreational activities, nature study, enjoyment of views, natural habitat and environmental protection and related uses.  No industrial or residential use of or activity on the Property shall be permitted, except for a caretaker living on the premises.  Limited commercial activity directly related to the permitted use of the Property (e.g., small-scale visitor snack service, educational bookstore, guided tours) shall be permitted.  Any and all use of the Property shall be consistent with the preservation of the Property’s scenic and natural character.  No activity or use that degrades or is likely to degrade the scenic and natural character of the Property shall be permitted.


New Developments :New Developments Environmental Assessment partially completed by Kleinfelder Another grant request was submitted to Packard to hire a Project Manager Council approved the hiring of Project Manager, from the USEPA to lead this project. Project Manager is expected to start working for the City leading this project sometime around May or June ’09.