On December 20, the Martinez City Council will host a study session on the Alhambra Hills Public Access and Habitat Management Analysis.
The council will receive presentation, hold discussion, and provide direction to staff on next steps to prioritize for the management of the Alhambra Hills Preserve.
On June 7, 2022, Martinez voters approved Measure F, a 30-year parcel tax through which the City acquired the 297.5-acre Alhambra Hills property (“Property”) for permanent public parkland and wildlife habitat. The City completed the sale and purchase of the Property in November 2022 and secured the professional assistance of the John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) via a professional services agreement in March 2023 (Attachment A) to conduct an initial assessment.
According to the staff report:
In order to properly plan and implement the phased opening of the Alhambra Highlands property to the public, the City needs to work through the following issues addressed in the document:
- Update the 2022 Grazing Management Plan prepared by LSA & Associates to address the gaps identified in Alhambra Hills Public Access and Habitat Management Analysis
- Based on the updated plan, determine scope for grazing on the Alhambra Hills
- Premises and enter into Grazing License Agreements for cattle grazing
- Determine where pedestrian-friendly gates should be installed to minimize livestock egress (potentially grazer’s shared responsibility)
- Determine where fencing should be improved (potentially grazer’s responsibility)
- Determine preferred points of public access and where to park.
- Determine where emergency vehicle access locations should be established.
- Address the issue of dogs, bikes, and horses on the property, and conditions under which these might be allowed (note dogs and bikes are NOT advisable per the Analysis)
- Identify the existing hiking/riding trails on the Property and how they should continue to be used once the City opens the property to the public.
- Identify recommended improvements that could or should be constructed (e.g. benches, overlooks, informational signage regarding allowable uses, existing fire road locations, where not to hike, and sensitive plant and animal species on the Property)
- Discuss potential for continuing the non-exclusive use of Bethany Baptist Church parking lot for docent-led hikes, for spring/summer 2024.
- Discuss potential for long term arrangement, change of location for access gate, and center/left-turn divider onto Alhambra Avenue.
- Discuss interest, timing, and benefit of completing a Conservation Easement review and assessment.
- Identify connectivity to other available trails, and potential for partnership with other organizations.
SPECIAL MEETING ITEMS
Receive presentation, hold discussion, and provide direction to staff on next steps to prioritize for the
management of the Alhambra Hills Preserve.
Staff Report – Alhambra Hills JMLT Analysis
Attachment A – Services Agreement with John Muir Land Trust
Attachment B – Alhambra Hills Public Access and Habitat Management Analysis
Martinez City Council Meeting
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 2023
TIME: 6:00 PM
PLACE: Council Chamber, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553; and via Zoom
Full Agenda – click here
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