Shoreline Management Plan and Forest Management Plan Implementation 01-07-14

8/13/2019 Shoreline Management Plan and Forest Management Plan Implementation 01-07-14

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To:From:Submitted by:

Subject:

CITY OF CARMEL BY THE SEACouncil Report

January 7 2014Honorable ayor and Members of the City CouncilJason Stilwell, City AdministratorSharon Friedrichsen, Pub lic Services Director

Review of the Shoreline Management Plan and Forest Management PlanImplementation

Recommendation s): Receive a report on the review of the implementation of the ShorelineManagement Plan and Forest Management Plan and provide direction tostaff as necessary.

Executive Summary: One key initiative adopted by Council for calendar year 2013 is to reviewthe implementation of the Shoreline Management Plan ( SMP ) and theForest Management Plan ( FMP ) and update as necessary, includingattention to right-of-way and trai l connectivity. Both of these documentsare part of the City's General Plan and Local Coastal Plan and containnumerous goal objectives and policies to guide implementation.The SMP is an implementation guide that contains various policiespertaining to shoreline access; the shoreline's natural landscape andstructural features such as guard rails, revetments, signage, restroomfacilities and trash containers; recreational activities including beachfires; erosion, sand redistribution, shoreline armoring; public safety andmonitoring and inspection schedules. The Forest and Beach Commissionreviewed the SMP and recommended no changes to the existingmanagement policies contained within the document. However, theCommission identified several key areas for implementation including: reestablishing ongoing beach assessments; executing the dunes habitat


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brought forward to the Planning Commission for review as well. ThePlanning Commission concurred with the recommendations of the Forestand Beach Commission, noting the importance of routinely assessing theconditions of the shoreline. However, the Planning Commissionrecommended that the policies pertaining to the dunes habitatrestoration plan contained within the Del Mar Master Plan bereevaluated and practices pertaining to the replacement and removal oftrees at the dunes be reexamined.The Forest Management Plan was developed with the intent tostrengthen the connection between trees and City residents . It providesmanagement guidance to preserve the City's urbanized forest. Boththe Forest and Beach and Planning Commissions are not recommendingany changes to the FMP at this time. Rather, recommendations focus onimplementation efforts including evaluating the resources needed for atree planting program; continued work on right-of-way compliance andconcentrated information and outreach efforts and more ongoingreporting, including the development and presentation of an annualState of the Forest report to Council.

Analysis Discussion: The Shoreline Management Plan ( SMP ) is Appendix A of the City's LocalCoastal Program, which was certified by the California CoastalCommission in 2004. As part of the review process, the Forest and BeachCommission evaluated the progress made to date on implementing theSMP using a color-coded scorecard whereby green means the policy hasbeen fully implemented; yellow indicates it has been partiallyimplemented and red indicates it has not been implemented as written inthe SMP (attachment). While implementation of several managementpolicies has been deficient over the years due to declining financialresources, the City has responded to several major storm events andstrengthened infrastructure and has improved access to the Shoreline inthe last several years through grant and City funded projects such as theth Avenue boardwalk and the Del Mar viewing platform.

The SMP is a comprehensive document that begins with an overview of


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government entities and local universities to encourage research andfunding of projects at the Shoreline.Chapter 3 of the SMP pertains to access to the Shoreline. The Forest andBeach Commission noted that the SMP narrative should be updated toreflect completed projects that provide access and trail connectivity.These projects include the 4th Avenue Boardwalk and Stairs andconnectivity from San Antonio to 4th and 2nd Avenues (completed in2010), San Antonio Pathway from 4th Avenue to Ocean and the Del MarViewing Platform (completed in 2013}. The Scenic Pathway and 4thAvenue Stairs also include signage indicating that these access points arepart of the California Coastal Trail. The 2th Avenue Stairway, cited as afuture project within the SMP should be included within the City's capitalimprovement plan if the development of the stairway is still feasible .Ongoing efforts related to maintenance of the sand ramps, boardwalkand viewing platform, beach stairways and Pathway to ensure safe accessshould be continued and funded accordingly. Another managementpolicy contained within this section is to provide adequate andaesthetically pleasing trash containers and the Forest and BeachCommission has indicated developing a management plan for trash issuesat the Shoreline to be a key implementation item for 2014.The SMP includes management polices pertaining to the natural andstructural landscaping. As indicated on the attached scorecard, many ofthese policies focus on maintaining the vegetation and trees along theshoreline and maintaining the dune ecology of Carmel Beach.Recommendations from both Commissions include focusing on therevitalization of the Scenic Pathway and the implementation of the DunesHabitat Restoration Plan. In terms of dunes restoration, theinterpretation of the policies regarding the replacement of trees shouldbe re-examined.Chapter 5 of the SMP pertains to recreational activities and special eventsat the beach. The Forest and Beach Commission recommends thedevelopment of a beach fire management plan that would focus on:


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Increased public education and outreach, including coordinationwith special events at the beach;

lhcreased enforcement, assisted by improved signage; Possible development of a new City Municipal Code prohibitingthe burning of anything but designated firewood on the beach.

The SMP also includes an extensive section on monitoring andinspections. Such monitoring includes shoreline surveys that documentthe changes in the beach width, sand volume, rates of bluff erosion, andmovement of seawalls, retaining walls and revetment boulders. The SMPincludes proposed schedules for conducting beach profiles to assist insand redistribution efforts and monitoring of armor structures. Whileongoing surveys have not been consistently performed throughout theyears, City staff has responded to needs at the Shoreline during majorstorm events as well as ongoing maintenance efforts pertaining to thecovering of revetments and sand redistribution. Both Commissions haverecommended that beach assessments be funded and that an ongoingschedule for assessments and inspections be re-established, includingutilizing new technology and other strategies to assess the shoreline.The Forest Management Plan ( FMP ) is Appendix G of the City's GeneralPlan. t contains 15 objectives and 56 policies pertaining to four key goals:

Preserve and enhance the City's legacy of an urbanized forest ofpredominately Monterey pine, coast live oak and Montereycypress

Maintain and enhance the informality of streetscapes Preserve and acquire open space and parks Conserve water and minimize storm runoff

Similar to the SMP review, the Forest and Beach Commission completedan assessment of the efforts to date in executing the FMP utilizing acolor-coded scorecard (attachment). As noted in the attachment, effortsrelated to training and outreach to the public and entities doing business


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Fiscal Impact:

Addressing the issues of encroachments in the right-of-way and reducinghardscape are also areas that need additional attention in terms ofimplementation. The Planning Commission also reviewed the Plan anddid not recommend any changes to the policies. It also reiterated theneed for regular reporting on the state of the forest and continuedmonitoring of the effectiveness of the policies contained the FMPThe SMP includes a checklist of ongoing monitoring and inspectionactivities that should occur throughout the year to assess the shoreline.It also recommends that a reserve be established to fund possibledamage resulting from catastrophic weather events. The FMP includesimplementation strategies that can occur based upon a set budgetincluding several low cost implementation strategies related to publicoutreach and education. The cost to implement these plans will beincluded in the capital improvement plan and departmental budget.

Budgeted {yes/no): Yes Funding Source general fund, grant, state)General Fund

Previous CouncilAction/Decision History:

Attachments:

Reviewed by

Council included the review of these plans as a key initiative inJanuary 2013.A- Forest anagement Plan Score CardLink to Shoreline Plan:http: ci .carmel.ca .us/carmel/index.cfm/linkservid/A25248FE-3048-7B3D-CSCFC53C2A458534 showM eta 0

B Shoreline anagement Plan Score CardLink to Forest Management Plan Scorecardhttp: ci .carmel.ca .us/carmel/index cfm linkservid/A2547786-3048-7B3D-C5855FD7FSBA7E22/showMeta/0/ andhttp : ci.carmel.ca .uscarmel/ index.cfm/linkservid/A2563880-3048-7B3 D-CSACB64CE0320FD1/showMeta 0


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Forest Management Plan Scorecard

P9 -202 I 6

P9-203 I 6

P9-208 I 7

Review periodically existing tree related ordinances and policies in Forestmanagement Plan/LCP and proposed changes as needed

Maintain restore and enhance 1 1pper/lower tree canopy

Implement adopted tree density policies for private and public property

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ATTACHi 1ENT A

FPB is a division of Services Dept 2013Ongoing FBC recently adopted tree monitoringordinance; possible other ordinances to reviewin the futureOngoing practice

Property owners are often required to plantt rees as a con tition of planning approval. Citystaff olant additional trees onProperty owners are often required to plantas a condition of


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P9 218 18P9220 I 8

P9 221 I 8P92 I 8P9223 I 8

P9 224 I 8939 I 8

nvolvinll n increase in lot coverage or tree removal to a

Record and monitor replacement trees to ensure establishment and maturityRequire ample/appropriate landscaping and tree planting on all si tesRequire a documents site s s e s s m ~ n t or meeting between planner forester ndproperty d ~ v e l o R e ofe ch r o ~ > Q s e d construction site to discuss tree

n r ' C : : ' N ~ t i n n nd


Ongoing practiceAdopted City policyTree monito ring Ordinance amended; st illwait ing on Coa stal Commission aoorova lLandsca ping plan is requ ired on largeconstruction sites .Ongoing practice

Ongoing pr ctite~ work ollows adopted r d slaPdscaping is in accordance with .CityCodes and

is required s part of planning pproval


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orest Management Plan Scorecard

P9-227 I 8

P9-228 I 9P9-19 I 9

P9-226 9

09 41 9

Require all City departments utility companies tree service companies arboristslandscapers and gardeners adhere to adopted tree maintenance standards policiesand e:uidelinesEducate and involve the public in tree ssu s

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Ongoing practiceTraining needs improvement

Tree services arborists city staff use adoptedstandards etc.; others should also abide bystandards. codes. ooliciesMa i lings articles workshops and Arbor Dayhave been used


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orest Management Plan Scorecard

P9243 110

09 42 110

P9244 110

245 110

P9 248 110

0944 11

Involve citizen groups m forest ry programsRemove/reduce unnecessary or excessive hardscape and other nonconfo rmingencroachments to parkland and within street right of way to provide for and

Incorporate adequate landscaping and trees of the urbanized forest in all publicconstruction oroiects

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Friends of armel Forest Friends of Mission tra ilNature PreserveOngoing practice

Ongoing practrce

ngoing prati eAddressed in p lanning phase of public projects .


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orestManagement Plan Scorecard

City staff shall involve FPB staff on planning and implementation stages of the Needs ImprovementP9250 111 Include funding for the design and installation of landscaping as part of each public IDepends on sca le of project, fund ing source, and

ava i labilitv of maintenance oersonnel09 46 11 Council decis1on

P9 254 111 I Establish and implement a procedure for removal of in vas ive vegetation Ongoing practice256 111 I Identify/ protect ESHA aga inst significant disruption of habitat values Ongoing pract ice

P9 260 112 I Provide for public access and passive enjoymentofCity parks and open space IOngoing practiceP9261 112 I Provide and maintain informal ails i f here is public demand Ongoing practice0 9 48 112 IOptimize public use of City parks Ongoing practice

258 112 I Implement the recQmmendations of a ll existing MasterPlans MTNP, Shoreline, IOngoing practiceForest Hill Park) considering pr-ioritized needs and availableP9259 112 I Develop and implement specific plans, master plans or other programs m other I Ongomg practice

areas where neededVersion 12/5/13 Page 5


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P9 262 I 12P9263 12P9264 12

49 12

P9266 13P9267 13

P9269 113

New construction plans should include design features to enhance su rface waterercolationEncourage homeowners to absorb surface water on their own propertylandscape with drought tolerant plants shrubs and trees of the urbanized forest

Provide to the public an establishecj list of indigenous and non-indigenous droughttolerantRequire approval Qf landscape for drought tolerance and trees by FBP on newconstruction at final design review or before issuing a building permit

Use low output sprinkler heads or drip irrigation for ~ n d s ~ p e irrigation systemsUse ons ite water retention devices to capture precipitation to surface runoff fo rlandscape maintenance purposes

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St rict site coverage requirements ensureuate surface water oercolation .Strict site coverage requ1rements ensure

uat e surface water oercolation.Landscape plans are submitted with planningand construction drawing to ensure complianceWith riPQIIbatin nAvailable on city web site although difficult tofindl andscape plans are subm itted with plannmgand construction drawing to ensure compliancewith

incorporated collection program at city hall forfuture implementation; other sites evaluated onco st/ benefit


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TT HMENT

Shoreline Management Plan Scorecard

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Shoreline Management Plan Scorecardr

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35 3 16 I Provide adequate and aesthetically pleasing trash containers Assess ing capacity and size No Work on implementation st rateg1esand type of enclosures; Big key implementation Init iative for staffu t t s l e d 1 n 2 1 2 for 2014I 1316 IProvide secure bicycle racks IBike rac nstalled at Del No Cont inue to ma inta1n racks5

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ar but needs ma1ntenance

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Continue to ma intain condition ofbenches and other log seating


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4 4 418 I Retain second restroom at Santa Luc ia Avenue until replaced by permanent site/removeupon construction of restroom south of Eighth Avenue

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Beach restroom at Scenic I Noand 13 h recently approvedby Planning Comm1ss1on and

Council.

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Build and mamtam new restroomfacility consider renovations to De l

ar restroom

Build new restroom facility


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4.4 14.18

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4.19 I Maintain low to medium density 40-60) trees in the North Dunes

4.19 I Protect cypress from structural damage caused by high winds; develop proactivetrimming program to reduce length/weight of limbs and branches

4.4 14.19

4.4 I 4.19 I Maintain attractive mix of plant materials- native, drought-to lerant and non-invas ive

There are more than 60trees currentlyOngoing maintenance item No

4.4 14.19 I Encourage extension of Pathway landscaping onto neighboring properties; r ing all City I No consistent ongoing effort Noowned property on Scenic Road into compliance with Plan, Encourage private propertyI I . wners to draw from olants used in P:othw:ov

4.4 4.19

4.4 14.19

4.4 14.19

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Shoreline anagement Plan Scorecard

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4 4 1421 I Prevent further planting and spread of nvasive horticultural species within dunes at IDMP includes plan to restore Needs review More emphasis on dunes restoration;Carmel Beach and protect north dunes. including removal of nvasive spec es;Currently being review dunes habitat plan in Del Mar

implemented Master Plan4 4 1421 I Remove non-nat ive invasive vegetation from special status habitat to eliminate DMP includes plan to restore Needs review More emphaSIS on dunes restoration

competition and implement a dunes restora tion plan and protect north dunes. including removal of invasive spec1es;Currently being review dunes habitat plan in Del Marimplemented Master Plan

44 1421 Implement Dunes Restoration Plan IDMP mcludes plan to restore Needs rev1ew Execute dunes restoration plan andand protect north dunes continue to evaluate; key issue forCurrently being implementation and recommended toimplemented. Council as a 2014 initiative; review

dunes habitat plan in DMP4 4 1421 I Mimm1ze spread of non-native plants IDMP mcludes plan to restore Needs review More emphas s on dunes restoration;

and protect north dunes. including removal of invasive speciesCurrently being rev1ew dunes hab1tat plan in Del Mar

en ed . Master Plan44 1421

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4.4 14.21 I Monitor, study and develop effective management program for the City s parks and M ssion Trail Nature I Needs reviewESHAs; endeavor to reduce conflicts between environmental protection and useof Preserve Master planpublic and private property within ESHAs developed; ongoing efforts

to monitor programs4.4 14.21 I Maintain and enhance resource value of en vironmentally sensit ive habitat areas in Biolog1sts have been I Needs review

consultation w ith qualified biologist and CA Dept. of F sh and Game; remove any non- consulted as needednat1ve, invasive vegetat1on from sensitive hab itats

4.4 I 4.21 I Reduce introduction and spread of invasive hor ticul tural species into and w ithin Included in restoration plan I Needs reviewidentified ESHAs

4.4 I 4.21 I Provide beach users w 1h Information about Beach, its vegetation, facilities, amen it ieS Some s gnage included with I Noand limitations/ ru les boardwalk, Carmel Garden

Club area, and viewingplatform

4.4 14.21 I Establish uniform signage program to better inform users of rules Funding for signage included I Nowith in the City s 2013 18 CIP

4.4 I 4.21 I Post beach access/pedestnan only s gns at top of pedestrian easements to help locate Completed I Noaccess routes:-

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Need development of Implementationschedule and measurement m orderto monitor and study effectiveness;review dunes habitat clan m DMPEstablish rout ine utilizat on ofb ologist and consultation ondevelopment of 1mplementat1on plan;review dunes habitat clan in DMPMore emphasis on removal of mvas vewi thin ESHA areas (Dunes and MTNP);review dunes habitat clan in DMPBetter development of s1gnage ,espeCially regarding ru les. Key1mplementat1on issue 1dent ified

Commission ha ve been reviewings gnage improvements and haveIdentif ied signage on beach ru les as a


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4.4 14.22 I Consider locating signs at bottom of bluff IOngoing INo ICommission have been reviewingsignage Improvements and have1dentified signage on beach rules as akey impleme

4.4 14.22 I Use signs that are aesthetically pleasmg easily seen mmimal m s1ze bnef in content of Ongomg Nomuted in color and uniform In design

identified s1gnage onkey implementation issue

4.4 14.22 I Post educational/interpretive s1gns where appro pnate along Scenic rive and in the Some signage included with NoNorth Dunes area boardwalk Carmel Garden

Club area and viewingplatform

4.4 14.22 I Use international symbols whenever possible along with br ief explanatiOn of IOngomg I Noprohibitions and Municipal Code citations I I I dentif ied sign age onntation issu e

4.4 14.22 I Mamtam signs to ensure legibility; rep lace vandalized s1gns as soon as possible IOngoing 1 No ICommission have been reviewings1gnage improvements and haveidenti fied signage on beach rules as akey implementation issue

4 4 14.22 I Maintain signs at stairways indicating fires must be 25 feet from base of bluffs and not IOngoing I o ICommission have been reviewingallowed north of Tenth Avenue signage imp rovements and haveidentifi ed signage on beach rules as aI ngoing I o Ikey implementa14.4 14.22 I Use trash containers as location for educational and regulatory signs; Provide signage

prohibiting fires in the dunes area; consider using restroom stall for posting beach rules

4.4 14.22



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Shoreline anagement Plan Scorecard

5.3 5.55.3 5.5

5.3 5.5

5.3 5.55.3 5.55.3 5.55.3 5.5

5.3 5.5

5.3 15.55.3 15.55.3 5.6

5.3 5.65.3 5.6

5.3 J5.6Version 12/ 13/13 Paae 1


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53 5653 56

Install to indicate times and distance and methods to ext in2uish fire with waterCont1nue Police Department enforcement of no fire regulation north of Tenth Avenueand in Del ar and North Dunes area

Ongoing No

Ongoing No

Commission have been reviewmgsign age improvements and haveidenti fied signage on beach rules as a

n i P m P n t ; ~ t issueCommission have been rev1ewingsignage improvements and haveidentified signage on beach rules as akey implementation Issue so thatimproved s1gnage ass ists wi theducation and enforcement effortsI I ~ C O I I I u W i t l ~ i f ~ H i ~ i t i l i i i i i t i l 1 f i r i i l i f i i l ~ l i i t w i : MUIIMiit _ . lll- 1 l.......... g ~ ~ ; _

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65 16 4

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868 6

86 812 I Perform monitoring and maintenance of shoreline facilities and structure throughoutyear; Restore sand levels annually and replace damaged vegetation as needed

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86 I 8 12

86 181386 18 386 I 813

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Repa ir of facilit es and I ostructures as reported; sandreplenishment completed to


Re establish schedule for montonngand maintenance of facilities ; utilizebeach profile surveys to determineamount of sand needed annua


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with faced vertical seawalls designed Addressed as requared Continue to evaluatearea and need for sand

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65 aintain records and conduct beach

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86 I 8 11 I stablish and mplement comprehensive shoreline management program

86 Minimaze erosaon of bluffs Ongoing No8 6

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Documents

Shoreline Management Plan and Forest Management Plan Implementation 01-07-14