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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Environmentally Sensitive Lands Task Force - 12/17/2009 yf,V*K ti 7:"''"'"*".41fi 8 @pftV0004A44,4T.A U.! Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) Public Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting #11 Thursday, December 17, 2009 4 p.m. Hopi Conference Room Development Services Building 11000 N. La Canada Dr. 1. Call to Order 2. Presentation and discussion on rock outcrops: Matt Goode, Research Scientist, Wildlife Conservation and Management, School of Natural Resources 3. Additional comments on previous ESL draft sections: I. ESL Overview and II. Purpose (continued from Dec. 3 meeting) 5. Complete discussion of III. C. 1. & 2. (continued from Dec. 3 meeting) 6. Introduce new draft section: III.C.3., Open Space Requirements, for review and discussion 7. Discussion of Future Agenda Items 8. Adjourn Posted: The Town of Oro Valley complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If any person with a disability needs any type of accommodation, please notify the Clerk's office at 229-4700. "Notice of Possible Quorum of the Oro Valley Town Council: In accordance with Arizona Open Meeting Law A.R.S. X38-431 et seq, a majority of the Town Council may attend the above referenced meeting as a member of the audience only." ` Y 614. MINUTES of ORO VALLEY Town -_"` _:: ^,,r .•r-= ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS (ESL) PROJECT PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MEETING #11 - i� t "•": :�s ENVIRONMENTALLY LNDEU DECEMBER 17, 2009, 4 ^' 6 p SENSITIVE LANDS HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11000 N. LA CANADA DR. PAC Members Present: Bill Adler Doug McKee Steve Solomon Philip Kline Steve Millie PAC Members Absent: Don Chatfield Chet Oldakowski Oro Valley ESL Team Members Present: David Williams Joseph Andrews Bayer Vella Karen Berchtold 1. Meeting called to order at 4:01 p.m. 2. Presentation and discussion on rock outcrops: Mall Goode, Research Scientist, University of Arizona School of Natural Resources Mr. Goode provided an overview of the habitat value of rock outcrops, and how to evaluate it. Key points: • Rock outcrops are a well know habitat for snakes and lizards that is difficult to replicate. • Rock outcrops are an amenity for their scenic value, as well as their value in boosting wildlife, which also increases property values. • Small rock outcrops host certain species, whereas large rock outcrops host a wider range of species. • The Hohokam people appreciated and utilized rock outcrops. In evaluating areas of isolated versus concentrated rock outcrops, Matt believes that the isolated areas may be more important. Matt agreed to provide revised criteria for rock outcrops for Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and PAC review. 3. Additional comments on previous ESL draft sections: 1. ESL Overview and II. Purpose (continued from Dec. 3 meeting) Several members provided written comments to David Williams. Mr. McKee noted that the section uses the term "sustainable"and suggested that staff may want to consider how this term is defined, for purposes of ESL. Staff agreed to address this. F:1PROJECTS\ESLO\PAC\PAC 12-17-091ESL PAC 11 12-17-09 Minutes.dac Page 1 4. Complete discussion of II.C.1. &2. (continued from Dec. 3 meeting) The group resumed discussion of the Hillside Development Zone (I-IDZ) section of the draft. Mr. Adler noted that the General Plan (GP) strongly supports hillside preservation, and the protection of Visually important areas. There was discussion of how the terms preservation vs. protection apply, and whether the GP goal is too far-reaching. Mr. Andrews suggested that the goal needs to be informed with realistic standards. Key mints: ■ The group posed the question whether certain types of development on slopes greater than 15% may be acceptable, if particular criteria are met. • It may help to have visuals to depict this, and Staff offered to provide some. • Need to emphasize public safety function. • The group considered whether HDZ standards should be based on technical or subjective criteria, and leaned towards technical ones. Mr. Vella noted that as slopes get steeper, density considerations become more important. Mr. Solomon noted that such sites need to be mass-graded. 5. Introduce new draft section: III.C.3., Open Space Requirements David Williams explained the components of this new section. The group agreed to postpone discussion of it to the next meeting. 6. Future Agenda Items The group will resume discussion of the Open Space section. Staff will be sure to provide a date/time on each draft. Chet Oldakowski resigned from the PAC, and a new member will be appointed to replace him. The next PAC meeting is at 4 p.m. (ending time will be left open) on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in the Hopi Conference Room. 7. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Prepared by: ./ , - r ctitim eA ' Karen Berchtold Acting Principal Planner F:1PROJECTS\ESLo1PAC\PAC 12-17-091ESL PAC 11 12-17-09 Minutes.doc Page 2