Tier I - Long Range Planning Division - Santa Barbara County ...

General Trail Siting Principles
1. The Gaviota Coast Plan Parks, Recreation and Trails (PRT) map identifies general trail corridors
alignments and locations for planning purposes to establish a network of inland and coastal
public trail opportunities within the Gaviota Coast Planning Area. Potential trails corridors on
the PRT include both general and more defined trail corridor alignments which should be
considered along with adopted Plan policies, development standards, and supporting Plan text.
Trails described by the Plan should be prioritized for implementation of practical trail routes
within the planning horizon in those areas with the highest perceived need. The Plan provides
additional information regarding trail corridor alignment preferences and intent (where
specified), opportunities and constraints, as well as resource, land use and ownership
considerations to be addressed in all phases of trail planning, easement acquisition, and trail
siting, construction, and operation. Together, the policy intent reflects the necessity for
flexibility in planning the locations of proposed trails. The terrain of an area, privacy of the
property owner and neighbors, safety of trail users, environmental constraints, and other
factors will influence the ultimate placement of a trail.
2. The basis for trails planning on the Gaviota Coast is a vision of an interconnected or “braided”
system of trails linking the eastern and western coastal areas, and inland areas that identifies
appropriate launching points and facilities serving a range of trail users at the appropriate
intensity for each location. [Note: to be developed further indicating the braided system can be
developed more fully with a rustic blufftop trail and a trail that would be for broader level of
users and experiences closer to the highway]
Siting of the Coastal Trail
3. The Coastal Trail shall be generally located between the northerly limit of the Highway 101 rightof-way
as augmented by any unused rights-of-way held by CalTrans or the county (e.g., former
coast highway alignments) and the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean. The specific location
to be sited in accordance with the siting principles stated below and the adopted Gaviota Coast
Trails Siting Guidelines. In the Planning Area west of Gaviota State Park where there is no public
roadway, the Coastal Trail shall be generally located between the northerly limit of the private
road running parallel to the coast and the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean. The scope
and location of the Coastal Trail may be augmented by gifts, offers, and purchase of land of
willing landowners(Insert the the PRT Guidelines definitions for trail corridors adapted to the
Gaviota Plan context).
4. Planning for the establishment and enhancement of coastal access and trails shall recognize the
multiple uses served, use intensity, and level of infrastructure along the coastline. In general,
high intensity transportation uses such as cycling should be focused near the highway.
Whereas, lateral and vertical hiking uses can be accommodated near the bluff or on the beach,
where appropriate.
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