A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

Coyote Valley Greenbelt~3,500 acres with approx.50% of land active ag.Sobrato Property. CoyoteValley, ~124 acres east ofMonterey Hwy. Comprisedof City of San Jose openspace, and a Morgan Hillhigh school with asignificant agricultureprogram.Coyote Valley ParkwayUnder auspices of SCCPRDALAMEDA COUNTYPleasanton. ~300-acrecity-owned site alongBurnell road beingdeveloped as a housingbuffer and for recreation.Sunol Water Templeproperty250-acre site, owned bySFPUC; planned use as agravel quarry is beingcontestedArdenwood Historic Parkincludes a 75-acre farm inaddition to historic parkFirebreak buffer 26 milesby 300-500 feet wide atedge of park nearresidential areas.FRESNO COUNTYAFT-owned site: on theoutskirts of Fresno,currently farmed by newimmigrant farmers.This area is designated as a Greenbelt in the General Plans ofSanta Clara County and the Cities of San Jose and MorganHill. These agencies are seeking ways to retain agriculture asone of the uses in the Greenbelt. The City of San Jose iscurrently preparing the Coyote Valley Specific Plan for thenorthern part of the valley.Morgan Hill planning manager Jim Rowe suggested that asmall AgPark could be a possible adjunct use next to the highschool. He wants to know more about AgParks as a possible fitfor other Morgan Hill urban edge properties.A master plan will shortly be started for this 2200-acreparkway. If an AgPark pencils out on the Cottle/Lester Farm,SCCPRD might consider exploring an AgPark in this area.An SF landscape architecture firm, is a finalist for this designcontract. They are interested in both a small AgPark(~7+acres) in the final build-out and in leases of larger plotsduring the 5-10 year build out phase. Project requires anagricultural component.PUC is not receptive to an AgPark concept on the site, but isencouraging us to explore others of their sites includingextensive rights-of-way.EBRPD has expressed interest in exploring the option of anAgPark such that it complements the vision and business planfor Ardenwood. The current tenant farmer is skeptical, butcan also see some potential advantages down the road.EBRPD maintains this strip of land in “green” planting atconsiderable expense as a firebreak. Wonders if it could befarmed instead.California FarmLink had suggested that AFT might beinterested in an AgParks concept. However, AFT is now sellingthe land to an unknown buyer, so the site is no longer underconsideration.DRAFT 1.6.05 26