Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONThe Master Plan specifies uses that are allowed within the various designated developmentareas (see Table B.1-1). The following uses are allowable within one or more of thesedevelopment areas:ParkingTrailsTrailheadsIndividual and group picnic areasOutdoor educational spaces/small amphitheaterRestroomsNatural playcourseDisc golf courseSmall visitor center in the existing bathhouse structureLimited camping, including family, small group and environmental campingCafé or food vendorSmall bed and breakfast inn/hotelFenced off-leash dog parkCommunity/demonstration gardenSpecial events space.Although the conceptual site plans do not show all of these potential uses, the environmentalanalysis in this document fully considers all potential uses that could be developed under theMaster Plan.As access points are developed for the Preserve upon transfer of the property from the Districtto Regional Parks, the existing Interim Public Access Permit Program would be discontinued andthe Preserve would be open to the public on a regular basis. The proposed staging areas aredescribed below (see Access and Parking). In addition to these staging areas, severaldestinations within the property are designated for limited improvements, as listed in TableB.1-1: Barn Area – The barn site is accessible from multiple staging areas and is already graded flat.The Master Plan calls for limited architecturally appropriate improvements to the site and tothe barn itself (see Figure B.1-4). Kawana Knoll – This approximate 18-acre area will be physically isolated from the mainportion of the Preserve as a result of future construction of the Farmers Lane Extension bythe City of Santa Rosa. The existing interim parking lot is located immediately adjacent to theknoll, but there will be no direct vehicular access to the knoll when the Farmers LaneExtension is constructed. Pedestrian and bicycle access from Kawana Terrace would beavailable. Because of its physical separation, this area lends itself to being a transitional zonebetween the urban edge and the Preserve’s open space. Permanent improvements madeprior to the Farmers Lane Extension would be located so that they are not displaced by thefuture road alignment. Allowed uses listed in Table B.1-1 would be confined to thedevelopment envelope for that area (see Figure B.1-3).September 2012 B-9 Final