To: Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District; Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District; Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ag + Open Space: Misti Arias, General Manager, Curtis Kendall, Acquisition Specialist, 565-7351 Public Infrastructure: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, Director, 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth District
Title:
Title
Approval of Geyserville Community Plaza Community Spaces Matching Grant Project (Property No. 0638) and Addendum to the 2002 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Acting as the Board of Directors of Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, adopt a Resolution:
i) Approving a $1,000,000 in Community Spaces Matching Grant Program funding to the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure towards its development and improvement of the Geyserville Community Plaza;
ii) Determining that the project is consistent with the Sonoma County General Plan 2020 and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District's Expenditure Plan;
iii) Approving and authorizing the General Manager to execute a Matching Grant Agreement;
iv) Authorizing the President of the Board of Directors to execute a Conservation Easement, Recreation Covenant and associated Certificates of Acceptance;
v) Consenting to the recordation of an irrevocable offer to dedicate in favor of Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District pursuant to Public Resources Code 5565.5;
vi) Dedicating the conservation easement to open space purposes pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5540;
vii) Making findings as a responsible agency under the California Environmental Quality Act and directing the filing of a Notice of Determination;
viii) Authorizing the General Manager to take all other actions necessary to complete this transaction in consultation with County Counsel.
B) Acting as the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County, adopt a Resolution:
i) Accepting $1,000,000 in Community Spaces Matching Grant funding towards the development and improvement of the Geyserville Community Plaza;
ii) Determining that the project is consistent with the Sonoma County General Plan 2020;
iii) Approving and authorizing the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to execute a Matching Grant Agreement;
iv) Authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Conservation Easement, Recreation Covenant and Offer to Dedicate with Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District;
v) Adopting the findings of the Addendum to the 2002 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project, and approving the project;
vi) Authorizing the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to take all other actions necessary to complete this transaction in consultation with County Counsel.
(Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Geyserville Community Plaza project is a Community Spaces Matching Grant Program (Community Spaces) project. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) proposes to award a $1,000,000 grant toward the improvements needed to develop and open the Geyserville Community Plaza, a 1.18-acre property, including essential infrastructure, landscaping, pathways, a community gathering area, and recreational improvements. The Geyserville Community Plaza (the “Property”) is located on County-owned property and is managed by Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI). As a condition of funding, SPI will provide $1,000,000 in matching funds and will convey a conservation and recreation conservation covenant to Ag + Open Space.
On September 24, 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Geyserville Visitor Center Project located at the Property. Portions of the approved 2002 project were subsequently constructed, including the existing Geyserville Park and Ride facility. SPI requests the Board adopt findings of an addendum to the prior MND for the proposed Geyserville Community Plaza project. The revised project substantially reduces the overall development footprint originally approved, does not result in new significant environmental impacts, does not substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts, and does not require preparation of a subsequent or supplemental environmental document under CEQA.
Discussion
SPI submitted the Geyserville Community Plaza application for the 2022 round 2 Community Spaces Community Spaces funding cycle. The application was accepted by Ag + Open Space’s Board of Directors on August 22, 2023, for a $1,000,000 improvement grant.
The Geyserville Community Plaza project will provide the unincorporated community of Geyserville with the area’s first and only public park; a much needed and requested outdoor recreation area for its residents, as well as a venue for community-based events. The planned park and plaza will connect the community with the developing SMART and Great Redwood Trails, as well as provide a visual scenic open space entrance to the town commerce. As a portion of the Property is currently operating as a County Park and Ride transit facility, the open space area and improvements will increase the visibility and awareness of the transit parking lot, providing residents and patrons with climate friendly services such as hiking, public transit options, and electric charging stations. Much of the currently unimproved portion of the property is designated as a Valley Oak Habitat Combining District, containing a grove of large native oak trees (Quercus Lobata), which will be protected by using the space as a public open space recreation area and through the terms of the conservation easement.
SPI’s primary objectives for the Property are to create a community gathering space, increase public recreation and conservation education opportunities, and to enhance climate resilience and carbon sequestration. No other public open space exists in the Geyserville community at this time. The Property is, and will remain in public (County) ownership, and there are no other restrictions or encumbrances that limit the use of the property for park and recreation purposes.
Initial funding for park design and engineering has been provided by California State Coastal Conservancy. Construction costs will be funded through grants, including the amount provided by this proposed matching grant from Ag + Open Space.
Centrally located on Geyserville Avenue, the site’s previous use was residential, including a single-family dwelling. In 1998, Sonoma County received funds to purchase the 1.18-acre property. In 2009, the County developed the upper third of the property into a transit focused Park and Ride commute facility with a few benches and signage for visitors. The remaining lower two thirds of the site is undeveloped and physically connected to the SMART tracks and planned Great Redwood Trail.
SPI currently maintains the transit park and ride services and property. The County is committed to maintaining the facility and improvements including ongoing regular landscape and facility care and long-term maintenance.
Conservation Easement and Recreation Covenant
As a condition of the Community Spaces funding, Ag + Open Space will receive from the County a conservation easement and recreation conservation covenant. Ag + Open Space’s conservation easement will protect the urban open space, natural, scenic, and recreational and educational resources of the Property in perpetuity. The recreation covenant will ensure that the Property remains open to the public in perpetuity.
Project Structure
The conservation easement will allow the Property to be used for passive and active public recreation concurrently with ongoing operation of the transit and climate friendly Park and Ride operations. The conservation easement protects the open space, natural and scenic values while allowing for recreational and educational uses on the Property. The provisions of the recreation conservation covenant require the Property to remain open to the public for recreational and educational purposes in perpetuity. The public access requirements take effect no later than five (5) years from the recordation of the covenant, however, amenities may be made available sooner.
The conservation easement restricts structures and improvements to no more than 45% of the Property. Allowed structures and improvements include improvements needed for recreational and educational use permitted under the conservation easement. The proposed project may include the following structures and improvements:
• A children’s play area
• ADA-accessible picnic and gathering areas
• A prefabricated restroom/storage building
• Accessible pathways and boardwalk improvements
• Drainage and stormwater improvements
• Native landscaping and irrigation improvements
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• Fencing and park furnishings
• Green space restoration and habitat enhancement
Matching Grant Agreement
Funding for this $1,000,000 improvement grant will be administered through a Matching Grant Agreement between Ag + Open Space and SPI. The grant funds will provide essential infrastructure, park elements including water and power hook ups, irrigation, trails, a small open-air plaza, trees and plants, signage, picnic tables and benches.
As the match, SPI will contribute secured funds totaling $1,000,000, which represents a 100% match to the granted funds. The match is secured and comes from a California State Coastal Conservancy grant.
Community Support
Improvement of the property for a community centered open space has strong community support. The project is endorsed by the GAV MAC, a group that advises Sonoma County on local planning and management decisions. The GAV MAC began collecting public input for this project via internet survey in English and Spanish in 2018. In 2019, The Geyserville Planning Committee conducted a community survey that revealed the top two community improvements residents would like to see are a public park and public bathroom. After finding a location for this project in 2022, the GAV MAC surveyed the community again to determine how the space would best be used. Three concepts were created for community input, which led to the development of the February 24, 2023, Geyserville Community Plaza Conceptual Plan, which guides project uses and design.
Vital Lands Initiative
This Project meets multiple objectives described in the Vital Lands Initiative:
• Protect open space and publicly accessible lands in and near cities and communities and connect people with protected lands.
• Pursue partnerships that expand, create, or connect new parks and open space preserves and trails.
• Protect open lands that surround and differentiate the County’s urban areas and contribute to the unique scenic character of the County.
Conformance with Adopted Plans
Sonoma County General Plan 2020
This project furthers several goals and policies in Sonoma County’s General Plan 2020, specifically in the Land Use, Open Space and Resource Conservation, and Water Resources Elements as noted in, but not limited to, the following below:
• Preserve the visual identities of communities by maintaining open space areas between cities and communities. (Goal OSRC-1)
• Protect existing groundwater recharge areas (Objective WR-2.3)
• Promote a sustainable future where residents can enjoy a high quality of life for the long term, including a clean and beautiful environment and a balance of employment, housing, infrastructure, and services. (Goal LU-11)
Ag + Open Space’s Expenditure Plan
This project is consistent with Ag + Open Space’s Expenditure Plan, because it will offer opportunities for public recreation and access. Further, this project is consistent with the Expenditure Plan as it provides urban open space through the Community Spaces Matching Grant Program.
Fair Market Value Determination
On June 4, 2026, the Fiscal Oversight Commission determined that by acquiring a conservation easement and recreation conservation covenant as a condition of CSMGP funding Ag + Open Space is not paying more than fair market value for these interests.
CEQA
The proposed Geyserville Community Plaza Project is located at 21100 Geyserville Avenue within the unincorporated community of Geyserville. The approximately 1.18-acre site currently includes an existing park-and-ride facility, landscaping, community signage, and undeveloped open space and oak woodland areas.
The County originally intended to develop a visitor center to support local tourism and economic development adjacent to a planned intermodal transportation facility. An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared and approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2002 for the Visitor Center project.
The 2002 approved project included:
• Construction of a 2,500-square-foot visitor center building;
• New driveway access;
• Parking improvements;
• Landscaping and irrigation;
• Future parking expansion adjacent to the SMART corridor.
In 2007-2008, portions of the approved project were completed, resulting in the existing Geyserville Park and Ride facility. The visitor center building and eastern parking lot expansion were not constructed.
Following extensive community outreach and conceptual planning completed between 2021 and 2023, SPI developed the current proposed project to better meet existing community needs while preserving open space and improving public recreational amenities.
The proposed 2026 project includes (depending on funding):
• A children’s play area;
• ADA-accessible picnic and gathering areas;
• A prefabricated restroom/storage building;
• Accessible pathways and boardwalk improvements;
• Drainage and stormwater improvements;
• Native landscaping and irrigation improvements;
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
• Fencing and park furnishings;
• Green space restoration and habitat enhancement.
Compared to the 2002 approved project, the proposed project substantially reduces the intensity of development on the site by eliminating the visitor center building, eastern parking lot expansion, and driveway extension. The revised project preserves substantially more open space and minimizes impacts to the existing oak woodland and natural features.
Public Infrastructure has prepared an Addendum to the 2002 MND to evaluate the proposed modifications to the previously approved project. The Addendum evaluates current site conditions, updated environmental resource information, and CEQA topic areas added since 2002, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy, wildfire, and tribal cultural resources.
The Addendum concludes that the revised project would not result in new significant environmental impacts or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified impacts. Accordingly, the Addendum finds that none of the triggers for additional review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 are met.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the findings contained in the Addendum to the 2002 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project.
Concurrent with the above analysis and facts, 14 CCR 15253 requires that Ag + Open Space, as a responsible agency, rely on the Addendum to the 2002 MND for CEQA review for approval of funding for the project, absent circumstances in 14 CCR 15162 that are not present.
Prior to reaching its funding decision, the Board of Directors reviews and considers the information contained in the Addendum to the 2002 MND prepared by the County, and the exhibits and appendices thereto, and the Board of Directors considers the environmental effects of the project. The Board of Directors then reaches its own independent conclusions on whether and under what conditions to approve funding for the project. The attached resolution provides responsible agency findings for the Board of Directors, provides concurrence in the California Coastal Commission’s findings of the Addendum to the 2002 MND with respect to mitigation measures, alternatives, and environmental effects, and further provides findings that the project, as mitigated, will have no significant environmental impacts.
The resolutions also direct the filing of a notice of determination pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21152.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Evaluating CSMGP applications with the Parks Gap Analysis, it was determined that the Geyserville Community Plaza is underserved in open space.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Establish equitable and data driven distribution of services
Objective: NA
Racial Equity:
N/A
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No.
Prior Board Actions:
March 26, 2024 Item #22: Acceptance of a Grant Award from the California Coastal Conservancy for 2024-0141 Development of a Geyserville Community Plaza
August 22, 2023 Item #33: the Board of Directors approved the recommendation from Ag + Open Space staff to accept the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure’s Community Spaces Matching Grant Program application for the project described in this document.
March 23, 2021 Item #2: Geyserville Municipal Advisory Council Project Funding Recommendations
September 24, 2002 Item #76: The Board of Supervisors adopted the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved the Geyserville Visitor Center Project.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 26-27 Adopted |
FY 27-28 Projected |
FY 28-29 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$246,737.83 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$246,737.83 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$246,737.83 (Coastal Conservancy) |
$1,000,000 (Ag + Open Space) |
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$246,737.83 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Ag + Open Space has adequate appropriations in its FY 26-27 budget for the $1,000,000 contribution to this improvement grant, which is funded by Sonoma County voter approved Measure F. The $1,000,000 in grant funding will be transferred to Sonoma County Public Infrastructure through the FY 2026-27 First Quarter Consolidated Budget Adjustments process. At that time, appropriations will be increased in the Geyserville Community Plaza Capital Project budget (23051-40806000), Account 54405, to provide the spending authority needed for eligible design and implementation costs. The County entered into a grant agreement with the California State Coastal Conversancy on March 27, 2024. The grant is reimbursable.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
NA
Attachments:
1. Resolution - Ag + Open Space
2. Resolution - Public Infrastructure
3. General Plan Map 2020
4. Location Map
5. Project Structure Map
6. Matching Grant Agreement
7. Conservation Easement
8. Recreation Covenant
9. Offer to Dedicate
10. 2002 Geyserville Visitor Center Mitigated Negative Declaration
11. 2006 Geyserville Community Plaza Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum
12. Notice of Determination - Public Infrastructure
13. Notice of Determination - Ag + Open Space
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
1. Geyserville Community Plaza CSMGP Application