Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-46:  A resolution adopting the Management Plan for Legally-Designated Open Space Properties. 

The City manages approximately 3,000 acres of legally-designated open space. As part of the acquisition process for Picture Canyon and Observatory Mesa, conservation easements were granted to Arizona State Parks which specifically outline construction, access, and development limitations on each of the properties.  Additionally, the Open Space Program manages the McMillan Mesa Natural Area and the Schultz Creek Trailhead and Natural Area. Each property has unique resources that necessitate oversight and administration.
 
In 2017, City Council passed and adopted resolution number 2017-01: “A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff adopting management polices for legally designated open space properties”. The adopted management plan established management policies for these complex parcels to ensure natural, ecological, and cultural resources protection within the legal framework of local, state, and federal regulations and the conservation easements. Staff have revised and updated the Legally-Designated Open Space management plan originally adopted in 2017. This updated version outlines overarching management policies for all legally-designated open space properties with additional chapters outlining management considerations and improvement projects specific for the City’s newest open space additions, McMillan Mesa and Schultz Creek. The revisions also include guidance on complimentary and connector open spaces. The management plan lays out the management direction and identifies best practices to uphold Flagstaff’s open spaces.

This decision has no financial impact on the City. Projects outlined in the Management Plan are either funded by the Open Space base budget, outside grants, or in-kind/volunteer contributions. Open Space staff will work to identify funding and partnerships to complete large scale projects that do not currently have identified funding sources.

This is an update to Resolution 2017-01: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff adopting management policies for legally designated open space properties.

Council Goals: 

• Enhance public transparency and accessibility.
• Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.

Regional Plan: 

• Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health. 
• Goal LU.3. Continue to enhance the region’s unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context (Policy LU.3.3). 
• Goal CC.2. Preserve, restore, and rehabilitate heritage resources to better appreciate our culture. 
• Goal ED.7. Continue to promote and enhance Flagstaff’s unique sense of place as an economic driver. 
• Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails. 

Previous Council Input:
Legally Designated Open Space Management Plan council input

• June 6, 2017, City Council passed and adopted resolution number 2017-01: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff adopting management polices for legally designated open space properties.

Observatory Mesa Natural Area council input

• June 4, 2013, the Flagstaff City Council adopted Resolution 2013-12 approving the submission of a grant application to Arizona State Parks for the Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Program to acquire Observatory Mesa.
• November 5, 2013, the City Council passed Ordinance 2013-25 authorizing the acquisition and purchase of 2,251 acres on Observatory Mesa
• April 5, 2016, City Council passed and adopted Resolution 2016-12 amending the Regional Plan to change the area type designation of Observatory Mesa Natural Area to Parks/Open Space.
• April 19, 2016, City Council passed and adopted Ordinance O2016-21 on rezoning the Observatory Mesa Natural Area to Public Open Space.

Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve council input

• June 7, 2011, Council adopted Resolution 2011-22 in support of the preservation of Picture Canyon.
• April 3, 2012, Council adopted Resolution 2012-12 to reclassify Picture Canyon for conservation purposes.
• June 5, 2012, City Council approved the submission of a grant application to Arizona State Parks for the Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Program to acquire Picture Canyon.
• April 19, 2016, City Council passed and adopted Ordinance 2016-19 rezoning the Preserve to Public Open Space and applying the Landmarks Overlay, Resource Protection Overlay, and Rural Floodplain designation.

Schultz Creek Trailhead and Natural Area council input

• October 29, 2013, the Flagstaff City Council recommended incorporating the Schultz Creek parcel into the City’s open space program after receiving substantial public input regarding the issue.
• April 4, 2017, City Council rezoned the property to Public Open Space with Landmark Overlay Zoning, Resource Protection Zoning, and Rural Floodplain designations to add protections to the property.

McMillan Mesa Natural Area council input

• June 2007, Council considered the McMillan Mesa Public Properties Concept Plan prepared jointly for the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Open Spaces Commission.  City Council provided feedback.
• November 2016, Proposition 413 designating approximately 300 acres on and around McMillan Mesa as open space to be used for passive park purposes was approved by Flagstaff voters and proclaimed law by the Mayor.
• October 2018, City Council approved the McMillan Mesa Natural Area major plan amendment (Resolution Number 2018-50).
• November 2018, McMillan Mesa Natural Area major plan amendment resolution went into effect.

Option A – Adopt Resolution No. 2020-XX as submitted and authorize adoption of the Management Plan for Legally-Designated Open Space Properties. This option allows staff to implement collaborative processes for managing legally-designated open space properties using best available science and management practices.

Option B – Do not adopt Resolution No. 2020-XX and do not authorize adoption of the Management Plan for Legally-Designated Open Space Properties. This option does not allow staff to implement collaborative processes for managing legally-designated open space properties using best available science and management practices.

The City originally adopted a resolution in 2017 which was the first management plan for legally designated open space. Since that time, the City has acquired additional open space properties and has improved management practices, requiring this update to the plan.  

This update allows for improved management of the City's legally designated open space. Without this update, existing plans are outdated both in current practices and in total properties covered.

None

Having a thorough management plan for legally-designated open space properties allows staff to quickly address community concerns and establish appropriate processes. Additionally, chapters of this Plan outline processes to improve public access, treat invasive species, and enhance forest health and public safety by treating forest resources. These actions and processes directly benefit the Flagstaff community by reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire and the spread of invasive species to adjacent properties.  
 
The action items included in this Plan, including improving existing trails and developing a comprehensive system by constructing and maintaining trails, naturalizing roads, and installing trail markers and educational signs will help protect natural resources and improve visitor experiences. Additionally, these projects will provide an opportunity for members of the Flagstaff community and visitors from around the world to learn about archeology, geology, ecology, hydrology, and forestry while engaging in outdoor recreation. Well-constructed trails benefit the community by providing opportunities for outdoor recreation within their “neighborwoods”. The Open Space Program is dedicated to developing passive recreational and educational opportunities for Flagstaff residents and visitors, including educational trails and events.

Collaborate - Staff collaborated with many community partners to develop this Management Plan, including natural resource management experts from Arizona Game and Fish Department, Flagstaff Fire Department, Coconino National Forest, Arizona State Parks, and Coconino County. Experts from these agencies and community members reviewed and edited multiple drafts until the plan was finalized. Collaborating with experts from community partners ensures that best available science and management practices are included in the Plan.
 
On June 22, 2020, the City of Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission unanimously voted to recommend the Management Plan for adoption by Council.