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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 75-032RESOLUTION NO. 75-32 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL PARK SYSTEM IN THE WHITEWATER CHANNEL. WHEREAS, the adopted General Plan for the City of Palm Desert designates the Whitewater Channel with.in the city limits as a part of a regional park and trail system, and; WHEREAS, the development of the Whitewater Channel as a regional park and trail system would provide the backbone to the City's non-vehicular trail system, and; WHEREAS, the Whitewater Channel, in addition to being the flood control channel for the valley, does represent a major recreational resource regional in nature, second only to the mountains as a natural resource, and; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert has reviewed and recommends to the City Council, the adoption of Exhibit A, as a Policy Statement regarding the Whitewater Channel. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Desert does hereby establish Exhibit A as a Policy Statement regarding the Whitewater Channel. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 24th day of April 1975, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: r ABSENT: ABSTAIN: k. i ATTEST: ASTON; BENSON; BRUSH; McPHERSON; CLARK , ' /. ' , - - R EY L. HUR T, CITY LERK , City of Palm Desert, California (EXHIBIT A) POLICY STATEMENT ON WHITEWATER REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM I. INTRODUCTION: The City of Palm Desert along with a number of other cities in the valley has embarked on a program to develop the Whitewater Channel as a regional trail system. In addition, as a part of the adopted General Plan, a city- wide pedestrian system was established with the Whitewater Channel as the backbone of that system. In order to logically implement a program to develop the Whitewater Channel as outlined in the General Plan, the City should establish criteria for the usage and development of the Whitewater Channel. II. POLICY STATEMENT: While the initial objective of the Whitewater Channe is to unction for flood control, the City of Palm Desert believes that the second major function of the Channel should be for public recreation use. It is on this basis, therefore, that the City Council does hereby direct the City Staff to place a high priority on the utilization of all possible Federal, State, and local funding to develop the Whitewater Channel for public recreational uses; and to require developers and adjacent properties to participate in the development of the Whitewater Channel for public recreational purposes. III. IMPLEMENTATION POLICIES: In order to implement the afore- mentioned policy, steps must be taken to: A. Enact enabling measures which protect the Whitewater Channel from undesirable development encroachment and preserve options for future public use. B. Devise precise plans which promote appropriate development. The following measures should be implemented to carry out these objectives, contingent upon the results of forthcoming Feasibility Studies: 1. The Zoning Map for the City should be prepared in a manner which clearly delineates the Whitewater Channel and right-of-ways adjacent to it as Open Space. 2. Circulation systems shall be designed and developed so as to be compatible with the various modes of transpor- tation to be used in the Whitewater such as bicycle paths, equestrian trails or golf-cart ways. 3. Trails, bikeways or other paths are to be coordinated as a "linkage" between cities. 4. Public uses which comprise a universal component of the "linkage" system are to be planned as a unit but constructed, maintained and operated by the jurisdiction having control. 5. All public uses of the Whitewater shall be developed with appropriate concern for safety of the user and adjacent proper�y owners. -2- 6. All private developments not now existing or using the Channel shall be required to plan their improve- ments so that the "linkage" system may be accommodated. 7. Joint efforts of jurisdictions involved in the White- Water Regional Public Reserve project are encouraged to submit applications for joint funding and inter- action on a regional basis for the development of the backbone "linkage" program. 8. The cities and the County shall submit applications for joint funding of the trail system because it is of regional significance. 9. Future housing or commercial developments,�,pcated on the Whitewater River, are to provide rights-of-way for the trail system. 10. The cities and th general plans, ar different kinds o system. For exa an equestrian rig unless there are where horses can THE WHITEWATER TO e County are to include in their eas which will be bases for the f recreational uses of the trail mple, there is no point in having ht-of-way along the Whitewater areas in the cities and the County be maintained AND UNLESS ROUTES FROM THE MOUNTAINS ARE PROVIDED. 11. S ecial Pro'ects: Each city and County shall plan, finance, eve op, and implement recreationai projects, such as golf courses, ball parks, archery ranges, kite- flying platforms, bike trails, equestrian trails, etc., for that portion of the channel which lies within its boundaries. 12. All projects shall be planned with appropriate concern for preserving the safety of users and nearby residents, minimizing disturbance to adjacent property, and allowing uninterrupted flow of flood waters. 13. Obtain maps from the Coachella Valley County tiaater District showing which portions of the Whitewater are in private ownership and the type of easements held by the District. 14. Obtain endorsements of the Whitewatez• proposal from the Coachella Valley County Water District, the Board of Supervisors, CVAG, and the various cities involved. 15. Prepare a list of organizations which might help pro- mote the Whitewater proposal, such as the Sierra Club, the County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Pass to the Sea Riding and Hiking Clubs, etc. 16. Request the Board of Supervisors to instruct the County Department of Parks and Recreation to study the Whitewater proposal and to make recommendations as to how the County could participate in implementing the proposal. 17. Investigate the possibility of having the State realign the California Riding Trail to utilize the Whitewater River route. ?r': F _� �� 18. Consult with the Coachella Valley County Water District regarding the type of projects which the District would allow along the Whitewater and the general feasibility of the proposal. 19. Prepare a list of recreational projects which the cities and the County could undertake along the Whitewater. 20. Prepare a list of possible funding sources. 21. Urge CVAG to take a major role in obtaining endorse- ments of the proposal, in promoting it, and in locating sources of funding.