Agenda Item B.1
PUBLIC HEARING
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Charles Ebeling, Public Works Director
CONTACT: George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager
Andrew Fuller, Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Development Plan/ In-Concept Coastal Development Permit
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Conduct a public hearing to take verbal and written testimony; B. Adopt Resolution No. 23-____ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Adopting an Addendum to the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to Section 15164 of the State CEQA Guidelines and Approving the Development Plan and In - Concept Coastal Development Permit for the Phase I Implementation Plan of the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan.” C. Authorize submittal of a Coastal Development Permit application to the California Coastal Commission.
BACKGROUND:
The Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space, located in the City of Goleta, is a City owned and maintained open space within the California Coastal Zone. Over the past 18 years, the need for more active stewardship of Ellwood Mesa and the Goleta Butterfly Grove has increased due to significant drought conditions, regional declines in monarch butterfly populations, and an increase in fire risk. Implementation of a management plan is needed to reduce fire and safety hazards, implement major habitat restoration, and invest in a l ong-term stewardship plan for tree care, invasive species control, infrastructure maintenance, and public education. This stewardship model is envisioned to enhance, rather than detract from, the natural characteristics of this special place.
On March 19, 2019, the City Council approved the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan (MBHMP) to improve stewardship of the grove. The MBHMP identifies 22 programs, each with goals, policies, and general actions to guide the City towards a more sustainable future for the Butterfly Grove. The MBHMP area encompasses over 90 -acres, including the six sites where monarch
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
butterflies historically formed overwintering aggregations within Ellwood Mesa’s eucalyptus groves: Ellwood Main, Ellwood West, Ellwood East, Ocean Meadows, Ellwood North, and Sandpiper (See Attachment 1 for locations). The Development Plan presented here today is Phase I of the implementation of the MBHMP.
Significance of Ellwood Mesa
Ellwood Mesa Open Space and its Monarch Butterfly Grove are among Goleta’s most loved natural places. Ellwood Mesa provides opportunities for hiking, running, cycling, horseback riding, surfing, birding, and of course, experiencing the magic of the monarch butterflies when they g ather in the eucalyptus trees during late fall. It provides a critical habitat for monarchs and many other important plant and wildlife species. Ellwood is a critical overwintering site habitat for monarchs. It is unique in its overall size and number of aggregation sites, and historically ranked in the top ten in monarch butterfly population counts in California.
The eucalyptus grove at Ellwood Mesa experienced significant tree die-off during the unprecedented drought from approximately 2011 to 2017. Thousands of dead eucalyptus trees pose a high fire risk in the grove and surrounding neighborhoods and negatively impact the monarch habitat. As the trees die off, the grove no longer provides adequate protection for monarchs during winter storms. Dead and dying trees also pose a public safety risk to visitors.
Studies and Technical Reports
The Parks and Open Space Division has worked diligently with numerous experts using state-of-the-art technology and science to develop a detailed approach to implementing the MBHMP. Studies were conducted by the City Parks and Open Space Manager, biologists, butterfly experts, GIS technicians, botanists, arborists, avian and wildlife experts, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects. Field studies included reconnaissance surveys, jurisdictional wetland delineations, native tree surveys, native plant surveys, and various site walks with the team to assess monarch habitat, plan tree removals and replacement planting, identify strategies to remove down and dead trees while maintai ning live trees and habitat, and identify zones in which to plant native nectaring plants. The table in Attachment 2 lists the studies and technical reports supporting the Implementation Plan. Technical reports associated with the project are available on the City’s website or by contacting the Parks and Open Space Division.
Public Outreach
This project was established and started prior to the City’s incorporation. There have been over 30 points of interface with the public which include community meetin gs and workshops; and at numerous public meetings at City C ouncil, Design Review Board , Public Tree Advisory Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission. A partial list can be found in Attachment 3. A long process of public engagement and input has been integral to developing plans to restore Ellwood's monarch butterfly groves and move forward with long -deferred maintenance. Both in public forums and through focused Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
outreach, neighbors, monarch enthus iasts, environmental groups, grant funding agencies, and homeowner associations have shared their ideas and concerns. During these outreach events, the proposed project elements were shared and discussed in detail, project team members were available for q uestions, and the public was encouraged to comment and provide input.
Public concern most often centered on:
● Infrastructure and amenities: footbridges, trails, viewing areas, and signs ● Habitat enhancement: the details and science behind the implementation plan ● Wildfire risks: balancing public safety and wildlife protection
The City has worked to address the community's concerns. While not every recommendation has been incorporated, with the help of many experts, the project design carefully balances the many community interests with the requirements of the project funders, the specific Open Space Element policies of the MBHMP, and relevant sections of the City's General Plan related to habitat management, public safety, and access and recreation.
The Parks and Open Space Division’s Ellwood team will continue to support and coordinate with the City's Community Relations Manager and Public Works staff to implement timely and relevant communications. As specific project elements move forward, the outreach team will facilitate community meetings with the public neighbors to facilitate feedback and share important information. In the spring of 2023, a dedicated web page on the City website was launched to facilitate ongoing communications with neighbors, the community, and many interested Ellwood Mesa Open Space users. The website will co ntinue to serve as a source for updates and information, including dashboards, maps, and frequently asked questions. Additional tools, including site-based signage and media, will help the community stay connected and updated.
The needs of the open space are many and future projects to restore and maintain, as well as provide interpretation and education, offer many pathways for community participation, input, and support —a vital component of the City's goals for sustaining Ellwood Mesa in the future.
DISCUSSION:
Below is a summary of the improvements contained in the Phase 1 Implementation Plan.
The full plan is provided as Attachment 4 Exhibit 1.
MBHMP Phase 1 Implementation Plan
Habitat Enhancements: Habitat enhancement will include strategic planting of trees to create a robust monarch butterfly habitat, planting of nectaring vegetation for monarchs, and planting of native vegetation for other wildlife and improvement of the overall habitat of the complex. The replacement trees species were specifically selected by the monarch butterfly experts; nectaring and native vegetation will be planted in designated areas that Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
were selected based on proximity to aggregation sites , as well as other factors ; and transitional native vegetation will also be planted from the edge of the eucalyptus canopies to the existing grasslands. A permanent belowground irrigation mainline system and a temporary aboveground irrigation system will be installed to promote the establishment of replacement trees and native vegetation.
Viewing Areas Repair and Enhancements: The existing butterfly viewing areas will be repaired via minor soil grading, the replacement of the existing seating with new wood benches constructed from d owned eucalyptus trees , and replacement of the degraded delineating ropes that serve to protect the aggregation trees. A series of new interpretive signage panels will be installed to detail the migratory cycle of monarch butterflies and the unique history of monarchs at this site.
Culvert and Drainage Repairs: The existing 72” corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culvert in Devereux Creek located near the southern terminus of Santa Barbara Shores Drive spans an important creek crossing that provides emergency and maintenance vehicle access into the open space. This culvert has exceeded its beneficial life and was further damaged in the 2023 winter storm event. Due to the damage from the 2023 storm, this portion of work may be removed from this project and done at an earlier date through an emergency project contract.
A larger open bottom culvert made of corrugated aluminum is proposed as a replacement and has been sized to accommodate 100 -year storm flows without overtopping. Other smaller-diameter culverts will be installed in select areas to reduce trail erosion.
Pedestrian Bridge Replacement : The existing wooden plank creek crossing constructed and installed by a private bridge will be replaced with an elevated wooden pedestrian bridge that will meet current California Building Code requirements and will provide a safe pedestrian creek crossing during the wet season. The proposed bridge will span the identified jurisdictional areas and the grading required for installation of the three concrete bridge abutments will remain outside of these jurisdictional areas.
Emergency and Maintenance Vehicle Access Way Repairs: A portion of the vehicular access way spanning the souther n terminus of Santa Barbara Shores and extending south approximately 800 linear feet will be replaced with a new surface and drainage pattern designed to comply with current Santa Barbara County Fire Development Standards. This is the main vehicular way for EMS, Fire, and Police, as well as the City’s maintenance crews, to access Ellwood Mesa, the Butterfly Grove, and Ellwood Beach.
Trail Repair: Trails within the work area will be improved to provide a consistent, well - drained surface. Steep, erosive trails in key areas will be re-routed to more inclusive use and to reduce impacts to sensitive habitat areas. Abandoned sections of trail will be decommissioned and restored with native vegetation.
Signage Program : A signage program will be implemented to provide wayfinding directional signage, interpretive educational signage, and regulatory signage.
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
All of the above elements were included in the MBHMP already. Since adoption of the MBHMP, through a series of public meetings, site-specific design, and te chnical expert input, staff identified more refined project elements in the MBHMP that would be necessary to preserve butterfly habitat, including installation of a permanent irrigation mainline system, installation of a temporary water meter, emergency/ma intenance road renovation, and repair and improvement of butterfly viewing areas.
Sensitive Resource Protection
The Resource Avoidance Program can be found as an appendix to Attachment 4 Exhibit
1. All measures from the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program from the MBHMP’s Mitigated Negative Declaration have been incorporated. Extensive monitoring and reporting will be conducted to meet the City’s, the Coastal Commission’s, and all regulatory agencies’ requirements including annual monarch surveys, tree and plant establishment, and nesting birds and wildlife. Approvals from regulatory agencies will be ascertained and all monitoring and reporting requirements from agencies with jurisdiction over protected resources will comply. A Monitoring Plan is included in the Implementation Plan that describes the monitoring and reporting that will be completed to meet the MBHMP’s long-term habitat management goals and objectives.
Development Plan/Coastal Development Permit In-Concept
Pursuant to Title 17 of the Goleta Municipal Cod e, a capital improvement project performed in the Coastal Zone must obtain a Development Plan /Coastal Development Permit In-Concept prior to applying for a Coastal Development Permit with the California Coastal Commission. The Phase I Implementation Plan meets all the City’s development plan, design review, and General Plan and zoning consistency findings, all of which can be found in the Resolution attached to this staff report.
Environmental Review
The City Council adopted the environmental document (In itial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration) for the MBHMP at their March 19, 2019 Council meeting (Attachment 4 Exhibit 2 ). The MBHMP was determined not to have a significant effect on the environment with the adoption of a mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) for the conditions of project approval necessary to mitigate or avoid significant effects. An addendum (Attachment 4 Exhibit 3) was prepared to analyze the environmental impacts of the Phase I Implementation Plan . The addendum concluded that no new or more severe environmental impacts beyond those disclosed in the Final IS -MND would occur as a result of the Phase I Implementation Plan.
See the Resolution (Attachment 4) for details on how the project meets all zoning and general plan requirements.
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
Implementation of the MBHMP includes many actions that meet City-wide strategies and specific goals. Implementing actions in the MBHMP include planting of native plants, reducing fire risk through fuel reduction and coordination with County Fire, supporting the development of new educational and recreational opportunities, and increasing focus on the trail system within the Monarch Grove.
City-Wide Strategy: 1. Support Environmental Vitality
Strategic Goal: 1.3 Adopt best practices in sustainability Objective 1.3.2: Continue implementing the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan
Objective 1.3.3: Continue implementing the Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trails and Habitat Restoration Project
City-Wide Strategy: 2. Support Community Vitality an d Enhanced Recreational Opportunities
Strategic Goal: 2.2 Support programs that enhance quality of life in the Goleta community such as recreation, public safety, human services, and cultural arts
City-Wide Strategy: 5. Strengthen Infrastructure
Strategic Goal: 5.1 Strengthen Citywide infrastructure including roads and traffic circulation, including bicycle lanes, paths, and sidewalks
City-Wide Strategy: 7. Maintain A Safe and Healthy Community Strategic Goal: 7.2 Participate in regional public safety collaboration
City-Wide Strategy: 9. Ensure Equity, Inclusion, and Access in City Programs, Services, and Activities
Strategic Goal: 9.3 Strengthen public outreach, promote public engagement in the civic process, increase attendance at City and community eve nts, and improve awareness of and access to City services for all City residents, including underrepresented groups
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The City was awarded a $3.9 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy in 2018 for preparation and implementation of the MBHMP, with a funding window of 2019- 2025. Meeting our permit timelines will be essential for us to fully benefit from this significant State investment.
Based on project planning cost estimates, t here is currently an estimated construction cost of $2 million to $3 million for Phase 1 Implementation Plan construction.
Implementing the entire MBHMP, including future phases to be developed with significant community input, could cost as much as $10.5 million. Total project cost is contingent on project construction phasing, future project elements yet to be scoped, such as additional pedestrian creek crossings or butterfly aggregation site habita t restoration not currently included in the Phase 1 Implementation plan. Some additional factors likely to impact final Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
construction costs include escalating market costs, per unit pricing for certain project elements (economies of scale), reducing the sco pe of Phase 1 Implementation, and regulatory agency final permit requirements. Additional grant funding opportunities will be sought by City staff to reduce fiscal impacts to the City’s General Fund. This funding gap may be bridged by phasing future constr uction. components, and Public Works staff is working with Finance staff to close any funding gap prior to the bid award scheduled in summer 2024.
The total estimated costs and funding sources associated with the agreements and amendments identified in this report are listed in the table below.
Table 1: Total Project Cost and Funding
Project Delivery
Phase
Project
Cost Funding Source Funding Amounts
Conceptual Design $1,650,000 General Fund (101) $200,000 Environmental $825,000 MBHMP Grant (322) $3,900,000
Final Design $1,375,000 Unfunded $6,405,000
Construction $6,655,000
Total Project $10,505,000 Total By Fund $10,505,000
Table 2: Project Budget
MBHMP Budget FY 23/24
Fund Type Account Current
Budget *
YTD Actuals/
Encumbrance
Requested
Appropriations
**
Total
Available
Budget
General Fund 101-90-9112-
57070
$200,000.00 $0.00 $250,000.00 $450,000
CA Coastal
Conservancy
Grant -
Design
322-90-9112-
57070
$807,601.96 $543,616.71 $0.00 $263,985.25
CA Coastal
Conservancy
Grant -
Construction
322-90-9112-
57071
$1,590,017.79 $0.00 $0.00 $1,590,017.79
Total $2,597,619.75 $543,616.71 $250,000.00 $2,304,003.04 *Includes Projected FY 22/23 carryovers.
**Approval for appropriations under separate staff report. Shown for reference only.
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council can choose to direct staff to make changes to the Development Plan or the Amendment to the IS -MND. However, this will cause additional delay for the implementation of the MBHMP and risk not meeting grant agreement commitments.
Reviewed By: Legal Review By: Approved By:
___________________ ___________________ _________________ Kristine Schmidt Megan Garibaldi Robert Nisbet
Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Monarch Aggregation Map
2. Studies and Technical Reports Table
3. Public Outreach Log
4. Resolution 23 -____ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Adopting an Addendum to the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habita t Management Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to Section 15164 of the State CEQA Guidelines and Approving the Development Plan and In -Concept Coastal Development Permit for the Phase I Implementation Plan of the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan.”
Exhibit 1 Phase 1 Implementation Plan with CDP Application Exhibit 2 previously adopted Final IS-MND
Exhibit 3 IS-MND Addendum
Exhibit 4 – GP/CLUP Consistency Analysis
Exhibit 5 Conditions of Approval
6. MBHMP Presentation
ATTACHMENT 1
Monarch Butterfly Aggregation Map
Monarch Butterfly Aggregation Map
ATTACHMENT 2
Studies and Technical Reports Table
Studies and Technical Reports
Date Survey Type
February 2022 Reconnaissance Survey for Biological Resources February and December 2022 Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation March 2022 and January 2023 Vegetative Fuel Load Survey and Analysis December 2022 Hazardous Tree Assessment
March 2022 Arborist Tree Survey
April and June 2022 Native Plant Survey
March and April 2022 Restoration of Monarch Habitat Survey March 2022 Restoration of Native Vegetation Survey
February 2022 Nesting Bird Surveys
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Annual Monarch Surveys 1990, 1998, and 2021 Tree Canopy Hemispherical Photography Survey 2017-2018 Tree Health Assessment and Inventory
September and October 2021 LiDAR, digital imagery, and ground survey November 2022 Wind Model verification
2011 - 2023 Monarch butterfly overwintering habitat assessments and site visits
ATTACHMENT 3
Public Outreach Log
MBHMP Public Engagement
Date Event Location Key Issues Response
1/1/2002
Community meeting on the future of the
Ellwood and Devereux hosted by the
County, UCSB and developers
Ellwood
School
Support for protection of open space. Opposition to number of proposed parking lots and paving Pre- City of Goleta 1/1/2002
City of Goleta Incorporated and assumed
jurisdictional responsibility for Ellwood
Mesa
The protection of Ellwood Mesa from development was a key issue that led to the City’s incorporation
4/1/2004
Community meeting on Ellwood Mesa
Open Space & Habitat Management Plan
(Joint Management Plan) hosted by the
County
Isla Vista
School
Opposition to parking lots, trail closure, loss of golf range and potential environmental impacts
Pre- City of Goleta. Comments addressed by the County in final draft
APR-JUL 2004
The City of Goleta Planning Agency and
City Council jointly held eight duly noticed
public hearings to consider the proposed
Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space
and Habitat Management Plan
Various
7/1/2004
Goleta City Council adopts the Ellwood
Mesa Open Space & Habitat
Management Plan as it pertains to City
property, certifies Final EIR & Addendum
Goleta
City Hall
2/1/2005 City of Goleta takes ownership of
Ellwood Mesa
Goleta Mayor Jean Blois called the preservation of Ellwood Mesa “one of the city’s most significant accomplishments since incorporation three years ago.”
10/1/2010
Goleta City Council authorizes a contract
for preparation of a Monarch Butterfly
Inventory and Habitat Management Plan
in association with preparation of a
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Goleta
City Hall Consent agenda, approved with no discussion
3/20/2012
Goleta City Council approves Community
Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) which
ranks Ellwood Mesa high priority for fuel
reduction treatment.
Goleta
City Hall Discussion/Action Item, approved unanimously
11/1/2012
Goleta City staff presented results of
meetings with neighborhood groups and
public meetings to address growing
concerns arising from increasing
numbers of visitors to the Butterfly Grove
Impact to neighborhoods: parking, traffic, safety, buses, speed, vandalism and trash. Impacts to the grove: how do visitors impact trees and butterflies? Extended discussion re:
proposed renaming to Goleta Butterfly Grove. Some locals feel like the name change loses the history of the community saving Ellwood Mesa.
Staff responded to public concerns with 3 goals: redirect butterfly parking to the Ellwood Mesa parking lot; rebrand as the Goleta Butterfly Grove; create a website to provide information about the grove and the docent program.
Renaming is for signage and website - capturing non-local visitors looking for butterflies in Goleta. Official maps and docs still refer to Ellwood Main Aggregation Site. Issues will be addressed further in the Ellwood Trails and Habitat
Restoration Design project and the MBHMP
7/1/2017
Goleta City Council considers Tree
Assessment prepared for Monarch
Butterfly Habitat Management Plan, with
recommendations for trail closure and
tree removal
Goleta
City Hall
7/18/2017
Public discussion on proposal to close
trails and remove dead and dying trees
Goleta
City Hall
9/5/2017 City Council to consider scope of tree
removal work and next steps
Goleta
City Hall
9/1/2017 Special meeting: City Council to review
public comments
Goleta
City Hall
2/20/2018 City Council City Hall Status of Ellwood Mesa-Related Tree Projects, Emergency Permit, and Butterfly Habitat Management Plan
6/19/2018 City Council City Hall
Execute Amendment No. 3 to Professional Services
Agreement No. 2015-144 with Althouse and Meade, Inc., for continued support in the preparation of the Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Habitat Management Plan and Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Professional
Services Agreement No. 2013-045 with Rincon Consultants, for continued support in the preparation of the environmental review for the Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Habitat Management Plan
8/1/2018 Individual Stakeholder Meetings Various
8/16/2018
Public Workshop to review and discuss
the Habitat Management Plan and
Implementation Plan
Goleta
City Hall
9/4/2018 City Council Meeting Goleta
City Hall
8/22/2018 Public Tree Advisory Commission Goleta
City Hall
Draft review of the Ellwood Mesa Habitat Management Plan and Implementation Plan
Comments and Staff Response included in Appendix B
JAN-FEB 2019
Comment period for Draft Initial Study
and Mitigated Negative Declaration
prepared for the Monarch Butterfly
Habitat Management Plan
NA
Chemical use, butterfly tagging, visual character, monitoring and reporting, historic and cultural value, fire safety, migratory and nesting birds, vagueness of mitigation measures, staging, and timing of the MBHMP
Comments and staff response included in Appendix C
3/19/2019
City Council adopts Ellwood Mesa /
Sperling Preserve Monarch Butterfly
Habitat Management Plan and the
Mitigated Negative Declaration and the
Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program for the Ellwood
Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management
Plan
Goleta
City Hall
Support for butterfly habitat restoration, replanting and maintaining trees in the grove, fire safety and vegetation management; request to abate risks to adjacent
properties/power lines and include native habitat restoration in the MBHMP
Comments and staff response considered by City Council
prior to adopting the plan
5/21/2019 City Council Goleta
City Hall
Coastal Conservancy Grant for Enhancement of Monarch
Butterfly and Other Wildlife Habitat at the Ellwood
Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space
10/1/2019 City Council Goleta
City Hall
Budget Appropriation of $3.9 million for the Coastal
Conservancy Grant for Enhancement of Monarch Butterfly
and Other Wildlife Habitat at the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space
2/1/2020
Forum on Monarch Butterflies and the
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management
Plan hosted by the City of Goleta
Ellwood
School
Frustration among those in the community at the slow pace of action. Plans to rehabilitate Ellwood have existed in some form or another since 2011
Educational forum – no formal response
11/30/2020 Public Tree Advisory Commission Goleta
City Hall
Report on Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Habitat Management Plan projects
Strong opposition to trail closure and large-scale tree removal.
Concern over public access, impacts to butterflies and lack of environmental assessment. Friends of the Ellwood Monarchs’ (FOTEM) lawyer worked with staff and consultants to draft an alternative solution that would allow removal of minimal number of trees, keep some trails open, and delay further tree removal until the habitat management plan is prepared and approved
Council supported the FOTEM-proposed option. The City
also agreed to prioritize and fund completion of the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan,
including several in-depth scientific studies to better understand the forest habitat. The City was granted
emergency approval from the Coastal Commission to
remove 29 critically hazardous trees. A follow-on Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application was required
City dept responsible for implementation, definitions, dogs, environmental impacts, fire, funding, handicap access, human impacts, irrigation, native habitats, public involvement, restoration details, and signs
Comments and staff response included in Appendix B
MBHMP Public Engagement
Date Event Location Key Issues Response
1/27/2021 Public Tree Advisory Commission Goleta
City Hall
Informational item, no public comment. Concerns about other species/wood rats, tree removal method. Staff emphasized intent to use waiver process rather than emergency permit process for tree removal. Expecting major work through 2025 6/15/2021 City Council Goleta
City Hall
Proposed Habitat Enhancement Work and Award of Design
Service Agreements for the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Grove
8/21/2021 Public Outreach Event
Ellwood
Mesa
Parking
Lot
Update trail users, community groups, and neighbors about habitat enhancement activities and the monarch butterfly population
5/24/2022 Design Review Board City Hall Request for Advisory input 6/1/2022 Parks and Recreation Commission City Hall Update on the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Grove Enhancement Project
7/7/2022
7/9/2022
8/1/2022
Informal Q&A session to address
neighbor’s questions about what the City
is proposing to improve the Ellwood
Mesa Butterfly Grove.
Ellwood
Mesa
Parking
Lot &
Devereux
crossing
Informal Q&A session – no formal response
8/16/2022 City Council Meeting Goleta
City Hall
Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan
Update and Amendments to Professional Design Services
Agreements
9/12/2022 Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat
Management Plan Workshop
Ellwood
School
Impact on butterflies, over-development of park infrastructure, effectiveness of proposed planting for butterfly habitat (tree species) and the fire risk of dead trees and brush to the neighborhood
Design modifications were made to address community
concerns: eliminate eastern footbridge, change remaining footbridge to wood construction and make it smaller, make benches from fallen eucalyptus trees, cover plastic
irrigation with wood chips, shrink kiosk height and width 10/12/2022
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management
Plan presented to the City of Goleta
Parks and Recreation Commission
Goleta
City Hall
Entrances and access, scale and location of infrastructure, tree species, future plans, relevancy of some project
components to butterfly habitat, and developing nature
preserve into city park. Commission supports staff’s work and proposals on the MBHMP and encourages staff to continue working with the community, keep the improvements as
natural as possible and balance accessibility and fire risk with the mitigation of environmental impact
Commission’s recommendation goes to Goleta City
Council, no response necessary
2/1/2023 Individual Stakeholder Meetings Various Eucalyptus species, creek restoration Prepare fact sheet with backup information on species
selection
Walking tours of the butterfly grove with
City of Goleta Parks and Open Space
Manager George Thomson to show
proposed enhancements
Ellwood
Mesa
Monarch
Butterfly
Grove
Educational forum – no formal response