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County of Sonoma California

Taylor Mountain

Master Plan & Environmental Process

Public Outreach Message

Photo of Taylor Mountain with wildflowers in foreground

(photo provided by Landpaths)

Step One: Consultant Section – Completed

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) and Sonoma County Regional Parks (RP) are pleased to announce RRM Design Group as the consultant selected for the Taylor Mountain Master Plan project.

RRM Design Group is a planning, landscape architecture, architecture, civil engineering, surveying and public facilitation firm that just celebrated their 35th anniversary. RRM Design Group has worked on many projects throughout California that have resulted in the creation of over 100,000 acres of permanent public open space and parklands. Some of their recent projects include the Hearst Ranch Conservation Easement and Coastal Trail Plan, the East West Ranch Public Access and Resource Management Plan, and the Prince Memorial Greenway Master Plan. RRM Design Group will lead a team of highly qualified sub-consultants, including Wetlands Research Associates (WRA), the Architectural Resources Group, W-Trans, and Vicki Hill Environmental. RRM, the District and RP will be assisted by LandPaths in the public outreach process.

The scope of the contract includes:

  • Preparation of biological studies to guide the process for the planning and development of the property,

  • Facilitation of an extensive public outreach process to develop the vision and goals, and reach consensus on appropriate recreational uses of the property,

  • Development of site plan alternatives based on public workshops and stakeholder input for further discussion and comment by the community,

  • Preparation of a Resource Management Plan to guide the development of the master plan and long term stewardship of the property,

  • Preparation of a Master Plan that identifies the conservation and habitat restoration goals, and specific facilities to be developed for the property,

  • Preparation of an environmental document to address potential impacts and identify associated mitigation measures to be incorporated into the project.

If you are interested in participating in the development of the vision and long range planning for this project, please contact Mark Cleveland at mclevela@sonoma-county.org or by calling (707) 565-2041.

To learn more about RRM Design Group, visit their web page at http://www.rrmdesign.com.

Photo of people gathering on Taylor Mountain before fireworks
(photo provided by Landpaths)

Step Two: Information Gathering

  • Review Existing Property Information & Studies
  • Perform Site Specific Resource Studies
  • Perform Preliminary Site Assessment
  • Develop Community Outreach Strategy
  • Begin Community Outreach
  • Interview Local Groups, Neighbors & Other Stakeholders

Goal: To provide the social and environmental framework to guide the development of the master plan at the community workshops. To develop outreach tools to inform the public of the opportunity to participate in the planning process.

Photo of people attending a Taylor Moutain workshop

Step Three: Community Workshops

Disabled Accomodation: If you have a disability which requires an accommodation, an alternative format, or requires another person to assist you while attending this meeting, please contact Regional Parks at (707) 565-2041, at least 48 hours in advance to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

Community Workshop #1 – August 19, 2010*

View printer-friendly flyer

  • Provide the general context for the project
  • Share information gathered from Step 2
  • Begin development of the vision & goals for the property
  • Brainstorm potential features & uses for the property

Taylor Mountain Day – Children viewing model of mountainGoal: To provide information to stakeholders that will assist with the development of the long-range vision & goals for the property. To begin the process of determining appropriate features & uses for the property that will guide the development of alternatives to be evaluated in subsequent community workshops.

*To be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Dining Room at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial Building located at 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa

Workshop #1 Results:

Presentation (PDF: 8 MB)

Workshop Feedback (PDF: 241 kB)

Workshop Feedback – Workboard Images

To see and read all 10 workboards click on image

Workboard - for bigger picture click on image

Summary of Workshop #1 Results (PDF: 221 kB)


Community Workshop #2 – October 16 2010 at Taylor Mountain

Taylor Mountain Day was a huge success with nearly 200 people in attendance. Two sessions of presentations and guided hikes were provided and the public was given the opportunity to look at proposed design alternatives and potential uses of the property. Comments and visitor input were gathered during the day-long event.  This information will be used during the continued process of master plan development and programming for the property. See below for the design alternatives presented, a summary of the proposed uses, and the results of the public surveys. If you would like to make a comment or suggestion, use the Input Survey form below and submit to Regional Parks:

Taylor Mountain Day – Public participation and input

Design Alternatives and Options

 

Proposed UsesTaylor Mountain Day – Public gathering for hike

Public Input Survey

For more information:
Online: www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Phone: Sonoma County Regional Parks (707) 565-2041
Email: mclevela@sonoma-county.org

Para más información:
En línea:  www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Teléfono:  (707) 544-7284 x11
Correo electrónico:  Magdalena Ridley, Magdalena@LandPaths.org


Community Workshop #3 – June 29, 2011 at Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building

The 3rd public workshop for the Taylor Mountain master plan was a huge success. Over 100 people attended the workshop and participated in the planning and review process. The meeting began with a brief summary of previous workshops, feedback received, an update of the planning process, and the results of the recently completed Ecological Resources Report (ERR). The next item was to provide a brief discussion of how the public’s input, District and County policies, and resource protection translated into a list of allowable uses for the property. The workshop included a presentation of draft site plans of the proposed access points, trailheads, and trails, and the types of uses proposed for each area. After presentation of the draft plans, the public was given a survey form to provide input about the various components of the project. Links to the draft site plans are provided below. We encourage the public to continue to participate in the planning and design process, and ask questions about the project. E-mail contacts for both English and Spanish are included below.

Photograph of Taylor Mountain Community Workshop #3 at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building.

For more information:

Online: www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Phone: Sonoma County Regional Parks (707) 565-2041
Email: Mark.Cleveland@sonoma-county.org

Para más información:
En línea:  www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Teléfono:  (707) 544-7284 x11
Correo electrónico:  Magdalena Ridley, Magdalena@LandPaths.org


Community Workshop #4 – December 6, 2011 at Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building

Please join us for the 4th public workshop for the Taylor Mountain master plan. Learn about the most recent plans for future improvements, including trail routes and standards, opportunities for community stewardship, information on the environmental review process, and explore strategies for managing the diverse natural resources found on Taylor Mountain.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information:
Online: www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Phone: Sonoma County Regional Parks (707) 565-2041
Email: Mark.Cleveland@sonoma-county.org

Para más información:
En línea: www.sonoma-county.org/parks/mt_taylor.htm
Teléfono: (707) 544-7284 x11
Correo electrónico: Magdalena Ridley, Magdalena@LandPaths.org

Photo of view from Taylor Mountain
(photo provided by Landpaths)

Step Four: Master Plan

  • Develop conceptual Master Plan graphic based on public workshops
  • Determine phases for development and preliminary cost estimates
  • Prepare written project description for park development

Step Five: Resource Management Plan

  • Consult with regulatory agencies, local experts, the public, et.al.
  • Prepare Resource Management Plan based on resource studies and Master Plan
Photo of man looking at view from Taylor Mountain summit
(photo provided by Landpaths)

Step Six: Environmental Process (CEQA) and Project Approval

  • Hold Public Scoping Meeting on project
  • Draft initial study document
  • Prepare a Notice of Preparation for public review
  • Present the project to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for their review and input
  • Present the project to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission & for their review and approval
  • Present the project to the Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors for their review and approval
  • Seek funding for development

Visit LandPathsfor information on the Permit Program for public access

Resources – open and download documents

Individuals who need special assistance or a disability-related accommodation to view documents below please call us at (707) 565-2041 or e-mail us at parks@sonoma-county.org

RFP Documents

Resource Documents

Consultants contact mclevela@sonoma-county.org


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