Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2020 01 08

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December 11, 2019 Meeting Minutes Continued Results of Discussion Item 10. Review and Finalize Memorandum Regarding OSAB's Position on the Davidson Mesa Dog Off -Leash Area for the Management of Open Space for Tomorrow Project. OSAB has been asked by City Council to review the status of the Davidson Mesa Dog Off -Lease Area (DOLA) and comment on future management practice recommendations. This topic has arisen many times in the past 10 years, and has been extensively discussed by OSAB members. Our summary of the primary issues relating to DOLA management are listed below: Heavy usage of the DOLA space degrades the vegetation and overall property condition. Systematic usage reduction (e.g., shorter hours, regular closures, resident permit system) has not been favored or supported by Council or community members. Regular restoration and revegetation (several times per year, with closures during the process) would be a very expensive on -going addition to the maintenance budget. Requests for amenities such as water and shade structures appropriate for a dog park are inconsistent with the current Open Space zoning. It is OSAB's assessment that these conflicts are intractable as they are rooted in the inherent conflict of having an intensive recreational activity (dog off -leash area) sited on Open Space property which by City Home Rule Charter specifies passive recreation. It is our understanding that the DOLA was established as a compromise in response to the very real need for dog recreation facilities in the 1990s. This may have been a reasonable compromise at that time, but the dramatic increase in usage of the DOLA and Davidson Mesa Open Space as a whole have resulted in escalation of these conflicts. While some management practices, such as periodic closures of the DOLA for muddy conditions, seem to have helped to limit impacts to the property due to increased demand on this resource, the overall impacts are inconsistent with the Home Rule Charter and ordinance restriction on Open Space Property. Per the Open Space Master Plan, the most permissive designation of open space property is "Open Space -Visitor Land". As defined in the Open Space Master Plan, "Open Space -Visitor Land is intended to be managed so that recreational opportunities are compatible with resource protection with minimal landscaping using native plants and limited irrigation. Moderate to high levels of visitation may be permitted on lands in this classification." Analysis of the vegetation in the DOLA area makes it obvious that the impacts associated with the DOLA as currently utilized are not compatible with resource protection mandated by the Home Rule Charter and ordinance. That said, it is also quite clear to OSAB that there is a significant and very real need for dog recreation facilities, including dog off -leash areas, in Louisville. OSAB also recognizes the very real benefits for dogs, their owners and the community of such facilities. Accordingly, we encourage City Council to review the following options for resolving the Davidson Mesa DOLA situation and decide which approach to take: 1. Direct staff to develop a comprehensive plan to provide additional Dog Parks and Off -Leash areas in Louisville (or perhaps on non -city land in partnership with other municipalities) as a 12