Sanborn County Park Master Plan
For questions about the project contact the Parks Department at: [email protected]
PLAN DOCUMENTS | CEQA | TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Background
In 2014, the Department began the planning process for the Sanborn County Park Master Plan (Plan). The Plan provides the foundation necessary to balance natural resources at the Park with long-range development and management throughout the entire Park, and at specific features such as the Welch Hurst House, the Christensen Nursey area, the Dyer House, and the former Christmas tree farm area.
The Sanborn County Park Master Plan was approved by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on June 4, 2019. The approved Master Plan is available here: Sanborn County Park Master Plan.
Location
Sanborn County Park (Park) is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains between the city of Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. This 3,453-acre mountainous park of redwoods and tanbark oaks offers hiking and biking on multi-use trails as well as tent and RV camping and year-round picnicking opportunities.
Goals of the Planning Process:
The Master Plan is a guiding document that presents a series of development, management and design recommendations for the Park, including specific features like the Welch Hurst House, the Christensen Nursery area, the Dyer House, and the former Christmas tree area. The Master Plan considers the long-term feasibility of a variety of potential uses and design solutions, including their market viability and future partnership opportunities, environmental benefits or impacts, contribution to visitor services, and revenue-generating potential. The ultimate recommendations of the plan ensure that all uses fit appropriately into the natural setting and character of the Park.
The development of the Plan was guided by the following goals:
- Assess the existing condition of the Property;
- Evaluate the feasibility of potential amenities;
- Outline opportunities to improve existing as well as create new partnerships;
- Enhance the visitor experience by improving and expanding existing amenities;
- Pursue ways to preserve and enhance natural and historic resources (e.g., Welch-Hurst and Dyer buildings);
- Recommend new park facilities that respond to the changing recreational desires of the public.
Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The IS/MND for the Sanborn Master Plan was circulated for a 30-day public review period beginning March 8, 2019, and ending April 7, 2019 and was submitted to the California State Clearinghouse (SCH#2019039060). During the public review period, the County received four written comments on the MND regarding traffic, cultural and historical resources, fire safety, air quality, biological resources, and hydrology impacts and revenue generation.
The Department filed a Notice of Determination with the County of Santa Clara Office of the Clerk-Recorder on June 5, 2019.
The Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted by the Board of Supervisors and is available here: Sanborn County Park Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration.