Oakley council approves conservation easement to protect Trail Park water assets and trails

The Oakley City Council voted to approve resolution 2025-11 authorizing a conservation easement over city-owned parcels east of Pinion Lane intended to protect trails, slope-sensitive land and municipal water assets in the Pinion Creek watershed. The resolution authorizes the mayor to sign an easement that extends an existing conservation area owned by Jan Manning and covers well sites, storage tanks and springs that serve the city's culinary water system.

At a public-comment segment, resident Kevin Barker urged approval, saying the easement is the only reliable way to "protecting land in perpetuity" and emphasized the land's watershed value. City staff and council members described the area's steep slopes (many areas exceed 30 percent), its existing trail network and key water infrastructure, and said the agreement is intentionally drafted to preserve the city's ability to undertake limited trail or water infrastructure improvements when necessary. The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded on the transcript.

Council members and staff said the language of the easement was reviewed with legal counsel to ensure protection of sensitive lands while allowing necessary city maintenance. The council framed the vote as continuing past partnerships with the land conservancy and as a measure to preserve open space and water security. The council adjourned routine discussion on the item after the vote and moved to the next agenda item.