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P&R 01-06-05 APPROVED P ARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brown called the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 7 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Staff present: Jeanne Bradford, Roger Peng, Rod Brown, Frank Jelinch, Cary Chien None Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Mike O'Dowd, Supervisor, Blackberry Farm; Barbara Banfield, Naturalist, McClellan Ranch; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant; Ciddy Wordell, City Planner, Planning Department I. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Regular adjourned meeting of December 7, 2004 ACTION: The minutes of December 7, 2004, were unanimously approved as written. 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Robert Levy, Wilkinson Avenue, welcomed the Commission on their first meeting in the new Community Hall. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. General Plan - Recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council Director Smith gave a PowerPoint presentation providing a brief history of the General Plan and outlined the City's park acreage policy and the existing park acreage. She reported that there are areas in the City that are deficient for park acreage, but that policies have been written to encourage the provision of open space in three locations: Villa Serra, Vall co, and a linear park in the Rancho Rinconada area. In the draft General Plan, there are policies that deal with use of parkland and the distribution of intensive community use. Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 2 of7 The public hearing process begins with an initial Planning Commission meeting on January 11, 2005. The Planning Commission has asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission give the draft one final look to determine if any changes are needed. They have invited the Commission to attend their February 8 meeting to give input. Director Smith reported that at this time staff had no recommendations for additional changes to the draft beyond what had already been included. Chairman Brown asked if language had been included in the draft to support the development of smaller parks. Ms. Wordell stated that she believes it has already been incorporated into the draft. Commissioner Bradford asked if there were particular concerns expressed by the Planning Commission that would be addressed on February 8 and what would be accomplished at that meeting. Ms. Wordell stated that the Planning Commission did not address a particular problem; they were meeting with other commissions, and it was suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission also be invited. She believes that the purpose of the Commission being invited to the February 8 meeting is to be a resource to the Planning Commission when they discuss the park element of the draft. Commissioner Peng asked why the Council did not endorse the General Plan Task Force recommendations. Director Smith answered that she believes that City Council added the public input process so that all of the ideas would have an opportunity to be heard by the public. Director Smith stated that it would not be necessary for all of the Parks and Recreation Commissioners to attend the February 8 meeting and that she and one commissioner could attend. Ms. Wordell agreed. Public Comments Robert Levy, Wilkinson Avenue, believes that the commissions, City Council and staff are being delinquent in putting together the General Plan. He would like to see a plan using park fees to develop parks in deficient areas. He believes there should be consideration of the people who are going to be buying homes in these developments. Deborah Jamison, Rumford Drive, presented historical background on the use of the Simms property as a part of the McClellan Ranch parkland. She believes it should be included in the acreage count for the City's parkland. Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 3 of7 Commissioner Comments Chainnan Brown asked if a motion was being requested. Ms. Wordell that she was looking for any changes to the draft General Plan in a fonn of a recommendation and also if they would be attending the February 8 meeting. Chairman Brown stated that there would be a representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission attending the meeting. Commissioner Chien asked if there were fees when a developer builds a park within their own development. Director Smith pointed out that Policy 2-77, Acquisition or Dedication of Additional Parklands, covers this issue. She also stated that the Planning Department diligently pursues the needed park acreage to keep the 3 acres per 1,000 population in balance. Commissioner Chien asked Director Smith to discuss the difficulties of acquiring land for parks. She provided an example of a two-acre parcel the San Jose Water Company owns along Lawrence Expressway that the City is interested in developing as parkland for the Rancho Rinconada area. At this point, the company says they need the land. In order for the City to purchase it, San Jose Water Company would need to decide that they want to surplus the land. When and if this land ever gets surplused, it could be offered to a public agency such as Cupertino, get annexed (land is currently in San Jose), and then the City would begin working on the park's development. Director Smith stated that it is important that land acquisitions are proposed in the General Plan so that when and if the City is ready is acquire the land, the acquisition is consistent with the City's long-term plan. Commissioner Jelinch commented that he didn't know if it was really necessary for the Commission to take a vote if they are not going to recommend any changes. His position is that when they studied the issue two years ago, they carefully adopted policies and he does not see any need for further changes. Chairman Brown asked for a preference from staff on whether to take a vote. Director Smith said that a vote was not necessary. B. Review of proposed park programming - Stevens Creek Corridor Park Director Smith reported that the Stevens Creek Corridor Park project is moving forward in three ways: environmental analysis/park planning, planning for future programming, and fundraising. She discussed that the preferred conceptual plan needs further refinement: define limits of restoration, define the trail alignment, and insure adequate access, parking, and circulation. The biggest decision yet to be made involves the alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail, and this decision should be made in light of the activities that are being planned for the Corridor. Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 4 of7 Critical to evaluating access and parking requirements is an estimate of use at locations throughout the park. She reported that a traffic engineer would be attending the February 3 meeting to discuss the proposed park circulation and the trail. All feedback received at this February 3 meeting will be forwarded to the traffic consultant. Director Smith requested that the Commission ask City Council to schedule a special joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission at their January 18 meeting to discuss the year Blackberry Farm should close, the environmental classroom CIP, and the trail alignment issues. Smith reported that she is planning to discuss park circulation and the trail alignment at the Commission's February 3 meeting. In March, it is planned that the Parks and Recreation Commission will make a recommendation to City Council regarding trail alignment. At a later meeting (possibly March 15), Council will consider the trail alignment recommendation. Director Smith answered clarifying questions. Public Comments Robert Levy, Wilkinson A venue, gave his concerns about the potential of increased traffic on Byrne Avenue, Stevens Creek, and McClellan Road throughout the year. He believes that there will not be adequate parking at Stevens Creek Boulevard and there may be an issue about access safety. Deborah Jamison, Rumford Drive, is concerned that the Stevens Creek parking lot and, to a lesser degree, the McClellan Ranch parking lot will become major access points for mountain bikers. The county parking lots currently cost $5 to use and she sees bicyclists using the McClellan Ranch and Stevens Creek parking lots to avoid paying the county fee. She does not support expanding the parking lots. She believes the current Stevens Creek parking lot can be redesigned to accommodate more parking. She does not support a bicyclist-through trail. When programming is developed, she would like to see programming with habitat protection of McClellan Ranch in mind. She distributed prepared notes entitled "Traffic Generation and Access Points", which will be added as an exhibit to the packet. Janet Van Zoeren, Milky Way, supports the comments of Deborah Jamison. She does not support a multipurpose trail through the Stevens Creek Corridor. She would like to see McClellan Ranch Park as a destination and not just a "drive- through" area. She would like to see that the trail be set up in such a way that the bicyclist portion of it stops before it gets into McClellan Ranch and Simms property, and that there be bicyclists racks in place for people to use as they visit the preserve. Lounie Toensfeldt, Fitzgerald Drive, talked about her 30 years of involvement at McClellan Ranch and with its master plan development. She does not see any Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 5 of7 reference to the McClellan Ranch Master Plan, which bothers her. She stated that the Simms property was included in the master plan, which the City Council accepted and endorsed. She is concerned about the trail going through McClellan Ranch and believes it will destroy the ambience and uniqueness ofthe property. Chairman Brown clarified that the master plan has been a part of prior discussions as it relates to the Stevens Creek Corridor Park. Craig Breon, McClellan Road, Executive Director for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, acknowledged the balancing act the City faces as it accommodates different types of users for the parkland. The Audubon Society has some concerns about the impacts of improvements, such as the environmental building, will have on the environment. They understand that there will be some amount of impacts because the changes, which are by and large very good, will bring a change to the surroundings to the park and the wildlife. A believes a bus turnaround will be needed in the area. He does not support expanding the McClellan Ranch parking lot. When increasing the education programming, considerations ofthe surroundings will need to be taken into account. The Audubon board has strong feelings about the trail as currently presented. Aaron Grossman, McClellan Road, works part-time at McClellan Ranch, supports a multi-purpose trail through McClellan Ranch. He believes the concerns are overstated. He believes the park plan should be designed to encourage bicycling over car usage. He believes a trail can be environmentally designed. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Bradford asked if additional parking had been designed on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Director Smith answered that expanding the lot had been investigated, but with the Center for Living History, the parking demands need to be re-Iooked at. Currently, the City is talking with a traffic engineer about incorporating bus traffic. Bus drop-off points will need to be added at each of the three accesses to spread the load out. Commissioner Bradford believes that part of the Commission's recommendation to significantly reduce the picnicking area was an attempt to mitigate neighborhood traffic concerns. Using the project programming statistics offered in the presentation, Commissioner Bradford calculated that even with year-round programming, there is an expected 30 percent reduction in traffic. She stated that she understands the concerns about McClellan Ranch. She stated that at this point, she is very interested in hearing ITom the traffic engineer; CEQA reports will dictate parking requirements as well. Commissioner Peng likes the idea of using a shuttle bus from Monta Vista High School to different access points. He supports the idea of a bicycle path in the periphery of McClellan Ranch. Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 6 of7 Commissioner Jelinch stated that he appreciates all the groundwork that has been done and that the study is informative. He believes that the traffic study will make a big difference in developing programming. He is sensitive to the Stevens Creek Corridor environment, and recognizes the work that it will take to do this while enhancing the park and providing adequate access to the park. Commissioner Chien said he is also looking forward to the traffic engineer's report. He would like to see the engineer put the report in layman's terms for ease of understanding. He would like to see the engineer also talk about mitigation measures. He invited residents and staff to join him on a walk of McClellan Ranch on Friday, January 7, at I p.m. Chairman Brown said he is looking forward to the traffic engineer's report too. Director Smith reported that the traffic engineer, Mike Waller, has started to investigate the area. He will bring a report in February to the Commission. Commissioner Bradford asked for alternatives based on pavement needs for various programs. Director Smith said another factor to be considered will be those activities that are being retained for revenue generation purposes. 4. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written Communications - none B. Staff Updates: a. Plans are progressing for the 4th of July. There have been discussions about making this year a bit more special due to the City celebrating its 50th year possibly with a community birthday cake at Creekside, and a town photo; there will be more information at the next meeting. b. Santa Clara Valley Water District and the Audubon Society have signed on to assist with a restoration grant application that is being jointly written with the City. This grant request will be submitted to the Department of Water Resources on January 25,2005. We are applying for funding to match the Water District's commitment of 50 percent that they are underwriting for the removal of the barriers to fish passage in Stevens Creek. There are three low-flow crossings and a diversion dam. c. City Council approved the fee waiver for the A YSO VIP soccer program for special needs youth. d. The City is working with the California Cricket Academy on coming up with a design for a cricket pitch within the Library Field. They have decided not to do a concrete pitch and are looking at a rammed-earth pitch. They are hoping to raise funds to make that happen for the upcoming cricket season. Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 7 of7 e. Tennis court resurfacing has been completed at the Sports Center. Kudos to Bob Rizzo and Don McCarthy for completing the project on time and $100,000 under budget. C. Commissioner contacts: a. Commissioner Jelinch announced the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members is having a training session in Milpitas in February. b. Commissioner Chien mentioned that the Post Office would issue 12 new stamps honoring the Chinese Lunar New Year on Saturday, January 8. The stamps will have Cupertino and Monta Vista post station cancellations. Another event on Saturday, January 8, at the Community Hall, is a town hall meeting being held by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber. 5. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, )~!~ )Jµ~ Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved at the February 3, 2005, meeting.