PC 12-16-86<::nY OF ~. S'D\TE OF CALIFORNIA lOJOO Torre Avenue
OJpertino, CA.' 95014 .
( 408) 252-4505_
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MINUI'ES OF mE REXiUI.AR ADJOORNED MEEl'lJIK; OF 'IEE PUNNrnG a:::t1MISSICN HEI.D.l:N DECEMBER 16, 1986
Meatirq Hald in the camcil Clla1i1bers of OJpertino City Hall
'.SAWI'E 'IO 'IRE fi1'.G; , . . . ·... ~ . ... ..
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-Caanissdoners. . J?;t"esent:
. ·~: ( . :., ~ -~ :-. . ... -. OJai.nnan Szabo Vice Chail.'lnan Mackenzie · Cc:l\'ltrlissioner Adilins o:mrJ.ssiooer Clau:ly camdooicner sore.nsen
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7:30 P.M.
Rcl1::>ert Cowan, Dinctcr of Planni.rq & Davel.qjlnent.
st.eve Piasecki, Assistant ?J..imning Pi.rector. . ... · ., -c Cla.rles Kilian, City Attorney . .. ...::-·.
· · 'WRIT!Ji:N ~(ORAL <X'ff10NICATIOUS
·-Cl".ir. Szabo . acknowledged nume.roos let.ters received on the subject of tlw Ice Rink at. Vallo:> ra.si:µon Park. . .. · . . . ,
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-. ·. JUBLIC HEMUNGS:
Qir. ·szabo ~iewed. the circumstanoes of this ~ of the Pi~nnin;J
-~~ion mYi stated that an l\pplication f:rom Westfield Cm:poration wi:t.s __
sc.h0(..'1.lect to be beard Dece:mbe.r a, 1986, replac.1.nq the Ice Ska~ Rink with Movie ':'Jlwatei:s1 "thi.$. Hearin; was postponed to ~-16, 1~86~ SUbse.quently, Westfield ~tion witlxirew the Application am annamced
tbat they wished to axplore the p::>SSibility of keepi.rq the Rink open arxi
at the same time fin:l a way of achievirq their financial goals. 'll1e Rink . is schectaed:t!b remain~ until at least April, 1987.
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Chr. . &abo thanlm Westfield CO:i::porat.ion for their decision to at.terr¢ to
:resolv<!t~.Jcf~ituat:!-ot\ to the satisfaction of all parties.
·1lbe ~~~irq was then opened.
Mt". · . Patrick. Mdfahan, Attorney, ~ed membors of the public for att:emi.ng thG hearing on the Ice Skating Rink. He stated that since cities do not have unlimitoo resoorces, soi:oo recreational activities
. becx::me ~; one of these activities is ice skatin;.
PIANNm::; o:l1MISSICN MINt1I'ES
Regular Mjoorned MeetiN;J of! December 16, l9a6 PAGE 2
PC -509
~ l (Cont'd) ,_, '-•
'0 '""' " Mr. McMahan asked that the Planning cemnission ard WestfiW.d C.Or:poration
do ~ poss~~~ to.ensure continued op&:ation Of~tl'u& Ice_~. He presented a "petition· of over a,ooo si~~ of" :innv:ktuals ·WhQ ~
~t the Ice Rink" be~~· He suggosted cpti~ f"'t:·the·=~~ ar):;i. · the city· to negotiate an agreement in ottier: to. save th&~ice :dnk;· He
noted that the ice rink was a nonprofit p..tblicly orient.eel rec:reaticinal use; the only chan]e in recent ~ was new ov..~p·~ ·· xt ~ ~
made in the_original agreements, a new owne.r: s.l'lcAJld,:ba.-abl1i;atecf"-'tS·~de
by them. If the City t.ha.~ht tJiat ~ ~d have been ~; 1.~:~d
~· made the:k:e rink use a O:ln4i'tl;.c;i of the orig;i.nal a~ ttie-city
didn't reqajre Utls ~use.~ _0:ectj,m of the shoppinq oent:.er,.was representoo ... .o be an ice".rink ah1 l:uildinq._one . .was a big ~. · · :·
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'lhe:~ · solution that Westfield asks for .. ~ a rosiness solutiont nmNilit'tEey wi.Sh, .. ·to tur,t this space titrt:o retaµ..,·~ 'Ven tha-igh~:i:t nav~ar··was· pl~ foit· Stich ,.,; possible. solutions ~. ~iewed •. MmnbruiaP'of the·~
~ w Mr. McM~llan believe that ~field Corporation \rlll~. ~J:o.
rea~ a solUtion with the city; any SOJ.Ution ooris~·~d bilm"liTut.o acchtmt promises made in the original agreement. . . . . ''"' . . ' . .. .... c.:: : --: ... ~~~ ·~·~ .... Ms •. Li.rm Mc.D:mald, .VJO.lcx:i Fi~ SkatintJ .. Clukl. of eupert.i.nD, ~ the hist:Ofy am .. me:mbersltlp 'of the Club an::l statad that the Val.loo I~ ·Rink is vi~ •t:0 the members of this club. '. ·:··" .· ' ·i ... _ .. ~~~ :·~·:·~-~:\' e
Dr. David L. ~''·:coalition of Hqckay an:\· ~· B&ll·:~e~·; .introduced members oe:the Cbal.itiCIFO'~ch·~too 1/000 ti!Ult_ ~ ~ the ice rink. He not.e:i the canmon ground to work ~-·to·"ElWG 'tl'ie, · rink. '1be C'.oalition has opened.. a c:nxtmlmicatians ~k with ~ield:
arxi have f~ them tp.~~ ~V:'O'> He ~·:that ~-c.i:t.i,-'Oin-ie~i;'
the Pl~ canmissi.on. ~-Westfield· COrpo:uttibn>-wrk wt-·~~.nc~fp:
keep the rink q;>en ana.w.te:i that if the city i&"unabl~ to·~Ne"tfil.:s·. issue with Westfield, Westfield has asmu-ed its nssistance to the hodkey. arxi broamball leagup..s in seek.in; other facilities. ... ·
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PI.ANNING CXMllSSIOH MINUTES
Regul.Ztr .Adjourned Meeting ;of. J)ec-.e:mber 16, 1986
PAGE 3
PC -509
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Mr •. Rich.ini-~-,''.: ~j_~~ Weatfielc(COrp:)ration, re;_,i~ canrnunity activities . which.; take ··place at Vallco Fashion Park &o:i noted th~t, the decisiari. W¥~ a·····dloioo:.·of what was· a~iata to sabsidize for· the -··· carim.ID.lty._ru:}d~who .will benafit fral such sµbsicU.es. .
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-.., j' .'!S .... •• : -r .. : ..... -.· t • ~ ~· . . • ~ J. Mr; · Gl:&en q:,ted. :that pranises moo ~Y~'lrB ago were not known to_ W~tfield at · .tful till.-e L-of · pw:chase of Vallro ' Fashion · Park; hcweve.r, West.f-ield ·eo_tpOF"Cltioo .. _:As· :wi:Uing to work ·i\Fith the a:mnuriity. aoo. to-.fin:i solut.i.ons •
. '.!hes& SOlutiOtl.S · will . .reqW.'t"e eve.ryone IS ~tiOrt. '1he Application for ·. tha .· m::wi.,__ .. the.at.er :wa.s with1rawh. 'to ~ clooding the· issue of movie · theater ... ~=·~b:t oonfusirq ·it· with· the rink closure; these~ .are sei_zarate 3r.d unrelated .in their view. Westfield COl:'pol:;ation ~ to make ·the ~'. .in question mot'& productive to. themselves am tQ the
.,S~lmunity ••. :_. · ·Presently, oohaid~a;tion is .. being given to.,,IPaintairdrq the ·_ tinJc in additim' to · ~id.in:;( :ravie tl;lP..ate.rs; the 1T0V:f.,e theater would
c~ . ~ :tl?,ase . of. ~rt in\ ·t.ha ~tlty and give .. Weatfiel~.·the
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Westfield felt that the City Co.mcil am the Pl~ Ccrmuission ~ n:X mw:i¢va: o~.~-· movie theat£f-a· fUl.l ~center exanbin,j.m ;the ice rii;ik· ~..:.·a movie·~1 theater with a new f~. ~~ei.J.ity will be·~ with.in ·the · ne.'ICt lOOilt.h. OJ:' two. '!he o::iSt o~ a neM build.in] to hoose a theater will have to be ca.mterbalanoed with fiexi).:>ility on the paZt of
the. City qrl ~ requirements .... He noted ~~-ha;rQ$hlp on Westfield to maintain . the ice· . ~ink am rutlined tiossible S6lutionis if the ice rink is to be';.-: o'sEd~ ,. -" . . . .,....... ·~~ ' ,~,..·-: ·~· .. ~: •• , 4.1.. •• : J ~ .. ~~~::'. ... --.. :: ..... ,·. ·j~·~::.' . :... ~~ .4 . ,·. ·.,
Mr. -Welsh,:. ;epreserrl:?\tJ.v.e for i~tional sR:atfJ.r:s, noteii.tha.t Vallo::> Ice . . ~---~. J,rore than reci.1!!4tianar benefits~' ~.fink is a o:mnunity asset 'for _Q..IP.e.itino as well..· as for adjoini.rq cit~es~ &'katers provide revenue
~t.~ all~ ~ Vallco · fashion Park t.o '·' i.ve as· a regional shappin; center. He cnnmerx:1ed Mr. Green for his effr . toward a aolutivn; hcMever, w:e of
the Redwood City Rink is not a solution for rec:::-et\timaj. sl~ters. ' ·:) : ·.
~-... Ka~y-~lt~lls, !:~··~ ~, reViewed the iu.stOiy at the' time
a·. ,~ional :~ -~ was bein; considered •. ~~ .l'lOt:OO the benef~t of
~e. ·· saleq., ... ~ -'<c;l9ll.~· iUli · ·the1 " faet.: that. the· center was Yiewed as a
~therirq P~-1~~~ CQmmJT'.ity. 'She· fel.t that a .canmitmant .. was. JMde to
ti,.~. ~ty ,.ijl .tQa-;>1-torm of the ice skating rink, :j._.e., a,non":"reta_il
~; 'She ~ the recreational nE:ed.s met by t:he Firlk arx:l .t:_elt it was .pnporta.nt .. that.:.;. J.,t'i\. be , rebainOO.: . she re.rn.irrled WentffoJ.d that ~"Chase of Val.loo Fashion Park was the j?U.rchase of a limited ail'KJUltt of recall sp..:tce.
Ms. Nellis stated that Mr. Jim Je:tckson, fonnc.r c.cA.mcilmember, shared her views rega:cd.in:.J comm1:bnents made by the developer of Vallee Fashion Park, one of whic.h include:l the ice skat.irq rink. S1"'..e urged the Commission to vote to retain the ice skating rink.
PIANNnJG o:MMISSICN M:LNUrES Regular .Adjourned Meeting of Decarnb9r 16, 19B6
PAGB 4
FC -509
ITEM l (Cont'd)
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Break 8:28 -8:42 P.M. ».·. ~,.~t. ··: ..
'"-' ·r ·' :, ;,..,. i,.·,.. Ms. Rachel RUt.herf.ord, West Bay Warrion Hcrclooy Team;. :~rt.Ed CQlUJ.11!alrt:s made by hoc.key o:.>alitlon ltlE!nl.b:il"s. She ate.tad that Valloo Ice Rink was the only rink offerin;J written yearly contracts, semi·~~ ~rfor ice representativaa a.rd sponsot'$hj.p of a yearly to.u:nmnentr val.loo has :rrede a
oamdtioont to sati.tify all members of the o:mnunity. She ~.that: such management be continued at the rink. . ·· : · . ; . . ~ .. r !'-. ·
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Michell>! Abemam, Vallco Skatlr..; Club, state:! that she had.''~·~tir~.tat Valloo for seven years. She asked that_tlle .rink not ~··c1~ ~use herself an1 other children would not kncM 'What to do if ·theit· hd:t?Y ~Qf''ice
skatirq was unavailable. ·· · .. :·' -_ -~··; 0: ·•
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Mr. Gleim Roberts, u1 Worcester r.oop, ros Gatos,· oori;rratu+atro Ml:~::'.iir:een
ai brirqi.nc'J -together canmunity can..c.;ensus and on.the ~ly,_~
l~ics. · He questioned Mr. Green's statement-en f.inza.r..ial.. hm:_dship am ~ that perhaps what was me.ant wan th."l.t Weaj:,~_\.eld -~~ .not mald.r.q as much :m:mey as they thO\lght Qlght .. 't.o ba made~· He""bclieved that this is what Mr. Green is saying. He noted that the Plann.irn Oommiis~ion
had the prero;ative to represent tht-1 best interests. of the City' ~ sto.t..ed
he believed that the rink was a self supporting,·:Cbst ~~,~~tid::ln 0 which :r:etu:rns a profit; in addition, this is one of the·~ s~111t\11. rinks in the Bay area. He suggested . that -the Cc:m:niss!cih ask· for en
~ third party audit to verify acy finan:::ial statements made •..... . ~ ,._ _,, ·.. ... ......... '
~..) t~.... • £' ... Mr. G. R. Pinnell, 42010 Blac..'"M, Freioont, noted that Mr. Green wa.S-not. .. in the audience at the tiloo. am oonoUrred with the above ·sta~t$ .... I1@
suggested that Vallco Fash.ion Park be boycott.Erl. · ·: ... ··~·:,,~ .:·-r1i:
Mr. Allen Black, representing Bt'OC!l\ Hockey Skaters, noted that Va!leo Ice Rink was availablEl to groups on a rarrlan basis and there are very fr:M places to skate. mus rink is unique and is worth keepirq... '. <..",~ _ .• ,;·r.
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Ms. Becky Eclwards, 22367 Creston Drive, Los Altos, spen:is ~~A:::'.
week at the rink with her tlL'!"OO chil~1 who a.re skate.rs; one, on. ~inainc
:reasons for using ~..,.rink is CO'~ of location~_:~ ·f1'ffe.:·tflfl,:: Santa Cruz area brl.iij their childrP..n to Vallco ~lJSe': ef· ·the quality .of
ooadlirq offered; in addition, Valloo is a saftflcea~a:. ~=~·~~. ~ ... :.-. .'
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Ms. Oiarlene Rittenhause, 10584 F10ra v1St:a;-::-· eupe.rtino; ·: ~le::l.'~:L:: rented the rink for her son's 16th bitthday; after the pru.ty:; ~~·. · spent their own money to continue skating until the rink·· Closed •.. h ~to, .... unemployment, families are living on one quar+'...er Of prevf0us~:~ · cannot, at present, afford to skate.
PI.ANNIN:; C01MISSION MINt1I'ES
~ar Adjcurned MeetiD;;J of Deco®er 16, 1986
PAGE 5
FC -509
-r:t'EM 1 (cont Id)
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Ms. Lou Lewandowaki 3 repres€'1~r.:·r,-~ students from San Jose state University,
stated that they play hroc:an :,,~,' :1.1.. hockey arx.'i u...c.ie the r.iJ"lk for :recreational pw:poses an:l ask that tho r:uik not be closed. Al:' an mucator, she noted that tl.~ .was lip ..service paid to sourd ntirrls ard sourrl bodies. Closing the· -r,i.rik~· '.lnplied tl'Jat · thEsy woolcl rnther have children arqage in passive . . activities~:.ra..l:her than in active fl'POl:tinJ activities which instill a sense Of .. dignity;'..character and self disojpline.
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· .. Mr. -Mie.ba0l. · R. McC.'\lnkey, ~the Figure Skaters, noted that both Val.loo S...'1oppir¥;1 Center ani the ice .rink~ re;-ional fad.lities; the City
Of Olpartjpo. ... , bane.fits fl."an the regional character Of Val.loo; He~
~~ --~ ~ prc?,fitability of the rink ~ its naiprofit status at· . ~ ~ of ~.lcpnetxt of Valloo. He stated that the Ice capades Co?poriitiorr, ·· · C:perators of the rink, COJ.ld not affOL'd to ope.rate an <lc;:tivity which t.it-.,.1 not profitable; the rink is heavily. used ·an:1 fees
d'large4 . ~ ... s.rme of the t.icjhest. in the bay area. It seems inoonCeivable
that ··Sttch::~·~ _ ~tion be cbaracterized as nonprofit. Finally, the
. suggestir}g'.".I,.. r?f ~d.in;J a canbination recreatiorial center, with the -·resuitj.nq·,J::~.psµre~,"'Of the ice rink for even a ll¥Jl1th, wculd destroy the
. f~~ ska~: trainirq ·p~. . .... . ,.-~, . ; . . Tarayn .-.. w~~'t .. Figure Skat.:lng Club, stated tl'lat she was 9 years old c.nd he:d l:le~n"~~tjng for, a year. Ska~ really rreans a lot to her. She . askea ~~~~· ot· the Figure Skat.irq Club cane to the micrqhone am
~id t:b;at ~~·~"a lot to each of the club :members too.
~ I' "'· •1: ,. ~ .. •• !• ' ,. •' BJ::\tee · K. Bc:Men, M.o. 1484 atukar qt., sunnyva1~, noted tlmt as a physician
he ~~_:')exe:tclse; . accessib,U:lty is tr1e m::>st difficult part o:r
gettj.ri:'J. ~·.people:.. to exm."9ise. · Cl0S1J.re of the rink increases the inaccessibility arrl li'!iuts;t.he variety of sports am activities needed to maint.ain interest aro avoid injury. 'Iha Vallee Ice Rink provides a unique
oppo~ty. '·' ... ·• '
Ms. Macy ~, ... 121 \ wo.r:Cest.er· ~' Los Gatos, noted the benefits to
high school stuCI~ in haying outside interests arrl hobbies.
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Ms. -: ·~ -~~_, ·1484 cC11uker c;:.. SUnnyva:le, addressed the positive aspects
off: ~.:.:·~-q:ink e6pecia).ly as it benefit.-; VallO'l Fashion Park, not:ln:r that· th~~· t"i~ ~~·att.ractiop to t."le shopplnJ center. -' · • ~ ..... ; :L,."",. ... w: , .. ·-,..... \ .. '_"-.'. • ', . .,~ . · ~ ·!•
can.· ·sb~eii cc.rmrnarx.1ei children who att.en:ied the hearing an::1 ac:knc:wledged
the a,090 ,irxlivldual's:Wh.6 si~ too.]:>etition. She noted the conciliato:cy remarkS ~ seek.in; a solution tc this situation; the first stage in
read'llng~· Se>J.,~onS' .was a hear.in; Where numerous ideas can be considered.
&be · c::omrMr.;lea_" : V~lco for maintaining a safe and drug free !."e".;xeational envi.ronrnelii.t .-. ,., . . .
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PI.ANNlNG a::t-1MISSION MINUrE'S Regular .Adjourned Meeting' of Decambe.r 16, 1986
PAGE 6
FC -509
l"I'f'l1 1 (Cont'd)
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can. Mackenzie noted that withC\lt an application before the ~l0n the pros an:l c.xms of the situation COl!l.d not ba weighed nor cx:W.~ the camnissioners ask. questions. Ha stated that at auch time as there is an ai:plicatian ani a Public Hear~, state:nent.s made "'10\lld need· to b6 substantiated: numbers of skaters. times used by skaters, pa;sible Vd.cancies at other rinks an:1 reasorm behim the clOSl..tl:9 ot oth8r -rinks. F .n:ther rei:.;ean::h also needs to be done rega1:ding tlie original awrovaJ_ of the Va'\.lco a:pplication. -·
If an agreement was reached between Westfield Corporation am ~'ice
skaters for an ent.e.rtairnnen center, consideration nust. be given to, the impact of traffic whim currently limits 6welq:ment in the City. If: :the ice rink was a concession made by the City, he questioned givin;r ~
for another cxinc::ession without co."lSideration to ¢.:her J .. nte.,..~,.::aro projects desirable to the City. · .. -...... ~:.
can. Claudy concurrOO. with remarks made by camtlssion:in-Mackenzie; J:.he
Cicy a:mnot be in a )?..'eition of 00.irlg held to an agreement in ~~J;ile ice rink ~d be exc:hange:i for other C'X.)'l"lCeSSians.; ·w~iel<.f·.:itn.mt negotiate aey agreement..c; to be made. He noted that this session of .the
Plannir~ c.annnission was interx.ied to receive info:tmation tram the Public;
hs hoped it had demon .. ~ted to Westfield Corporation that. there ~ ... strong community sentiment regaJ:di.n1 the issue. As an individual citizen, W' he expressed interest jn keepirq the ice rink opP...n am. noted that it is an asset as a recreational activity;, he c:.or¥)'t"atulated Vallco on :mai.ntaining .a wholesome, safe am drug free envi.rornrent. He miggested that if the ice rink was maintained, it lie opened onto the shopping center making it .. visually a ~ of Valloo Fashion Park. · · ·.
Corn. Mams ooted that durirq the original awlication for Val.loo,. t., ..
supported the ice rink an:l continued to support it at this time. As a private inilvidual, he also wished to ooe the Ice Rink maintained.
Chr. Szabo noted that exercise in any form is part of the well beirq of irMviduals ard. concurred that the ice rink fulfills an iniportant fun:::tion in the city. He thought that only one ice rink fol: a oanmunity of approxin1ately t'WO million people was inadequate arxl felt it ~ to
keep the Val.loo Rink open. He noted the excellent rep..rt:.ation Val.loo Ice Rink had luilt ~ disrussed the financial difficulty of ruildi.rq another such facility.
'J:he d1airman raised the question of whether the City shoo.1d beoome involved in this facility a.rd noted the variety of other city sponsored recreational activities. He believoo the City C'1.1ght to be .in.st:rutrenta in ensuring that such a facility be roainta.lr.ed fur the p.iblic good. 'Itis City
i;;.."1ould provide 1.ncentives for continued ope.ration of the Ice Skating Rink.
f I Al Wf
e
PIANNm:; ~Ial Mllru'I7!:s
Regular Mjourned ?bt.irq of Declember 16, 1986 PAGE 7
PC -509
~: <)"Having oax;].uded its business, the Plann.irq .Canrr.issi~ . ...~ ·· : l!djQ\U."'ned at 9:18 P.M. to the next Regular Meeting of >;-_, : ; .. ·-~~ 12, 1987 at 7:30 P.M. ,. : .,
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~ JJy-r<tM Pl~ Cl:rmnissioo
At the Regulai:· Meetirq of January 12 , 1987:
~D,(t~Ja~~oV
Nieholas Szabo, 01&.innari
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