CC 04-03-2024 Item No. 9. Memorial Park Specific Plan_Supplemental Report
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
SUPPLEMENTAL 1
Meeting: April 3, 2024
Agenda Item 9
Subject
Memorial Park Specific Plan Design and the Parks and Recreation System
Master Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum.
Recommended Action
1. Adopt Resolution No. 24-030, Addendum to the Parks and Recreation
System Master Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration; and
2. Approve the Memorial Park Specific Plan Design.
Background:
Staff’s responses to questions received from councilmember[s] are shown in
italics.
Q1: How was the noise study done for the pickleball courts? (Chao)
Staff response: Appendix E of the IS/MND Addendum (Attachment D) is the
“Memorial Park Specific Plan (MPSP) Noise and Vibration Assessment” report. The
methodology of the noise monitoring survey starts on page 14 of that appendix. In
short, there were long-term and short-term noise measurements located throughout
the park in the fall of 2023.
Q2: Please provide the comparison table of noise levels as mentioned in the
prep session. (Chao)
Staff response: Appendix E of the IS/MND Addendum (Attachment D) is the MPSP
Noise and Vibration Assessment” report. The code requirements, fundamentals of
environmental noise, and typical noise levels can be found in that report. You may
find table 4 on page 16 of that appendix to be relevant: Summary of Short-Term Noise
Measurements (Report). (copied below)
Site ST-3, list above, was measured where the new pickleball courts are proposed to be
located. Site ST-5 measurements were taken at the existing pickleball court location
(see Figure 1 of the Report). The measured noise levels between the existing location
and the proposed location were consistent, meaning that pickleball activities did not
increase the noise level. Additional noise impacts in the area around the proposed
pickleball court location are not anticipated.
Q3: How is one of the 5 tennis courts being utilized for pickleball and how is
the utilization level? (Chao)
Staff response: All public City tennis courts are well-utilized in good weather
conditions. Pickleball has permanent striping on one court at Memorial Park and a
trial on another court at Memorial Park.
Q4: In order to add the pickleball fields, were there any features dropped or
reduced in size? (Chao)
Staff response: The first “final” design presented to Council in June 2023 had 3
pickleball courts in the multi-age play area that replaced the softball field. Following
direction from Council to retain the softball field, the design team was able to
reorganize the final design, keeping all the proposed amenities. The “passive garden
walk” is slightly reduced in size.
Q5: Please address how the noise from the proposed pickleball courts might
be different from these ones mentioned below? (four web links regarding
pickleball noise posted) (Chao)
Staff response: Noise from proposed Pickleball courts at Memorial Park may differ
from other installations by (a) installation of sound mitigation measures that may be
employed on the site, and (b) advances in “quiet products” for pickleball equipment
which may be made to the game prior to the proposed pickleball courts being installed.
Q6: A resident pointed out that the pickle ball players like the current
arrangement where one tennis court is converted to 4 pickle ball courts. How
about keeping the current arrangement so we don’t take away more green
space from Memorial Park? How about converging a tennis court elsewhere in
the city to pickle ball court top, like one of the many courts in the sports
center? (Chao)
Staff response: During the public outreach for the project that occurred during 2022-
2023, the public input consistently requested dedicated pickleball and tennis courts.
“Dedicated pickleball courts” was the second most important feature chosen in the
outreach, after “passive garden walk.”
Q7: A resident complained about the lack of outreach. What kind of outreach
has been done after the last Council meeting on this issue? Especially about
the addition of pickleball filed? Has the city notified the residents within 300
feet? Or does that requirement not apply? "Lack of community outreach: The
city failed to engage our community in discussing the potential problems or
exploring alternative options. This lack of transparency and communication
demonstrates a disregard for the concerns and well-being of local residents."?
(Chao)
Staff response: The design process included extensive site analysis and community
outreach, over a two-year period. The project team employed online surveys, in-person
meetings and interviews, pop-up booths at major City events, etc. The community-
preferred final concept was presented to City Council in June 2023. In consideration
of public comments received at that meeting, the preferred design was approved by
Council with the condition that the softball field remained in its current location and
the new features included in the preferred design for that area be relocated.
A revised preferred final concept plan was available online for public review in
August/September 2023. This was posted on EngageCupertino.Org and signage was
posted at the park itself. In the updated design, the softball field remained in its
existing location, as per Council’s direction, in place of the previously proposed multi-
age play area. Several new park amenities were relocated to other areas of the park,
including four dedicated pickleball courts in the southeast corner of the park. Feedback
received from the community during the public comment period for this design
indicated that the number of pickleball courts should be increased to a total of eight to
accommodate growing demand.
Attachments Provided with Original Staff Report:
A - MPSP Report
B - MPSP Report Appendices
C - PRSMP IS-MND Addendum-MPSP
D - PRSMP IS-MND Addendum-MPSP Appendices B-F
E - Draft Resolution