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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlayfield Development Task ForceMEMORANDUM Date: June 17, 1998 To: City Council Three of the original dates that were scheduled for the Playfield Development Task Force have been changed. Below, I have listed the changes that have been made to the original schedule. I sincerely apologize to Council for any inconvenience this may have caused. Since we are very limited in the number of times that the Task Force will be meeting, we had to make some changes to accommodate key players in the negotiation process. I will be happy to answer any questions tonight or at a later date. From: Irene Jacobs; Parks and Recreation Commission Liaiso Subject: Playfield Development Task Force: DATE CHANGE PPC Meeting #1 Task Force Meeting #1 PPC Meeting #2 Task Force Meeting #2 PPC Meeting #3 Task Force Meeting #3 6-11-98 6-17-98 Changed to 6-30-98 ~~, 7-09-98 Changed to 7-15-98 ~~al~ ~ 7-15-98 Changed to 7-28-98 ~~A 8-13-98 $-19-98 PPC Meeting #4 9-12-98 Task Force Meeting #4 9-16-98 J •Z,2- a.~~ Vic, ~,z~~~ ~~/ ~`~~~a ~~% ~,~ J (/I ~ / / /Il j~E~ .~., ~~ 'ar~~l'©-~5~' ~~2n~ ~ > ~9 "--~r-- ~ , n ~ ~ ~ t ~~ ~~~( ~ ~ ~~~ ~:~ 1.1 Y ~l-~ t P II ~ ~ 0 ~G~C ~ ~~%~ d7r . 7 _.._, 5"~-`~' ~~ ~. U~~. x-15 c: ~- <-- ; _ ~ %f.~b'ARD Cry ~~ ~~~ .~ ~ ~... ',f .~.',7 ....~',~jA,~L`"'?'(.:.dG ~~c~--...., f ' ~(:~. ry / ~'/7 .-y-t,~..tn-zu,{,.cn.r2_ ~._~ /~,"... ., ~.. r ! ~ _ . jj ~ `. ~•t . ti 4 , ~ ~T ~..s~. -L:~%~. 1. _ .~ ~~ ~ ~; e G -~' ~~~ ~~~ /'' y? ~j '` A .~ ~.~_ Z ~ ~ .-~ ~ ~~ ~•l ~ w9 l~ r'I ~l I Csk ~ ~ ~ ~S ~~' ~~9'~~Vi~tj~-~~ L. S`am' ~ ~U~~.il 5 c: y- ~~- r. 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L ~ ~'~., t.:: ~ chi ~, c2~ Ltd ~, ~~ (3.ty ~t,c~~ . / ~iv ;~G' /t ~'L?~~t2L~%r.~ ~ -/ t 3~ J ~j f . ~~~ ~L v ~- '~' ~ 1.~~'~ ~' ~,~ !l ".4~~. ~` ~~C'C~(., ~ ~"~' ~,-fit.,; C~~c-~ `- ~ ~,,~r r a ~~ ~ I C~- t ~ C~~ ~x~~"~r~~' ~ ~. _ ~~~ ~ i~ 'an;~r~.~5-~- ~ + ~~~~~ ,~ ~ ~~ ~ _~ '~" "' i .~. i ~ .. '~ * t -Y- ,~/~,; Sri. a ~~ ~ +~ ~ .{ .. 5 p « ~,; g _ , = ~. `~~ .. ., ~ . ~ LL .r i~ [': ~ (7/171 CL~ W ~iC>C,.1~.+/ a,/~ ~ / `~ ~C .~ !~ ~ 1 ,. , ?J~t~u.rci:? (j ~ ~ t J l•' ~,~~ yl~~- -~n ~l~r~- ~r~ ~S'h~ ~r~ .2t~~ J~~ ~ ~ ~. ~. ~~~ January 5, 1999 TO: City of Saratoga City Council Members of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 (~ 1~ ~= This letter to be recorded and documented. At the April 2, 1997 Saratoga City Council meeting, a group of Saratoga residents who surround Marshall Lane School, read and submitted a petition of about 40 names of residents neighboring Marshall Lang School. The petition stated objections to proposed sportsfield by Quito Little League VIA Campbell Elementary School District because of traffic and safety hazards as well as congestion and poor access at peak hours. This petition was written and names were gathered by Pia Long, 1ti657 Ravenwood Drive, Saratoga. We now find that the above petition was lost although it is mentioned in the minutes of that meeting. Attending that meeting weres Ntr. Shaw, Nir. Bogosian, Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Jacobs, P~ir. Perlin and the City Attny Michael Riback. Joanne Sloan, riarilyn Lane, Pia Long Ravenwood Drive, Darwin Barrett, Marilyn Lane, Geraldine Barrett, Marilyn Lane were Saratoga Residents attending. ,~,~~.~~ Geraldine L. Barrett 14050 Marilyn Lane Saratoga, CA 95070 ~t~c.lt.-4.N,, TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga .~~ ~,~„~~~" The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members ~ r .-_ ~ , Petition in support of U ~ J ~~i~l~i 1 `~ , .. y Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane Schoo~,l~l.Y c,;:.; 'F ~; ; , ,;,~ e1T~~ r-~a?:.~.~.::::~:.: ~~t~rz~E Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners ' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Saratoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date (please print) 112 ~ ;~'= / ~ ~~a« '~~`~~~9 %~/9~ ~~/~~ ~ ~~ • • i ~ ~ - ~~~ ~- ~ (-U ,~, „ t~~ n r~ D ~J ~` -~ s ~~ Q 1.13 L 1~ lj~` ~ ~ .i v.~~ / ~ ~ _ ~~ , ~. __. - - ~ C~.r _ l ~ _. .. _ __...•. . ~~.~ ~ ~~~ ~. ~~~ ~ r ~~ ~ ~~~ -.~~ . ~ .~~~ ~ ~ ~' -~G'-~v' .~~c~t.~~i tea. 4~ ~ ~. „~~co, ~ _J I -~ 1 ~~ 3 ~ ,` C~~~~ `~ ' Monday, January 25, 1999 Saratoga City Council 13777 Fnutvale Ave - Saratoga, CA 95070 ` - - "' - -- `- - - A ~ °-~ Dear Council Members, I am writing to express my concern about the proposed development of soccer fields at Blue Hills School and Azule Pazk I do not believe that there has been appropriate due diligence in selecting the sites for the type of development proposed for this site. The basis for my belief is as follows. We have been told that there aze not sufficient fields in Saratoga to support the number of children wishing to play soccer. I have participated for the past 3 years as a volunteer coach for Saratoga AYSO. We have been told repeatedly over this time that more coaches are needed because children aze being turned away due to lack of volunteers. The spring 1999 soccer season is a case in point. There aze not enough coaches and so AYSO is recruiting parents whose children are not playing. I believe that an accounting is necessary to explain which is the correct reason for turning away children. We have been told that surveys of Saratoga residents indicate that additional sports facilities are the top priority for the city. I have been a city resident for more than 7 years, but have never been asked to participate in such a survey by the city. The City of Saratoga Park Development Task Force has made this determination, but, three members of this task force are also board members for Saratoga AYSO. This is a conflict of interest in determining the best use for the parks in Saratoga. While I do have a child involved with soccer, I also have a smaller child who is not. The availability of the Blue Hills schoolyazd is a benefit to all of the children in this neighborhood; even those not involved with organized sports. In converting this facility into a major sports complex, the time that it is available to other residents of the neighborhood will be drastically reduced. While I realize that AYSO only uses the fields for a small portion of the year in the fall and spring, other organizations will also want to use this facility. There has already been a request for baseball fields. I am concerned that before long use of this facility will span from spring through fall and residents will not have access to the fields. My family also has a pet dog. There are very few areas in this city that are appropriate for exercising and playing with a dog. I, along with many other dog owners use the Blue Hills schoolyazd for this purpose. Increased use by organized sports will result in less time available for this additional use of the field as a benefit to the neighborhood The maintenance of the new facility is also a concern. This is particularly the case with the pernianent restroom/storage%oncession structure in the proposed plans. We have been told that the cost of maintenance will be born by the city, through the collection of use fees, and the school district. Saratoga AYSO is currently opposing city plans to increase the fees charged for the use of Congress Springs Park, and I am concerned that this organization will not want to sufficiently fund the maintenance of this new facility. Furthermore, the current field at Blue Hills is not well maintained, nor aze the trees along Goleta Ave. The proposed development will no doubt increase the costs of maintenance that the district is already not meeting. A poorly maintained park will greatly detract from the neighborhood, Blue Hills School and the Azule Park facility. It is in everyone's interest to ensure that any development is well kept. Traffic congestion in this neighborhood is also a concern. Goleta Ave is a narrow street. When cars aze parked on both sides of the street, only a single car can get through at a time. This is currently a problem during the school year; particularly in the evenings when children aze picked up from the after school day care facility. There are several times each year that I do not get mail delivery because cars are blocking access to my mailbox. I realize that off street parking is included in the proposed plan, but I am concerned that this will not be adequate to deal with the increased use. I will request that if this plan is approved, a strictly enforced red zone be put in place along this street. The area behind the Saratoga Public Library has been suggested as an alternate location for soccer fields. This is currently the Saratoga Heritage Orchard. This location has advantages of a central location, easy access from major streets and no residential neighborhoods abutting the property. I have not seen any explanation why this park is not under consideration for development. I agree that the city should maintain some open space such as the Heritage Orchard that reflects the area's past, but Azule Park and the undeveloped areas of Kevin Moran Park would also be appropriate for this use and also help to enhance the neighborhoods around these parks. The AYSO organization has a motto, "It's for the kids", which I agree with. City parks should be developed for the neighborhoods, the community and for all of the kids. Not just for those who play soccer. Park development should also comprehend the future maintenance needs to ensure that parks continue to enhance the neighborhoods surrounding them Sincerely, ;~~ ~ %/~ ~_~~~%~ Thomas Soukup 12340 Goleta Ave ° Saratoga, CA C~ , C-~-c.~rc ~c..~ ~-.~~ Phil McCarthy 18566 Martha Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 January 25, 1999 +~& City Council Members Park Devl. Task Force Members Saratoga Parks & Recreation Commission 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Honorable Mayor and Committee Members: I grew up in Saratoga attending Sacred Heart School for eight years. My parents still live in the family home on Merrick Drive and I now live with my family on Martha Avenue. My wife Paula and I have 2 children (Claire 4~' grade, Andrew 2"d grade) attending Marshall Lane Elementary. Among the many experiences I had that make Saratoga a special place to me, my most vivid memories are those of playing ball in the local Little League. The memories of the adult volunteer Coaches, Mr. Savage, Mr. Graziani, Mr. Bumey and others, who took their time to help me grow up are very special. I now know that it took much more behind the scenes work to organize the teams and make the fields available. The fields I played on when I was Claire and Andrew's ages are now covered by the Saratoga Post Office. Our Youth Center has now been replaced by the Senior Center and Council Chambers where you may be reading this letter. The Quito Little League fields are gone, a victim of today's financial climate in the post Prop 13 environment. My understanding is that in today's tight funding climate money has become available to improve the field at Marshall Lane, enabling the children in the area to have a good place to play schoolyard as well as organized ball. Quito Little League and AYSO will commit to maintaining the fields for the right to have our children play. If we can manage a cooperative effort by all parties, the project can have side benefits for the immediate neighborhood by being a conduit to raise awareness and complete improvements in the trafFc pattern and parking at the school. Turning down such an offer would be a detriment to my children's education and childhood experience. I ask you, please, do whatever is in your power to upgrade the fields at Marshall Lane so my children can have the same feeling that I remember of Saratoga as a special place to grow up. Sincerely, Phil McCarthy -~® January 26, 1999 QUITO The Mayor and City Council Members The Parks and Recreation Commission The Park Development Task Force Members City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Honorable Mayor, Council, Commission and Task Force Members: ~=L-.~, ~ ~~ , ~~ ,r~ ~~ ~~~~,. As president of Quito Little League, I am writing to clarify the facts as well as to express Quito's position on the proposed renovation of the Marshall Lane School site for multi- use play fields. Based on what some area residents have said in public meetings, in the Saratoga News and in the many negative letters sent to the City, I feel that there is a significant misunderstanding of Quito's role in this process. Quito Little League has been targeted by this small group of homeowners as being an "outside" organization with selfish interests, whose members drive recklessly, litter at will, and in general, have little regard for either the school environment or the quality of life in the immediate neighborhood. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was asked to join the Task Force as a representative of a Marshall Lane user group (Quito teams use Marshall Lane for practices throughout the baseball season), and have spent countless hours with other task force members conscientiously analyzing the sites and prioritizing our choices. Marshall Lane was selected because this site will provide outstanding multi-use play fields for Saratoga residents on this side of the City-as well as for other nearby residents-all of whom are currently underserved in terms of sports and recreation facilities. Clearly, then, this is not Quito Little League's proposal to build new baseball fields. It is the City Task Force's proposal to serve Marshall Lane area residents and school children by improving existing two baseball diamonds and a soccer practice field, eliminating the very dangerous, gopher-infested turf conditions that currently threaten school children and neighbors alike. Quito Little League, which five years ago lost our multi-field playing complex on Pollard Road when the Campbell Union School District had to sell the site to raise money, would, of course, be a very interested user of the baseball diamonds. Our two youngest divisions, Tee Ball and Farm, are primarily comprised of children 5 to 8, a nearly perfect fit with Marshall Lane's K-5 focus. Moreover, we could supply trained and willing volunteers to maintain the baseball diamonds at no charge to the City-satisfying a key Quito Little League P.O. Box 772, Heritage Station Campbell, CA 95009-0772 condition of receiving park and play field development funds. Quito has a proven record of respect for the school environment, completing our maintenance tasks, and going above and beyond what is required. So, are we an enthusiastic user-supporter? Yes. Are these Quito's fields? No. They are the City's and the school's. Let's look at whether Quito is an "outside" organization. While Quito's service area includes other communities in this "crossroads" section of the West Valley, Rolling Hills and Marshall Lane schools are the centerpieces of our territory. No Quito boundary lies more than two miles from Marshall Lane (see map attached). Little League regulations prohibit us from accepting players outside our borders, regardless of where they go to school. So, our players are the children of local residents. A number of our families reside in Saratoga. Many more attend Saratoga schools such as Marshall Lane, St. Andrews and Sacred Heart. Quito board members and parents are an active part of the Saratoga community: we belong to school PTAs and churches; we support AYSO and NJB; we patronize Saratoga stores, such as Gene's Quito market or the wonderful shops in the Village. This is our home, and we are committed to serving the youth of our community. Personally, in addition to being President of Quito Little League, I also reside in the immediate Marshall Lane area, living aten-minute walk away on Old Adobe Road. My family and my neighbors' families play on the fields. The real value of this project is the improvement of the grounds for the school children of Marshall Lane and the local residents who use the school in the afternoon and evening and on weekends. The vocal group of opponents have only talked about the proposal as a detriment to the quality of life. In reality, these more inviting, safer school grounds would clearly be an asset for the neighborhood, not a liar. In one of their own letters to the City, a member of the opposition group made the point that the heavy traffic on surrounding streets stems from the school's dramatic population growth. This, in turn, has been caused by the growing number of families moving into the area over several decades, transforming Saratoga from a sleepy village miles from downtown San Jose into a vital, vibrant Silicon Valley surburb. We at Quito feel that the residents' concerns about traffic are valid, and the situation should be studied to find an acceptable solution. However, it would be a mistake to target the relatively small incremental increase in local traffic (remembering that Quito already uses the school as a key practice site) that the improved fields would generate. In the end, you'd be punishing the children of this area for a situation not of their making. Finally, while we fully respect the rights of this group of neighbors to express their opinions and we appreciate their concerns about traffic, it is important to note that this well-organized, highly vocal and visible opposition effort is the product of approximately forty neighbors. There are many more families within the immediate neighborhood, Marshall Lane School and nearby residents (as the petition signatures we've collected attest) who wholeheartedly support these needed improvements. It would be a shame to let noise, personal interests and emotional arguments of the few overwhelm the general interests of the m~ on this side of Saratoga. I urge you to carefully consider all who would benefit from these much-needed facilities, and support the play field improvements at Marshall Lane. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, ~9 Lynne Dickerson President, Quito Little League 155 Old Adobe Road Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 370-3006 e-mail: fd.dcsC~ix.netcom.com Attachments: Quito Little League boundary map Quito Little League fact sheet cc: Quito Little League Board of Directors Dick McCann, Campbell Union School District Kathy Hogan, Principal, Marshall Lane School Board of Directors, Campbell Union School District r \~ ~- ._.. a ., ~a /_~1~ ~ ., ~~ _, i___ 4 ~ ~ __~_ --' ~ tlAIIWS ~ ~. ~' ~ A ,tINOP ; OQIt ~ ~ ~ ~ >~-----: ~, '~ ~v~ ~~ - , ~ ~; . ` 1 \\ i uoo ~ r ~ +M ~ "t. F A ~ U ~C~;,,~~ ~ • 7 M+st"° ~ a ~i6 ; ~ `~ tnd rrr'' ~ ~~ ua~r~. J ~ ~ ~ MI w°~ia t. L • ut~rarw~a - ~ • "a ~' ~ ~ L ~ X53 /.~;t ~^~ : -~ _,.~-~ M f J ~'~~~1 _ JJ 3 ~/. . ~ ~ f .ti ~ - -' 1 ~ /•y Quito Little League Fact Sheet Quito Little League is an organization of volunteers dedicated to teaching the skills of baseball, and the ideals of teamwork and sportsmanship to the youth of our community. Quito has served the West Valley communities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Campbell, and San Jose for over forty years. Field Locations: Majors and Minors-Rolling Hills Middle School Farm and Tee Ball-Capri School League population: Approximately 280 players have registered for the 1999 baseball season. 267 players are currently entered in the database. Number of tee-ball and farm teams: 8 tee ball teams (ages 5-7), 6 farm teams (ages 7-9). No more than 12 players per team. Maximum of 168 players playing at proposed Marshall Lane fields. Season: Practices begin after mid-February; games begin in mid-March and run through the second week of June. The season is generally over for most tee ball and farm players by the time school is out. Practices: Quito Little League has for many years been an approved user of the Marshall Lane fields for practice. Practices may occur Monday through Friday anytime between 4:00 p.m. and dusk, and on Saturday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Games: •Weekday games: 3 farm games (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) 4 tee-ball games (Monday through Thursday) •Weekday games begin at 4:30 p.m. before daylight savings time, 5:30 p.m. thereafter. •Coaches usually ask players to arrive 30 minutes prior to the game. •Saturday games: 3 farm games (10:00, 12:45, 3:30) 4 tee-ball games (10:00, 11:45,1:30, 3:15) Game attendance: Based upon having a child in this level for the past three seasons, I feel qualified to make estimates of the number of parents attending the games. The neighbors have exaggerated their figures. The only way to truly know is to do a traffic study. • Between 8 to 10 parents attend most weekday games, with the number understandably higher on the weekends when both parents can sometimes make it (though usually in the same car!). Based on 7 weekday games, with 10 parents coming from each of 2 teams, an estimated 140 parents would make the trip from Monday through Thursday. On Saturday, 7 games x 2 teams/game x 12 parents per team would be 168 parents attending. .' TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members Petition in support of r~ (~~' L !_ ~~ ;1. Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School ~ ' _ .__ Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners" of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollazs to improve playing fields in the City of Sazatoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundazies will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Sazatoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing. problem on school days, and should be addressed regazdless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Sazatoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name (please Signature Address City/State/Zip .~ (~ 11 ,- ~.,,F ~ ,r r~~ ~ 56,E iYlS S ~rG 0,816/M.4L ~/z~/9 y /'~ -~ ~(.~.rl~ws~ ~ C-~-. , yj ~ t 7 tJ 1 ~ ~' Date ''a '. _ ~~ 1~~ ~yO, f5 /~i~~`i /~~~~ ~v ~~-~ I,^ f~ ~xc•~n~l 1Jz.-C%L~Ld "~ ~i~~ ~l.£~~~~~~~/ !Ilia'! ~ ~~'~~..~ IO ~."~p~d?~LLC r ~~/~t~°~~'c... ~/?~1~~~~ ~TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members Petition in support of Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Sazatoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Mazshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Sazatoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Mazshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date (please print) ~q PETITION TO: The City of Saratoga SUBJECT: Improvement of Playfields at Marshall Lane School We, the undersigned, support the much needed improvement of multi-use playfields in the community. This is necessary for the safety of the children already using these fields. Specifically, we support the improvement of the two small baseball and one small practice soccer field at Marshall Lane Elementary School. The children, and the community at large will benefit from having an adequate number of safe playfields. We support all efforts to create a positive solution at Marshall Lane School, including all efforts to improve the traffic problems for the surrounding neighborhood. Printed Name Signature Date Address ~SD17 L~?rjnt s :7ccu.l _q 9 ~:C/ ~7~~ ~Qryli'oS~ Ge v`~ ,sa.~~ ~~ ~ 9s o ?~ q~ ~ 3~ ;~ !~/q~- i2t~i.~ ~~~~ ~//L£~~z ~~ /~-c ~.. ~~~L~ <~~l~p PETITION TO: The City of Saratoga SUBJECT: Improvement of Playfields at Marshall Lane School We, the undersigned, support the much needed improvement of multi-use playfields in the community. This is necessary for the safety of the children already using these fields. Specifically, we support the improvement of the two small baseball and one small practice soccer field at Marshall Lane Elementary School. The children, and the community at large will benefit from having an adequate number of safe playfields. We support all efforts to create a positive solution at Marshall Lane School, including all efforts to improve the traffic problems for the surrounding neighborhood. Printed Name Signature Date Address /t ljt.ll~n ~ r f ~~''tX. .o:~r _.~ ~~ c/.S j ,~~ ~/ / <t "> Gc. F ~ ~ ~~ ;JCC 1~Gi ~~j LL a c= ~y ~~:~ ~ ~ ~ /'/ ...~1.L~.~.?bLFf ~i~'adJ _~r~ ~f~ PETITION TO: The City of Saratoga SUBJECT: Improvement of Playfields at Marshall Lane School We, the undersigned, support the much needed improvement of multi-use Playfields in the community. This is necessary for the safety of the children already using these fields. Specifically, we support the improvement of the two small baseball and one small practice soccer field at Marshall Lane Elementary School. The children, and the community at large will benefit from having an adequate number of safe Playfields. We support all efforts to create a positive solution at Marshall Lane School, including all efforts to improve the traffic problems for the surrounding neighborhood. Printed Name lifer ~ f' % ~%~, Signature ,~g~.y ~ A~-,~ S~~ ~ !oQ llr, a Date Address /, X34, ~ U,1~~ .~~ ~~ /~51~ Jol r.N€. CDVQ-r ~- ~~S ~~~, CA gso7o ~.,. 1 ~ ~--`t ~ ~ ~ ~~a.-s a~~ a~~`P ~. /~ ~ (' ices ~ ~~~ 7alc~ ~o~r ~`'~ 3~ ~ ~ ~~~z ~ I~/ ~ ~-~ y7~ 3c~ J ~ l3? ~ l./, l/ r/~t ~'I Sccbmitted ~j ` ~, ~; F ~.fc~. l~ E~ ~' X~[9j'1bD~ (,~I~1lvl short !~i l~c'hl C~l$f~ncc Cbc~ hO~ ist PETITION TO: The City of Saratoga SUBJECT: Improvement of Playfields at Marshall Lane School We, the undersigned, support the much needed improvement of multi-use playfields in the community. This is necessary for the safety of the children already using these fields. Specifically, we support the improvement of the two small baseball and one small practice soccer field at Marshall Lane Elementary School. The children, and the community at large will benefit from having an adequate number of safe playfields. We support all efforts to create a positive solution at 1Vlarshall Lane School, including all efforts to improve the traffic problems for the surrounding neighborhood. Printed Name Signature Date Address r ~~ ~~. v a N~~ ~~~ ~ ~- :• ,7-. . ~~ ~~ ~-~ n0~_~..`_.~-~ ~~ 4.~ ~1--~-' A C.' cr; ~ tC. in NtG~ l z~ ~~I'~~r" ~ J7e bb~e user- o~~.. ~'~,~,~ ~ --R ~ ~ cos acs ~ sv3Z. ZdZ C Gi%~~r,aC~LP ~ N ~ N ,~4 , ~ 2 3 z cc,,l ~eux~'~e. C~~v ~, /f ~y'~ /r~ 11 ~n2.5ra,~~t (1(f~ L- 1 ?~ ~~/ ,,,~..,,, f.~~, IS lo~K~~ ~ ~, ~'~4~-,.G....~ ~ I ~~ I s s PEZ`ITION TO: The City of Saratoga SUBJECT: Improvement of Playfields at Marshall Lane School We, the undersigned, support the much needed improvement of multi-use playfields in the community. This is necessary for the safety of the children already using these fields. Specifically, we support the improvement of the two small baseball and one small practice soccer field at Marshall Lane Elementary School. The children, and the community at large will benefit from having an adequate number of safe playfields. We support all efforts to create a positive solution at Marshall Lane School, including all efforts to improve the traffic problems for the surrounding neighborhood. ~a v out ~~~~~E ~i'~a~ '~cu,t,ri~.,,« ~~~~, (~Qu~~-es~ a`~~ V icy La Posc~~.~: L. G~ L~f ev~~" l~Gtl~lCti~sS i t t mot../ C li ~. `V" _ ~L (/ ) ~~ ~, ,, --- %vl ~~ ~ Cr L ~ ~3~tG' .~... / Printed Name Signature Date Address TO: Theavlayor and City Council Members of Saratoga The Pazks and Recreation Committee < The Pazk Development Task Force Members i Petition in support of ~o~V~ed Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School S t"J , 4' ^. ~~ ;.~ Mazshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Sazatoga. ; . The school serves "corners' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and San Jose. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Mazshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. r~. ,:,; .. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like ver~'"j ~ much to be able to use these fields. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Sazatoga and is in desperate need of more fields. The field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Sazatoga with playable fields aze tolerating all the soccer traffic through their neighborhoods. Marshall Lane School could provide another field for AYSO practices. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Mazshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields, particularly during Little League Season. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane School aze from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors neaz Mazshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regazdless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue azound Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Mazshall Lane School. Thank you. G-ti - ~, -~ :-~~.J ~-~~?~ /-ZY 9y ct ~Se~~ //~~, /Q~ ~~- 1~~~~~ Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date (please Print) ~.,.. _ Name (please print) Signature Address City/State/Zip Date ~vr~ ~ ~~ I ic,~e ,L ~ ~ : /~~ I ~! la ~ ,u ~ ~e Sa r~x~a~ I - Z~ - `~ 5' i/.~ s~~y ~` G'c~~r~ c ~ e ~~~ ~,~b,~ - ~~, 1 713" ay~~ ~~,.~~ 5~~~ ~C H ~1 ~~ /r f+ r-~ ~ rt- / J L /~iz~y~ ~ c~ ~~ i { h ~ x~~ a ~ ~ /~l `~~ ,~ EU~(> ~ ~,n~' ~ r ~ ~~ i a.~ 9' 9 ~j~i ,~--, r~ia~? ~ ry-zr~t~ 1, /,~/~A ~r ~r~l /A it1 i /.3 ! 9 lc f~ /` ~y S ~ 'A l""C^~ r'1 i - ~ ~~-`~y' ,1~ - ~h~ `' ~r- S ~~ ~ 5s ~`,~~ ?~' i /zy,~yf .//f-s cc : Co- ! y, l ~' !; "i.. January 13,1999 Dear Parent, Enclosed is a petition to show support of the plans which the City of Saratoga has to improve the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. The fields are unsafe for the children to play on in there current condition. There is an existing petition in opposition to the improvements by the immediate neighbors of the school. The enclosed petition explains this issue further. The time has come for the City of Saratoga to decide how to spend this money. So far, the City of Saratoga has heard mostly from the neighbors against the improvements. The City Council Members need to hear a voice in favor of the fields, especially from those of us living in Saragtoga. If you are for the improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School, please sign the enclosed petition, have any friends or neighbors who are interested sign it, date it, and mail it now! There is an addressed envelope enclosed which will need a stamp. Thank you. January 26, 1999 ~-C , r Y L' E%L.~ TO: Saratoga City Council & Parks & Recreation Commission ( Joint Meeting ) RE: Proposed Sportsfields at Marshall Lane School I am speaking in regard to the Marshall Lane School Sportsfield Proposal Due to the fact that Marshall Lane was last on the list of four schools chosen for Sportsfield sites, We ask the Council and the Parks & Recreation Commission to consider removing Marshall Lane from the proposed list entirely. The traffic congestion at peak hours, the poor access and the continued growth of the school popu],ation-..from ~ students to 525,~1us the Child Development Center 60 Children, make Marshall Lane an inappropriate site as well as a negative Impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The Marshall Lane neighbors, Saratoga Residents, object strongly to this use and defeated an attempt to use this site for Quito Little League just two years ago. Though not in Saratoga, there are other fields in this immediate area. Rolling Hills on Pollard Road and Westmont--Both in Campbell. ~~~ .. G~`~~~ Darwin Barrett 14050 Marilyn Lane Saratoga, CA 95070 ,'~ DATE: 1-21-99 1 ~li ear"~ TO: Saratoga City Council FROM: Ellen Marshall P.O. Box 3191, Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 370-9406 Affiliated with The Petition Against Sportsfields at Marshall Lane School RE: Violation of Freedom of Speech Our group, Petition Against Sportsfields at Marshall Lane School, were not permitted to speak at the Task Force meeting on 1-19-99. This is discrimination and a violation of Freedom of Speech. It also deprived the Task Force of valuable information. Instead, all they got was incorrect information based on conflict of interest from Ms. Dickerson and Ms. Crotty while we had to sit there and listen silently. Ms. Dickerson doesn't even live in Saratoga. Ms. Crotty's term on Parks and Recreations was over in December 1998 so why was she there piping up every time Marshall Lane School was mentioned? This was brought to Mr. Perlin's attention and he agreed that this should be questioned. Please send a note as to why our group was not allowed to speak but others were. Our group should get equal time with closed doors from the Users. I'm requesting that our group get a chance to present our information to the Parks and Recreations to ensure that equal time is given and discrimination is avoided so the resulting decision will be the most intelligent one based on FACTS, not fiction. Cc: Bealsgroup ~ ~~ ~~' _ 1 !' -v~-, ..+ DATE: 1-22-99 TO: Saratoga City Council FROM: Ellen Marshall P.O. Box 3191, Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 370-9406 Affiliated with The Petition Against Sportsfields at Marshall Lane School RE: Let's Set The Record Straight I attended the Task Force meeting on 1-19-99. Ms. Dickerson, President of the Quito Little League, and Ms. Crotty were giving incorrect information regarding Marshall Lane School as a site for the sportsfields. The following provides the correct information to their quotes: Quote #1) "On one of the petitions it says that we support all efforts for a positive solution at Marshall Lane School including efforts to improve the traffic. That is part of their petition". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: This statement is NOT on our petition, Petition Against Sportsfields at Marshall Lane School. Quote #2) "It would be farm and T-ball level. We would never switch kids (to major and minor leagues)". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: Ms. Dickerson will not be there years from now to support this statement. We don't even want THESE sportsfields let alone the door it could open for expansion into major and minor leagues. Quote #3) "I know neighbors are sensitive to the intensification of use and scale and our point is this is really for the kids at the school and we could minimize it". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: The sportsfields aren't really for the kids at the school, they would bring in kids from all over. The sportsfields especially wouldn't be for those 34+ kids at the school who live in the neighborhood because of the negative safety, noise and traffic impact. What about their rights? The sportsfields shouldn't go in at their expense. Quote #4) "The cost would be more on the low end". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: The Bealsgroup has stated that the figures are conservative and are probably higher than lower because unforeseen things always come up. Quote #5) "There is some neighborhood support of the sportsfields at Marshall Lane School". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: THERE IS NO SUPPORT c'' Quote #6) "What's happening right now is, for the past number of years, kids are practicing weekends and every day. INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: There is very little practice going on, and especially very little or none on weekends. Quote #7) "Instead of having practice it would be organized games". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: There would be no organized games instead of practice -there would be organized games AND practice. Quote #8) "From a driving standpoint there would be less coming and going". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: There would be three times as much driving and three times as many cars and a 90% increase all weekend long. This huge volume of driving and cars would be due to practice, organized games, opposing teams, fans and spectators, and food vendors ...EVERY DAY INCLUDING WEEKENDS FROM MORNING TIL NIGHT. Quote #9) "There is a desperate need of fields on that side of town". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: There are two gigantic fields within walking distance at Rolling Hills and Westmont. Quote #10) "We each have to put in our two cents for our fields. I don't want the neighbor situation to be the reason why it's knocked down in priority". INCORRECT INFORMATION CORRECTED: She has certainly gotten in more than her two cents. The neighbor situation is exactly why it should be knocked down in priority. As the Bealsgroup and many Task Force members stated, and I quote: 1) "Strong objection from the neighbors" 2) "Considerable opposition to the traffic and safety issues" 3) " It would be an uphill battle" 4) "Problems they would have with construction modification" 5) "Do not want to put an increase in activity level" 6) "Significant Opposition" 7) "Because of the political opposition I have switched (preferences)" 8) "What is most likely to pass"? 9) "Perhaps a site with less opposition should be chosen over Marshall Lane to increase the chances of it going through" 10) "Litigation holdups " (and rightly so) r I would also like to correct the incorrect information on the enclosed City of Saratoga, Park Development Project (Attachment #1: Site Summaries). Site Notes: Incorrect. There is Rolling Hills and Westmont nearby. Users Incorrect. Upon taking our walk through the school grounds everyday at different times, it is NOT heavily used by Quito Little League and Not heavily used by any other outside sport group. Constraints: Parking is not the only problem. Access and traffic into the area is also a major problem. In summary, we hope this information helps in your efforts to choose the sites realistically. Cc: Bealsgroup .~,. ~~ CITY OF SARATOGA, PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ATTACHMENT #1: SITE SUMMARIES Site--Notes 1) EI Quito Park Site is used as a practice field by the athletic groups; used heavily by general public 2) MaCauliffe Elementary 3) Saratoga Elementary School district is looking to partner with the City to help with the development costs. a) Argonaut Elementary 5) Marshall Lane Elementary Users Saratoga Little League. Quito Little League, Saratoga Rec. Dept., De Anza Youth Soccer, Monday volleyball, pick-up soccer, pre- school play-groups, picnic rentals. Cupertino American Little League, school activities. AYSO-U-8's 3x/da~ almost daily in Fall; Formerly used by Saratoga Little League for practice. AYSO-for practice in Fall, Saratoga Little League, formerly used by CYSA for practice. Quito Little League uses heavily; AYSO in Spring and Fall- two U-8 teams 1/2 field all week for practice; CYSA 1/2 field all week in Fall Opportunities Possible to put a small (60x100yd) field, or almost 3 of the "U-6" fields in the out-field area; Practice area in NW corner w/ a portable backstop. 60x100yd field area- -small, but usable for practice; Scheduling might make better use of this site. A 50x100yd field is scheduled to be built in the Fall-current field will be leveled out and drainage fixed. School is trying to acquire add'I. space which would add 80' to the length. 70x100yd field is potentially possible; 60x100yd will fit easily; 3 backstops on site If school play area is moved, the field space can be widened (though this will cost); a site redesign might yield more efficient use of the space, but it might be at considerable cost. Constraints Parking is an issue with the neighbors-- have been complaints in the past. Too small for afull- size game field. No room for any expansion School asphalt area will be expanding; No way to widen the field area to greater than 50 yds. Poor drainage and pitting of field; old irrigation system. Parking is a problem in the neighborhood; any attempt to locate permanent restroom facilities will meet with resistance. An important site because of its location-not many fields to serve this part of town. Campbell School District is willing to partner with City t0 develop. Needs/desires Switch from DG to clay infield; Soccer goals; Dirt infield; Soccer goals Fix playing conditions-slope and drainage; Soccer goals Improve turf condition; soccer goals Need these fields for U-10 and up; OLL proposed a T-ball field, a Farm team field and 1 U~ soccer field; restroom facilities; c~ = ~~~ TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga ~~•e~, The Parks and RE~creation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members Petition in support of Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners" of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Saratoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing, the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date (please print) r' •"r- (: / 1 1 f ,~I~'.Ij~}-~`~ l,~ ~'~\' /r rs~_~Y-f7"~ ~ii/+J ~ '<' a, iC~. ~! _~ 2 C ~./ `,~ t t .r~11~.a. \'" - 1~ ~ ~~° ', i~ lJ lI ~ `f 1'. si f7" ` ,.r= / I l~!E / / /1 - 6/111_, .~ '~ . ' `--~ ~ f //~/~ ~ TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga ~ .~, ~' The Parks and Recreation Committee ('~.`~ (' :~ The Park Development Task Force Members 4 ~' ~ f Ei~1 `_," '. Petition in support of Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School-- _ y ~ _, Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners" of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Sazatoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There aze many SazatoQa families whose children attend Mazshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Sazatoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Sazatoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Mazshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing, the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Su` e~ , A~ s City/State/Zip Date (please print) ~- c ` J~ '~~c~ ~ L 2 ~ ~-er-hG~°s r c,-c- ~. i-c~-~'o c~ rac . ~ - `z z - `~ ~1 TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga ~ i The Pazks and Recreation Committee ~'~ The Park Development Task Force Members Petition in support of Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Sazatoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Mazshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League azea for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Mazshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School Thank you. Name (please print) Signature Address City/State/Zip Date i47U /-2o-q~ ~Zd l-ZUr7~ ~~a~~-I continued on reverse side ,/ ~ . ' TO: Tie Mayor and t'rt~ Council 1V)Fem ~ tciga r~ - , -__ The Parks and Recreation Committee ~ ~; ' :; The Park Development Task Force Members i ~»: _ , Petition in support of `~ ' ' ~ 4` ~,..c.~ _.t H , _, <~ ~C~,. .. •- - Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners ' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very mueh to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Sc-me are concerned that children from outside of Saratoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. Thus is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing; the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date s-I-Lc ^I- 7_ 1 ~~133 ,~ 1q~ ~~~~~ l~r 7~9~ i-i~-~~ continued on reverse side 7~1~ liot«en „~j~r~1J ~4~d~f ~s^~11.I~.c~ C~ °~y~ ~c~~ Q~~ ~ Name (Ply ~) Signature Address City/State/Zip Date G~~~~ qS(~?6 ~-~~-Q9 tcsajo f' ~ ~T ~~.c~ g~7a ~~ ~~ ~~tr/}- ~~?o ~`~ ~~~ ~~ (.~- C~-v 9so~a ~/~.s1~9 ~ ~~~° ~~~~ ~~ q ~~~ ~ _ [~~~ .-n January 15,1999 ~~ ~' ~ ~ ~ - '~ Mayor & City Council Members Park Development T~~.sk Force Members Saratoga Pazks & Recreation CommiS.aion 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Sazatoga, CA 95070 Dear Honorable Mayor, Pazks and Recreation and Task Force Members: I understand you have had quite a bit of opposition to the needed improvements of the playing fields at Mazshall Lane School. From the start, official meetings were required to let the immediate neighbors of the school know about the plans being made. The rest of the community was barely informed, and I am sure this is the reason there is such a large disparity of support vs. opposition for the improvements. We aze a Saratoga family with two boys at Mazshall Lane School, and soon will have four boys at the school. At recces, my youngest son and his friends spend some of there time looking for gophers or filling up the holes. My older son and his friends play football on the basketball courts at recess, only to have their ball taken away because playing football on the blacktop is not allowed. This re:~ults in tension between the students and the faculty member involved. For physical educatic-n classes the children run a timed mile, which is four times around the field. I'm sure by now you are all well awaze of the condition of these fields and how dangerous this is, not to mention how it interferes with their speed. From the liability viewpoint alone, I don't see how the City of Saratoga can leave the fields as they aze. We are a family with children active in sports and find the fields situation at the moment very discouraging. Findir-g places for games and practices is a problem in both Little League and soccer. All the children in Saratoga would benefit with more playable fields. The argument from the neighbors regarding the safety of the roads leading to the school is valid and the roads are currently very unsafe especially during school days. Would a sidewalk on one side of the roads leading to the school be possible? School days at the moment are much more dangerous than weekends would be with playing fields because there are many more children and traffic at specific times on school days. A solution to the traffic issue must be solved so that the fields issue can be solved amicably. As for the azgument against the fields from the people against children from other towns playing on the field ~ e cities 'oin to ether! ese fields were not meant to be vast open expanses or a viewing pleasure of a nei rs as they drive by on their daily business. Why don t these distressed people exit at the other end of Sobey Road, the view is very nice. Sincerely, Anne L. Ma /tbeini/ 18696 Aspesi Drive, Saratoga, CA 95070 January 21, 1999 Mayor & City Council Members Park Devl. Task Force Members Saratoga Parks & F:ecreation Commission 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga CA 95071) Dear Honorable Mayor and Committee Members: [) ; ~ - - ~ ~. I would like to express an opinion shared by many Saratoga residents regarding the possibility of improving the playing fields at Marshall Lane School: The playing fields at Marshall Lane School should be given #1 priority to improvements that would absolutely benefit our entire local community. I can not understand how the nearby residents can use such illogical reasoning to discourage these improvements from happening. One resident on a nearby street stated that additional trafl-ic (which by the way would be less on a weekend than a school day) would interfere wilh his children playing baseball and football in the streets! Hello! Wake up. The streets are for public transportation and are not for the homeowners sports events. They could play on the new fields. What a concept! If the nearby homeowners want to play ball in the streets and have an open view in every direction, they shoiild move to Montana. Catering to the loud, selfish, illogical demands of these people hurts the community as a whole. Our city is changing to meet the needs of it's residents. Things cannot stay "the same" as they were 20 years ago. Ptesae votie to hatre the 'st M~na6aH Lane improved for the benefit of all oar inclodisg those that live nearby. Sincerely, '~ ~~ ~~~. ~~ Paula McCarthy 18566 Martha Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 TO: The Mayor and Ciiy Council Members of Sazatoga The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members Petition in support of ~.. ,--, - , ~~ n ~'~ ' i 4."r ~ ' ~i, Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners" of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatvs Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city cif Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children frown Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Sazatoga has chosen Mazshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, wMch will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Same aze concerned that children from outside of Sara#oga's boundaries will be playing an the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask tk~e City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of Saratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Mazshall Lane School. Thank you. Name (please print) ~.~~'~»i ~°~ I/69~ ~-ao-qe ~vc %/~O /~ i • 'd`k'h~do}~1 ~ B to s ~ ~! ~ s G, ,5/a c2 .~ ra c,~.iz ~/ continued on reverse side Signature Address City/State/Zip Date Name (please prinq) n! _,_~ ..Ja~2~- L . C-, Y j 1~ y K~In~1. f~ i ~; -~ , :, .., _ d. Date++ ~ 1 ~ ~' ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~q ~ /l6 ~ / /Q~~ y ~ 3~ l 19- L~ ~ 9S~3z /~~ e ~~ ~"~ ~ PTO ~,~ c ~- ~ ~~ ~~ .~~~~ ~.~~TcJ (~ ~ ~, ~~ ~_ 507_ t~a~~49 .~?.~ ~-zi~g9 STS ~ ~~ _9~.71~ ~1 SZf~ `~ 7 6 ~c Si;~nature Address City/State/Zip P P u i~ ~ ~ ~r ~ o~ _. ~ .~ 1 ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ Scl~ c ~ Ass 2 ~ s a.~U-- as ~f 3 / ZS/y~ ~_~. - Name Si}mature Address City/State/ Zip Date ( lease rin6) • TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members ~~ Petition in support of Improved Playing Fields at Marshall, Lane School Cc ." ~-t..~~.~.~' .~,~~ -_, ~ ~, ,, ~,.,~ , Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners ' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because of this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Saratoga families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League area for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fielfds, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Saratoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. Tluis is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposing; the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of S~cratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the pla3-ing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip (please print) ~ A \T ~~'~~REJ~i S 1 ~ ~s"v Cleo-,~., ~, T. L c~ /~/~I ~~~~ C f-~.3''~ 5~ t•~ 1~(~ ~jP~12(~~ L A ~/a 1 ~Z 1 Date -~~- - Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date (please print) ~~~ 9~ TO: The Mayor and City Council Members of Saratoga The Parks and Recreation Committee The Park Development Task Force Members _ .~ f, r- n Petition in support of l..l -~' yf.,l Improved Playing Fields at Marshall Lane School ~ _ . __ _ ___-- _ -- _~1C'L' Marshall Lane School is in the Campbell Union School District, and is located in the City of Saratoga. The school serves "corners ' of adjoining cities including Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Monte Sereno. Because o~f this, tension has resulted over and over again, such as the much debated re- districting issue with Saratoga and Los Gatos Schools, and now the improvements of the Marshall Lane playing fields by the city of Saratoga. There are many Sazato~a. families whose children attend Marshall Lane School and would like very much to be able to use these fields. These children cannot attend Saratoga Schools and they cannot play on Saratoga Little League. They are very fortunate to have Quito Little League available, which unites many children from Marshall Lane. Currently, these children must travel to playing fields outside of the Quito Little League azea for games and practices. Soccer is another popular sport in Saratoga and is in desperate need of more fields. Currently, the field at Marshall Lane School is full of holes and is unsafe to play on. As a result, residents in other parts of Saratoga with playable fields are tolerating our traffic through their neighborhoods. In a joint agreement with the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, the City of Saratoga has chosen Marshall Lane School as one site to spend thousands of dollars to improve playing fields in the City of Saratoga. The fields, which will be for both soccer and baseball, will then be maintained by the Campbell School District and Quito Little League, and be available for use by local sports. There is opposition to the improvement of these fields by residents in the immediate neighborhood of Marshall Lane School. Some are concerned that children from outside of Sazatoga's boundaries will be playing on the fields. This is very unfair since many of the children attending Marshall Lane are from outside of Saratoga. This is their school, and a part of their community. Another concern of the neighbors near Marshall Lane School is the traffic. The safety of pedestrians is a main reason for opposin€; the improvements. This safety issue is an already existing problem on school days, and should be addressed regardless of the improved playing fields. This problem should not be ignored, and therefore should not stop the children from having a place in their community to play sports. We ask the City of Saratoga to address the traffic issue around Marshall Lane School regardless of the playing fields outcome. We also ask the City of S~cratoga to realize that many families would appreciate very much, improvements to the playing fields at Marshall Lane School. Thank you. Name Signature Address City/State/Zip Date ~i~ Pmt) continued on reverse side 1~ars11a11 La»e Scl~~~l Campbell Union School District Kathy Hogan, Principal - 14114 Marilyn Lane, Saratoga, California 95070 -Phone (408) 364-4259 Fax (408) 341-7080 .~~c~ ~~i6/5 F C-~u-~cti~ hoc ~4~9. CC'~ 0 khogan~campbellusd. k12.ca. us January 15, 1999 Sazatoga City Cowlcil 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 950'70 Dear Council Merribers: This letter is to demonstrate our support for the proposed improvements to the playing fields at Mazshall lane School. You are probably awaze of the poor condition of our fields and the extre;me need for suitable playing fields in this area of the city. As you aze also most likely awaze, the money available to school districts to make any improvements to play azeas has been almost non-existent and the opportunity to improve the playing fields for our 550+ students would be most welcome and beneficial this year and every year thereafter. We know that the neighbors closest to the school have expressed their displeasure over improving our school due to their feaz of increased traffic over the weekend. We need to let the City Council know that not all of our closest neighbors feel as those do that live on Marshall, Marilyn and Ravenwood. There are a number of families who live on Sobey Road and siu~rounding streets across Quito (Ravenwood Court, for example) who feel strongly that an improved playing area in this part of the city is long overdue. Marshall Lane School and the Campbell Union School District have made a number of significant changers to increase the number of parking spaces at the school, create traffic flows that speed up the time cazs spend on city streets, developed carpool systems, etc. We especially appreciate the cooperative nature and joint collaboration that has gone into this project thus far, and commend the City Council, Parks and Recreation and their Task Force on the work they have put forth. A joint project to improve the fields for generations of children can only have positive effects. Please consider our voice - we work with these ctuldren and their families and we know how important it would be to have a safe, organized and well-maintained playing field for children and adults alike. Sincerely, Mazshall Lane School Staff ~"~ ~~~~~ i~~~%t~'~1'C.-' ,~C; ~,ct'~c, ~ is ~~ ~~~ 6 ~..~~~ ~~fn~rL~ c. zC-~''- ~ ~7~-Gx--fiici ~-' . [~L~ ~~ ~' L ~ ~~~~ ~~ _, t ~~ 25 January, 1999 ~ 12340 Goleta Ave. Saratoga, Ca 95070 Kate Alexander _ _ :.__ _ Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Saratoga City Council: ~ ~ ~~~~ ~- ~i --- ~~r~. I am writing regardnig the proposed development of Blue Hills School - Azule Park. For the purposes of this lette+r I'm setting aside my objections to the development of this site into acity- widepark, it's development primarily for soccer, the residential street traffic issues, and of course the noise issue. I'm :addressing the issues of the attractiveness of the proposed development and its' long term maintenance. The Blue Hills- Azule site is in a quiet, residential neighborhood that has had to cope with the Highway 85 construction and the ensuing traffic noise problem. Unlike most Saratoga Parks, Azule has expensive two-story homes facing directly into the site. In this situation, I feel that it is critical that any development at this site be attractive from the street and frt the style of the neighborhood. Any :landscaping to reduce highway noise would be a welcome enhancement to the school, neighborhood and anyone using the park. To achieve this, I would like to see more details called out in the proposal, and several changes made. I would like the rest rooms/concession stand moved away from the street and closer to the sound wall. Perhaps swapped with the play/picnic area in the northeast Corner. I would like to avoid an ugly cinder block style building, such as at Congress Springs. Additionally since vandalism has been a significant issue since the opening of Hwy. 85, I would suggest that particular attention lie paid to ease of repair of all facilities at this site. This proposal does not indicate any information on construction style. The proposal also indicates several trees along Goleta Ave., but does not specify type or size. I would prefer trees v~~ith dense foliage about 20-30 ft. in height, so as to form an attractive tree lined street. 1n addition, I would like the older eucalyptus trees and adjacent landscaping currently in the southeast currier to remain. The proposal does not indicate any type or size of tree or shrub. The proposal indicates that some homes will face directly into the parking lat. I would like to see that situation avoided. If that's not possible, then particular attention to landscaping will be required. But the proposal does not provide much detail there, either. I feel that the attractiveness of this development and its "fit" into the neighborhood are key issues, and this proposal is incomplete in addressing those issues. Therefore, I'd like the council to request architectural drawings and landscaping details subject to public input and review. I would also ask that this information be included in the proposal prior to approval by council. Even if Blue Hills-Azule is developed in an attractive way, there is no plan for financially supporting its maintenance other than funds from the general budget. The school district is not responsible for the park side of the site and has done only minimal maintenance of the current soccer field or trees along Goleta Ave. And the school district should rightfully be spending money on education, rather than soccer fields. I understand the Saratoga Park and Recreation Dept. has limited funds for the maintenance of current parks, let alone the additional parks proposed for development. In addition Saratoga AYSO, the very group that will benefit from this development, has fought an increase in park use fees to maintain current parks! I'm astounded that the City is developing this soccer facility and concession stand for a group that is unwilling to pay for current upkeep costs. It is not clear how this Blue Hills- Azule proposed development will be maintained over the long run. I'm very concerned that it won't be, and I'll be living near the local junk yard! In any event, I ask the City Council to review the expected maintenance and upkeep costs and it's impact on the city budget prior to approval of development. I would like some assurance that there are sufficient funds to keep it awell-maintained, attractive site for many years. I have two additiona! concerns, which perhaps could be addressed by council or other more appropriate groups. first, there is a very limited amount of land available for parks of any sort. Since the city has agreed to develop parks in conjunction with school districts, I wonder if we still really need more soccer fields within the city. After all, the city could develop the curreirt soccer or athletic fields at c~urretrt school sites and leave the limited amount of open land available for other projects. It seems to me that this could be the most cost~ffective way satisfying the need for fields, yet providing flexibility for other development. It would also benefit every child in Saratoga, not just those playing soccer. Also if the Blue Hill:>-Azule site is developed, I am concerned about habitat disruption during the construction phase. Since Azule Park has been fallow for many years, it is now home to many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other animals. If Azule is torn-up, the city must develop a relocation plan for these animals. Otherwise it will create an animal control problem for the entire neighborhood. There is no place that these animals can move to, without human intervention. I would like a humane solution planned for this problem. Sincerely, ,`MLLCR~/~Alexand'erj ~~: r. n C-~~~ ~-; . . D ~'°, Laura King Moore , 5012 Kingston W,~y _~ ' r:: San Jose, CA 95130 ,~:, . City of Saratoga ~ t' ~ ` "-- - ~ `= ~'- City Council Members 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 97C150 February 1, 1999 RE: Playing Field Improvements to Marshall Lane Elementary School To All Members of the Saratoga City Council: I am a parent of two children who attend Marshall Lane Elementary School. I am an active participant in my children's education and volunteer my time at their school. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your consideration of Marshall Lane as the recipient for funding to improve our playing fields. I support the prop~~sed playing field improvements to the Marshall Lane Elementary School fields and feel it is imperative that our school children have a safe and well- maintained area for organized sports and free play during school hours. I also believe that the use of existing open space and existing facilities for public use- such as recreation and athletics, after school enrichment classes, Scouting etc.- by elementary age youth groups is an appropriate use for our public campus facilities. In a rapidly developing urban area, we as an educational community must work together for the best use of our community facilities and serve the greater good of the community. I can relate to the concerns of the neighbors adjacent to our school; their frustration about increased traffic and safety issues concerning their public streets is an issue we all face living in the Silicon Valley. We all deal with issues of crowding and congestion in this urban environment we have chosen as home. However, the number of children and the need for safe areas ~to play will only continue to rise. We must make the best use of all our resources to meet these needs. I respect the differences in opinions but firmly believe that a solution exists that will be fair and equitable. I ask that Marshall lane Elementary School continue to be considered for field improvements. Let us have the opportunity to continue the discussion in a positive and progressive fashion with the best interests of all the children in our communities at heart. Thank you very mu~~h. I appreciate your consideration of our school. Sincerely, /~ ~----~ aura Moore ~1 ~ `. ~ ~,til..i~. 1 February, 1999 Saratoga City Council Parks and Recreation Commission ~ ~ ~ - '~~ 13777 Fruitvale Ave ~' -~ ~--..~ Saratoga, CA 95070 s ~; ,~ ...; 5 ; ~ _~~t Dear City Council and Park and Recreation Commission: We respectfully ask that you each accept the attached petition opposing the current development plan for Blue Hills- Azule park site. The Azule Park Neighbors Association circulated this petition opposing the proposed soccer field development at Blue Hills-Azule site. In a single day, 93 signatures, mostly of registered voters, were collected on just a few adjacent streets. Clearly, if time permitted many more signatures could be easily obtained. This neighborhood is strongly against this proposed development. Please consider our opinions in this decision making process. Sincerely, Azule Park Neighbors Association Attach petition: original to City Council; copy to Parks Commission copy to Files January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose "option 2A" for development of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name addr ss ~~ o ~~ i. ~ ~ 3 . ~ ~ F ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ •z v-t Z S S~ c. ~~~2.t1 ~•-~t1Y 4. ~ ~~~ ~tJ I ~ Z~~vZ ~D ~'1 ._. G ~ ,,- i ~ ~ ~- % 7 . ~Gq~~-~` \~Gr"r115-73 Cj..~c~ l C~ ~~vj 8 . ~ H ~ V1A ~ Z z ~O ~ p X.Q-t-0. ~ J ~L _ A ~.Zl..+ 9. ~Pbb~ ~~(o~n !-~ I~i~61 Kc~r~ ~iV'C~P U ~~ ~ • ~j' / ',t ,tii^; mac..-~ ~~ /- . q,~J ~(~ 6~ S _ ~-- ~ ~,Gi~c signature ,,-Z a ~ v January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose `option 2A"for development of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name 1 . ~ ~ r..~ . -~ ,-~~ ~;ri~- address i ~-~7 C C~ ~ ~ . sign, fir, l~l)"7, !~ Z . iam-e S I~% 5~~~^~.1 I ~~`' ~' ~~o~Q ~IA- 0+'~c-Z~ 5~1'L4'SZ7O 3 • 1~A i x RYe ~•' t"' . --i ' kA+:,~-2 I z 3 4 0 C~a ~ ~'!a ,A U~ ~~ARA1rt~ t4 ~ 4 . ~i,'?i ~ ~ ~ ~iss~ ~ / L3 ~~ ~~,/~~ /~ ~P ~ 5 . S~7 0 - ~n ~-~-. / ~ 3 (~ 5 CTo c''~u : r.~o , car ~ ~ 6 . /~o~ ~-~~- o~ p~ ~r L~Q ~ .r'~rQ 8.~,~ ~o;~~~ ~ ~~ 10 12 . , i,~lN ~iA/A~/ l~i ~Lt N ~2 / ~ ~ >/J~ ~z C~ ~~~~~ ~- ~. , ~ 13 C ~ ~ C_ (' '~ .. / ~ ~ `. ~ Q 1 / V l 70 ~~ ~f ~, C' f -~~Z. ~ ~. f ~ ~ c- CL. L re ~' f ~11~ // N lc~-- .,,.~- p- w?~. January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose `option 2A for development of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name ~~~ ~'~ ~ L'L1~ 1 addres l~oi ~ ~N~~~ ~ ~Si~ s si tore . , -~~9.P.f, ~,~~,, 2 ~~'T- s ~~3~/ 3 . ~~ J I o ~"'~ 4 ~ `,~ I ZZ4'~ K~rkbri,t~k fir', c _ . l n !.~ r~~ fo ~ 5 . ' Lid ~ l r o ~n~~ //~.~-~-, a/ ~-~ ~~ c ~ / !~ c.1 S ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A ; In ~,~ ~ y ? U > j ~"1 ~,v -~ ~,~ 8: 9. 10 11 12 .ate January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose ~~option 2A for development of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name 1 .~~ C~ ~r- ~_ address ~ Aso oCe-~ signature 2. . - , .. - ._ .. ~ ._,_ .--I 6 ~~ ~, 8 . ~ /`~! 2 I~x~~ =~ ~ ~-c sue{ i 9 ~ ~ ~ c ~ ~ ~s ~ ~ S N <tC, ~ l l ~ c . ~ z ~ ` ~ ,~ -~, lo. ~~/~ i S ~~~ ~a~~~3 5~,~ ~~lC u,~~ ~~// :~~u~~S , 11. /~~/~-l~ l G~L~ /~ L fZ~~. •~G-4- ~ _ 5'P/.~ ~- ilc~ k! % ~~Ia.~.~ ~ /"'= ~C ~> 12. 13. -, -~ January 31, 1999 t#e, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly Appose "op#ion 2A for deuelopement of Blue Hills SChQOi/Azu1e~ Pa1"k. We feel tha# the nUn~etrous aed sarhu. ~ traffic, safety, enuironmert al, aed communi#~ c~tecerns dicta#e that plan 21t not be approved ~r irnpi®men#ed. Print name i .~~~~i~ ~~! a .I~i~ ~~ f~~ ~ • s. J/~ ~. 7.7~e~u . J ~. r so. ~ - ii. ~, ~ nn 1 12 • P 11M~ c~ address x~ s s~ ~ cv, sigear tore ~t~/1~.5T i ~-~'S~1s~i~ BULL ~,~}1 ~'~~, ~ `~ S.~ ~ I CN C ~, ~ I~._ '1,.~ c,J P I January 31, 1999 lie, the nndersigr~ed ct~r~ce~ned residents and neighbors,. strongly oppose Kop#ion ZAP' for deueiopment o~ Blue Nits SchoollAzuld Park. We fieol ghat tie nu~n~rous and serious traffic, safety, r~nvironrnental, and cain~t~nt~~ concerns dictate that plan. 2A not be apprnued or i~npl+emerrted. Print ~atx~e ~. 3 . ~~o,~ ~-o u ~ address sigr~ott~~e ~ ~-~-~- • 7. r ~J 5-~~6! 1Z. ~~~ 13. 11. January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and heighbor~s, strongly oppose "option 2A for development of Blue dills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Prim natn 3 . rn ~ r9 G ~ ~r ~a~C ,, ~~-- 4. a~~.:L.'~~ 5 . ~~ C_.---~~ 6 ~- ~ ~ ~ ,~ 8.~ 9. 10. 11. 12. ~~ ~ ~C address _11 u 3 G ~ l~ -~ signature ~~~~ ~ r ~oL~ V ~~ c_ ~.1 ~ /~ i rte, 13. January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose "option 2A for development of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name 1 . _---~ ~ ~ C~I1Q o 0171 address 2. ~n/ ~~ri Z.a 1 7 6 ~Cn e (~„Vac:1cJ 3. signature C1- ~~~~ `~ 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. e January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose "option 2A for development of Blue Nills School/Azule Park. We feel that the numerous and serious traffic, safety, environmental, and community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name address signature 1 . I JO ~n~a ~VOSS ~. a1 ~~~C~v~C~V00 K ~r.Ya1 FAQ ~~ 2• S h~ r ~ e x ~=Y'OSS l ~1~ p 1 ~t r 6 rt~yk Sara~o 3. ~uSSer~ fC1f' /1 ~,~~Ol fiP~vi~n ~l/iio ~~.;~..,._ 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. i ~ ~ January 31, 1999 We, the undersigned concerned residents and neighbors, strongly oppose "option 2A for deuelopement of Blue Hills School/Azule Park. We feel. that tha numerous and serious traffic, safety, enuiranmental, ar~d community concerns dictate that plan 2A not be approved or implemented. Print name address signature 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Feb. 01 1999 06:27AM P1 Al Roteo 19812 Veronica Dr. Saratoga, CA 95070 ph. (408)252-0131 FAX(408)252-3084 Date: ~ - ~ ~lI' MAKING A FAXua1 STATEME ~~ .~A~S To: Su~S A~ f~Aryt a5 aR /~//~l//E~ at: g6f-I~a y'AX ~~ ~~~Q-~~~~~.~~~ 7-l~- g~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~ G~~ - ~-~- ~~~~~ ~~ ~- ~~ FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:43PM P1 Al Roten 19812 VerCA 9 070 Saratoga, p~. (408)2520131 FAX(408)252-3084 Date: Jan 31,1999 G A F~,~ual STATEMENT ..... . MANN To: City of Saratoga City Council At: 868-1280 FOR: CrREENBRIER HOMEOWNERS AND TOAXPOA SRS ASSOCIATION AND AZUI-E PARK NEIGHB ORGANIZATYONS Dear: The Honorable Mayor, Jim Shaw The Honorable Vice Mayor, Stan Begosian The Honorable Council Member, Evan Baker The Honorable Council Member, John Mehaffey The Honorable Council Member, Nick Streit CC: City Manager, Larry Perlin Recreation Director, Joan Pisani Parks & Rec. Commission Chair, Barbara Olsen Subject: Development of Azule Park Site Attachments: Mary Helmers Letter, July 19, 1996 GHTA, Sally Johnson Letter, July 10, 1996 Azule Neighborhood Park Committee Memo, May 1, 1996 City of Saratoga, Bob Rizzo Letter, Nov 1, 1994 GrHTA, Sa11y Johnson Letter, Oct. 14, 1994 GHTA, Sa11y Johnson Letter, October 29, 1990 A,s represented in attachments, the neighborhood of Azule Park has taken the position consistently over the past more than eight years that the Azule Park Site should be developed as a neighborhood park. This position has been substantially ignored by past City Councils, and the Parks and Recreation Department, and Commission. The neighbors of the Azule Park Site have not modified then stand on this issue. To this date, no members of the neighborhood surrounding the Azule Park site have been invited to participate in planning for development of that site. We request that plans to develop this site, in conjunction with Blue Hills School. property, as FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:44PM P2 . , organized sports playing fields be abandoned. We have waited since the early 1.970"s to have Azule Park developed for neighborhood and com.~nunity family use. We request that this be given highest priority in expenditure of currently available Park Development Funds. Sincerely, ~~~~ Allen T. Roten Vice President, CrHTA FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:44PM P3 \~ TO: SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL "~ Paul Jacobs, Gillian Moran, Ann Marie Burger, Karen Tucker, and Donald Wolfe ~' J, FROM: Mary Helmers (19875 Sea Gull Way) SUBJECT: Saratoga City Council Meeting, July 17, 1996 DATE: July 19, 1996 The meeting held on July 17, 1996, left me so discouraged and disappointed that it has been difficult for me to concentrate on anything else until I do everything within my power to set the record straight. Because of my lack of preparedness for the meeting, sprinkled with a HEAVY dose of ignor- ance, I failed miserably to convey certain points regarding the development of Azule Park that should have been brought to your attention. In an attempt to correct my mistakes and appease my conscience, I'm hoping you will read the following information and take it into consideration before any irrever- sible actions are taken regarding the development of A2uie Park. 1. A survey was conducted regarding the development of Azule Park. The results of this survey were submitted to the City of Saratoga on Septem- ber 28, 1995, with a follow up information sheet containing updated data given to the city on May 1, 1996. Of the more than 200 residents that were surveyed, NINETY PERCENT ~i'ERE IN FAVOR OP THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. 2. NO ONE TRAT SPOKE IN FAVOR OF TAE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMM~NITX PARK LIVES IN THE GREENBRIER AREA• While the "Blue Hills School Parents" spoke in favor of the Azule Park being turned into a Community Park, they conveniently did not mention the fact that they live in the Revin Moran Park area. Through careful orchestration the Kevin Moran Park was taken off the list for community development. They really did end up with a GIANT win-win situation. 3. SEA GULL WAY HAS TURNED INTO A SPEEDWAY, RAKING SAFETY A PARAMOUNT ISSIIE. After several months of clocking and tabulating traffic information on Sea Gull Way, I was able to make the following determination: 10% of ail traffic travels at 25 MPH, 10°~6 of ail traffic travels at 60+ MPH, while the remaining traffic travels at various speeds in between, with 40 to 45 MPH being the most popular. Although it was suggested that most vehicles only exceed the posted speed limits by 5 miles an hour, there is concrete evidence to the contrary. Examples: The Greenbrier sign located near Cox Avenue has been bumped into many times and even (2) knocked down by vehicles unable to negotiate the turn due to their speed. Speed again played a part in a car jumping the curb and hitting the house located at 20038 Sea Gull Way. 4. SEA GULL WAY IS ONE OF VERY FEN SIDE STREETS IN SARATOGA THAT FEEDS INTO A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AT BOTH ENDS/BEGINNINGS (AS THE CASE MAY BE)- This physical factor makes it a prime SHORTCUT for drivers wanting to avoid the stop light at Cox Avenue and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road (Highway #9) Since there are far more police cars patrolling Cox Avenue and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road, it makes Sea Gull Way a much more inviting way to travel through without the likelihood of getting that unwanted ticket. 5. THE "STOP-N-SAVE" CONVENIENT STORE ALSO PROMOTES MORE TRAFFIC ON SEA GULL FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:50PM Py~ WAY. The store is open from 6 A.M-one day until 2 A.M. the next day, seven days a week. This is a store that sells alcoholic beverages. Some of these beverages are consumed by the occupants and/or drivers of the vehicles that are using Sea Gull Way. It is not uncommon for the front of our property to be used as a dumping ground for their unwanted cans and bottles. 6. CONGRESS SPRINGS PARK WAS COMPARED TO AZDLE PARR WITHODT TAKING CERTAIN FACTS INTO CONSIDERATION. Congress Springs Park is a pie shaped park with the freeway on one side, the railroad tracks/parking lot on -one side, and a High voltage Station on the street side. Looking at the general lay out of this park, it is next to impossible to park in front of anyone's home and in anyway block their driveway. The street next to Congress Springs Park, Glen Brae Drive, does not support vehicles chauffeuring children from a different residential area, vehicles driv- ing directly from a convenient store, or vehicles traveling at such high speeds near the park. Glen Brae Drive near the park has a very sharp curve in•the road that requires you to slow down or you'd be catapulted on to the freeway. 7. TAE WEEKENDS ARE THE TIMES SBA GDLL ii'AY DOES NOT HAVE TRAFFIC GENERATED H~ PARENTS CBAIIFFEIIRING THEIR CFIILDREN FROM TFIE OTAER SIDE OF HIGHTeTAY X85 TO HLDE HILLS SCHOOL AND DAY CARE. 8. LAND iS VERY PRECIODS AND SHOIILD BE QSED WISELY. Turning Azuie Park into a community park would DEMAND that part of the land be used for a park- ing lot. People would use the street nearest the park (Goleta Avenue), before they would use the school's parking lot and walk back to the park. Goleta Avenue is lined with homes. It is my belief that we can find a safer place than Azule Park to promote soccer games and have a WIN/'f~iIN SITQATION FOR ALL CONCERNED. The represent- atives from the Saratoga Schools implied that there were school sites in Saratoga that would welcome organized soccer activities and the surrounding residents would be supportive. s~ G,. u tio~ ri..b4 J~stCnica ~fi.+r. Lt, Sew Call c:o~~ r A ~e, Q C;: eJ~ Pue,11'G , ` ` o C~. ' Perk Rrr~ 81ve Ni ks Sc-+oo I F+G SOnkq g~~~~ S7 c c z ~7 0 a Q ~, `Src, Ctiwlt lclaJi FROM : Allen T Roten G FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:45PM Pd~ Greenbrier Homeowners and Toxpoye~s Assoda~ion Saro~mga, CA 95C~/C~ ~'~~ Salty Johnson TO: Saratoga City Council July 10, 1996 Organ~ed 1973 Over a year ago, during a combined Parks Commission and City Council Meeting, at which many individuals spoke up with differing views on where Saratoga should go with parks development, this Council asked that interest groups organize to represent cohesive positions rather than disparate individual opinions. As a result of the Council's recommendations, and in good faith response to this request, we expanded our efforts to provide representation beyond the borders of the Greenbrier Development to encompass other neighbors of Azule Pazk and Blue Hills School. We sponsored and supported the formation of an independent committee to determine the wishes of this expanded community of neighbors and to work with the Ciry. This committeE surveyed more than 200 homes surrounding the .Azule Park Site and iu access thoroughfares. The results of that survey were clear. The primary concern of people in and around the Azule Park area was for SAFETY and TRA,1"FIC. Even now traffic is dramatically increased during the months school is in Session by people coming to Blue Hills School from outlying areas. We do NOT want to further impact the traffic in this area by having organized sports which would jeopardize the safety of the children we are trying to protect! Over 95% of the people did NOT want to have ANY organized sporting activity in the area! Items people wanted to see in Azule Park included: Par Course--Play Ground--Picnic Tables Lighted Pathway--Adult and Children's swings. Our Committee Repoli was given to this City Council and Parks Commission with an invitation that we stand ready to work together on this imporl,ar-t issue. We have received no acknowledgment of our report, nor have our representatives been invited to take part in Task Force Proceedings other than as individual residents of Saratoga. The report of our representatives was apparently ignored. Neither the City Council nor the Parks Commission have adequately considered the traffic impact of your decision. The Azule Park Site is a neighborhood locked by roads that are already taxed by school and commuter traffic. The increment of change by development of the Azule park as an organized sports complex jeopardizes the safety of all who may live in or visit the neighborhood. In summary, we believe that the Council's decision to develop Azule Park as an orbani~ed sports facility, in cooperation with the Cupertino School District, is not a wise one; and that such a decision is contrary to the safety and Community interest, and is in direct conflict with those of us who must live with your actions. Several other more suitable areas for organized sports were not considered in making your decision. We suggest that you consider the following areas: Saratoga High School, Prospect High School, Heritage Orchard (back acreage adjacent to Catholic School), and Saint Andrew's School. We urgently request that the decision to develop the Azule Park Site for organized sports be revised to proceed with development as a Neighborhood Park. Sincere Sally Johnson, Presiden Greenbrier l~lomeowners and Taxpayers Association FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11: 45PM P,8` T0: CONCERNED HOMEOWNERS AND TAXPAYERS FROM: AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR COMMITTEE SUBJECT: UPDATED INFORMATION FROM ONGOING SURVEYS/QUESTIONNAIRES DATE: MAY 1, 1996 9096 of all the people surveyed (Z00 plus) want the following: AZIILE PARK as a NEIGHBORHOOD PARK New trees and plants with automatic sprinkling system Benches Responsible dog owners 8496 of ail the people surveyed (200 plus) want NO ACTIVITIES IN THE PARR AFTER DARR The majority of people surveyed also want lights along the pathways, a par course, and children's playground equipment. An OVERWHELMING percentage of people surveyed (200 plus) DO NOT WANT: Soccer fields (9596) Softball fields (9596) Basketball courts ( 9596) Level fields (7596) Restrooms ( 8496) In the words of Barbara Walters, "We're in touch, so you be in touch!". Jim Schindler 446-4481 Connie Birdsall 255-3792 Mary Helmers 446-0130 Judy Jimenez 446-9520 Steve Yuen 252-8301 FROM Allen T Roten Freq. FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:46PM P,fS AZULE PARK SURVEY -- Additional Comments item Mentioned 10 Plant more shade trees to hide freeway and cut down on noise 4 Picnic benches 4 Barbecues 4 Sittinq benches 4 Swings (Adult and children) 4 Quiet park 4 Clean it up and leave it alone! 3 Lots of grass 3 No ORGANIZED sporting activities 3 Close proximity to Cupertino and San Jose will attract Non-Saratoga residents 2 Stop all the traffic on Seagull Way -- block it off at DeSanka 1 Use Non-toxic plants 1 No Sandbox - it becomes a trash box 1 Walkways 1 Bike path 1 Neighborhood swimming pool with toddler pool 1 Water fountain FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:46PM P~7"~ AZULE PARK SURVEY -- Additional Comments Freq. item Mentioned 10 Plant more shade trees to hide freeway and cut down on noise 4 Picnic benches 4 Barbecues 4 Sitting benches 4 Swings (Adult and children) 4 Quiet park 4 Clean it up and leave it alone! 3 Lots of grass 3 No ORGANIZED sporting activities 3 close proximity to Cupertino and San Jose will attract Non-Saratoga residents 2 Stop all the traffic on Seagull Way -- block it off at DeSanka 1 Use Non--toxic plants 1 No Sandbox - it becomes a trash box 1 Walkways 1 Bike path 1 Neighborhood swimming pool with todd7.er pool 1 Water fountain FROM Allen T Roten 4 ,, FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:47PM P,~' /~. t'o: City of Saratoga FROM: Two Hundred Concerned Homeowners and Taxpayers SUBJECT: Development of the AZQLE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR DATE: September 28, 1995 On August I7, 2995, a meeting was held to discuss the development of AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. There were a number of positive guidelines that were suggested and developed at this meeting. In accordance with these guidelines, a petition (See attachment A) and questionnaire were created. Since there was such a strong showing at this meeting, it was decided that a committee of five members would be selected and they in turn would represent the interests and concerns of all that signed the petition and questionnaire. The five member committee (See attachment B) circulated the petition and questionnaire to approximately 200 homeowners. Since the petition and questionnaire are still in circulation, the number of homeowners that will be contacted, will continue to increase. The petitions will be submitted to the City Council by our spokesperson, Jim Schindler, at an appropriate meeting. Knowing that the City Council Members would be interested in the results of this questionnaire, we have meticulously tabulated all information gather as of the 28th of September 1995. (See attachment C) The various items listed on the questionnaire will give the City Council and all other involved parties a strong foundation on which to plan the AZIILE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR- The results were very clear and concise as to the direction the homeowners want to see the park developed. repeated comment that was voiced by the majority of people contacted was, Since the park lacks multiple street access and since Sea Gull Way is already on overload caused by the gxade school (Blue Hills), the Day Care, and the freeway; the neighborhood CAN NOT SQPPORT MORE TRAFFIC WITHOUT DANGEROIIS CONSEQIIENCES!° The five member committee is committed to following through with the positive development of the AZIILE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. With this in mind, we feel it would not only be appropriate, but helpful, that one or more members of this committee be present at all meetings per- taining to the AZDLE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. By notifying our spokesperson. Jim Schindler (446-4481), it trill be his responsibility to notify the other members of the committee. We look forward to working with the City in the planning and implementation of the AZIILE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. Thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter. FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:47PM . A ~~ Petitio Re ardin Develo meat of Azule Park Sarato a CA We, the undersigned, do not want the area developed into a sports park, rather a peaceful, neighborhood park for young and old to relax and enjoy year round. The attached survey clarifies what the neighbors of Greenbrier want developed at the site. PRINTED NAME ADDRESS SIGNATURE FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:48PM P]~,0~ I/ FIVE MEMBER COMMITTEE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS AND CONCERNS OF ALL THAT SIGNED THE PETITION AND QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING THE DEVELOP- MENT OF THE A2ULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK: Jim Schindler----------12302 Goleta Court----------446-4481 (Spokesperson) Connie Birdsall--------20170 Sea Gull Way----------255-3792 Mary Helmers-----------19875 Sea Gull Way----------446-0130 Judy Jimenez-----------12248 Goleta Avenue---------446-9520 Steve Yuen-------------12262 Goleta Avenue---------252-8301 FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:48PM P~,Y ~, C ~~ T.i4,8IILATED RESIILTS OF THE QIIESTIONNAIRE: 95% Want AZIILE PARK as a neighborhood park. Reasons: Lacks multiple street access No parking lot or the ability to establish one • SAFETY: Congested traffic will inevitably cause a serious accident, resulting in permanent disabilities or death to one or more people. 95% DO NOT WANT a soccer field, softball field, or basketball court for the same reasons as given above. 91% DO NOT WANT a handball court 85% DO NOT WANT tennis courts 75% DO NOT WANT level field for sports play 84% DO NOT WANT restrooms Reasons: It may encourage vagrants May be used as a place to distribute drugs May be used as a "Motel 6" for promiscuity Home is close enough for "relief" Sanitary reasons 98% WANT new trees and plants as well as appropriate irrigation system Reasons: With the freeway pollution, trees may emit enough oxygen to help negate the problem. Trees may help reduce the amount of noise Trees, if strategically place, could prevent this park from becoming a race track for "want-ta-be Evii Knievel's". 92% WANT benches 64% WANT a par course Reason: Great exercise program 56% WANT children's playground equipment 66% WANT lights along any pathways Reasons: Discourage unwanted activities SAFETY - SAFETY - SAFETY 34% WANT signs clearly stating "NO ACTIVITIES IN PARK AFTER DARK" 93% WANT signs clearly stating DOG OWNERS MIIST CLEAN OP AFTER THEIR DOG" OTHER SUGGESTIONS: picnic tables, barbecues, swings for adults as well as for children FROM Allen T Roten + :~ Cam. il~ilbt~ ~.h FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11: 48PM Phi 2 /~~ • 7 C~~~~ o~ ~ ° ° ~~~~ 1:3777 FltUl'fval.l, av1.NUt • SA1~~TO(;a, CAI.lN'O1ZN1A J~A7U • (4Uri) H(i7-3438 cuuNcrr, rrlrhr~l~tts: November 1, 1994 aMr M:UiO 8uiger Pau/E JdcoDs cNlh~n r1Aprln Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association h;,,~,, ~„~~~,, c/o Sally Johnson nrw,NU~ wulr 19997 Sea Gull Way Saratoga, CA 95070 RE: Proposed Development of Azule Park site. Dear Sally, I am responding to your letter to the Parks and Recreation commission regarding the future park development at the Azule site. The Commission welcomes the Associations input and is interested in the needs and the views of the community when a park site is scheduled for development. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the Association of the proposed procedure for the parks development_ At this time there is not a firm development schedule for the Azule site. As discussed in the meeting on October 25th Council has requested the Parks and Recreation Commission to review their Park Development Priorty List for the upcoming joint Council and Commission meeting scheduled for December 13, 1994. On the Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda for November 7, 1994, the Commission will review the park development priorty list, you and anyone from the Association are welcome to attend these meetings. At these meetings both the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council will not be discussing or recommending what improvements will be developed at this site. In short, the actual design phase will not begin until funding becomes available for the project and Council recommends that design and construction as a Capital Improvement Project. During the design phase, the City will then conduct a series of workshops to gather information and input from the community. Again, thank you for your letter and I will keep the Association appraised of any future meeting regarding park development. Sincerely, `~-"''~ l/~iJ~ BOb Ri.ZZO Parks Superintendent c/ Larry Perlin BR/jW PnnteO on recycles paper FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:49PM P-~.'.~ 1~ Greenbrier Flomeowr~ers and To-xpo~yers Assodoutlon Sarotoga, CA 95C~~ ~`~~ Sally Johnson Parks and Recreation Commission City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 RE: Azule Park - Goleta Avenue - Saratoga ~fll~ October 14, 1994 To Whom It May Concern: As representatives of the Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association, specifically residents of Goleta Avenue, it has come to our attention that a proposed soccer/softball field or a community garden are being considered for the Azule site. While we gratefully acknowledge the effort to upgrade the site, which we agree is an eyesore, we would like to give you a brief history of Azule, and what we do and do not want in respect to any possible development. We have always been under the impression that the Azule site was donated to the city of Saratoga by the Ditz Crane builders in the early 70's, to be developed as a park for the residents of Greenbrier. The only maintenance over the years has been a weed abatement plowing once or twice a year. The fruit trees have slowly died from lack of maintenance. In the early 80~s there was a blacktop sidewalk installed as a walkway between the street and the orchard, with the Homeowners Association planting drought tolerant ground cover around the walkway entrance on Goleta. This improved the safety factor for the children walking solely in the street, but the area was still unsightly. we had continual problems of debris accumulation in the orchard and in the street trench. Around 1988, with the cooperation of the city, we were successful in securing the street frontage and having a curb installed, which decreased the incidence of littering and made the area aesthetically more pleasing. Goleta Avenue has also had a FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3084 Jan. 31 1999 11:49PM ~~ GHTA/A2ULE PARK -2- continual increase in traffic and congestion, due in part to the installation of portable classrooms and a Day Care Center at Blue Hills Elementary, as well as and soccer games and practices after school, evenings and weekends. Peaking our years of frustrations, has been the construction of the 85 freeway - with four years of dirt, dust and noise. We the people on Goleta Avanuo, do not want anything that vi1] add to the difficulties we have endured, especially in regard to the traffic congestion. We feel strongly that the site should be utilized for more than a sports field or community garden - rather one that would give the whole neighborhood a sense of community and serenity, especially with the opening of the freeway and the inevitable noise. As described in a proposal given to you in 1990, in addition to changing the name of the park to Ed Gomersall Park, we suggest a type of park with the following characteristics: - provide a open and visible area for children a.~ adults - be aesthetically pleasing from the street - relatively inexpensive to implement and maintain. - would not increase traffic congestion We feel all of this could be accomplished by developing: - a Par Course and drinking fountain - grassy areas with shade trees - a Totlot, benches - a few picnic tables and grills - drinking fountain and trash receptacles - security lighting We feel that our proposal would increase the quality of life in the Greenbrier neighborhood, and maybe offset some of the discomfort that will be inevitable with the opening of the freeway. Sincerely yours, Sally Johnson, President FROM Allen T Roten FAX N0. 408 252 3054 Jan. 31 1999 11:50PM I/ Greenbr~e~r Homev~vners o-nd Ta-xPayers Associa~tc So-rc~ga. CA 95C)77Cr ~~ Sally Johnson p~o,~,j~ ~ TO: City of•Saratoga FROM: Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association SUBJECT: Azule Park Goleta Avenue, Saratoga, California DATE: October 29, 1990 Proposal: (i) To rename the park area to Ed Gomersall Park (2) To create a Par Course (exercise pathway) Advantages: - Used by entire neighborhood - Encourages healthy activity - Makes a open and safe area for children (visibility) - Improves value of neighborhood, at a time when the highway is lowering values in the area -Could use existing trees that are still alive -Could be created using low maintenance landscaping -Ascetically pleasing from street -Relatively inexpensive manner to upgrade area .~ C~: ~~~ ~-r~~~- 8 February, 1999 12340 Goleta Ave. Saratoga, Ca 95070 Kate Alexander Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Saratoga City Council: I am forwarding the enclosed three letters from my neighbors regarding the Azule Park Development. On the evening of February 7, 1999, Council members Baker and Streit attended a meeting with the Azule Park Neighbors Association at the Kastelman's home on Goleta Ave. The meeting was very informative for us all. We sincerely appreciated the council members investing time to discuss the issues. These letters were briefly mentioned but neither read nor discussed. I would like to submit them to council on behalf of my neighbors. I would also ask that they be copied to the Park & Recreation Commission. Sincerely, ~~ Kate Alexander Dear Jim and Dorene, January 28, 1998 We are tremendously concerned about the development of Azule Park into a Soccer Field. Most Saratogans want peace, privacy, tranquility, and a neighbor friendly community. These are major factors in the decision process to expend a great amount of money to live in Saratoga. We are original owners at 12313 De Sanka Ave. We are located directly across the street from Blue Hills School flag pole. It was so beautiful, quiet, etc. when we purchased our home in 1971. Over the years some of the serenity has disappeared. Many people voted for hiway # 85 a few years ago. What a terrible impact it has been for us and many other dwellers in the area. We knew that by buying here that we would have some traffic, but then bussing was stopped by the Cupertino Union School District. All of a sudden we were inundated with automobile traffic, car parkers, turn around drivers in our driveway, fruit and pine cone pickers enjoyed our yard without permission, etc. Almost all peace and quiet is now gone on our street and property. We put up with the school traffic 5 days and a few nights, and now by adding soccer fields at Azule Park which will require us to have traffic 7-days a week plus many days during summer. The crowning blow would be the Azule Park and Soccer Field development concept. We cannot stand the impact of more traffic. Our street, De Sanka Ave has but four houses and is the major artery to the school from the surrounding area. How can we possibly manage a new deluge of cars driving by and parking near our home? Please speak for us at the Saratoga Planning Commission meeting because we cannot speak for ourselves. Travel plans take us out of the country until Feb. 15, 1999. We are completly against the development of the Azule Park as a Soccer Field Development Project. We were told 28 years ago that the Azule Park was going to be a PARK A COMMUNITY PARK. Convice the City that we need the one quiet glace left in the neighborhood. We want to remain in Saratoga - with the last possible quiet place to walk and eniov an undeveoaaed natural setting or as,_„promised 27 years ago. a COMMUNITY PARK. ~~ Sincerely, Carl an Mary Sessler 12313 De Sanka Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 February 6, 1999 Azule Park Neighborhood Association Formed Azule Park was donated by the developer of Greenbrier to the City of Saratoga in the early 1970's to be developed as a park for its residents. There has been a continual increase in traffic and congestion in this neighborhood, due to decisions of the Cupertino School District to no longer transport students to the B1_ue Hills School, the installa±ion efportable classrooms, the instaliacion of a day care center, and the addition of soccer practice at this school. We invite anyone to visit this school on DeSanka Avenue, any weekday during school hours, to experience the traffic congestion. Adding organized soccer fields at Azule Park, will create traffic congestion 7-days a week. Can't we have some peace and tranquility even during weekends? This substantially increased traffic congestion, posing serious safety and security hazards, is the major concern of the homeowners surrounding the Azule site. We believe that there is no solution to the current traffic congestion, which will only worsen once an organized sports field complex is built. The intrusion of traffic noise from the adjacent freeway 85 also has reduced the quality of life in this neighborhood. Adding the proposed sports complex at the Azule site is the proverbial "last straw"! We, the people of the Azule Park Neighborhood Association do not want anything that will add to the difficulties and hazards already endured. We strongly feel that this site must provide a sense of community and serenity to the neighborhood. Therefore, we adamantly oppose any plan to develop this site further, in conjunction with the Blue Hills School property, as organized sports practice or playing fields. ~~ Don Johns 19997 Sea 11 Way Saratoga, CA 95070-3941 408-257-6475 ~1 February 6, 1999 Blue Hills Schools/Azule Soccer Complex Proposal Over two years ago, a survey was made of over 200 homeowners, primarily in the Greenbrier area, to determine what should be done with the undeveloped Azule Park, off Goleta Avenue. Over 90% of the homeowners surveyed preferred that a neighborhood park be build, and they opposed any organized sports fields for this site. This survey was presented to the Ciry of Saratoga. Currently, a proposal is before the Parks & Recreation Committee as presented in the meeting on February 1. This proposal calls for a three soccer field complex on the Azule site and the adjoining Blue Hills site. The proposal includes a 60+ parking lot just off Goleta , plus a concession stand and bathrooms. Over the recent Superbowl weekend, a group of concerned homeowners banded together as the Azule Park Neighborhood Association and they conducted a brief petition drive against this proposal for use of the Azule site for organized sports fields. Over 90 homeowners signed the petition over this weekend, and these results, plus a copy of the prior survey, are being presented to both the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Saratoga Ciry Commission. In the meeting on February 1, a homeowner pointed out with several references to the City Charter, that placing organized sports complexes in the midst of quiet neighborhoods would be in violation of both the spirit and letter of the City Charter, which promotes neighborhoods with peace and tranquility. The homeowners in the newly formed Azule Neighborhood Association strongly oppose the proposed soccer complex because of the significant traffic congestion which wiii follow, creating unneeded safety hazards and further diminishing the quality of life here. j~ ~~ - .~ . f, _` i /f) ~ C~~-u.~ Bill and Carmen Estes 12301 DeSanka Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070-3150 408-446-1965 ~: ~~:-~' February 4, 1999 ~V~,o J~ ` ; Saratoga City Council Mombars ~ ~:. ` , r, ,, Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commiasicnars ~- -~-~ ~ -~-- -- _ _ . , ._,_ ~,"~ 19655 Allendale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Cwmoil M~nbers and Comnnission~s, I'd like to express strong support for the application of Park Development finds toward the following four projoota: • Congress Springs sooner field improvement -improved grading for proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-round sooner play • Foothill School Girl's Softball field improvement -improved field condition and safety • Azule Park additional sooner fields & improvement of existing field -foie fields can and should be created at this site with proper drainage and appropriate grass far ye~r~oiud sooner pLy • Marshall Iona baseball anti socoa field improvement -improved field oonditian and safety, improved grading for Proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-route soccer play As you must be aware, the demographics of Saratoga are changing. We continue to ba a prosperous bedroom community. Our' business oommtmiry is thriving and growing with an increasingly dynamic downtown "Village„ shopping area and impro~enta underway at the SafewaY/Longs shopping center. Much of this growth is fueled by the ohango in demogcaphios. More families with prey-school and acl~ool-age children are moving into our community. School populations are increasing, neoasaitating the passage of such bond issues as Measure G, which I firmly supported. However, these children have needs beyond acadeenios. They need facilities to participate in organized sporting activities. Such activities develop interpersonal skills, Physical fitness, agility, sad as apprewiaticn for tha value of teamwork. Our parks and school fields are here for the children and re~sidemts of Saratoga. Currently these are over 300 Saratoga resideart children playing on Saratoga CYSA sooner teams. Yet these children do not have scones to a suitable sooner field in Saratoga. They must play in Gino or Los Gatos for `dome" games. This is wrong: Saratoga AYSO is an incredibly strong soccer program It is my wing that the program cannot admit the number of children that want to participate due to a lank of fields. This is wrong Sooca is a very hoahhy sport for young minds and bodies. I urge each of you to strongly support the unproveanents listed abowo for the good of our youth. Our ohildr~ are our future and we the people of Saratoga own them appropriate facilities. Lastly, I'd h7ce to point out that those who oppose improvement of the above mentioned park and school facilities do so from a solf-interastod and logically inoorroot position. Parks and school fields are paid for and supported by the tax dollars of sll Saratoga residents. Organized team sports are a usual and ouabomary use of parks and school fields. How ma~+ of us played little longue or pee-wee football as children? We benefited, a~ yet a few who live nearby these lYOilities would dmry our children this same opportunity. They like living near a park for their own use, but would deny others as appropriate use of the land I do not find this position logical or supportable. Thank you for your support of our children. Sincerely, David R. Hoh 15373 On Orbit Dr. Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867-0994 February 4, 1999 Saratoga City Council Members Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commissioners 19653 Allendale Ave. Saratoga, CA 93070 Dear Council Members and Commissioners, ~, -~~_p__._ fa~ _. v ~. :. a I'd like to express strong suppa~t for the application of Park Development funds toward the following four P%1~~ • Congress Springs sooner field improvement -improved g for proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-route sooner play • Foothill School Girl's SoRball field improvt -improved field condition and safety • Azu1e Park additional sooner fields & impravennont of existingfield -four fields can and should be erected at this site with proper drainage and appropriate grass for yeu round sooner play • Marshall Lane baseball and socoa field improvement -improved field condition and safety; improved grading far proper drainage and appropriate grass for year round saucer play As you must be aware, the demographice of Saratoga are changing. We continue to be a prosperous bedroom oommrmity. Our business community is thnving and growing with an increasingly dynamic downtown "Village" shopping area and improvemante imd~w+ay at the Safeway/Longs shopping center. Much of this growth is fueled by the change in demographics. Mare families with pra~school and school-age children are moving into our community. School populations are increasing, neoassitating the passage of such boiul issues as Measure G, which I firmly supported. However, these children have needs beyond academics. They need facilities to participate in organized sporting activities. Such activities develop interpersonal skills, Physical fitness, agility, and an appreciation for the value of teamwork. Our parks and scdiool fields era here for the ohildran and residents of Saratoga. G~tly there are over 300 Saratoga resident ohildr~ playing an Saratoga CYSA sooner teams. Yet these children do not ham access to a suitable soccer field in Saratoga. They must play in Cupertino ~ Los Gatos for "home" gates. This is wrong. Saratoga AYSO is an incredibly strong soccer program. It is my under~nding that the program cannot admit the number of children that want to participate due to a lack of fields. This is wrong. Soccer is a very healthy sport for young minds a~ bodies. I urge esoh of you to strongly support the improvements listed above for the good of our youth. Our children are our future and we the people of Saratoga owe them appropriate facilities. Lastly, I'd like to point out that those who oppose improvement of the above mentioned park and school facilities do so from aself-interested and logically inooriect position. Parks and school fields are paid for and supported by the tax dollars of all Saratoga residents. Organized team sports are a usual aril ouetomary use of parks and school fields. How marry of us played little league or pee-woo football as children? We benefited, and yet a few who live nearby these facilities would decry our ohildnm this saw opportunity. They like living near a park for their own use, but would deny others an appropriate use of the land. I do not find this position logical or supportable. Thank you for your support of our ohildrea Sinoetely, Reggie R of 13373 On Orbit Dr. Saratoga, CA 93070 (408) 867-0794 C ~ .~ ~P e~- hh '~- ~ r~, February 6, 1999 U/ :..:. ' :~~- Saratoga City Council Members ~, ~ ^ ~ ~ ° '~_ Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commissioners ~"~~ .f '~~' -- ' ~ ~ ' ' ' ' ~ ~ ~~ ~''"`'' 19655 Allendale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Council Members and Commissioners: I'd like to express strong support for the application of Park Development funds toward the following four projects: • Congress Springs soccer field improvement -improved grading for proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-round soccer play • Foothill School Girl's Softball field improvement -improved field condition and safety • Azule Park additional soccer fields & improvement of existing field -four fields can and should be created at this site with proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-round soccer play • Marshall Lane baseball and soccer field improvement -improved field condition and safety; improved grading for proper drainage and appropriate grass for year-round soccer play As you are aware, a significant number of Saratoga children participate in organized sports including CYSA soccer teams and AYSO. At the same time, the population of children in Saratoga is increasing. Parks are important for both the good of our youth and for the community as a whole. We must look to the good of the entire community, and not to the interests of a few in the minority. Please support our parks by committing funds to the four projects mentioned above. Again, thank you for your support of our children. Sincerely, ~- ~ ~ ~ ~~~ ,..C~~~ Alison Humphries 19969 Garnett Ct. Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867-9415 P. Guidotti Avenue Saratoga. CA February 8, 1999 • ~ 7/t.~~c.e- ~aos~ -9140 g The City of Saratoga ~~ ;• .• Parks and Recreation Commission ® ' ~. ~ -' I, 1377 Fruitvale Avenue ~ , ; i Saratoga, CA 95070 l~ ; ; ~ ~ --~ t Y ~ 'r' ~ : , ,~ Re: Playfield Development & Renovation Project Foothill School ~'_''_''~ i1`:?_~ `_ ~_. rC Dear Commissioners: Please accept these comments regarding the Playfield Development & Renovation Project Plan discussed at the February 1, 1999 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Because of a schedule conflict, I could not attend that meeting. Accordingly, this letter serves to convey my input regarding the project. I reviewed the notice of the meeting and the diagram prepared by Beals Landscape Architecture that was attached to the notice. An annotated copy of the Beals diagram is attached to this letter showing, not to scale, our yard in relation to the field. Our yard abuts the southern property line, adjacent to Item 3B and generally across from the southern lines of Items 2A and 2B. In the current unimproved configuration, field users frequently occupy areas near the property line. As a result, we have scant privacy when the field is in use. On many occasions, trash (e.g., sandwich wrappers, empty snack bags, soft drink cans) and balls from the field have entered the back yard. It is also quite noisy. If the objectives of the project are realized, the field will attract more users, thereby increasing these undesirable byproducts. The Monterey Pine trees now occupying Item 3B on the Beals diagram provide an effective aural and visual barrier between the field and our yard. Changes to this area should therefore ultimately fortify the existing barrier rather than reduce it. The note corresponding to Item 3B states, "Remove & replace trees and install netting at southern property line." This description begs for clarification. If the Monterey Pines are removed, the character of our yard will change immediately and dramatically, for the worse. The yard will be fully visible from the field, and any noise abatement provided by the trees will be lost. To minimize these harmful effects and to ensure the speedy and ultimate fortification of this natural barrier, I recommend the following: 1. Replant Item 3B immediately upon removing the existing trees 2. The space between the new trees should be no greater than the space between existing trees 3. The replacement species should be fast growing, large enough when mature to abate noise, shield views, and be hardy and pest-tolerant (e.g. Coast Redwood) 4. Plant the most mature items possible (as opposed to seedlings) I would like further clarification regarding the netting proposed in Item 3B, specifically how tall would it be, what would it look like, how close to the fence, etc. Naturally, I would like to understand all of the details of Item 3B and would appreciate your advice as to the best way to learn these details in time to make further comments. Therefore, a timely reply is appreciated. Please feel free to call, write or a-mail. Thank you in advance for your assistance. S~ncerel s, ~~~ Mark u otti i--;+ L w •+- ~..~ lii J ~ ~ ~~ 2 y. N ~_ r ~~ <+ ~; :~. ~; ti ~~ 0 ~, ,. ~- ~~ f a~ ~ : ~ s = ~F ~ ~ g J ~ 3~'1 l ~ ~I -~ ~ ~ ~ c ~~ ~~~ ~~Il 6 ~ ~ < ~ ~" ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ - { ~~ ~ ~ .~ ~~ e ~ r r- ~ i i .phi' I ~~i ~A WD oU J N W ~e4 ~F ~Z a~ ~W~ ~J~ u~ _ O ~}~~ C~~ .. ~. cam; ~~~f ~~ February 9, 1999 Sazatoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Re: Blue Hills/Azule Park Development Project Dear City Council Members, I have been a resident on Goleta Avenue, adjacent to the proposed Blue Hills/Azule Pazk Development Project, since 1971. I am opposed to the construction of soccer fields in this azea for three reasons: 1. Increased traffic will change the quiet nature of our neighborhood. Currently, we have very little traffic. Soccer fields will increase traffic dramatically. That kind of high-use public space is more appropriate in a busy neighborhood, with wide streets and traffic lights. 2. Soccer fields offer recreation to only one segment of the community. My husband and I, for example, take walks every day. We greatly enjoy the changing landscape of fruit trees, grass, birds, wildflowers and squirrels in this azea. A pazk, with trees and shrubs, would enhance our enjoyment. But barren soccer fields would effectively eliminate our recreation. 3. As a grandmother, I know that children need natural spaces to explore, trees to climb, flowers to sni$; squirrels to chase. Some children enjoy highly organized sports, but all children need places for unstructured play. Please don't take that kind of place away from the children in our neighborhood. I urge you to consider, first and foremost, the needs of the immediate neighborhood as you plan this pazk project. Your decision will impact our entire quality of life. Thank you. Sincerely, Laura Brozicevic 12229 Goleta Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 l~j 004 CG. -~~~0 Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 18:08:34 -0800 From: Marcia Faris clViazcia@Crizmology.cotty To: Clty Council Members <saratoga@statenet.com> Subject: playing fields Mayor Shaw, City Council Members, Your careful and thorough research regazding the upgrading of soccer playing fields is to be commended. There are definitely points to be made on both sides of the expansion/upgradingisue; however, I am confident that your continued cautious consideration of all aspects of the issue will result in equitable decisions. Keep up the good work Mazcia Faziss C~'j r ~~~~ Wed Feb 17 10:56:48 1999 Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 09:45:52 -0800 From: Tricia Sweeney <BigSis28@hotmail.com> To: Saratoga@statenet,com Subject: Proposed g~tr~ of soccer fields at Blue Hills school. [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Dear members of the City Council, I wish to let you know how strongly I oppose this proposal to site three soccer fields right behind my house on Knollwood Dr. I live at #20018 and this plan is going to severely affect my peace and quiet at the weekends. When I came to live in this beautiful city five years ago, I chose to live on Knollwood Dr. instead of the area around Congress Springs park primarily because the noise of the soccer game being played the day we visited a listing there was horrendous. That particular house was separated from the park by railway tracks.....I do not have even that distance. My family pay taxes and put up with the inevitable school noises even though our children attend private school, but we had considered that before purchasing the house. We battle the illegal parking (on Fri.l2th Feb. a car straddled across both children's crossings on De Sanka and Knollwood. e.g.) and the congestion on a daily basis. We put up with the noise of the freeway, again we knew about it before purchasing the house. However, the idea that my precious family weekends will be disrupted by noise pollution from games played right behind my home with all the attendant shouting and swearing (yes, I hear shouting at practice but the coaches are very good as far as their language usage...can you vouch for the parents ?) We all like to believe that our home is a place where we can kick back and relax, I'm sure you do. I don't want to be in a situation where I have to seek out a soccer schedule in order to plan when I can and cannot us my own back yard, it's bad enough that I have to go inside when the grass is being cut with that huge machine ( Ibelieve it to be that, though it may be something else) for fear that my ears will be damaged.....I invite you along next time that occurs. If the fields are being used more often for soccer, will this maintenence also escalate? I will not benefit in any way by this plan, my children do not attend the school, nor do they play soccer, but they do occasionally play on the fields during the summer. It seems that the neighborhood is being asked to give up a lot and receive nothing in return. I thank you for your time and understand that you have a hard decision to make, but as my representatives I am telling you that my desire is to leave Blue Hills School just as it is. Thank you, Patricia Sweeney. [Part 2, Text/HTML (charset: ISO-8859-1 "Latin 1") 80 lines] [Unable to print this part] .. ~C . 25 February, 1999 12340 Goleta Ave. Saratoga, Ca 95070 Kate Alexander Saratoga City Council Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Saratoga City Council and parks and Recreation Commission: I am forwarding the enclosed documentation about the 1996 survey of the Azule & Greenbriar neighborhood regarding the Azule Park development. This is to complete your records. I understand that a synopsis of this was sent by Mr. Al Roten on about 31 January 1999. Sincerely, ~~ ~~~~~z~~^~~ Kate Alexander ~. TO: SARATOGA CITY COIINCIL --~` Paul Jacobs, Gillian Moran, Ann Marie Burger, Karen Tucker, ~~ and Donald Wolfe f FROM: Mary Helmers (19875 Sea Gull Way) SIIBJECT: Saratoga City Council Meeting, July 17, 1996 DATE: July 19, 1996 The meeting held on July 17, 1996, left me so discouraged and disappointed that it has been difficult for me to concentrate on anything else until I do everything within my power to set the record straight. Because of my lack of preparedness for the meeting, sprinkled with a HEAVY dose of ignor- ance, I failed miserably to convey certain points regarding the development of Azule Park that should have been brought to your attention. In an attempt to correct my mistakes and appease my conscience, I'm hoping you will read the following information and take it into consideration before any irrever- sible actions are taken regarding the development of Azule Park. 1. A survey was conducted regarding the development of Azule Park. The results of this survey were submitted to the City of Saratoga on Septem- ber 28, 1995, with a follow up information sheet containing updated data given to the city on May 1, 1996. Of the more than 200 residents that were surveyed, NINETY PERCENT WERE IN FAVOR OF TAE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. 2. NO ONE THAT SPORE IN FAVOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMIINITY PARR LIVES IN THE GREENBRIER AREA. While the "Blue Hills School Parents" spoke in favor of the Azule Park being turned into a Community Park, they conveniently did not mention the fact that they live in the Revin Moran Park area. Through careful orchestration the Kevin Moran Park was taken off the list for community development. They really did end up with a GIANT win-win situation. 3. SEA GIILL WAY HAS TIIRNED INTO A SPEEDWAY, HARING SAFETY A PARAMOIINT ISSIIE. After several months of clocking and tabulating traffic information on Sea Gull Way, I was able to make the following determination: 10% of all traffic travels at 25 MPH, 10% of all traffic travels at 60+ MPH, while the remaining traffic travels at various spee4s in between; with 40 to 45 MPH being the most popular. Although it was suggested that most vehicles only exceed the posted speed limits by 5 miles an hour, there is concrete evidence to the contrary. Examples: The Greenbrier sign located near Cox Avenue has been bumped into many times and even (2) knocked down by vehicles unable to negotiate the turn due to their speed. Speed again played a part in a car jumping the curb and hitting the house located at 20038 Sea Gull Way. 4. SEA GIILL WAY IS ONE OF VERY FEW SIDE STREETS IN SARATOGA THAT FEEDS INTO A MAJOR THOROIIGHFARE AT BOTH ENDS/BEGINNINGS (AS THE CASE MAY BE). This physical factor makes it a prime SHORTCUT for drivers wanting to avoid the stop light at Cox Avenue and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road (Highway #9) Since there are far more police cars patrolling Cox Avenue and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road, it makes Sea Gull Way a much more inviting way to travel through without the likelihood of getting that unwanted ticket. 5. THE "STOP-N-SAVE" CONVENIENT STORE ALSO PROMOTES MORE TRAFFIC ON SEA GDLL WAY. The store is open from 6 A.M.one day until 2 A.M. the next day, seven days a week. This is a store that sells alcoholic beverages. Some of these beverages are consumed by the occupants and/or drivers of the vehicles that are using Sea Gull Way. It is not uncommon for the front of our property to be used as a dumping ground for their unwanted cans and bottles. 6. CONGRESS SPRINGS PARR WAS COMPARED TO AZIILE PARR WITHOIIT TARING CERTAIN FACTS INTO CONSIDERATION. Congress Springs Park is a pie shaped park with the freeway on one side, the railroad tracks/parking lot on -one side, and a High Voltage Station on the street side. Looking at the general lay out of this park, it is next to impossible to park in front of anyone's home and in anyway block their driveway. The street next to Congress Springs Park, Glen Brae Drive, does not support vehicles chauffeuring children from a different residential area, vehicles driv- ing directly from a convenient store, or vehicles traveling at such high speeds near the park. Glen Brae Drive near the park has .a very sharp curve in•the road that requires you to slow down or you'd be catapulted on to the freeway. 7. THE WEEKENDS ARE THE TIMES SEA GIILL WAY DOES NOT HAVE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY PARENTS CHAIIFFEIIRING THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF HIGHWAY ~k85 TO BLIIE HILLS SCHOOL AND DAY CARE. 8. LAND IS VERY PRECIOIIS AND SHOIILD BE IISED WISELY. Turning Azule Park into a community park would DEMAND that part of the land be used for a park- ing lot. People would use the street nearest the park (Goleta Avenue), before they would use the school's parking lot and walk back to the park. Goleta Avenue is lined with homes. It is my belief that we can find a safer place than Azule Park to promote soccer games and have a WIN/WIN SITIIATION FOR ALL CONCERNED. The represent- atives from the Saratoga Schools implied that there were school sites in Saratoga that would welcome organized soccer activities and the surrounding residents would be supportive. S wa u II T ~ Coy Rue. Yw1w ~~on;cu D~;„~ ct, Sto Lull Lout ~ C"~~ Puenh~ / Ck o~ `~ 4 ~ { ~ Go ef4 ~u~. Perk Rru+ Blue N; I(5 Schoo I Ave. Qn Sn.,kq ~ ~ ~~~ + ~ 9ro ' 5a~~ _d Q S7 C 7 N GS O 6 i cn `Sec C~wll Iv4 /i ~~ GHTA Presiders Sally Johnson TO: Saratoga Ciry Council July 10, 1996 Orgo,ry~ed 19T,3 Over a year ago, during a combined Parks Commission and Ciry Council Meeting, at which many individuals spoke up with differing views on where Saratoga should go with parks development, this Council asked that interest groups organize to represent cohesive positions rather than disparate individual opinions. As a result of the Council's recommendations, and in good faith response to this request, we expanded our efforts to provide representation beyond the borders of the Greenbrier Development to encompass other neighbors of Azule Park and Blue Hilts School. We sponsored and supported the formation of an independent committee to determine the wishes of this expanded community of neighbors and to work with the City. This committee surveyed more than 200 homes surrounding the Azule Park Site and its access thoroughfares. The results of that survey were clear. The primary concern of people in and around the Azule Park area was for SAFETY and TRAFFIC. Even now traffic is dramatically increased during the months school is in session by people coming to Blue Hills School from outlying areas. We do NOT want to further impact the traffic in this area by having organized sports which would jeopardize the safety of the children we are trying to protect! Over 95% of the people did NOT want to have ANY organized sporting activity in the area! Items people wanted to see in Azule Park included: Par Course--Play Ground--Picnic Tables Lighted Pathway--Adult and Children's swings. Our Committee Report was given to this City Council and Parks Commission with an invitation that we stand ready to work together on this important issue. We have received no acknowledgment of our report, nor have our representatives been invited to take part in Task Force Proceedings other than as individual residents of Saratoga. The report of our representatives was apparently ignored. Neither the City Council nor the Parks Commission have adequately considered the traffic impact of your decision. The Azule Park Site is a neighborhood locked by roads that are already taxed by school and commuter traffic. The increment of change by development of the Azule park as an organized sports complex jeopardizes the safety of all who may live in or visit the neighborhood. In summary, we believe that the Council's decision to develop Azule Park as an organized sports facility, in cooperation with the Cupertino School District, is not a wise one; and that such a decision is contrary to the safety and community interest, and is in direct conflict with those of us who must live with your actions. Several other more suitable areas for organized sports were not considered in making your decision. We suggest that you consider the following areas: Saratoga High School, Prospect High School, Heritage Orchard (back acreage adjacent to Catholic School), and Saint Andrew's School. We urgently request that the decision to develop the Azule Park Site for organized sports be revised to proceed with development as a Neighborhood Park. f ~i Sally Johnson, Cxeenbrier Homeowners and To~xpo~ye~s Assoda~ton Saratoga, CA 950X~ Greenbriar Homeowners and Taxpayers Association T0: CONCERNED HOMEOWNERS AND TAXPAYERS FROM: AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR COMMITTEE SUBJECT: UPDATED INFORMATION FROM ONGOING SURVEYS/QUESTIONNAIRES DATE: MAY 1, 1996 90% of all the people surveyed (200 plus) want the following: AZDLE PARR as a NEIGHBORHOOD PARR New trees and plants with automatic sprinkling system Benches Responsible dog owners 84% of all the people surveyed (200 plus) want NO ACTIVITIES IN THE PARR AFTER DARK The majority of people surveyed also want lights along the pathways, a par course, and children's playground equipment. An OVERWHELMING percentage of people surveyed (200 plus) DO NOT WANT: Soccer fields (95%) Softball fields (95%) Basketball courts (95%) Level f fields ( 7596) Restrooms (84%) In the words of Barbara Walters, "We're in touch, so you be in touch!". Jim Schindler 446-4481 Connie Birdsall 255-3792 Mary Helmers 446-0130 Judy Jimenez 446-9520 Steve Yuen 252-8301 - AZULE PARK SURVEY -- Additional Comments Freq. Item Mentioned 10 Plant more shade trees to hide freeway and cut down on noise 4 Picnic benches 4 Barbecues 4 Sitting benches 4 Swings (Adult and children) 4 Quiet park 4 Clean it up and leave it alone! 3 Lots of grass 3 No ORGANIZED sporting activities 3 Close proximity to Cupertino and San Jose will attract Non-Saratoga residents 2 Stop all the traffic on Seagull Way -- block it off at DeSanka 1 Use Non-toxic plants 1 No Sandbox - it becomes a trash box 1 Walkways 1 Bike path 1 Neighborhood swimming pool with toddler pool 1 Water fountain -D=~ Pt~ul.E AZULE PARK SURVEY -- Additional Comments Freq. Item Mentioned 10 Plant more shade trees to hide freeway and cut down on noise 4 Picnic benches 4 Barbecues 4 Sitting benches 4 Swings (Adult and children) 4 Quiet park 4 Clean it up and leave it alone! 3 Lots of grass 3 No ORGANIZED sporting activities 3 Close proximity to Cupertino and San Jose will attract Non-Saratoga residents 2 Stop all the traffic on Seagull Way -- block it off at DeSanka 1 Use Non-toxic plants 1 No Sandbox - it becomes a trash box 1 Walkways 1 Bike path 1 Neighborhood swimming pool with toddler pool 1 Water fountain ' T0: City of Saratoga FROM: Two Hundred Concerned Homeowners and Taxpayers SUBJECT: Development of the AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR DATE: September 28, 1995 On August 17, 1995, a meeting was held to discuss the development of AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. There were a number of positive guidelines that were suggested and developed at this meeting. In accordance with these guidelines, a petition (See attachment A) and questionnaire were created. Since there was such a strong showing at this meeting, it was decided that a committee of five members would be selected and they in turn would represent the interests and concerns of all that signed the petition and questionnaire. The five member committee (See attachment B) circulated the petition and questionnaire to approximately 200 homeowners. Since the petition and questionnaire are still in circulation, the number of homeowners that will be contacted, will continue to increase. The petitions will be submitted to the City Council by our spokesperson, Jim Schindler, at an appropriate meeting. Knowing that the City Council Members would be interested in the results of this questionnaire, we have meticulously tabulated all information gather as of the 28th of September 1995. (See attachment C) The various items listed on the questionnaire will give the City Council and all other involved parties a strong foundation on which to plan the AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. The results were very clear and concise as to the direction the homeowners want to see the park developed. A repeated comment that uas voiced by the majority of people contacted was, Since the park lacks multiple street access and since Sea Gull Way is already on overload caused by the grade school (Blue Hills), the Day Care, and the freeway; the neighborhood CAN NOT SUPPORT MORE TRAFFIC WITHOUT DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES!" The five member committee is committed to following through with the positive development of the AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. With this in mind, we feel it would not only be appropriate, but helpful, that one or more members of this committee be present at all meetings per- taining to the AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. By notifying our spokesperson, Jim Schindler (446-4481), it will be his responsibility to notify the other members of the committee. We look forward to working with the City in the planning and implementation of the AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARR. Thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter. A Petition Regarding Development of Azule Park, Saratoga, CA We, the undersigned, do not want the area park, rather a peaceful, neighborhood park relax and enjoy year round. The attached the neighbors of Greenbriar want developed developed into a sports for young and old to survey clarifies what at the site. PRINTED NAME ADDRESS SIGNATURE B FIVE MEMBER COMMITTEE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS AND CONCERNS OF ALL THAT SIGNED THE PETITION AND QIIESTIONNAIRE REGARDING THE DEVELOP- MENT OF THE AZULE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK: Jim Schindler----------12302 Goleta Court----------446-4481 (Spokesperson) Connie Birdsall--------20170 Sea Gull t,1ay----------255-3792 Mary Helmers-----------19875 Sea Gull 61ay----------446-0130 Judy Jimenez-----------12248 Goleta Avenue---------446-9520 Steve Yuen-------------12262 Goleta Avenue---------252-8301 C TABIILATED RESULTS OF THE QIIESTIONNAIRE: 95% Want AZIILE PARR as a neighborhood park. Reasons: Lacks multiple street access No parking lot or the ability to establish one SAFETY: Congested traffic will inevitably cause a serious accident, resulting in permanent disabilities or death to one or more people. 95% DO NOT WANT a soccer field, softball field, or basketball court for the same reasons as given above. 91% DO NOT WANT a handball court 85% DO NOT WANT tennis courts 75% DO NOT WANT level field for sports play 84% DO NOT WANT restrooms Reasons: It may encourage vagrants May be used as a place to distribute drugs May be used as a "Motel 6" for promiscuity Home is close enough for "relief" Sanitary reasons 98% WANT new trees and plants as well as appropriate irrigation system Reasons: With the freeway pollution, trees may emit enough oxygen to help negate the problem. Trees may help reduce the amount of noise Trees, if strategically place, could prevent this park from becoming a race track for "want-ta-be Evil Knievel's". 92% WANT benches 64% WANT a par course Reason: Great exercise program 56% WANT children's playground equipment 66% WANT lights along any pathways Reasons: Discourage unwanted activities SAFETY - SAFETY - SAFETY 84% WANT signs clearly stating "NO ACTIVITIES IN PARR AFTER DARK" 93% WANT signs clearly stating DOG OWNERS MIIST CLEAN IIP AFTER THEIR DOG" OTHER SUGGESTIONS: picnic tables, barbecues, swings for adults as well as for children ~~ GHTA Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Associodtion Saratoga, CA 950X~ Prudent Sally Johnson Parks and Recreation Commission City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 RE: Azule Park - Goleta Avenue - Saratoga Orgonia2d 1gT3 October 14, 1994 To Whom It May Concern: As representatives of the Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association, specifically residents of Goleta Avenue, it has come to our attention that a proposed soccer/softball field or a community garden are being considered for the Azule site. While we gratefully acknowledge the effort to upgrade the site, which we agree is an eyesore, we would like to give you a brief history of Azule, and what we do and do not want in respect to any possible development. We have always been under the impression that the Azule site was donated to the city of Saratoga by the Ditz Crane builders in the early 70's, to be developed as a park for the residents of Greenbrier. The only maintenance over the years has been a weed abatement plowing once or twice a year. The fruit trees have slowly died from lack of maintenance. In the early 80's there was a blacktop sidewalk installed as a walkway between the street and the orchard, with the Homeowners Association planting drought tolerant ground cover around the walkway entrance on Goleta. This improved the safety factor for the children walking solely in the street, but the area was still unsightly. We had continual problems of debris accumulation in the orchard and in the street trench. Around 1988, with the cooperation of the city, we were successful in securing the street frontage and having a curb installed, which decreased the incidence of littering and made the area aesthetically more pleasing. Goleta Avenue has also had a GHTA/AZULE PARK -2- continual increase in traffic and congestion, due in part to the installation of portable classrooms and a Day Care Center at Blue Hills Elementary, as well as and soccer games and practices after school, evenings and weekends. Peaking our years of frustrations, has been the construction of the 85 freeway - with four years of dirt, dust and noise. We the people on Goleta Avenue, do not want anything that will add to the difficulties we have endured, especially in regard to the traffic congestion. We feel strongly that the site should be utilized for more than a sports field or community garden - rather one that would give the whole neighborhood a sense of community and serenity, especially with the opening of the freeway and the inevitable noise. As described in a proposal given to you in 1990, in addition to changing the name of the park to Ed Gomersall Park, we suggest a type of park with the following characteristics: - provide a open and visible area for children and adults - be aesthetically pleasing from the street - relatively inexpensive to implement and maintain. - would not increase traffic congestion We feel all of this could be accomplished by developing: - a Par Course and drinking fountain - grassy areas with shade trees - a Totlot, benches - a few picnic tables and grills - drinking fountain and trash receptacles - security lighting We feel that our proposal would increase the quality of life in the Greenbrier neighborhood, and maybe offset some of the discomfort that will be inevitable with the opening of the freeway. Sincerely yours, Sally Johnson, President G Greenbrier Homeowners and TaxPoaJers Rssociatior Saroa~o. CR 950X~ PfeSK~2flt: Sally Johnson TO: City of~Saratoga FROM: Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association SUBJECT: Azule Park Goleta Avenue, Saratoga, California DATE: October 29, 1990 Proposal: (1) To rename the park area to Ed Gomersall Park (2) To create a Par Course (exercise pathway) Advantages: - Used by entire neighborhood - Encourages healthy activity C)rgorr~zd 197. - Makes a open and safe area for children (visibility) - Improves value of neighborhood, at a time when the highway is lowering values in the area -Could use existing trees that are still alive -Could be created using low maintenance landscaping -Ascetically pleasing from street -Relatively inexpensive manner to upgrade area . /' ~ I ~_ / ~ ~ ~ y ~ ~ t J ~ __.~ _ ~.~ ~~ ~~~ 1,777 FRU11'VAl.I: AVENUE • S:11iA'fUGA, CAL.IH'O1tN1A 95070 • (4U8) 867-343S November 1, 1994 Greenbrier Homeowners and Taxpayers Association c/o Sally Johnson 19997 Sea Gull Way Saratoga, CA 95070 RE: Proposed Development of Azule Park site. Dear Sally, COUNCIL ~lEb1I3E1t5: Ann tilane Burger P~uIE Jacobs c;dGdn tilorsn Kasen lu~~nev DUnJiU L. WU!!r I am responding to your letter to the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the future park development at the Azule site. The Commission welcomes the Associations input and is interested in the needs and the views of the community when a park site is scheduled for development. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the Association of the proposed procedure for the parks development. At this time there is not a firm development schedule for the Azule site. As discussed in the meeting on October 25th Council has requested the Parks and Recreation Commission to review their Park Development Priorty List for the upcoming joint Council and Commission meeting scheduled for December 13, 1994. On the Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda for November 7, 1994, the Commission will review the park development priorty list, you and anyone from the Association are welcome to attend these meetings. At these meetings both the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council will not be discussing or recommending what improvements will be developed at this site. In short, the actual design phase will not begin until funding becomes available for the project and Council recommends that design and construction as a Capital Improvement Project. During the design phase, the City will then conduct a series of workshops to gather information and input from the community. Again, thank you for your letter and I will keep the Association appraised of any future meeting regarding park development. Sincerely, ~~ Bob Rizzo Parks Superintendent c/ Larry Perlin BR/jw Printed on recycled paper. 4 y A ., ,~-I~.., -~ I!_. ,! ~ ~ . ~l ;,- ~~ , j ( ~_,~~. .. ~. .~ • ~^'~ ~,ry,Yi ~.,q.,.,. ,. ,,~.,r, .~~f~~ Date: March 1, 1999 To: Saratoga City Council and the Saratoga Parks & Rect~ation Commission 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 From: William E. Estes 12301 DeSanka Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Subject: Announcement of Formation of APNA I have been asked to distribute a copy of this announcement to you. APNA stands for "Azule Park Neighborhood Association". We are an active association of concerned Saratoga residents. ~, As residents who live across from the Blue Hills School, my wife and I are unhappy with the traffic density we have right now. It is only reasonable that residents in this area would oppose any proposal which would increase traffic density substantially, as the proposed three soccer field complex would do. We should emphasize that we are not just an organized opposition group. We would prefer to work constructively with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council to seek alternative solutions. Sincerely, rC%L~~~1/'/Z/ William E. Estes r February 28, 1999 Who are we: We are a group of neighbors who are concerned about the proposed sports complex devel- opment planned for Blue Hills School field and unde- veloped Azule Pazk. Our group covers the neighbor- hoods on the West Side of Highway 85, which sur- round Blue Hills School. Our mission: We want to provide a voice for the majority of people who are opposed to the develop- ment of the Azule Pazk area for a sports complex. The current proposal is to build three soccer fields, a pazking lot, restrooms and a concession stand for use year round. We are pro-kid and for organized sports and we do not object to the current usage of the field. We are very concerned about the major nega- tive impact that building a sports complex will have on the neighborhood. Instead of the sports complex we would like to see a community park that Sazatoga residents of all ages would be able to enjoy as well as find an appropriate site for playfields. Committees: To further our objectives the APNA has formed several committees. The first committee is Park Planning, which will work towards a plan for the community park. There is a communications committee that is responsible for getting the word out to the neighborhood about what is happening. A third committee is formed to act as liaison with the Cupertino School Board. The School Board also must approve the city plan for the playfields. NOTICE: The Saratoga City Council will be meeting with the Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission task force to present their proposal on March 9 7:30PM at the Adult Day Care Center. There will be a public comment period so we would like to have as many people in the community turn out to voice their concerns about this proposal. Please come and show your support. Volume 1, Issue 1 The historv: Nine years ago a consultant was engaged to provide a Master Plan for Pazks and Recreation in the City of Saratoga. The funding for this plan was to come from developer's fees that are paid to the City for each home built. These fees are for the express purpose of building Pazks and Recreation facilities. They revert back to the developer if they aze not spent within a specified period of time. Nine months ago a task force was formed to look into Playfield development as this priority had been up- graded due to the deterioration of Congress Springs field. The task force included representatives from the Pazk and Recreation Commission, the City and User groups but not the community. We formed last month after the City Council meeting where the plans for this development were re- viewed. It became appazent to us that the groups in favor of this development were well organized and had mo- mentum because they had been able to work with the task force to develop the proposal while the local neigh- bors were excluded. We voiced our concerns to the Pazk and Recreation Commission at their February 1 meeting and they agreed that they would delay the process for six weeks. On February 7 members of APNA met with two city council members who came to meet with us to hear our concerns. While they listened to us they also pro- vided us with their point of view on this issue. We learned that the primary issue for the City Council is to make sure the money is spent in a manner that provides the maximum benefit to the residents of Sazatoga. Therefore we need to make our own proposal. Many of the members of the community have expressed that would like to have a community park that could be used by Saratoga residents of all ages. Our neighborhood group would like to see this happen. IF YOU AGREE WITH US YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US. You can contact any member of the communications committee whose names are in- cluded on the nett page. . r The concerns: The main concerns of the neighborhood are Traffic, Parking and Safety, although not in that order. These concerns are not theoretical either but are based on the current experience of the neighborhoocfi There are a maximum of 14 players plus coaches on each soccer team. This means that for each field there will be at least 32 cars (assuming 2 coaches) per field during each game and depending on how tight the games are scheduled this could mean twice that many. This means that there potentially could be as many as 768 cars on a weekend day. (32 cars X 3 fields X 8 hours per day. Play could happen on both Saturday and Sunday and could go all year round if all possible user groups (AYSO, CYSA and adult soccer groups) are included. These calculations do not include weekday practices or camps either. Another traffic factor is AYSO has stated that they plan to have only older kids playing on the field. The impact of this plan is that many of the drivers will be teenage and hence less likely to follow the traffic laws which will increase the safety hazard. A second concern is parking. Currently the Blue Hills School has 47? spots. In the plans is the addi- tion of 63 spots. While this amount may seem adequate, it is not clear that there is enough money to pay for the parking lot and this would force parking onto Goleta, Sea Gull, DeSanka, Knollwood and Kirkbrook Av- enues, narrowing the residential streets and blocking driveways, mailboxes, etc. One further concern in park- ing deals with the use of the fields during tournaments. During tournaments teams tend to stay at the field. While this can reduce the traffic flow slightly it will make the parking situation worse. In addition to the safety concern mentioned above, there is a concern regarding egress to and from Goleta Avenue onto Sea Gull. Both ends of the street are bounded by blind corners making it difficult to see on-coming traffic. Sea Gull has become a major thoroughfare because it connects Cox Avenue to Saratoga- Sunnyvale. Therefore many people speed down Sea Gull. When we couple this with the fact that many of the drivers will be teenagers, concern grows that there will be an increase in the number of accidents. Also ,part of Goleta has no sidewalk so it is feared that the potential for a major tragedy grows. CONTACTS: If you would like to contact City Hall to express your opinion regarding this project, the fol- lowing address, phone numbers and email addresses are included for your use. Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Email: Saratoga@statenet.com Fax 868-1280 Jim Shaw, Mayor 257-1084 Stan Bogosian , Vice Mayor 867-0182 John Mehaffey 868-0160 Nick Streit 983-1040 (Office) Evan Baker 255-1092 All emails and letters are copied for all City Council members so you only have to address one letter if you wish to express your opinion. If you would like to join our group and get on our phone list to be notified of meetings, please con- tact one of the following people from the Communication's committee. Jim Kastleman 725-0798 djkastleman@webtv.net Nick Seroff 252-9747 nick.seroff@worldnet.att.net Eddie Sweeney 253-4373 workaholic@hotmail.com Jacqueline Wescoat 257-4023 Hugh Wright 343-1365 hugh.wright@prodigy.net page 2 1. L ~ ~ l~l.~'Y~c~ n ~ - -- n ~~C2'J/Lc ,-, ,1 - -~ ; ; ': j March 1, 1999 Sazatoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave `~ •~ .~,T.~r ;.. , .. f Saratoga, CA 95070 ` ~' - - -~ _~ ,~-~:... Deaz City Council Members and Pazk and Recreation Commissioners, I am writing regarding the proposed development of the Blue Hills Elementary School field and the adjacent Azule Pazk. My oldest daughter attends Blue Hills and plays AYSO soccer. Our home is located on Goleta Ave, which runs adjacent to the proposed development site. I am also a member of the `Azule Pazk Neighbor's Association'. I have been doing quite some research about the proposal and I have information that you should find enlightening to your decision making process. I realize this is a lengthy letter but this is the first time I've been heard in this process for the overall project. And it is uncleaz to me if and how a meaningful `give and take' discussion will occur with the athletic groups over this matter. In this letter I have outlined good reasons that the proposed special use pazk should not go into a neighborhood such as the Blue Hills-Azule site. There aze cleaz advantages to selecting Central Park/Heritage Orchazd over neazly any other site in the city for such a park. But I believe that we do not need expensive brand new fields in the first place. I honestly feel the wisest course of action is to reconsider the priorities for spending the Pazk and Recreation money in view of the changes in city finances since 1996. Financial Cost of Maintenance I think we can all agree that whatever is built at this site should nicely maintained over the long term of 15-25 years. Certainly, there is no point for the City to spend over a million dollars on this development if it will go to seed a few yeazs after completion. I understand that the City of Saratoga has funds for building pazks but not maintaining them. So I spoke to Chuck Con, Director of Facility Modernization at CUSD, on February 9. During that phone conversation, Mr. Corr stated that there is no plan currently for maintenance of the proposed school-pazk development. He also told me that there is no negotiation in progress. He would very much like to have this discussed. He said that CUSD would do it for a fee and it makes sense to have one crew do the entire site rather than two sepazate crews. Chuck Corr also explained to me that in other cities where CUSD has done co-development, the cities usually pick up the cost of maintenance of the school-pazk development in return for the after hours use. Mr. Con also assured me that CUSD does not intend to divert additional money from education towazds field maintenance. Based on this conversation, I would have to say that there is no current agreement -or even an agreement in principle-regazding the increased cost of maintenance. How much will the increase in cost be? No one has conducted a cost estimate for this. I spoke to Dave Mooney, lead worker of the Saratoga Department of Public Works, regarding the cost of various types of pazks in Saratoga. He explained to me that Park Consultant Jay Beals' estimate of $5,500/acre-yeaz for a soccer field only included the basic turf maintenance. The actual average cost of a pazk maintenance runs $11,000/acre-year. This higher value includes other costs, such as maintenance of bathrooms, fences, equipment repair and so forth. He also estimated that the cost of maintaining Azule in it's current `dead orchazd' state cost roughly $3,000 to $4,000/acre-yeaz under the same comparison. Please understand that these aze quick rough estimates by city staff for compazison purposes, not exact calculations. CUSD did not have any rough figures that they could provide, but it certainly could not be as much as a competitive soccer field. I would also remind you that in Jay Beals' presentation to City Council, he stated that due to the high use and active teen soccer players who would be using this site, the maintenance costs would be higher that the $5,500/acre-yeaz basic estimate. No matter how you calculate it the actual cost of maintenance will rise considerably. With roughly 8 acres at the school-park site, I would estimate that the total increase would run between $40,000-$60,000 annually. There has been mention of AYSO paying this cost increase. But they aze not realistically capable of paying this increase. First, AYSO has already disputed paying the 1998 increase in fees for their fair shaze of Congress Springs Pazk. In their October newsletter "The Kicker" (attached from sazatoga-ayso.org website) they say that they aze willing to pay only "a reasonable increase", but not the true total cost for Congress Springs. The increase in cost for the proposed new development will be much more than that. Even at my low estimate of $40,000 annually, the fee increase would be excessive for the 1,100 AYSO participants. And I can find no written documentation that AYSO will pay this increase. The bottom line is that AYSO doesn't have this kind of money to support maintenance. And even if they could raise it for a yeaz or two, it is doubtful that they could raise it consistently for the long term. Certainly the school-pazk site will be in the neighborhood for years to come and as a neighbor I have a reasonable expectation that it be well kept. I am doubtful that any private group could assure maintenance financing over the long tenor. Based on this information alone, I can not understand why the city is pursuing this further. Without a practical maintenance plan this proposal is useless. I see no way to cover the increase in maintenance costs from current sources. A long term written cost sharing agreement for maintenance must be a requirement for any development at this site. Therefore, I request that the current proposal for Blue Hills-Azule development be dropped for this problem alone. Traffic Math I realise that an official traffic study will not be conducted until a plan is approved. I'd like to point out the basic flaw of this proposal. Soccer teams have 14 players, plus coaches, plus team representatives. Agame requires 2 teams plus referees. In addition a concession stand would need to be staffed by volunteers. Let's assume the best case, that older players will have some carpooling and no drop off/pick up type of traffic. This would be on the order of 30 cars per game per field. Games last about an hour, so we aze talking about 60 trips to or from this site per hour per field. This site is proposed to have 3 fields, so now we are up to 180 trips per hour above our regulaz traffic. The site is accessible from main roads in 3 primary locations: Seagull Way and Cox Ave., Seagull Way and Sunnyvale-Sazatoga Road, and Prospect Road and Covina Ct. via Kirkbrook Ave. All three routes aze on narrower curvy residential streets which were not build for such dense traffic. In addition, neazly all traffic would pass through the intersection of Seagull Way and De Sanka Ave. It is not possible to `pump' so many cars through these streets, cleazly creating a gridlock situation for the azea. Accessibility by residents and safety vehicles would be severely restricted, creating an unsafe situation. Remember this is the best case scenario with carpooling. Often times, pazents will drop off and pick up the older soccer players, thereby doubling the number vehicles from my estimate. 2 In Fall soccer, with which I am most familiaz, games aze played every Saturday from 8 am to Spm. Fall soccer goes from Labor Day to just before Thanksgiving. In addition Tournaments aze played twice during the Fall soccer season with shorter game times so that all teams can play, and thus increasing the traffic density. Tournament Weekends aze from 8 am to Spm on Saturday and Sunday. Cleazly the traffic would be unmanageable for Saturdays and those Tournament weekends. The residents require reasonable accessibility to our homes. There would be many days that our homes would be difficult if not impossible to reach. This is not just aonce-a-year type of problem. Since soccer is a 12 month a yeaz sport in California, traffic will be elevated all yeaz round. I would have to say that this site it is just not suitable for 3 high use competitive soccer fields due to the limited accessibility. Continuing to work on this proposal is a waste, since it will likely fail a traffic study. I also have a particular concern with pedestrian safety in this situation. Many elementary school children use the Blue Hills field after hours and on weekends. Now we'll have a high level of traffic on neighborhood streets. My street, Goleta Ave, will be a primary direct access street to the fields. It has blind curves at both ends of the street and no sidewalks at either of those curved ends. Now we add teen drivers that will be excited about the game. This is a recipe for disaster! My children will not be able to cross the street or bike in our neighborhood safely. This school-pazk development proposal presents a real safety problem for all the children at Blue Hills school. Central Pazk/Heritage Orchazd - A Realistic Alternative I would very much like to have Azule pazk developed as a pazk, but high use athletic park is just not suitable for this location. If the city wishes to spend this Pazk and Recreation money on a special purpose pazk for high-use competitive athletic fields, then such a pazk should not go into a neighborhood location. Traffic accessibility and cost containment are key considerations, aswell asenhancing the surrounding community. For this purpose I would suggest that a small part of Heritage Orchazd/Central Pazk be used. Heritage Orchazd/Central Park has excellent accessibility from nearby Cox and Fruitvale. It is located neaz 3 schools and the teen center, so an athletic pazk development there could be well utilized by the children. It would provide an opportunity for a garden or walking path for the Senior Center and others visiting the city center. This is logistically a good choice. Cost for this site could be reduced in several ways. By using existing restrooms at the Pazk and Recreation Center for the athletes, and the existing pazking lots for City Administration building initial construction costs could be reduced. Also during my conversation with Dave Mooney regazding maintenance costs of various city parks, he explained to me that Heritage Orchazd was the most expensive pazk for the city to maintain on a per acre basis because it is an active orchazd, requiring watering, pruning, disease control, tree replacement, etc. The total maintenance costs to the city would actually drop by replacing a small amount of high maintenance orchard with lower maintenance athletic fields. There would be no need to form 2 or 3 parry maintenance agreements, that might be difficult to enforce over the long run. Also Heritage Orchazd is the lazgest pazk in the city, so using a small amount of it would not be a hazdship This seems like the smart financially responsible choice. But what about Heritage Orchazd? I feel that Heritage Orchazd could actually be improved by this plan. Heritage Orchazd is pretty to look at from the street, but it is not used much even though it is our lazgest park. The term heritage implies not only some respect for our past, but passing it on to future citizens. This would be an ideal opportunity to make this pazk more meaningful for everyone. The youth of Saratoga could leazn of our historic past with perhaps 3 a footpath through the orchazd with historic placazds or a docent program to make the orchazds' past come to life. If the backers of Heritage Orchazd aze sincere in preserving it for the future, they need to encourage some active use of it. Ideas such as these could make Heritage Orchazd useful and meaningful to everyone-so it would be more than just some pretty trees. Using a small part of Heritage Orchard/Central Pazk for athletic fields makes sense logistically and financially. It would increase the usage of our largest park. It could make the Heritage Orchazd more meaningful to all citizens. Since it is at the city center, there would be little added impact to neighbors. Any zoning limitation that may exist could be changed. This is without doubt the best location in the city for a high use athletic field. How did we get here The current Blue Hills-Azule proposal is unworkable due to lack of maintenance funds and the gridlock/traffic safety situation. I have tried to take a step back to find better solutions for all involved. But let's understand how we arrived here in the first place. My understanding is that there was a public meeting or all day workshop was held in 1995 to decide how to spend the Pazk and Recreation funds. I have not been able to find any written record of minutes of this meetings only verbal accounts and summaries. I understand that athletic groups were specifically notified of this meeting, but the public only received notice from the newspaper. I have been told by two attendees that AYSO members dominated the attendance. My understanding is that several ideas were suggested at these meetings. After much discussion, the attendees agreed that new playfields were important. But there was still much disagreement, even at that eazly stage of discussion, as to where new athletic playfields could be built within the city. They were asked to suspend that practical and realistic question and to focus only what could be done in an ideal situation. Since this meeting was dominated by AYSO attendance it is no surprise that playfields became the top priority. However, this conclusion expressed the DESIRE by attendees for additional playfields, but not a clearly analyzed NEED for playfields for all citizens. In this method, there was no dose of reality added to the goal setting. The real problem of locating these playfields in the city was ignored. The real possibility of improving and then better utilizing the 24 public and private current playfields was ignored. Since only 15% of Saratoga children participate in AYSO soccer, the fact this benefited only the minority of children and no adults was ignored. Also remember this was conducted before the Utility Tax cut, so there was no discussion of the current financial limitation on the city, which severely limit the maintenance funds. Additionally, even though the AYSO region exceeds the bounds of Saratoga city limits, there was no investigation of using soccer fields from the neazby participating cities of Los Gatos, Campbell or Cupertino. Apparently back in 1996 the decision was "we have the money let's spend it" for expensive brand new fields without considering any other cost effective alternatives. After the Utility tax cut, the city's financial picture changed. But I understand that the Park Development Task Force proceeded to plan for the maximum number of new fields and to then explore shared costs with school districts and athletic groups. I might add that the Park Development Task Force included 3 persons from local AYSO leadership. Moreover, neighbors to the proposed development sites, who volunteered to participate in the task force, were purposely rejected from consideration. This was certainly not a fair and reasonable representation of the community. It is no wonder that such controversy has erupted over these proposals. This lead us to this point, where azeas that are cleazly unsuitable for high volume athletic fields are being considered even without proper financial backing, and the resulting neighborhood opposition is incredibly high. I am convinced that the city does not need new soccer fields. 24 soccer fields is a lot for one city. With field renovation and shazed use agreements, these current fields could be better utilized satisfying the children's needs. AYSO has stated that they turn children away because they do not have enough fields. This is not true. Two AYSO coaches have told me they aze limited by lack of coaching staff. If AYSO leadership feels that they need more fields, they could arrange for use of private fields at West Valley College, or local private schools. No true requirement for new soccer playfields has been established. Sazatoga's financial situation has changed dramatically since the original 1996 list of priorities was approved by City Council. The method the city had of arriving at playfields as a top priority has significant faults. There was never a fair and reasonable representation of the citizens in general, when one group dominates and another is excluded. There has not been an established need for new playfields, just a desire that it would be good. Reasonable, cost effective alternatives for increasing current playfields availability were not pursued. And what about the 80-85% of kids and 100% of adults, that aze not in AYSO soccer? Under this priority for playfields they receive no benefit at all for their tax money. Times have changed since 1996, and a well intentioned process to set priorities went awry. Therefore, I request that the City Council review and reset the priorities for this money. Cleazly what has occurred up to this point does not represent the wise use of limited city money and land to benefit the majority of citizens. Let's put some sense back into the process. Sincerely, ~~.~c~ Katie Alexander 12340 Goleta Ave Saratoga, CA ~~~ The Kicker October 1998 soccer season starts with a bang! Notes From the Commissioner Page 1 of 5 FIELDS Mark Linsky and I are members of the City of Saratoga Development Task Force. The purpose of the Task Force is to decide and submit to the City Council a recommendation on Saratoga park improvements. The current recommendation, priority one, would involve building a new soccer field at Blue Hills School and Azule Park. This would include parking, snack shack, rest rooms and storage facilities. Stay tuned for more information.. . We still have the task of negotiating AYSO's new fees for the fields. Based on comments made, I expect we will again have to go before the City Council to reach a fair and reasonable fee to use the fields for AYSO soccer. Please let me know if you are willing to come and show your support when we go to the council meetings. AYSO'S COST AYSO is not opposed to assisting in the cost of maintaining the fields and we are even looking into taking over this responsibility. We are opposed to the very large increase that the City previously proposed, a per player fee and the City including a percentage of the City's indirect cost. Saratoga AYSO wants, and ow children deserve, good, safe fields to play on. This is our goal and we are willing to pay a reasonable fee in order to achieve it. CONGRESS SPRINGS PARK I am pleased to report that the City has been working on CSP. Many of the sprinklers have been replaced with a new and better type. This should help to dry up the wet spots and put green back in the dry spots. CSP will be a safer and more pleasant field to play soccer on. It is all of our responsibility to help. PLEASE, PLEASE, keep our soccer park clean! 1. Put all trash in the cans provided. 2. Keep your pet on a leash and clean up after it. 3. If the trash can is full, go to the next one. 4. Turn all lost articles in at the Snack Shack. PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS NO SMOKING OR DRINKING OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED AT CONGRESS SPRINGS PARK AND THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO STOP OR LEAVE THE FIELD! OPENING WEEKEND TOURNAMENT Thanks to all the dedicated volunteers, our tournament was a great success. Players and their families had a great time. Saratoga AYSO's soccer seasons are successful because of all the volunteers who donate their time and energy to the program. It is unfortunate that there are a few who fail to perform their promised obligations. Others have had to step in and fulfill the responsibilities of those who are negligent in addition to their own volunteer obligations. This is very unfair to all those hard workers who pick up the slack. I am requesting that all managers notify me if they have a volunteer who does not perform their promised obligations. These people will have their job classification changed to "sponsor" and they will be asked to fulfill the sponsor obligations. REFEREE CENTRAL You may have noticed a new feature at CSP during the opening tournament. We have provided ----r..........-----•--o---v-----a-------•-----•------ ---•-- Page 2 of 5 a place for the referees to gather and discuss the rules or a particular call they made, store items, have water, rest and cool off. This is Referee Central and it is reserved for the referees. It is located next to the infield of the diamond next to the Snack Shack. Please do not use this dugout to go on or off the field Should you have a question regarding the rules, please feel free to stop by and ask. Also, take the opportunity to thank them for donating their time to the referee program. DRAWING On behalf of the AYSO family, I wish to thank Mary Gardner, Superintendent of Saratoga Schools for coming to Congress Springs on Sunday and drawing the winning tickets, The winners are: 1. Idres Kothari Soccer Ball signed by the 1997 Clash Team 2. Tom Copenhagen Soccer Ball signed by the 1997 Clash Team 3. Steve Newberry Signed 1998 Clash Poster 4. Kathleen Pollard Clash Tickets 5. Richard Palmer Clash Tickets 6. Randall Seago Signed Clash shirt 7. Rob Selvi $20.00 Togo's gift certificate 8. Frank Nadcizod $20.00 Togo's gift certificate I look forward to a wonderful 1998 season. Thank you for all your support of AYSO soccer. Sincerely, Larry Fine Commissioner Saratoga AYSO SNACK SHACK SCENE Come and get your fresh, hot coffee from the AYSO Snack Shack as early as 7:30 a.m. It's tasty, hot and eye-opening. Only $.50 per cup! We also have fresh donuts from Maple Leaf donuts on Saratoga Avenue. Sweet, soft and wonderful! Go ahead...take a break from the morning bagel and splurge on a donut! New to the Snack Shack this year is ALL SPORT, the body quencher, caffeine free sports drink from Pepsi-Cola. We sell it by the cup-only $.25. We still have Country Time Lemonade, too, at a bargain price of $.25 per 8 oz. cup. Both All Sport and Country Time have donated these beverages to your Snack Shack. Please purchase their products from the Snack Shack as well as from the grocery store. Let's show them how much we appreciate their donations! •~ Also NEW, to save you time during your busy week...The Snack Shack is now selling oranges every week...$.25 per orange. We'll even cut them up for you! Thanks to Royal Produce Company of Son Jose (and a parent who owns it) for help in setting up this service. The Snack Shack is a place to get refreshments AND also a major source of funds that go straight back into the AYSO local league. These funds help AYSO keep your registration fees down, put on clinics, pay for league purchases, etc. Support your Snack Shack please! And say a kind word to all the parents who help our kids decide which flavor Skittles or otter pops they really want. We do our best to provide your children with special treats, an early breakfast, a lunchtime offering or a late affernoon pick-me-up. Snack Shack hours: Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. MLS SOCCER CAMP 1LILS Soccer Camp was very popular with Saratoga AYSO players once again this summer. Fifty five players attended the first session and seventy three attended the second session. We had plavers from age S to 13 coached by professional players from England. Coaches are invited to spend the weekdays with an AYSD family. This can be a wonderful inter-cultural exchange forAYSO players, their family, and the coach. If you are interested in hosting a coach next year, please be sure to let us know when you register next_year. o-- ~-----v-------_ ,• Page 3 of 5 SARATOGA AYSO V~IEBSlTE What's new on the Saratoga AY50 Website? (http://www.saratoga-ayso.org) 1) Have you moved recently? Fill out a change oFaddress Form on-line to make sure that AYSO mailings are getting mailed to your correct address. 2) Lost your schedule? Look up the game schedule oFall games Cas well as maps oFplaying f~elds). The following week, check out the game results also posted on the Web. 3) Questions about AY50? Read the policy handbook on-line to have your questions answered. Also i ncluded are a list of key contacEs' na mes a nd phone numbers. 4) What else is new? Read the latest Kicker on-line and special soccer promotions for AY50 kids and Families on the Website. Attention Division 7 coaches: There are absolutely no practices allowed formally or informally, (i.e. come on over to my house and we will play some soccer games) except 1 /2 hour before game time. This is a Saratoga AYSO policy and will be strictly enforced. Any violations of this policy will result in possible suspension of all coaching privileges and also spousal coaching privileges. Division 7 is a true introduction to soccer for the younger kids and will remain that way. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Larry Fine or Mark Chapman, Regional Coach Administrator PRE-SEASON TOURN STANDINGS The pre-season tournament ran very smoothly, with coaches and teams ready to play on a very tight schedule. Teams in all divisions look very well-balanced. The referees especially must be commended for stamina in the heat Congratulations to the following teams as top finishers of the pre-season tournament Division 4 boys: First--Slaters Second--Strikers Division 4 girls: First--Tidal Waves Second--Sharks Division 5 boys: First--Screaming Eagles Second--Rockets Third--Flash Division 5 girls: First--Sharks ----r... ..... -------- - o-- --~ -- • --c -------• - - - --•------ ~~z~49 ~ ~.`` y ~ ~,,c e~ vv~, ~ ~ ~..~-r~~ ~ ~..,..~ ~ tee.. Ci .a.t: u.~+~..~ "~ 1 ~ ~i a..~ Uj. ~e< ~x ~ ti ~ .~-~~.._ r~ ~..~~ i.-'~-la 'S ~i 4-~ c1 <+~.~~ a 41,3- l,.v , r 1 ~ ~ W G..vw ~ 4 ~ --~ i1aw~. ~4.~„ e i ~ s..i ~~ ~~aw ~ e o ~ `ti.~+..Lt w -'~. Sp u,Tl', ~_-f ow c1,7 , 4J~-~ `z. C~..xsv~ o.~ T 1~+i 1 ~S`l 6 ® ~' r I !'a 5 ':~ ., i,_. L~~.,K ~ .- ~~~ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 99 18:38:42 -0800 From: rokes <sprokes@earthlink.net> To: Mayor Shaw & City Council <Saratoga@statenet.com> Subject: Azule Park Development [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Dear Mayor Shaw, We are residents of the Greenbrier Development which is in the neighorhood of Blue Hills School. We are very concerned about the development of the Azule Park. Our feelings are that it should not be used for a soccer field because of the disruption that would bring to our neighborhood. The traffic along Sea Gull Way is already too heavy and dangerous; this development would naturally make it even more so. It had always been our understanding that the Azule Park was to be a community park for everyone, not for just one segment of the population. The highway 85 has been a great deturrent to our area, please dont allow another disaster by supporting the soccer field plan. Sincerely, Stanley and Phyllis Rokes ~^ ,~ ~~22 ~ l~Le~-e-i ~.~,C~-yam, j // ~ I ,J ,' .1; Saratoga City Council '-c 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 March 7, 1999 - Dear Saratoga City Council members, I just to like to express my strong opposition to the plan to put in three full-size soccer fields in the Blue Hills Elementary School. I am outraged at the fact that the Pazk and Recreation Commission has totally ignored the neighbors' concerns and objections and is moving ahead with their recommendation. I personally don't see the need of more soccer fields. When I drive by the schools (Miller, Kennedy, Prospect High, just to name a few) in the area on weekends, the grass fields are hazdly ever used. Why can't the soccer folks try to make arrangements to use those fields? 1n previous public hearings, I have heard a Iot of talk about how soccer will keep the children out of trouble, off the street and off the drugs, etc. I think that's ludicrous. I have two teenage children at home who are not involved with soccer but they are perfectly fine, well-behaved and excellent students in school. Soccer is not the only answer in keeping children out of trouble. What the neighborhood needs is a neighborhood park, not big soccer fields that would inevitably attract so much traffic on weekends that would totally destroy the tranquility that attract me to the Greenbrier tract, not to mention the negative impact it will undoubtedly have on the property value in the surrounding area. I urge you not approve the current plan because it is simply not good for the neighborhood. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely yours, Ken Chan 12286 Goleta Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 408-257-3186 (I~ 408-558-8345 (VV) ~. _~'_ TOTAL P.01 t~ P::,~ //~~'' , March 9, 1999 ~ ; C,.O"C~2yGt.c TO: Saratoga City Council ~-~ RE: Preserve Our Neighborhood We need to remember that the Marshall Lane School neighborhood did not ask for or solicit the proposed fields. This sportsfield problem burdening our neighborhood has been created by the users and would largely benefit persons outside our city. Regardless of where players originate, our neighborhood would have a very negative impact should this idea go any further. This "process" was begun with no consideration of the area surrounding Marshall Lane School and its limitations which have been stated over and over. Help us preserve the qualities that make Saratoga a desirable place to live, a place that puts neighborhoods first. Sincerely, ~ ~ ,~. U~~ ~ Z~( Darwin Barrett G° lc5u'n eJc,i' ~4 i~~~~~ 3-9-99 Saratoga City Council Saratoga Parks and Recreation FROM: Ellen Marshall P.O. Box 3191, Saratoga, CA 95070 RE: Playground L/j `i ~~~~. - ° . =w';~ I attended Marshall Lane Elementary School. The playgrounds there consist of a lower playground which is usually soggy and muddy and an upper playground which is where the users want to place the proposed sportsfields. By doing this users would be depriving the student body as well as the general public of a dry playground. Surely our first duty is to the students and not to a special interest group. This, in addition to the existing traffic problems from an increasing number of students, shows that Marshall Lane School5hould be removed from the list of locations for sportsfields. ~:C •` ~i-~ti~-- Greenbrier Homeowners and To-xpo~yers Associo~tion Sora~o,, CA 95C)7~ Pn2side~: Sally Johnson ~n~ ~ 18 March, 1999 Saratoga City Council Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Saratoga City Council Members and Parks and Recreation Commissioners: It has come to our attention that a great deal of confusion exists regarding the representation of our neighborhood over the Azule-Blue Hills development for soccer fields. We'd like to clarify that the Greenbriar Homeowners and Taxpayers Association (GHTA) and the Azule Park Neighborhood Association (APNA) each represent the neighborhood and are in agreement in our adamant objection to this project. Basically, our organizations want the Blue Hills field usage maintained at the current level of weekday practices. We do not want to further impact the traffic in the area by having organized sports, which would jeopardize the safety of the children we wish to protect. Both GHTA and APNA are in 100% agreement on these issues. Sincerely, :f-~~~' ,, ,. ~~ .. Sally Johnson, ' President, Greenbriar Homeowners and Taxpayers Association ~~ ~~ Katie Alexander, Coordinator, Azule Park Neighborhood Association +~ ~. ,, .~ GREENBRIER HOMEOWNERS AND TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Sally Johnson Established 1973 -Saratoga, California ~rr- MARCH NEWSLETTER 1999 APRIL TRASH BINS AZULE PARK SOCCER UPDATE GHTA will be providing Trash Bins for the members only, on APRIL. 16TH, 17TH and 18TH. The bins will be located on ORELLA COURT in front of the I?ohner residence and on YUBA COURT in front of the Hendrik residence. This is a chance to clean out the garage or the utility yard of all the things that have accumulated during the wnrter. The Trash Bins are part of what your yearly dues provide for all members. Please see the last page of this newsletter for rules governing the use of the trash bins. Remember............APRIL 16th, 17th and 18th. YiTBA COURT ..........................ORELLA COURT SPRING SOCIAL TIME APRIL 11th is the date chosen to have the annual Spring Social for GHTA members. Margie and Dan Sisley, 19836 Veronica Drive, have graciously offered their home for the occasion. This is a wonderful opportunity to get together with neighbors to renew acquaintances and to welcome newcomers to our neighborhood. Our GHTA Executive Board members make delicious hors d' oeuvres to enjoy with a variety of wine and soft drinks. The social is $5.00 per person and will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 1999. t~Ve urge all .members to join the fun, it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Spring. Just fill out the reservation slip at the end of the newsletter and send your check to Phyllis Rokes, 20024 Puente Court, Saratoga, CA 95070. Of course, Of course, you may pay at the door also. By now you have probably heard about the plans to have a soccer playing field at Azule Park. Last week- end the Azule Park Neighbor's Association left a newsletter at everyone's residence. GHTA supports this group of homeowners concerned about the proposed developmenrt, of Azule park and Blue Dills School yard into three high use soccer fields. This raises many issues, centering on traffic gridlock problems, children's pedestrian safety issues and ensuring any development is nicely maintained over a long period of time. They would like to have Azule park developed in a way that Sts our neighborhood's needs as well as the city's needs. So far with a some work, they have gotten the attention of city government to get things changed. The Park and Recreation Commission will be meeting with APNA's homeowners and the Athletic groups in April to try to resolve their differences and arrive at an even better plan. They are sending their newsletters to communicate basic information to our neighbors and meeting regularly in homes to share information and strategies. If you're interested in joining them, want their newsletter, or just want more information, please call someone from their contact list. This is something that will affect ow neighborhood quite a lot, whether it be the traffic, the noise or the welfare of the rest of the children in this area. (continued on nett page) ~,_ . Call or a-mail the following cornact people.: Tim (Castleman.....725-0798.....djkastleman@webtv.net N ck _ Scroff..252-9747..... nick. scroff@worldnet. att. net Eddie Sweeney...253-4373...workaholic@hotmail.com Jacqueline Wescoat.....25?-4023 Hugh Wright.....343-1365....hugh.wright@prodigy.net STOP SIGN SAGA (submitted by Al Roten) There have been several traffic accidents on Sea Gull Way at Veronica Drive and Yuba Court. Last June, GHTA wrote to the City of Saratoga requesting Stop Signs on Veronica Drive and Yuba Court as they intersect Sea Gull Way. Due to change of staff in the City Manager's office and some bweaucratic bumbling, this has taken much longer than expected. Latest report is that a Traffic Analyst Consultant hired by the City has surveyed the situation and has recommended "YIELD" signs for this intersection. It is now up to the Public Works Department to get the signs installed. We hope that drivers will take heed of these signs and make this a more safe irnersection The Franklins, who live at the corner of Sea Gull Way and Yuba Court have been most cooperative with.pruning SPRING SOCIAL RESERVATIONS of plantings to open the view for drivers. Even with Yield signs and free visual access, we must exercise caution upon entering Sea Gull Way from intersecting streets. The best policy is to come to a complete stop, look both ways and proceed with caution. Drive Defensively and Safely! COX AVENUE FACELIFT The Cox Avenue entrance could use a little sprucing up. Although executive board members keep flowers planted every season, the rest of the entrance looks a bit dated: Phyllis Rokes and Carol Luetz have volunteered to take on the task of finding a landscape architect to design an appealing vista for the Greenbrier entrance. The neighborhood is over ZS years old and so is the landscaping, many .areas need to be updated. Let's all do ow share to keep ow yards and homes looking their best. Thanks to all of you who are painting, planting and pruning and making our area a more beautiful place to live. When the neighborhood looks good it helps to maintain all of ow property values. HAVE A HAPPY SPRING! Please send your reservation for the Social to Phyllis Rokes, 20024 Puente Court, Saratoga, CA. 45070. If you have not. paid your 1999 membership dues, please send them also. Social....S5.00 per person Membership..„...5?A.00 per household persons are coming to the Social on April 11th, at Margie and Dan Sisley's home from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. . NAME ADDRESS a .~ GREEN VALLEY GARBAGE BIN INSTRUCTIONS For the most efficient utilization of our bin space, PLEASE follow these guidelines; 1. Always check first to see if the bin door can be opened. 2. Load items as far back as possible. 3. Load bigger items efficiently to conserve space. 4. Recycle/Flatten/Trim every. thing you can, cut large branches into small lengths. Flatten boxes. 3. Be respectful of the area around the bins by cleaning up anything that you have dropped. 6. No rocks, dirt, concrete, tires, refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners are allowed in this type of bin. FALL CLEANUP -Additional sources for getting rid of unwanted, usable items: HOME PICK UP I,jSLE DONATIONS: Cancer Federation- 287-3088 Hope Rehabilitation- 748-2830 United Cerebral Palsy- 279-3013 St. Vincent de Paul- 993-9300 .Salvation Army- Truck- 298-7600 Goodwill Truck- Argonaut Shopping Center Salvation Army Thrift Store -San Tomas Aquino Rd. at Campbell Ave. Sacred Heart Church - 13724 Saratoga Ave. St. Andrew's Church - 13601 Saratoga Ave. 20154 Knollwood Dr. Saratoga, CA 95070 March 22, 1999 Jim Shaw Mayor Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. Shaw: As a long- time resident in the Blue Hills neighborhood, I want to say that I am strongly opposed to developing the Azule/Blue Hills parks into amulti-field soccer complex. I am glad that we residents, who will be the most impacted by any development of these fields, can finally voice our opinions. 1 have been to one meeting in the past 3 years with neighbors discussing this topic with one City representative present. My clear impression was that while most of the residents were opposed to having a multi-field soccer complex, we were not allowed other choices. Is it fair, to say the least, that people who don't live in the neighborhood, including the Cupertino School District, should decide the future of these neighborhood fields? We all know what Freeway 85 and other recent commercial developments have done to damage the quality of life of Saratoga. We don't need more of the same. I respectfully urge the City Council to consider developing these fields into a community park instead of a sports complex, to minimize traffic and noise. Sincerely W. P Chao and Family ~~ _ ~~ ~k~~~~ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 15:58:50 -0800 From: "Hughes, Leila" <leila.hughes@compaq.com> Tca: "' earatoga~~at~atar~t . com' " <saratoga@statenet . com> Cc: "'fielden2@aol.com "' <fielden2@aol.com> Subject: ,,],~ ,~~orhood/ Aaule Park and a soccer/athletic The traffic in the Blue Hills neighborhood has been getting increasingly worse...... this deteriorates the quality of life and increases the liklihood of traffic accidents. This is especially so at school drop off and pick up time. There are far too many children brought individually by car INTO the neighborhood to go to Blue Hills Elementary. A good many of these drivers do not drive with the awareness that there is anyone else on the road, nor practice road courtesy, nor in some cases demonstrate they know the rules of the road. Also you have placed a new crosswalk on one of the roads between Prospect and Blue Hills, which may only provide a false sense of security for those who use it. Rather you should have police at and near the school to improve the traffic flow, and adherence to the rules of the road, and TICKET those immediately who park illegally (and double park), etc., so no one else can drive by the school. Now we are hearing that allegedly due in part to the Utility Tax being voted out..... duh, and a need to minimize costs.....there is a plan to exploit Azule Park and Blue Hills' fields for athletic, soccer and sports activities......THIS MEANS MORE TRAFFIC. WE DO NOT NEED THESE AREAS TO BE FURTHER EXPANDED. KEEP THEM AND MAINTAIN THEM AS THEY ARE TODAY - PLAYING FIELD AND COMMUNITY PARK.....enhance them in this context only. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS BUSY ENOUGH AND ANY CHANGES SHOULD BENEFIT ALL NOT SELECT ATHLETIC GROUPS. Leila Hughes Saratoga Blue Hills area resident r Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 18:45:53 EST From: Tvanslow@aol.com Tc~ ~tt~t~at~'~t~[tct . cam ~c~t,~ i~-~~~,.F 1. aid A~~~s Park In shorthand: Resident at Seagull Court. Blankety blank freeway behind. Enough noise and air polution in neighborhood. ENOUGH!!! !!! iii Neighborhood park for people who live here. DO NOT NEED MORE TRAFFIC AND POLLUTION in this area. Take it to your street. We have enough. Would rather have dirt field than more cars and noise to deal with. Christina Vanslow and family <_ ~~ ?~~5?_Carol bane Saratoga, CA 95070 rvrarch 2 5, 19>~ Saratoga amity council 13777 r'ruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Re: Development of Azule Perk I vrill not be able to attend the Park and Recreation ~o~nmiss ion mee+., ins on A aril 5, 19~~? . `~Ie are vehementl-T onnosed to develonin~ th is nark into ''^i~h-use competitive soccer field. This land should be a camm.unity nark available to people of all a.~es and interests . It's bad enough that vie have to listen to the roar of the Hi~hvia-~~ 85 FreewatV. 'ale don't need the additional noise on vreekends from competitive snorts and all the extra vehicles coming to these games. Let's keep our neighborhoods clean and serenel ~~ ~ . ./~~ / ' G~~./ ~_ ~~~ ~~~ 29 March, 1999 12340 Goleta Ave. Saratoga, Ca 95070 Katie Alexander Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Saratoga City Councilmen and Parks and Recreation Commissioners I would like to take this opportunity to describe the Azule Park Neighborhood Association and clearly state our position regarding the Blue Hills-Azule development proposal. The Azule Park Neighborhood Association, APNA, represents families, homeowners and taxpayers from every walk of life living in the neighborhood of Azule Park. We include newcomers to our neighborhood as well as those who have lived here well over 30 years. We include many young families with children as well as older empty-nest' families. We even include grandparents raising young children. We have several families directly involved in athletic organizations, or who have been in the past. We, of course, include several families involved in Blue Hills Elementary school. APNA truly represents the residents directly affected by the Blue Hills-Azule Park development proposal, as seen on the enclosed maps. The first map indicates households that signed our January 31, 1999 petition opposing the development of Azule. The second shows households of residents who regularly attend our meetings. APNA members are united in our adamant opposition to the proposed development of playfields at Blue Hills-Azule. APNA has agreed to the following position. 1. We want to restrict organized sport usage of Blue Hills' fields and Azule Park to the current level of after school practices. No weekend competitions or practices. 2. We want to help the city find a better location than a quiet residential neighborhood for competitive high-use playfields. 3. We want the city to develop Azule Park as a community park for people of all ages and interests to enjoy-- not a special use soccer park. This is in line with the 1996 Neighborhood survey, which has been previously submitted to the city. We believe that, since we are directly affected by the development of Azule Park, the City Council and the Parks Commission should seriously consider our position. Sincerely, ~~~~~ Katie Alexander Chairperson/Coordinator of APNA i~n~d P~ti#i~n A~a~n~t Pro~~s~.1 . plan ~~~ ~~~ E~ P t~ ;± a g, ~ ~~ ;~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ S, {', ~_ ~:' r _._~. ~ ~ n,.,......u.~. ~~~ ~~ ~` l~ollwvod i7~ 1111 ~Va~~ C~ ~~ ,~ . ~S1u~ Hilsx .~ ~- ~~ ~,~ ~ ~ y ven. ~.,#~xv.~~- 11iev~r~~~ ~r ~~~ ulc Rork y~ K.eUin hl~rari ~ ~ltt~ }1~.+~+t ~ ~xr k ~.~~~ ~. ~~ E ~ t~a~a AAapquest.~oom, Ino.;t'~'1~799 NauTech .--~ ~~ ~~~. ~~~~'~ ~"~ ~u~nt~~~~~~~ ~.,~ ~,,:.. .~. ~ ~"'*r~. • ~'=gig ~ - ,.~, `~~ ,~ ~ ~~ ~# ~ ~ ~~ ~.~~ ~~~ ~ *"--rt„~ ~ ^•`~~x ,~'* Seu11 Cwt ~.., .. .~..w.ww..__.. ._m. _.__ R~~ular r41~~f~ t~f~mt~~rship~ ~I'1 _ }~.,.~ ,. ?. ~e %;; ,, ~~- ! ii ~ ;, ~~ f 5 ~hy~ f'Y ii W o. -- ~~~~.a ~~ .twr~o~ Qr ~~,.. C ~~lu~ Hi1~~~ ~wz ~ .~ ~~ ,. ,~ ~''. ~~ ~. Male P~ ~ t~lr~.~ t~~ ~~ d .~ ~ ~"~ ~~ , ~' ~ ~ ,~" ~~~R b g f.. ,~ ar ~~ ~f %w* ~, ~~ ~~ Cns~ 1~i{~uest.a+stn, tnc.,~t2't~r9 IVavTeah ~_..~~ .... _._. .~. _,. ~^: _., . ~_ 4082536005 i April s, X999 Mr. Jim Shaw, Mayc 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mayor Shaw, We have been neighbors for 25 year, which are subject to c designed to accommoi Saratoga Park and RE the Blue Hills' School competitive soccer feel congestion to the area the location or the net people of this area? c~(i,E s-~~" s of the Greenbrier subdivision in Saratoga and Blue Hills This area is a labyrinth of small blocks and narrow streets ngestion under normal circumstances. Greenbrier was not ate any more tragilc or people than it already has. Now the :reation Commission is seriously considering co-developing playing field and the adjoining Azule Park into 3 high-use [s and other faca[ities which are sure to bring added Has the commission any co~acern for the inappropriateness of ttive impact the proposed development will have on the We ask that the City ouncll consider more appropriate areas for playing fields and develop Azule Park in o a community park as originally planned. The residents of Greenbrier are alrea suffering from the noise and dust pollution caused by Highway 85. The pos appropriateness, to Sincerely, of using our area as a solution, despite it's ~'s playing f eld needs adds insult to injury. ~ ~ ~' Lee and Linda Case 12648 Indio Court Saratoga, CA 95070 -- , ~~y~~ ~j~ ,~ __--^ ~~ ~}~`_ /t/~i-`' ~ f~v~. DID ~7~r~Tv~-- ~ - C~.SE ~ ~i~~~ ~2 S~i~r ~~ ~cE TAor~[- ~cN' Ay L -~}-6r"~ i ~~j~~z~ I~ ~iitmc~Ni7~ ~~~-~ ~'~ ~~~ ~~- ~~ ~~~~ Hwy ~g ~~- ~ - c~s,~- p- ~~~- F~~- d~r~ Ccs~ 1P~j ~r'~clJ' ~- y,~ _, C~ " _` ~) Vibha Goel Anurag Goel 12262 Goleta Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Apri15, 1999 Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Cc: Park and Recreation committee Dear Council-members: This letter is to express our concerns about current plans for Azule park . We also have some suggestions, which may lead to a win-win situation for city and neighborhood needs. We just moved into 12262 Goleta Ave, Saratoga. This makes Azule park development project important to us. We bought the property with an understanding that Azule Park was designed to be a neighborhood park. So the current plans to make it a high usage sports complex, came as a shock to us. At the time of purchase, the buying and selling agents told us that Azule Park is being developed into a neighborhood park. The park would have aplay-stucture, some benches and trees to hide the freeway wall. We lived in New Jersey before moving to the bay area a few months ago. In New Jersey, it is quite common for the city to ask developers of sub-divisions to leave undeveloped parcels of land. These open lands are then converted into neighborhood parks or left as is. So we did not question any further. Later on the selling agent showed us a plan which had 3 soccer fields. She was quick to add that the additional soccer fields were not expected to be built as so many fields were not needed for neighborhood use. So it came to us as a shock when our neighborhood association told us that the 3 fields were part of a sport complex plan. The shock stems primarily from the knowledge that Goleta Ave. has been designed as a low usage neighborhood street. It curves rather steeply at its ends where it meets SeaGull Way. It is very narrow and even with the current load of day-care ,school and soccer/T-ball traffic it fills up with parked cars that makes driving risky. The traffic estimated from 2-3 soccer fields in use runs into hundreds of cars which is could lead to a parking nightmare on the neighborhood streets. Even with the proposed parking lot, overflows are imminent. Freeway 85 noise and pollution adversely affect ±he neighborhood at this time, additional adversities from traffic and noise for up to 3 soccer games proceeding at the same time would be unbearable. Saratoga and most of the bay area does have very few remaining open land parcels. There is also a need to support play fields for youth of all ages. Instead of developing new fields, we propose use of existing fields in all schools for youth sport needs during non-school hours. This would spread the pressure across city neighborhoods more evenly. The use of existing fields is also in line with city park recommendation of 1996. If the city helps us develop Azule park-site into a low maintenance neighborhood park, the neighborhood could take the responsibility of maintaining the park .The park may have additional trees/shrubs planted to hide the freeway wall and cut freeway noise, a play structure and a par course. This kind of park could support a broad base of family needs in the community with minimal costs. Since the neighborhood is directly affected by the quality of the park, the incentive to keep it looking nice is high. On the other hand, AYSO proposal to maintain Azule park is risky. AYSO does not maintain existing soccer fields (in Congress Springs Park or others). Its sources for funds required to support all or even some soccer fields in Saratoga are not well established. It would be beneficial to the city and community to see AYSO's performance at maintaining existing parks before relying on them to maintain new parks. City of Saratoga is known for its appreciation of quiet life. So much so that we understand there are insufficient funds as the number of businesses in Saratoga are limited for the above reason. This has led to the belief that Saratoga is a quiet haven in the hectic bay area. Greenbriar neighborhood of Saratoga already supports the elementary school and use of existing school baseball fields and soccer fields for games. Any more pressure will lead to deterioration to neighborhood safety and quality of life. This would not justify the premium a newcomer paid to call the city of Saratoga their home. Reg ds ~ ~ ~, i , ~1 J~~ _.{ ... ~. ~ . ~..~ Vibha and Anurag Goel '~ 12262 Goleta Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 ~~ ~c ~.~; April 6, 1999 Jim Shaw, Mayor Saratoga. City Council 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. Shaw, After hearing of the proposed plans for the Azule Park/Blue Hills playing field we felt the need to let you know that we do not agree with the proposed plans. We do not want a single use park developed that will add congestion to our neighborhood streets. Having been involved with AYSO Soccer for many years we know what a "Soccer Saturday" is like. There is never enough parking and it is a long day with hundreds of cars rushing to and from. Having attended some of the Parks and Recreations planning meetings and seeing the proposals, there isn't nearly enough parking and the amount of space given to a play area and walking path is a joke. To add the amount of parking that is needed for soccer, would use a major portion of the entire park or cut into the schools play area which has already been greatly reduced by the addition of many modular classrooms. Our family visits the area weekly and our children attend Blue Hills so we are very familiar with the area. In a valley were everything is developed or paved over it is refreshing to have an area that is open and peaceful. Green lawns, a walking path, children's play areas, some benches and picnic tables would make the area usable by everyone and would be an asset to the neighborhood. The soccer groups need to find another location that is better suited to their needs not a neighborhood where children still play ball in the streets and ride their bikes on the streets. I have been a resident of the Blue Hills neighborhood for over 35 years and I do not want to see a beautiful neighborhood destroyed by a mass of soccer fields and the congestion that it would bring. Sincerely, The Calvert Family Jeff, Sally, Taylor and Amy 12088 Covina Court Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 517-1027 ~~ . ~~~~ ~,~, April 6, 1999 Dear Saratoga City Council Member, After hearing of the proposed plans for the Azule Park/Blue Hills playing field we felt the need to let you know that we do not agree with the proposed plans. We do not want a single use park developed that will add congestion to our neighborhood streets. Our family visits the area weekly and my grandchildren attend Blue Hills(as did my children)so we are very familiar with the area. In a valley where everything is developed or paved over it is refreshing to have an area that is open and peaceful. Green lawns, a walking path, children's play areas, some benches and picnic tables would make the area usable by everyone and would be an asset to the neighborhood. The soccer groups need to find another location that is better suited to their needs not a neighborhood where children still play ball in the streets and ride their bikes on the streets. I have been a resident of the Blue Hills neighborhood for over 35 years and I do not want to see a beautiful neighborhood destroyed by a mass of soccer fields and the congestion that it would bring. Sincerely, Mary M naul 12088 Covina Court Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 252-1805 ~~ Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 2:07:26 PDT From: Ed Katz <ekatz@hpkatz.pa.itc.hp.com> To: Saratoga@statenet.com, JIMBOSHAW@aol.com, benliao@cup.hp.com, fielden2@aol.com, armstrong_Beverly@cusd.cupertino.kl2.ca.us Subject: Support for proposed Azule Park Soccer Complex development. TO: WHOMEVER MIGHT BE INTERESTED. As a parent of three sons who lives near Azule Park, I want to give my support for a large part of the Azule Park Soccer Complex proposal. None of my sons' CYSA Soccer Teams are able to play games (much less tournaments) anywhere in Saratoga for lack of competitive quality playing fields and facilities, and it has been this way for years. We must *ALWAYS* travel to other communities. Having recently received the Azule Park Neighborhood Association (APNA) Newsletter (Vol. 1, Issue 2), I would like to take this opportunity to respond to points raised by it. APNA GOALS (Their stated goals in the newsletter and my comments): APNA: 1. NO WEEKEND COMPETITIONS OR PRACTICES. ONLY AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES. Me: It is unreasonable for a few residents to restrict weekend usage during the day by other Saratoga families in the name of "peace and tranquility". We all live in this community and during reasonable times of the day we should be able to use community facilities in appropriate ways. Why isn't there a similar goal to restrict the use of Kevin Moran Park (directly across 85) from having large weekend gatherings and picnics? .~ `~ This is the same kind of arguments we saw with highway 85. APNA: 2. FIND A *BETTER LOCATION* THAN A QUIET RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. Me: Azule Park is *contiguous* to highway 85. How quiet can a residential neighborhood be when it is located next to a major, six-lane highway? Rather, what could possibly be a better place to put such a soccer facility? Consider Congress Springs. Congress Springs is also contiguous to highway 85. It is also in a quiet residential neighborhood. It is a somewhat similar soccer complex though the soccer fields are smallish for competitive games. Unfortunately, all the fields belong to AYSO and none to CYSA. Thus, there is a basic need beyond Congress Springs. This is the need that the Azule Park proposal addresses. Has APNA suggested a better location (presumably within Saratoga)? It would be interesting to see what alternatives they can suggest which are *better*. APNA: 3. AZULE PARK IS TO BE A COMMUNITY PARK FOR ALL AGES, NOT A SPECIAL USE SOCCER PARK. Me: What's missing from this scenario? Consider Kevin Moran Park. Kevin Moran Park is contiguous to highway 85. It is in a quiet residential neighborhood. It is a lovely community park for people of all ages. It is also a very, very short walk over the highway 85 pedestrian bridge from Azule Park. (I often jog through Kevin Moran Park and can personally attest to its low usage and serenity.) What APNA seems to be missing is that Kevin Moran Park *and* Azule Park form a *PARK COMPLEX* which straddles Highway 85. For non-soccer type residents seeking a community park, they *already* have it by simply walking up and over the pedestrian bridge to Kevin Moran Park. For competitive soccer types unable to play at Congress Springs, they will have Azule Park. This is an *ideal* configuration because the highway separates and prevents soccer people from infringing upon picnic'ers, families, and others seeking a serene park (and vice verse). How come APNA does not see this big picture? Why would they want a nearly identical park so close to Kevin Moran Park? I believe the newsletter has slanted some of the arguments, skewed some of the facts, and embellished some of the negatives aspects. The newsletter attempts to portray a bleak picture of traffic, noise, and congestion by way of exaggeration, distortion, and a knowing traffic congestion "estimate" to evoke fear ("diminishing value of your property") and hostility for this proposal. Yet, one must take the validity of their "estimate" on faith as no other description for it is given. (It must be magic.) As a small example, there is an attempt to describe the traffic congestion level by suggesting the increase compared to Blue Hills School at student drop off/pickup times as "several-fold". Further, the claim is that this will be from "7:OOam to 6:OOpm every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year." (What constitutes "several-fold" must also be relegated to magic.) These are simply beyond credibility. Between the Autumnal and Spring equinoxes alone there is not enough daylight to cover this time span. If these statements is valid, then obviously, one or more of the fields will need to be lighted at night! DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT! Contact the City of Cupertino. Cupertino recently added Creekside Park, a three field soccer oriented complex in a quiet residential neighborhood very similar in design to what is proposed for Azule Park having daily practices and weekend games and tournaments. Ask them what are the disturbances to the residential neighborhood in which this soccer complex is located? Ask them what is the usage level times? Ask them what is the traffic congestion like? Ask them if they experience "7:OOam to 6:OOpm every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year" grid lock, crowds, noise, etc. Contact the City of Sunnyvale. Ask them the same questions about their soccer complex. Contact the City of Palo Alto about their soccer complex. Contact the City of Fremont about their soccer complex. ASK OTHER QUESTIONS! Can APNA justify a small group of residents desires superseding that of the larger community's needs? We do *all* live in this community. Has APNA been able to suggest better alternatives? ;~ ~1 .~, Has APNA contacted the above neighboring communities? Have they reported their findings to justify their position? Has APNA offered anything factual other than mysterious estimates? CONCLUSION There is a long overdue need within Saratoga for such a facility that currently does not exist. The Azule-Kevin Moran Park Complex is ideally suited for everyone's needs. The Azule Park proposal, though not perfect, goes along way towards meeting the larger needs of the community. ~E : ~~ ~u.e April 9, 1999 Mr. Jim Shaw, Mayor Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 Dear Mr. Shaw, The proposal for a soccer complex at the Azule Park area is a fine idea as our children's access to sports facilities and play space is becoming more and more limited. However, when I have had the misfortune to be in this area when Blue Hills Elementary School dismisses school and observed the traffic congestion to be very extreme thus creating a dangerous environment for both children and parents, installing a facility that would only incur more traffic is, from my experience and observations, a very bad idea. Before making a decision, I would strongly urge members of the council to spend time in this area just before and after school. It is only a matter of time before a child or parent is seriously injured or killed during this chaotic time. To further compound this situation by adding a soccer complex to this area would not be in the best interests of either the children, coaches, grandparents, siblings, parents, potential spectators or the local home owners. I would therefore urge the city council to consider the resulting consequences of installing a soccer complex at the Azule Park area. I would like to know how I would be informed as to the date and location of the place the council will be considering this proposal. Thank you for reviewing my concerns. ~nc ely, ~~~~~ Thomas E. Hall 20278 Kirkmont Drive Saratoga, California 95070 20132 KNOLLWOOD DRIVE SARATOGA, CALII'ORNIA 95070-3206 Apri18, 1999 Saratoga City Council 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070-5199 Gentlemen: ~: I am writing this letter to express my strong opposition to the proposed soccer field development at the Blue Hills School site. The proposed development of a high-use, competitive sports complex is a strong mismatch to the neighborhood. This is an isolated, bedroom neighborhood that can not support the traffic and level of activity that the sports complex would bring. I have serious concerns about traffic issues, .safety issues, and noise issues that this development will present Although I have never been active in city politics, this issue has troubled me so much that I have offered my help to the neighborhood group that is organizing opposition to the development. After speaking personally to several of my neighbors, I can assure you that the vast majority, probably 90%, of the neighbors share my concerns and opposition to the play fields. Please do the right think and find a more suitable site for the play fields and develop the Azule Park as a neighborhood park that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, r A V ~ Tom Holden