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Home My WebLink About10-23-1998 Playfield Task Force Minutesr u~o-l .'a; ~~~o;~ i !- IUr; ''87 01 fi5 r hr,,ils~~~~lh~:healsyroup r, Meeting Report Date: Meeting Type: Meeting Date: Meeting Time: Meeting Location: From: Copy to: October 23, 1998 Public Meeting October 22, 1998 6:30 -8:OOpm thebealsgroup ~,,,~,~;~,~rn~,,,r~.ec F~lr,,,_ • ;.ui Joie ;.ui(~,rr.ia ~ _ . _,~:,ans~ cJun;:.ar 15.ia Project Name: City of Saratoga Park Devlpmnt Project Ref. No.: 98-12 Foothill Elementary School Jeff Kreps Attendees: Irene M. Jacobs, City of Saratoga Barbara Zeitman-Olsen, City of Stga Jenny Crotty, City of Saratoga ® All Attendees Jay Beals, the beats group, inc. File Neighborhood residents This report, if not corrected within seven (7) days after receipt by any party in attendance, shall be acknowledged as an accurate report of the events that took place at this meeting. Meeting Context: Task Force has recommended this site as one of four priority sites. Design proposal from user's standpoint has been developed. Public input is now needed. Meeting Purpose: To present proposed design and to hear concerns from neighbors. • Intended Results: 1. An understanding of overall project and Foothill School's part in it 2. An understanding of proposed design elements 3. List of concerns shared by neighborhood residents Note: Please note the schedule change at the end of this report. INTRODUCTION a) Jay Beals gave a brief synopsis of the history and scope of this project. Please see the enclosed sheet for a summary of key points. 2. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED DESIGN ELEMENTS a) Jay presented the various design elements, which had been requested and prioritized by the primary, non-school user-Los Gatos/Saratoga Girls Softball. Emphasis was placed on the fact that there is no intended increase in use or re- design of any fields. Project focuses on renovation/replacement of existing facilities. b) Key elements according to priority are: i) Restroom/concession/storage building of some type ii) Drinking fountains at each backstop iii) Covered dugouts iv) Batting/pitching cages v) Re-cut infield and replace infield fines vi) Repairs to existing fences/backstops/boards, etc. vii) Renovation of turf areas • viii) Re-design of areas behind backstops to increase safety F:1Jobs98198-12 Saratoga ConsultinglMeeting ItemslPubdc MeetingslFoothil~NeetingReport10.23.98.doc Meeting Minutes for: Public Meeting, Foothill Elem. Project Name: City of Saratoga Park Dev. Meeting Date: October 22, 1998 Project Ref. No.: 98-12 Meeting Location: Foothill Elementary School • It was emphasized that none of the items have been "approved" yet, and that public input will be used to further refine the design proposal. 3. OPEN FORUM FOR DISCUSSION a) The floor was opened for discussion of the proposal, to answer any questions, and to hear any concerns neighbors had. A summary of concerns can be found below: i) Would anything be done about the pine trees which border the play-field area? There is concern that the trees are old and are posing a safety threat; they are also deteriorating and are an eyesore. Neighbors said they have been told that the trees are their responsibility, but they feel the School District should address this issue as a part of this study. ii) A related issue is that of screening the field from view. Since the trees are deteriorating, anything that replaces them should be substantial enough to adequately screen the fields from the adjacent neighbors. Also, the neighbors felt that some type of barrier be put in place to help protect their property from foul balls, trash, etc. iii) There was concern over "non-permitted" use of the fields (for example, adults drinking alcohol and using the fields). Some neighbors felt that making the site any nicer would only make it more attractive to these types of users. iv) Neighbors adjacent to the upper, corner field felt that the backstop was to close to the fence. They, too, wanted better screening. v) What is the cost of the Foothill project, and what is the overall project budget? vi) There was a great deal of concern that there would be an increase in • vehicular traffic. Neighbors were unanimously opposed to anything that might increase traffic. (It was explained that there was no planned or anticipated increase in use-therefor, no planned or anticipated increase in traffic.) The related issue of parking was also brought up as a concern. vii) Another concern was the relatively short notice neighbors were given about the meeting. viii) It was felt that any proposed improvements ought to be closely coordinated with any plans the school has for renovation. Neighbors were disappointed that no one from the school district was there to address their concerns from the S.D. point of view. Neighbors wanted to know if any commitments had been given from any party involved (other than the City). ix) Some neighbors felt that the increase in traffic others have noticed in the neighborhood was due to scheduling at the school, itself, and not to the athletic field users. x) Residents wanted to know how high the proposed structures were going to be. There are some details which need to be worked out regarding effectively screening the site while also not blocking anyone's view with an obtrusive structure. xi) Would the placement of asphalt or concrete around the backstops increase the noise level? xii) Would there be a written agreement between the School District and the City or Users related to who was going to maintain the site? xiii) What is the timeline for the project? Is there a deadline? xiv) Is it appropriate to take these issues before a new City Council and ask them ' • t know the history of the project? Some felt that, to vote on them if they don no, it wasn't appropriate, and we should put the whole thing off a couple of F:\Jobs98198-12 Saratoga ConsultinglMeeting Items\PubSc MeetingslFoothiMeetingReport10.23.98.doc 2 Meeting Minutes for: Public Meeting, Foothill Elem. Project Name: City of Saratoga Park Dev. Meeting Date: October 22, 1998 Project Ref. No.: 98-12 Meeting Location: Foothill Elementary School months to allow them to get adjusted to their new positions and to become more familiar with the local community and its issues. xv) Neighbors wanted to know how much "weight" the public really had. b) All of these concerns were addressed and will be taken into consideration as the project goes forward. Regarding the last (xv) point, it was explained that input from the neighbors was very important and carried a lot of weight inasmuch as all the Task Force could do was make an informed recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission, who then, upon approval, would make a further recommendation to the City Council and School Boards. Upon approval from al{ of these governing bodies the project would "begin." The President of the LosGatos/Saratoga Girls Softball League also addressed some of the concerns above. Primarily, he wanted everyone to understand that there was nothing "new" or bigger planned. Simply put, things would go on as they have been, only the facilities would be nicer. He also explained that they do their best to clean up the area when they've finished for the day or weekend, and that a lot of the problems that neighbors were experiencing came not from the girls, but from non- permitted users of the fields, who will be there no matter what condition the fields are in. He stressed that the League was committed to working with the School District and the neighbors to ensure that everyone was happy. IV. CONCLUSION a) The meeting was closed with much appreciation expressed toward the neighbors for • taking the time to come and voice their concerns and ideas. All were reminded to check the local paper for information regarding future meetings about this and/or other project sites. V. NEXT MEETINGS-Notice Schedule change! a) Marshall Lane Elementary School-Tuesday, October 27, 6:30-8:OOpm b) '`*Blue Hills Elementary School-Thursday, November 19, 6:30-8:OOpm All other meeting dates are up in the air until meetings with the various School Boards can be scheduled. We will keep you informed as we finalize dates. Also, look in the Saratoga Weekly News for announcements regarding meeting dates and times. As always, call me (Jeff Kreps) with any questions about the schedule. I can also be contacted (temporarily, until our name change is in place) via email at: beats@bealslandarch.com--sent to my attention. END OF REPORT • F:Wobs98198-12 Saratoga ConsuttinglMeeting ItemslPub6c MeetingslFoothi~uleetingReport10.23.98.doc 3