HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-1991 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes MINUTES
SARATOGA PARKS ~D P~ECREATION COMMISSION
TIME: MONDAY, July 1, 1991 - 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: SARATOGA COMMUNITY CENTER
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California
TYPE: Regular Meeting
Chairman Ward called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
I. ORGANIZATION
A. ROLL CALL - Present: Crotty, Franklin, Gilman, Miller, Pierce
Swan, Ward
Staff: Pisani, Rizzo, Trinidad, Tare
B. MINUTES - Approval of Minutes - 6/3/91. Minutes were
approved - Franklin/Crotty - 7/0.
C. POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting
was properly posted on June 26, 1991.
II. OLD BUSINESS
This meeting was dedicated to the final draft proposal of the
City-wide Parks & Trail's Master Plan as prepared by the firm of
Wallace, Roberts & Todd.
This was a public meeting attended by interested residents, Linda
Davis of the Kerwin Ranch and Preston Burlingham of 14173 Squirrel
Hollow Lane.
Dan Trinidad, Secretary, recapped, briefly, the purpose of the Parks
and Trails Master Plan for those who missed the previous meetings.
He advised the Commissioners the results of staff's scrutinizing
this final draft, which were a few minor errors as follows:
Page 3.3-2 $210,000 should be $200,000
Page 3.3-3 $125,000 should be $120,000
Page 3.4-7 $90,000 should be $110,000
Page 3.5-3 $65,000 should be $50,000
Fdnted on rec~'cled paper.
PARKS & RECREATION CO~ISSION MINUTES - JULY !, 1991
PAGE 2
Trinidad reviewed a letter from Linda Davis of the Kerwin Ranch.
On May 3, she sent a letter outlining objections to the map on their property
and followed up with an additional letter once they had seen the draft
proposal. Section 3.6-12, Segment 40, eludes to the fact that there is a
formal trail along Wildcat Creek through their property. Ms. Davis stated
that they permit their neighbors to cross their property only as a courtesy
and not when heavy equipment is being used. She wants it made clear that
this is not a public trail and would like the description changed.
Trinidad, who had walked the creek, agreed that there is no trail
other than animal trails and that the report should be modified. He
additionally stated that future developers would be required to provide
easements when the land is no longer being used in an agricultural manner.
He stated that the Commissioners should decide if they want to see the trail
in future planning. Pierce stated that the segment should remain in the
Master Plan so there would be the option to implement the trail in the
future.
Preston Burlingham expressed his concern for Saratoga Creek, Page
3.6-16, Segment 49. Me stated that the homeowners were concerned that the
development of the trails in their area would destroy their privacy. They
were also concerned about fires developing from careless passersby. They
were worried that this would turn out to be "another Ravenwood."
Commissioner Crotty pointed out that the situations are different
and that future residents might want trail development. Commissioner
Franklin questioned if it would be trespassing to go there now, and was told
that people do go there now, at will.
Mr. Burlingham noted that portions of land would have to be
flattened and trees removed for this to be a usable trail.
Linda Davis questioned the taking of property even though the creek
belongs to the property owner. Commissioner Pierce stated that the creeks
belong to everyone. Residents Davis and Burlingham stated that they
purchased the property for the creek site and privacy, not for public use and
that their neighbors were also in agreement and would fight for their
property.
Secretary Trinidad assured them that the City would not start
fruitless battles and he understands their concerns, but that planning for
the future plan is essential.
Mr. Burlingham will invite his neighbors to attend the next Council
meeting when the Master Plan is up for approval on the 17th of July.
The public portion of the meeting was closed.
pARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES - JULY l, !991
PASE 3
The Nelson property was discussed in the light that Commissioner
Swan was concerned with nature education for children in the future.
Secretary Trinidad reported on the recommendations of the
Beauchamps Public Workshop of June 12th. At the meeting, the schematic
drawings were reviewed. Beauchamps residents wanted a tennis court and off-
the-street parking. It was decided by staff that the new plan should include
tennis, but not off-the-street parking. The estimated cost for the completed
park, including design is $243,000. There is $120,000 in the Capital
Improvement budget for this Park. Priorities for the additional $120,000
need to be established. Commissioner Gilman questioned if a per acre ceiling
for development of parks in Saratoga should be established.
Motion to approve the Master Plan as modified - Gilman/Miller.
Approved 7-0.
V. A memo from Therese Osborn was distributed at this meeting as it was
received too late to send with the packets. The Commissioners reviewed the
letter from a resident alongside Kevin Moran Park complaining about the
activities in the Park.
The Commissioners discussed the park hours, the CSO and Sheriff
complaint files. Joan Pisani shared an experience at Wildwood Park involving
a vagrant and the Sheriff's officer and an incident at E1 Quito. It was
decided to check the complaint files and possibly invite someone from the
Sheriff's department to attend one of the future meetings.
As the Commissioners could not make an educated determination at
this time regarding Kevin Moran, they calendered this item for the next
meeting so some research could be accomplished.
Chairman Ward congratulated Trinidad on his department's earning
the City Departmental Excellence Award.
VI. Adjournment 9:30 - Swan/Pierce.
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