Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-1975 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes• SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: MONDAY, MAY 5, 1975 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: SARATOGA COFLMUNITY CENTER MEETING ROOM, 19655 ALLENDALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CA 95070 TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENTo- Commissioners Carlson, Flora, Gordon, Schaefer and Terry. OTHERS PRESENT: Roy Swanson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Brown, Mr. & Mrs. William Foos, James Ousley, Sharon Crouse, Dennis Paldi, Ann Stone, Judy Pitkin, Barbara Jacobs, Gail Stypula, Alex & Sondra Goldberger, Mrs. Pat Jundt, Joe & Carol Friscia, and Joan Leonard. B. MINUTES The minutes of the April 21, 1975 meeting were approved as submitted. II. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF FOOTHILL PARK DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT Chairman Carlson introduced architect Ken Arutunian. Mr. Arutunian reported DISCUSSION OF that in the past week he has met with the Foothill Family-Faculty Club and • FOOTHILL PARK representatives of the school district to present his ideas and concepts. DEVELOPMENT The preliminary drawings of the school. and City property were reviewed, with CONCEPT ~, Arutunian explaining each major area: 1) the activity area around the portable buildings for meetings, crafts and science projects. 2) the play structure area. 3) the natural bowl ampitheatre with deck and lawn area. 4) the stream bed for science, ecology, and as a definition between City property and school property. Also a forest at one end of the stream screen- ing the bus area. The City property to remain open space; mainly trees and turf, and a small play area, "tot lot". There will be a path coming into the park off Seaton Avenue and no fencing along the back of the property, however, it will be slightly closed by berming and tree plantings. At no time will the water in the stream bed be stagnant, as it will be running in the winter and dry in the summer. The park will be open to the public, however the architect did not feel it would invite people from other areas as it will be more of a neighborhood park, rather than a regional park. Commissioner Terry reported that the City now has 2 neighborhood parks, Brook- glen and Gardiner, and the only people that use them are the neighbor people in the immediate area. The Secretary stated that not having restrooms at a park has helped solve the problem of outsiders using a park. In regards to maintenance of Foothill, both the City and school will maintain. As far as the parking situation in the area, the school district is studying a better access plan. The Secretary stated she would like some sort of lighting in the forest section of the park, othezwise there will be a problem with kids coming into this area and vandalizing. The Secretary pointed out to the guests from the Foothill area where the developed and future parks are planned for the City on the Master Park Map. The Milevich property would be the closest park to Foothill. Additional pro- perty at Foothill would not need to be purchased if the co-development is completed. PARKS & RECREATION~MMISSZON - MINUTES - MAY S, 1975 - Mr. Arutunian explained the "tot lot" on the City property as not a major play structure (only 15 square feet), but a fatal point where people could sit or children play, and is away from the school play area. Some concern was expressed over the motorcycle problem that exists on the City and school property. The Secretary explained the City had experienced the same motorcycle problems before Brookglen Park was developed, however, since develop- ment the problem has practically disappeared. Chairman Carlson stated it would be very beneficial and save money to do the grading, landscaping and sprinkler system as a joint project. Ann Stone of Foothill Family-Faculty Club stated the Club cannot get theiz funding until they have a Master Plan to present to people. Chairman Carlson asked•far comments from the Park Foreman in regards to the stream bed. Roy Swanson stated that the stream bed as it is now planned would not create a maintenance problem because of the drainage available. Chairman Carlson questioned the time schedule for the project. Mr. Arutunian stated the construction documents for the Foothill Family-Faculty Club will be ready by June. By the time public hearings are held, the Master Plan approved, and the City goes out for bids, it will probably not be until next Spring that development will begin. Commissioner Flora made a motion that the Commission endorse the architect's preliminary concept and proceed with the development of the Master Plan. Commissioner Schaefer seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. III. NEW BUSINESS A. REPORT ON COMPLETION OF STEPS & PATHWAY AT HAKONE GARDENS The Secretary distributed to the Commission and the guests present a drawing COMPLETION OF of the Garden that was just completed and will be .sent to City Council along • STEPS & PATHWAY - with the Hakone recommendation at the May 7 Council meeting. HAKONE GARDENS The Secretary asked the Park Foreman to report to the Commission the projects that have been completed at the Garden, Mr. Swanson reported the Parks Department has completed the new steps, which were done in a Japanese fashion, and the pathway from the lower viewing platform to the•top viewing platform. Redwood poles have been placed along the pathway with cable strung for safety purposes. Haven Nursery donated plants to the City, and some of these have been planted below the wisteria. The cost originally estimated for this work was $500, however the field stone price went up, and more concrete was needed then expected. The total cost figure was $701, plus 5697 for manhours,.arriving at the total of the entire project at $1,399. However, this job if done by a contractor would have cost the City approximately $3,000. B. SDR 1187, STEKOLL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, OFF TEN ACRES ROAD Commissioner Terry explained to the Commission the exact location of the pro- SDR 1187-STEKOLL perty which is adjacent to the Cantacessi property, and he believed there is DEVELOPMENT CO.- 5 feet available now along the road, however the actual trail runs along the OFF TEN ACRES RD, bottom of the bank. This area has always been maintained by the local residents, and the City comes in once a year and grades from Ten Acres to Chester. Commissioner Terry requested that the Commission continue this SDR at their next meeting on May 19, in order to give him time to take some pictures of this area, and requested that some of the Commissioner's actually go out and look at the area for themselves. Commissioner Terry also asked the Secretary to try and obtain a better map giving dimensj.ons of the properties. IV. COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1) RE: TRAILS & PATHWAYS TASK FORCE Commissioner Terry reported that Parker Ranch has .agreed on the 4 trails and their locations, as shown to the Commission at their last meeting, and the Planning Department has also approved. • PARKS & RECREATIO~MMISSION - MINUTES - MAY 5, 1975 - Hued Right now Parker Ranch is up for re-zoning and tentative map approval. Also the linear purchase of PG&E right-of-way has been approved. • Commissioner Terry stated he met with City Manager Robert Beyer and present- ed him with the first of four sections of the trail plan, to get his and Council's comments. He has asked FSr. Aeyer to also circulate the plan to the Parks Department and Public Works to get their comments on who should construct and maintain the trails. B. STAFF REPORTS 1) RF.: BFOOKGLEN PARK "PLANT-IN" The Secretary reported that the "Plant-In" went well and all plants and trees were planted except for the Baccharis. Mr. Schulenburg of Palo Alto Landscaping donated 5100 toc~ards the."Plant-In" and was out there planting his tree and helped to plant others. The Commission commended the Parks crew for all their help in the "Plant-In". 2) RE: SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE REVISION The Secretary answered Chairman Carlson's questions of the last Commission meeting. in regards to the Subdivision Ordinance. In reference to a permit issued 4 years from the recordation date, that is 2 years for tentative map approval and 2 years for final map approval and building. If it expires after 4 years the whole thing has to be completely renewed. The issue of whether or not the Parks and Recreation Commission has the authority to make recommendations. The normal procedure is for the Commis- . sion to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission who has the autho- rity to condition it, whereas the Cpmmission does not have the authority to condition the developer. If the Planning Commission denied a condition which this Commission. requested, the condition can be sent as a recommenda- tion directly to City Council in~order to have the condition applied to the developer. If the Commission requests an easement in an area of 50 lots or less, it must be part of the public right-of-way. The Secretary also reported that the Map Act only speaks of bikeways, not trails or,pathways. The Commission had requested that trails and pathways be included in the definition of park and recreation facilities, but since the definition was not included, trails and pathways were not mentioned. The Director of Planning has explained to the Secretary that a trail must be part of a public right-of-way, then the City controls it. Commissioner Terry asked the Secretary to investigate if trails are not covered in the Ftap Act, if the Commission still has the authority to enforce them. 3) RE: COFI2IISSION IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDliLE Chairman Carlson recommended that~if and when the Capital Improvement Pro- gram is adopted, in addition to funded projects, and as decisions acid work are done on different projects, that the Commission develop an implementa- tion schedule to get programs accomplished and not overlook any. 4) RE: RESOLUTIONS FOR ROSE & CLAWSON The Secretary reported that the resolutions for Sara}i Jane Rose and Frank Clawson are to be adopted at the Fla}~ 7 Council meeting. This is just for adoption, not presentation. 5) RE: JOINT FLEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL The Secretary reported that a tentative date has been set of Fiay 27 for a joint meeting between City Council and the Commission to discuss the Park • Bond Issue. The Commission will be~notified if this date is definite. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. MICHAEL BLUHM, OFFER TO SELL PROPERTY TO CITY The Commission tried to locate the property on a map, without much success. The property consists of 272 acres and is being sold at 5200,Ot)0. ^ . . PARKS & RECREATID~OMMISSION - MINUTES - MAY 5, 1975 - inued The Commission requested a better map of the area. Commissioner Terry stated the Trails and Pathways Task Force would be walking in this area Saturday, May 10 and asked for a map before that time so he could look at the property. • B. SKYLINE REGIONAL TRAIL COUNCIL MEETING Commissioner Terry presented a map to the Commission that the State presented to the Trail Council on California's proposal for "Statewide Trails and Pilot Projects". C. EFFECTIVE GROUP ACTION WORKSHOP FOR COMMISSIONERS The Commissioner's reviewed a letter and application sent by the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members to attend a workshop May 17 at Coyote Point, San Mateo. The Secretary was asked to check as to what type.of workshop it is, and if of any value to notify the Commissioner's. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Sampson, Secretary BS:bh r: -4- - , G Y OF SARATOG~ .;,,, -~. `'' 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE - SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 y!i ~a, s ~ - - (4081 867-3438 F U R ~~~ o0~3J~~D~~ TO: Parks ~ Recreation Commission DATE. May 1, 1975 FROM: Barbara Sampson SUBJECT: May 5 Agenda Because of resignations, the Commission has only 5 members, and that is the number needed fora quorum. If any of you will be unable to attend the meeting, please let me know. Ken Arutunian will attend the meeting to present the initial development concept that he has prepared for Foothill Park. He has had several meetings • with the school, parents, and teachers to receive input from them and now is the time for us to present our ideas. We are notifying individuals who have expressed an interest in the park that the item will be on the agenda. I have enclosed a copy of the report of the Park Foreman on the reconstruction costs of the step - pathway at Nakone and will have him review for you the additional new planting that has been done in the Garden. The letter from Dr. Bluhm concerning availability of property you might want to consider, but I doubt very much if funds would be available. Remember, the "Plant-In" at Brookglen is Saturday, May 3; attend if you can, otherwise we will see you Monday night at the Community Center Meeting Room. Barbara Sampson, Secretary BS:bh ®~