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
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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
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