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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-1974 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes• SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: CRISP MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, SARATOGA CITY OFFICES, 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Buchanan, Gordon, Rose, Terry, Wilberding and Zambetti. ABSENT: Commissioners Carlson and Clawson. B. MINUTES The minutes of the October 7, 1974 meeting were approved as submitted. II. OLD BUSINESS A. REVIEW OF SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE The Secretary reported that the City of Santa Clara has an ordinance REVIEW OF which requires payment of fees, but does not consider dedication of land. SUBDIVISION The fee is $15 for each unit of one bedroom and $5 for each additional ORDINANCE bedroom, with no one unit to exceed $50. This fee is to be used for acquisition improvement and expansion of parks, play grounds and recrea- tion facilities. No where however, is a definition of recreation facili- ties provided. The County has no park fees whatsoever, as it has no actual subdivision development within the County, but is annexed to one of the surrounding cities. The City of San Jose has a dedication of land if there is a cluster permit, meaning a large number of units (over 50), or planned develop- ment, number of units under 50. In some cases they will accept a one acre park as a minimum dedication, but they retain the option as to whether they wish to accept land or not and the option to specify loca- tion. They also have a construction and conveyance tax. You are taxed on all construction, and everytime a residence, commercial rental property or industry is sold, a conveyance tax must be paid. 60% of the money paid is for parks and must stay in the planning area in which it was paid. The other 40% can be used for libraries, firehouses, and other capital improvements. The tax is computed based on the value of the property. So, with initial development, the City of San Jose can accept dedication of land or park fees. The City of Pleasanton has two areas where the developer had dedicated what they call an interior green belt. The developer dedicated the pro- perty and developed it, and then gave it to the City to maintain. On the second area the developer dedicated the property, paid a certain amount of fees for development, and now the City maintains it. Their fees are based on dedication of two acres of land per 100 dwelling units, • -.MINUTES - OCTOBER 21. 1974 - Conti or $i4Q. for a single-family home. The fees are to be spent in close proximity to where they are collected (within 3/4 of a mile to a mile). Commissioner Terry suggested that: 1) The Subdivision Ordinance read parks, open space, trails and pathways, bikeways and park and recreation facilities. 2) Also none of the fee money should be used for operational maintenance. 3) The actual fee for initial development, and possibly resale fee. 4) Delete the third paragraph of Section 3.9-4 on page 30 of the Subdivision Ordinance. 5) Option of dedication of land, paying fee, or both for park and recreation facilities. Chairman Wilberding suggested that the fee be tied to the fair market value of the land, so when the land increases the fee would also increase. This with some other source of income such as a. resale fee would consti- tute the park fee. The Secretary recommended that she put together the five items suggested by the Commission and work out a fee structure to go over at the next Commission meeting on November 4. B. STUDY OF PARK BOND ISSUE The Secretary distributed to the Commission some information regarding PARK BOND ISSUE the park bond issue of June 30, 1970. There were 12,353 registered , voters and 8,888 votes actually cast = 51% Yes, 40% No. In a new bond issue we must be more specific with the money, as to where it is going to be used and for what. The Secretary stated that it is possible to go for acquisition and development. Central Park should be included, as it may be the best place that lighted tennis courts can be built, and this would help sell the bond issue because of the popularity of tennis right now. In March, 1975 the schools are going for a tax increase and the library bond issue is also on the same ballot. November, 1975 would be the best time for the park bond issue, after the residents have used the parks all summer. The Secretary felt that tennis courts, Hakone Gardens and the development of more parks would sell the bond issue, and we would have a good chance of winning if all this was presented in the correct way and with specifics. III. NEW BUSINESS IV. COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS B. STAFF REPORTS 1. RE: FOOTHILL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT IDEAS Commissioner Zambetti reported on the Foothill School Family-Faculty Club meeting of October 16 that he and the Secretary attended. Over 100 people attended the meeting - the interest is there, however, they are not exactly sure what they want. One group wants a land- scaped area, and the other an outdoor education area with play equipment for all ages. Mr. Jay Beckwith spoke to the group and told them if they want a park they have to get in and physically work. He showed some pic- tures of other groups building a park, and the women actually in there sawing and physically working. -2- • - MINUTES - OCTOBER 21. 1974 - The Secretary felt because the City owns the 3 lots and they serve as a buffer zone between what the school is going to build and the residents of the area, that the Commission should seriously consider developing our portion of land at the same time and possibly get a master plan for the area. Commissioner Terry suggested contacting the school district to see if they are aware of this co-development idea and to let them know we are interested. Also, he was in favor of co-development with the City developing our 3 lots, but it would be up to the school to maintain their area. The Secretary questioned the Commission as to whether or not they were interested in taking a good hard look at this development. The Commission agreed they were, so the Secretary will report back to the Chairman of the Foothill Family-Faculty Club, Ann Stone, and let her know the Commission is interested. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. RE: CPRS DISTRICT IV NOVEMBER SOCIAL The Secretary distributed to the Commission an invitation from CPRS District IV for their "November Social" on November 8, which includes a steak dinner and games. She will take reservations for this at the next Commission meeting on November 4. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Sampson, Secretary -3-