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Home My WebLink About022108- PR Comm MinutesApproved 5/15/08 CITY OF A TA SCA DERO PA RKS AND RECREA TION COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting Thursday, February 21, 2008 — 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and Commissioner Hatch led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Chacon, Dunn, Hatch, Istenes, Marks, Butz and Chairperson Sechrist Student Representatives Buck -Moyer and Carden Absent: None Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci Staff Present: Deputy Public Works Director - Operations Geoff English, Deputy Community Development Director Steve McHarris, Associate Planner Callie Taylor, and Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning. COMMUNITY FORUM: Eric Greening expressed concern that the staff report for the City Council's deliberations on taking the lead agency status for the Atascadero Creek Trail did not contain any written record to indicate that the Parks and Recreation Commission had met and made PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 1 of 7 a recommendation on that item. He suggested it should become a standard practice to transmit to the City Council any related recommendation from the Commission. Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English stated he would discuss this issue with Community Services Director Brady Cherry and report back at the next meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Commissioner Hatch and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the agenda. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 2,1:7:(+'x_1►111110 x81 N =l_% 1101 1, [%]►yi I►Ti 1134 Eel k 10 x01:Zrf_16111FA_1% I Eelki I 1. Commission Appointment of Chairperson — Nominations from the Commission. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Butz and seconded by Commissioner Istenes to nominate Commissioner Sechrist to the position of Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 2. Commission Appointment of Vice -Chairperson — Nominations from the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Hatch and seconded by Commissioner Marks to nominate Commissioner Butz to the position of Vice Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: None a0*44LI111 IF-AIEel ZI 1. Presentation to Outstanding Community Services Department Volunteer Jay DeCou. Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English recognized Jay DeCou for his contributions to the City of Atascadero, and Chairperson Sechrist presented him with a plaque and certificate in recognition of his volunteer services. PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 2 of 7 A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — November 15, 2007 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting. [Community Services] 2. Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes — December 20, 2007 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting [Community Services] Minutes of the December 20, 2007 meeting. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Butz and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve Items #A-1 and 2. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Eaale Scout Proiect — Stadium Park Trailhead Sians (Swanson ■ Fiscal Impact: All costs related to this project will be covered through donations solicited by the Eagle Scout candidate. ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval of the proposed project by Eagle Scout Zac Swanson to install trailhead signs in Stadium Park. [Public Works] Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English introduced Eagle Scout Zac Swanson who explained his project and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT — None MOTION: By Commissioner Marks and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to recommend approval of the proposed project by Eagle Scout Zac Swanson to install trailhead signs in Stadium Park with the Peelar log style. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 2. PLN 2007-1243 / PLN 2007-1197 / PLN 2007-1251 General Plan Amendment & Planned Development 7 Atascadero Avenue Triangle / 6905 Navaioa Avenue (City of Atascadero / MLW Holdings, LLC / Atascadero Homeowners, LLC) ■ Fiscal Impact: Depending on option chosen, impacts will vary. PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 3 of 7 ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval to the City Council of the Draft Resolution recommending approval of General Plan Amendment 2007-0019 and Zone Change 2007-0140 consistent with the City Council's September 2007 direction at Atascadero Avenue and San Andres. [Community Development] Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Kelly Gearhart, applicant, spoke about the history of this site, his plans to incorporate some sort of high school memorial for the landscape feature, and answered questions of the Commission. Eric Greening raised the question of the assumption that it was a taking and the lack of any timely legal challenge to the rezoning of the parcel following the 2002 General Plan Update. He questioned the safe pedestrian and bicycle egress to nearby parks for this development, and stated that it would be confusing to have a memorial on the site that was not accessible to those wanting to use it. Jay DeCou related a story about another development in town in which two small parks were required that subsequently became very expensive litter boxes with playgrounds that were not used. He stated this plan would create a nice entry way to the High School and encouraged the Commission to accept the project as proposed. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner comments: Commissioner Dunn ■ This is not a park at all, but a private landscape feature that is not very big. ■ Does not think this area is for the high school students as they won't have access to it. ■ Would have liked the entire parcel kept as a recreational corner park for the other nine residences as the yards are small. ■ Would have been nice if the entire corner could have been a park open to the public. ■ Has heard concerns from local residents regarding the high density and traffic. Student Representative Carden ■ If the park was utilized for a high school memorial there could be the possibility of vandalism of the park, which is directly in the backyards of the two adjoining homes. ■ The landscape feature would be more protected if it remains a private area. ■ Atascadero Park is nearby for those living at the site with small children. PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 4 of 7 Commissioner Butz ■ The corner parcel has never been visually attractive. • This proposal with the nicely landscaped area would upgrade that property and provide smaller homes in a nice area. Student Representative Buck -Moyer ■ Dislikes this plan, and wished the City Council had stood behind the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommended half acre park. ■ There will be no park now and no one will be able to go into the landscape feature, only look at it. • The entire corner was originally zoned for a park, now it will be high density housing and the city is not getting anything in return. Commissioner Chacon ■ In terms of property, there is not a great loss of recreation opportunity. ■ This site is within a reasonable distance of several opportunities for recreation. Chairperson Sechrist ■ Recommends that the '/z acre park area stay as a dedicated park space until the City has the money to maintain it as a park. ■ Sees this as a loss of a '/2 acre park, but understands the city did not want to take over ownership. ■ Questioned if there were other ways to insure the'/2 acre for the future. Commissioner Hatch ■ The city did not want the responsibility for the land yet it appears that some would wish to dictate how others should use it. Commissioner Istenes ■ Would like to see a smaller wall on the landscape feature. MOTION: By Commissioner Hatch and seconded by Commissioner Chacon to recommend approval to the City Council of the Draft Resolution recommending approval of General Plan Amendment 2007-0019 and Zone Change 2007-0140 consistent with the City Council's September 2007 direction at Atascadero Avenue and San Andres. Motion passed 4.3 by a roll -call vote. (Dunn, Istenes, Sechrist opposed) 3. Paloma Creek Park Playground Structure — Purchase and Installation ■ Fiscal Impact: Expenditure of $225,000 in previously allocated funds for the replacement of the Paloma Creek Park playground structure, if authorized by the City Council. PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 5 of 7 ■ Recommendation: Commission review and recommend approval of the selected Services] playground structure to City Council. [Community Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English and Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Jay DeCou spoke about the creation of the park and explained that purchase of playground equipment was not an option at that time. He stated this plan has all the necessary elements for play structures and suggested incorporating a few elements for handicapped children. Student Representative Page Buck -Moyer reported that there are several features in this structure that are accessible by the handicapped. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner Hatch to recommend approval of the selected playground structure to the City Council with the option of considering having plain ground with no art or if there is to be art that it be addressed at another time. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next meeting 03/04/08 at 7:15 a.m., Atascadero Junior High School Library 2. Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem and Commission Chair/Vice Chair quarterly meeting — 03/03/08 at 12:00 p.m. (agenda to follow). Chairperson Sechrist stated if any Commissioner has anything they would like discussed at the meeting to contact him or Vice Chairperson Butz. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: Deputy Public Works Director English and Recreation Supervisor Fanning reported on the following items. 1. Mark Your Calendar: ■ 2/23/08 - SLOCAPRA 2008 Parks and Recreation Commissioners Workshop (Hearst Castle Visitors Center) PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 6 of 7 ■ T -Ball Opening Day — Saturday, March 15'" at 12:00 p.m., at Paloma Park • Zoo Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, March 22nd (more details to follow) 2. Colony Park Community Center Update 3. New Zoo Website www.CharlesPaddockZoo.org 3. Prescription Trails Brochure 4. Parks Project Update Commissioner Butz requested that a discussion on the 100 Mile Club be placed on a future agenda. E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 9:38 a.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 20, 2008. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary PRC Minutes 02/21/08 Page 7 of 7