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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032802 PRC MinutesITEM: 1A DATE: APRIL 18, 2002 MINUTES CITY OF ATASCADERO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 28, 2002 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Kudlac led The Pledge of Allegiance CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hood called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the City Administration Building, 4th floor Rotunda Room ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: COMMUNITY FORUM: Chairman Hood Vice Chairperson Kudlac Commissioner Kock Commissioner Mathews Commissioner Gobler Commissioner Butz Drew Wardlaw (Student Representative) Commissioner Dempsey Geoff English, Deputy Community Services Director Ellen Perkins, Administrative Assistant Eagle Scout candidate Eric Baranek briefed the parks and Recreation Commission regarding the 18 "hole" disc golf course that will be offered at Heilmann Community Park in Atascadero. Mr. Baranek conducted a demonstration and asked the Commissioners to join him. All the Commissioners took their turn at throwing the discs. Mr. Baranek said the course begins at the tennis courts and the average distance to a "hole" is 180 feet. Mr. Baranek said he had some maps of the route that he would bring to the Community Services Department to hand out. The course will be available on April 20, 2002. Commissioner Butz thanked Eric for bringing this to Atascadero. Eric Greening, 7365 Valle Avenue, Atascadero, asked Eric Baranek what the function of the yellow top ridge was, and Mr. Baranek said it was just for holding the chains. Eric also voiced his appreciation to the citizens of San Luis Obispo County and Mr. English for their hospitality to Meredith Kaplan in connection to the De Anza Trail. Ms. Kaplan considered it a very worthwhile visit, and will return in June of 2002. PRESENTATIONS — None A. MINUTES Minutes of February 21, 2002 approved as submitted B. COMMISSIONER/STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (On their own initiative, Commissioners may make a brief announcement or a brief report on their own activities. Commissioners may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff or take action to have staff place a matter of business on a future agenda. The Commissioners may take action on items listed on the Agenda.) Parks and Recreation Connnission Pagel of 6 C. COMMITTEE REPORTS: (The following represent standing committees. Informative status reports will be given, as felt necessary): 1. Atascadero Recreation Center Committee — no scheduled meeting at this time. 2. Atascadero Youth Task Force- next meeting April 2, 2002, 7:00 a.m., Pavilion on the Lake, Boy Scout Room 3. Atascadero Lake Park Master Plan Advisory Team. Geoff English said he thought there would be no more meetings. Chairman Hood asked to have this committee report removed from the Agenda. 4. Three Wood Nymphs Committee — Susan Beatie was not present, however Eric Greening, 7365 Valle, Atascadero, reported that there is a fundraiser planned for this summer. D. PRESENTATIONS — None E. STAFF REPORTS 1. General Plan Workshop regarding Parks and Recreation Issues Deputy Community Services Director, Geoff English introduced Warren Frace, Director of Community Development. Mr. Frace explained that he wanted to get the comments from the Parks and Recreation Commission to add to the Planning Commission comments to forward to the City Council for the April 8, 2002 meeting. Mr. Frace then briefed the Commission on the status of the General Plan Draft document. He then gave his PowerPoint presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the public present. Mr. Frace said there is three things that they are recommending the Parks and Recreation Commission look at tonight: • Take any public testimony that might be related to parks and recreation issues; • Make a recommendation to the City Council on any parks and recreation issues that should be addressed or clarified in the draft General Plan that is before the Commission; • Make any recommendations on the open space land use changes that Mr. Frace presented to the Commission. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner Gobler asked about creek setbacks and corridors. Policy 8-2 states, "adopt and maintain a creek set back ordinance". He wondered where the Atascadero Lake fits into this. Mr. Frace answered that any information regarding set backs should be in the zoning ordinance under set back standards and not in the General Plan. He also added that it might be best to address Atascadero Lake separately. Commissioner Mathews addressed the letter included in the Agenda packet, dated August 15, 2001, to the Atascadero Planning Commission and signed by Chairman Hood. Commissioner Mathews asked Warren to address the 9 points from that letter. Warren addressed each issue individually. 1. Establish an Open Space Zoning Designation in the General Plan revision. Mr. Frace said there is open space designation on the map and it also shows some additional areas that could be designated as open space. 2. Create a map of the native tree cover and wildlife habitat areas in Atascadero. Mr. Frace said there is specific policy language about working through our GIS system on mapping. Those habitat and tree areas are programs, but there is no implementation time line, which is something that will be clarified in the update to show this as a high priority Parks and Recreation commission Page 2 of 6 3. Complete a comprehensive inventory of all native trees. Mr. Frace answered that basically, item 2 and 3 go together. Once the GSI map is put together that will provide a tool for analysis to be done and different calculations done on different types of trees, and quality of habitat can be developed based on that. 4. Inventory all existing private property currently determined to be permanent Open Space or Conservation Easements. Mr. Frace said he felt that this was not a General Plan issue, but an important issue that the City should address with possibly Community Development and Community Services working together on a strategy. 5. Inventory all existing private property currently determined to be permanent Open Space or Conservation Easements. Mr. Frace thinks that is a good program and should have some policy language in the General Plan about mapping these areas. 6. Establish an Open Space Acquisition Program. Mr. Frace said that staff are recommending, that the City acquire park land at 5 acres per thousand residents, which is the maximum that is allowed under the subdivision map act which is the amount we can actually require developers to give us. The following policy is to encourage the acquisition of oak space and sensitive land beyond the ratio of 5 acres per thousand. 7. Hire an Arborist/Resources Specialist person who would assist in tree protection enforcement. Mr. Frace doesn't think this is a General Plan issue, but more of a City staffing, personnel issue. He continued to say that as the Community Development Director, this is an issue that he is looking at and has already gotten a number of proposals from local arborists for assisting in tree protection and monitoring of tree preservation. 8. Incorporate a Trails Plan into the General Plan revision. Mr. Frace said that trails routing information is in the General Plan revision. 9. Include Oak Woodland protection language suggested by the California Oak Foundation into the General Plan revision. Mr. Frace explained that they hadn't put that in there, but did put some language in that clarified the important of the trees and that the City would have a native tree protection ordinance that would protect those trees. Some of the details of that oak woodland language is possibly better associated with the tree preservation ordinance and some of that may just be incorporated into an informational handout and public information that could be provided, so people are better informed about what they should be doing to protect the oak woodland around them. Commissioner Mathews said he was pleased to see all the above items addressed. Commissioner Kock thanked Mr. Frace for all his hard work and for putting the PowerPoint presentation together for them. He voiced a concern his concern about tree removal. PUBLIC COMMENT: Eric Greening, 7365 Valle, Atascadero, agreed with Commissioner Mathews in wanting the biological resource protection to be more proactive and more specific. He continued by saying that the discussion on wildlife corridors was extremely vague, with no real time -line. He would like it to be clarified and re -written to designate wildlife corridors. He also expressed his concerns for the EIR and the floodplains. He has some objections to the industrial designation in the area of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company along the Salinas River as it may possibly introduce toxins into the river. He then had a specific request, as he did to the Planning Commission and continued to say that he felt that the maps in the SLO city environmental impact report on the Salinas Dam show the possible inundation areas both under the present height of the dam if it fails and under the proposed height of the dam if that fails. He felt that should be incorporated into the General Plan as well as any of those areas that have the potential for flooding. Chairman Hood closed the Public Comment and brought this issue back to the Commission. Commissioner Mathews said that it should be stated as a goal to come up with an overall plan that does include the inventories of the biological resources, which identify the critical wildlife habitat and contiguous wildlife corridors. Mr. Frace said it all needs to be in writing as a recommendation from the Commission to the City Council. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Mathews then stated that he would like to see inventories of wildlife habitats and corridors, native trees and woodlands. He is asking that the following language be added to goal 6 on page 227, under policy 6.1 MOTION: by Commissioner Mathews and seconded by Commissioner Kock that Policy 6.1 of goal LOC 6 read as follows: to achieve a comprehensive open space vision to insure that development does not degrade scenic and sensitive areas including historic sites, creeks, riparian corridors, wetlands, woodlands, hillsides and other valuable habitats and to develop a program to improve water quality in Atascadero Lake with standards to be provided in the Atascadero Lake Master Plan. 6 ayes 0 nos Motion passed 6:0 DISCUSSION ON MOTION: Commissioner Butz asked Commissioner Mathews if that motion covered everything that the Commission discussed. Commissioner Mathews said it does not but what it does do is alter the tone from one of reaction to development pressures, to a proactive stance, trying to provide for the open space preservation. Commissioner Gobler asked if there would be something more specific regarding lake water quality incorporated into the General Plan. Mr. Frace answered that on page 2-39, under goal 12, policy 12.2 program 3 to develop a program to improve water quality in Atascadero Lake. He continued by saying that the Commission may want to add something regarding the Atascadero Lake water quality at that point, or create another policy or program beneath there. Commissioner Kock was concerned about the language of "improve water quality" and felt that there was no real goal in that language. He wants the Atascadero Lake water to be improved to the point of being able to swim in it. He wondered if language should be included to say, so that in five years from this date we can swim in it. Mr. English spoke up and said this may be a good opportunity to add this into a water quality section in the Atascadero lake Master Plan and identify some targets. Mr. Frace suggested that the language read, "to develop a program to improve water quality in Atascadero Lake with standards to be provided in the Atascadero Lake Master Plan" so it is clear where the more specifics would be kept. Chairman Hood said, that was the intent of the Motion just voted on. He then directed staff to add this to the Motion stated above. Chairman Hood then brought to the Commission's attention, the third item, which is to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding inclusion of the additional open space designations on the land use diagram. Commissioner Kock mentioned the green belt that was created around the Salinas River. He noted that in the denser areas where there is more population, there is basically no type of open space or general recreation area other than what is currently there. Mr. Frace briefed the Commission on the various parks and open space designations that are in the General Plan. Commissioner Gobler asked Mr. Frace about Eagle Ranch and potential park areas. Mr. Frace explained that there were no specific site planning or land use planning at present, but only clarification that it was intended to be part of the General Plan. Mr. English added that on page 236 at the bottom of policy 11.1 number 11, it specifically identifies future development of Eagle Ranch property to include a system of parks, recreation facilities, trails and equestrian facilities. Commissioner Gobler then asked if there was similar language regarding 3-F Meadows and the area that is not yet developed. Mr. Frace explained that part of the process of approving that project resulted in approximately 250 acres of open space being created. Mr. English added that the 250 acres would be mapped so it could be identified. MOTION: by Commissioner Butz and seconded by Commissioner Mathews to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the inclusion of additional open space designations on the land use diagram. 6 ayes 0 nos Motion passed 6:0 Parks and Recreation Commission Page 4 of 6 Chairman Hood asked for confirmation that there were legal requirements that you can only require dedication of 5 acres per 1000 as stated in the Subdivision Map Act. Mr. English said that was correct. Mr. Frace concluded his presentation and also updated the Commission on the Yellow Rose Ranch Subdivision. There will be a neighborhood open house to look at the construction plans on April 2, 2002 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Chairman Hood thanked Mr. Frace for the great presentation. Commissioner Gobler also thanked Mr. Frace and his staff for such a comprehensive and usable plan 2. Atascadero Lake Park pathway Design Plans Mr. English went over the list of questions and concerns of the pathway design plans from the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held on February 21, 2002. He went through each concern individually, which addressed each issue with a recommendation. Mr. English then introduced Casey Patterson to answer any additional questions. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner Mathews asked about item four, Vegetation loss due to grading, as well as tree removal. He asked if new trees would replace the trees that are scheduled to be removed. Mr. English said they are designating an area where trees can be planted after the project is done. PUBLIC COMMENT: Nancy Coram, East Atascadero, thinks an eight -ft path is too wide. Eric Greening, 7365 Valle, also finds the overall scale of this project overwhelming. He would like to see a narrower pathway. Mr. English addressed the Commission and urged them to accept this document so the funding could go forward. Commissioner Gobler asked about the Boardwalk. Mr. English said staff is recommending the boardwalk option opposed to a retaining wall. Mr. English said that there is currently no funding for the boardwalk or the retaining wall. That would not be addressed until funding is available. MOTION: by Commissioner Kock and seconded by Commissioner Gobler to accept the current pathway as recommended accept for section 8 and to recommend to approve a retaining wall in that area for construction. Seconded by Eric with the understanding that the lighthouse area remains part of the area. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Commissioner Mathews added that he wanted to be sure there is plenty of parking, and if trees were removed, he'd like to see them replaced by similar trees in the same habitat area. 6 ayes 0 nos Passed 6:0 PUBLIC COMMENT: Eric Greening, 6375 Valle, Atascadero, wondered if there would be an EIR or environmental review. Mr. English said that some kind of environmental review would be done but that would be determined by the Planning Department. The Department of Fish and Game will also be involved in the review. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 5 of 6 F. STAFF COMMENTS Mr. English went over the following staff comments and added that at the April meeting the new Youth/Recreation Center renovation drawings will be presented, as well as the Gift catalog. 1. Zoo Director's Report 2. Current funding status — Atascadero Youth/Recreation Center 2. Proposition 40 — Available funding 3. Press Release — Disc Golf Course Ribbon Cutting at Heilmann Park 4. Correspondence — Ladies Conference G. CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Attached H. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Hood adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. THE NEXT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE A REGULAR SESSION SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE 4TH FLOOR ROTUNDA OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Department of Community Services at (805) 461-5001. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will assist staff in assuring that arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting. MEETING RECORDED BY ELLEN PERKINS AND PREPARED BY: Ellen M Perkins Administrative Assistant Department of Community Services /emp Parks and Recreation Commission Page 6 of 6