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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022306 - PR Comm MinApproved March 16, 2006 CITY OF A TASCADERO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, February 23, 2006 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. and Commissioner Livick led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Butz, Jack, Ausman, Livick, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews Student Representative Buck -Moyer Absent: Student Representative Solkshinitz Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English and Recording Secretary Grace Pucci. Commissioner Castaneda joined the meeting at 7:16 p.m. COMMUNITY FORUM: Eric Greening thanked the Commission and all who helped with the first Stadium Park planning meeting, He felt the background information was helpful, and he was hopeful the plans would meet the cultural needs of the community while maintaining the park's rustic ambience. PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 1 of 8 Chairperson Mathews closed the Community Forum period. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Sechrist and seconded by Commissioner Ausman to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Chairperson Mathews announced that the San Luis Obispo County Trails Committee is looking for people from the north county to sit on the committee. Commissioner Castaneda joined the meeting. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — January 19, 2006 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of the January 19, 2006 meeting. [Community Services] 2. AARP Building Grounds / Landscape Design Plan ■ Fiscal Impact: $15,000 - $20,000 in previously allocated State Grant funds. ■ Recommendation: Commission approve the design plans for the Atascadero Lake Park AARP Building grounds. [Public Works] MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Butz to approve Items #A-1 and 2. Motion passed 7:0 by a voice vote. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Atascadero Lake Park Architectural Desian Guidelines ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission review and comment on the Draft Atascadero Lake Park Architectural Design Guidelines. [Community Services] PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 2 of 8 Community Services Director Brady Cherry spoke about the background and purpose of the design guidelines, and introduced consultant David Main to discuss his findings. David Main, architectural consultant, presented the draft guidelines for Atascadero Lake Park and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission was asked to choose between the Arts and Crafts or Colonial style theme for future improvements at the Lake Park. Commissioner Butz stated that the Arts and Crafts style is a more woodsy style that would blend in better at the park. Commissioner Jack indicated he tends to support the Arts and Crafts style as it would work better in the park. Commissioner Livick said the Arts and Crafts style is reminiscent of other parks in the national parks system and a good match with the Pavilion. Chairperson Mathews stated he likes both styles but tends toward the Arts and Crafts style. Vice Chairperson Sechrist stated he supports the Arts and Crafts style because it will blend well in the park. Commissioner Ausman explained that the uniqueness of Atascadero comes from its Colony history, which is the city's big draw. For this reason he would support the Colonial style. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Greening questioned the need for one style because the diversity of styles throughout the community makes Atascadero unique; however if the city must select one style he would go with the Arts and Crafts because it blends with the Pavilion and lends itself to more park -specific structures. Fred Frank stated that a theme should be maintained for architectural design, and he favors the Colonial because the pavilion sets the theme. However he pointed out that the Arts and Crafts design will be more energy efficient due to the overhanging eaves. David Broadwater indicated no preference for style, but encouraged the Commission to check into energy efficiency when designing the buildings. Lindsey Hampton said she would favor the Arts and Crafts as the Lake Pavilion is that style and it would be better to have new buildings blend with it PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 3 of 8 Geraldine Brasher stated that the Arts and Crafts style would be more appropriate to the area and explained that the Colony House is in the Colonial style and the curves around the windows and entry make it more difficult to maintain. Ernie Porter stated he has seen many changes at the lake and gave several examples of those he considered were not necessarily improvements. Steve Allen stated he was in favor of the Colonial style as it fits more with the history of the town. Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. Student Representative Buck -Moyer stated that the lines of Arts and Crafts structures are straight and unnatural while the curved lines of the Colonial style fit better with nature. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Sechrist and seconded by Commissioner Jack to pick the Arts and Crafts architectural style. Motion passed 6:1 by a roll -call vote. (Ausman opposed) 2. Upper Salinas River Corridor Enhancement Project ■ Fiscal Impact: More than $800,000 in grant funding from the State of California Resources Agency (Prop. 40) for the Atascadero portion of the project. ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval of the proposed enhancement project. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry discussed the background of the Resource Conservation District (RCD) project and introduced Ellen Perryess and DJ Funk of the RCD who gave a presentation and answered questions of the Commission. Monica Hunter, Planning and Conservation League Foundation and board member of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, spoke about how this project can implement the types of improvements needed for Atascadero Creek. Commissioner Livick gave the Ad Hoc Committee report and stated their recommendation was to approve the project and forward it to the City Council for consideration. A handout was distributed showing the changes to the RCD report the Ad Hoc Committee is suggesting. (Exhibit A) Commissioner Livick answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 4 of 8 Ellen Beraud stated it is important that the city fulfills obligations to the community on many levels, and it should move forward with this and not be shy about maintenance costs. She trusts the judgment of RCD to come up with a good project. Joe Montoya raised several issues including the cost of maintenance and the lack of restrooms. He is in support of the restoration but does not think the trail needs to be enhanced. Steve Allen expressed concern with the safety of his property given the large numbers of people walking past his home, and thinks the trail should end near the High School. Sue Linville asked if there would be equestrian usage of this trail and thanked the Ad Hoc Committee for listening to their concerns from the last Commission meeting. She would like to see boundaries to protect the homes along the creek. Bill Obermeyer stated that trails are needed and will be a benefit bringing more people into the community to use the trails and bringing revenue to the city. Fred Mensing, President of Atascadero Horsemen, stated they support more trails for pedestrian and equestrian usage. He spoke of his involvement with the Jim Green Trail and of the issues they faced stating that most problems went away within the first few months as the trail users helped to maintain the trail. Jonna Lee Steneson stated she moved here because of the rural nature of the area and thought it would be shortsighted to not include equestrian uses in the trail system. Fred Frank stated that the City should adopt the trail in its entirety. As a creekside homeowner he stated he has had very few problems from the trail users who seem to have more respect for the land. Jim Patterson, County Supervisor, said that Atascadero is fortunate to have creeks and the river and that a trail enables the city to share with the community the value of those resources. His experience of other trail areas has shown that problems with vandalism and littering, etc. do not exist because as improvements are made to the trails these problems are reduced. Tina Salter stated she is in favor of the creek enhancement and urged the Commission to support it. Ursula Luna spoke about the landscaping project that was installed at the Colony House and stated there was never a problem of vandalism. She stated that the Stadium Park and Jim Green trails are well maintained by the users, and that the grant is an enormous opportunity for the community. David Broadwater stated he is in favor of this project as he is concerned with maintaining wildlife habitat, and improving the water quality of the creek. PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 5 of 8 Trish Ringley expressed concern with the idea of stopping the trail short and does not think it would be fair to all those in the community who would use and respect the trail. Marty Brown stated that many old trails are lost now because of growth and she is excited about the possibility of having this trail in the community. David Grimshaw stated his support for the trail and would like the trail to be contiguous as much as possible. He suggested locating trash barrels along the trails, anchored so they cannot tip over and animals cannot get at them. Sandy Lowe asked if the pedestrian bridge is built, what part of Carmelita would be used as the walking path. Bill Vargas stated his concerns with flooding at the San Gabriel Bridge, crime, and loss of privacy for those living along the trail. David Rhine thanked the Ad Hoc Committee for trying to address the concerns expressed at the last meting. He explained why he is not in favor of the trail as he feels the intent of the bond issue was to restore the creek area, not provide walking trails. Linda Montoya stated she lives on the creek and thanked the Ad Hoc committee for working with their concerns. She thought this was a good project for the downtown area but has trouble seeing the trail going westward from San Gabriel, which she thinks should be a preservation area. Kathy Hewstes works with many trails in the area and explained that the primary goal is to maintain the rural nature of the community despite growth. She stated that many groups in Atascadero would volunteer to maintain and patrol the trail. Dorothy Jennings stated she lives in Templeton and came tonight to learn more about this project. She commended the city for undertaking the project. Ernie Porter spoke about creek erosion and a specific plant that has historically caused problems along the creek banks. He gave some history about the creek and the problems that have occurred along it. Commissioner Ausman left the hearing at 9:50 p.m. Louis Silveira asked questions about the path of the trail and does not think it has been thought though well enough from San Gabriel south. Chairperson Mathews recessed the hearing at 9:54 p.m. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting back to order at 10:02 p.m. PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 6 of 8 Ann Crane stated she supports the trail in its entirety and indicated where there is a designated trail people will use it and keep out of private property. Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. There was Commission discussion regarding the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation to stop the trail above San Gabriel Avenue at the dry creek crossing, and leaving the area it in its existing condition. There was concern regarding the possibility of losing the enhancement benefits by that action. MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Butz to accept the ad hoc committee's report and act accordingly. Chairperson Mathews stated that creek restoration is important and that protection for habitat, water quality and erosion control will benefit all including those who live along creek. He would rather see the full trail enhancement project as proposed by the RCD. Vice Chairperson Sechrist stated he was okay with losing the bridge and Carmelita, and likes the compromise but suggested amending the recommendation to have the RCD ask the agency the following: If the area is not developed with a trail will the natural improvements still be done? If the answer is no, then his suggestion would be would be to develop the trail all the way to the end as proposed keeping it as narrow as possible. MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Butz to accept the ad hoc committee's report and act accordingly. Motion passed 5:1 by a roll -call vote. (Mathews opposed) C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next meeting March 7, 2006 at 7:00 a.m., Pavilion Lakeside Room. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Father -Daughter Dance (Sold Out) - Comments 2. County -wide Commissioner's Workshop - 2/25/06 Hearst Castle 3. George Beatie Skate Park Ribbon Cutting - 2/28/06 @ 5:00 p.m. 4. Skate Park Concessionaire - Update 5. City Magazine/ Guide 6. Next Stadium Park Planning Meeting - 3/9/06 @ 6:30 p.m., City Hall E. ADJOURNMENT: PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 7 of 8 Chairperson Mathews adjourned the meeting at 10:37 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 16, 2006. MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary The following exhibit is available for review in the Community Services Department: Exhibit A — Ad Hoc Committee Report, Creek Enhancement Project PRC Minutes 02/23/06 Page 8 of 8