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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/1994, C-3 - DEFERRAL OF TENNIS COURT LIGHTING PROJECT IIIII�IMI�llllln�l IIUIII MEETING DATE: II hl MY Of San LaIS OBISpO June 7, 1994 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM•NUMBER FROM: /Paurl-eSage, Parks & Recreation Director SUBJECT: Deferral of Tennis Court Lighting Project RECOMMENDATION: By motion, postpone the lighting of City tennis courts at Sinsheimer Park until completion of the Parks and Recreation Element Update. BACKGROUND: Approval of the Sinsheimer Park Tennis Courts lighting project occurred in 1988. Lighting project design is now complete. Staff determined that since significant time had passed since project approval, it would be beneficial to query the adjacent neighborhood prior to beginning the installation of the lights. Two community meetings were held, one for residents living in the neighborhood immediately adjacent to the park and one for tennis enthusiasts. Concerns expressed by the neighbors included: increased traffic on neighborhood streets, insufficient parking, increased noise during the evening hours, and increased pedestrian traffic and lingering tennis enthusiasts in the neighborhood after games. In addition to the six tennis courts, Sinsheimer Park contains the SLO Swim Center, both a lighted baseball stadium and softball field, group BBQ area, playground, horseshoe and volleyball courts, and additional park amenities. Use of these park features already impact the neighborhood with pedestrian and vehicle traffic and noise. During peak use periods all areas designated for parking are used and parking spills over into the residential neighborhood. Residential dwellings are immediately adjacent to one side of the tennis courts. The courts are located where Helena Street, a residential access street, dead ends into Sinsheimer Park. While park access and parking is provided on Southwood Drive the Tennis court location, at the Helena Street side of the park makes that neighborhood culdesac the entrance and parking area of choice used by tennis players. The traffic generated by expanded hours of operation provided by lighted courts would overburden the street designed for residential traffic. No parking is offered at this area except for on street in front of residences, further impacting the area. Increased hours of operation and use created by lighting the courts also validate the additional concerns of increased noise, pedestrian traffic and activity in the neighborhood. Ten people attended the meeting held to gather tennis enthusiasts input. Staff proposed the deferral of the lighting project and also informed the tennis players that the current preparation of the Parks and Recreation Element Update will provide a more appropriate process by which to address appropriate location of lighted tennis courts. While disappointed, those in attendance understood the concerns of the neighborhood. 3- / city Of San UAIS OBISPO COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT This item was reviewed at the May 4th Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. It was the consensus of the commission that the Sinsheimer Tennis Court lighting project should not be carried out at this time. By motion the commission approved the postponement of the project and directed staff to determine an alternate location for lighted tennis courts through the use of data collected in the update of the Parks and Recreation Element. The need and appropriate location for the lighted courts will be studied in the context of all the identified community needs for new recreation facilities. FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the.project has been identified from the Parkland Development Fund, Joint Use Committee and the 1988 Parkland Grant. Staff has requested and is waiting for confirmation from the State of California to transfer the grant funding to the current playground renovation project. CONCURRENCES: The Parks and Recreation Commission supports the recommendation, as do the neighbors adjacent to Sinsheimer Park and the tennis players. ALTERNATIVES: Light the Tennis Courts as proposed. Go ahead with the project as designed and carry out the project in spite of neighborhood opposition. Carry out Partial lighting Project: Light only two of the six courts. While this would expand tennis court use it would do so on a smaller scale which may provide a smaller impact on the neighborhood.