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Home My WebLink About09-04-13 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission DRAFT MINUTES Council Hearing Room 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, September 4, 2013, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Steve Davis, David Hensinger, Jeff Whitener and Michael Parolini ABSENT: Craig Kincaid, Susan Updegrove and Ron Regier STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Pam Ricci and Marti Reynolds Public Comment None. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Whitener/Parolini) Approve the August 18, 2013 minutes as amended. Approved: 4 yes: 0 no: 3 absent (Kincaid, Updegrove, Regier) 2. New Staff Introductions – Stanwyck Director Stanwyck introduced new Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett to Commissioners and gave a brief background. 3. Volunteer of the Quarter – Davis It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the outstanding volunteers for the quarter, Counselors in Training Keylah Burnham, Darren Chodkowski, Devlen Rourke and Sarah Garcia (who was present to receive this honor). The Counselor in Training program (CIT) is an opportunity for teens, ages 14-16, to make a difference in the lives of younger children at Summer Camp. CIT’s complete 25 hours of training before then volunteering for up to 5 weeks of their summer in assistance to Camp Staff. As support to Camp Staff, CITs perform many duties, including: leading activities, overseeing groups of Campers, helping Campers resolve problems, preparing for and assisting with clean up at Camp, attending weekly meetings, and participating on field trips. CIT’s are expected to act in a professional manner that represents both The City of San Luis Obispo and Parks and Recreation’s Youth Services Division in a positive manner. The CIT group was an integral part of the success of Youth Services KidVENTURE Ultimate Summer Camps 2013. Not only did they give invaluable support to the Camp Staff Team, but they made the experience for Campers more memorable through their daily interactions and the fun they brought to Camp each and every day! We are proud to recognize the group of 2013 CIT’s for their hard work, time and dedication this summer. DRAFT Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 4, 2013 Page 2 of 4 1-2 4. Presentation: Righetti Ranch Park Concept – Applicant Team/Chris Dufour Applicant design team members were introduced to Commissioners as follows: Chris Dufour with RRM Design Group, Andy Rowe with Cannon Associates, Dante Anselmo and Travis Fuentez with Ambient Communities. The team gave a brief presentation of the Righetti Ranch Regional Park Concept as part of the Specific Plan and asked Commissioners for feedback. The concept includes a large and small soccer field, onsite parking, and group picnic area. Director Stanwyck explained this as an orientation meeting for feedback and that the Specific Plan requires Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) input, the PRC will also have the opportunity to view the proposed park concept in the future. Commissioners clarified acreage of park and development; discussed traffic circle, bike routes, possible alternate bike trails, surfacing on basketball court and possible skate use, skateable area including metal rails and benches, disc golf possibilities, lighted tennis courts and proximity to bike path, combination courts (basketball/tennis), soccer field/Lacrosse possibilities, and addressing possible overnight visitors. Public Comment Gary Havas, San Luis Obispo, inquired about bridge crossing (class 2) and stated he would like to see big enough for a class 1 bridge across property. Also inquired if there would be an area where slackliners could participate in their sport until trees become mature enough to use. (The team responded pointing out an area of mature eucalyptus trees that could be used). End of Public Comment. Commissioners were in agreement that they are excited about a new park. 5. Wingate Pocket Park Proposal – Ricci Senior Planner Pam Ricci gave Commissioners a PowerPoint presentation on a proposed pocket park with the Wingate Development in the Orcutt Area and distributed a reference map that was not included in the agenda packet. Project review was given on the pocket park as the Orcutt Area Specific Plan requires PRC review and support if a subdivision proposes an onsite park instead of paying the parkland development fee. Ricci introduced Terry Ordin, Project Engineer. Commissioners inquired about affordable housing and density figures, maintenance responsibilities of Home Owner’s Association (HOA), drainage area and plaza design, zoning and mixed use areas and easement information. In general Commissioners were in agreement that the design does not meet the needs of the community as stated in Program section 2.3.4a. Ricci explained the intent of the park is to be an amenity for those living in the surrounding area rather than a community attraction. Public Comment Dia Hurd, San Luis Obispo, feels park will not lower density but rather the development gets higher DRAFT Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 4, 2013 Page 3 of 4 1-3 by 30% when affordable housing enters picture as affordable housing equals higher density. As someone who will live next to the area, she is concerned with circulation and traffic. Does not feel this is a park but rather a retention basin and walkways masquerading as a park without quality. Stated would like to see a “real park” of more acreage. Posed question as to tot park proximity to basin and controlling access risks to children. Asked that corners not be cut in the design process and to help SLO remain beautiful. Gary Havas, San Luis Obispo, referenced Program 2.3.4a and inquired what this park provides that other parks do not. Not sure if sees enough of parkland need not otherwise seen in community. As a cyclist, thinks there would need to be a big draw such as an outstanding restaurant to bring cyclists through. End of Public Comment Ricci informed Commissioners the 10-acre development has small site density as possibility for providing parkland and that most developers don’t propose spaces like this. The park is located on what will become an arterial street in the future with higher traffic/use. Ricci explained the easement with property owner and HOA responsibility for ongoing maintenance. Commissioners clarified acreage and park in lieu fees and entered into more discussion with the project engineer. MOTION: (Whitener/Parolini) The PRC does not find the Wingate pocket park to be consistent with 2.3.4a of the Specific Plan as proposed, and, although the PRC liked the design of the park, are concerned the City would bear the cost of maintenance of amenities that benefit the homeowners not the community. Approved: 4 yes: 0 no: 3 absent (Kincaid, Updegrove, Regier) 6. Director’s Report – Stanwyck Director Stanwyck reported to the Commissioners on the following: Bike Rodeo this weekend at Hawthorne School 9/11 Ceremony will be at the Laguna Lake Golf Course at 10 a.m. September 21 is Creek Clean Up Day October 8 will be the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Greg Bettencourt will be honored with the Wes Conner Award November 16 is Trailworks Day at Irish Hills Pool maintenance is underway. Therapy Pool opens again on Monday Jr. High School Sports happening Currently into week three of Adult Softball 7. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports: DRAFT Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – September 4, 2013 Page 4 of 4 1-4  Tree Committee – Hensinger  Golf - Whitener  Natural Resources – Kincaid  Bicycle Committee – Regier  Jack House Committee – Updegrove  Damon-Garcia Sports Field - Parolini  School District – Parolini  Youth Sports - Davis Commissioner Hensinger reported there was no meeting of the Tree Committee since the last PRC meeting. Commissioner Kincaid was not present to report on Open Space. Commissioner Updegrove was not present to report on Jack House but there had been no recent meeting. Commissioner Parolini had nothing new to report on the School District. Commissioner Parolini had nothing new to report on the Damon Garcia sports field. Commissioner Whitener reported on the status of the Golf Course stating rounds for the month of August were up 4 percent and revenue for the month and up 8 percent. Rounds and revenue for the year are up. Commissioner Regier was not present to report on the Bicycle Advisory Committee. 8. Communications None. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. to the October 2, 2013 regular meeting which will again meet at the Parks and Recreation Offices. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 2, 2013 /sgd/ _________________________________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant