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Minutes - DRAFT
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
5 April 2017
Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Committee Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 5th day of April
2017 at 5:31 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California,
by Chair Whitener.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Greg Avakian, Suzan Ehdaie, Susan Olson, Keri Schwab, Douglas Single,
Rodney Thurman and Chair Jeff Whitener
Absent: None
Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Supervisor Facilities Devin Hyfield,
Associate Planner Rebecca Gershow, Contract Planner David Watson
PRESENTATIONS INTRODUCTIONS APPOINTMENTS
1. Swear in of new Commissioner Suzan Ehdaie
City Clerk conducted the Oath of Office for Suzan Ehdaie, Parks and Recreation
Commissioner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
ACTION: APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2017 AS
AMENDED, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER SCHWAB.
2. Consideration of Minutes
CARRIED 7:0:0:0 to approve the amended minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body
for the meeting of 3/1/2017.
AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, OLSON, SCHWAB, SINGLE, THURMAN, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 5, 2017 Page 2
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS
3. Final Tract Map Review of the Linear and Creek Trail Park Proposals for the West
Creek Project (VTM#3038) in the Orcutt Area Special Plan.
David Watson, Contract Planner, presented to the Commission the Final Tract Map Review for
the West Creek Project, a subdivision of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan (OASP). This project,
approved in May 2016, includes 172 units and several park amenities. Staff Watson said that
pursuant to Condition #109 of the West Creek approval, the applicant is permitted, but not
obligated, to offer parklands that would be improved and maint ained by the project developer,
but that also would be open to public use. Under the conditions of approval, the application
could secure an OASP Parklands Improvement Fee credit of up to one half of the final cost of
construction of the publicly accessible park improvements. He added that West Creek has
proposed to construct a Creek Trail along the east fork of Orcutt Creek (.45 acres), a Park at the
Terminus of the Creek Trail at “A” Street (.14 acres) and two linear parks (1.01 acres) with this
project.
Public Comment
Eric Myer, SLO Resident, spoke about importance of the Orcutt Area creating connectivity
between neighborhoods and parks.
Commission Comments.
Commissioner Thurman said he liked the integration of the linear parks within the homes and
asked about parking.
Commissioner Single commented on the pricing of the homes and the access to public services
like schools and bike safety routes for children to school.
Commissioner Schwab commented on public parking for community members. Street parking
is available but no public lots are proposed. She added that there was a lack of lighting in the
parks and that pathway lighting is required.
Commissioner Ehdaie commented that she would like to see the linear parks connecting to the
creek park and access to the parks from adjacent housing developments. Currently there are no
plans for connecting second linear parks.
Commissioner Olson commented on the availability of sidewalks through the neighborhoods
and the proposed having an ADA accessible trail. She asked about bike friendly trails. The
applicant responded that the linear parks and creek trail will have some ADA accessibility and
will consist of decomposed granite.
Commissioner Avakian commented on lower area parking and the accessibility of the parks to
other members of the community, aside from the residents living next to the parks. He also
spoke about the use of artificial turf and the longevity of the use.
Chair Whitener commented on the cost estimates of the proposed parks, the connectivity of the
parks, and the parks being used as a public park amenity as opposed to a pocket residential
park. He added that the proposed grade change of the linear park is a concern for recreational
use. He was in support of fee credits for two out of the three parks proposed.
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 5, 2017 Page 3
ACTION: BY CONSENSUS PROVIDED INPUT ON THE PROPOSED PARK IMPROVEMENT
FEATURES AND DIRECTION TO THE APPLICANT FOR THE PREPARATION OF
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW MATERIALS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION
AT A FUTURE DATE.
THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS COUNCIL APPROVE A CREDIT FOR COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE TWO LINEAR PARKS (THE ONE WHICH HAS
CREEK TRAIL CONNECTIVITY) AND FOR THE CREEK TRAIL PARK OF UP TO
50% CREDIT.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER AVAKIAN
CARRIED 7:0:0:0 to recommend to Council a partial credit for the Creek Park and the one
connected Linear Park up to 50% credit.
AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, OLSON, SCHWAB, SINGLE, THURMAN, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
4. Presentation of Downtown Concept Plan
Rebecca Gershow, Associate Planner for Long Range Planning, presented the Commission
with an update of the draft Downtown Concept Plan. She provided the Commission with the
project background. Staff Gershow added that the project is being led by staff, consultants, and
the ten-member Creative Vision Team (CVT) appointed by the City Council. The Draft Plan
was released in January 2017, and a public workshop with approximately 150 attendees was
held on February 4. Staff is now collecting input from City Advisory Bodies. Staff Gershow
presented project Planning Principles and Goals that were most directly relate to the purview of
the Parks and Recreation Commission and asked for the Commission’ feedback. The Parks and
Recreation Commission was asked to provide input on the draft Downtown Concept Plan’s
goals, recommendations and implementation actions related to parks and park faciliti es in the
downtown. The Commission was asked to provide feedback on the following topics;
1. Is the Commission in support of how the draft Downtown Concept Plan envisions the
future use of the City’s current parks and recreation facilities?
2. Is the Commission in support of how the draft Downtown Concept Plan envisions the
location, amount, and use of future parks and recreation facilities?
3. Do Commissioners have any questions or concerns about the Draft Plan’s vision for
downtown?
Public Comment
Chuck Crotser, SLO Resident, spoke about new and existing parks that can be implemented
(across from Art Museum) or updated (Jack House) through the Downtown Concept plan.
Eric Meyer, SLO Resident, spoke about the benefit of pocket parks and parklet proposals.
Commission Comments followed.
Commissioner Avakian commented on the accessible pathways and bike paths. He did not see
the need for outdoor fitness area in the downtown area as there are other locations in the City.
He inquired about the challenges of outdoor rooftop public gathering areas.
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 5, 2017 Page 4
Commissioner Olson commented on the potential of trees in the middle of the streets as trees
could assist in slowing down traffic.
Commissioner Ehdaie commented on the promotion of social activities within the
neighborhoods and asked about concession stands in parks.
Commissioner Schwab commented on activating additional activities at Emerson Park and
Cheng Park.
Commissioner Single commented on eliminating additional street parking areas in downtown to
maximize parking in the existing parking structures.
Commissioner Thurman commented on connectivity of the concept plan and concurred with
Commissioner Single’s comments on street parking. He offered suggestions regarding the
handling of stormwater. Commissioner Thurman added that streets with multiple purposes
could cause issues between pedestrians and cyclists. He was in support designated spaces for
food trucks.
Chair Whitener was in support of public parks, pocket parks, rooftop parks and the proposed
recommendations to activate the Ludwick Community Center as a way to stimulate the
downtown areas. He asked out the potential conflict between public and privately-owned plots
proposed for proposed updates in the concept plan.
The Parks and Recreation Commission was unanimous in its consensus support of the Draft
Downtown Concept Plan with respect to the parks and recreation elements proposed.
Review and Recommendation to Council to Adopt Recreation Fees as Proposed.
Director Stanwyck and Staff Hyfield provided the Commission with a brief update on the City-
wide Fee Study and proposed Parks and Recreation Fees. Staff Hyfield reiterated the
Commission’s input and support of the proposed fees at its public Study Session on February 1,
2017, the Jack House Committee meeting on February 8, 2017 and the City Council Study
Session on February 21, 2017.
Public Comment
None.
Commission Comments followed.
None.
ACTION: RECOMMEND COUNCIL ADOPT THE RECREATION FEES AS PROPOSED
INCLUSIVE OF THE CITY-WIDE COST OF SERVICES FEE STUDY.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OLSON.
CARRIED 7:0:0:0 to recommend to Council that is adopt the recreation fees as proposed in the
city-wide cost of services fee study.
AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, OLSON, SCHWAB, SINGLE, THURMAN, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 5, 2017 Page 5
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS
5. Director’s Report
Director Stanwyck provided a brief update of current Parks and Recreation programming and
City updates.
Night Golf April 6th
Ranger Workday – April 8th at Reservoir Canyon
Egg Hunt at Golf Course – April 15th
Youth Services Spring Break Camp (Tiny Wonders) April 17-21st
SLO Triathlon Registration Opens April 22nd
MLBB Camp at Sinsheimer Stadium – April 22nd. Over 160+ registered
Work continues on Sinsheimer Park Playground and French Park Tennis/Pickleball
Court Striping
LIAISON REPORTS
6. Subcommittee Liaison Reports
Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Single had no report.
Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson had no report.
City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner
Avakian reported on Damon-Garcia closing May 1 and the implementation of Kikuya
grass on Field B. Golf is seeing high numbers and lots of activities at the golf course. Jr
Giants registration opens April 29.
Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman said that the City had a wood-chip giveaway
and he recommended that woodchips could be used for the Laguna Lake dog off-leash
area to fill in holes.
Jack House Committee: This assignment is currently vacant. No report.
Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab had no report.
Commission Communications
None. Staff provided a brief agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. to the regular Parks and Recreation Commission scheduled for
03, May 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 05/03/2017