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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-17 PRC minutes 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