2009-123-Approving The Master Plan For Balzer FieldRESOLUTION 2009-123
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
APPROVING THE MASTER PLAN FOR BALZER FIELD
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos desires to document current conditions and use of
Balzer Field, and formally designate Balzer Field as a youth sports facility; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2008, the Town Council recommended staff develop Park
Master Plans for both Balzer Field and Blossom Hill Park; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2009, the Parks Commission of the Town of Los Gatos
recommended the adoption of the Master Plan for Balzer Field.; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2009, the Planning Commission of the Town of Los
Gatos approved the Conditional Use Permit Application U-09-022, with conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos hereby approves the attached Master Plan for Balzer Field, dated November 13th 2009, and
prepared by the Parks and Public Works Department of the Town of Los Gatos.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the 7th day
of December, 2009 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Joe Pirzynski, .Steve Rice, Barbara Spector, Mike Wasserman, Mayor Diane McNutt
NAYS: None
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
l~ia~c M~A~r~-'
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
TEST:
C_~
ADMINISTRA'f OR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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Balzer Fuld Masfi+er Plan
Parks & Public Works Department
Town of Los Gatas
:November 13, 2009
EXHIBIT A
Balzer Field Master .Plan
Purpose and Scope
This Master Plan documents the current conditions and use of Balzer Field.. The
planning process, which .has led to this document, has been sponsored by the
Town. of Las Galas Parks and Public Works Department, and the Town of Los
Gatos Parks Commission. Information and proposals in this report are based on
comments from public meetings, field investigations and the review of previous
reports and documents.
Project Background
Balzer Pield was constructed in the 1950's, as a youth baseball facility. Little
League operations have been conducted at this park. under a contractual
agreement with Los Gatos Little League since 1958. Over the years, several
capital improvements have been made to the. facility, .including the construction of
a snack bar in 1968,. and a new restraom facility in 2008.
The park currently consists of a baseball diamond, including infield and outfield
grass and dirt,: fences that surround the field. of play, bleachers,. d'ugauts, and a
batting cage. Other facilities. supporting the park include an electronic
scoreboard,. snack shack, storage room, and two bathrooms. An on-site parking
lot is available for park. users.
In June of 2008, the Town of Los Gatos Council approved a reportthat identified
a need for community and. youth sports facilities. As part. of the .plan to secure
such facilities, Town staff committed to developing a Master Plan far .Balzer Field,
to document the intended. use of this park as a ball field.
Balzer Field Restrooms and Snack Shack
The Planning Process
The master planning process for Balzer Field began with an inventory of current
site elements. A public meeting to hear ideas and comments from various ,park
users, .neighbors and Park Commissioners was held an November 3, 2009 and
was attended by 2 individuals representing Los Gatos Little League. Based on
the site inventory as well as public comments, a preliminary:master plan
document and drawing was prepared in November of 2009. The Master Plan
was subsequently presented to the Los Gatos Planning Commission in
November of 2009, and the Los Gatos Tawn Council in December of 2009 for
final approval.
Site ®escription
Balzer Field is a Town Park, consisting of approximately 0:8 acres within the
Tawn of Los Gatos, adjacent to State Highway 17, the RJ Bryant Service Center, .
and the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The park includes a baseball field, batting cage.,
restroom facility, snack shack, storage, and two shared parking lot areas.
Shared Parking Area #1 is used by the Town Engineering. employees and visitors
during weekday business hours, and by the Balzer Field visitars during evening.
.and weekend hours. Shared Parking Area #2 is used for downtown parking
overflow, as .part of the Town's parking master plan, as well as Los Gatos Creek
Trail users and Balzer Field visitors.
The facility is currently maintained by Los Gatos Little League through a formal
use agreement with the Town. The hours of use vary throughout the year, but
generally .include Mondays through Friday from .noon until dusk, and weekend
daytime use. Specific 'hours of operation are detailed in fihe Use Agreement with
Los Gatos Little League.
Balzer Field
z
Surroundings and Entries
Site uses bordering the park are:
+ Multi-family residential to the north and west.
• State Highway 17 (freeway). on the east side.
+ Parks and Public Worl<s Storage on the south.
The main vehicle access for the .park is via Miles Ave, off University Avenue.
Miles Avenue leads directly to the shared parking areas for the facility.
Pedestrian .access is either via Miles Ave, or directly off the Los Gatos Creek
Trail.
Recreation Needs
A recreation and open space inventory for the Town of Los Gatos was prepared
in 2008, as part of the background information for the Town General Plan update,.
scheduled to be completed in 2010. Of the sports facilities identified in this
inventory, few are directly awned .and operated by the Town itself. These sports
facilities are arnang the mast heavily used resources within the town. A
comprehensive assessment of the Town's Parks System, completed in May of
2008, identified a need for Master Plans for each of the Town's 14 parks. Given
the demand for the sports facilities at Balzer Field and Blossom Hill Park,. it was
recommended that these Master Plans be completed first. Securing these
facilities for fheir current uses will ensure the continued availability and use of
existing baseball fields and tennis courts.. From this point,. the Town can
evaluate the existing inventory of parks and land resources, and address
additional youth recreation needs.
Los Gatos Creek Trail Enfrance
Goals and Objectives
Goals are a general statement of purpose. They represent the tong-range
direction of a planning project.. Discussion and agreement on a clear statement of
goats at the beginning of a planning process is helpful to focus the ideas and
proposals that follow.
General Goals
General planning documents for the Town spell out various long term
objectives for planning and development. Many of these are applicable to the
Master Plan for Balzer Field and are summarized below in order to set a general
context for the master planning process:
Encourage privatelpublic funding, development and :operation of activities
and centers consistent with the small town character of tos Gatos.
Promote a system of Town parks and trails and maximize the use public
utility easements, flood control channels, school grounds and other quasi-
publicareas for recreational uses and play fields.
Recognize the special needs of children.
Specific Goals
The specific goals that relate to the use and development of Balzer Field are as
follows:
Ensure the continued availability of this facility
the youth of the Town of Los Gatos.
Secure the facility amenities, including shared
the ongoing uses of this park..
as a baseball field, serving
parking areas, to support
4
Master Pian
This master plan for Balzer Field is based. on the premise that the existing park is
appreciated as an important resource for its community. From public comments,
it is clear that there is a general appreciation of Balzer Field as an important
youth sports facility within the Town. From a larger perspective, the Tawn's youth
population is increasing, and there will be a growing need for dedicated. sports
and recreation facilities. There are limited places within the Town where this
need far sports facilities can be fulfilled,
The facility has undergone recent restroom renovations, completed in 2008.
There are no other facility improvements planned at this time.
Figure 1 provides a basic layout of the park, and. identifies key facilities and uses.
13AL~ET~ $ASEBALL Fi:E:t.17
MASTER PLAN
0lfI5t09. NO'C l't) SC:AT.B h lCf: 2 C)F':
Figure 1-Balzer Field Master Plan
5
[aster Pian implementation
This plan is expected to be adapted by Town Council by the end of 2Q09,
securing the existing conditions and uses. There are no additionai improvements
or .site changes prapased for the park at this time. Any future proposed uses of
this facility will go through a Master Plan process, and this Plan would be
amended to reflect any such adopted changes.
6
Balzer Field Sign
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TO`W'N' OT LOS GAT~?S
PLANNING C`ONIVIISSI(3N STAFF I2L1"vRT
cos n ~o$ Meeting bate: l~lovember "18, 2009
PREPARED BY: Chz•istixle Walter, Acting Parks Superintendent
cwolter(c7lasi;atosea. ~av
APPLICATIOI~T NQ:: Conditional Use PermitApplieatiot~ U-09-022
LUCA'I"ION; 41 Nliies Avenue
APPLICANT: Town of Los Gatos
PROPERTY OWNER: Town o;fLos Gatos
CONTACT PERSON: Christine Wolter
AT`T'ACHMENT 2
APi'LICATION SUMz\~AR'Y: Retlzzastng applaval for the Balzar Field Master Plan to poz7nit
existing uses on property zoned. RC. Al'N 529-OS-049.
RECOMMENDATION: Strozig Approval
PROJECT DATA: Creneral Plan Designation: Open Space
Zoning Designation; RC -Resource Conservation
Applicable Plazas ~ Staxldards; Las Cratas General Plan; Central
Las Gatos Redevelopment Plan
Parcel Size: 0.8 acres
Surrotuxding Area:
_ Existin iLand Use ' _Gexleral Plaxi l Zoning_-,-_--
_ g __
Nortih iVlultx Fazn1~ ltcsy~ Med.. Density Res., 5-12 du/acxe~:{ RM S 1.2
_...._ _
YEast Hxglxway_l7_____-._ ~:_~a.___~__~__-_._____. _....-..___..._.__.___ ~ nla~ .
Sautli ~._• PI'W Storage__~._~ Public __ _ _ ~( RM S 12ry.
Nest Multi-Faxuily Res, ~ Med. Density Res., 5-12~du/acre RM 5.12 W
CEQA: The pxaject is Categorically Exempt according to Sectiian 153'2'3
of the State Environmental. Guidelines as adapted by the Town
because the project consists of pei~zxittizlg an existiixg facility,
where there is past history of the facility being used for the sazxie
or similar kind of purpose.
FINDINGS: s As required vy Section 15323 of the State Exiviraxurzental
Guidelines as adapted by tl~e Town that this project is
Categorically Ea empt.
~ As required by Seetian 29.20,190 of the Town Code far
granting a Conditional 'Use Permit.
planning Commission Staff Report -Page 2
4:1 Milos Ave -Balzer Fie1d1U-09-022
Novenlbel 18, 2009
As required by Section TV.B of tl7e Redeveloptnetzt Plan for
the Cetltral Los Gatos Itedeveloptnent T'roject that it meets
tike use set fortlY in fhe Town's- General Plan.
CONSIDETZATIONS: None.
ACTTON: The decision of the 1'lat7nitlg Commission is final unless
appealed within ten days.
BXPIIBITS: 1. Location lvlap
2. T:indings and Considerations
3, Conditions of Approval
BACKGROUND:
On May 21, 1969, the planning Cotxnnissian approved a Conditional Use Permit at this :site for a
Little League shelter at the existing baseball facility, On June 2,, 200.8, the Town C6unail
approved a repot~t and recommendatiotls regarding needed community and youth sports facilities
and the disposition of Town land vvitltin Vasona Lake County Park (Vasotia Parlc). lit this time,
staff camn~titted to Council the development of Master Plans far Balzer Field and Blossom Hill
Park. 'T'he intent of these Master Plans is to document put~•ent conditions and use of these
facilities, The Balzer Field Master Plan was developed and presented for community input.
through the Parks Cotrtmissinn on November 3, 2009, and is now being brought forward for
adoption by the planning Con~tnlission,
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Conditional Ilse Permit
The applicant is requesting approval to continue to 'use Balzer Field as a baseball facility,
consistent with operations of this park since 7958.,
B, Location and Surrounding Neighborhood.
Tlie project site is located at 41. Miles Avenue. 'T`he propexty is east of Los Gatos Creek
and. the Los Gatos Creek Trail, west of ITighway 1'1 and north of a 'T'own yard used for
landscaping .supplies.
Planning Cpnxzniss%oii Staff'Report -Page ~
41 Miles Ave -Balzer Field/[)-09-022
I~Ioveinbei• 18, 2009
C. Zoning Coimpliauce
The subject parcel. contains Balzer Field and the Town's Corporation. 'Yard,. and has two
zoning designations. Tlie CotFo.ration Yard is zoned RM-5:12;LH1' (Multi-family
Residential, 5 to 12 dwelling units per acre, with a T.andmarlc and I-Tistoi•ic Preservation
overlay). Balzer ltield is zoned RG (Resource Conservation), Outdoor spans and.
recreation activity is a permitted use for RC zoning.
ANALYSIS:
A. Current Facility Clse
Balzer .Field is a 0.8 acre park,. used to provide ai•ganized baseball team practice and
eaimpefitian, primarily for youth. between the ages of six and twelve. The park includes a
baseball ..held, batting cage, restroan7 facility, snack shack, storage, and parking lot. urea.
The facility is currently maintained by Las. Gatos Little League through a lorrnal use
agreement. with the Town. The hours of use vary tlu~oughout the year, but generally hiclude
Mondays through Friday fiom noon until dusk and weekend daytime use. Specific; hours of
vpe:ration are detailed iii the XJse Agreement with Los Craton Little League. This .park has
been used. for Little League operations since I9S8.
B. Parl~ina
There are two shared parking facilities on the site.. Shared Parking Area #l, located at tl~e
northern end of the held, is used for tike Engineering building operations, visitors clur.ing
weekday busitless hours, and far- the. field users. after hours ~u7d on wcclcends. Shared
Parl{ing Axea #f2, located at tl~.e sa~.tthern end of'the field:, is used for downtown parking
(overflow and holiday parking), bail use, and the field. A parking study was coztdueted in
2004, as pant of a proposal to construct a skate park in the current parking facility at Balzer
Field. The survey concluded that the parking demand on Miles Avenue is low and that. the
on and off street patlcing dernatYd is less than the existing available parking supply. Given
that there are no proposed changes for use of this parking area, it has been determined that
no additional parking studies are needed at this time. Tit addition, there is adequate an
street parking available on Miles Avenue if there. is an unusually high. peak parking
.demand.
C. 't'raffic
Based on t11e current usage of the park, vehicular traffic generated by the park on an hourly
basis is relatively low. A traffic study was iiot required since the use of the facility is not
changing, consistent with the Town Traffic hnpact Policy.
Planning Cdrnmission Staff Report « Page 4
4l Miles Ave -Balzer Iiield/CT«09-022
November 1 S, 2009
D. General:I?lan
'I`lie praposed use meets the following goals and policies ryf t11e General Plan:
L.P.1.11 Encourage privatelpublic fundilig, development and. operatian of activities
and centers consistent with the small town character of Los Gatas.
O.P.1.S Promote a system of Town parks and trails and. maximize the use public
utility easements, flood control channels, school grounds and other quasi-public areas
for recreational uses and play fields.
HS. G.7,1 Recognize tlxe spacial needs of children.
E, Enviroxnnentallteview
The project is Categorically Exempt according to .Section 1.5323 Class 23 of CEQA as
.adopted. by the Town, which exempts permitting an existing facility with no expansion.
F, Conditional Use Petxaait ){indinQs
Tli order to grant approval of a Conditional Use Permit, the hearing body must make the
following findings:
(1 } The praposed uses of the property are essential or desirable to the public convenience
or welfare; and
(2} Tlie proposed uses. will not impair the integrity and character of the-zone; and
(3} The proposed uses would not be deti-iznental to public health, safety or general
welfare; and
(4} Tha proposed uses of the property are in hatinany with the various elements or
objectives of the General Plan and the purposes of the Tawn Cade.
Ixx regards to the first finding, this facility has xnet a public .need for sports facility sisaca
1958. CantnuixYg the use of this facility for srxcla purpose fulfills an essential neeel for the
youth. in the commurxity. hr regards to the second and third finding, this facility bas been
used. ;far tl~e pulToses of youth baseball .since 195.8, and no additional uses are proposed at
this tune. This use will be consistent with the historical integrity and character of the zone,
and has not been detrizalental to public health, safety, ar general welfare. lx1 regards to the
final finding, the proposed use meets the abj ectives of the General Plan alxd `T'own Cad€ as
discussed witlYin this report.
PUBLIC; COIVIMENTS:
Staff boas coxxducted outreach to the local. nt,iphbarhood regarding this application. Connnuiuty
meeting notices were prepared and sent to the 1oca1 residents, and a public meetizig was held
tluougla the Parks Comtxussion on November 3, 2009, to solicit comments and feedbacl~ on the
Plazvnizrg Camzr~issiozz Staff Repoz~: -Page 5
41 Miles Ave -Balzer Fi:eldlLJ-09-()22
November 18, 20Q9
Master Plan. One nczeznber of tl~e community, representing the Los Gatos Little: League attezacied
the rnectizzg, and spoke in suppoz•t of maintaining the facility as a little league field. N'a other
coa~vnunity input was provided. TIYe Parks- Con~zzx-iission voted to recozxznaend bringing fhe
Master Plan forward to the Town Council, and the Conditional Use Permit application to the
Planning Commission,
STIMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION:
A. Sunlznary
Staff reaozmncnds approval of a Cazaditiazaai Use Pern~zit far Balzer Field, docuzrzenting the
cuzxent conditions and' use of this facility, Thera are na additional proposed uses for the
facility at this time. A Park. Master Plan has been developed to provide documentation of
th.e current'use of this properly.
8. Recomrnendati.on
If the Planning Cozrunisson finds merit with the proposal, it should;
1. Find that the proposed project is catagoi7cally exempt, pursuant to Section 15323 of
the California Envirozunental Quality Act as adopted by the Town {lxliibit 2); and
2, iVlalce the required fZndiz1gs as required by Section 29.24,190 of the Town. Cade far
granting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (Ex1~.ibit 2); and
3, Recommend approval :Conditional Use Permit application U-09-022,. subject to the
conditions contai.rled in Exhibit 3.
Ifthe Camzxzission has concerns with the application, it eon:
1. Recarnn~end approval of t1~e application to Council with additional andlor modified
conditions of approval, or
2. Recommend denial of the application.
~~ r ---
Prepared by:
Christine Walter
Acting Panes Superintendent
~~~~~~ ~.~rr~.,~ t.:1-~
Appxo'ved bSl' , l { ~,
en ie It. Tt az y ``.J
Director of Community Development
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REQUIRED I+IN11tINGS rOR:
411Vtiles Avenxre
Conditional Use Permit U~09~022
IZequestiug approval foa• the Balzer Tield Master Plan to pea•nait existing uses oaa prol5er•ty
zoned RC. APN 529-05-049.
I'ZtOPERT°X ®~VN1.1R: Tawu of Los Gatos
APPLICANT": Town of I.os Gatos - Parlcs and Pulalic Woa•l~s Department
E11YDYlVGS
Required finding for• CEQA:
^ T11e project is Categorically Exempt. pursuant to Section 1523 of the State Enviratanaeratal
Guidelines- as adopted by the pawn in that tlae project consists. of permitting; an existing
facility, where dace is past laistoiy of tha facility tieing used for the same or similar kind of
purpose.
Required. findings fir a CorrditiouaY Use Perrtrrit;
^ As required by Section 29.20,190 of tlae Town Caele for gratating a Conditional Use Permmit:
Tlie deciding body, on the basis of tlae evidence suba~riitted at the hearing, inay grant a
conditional Ilse permit when specilzeally authorized' by the provisions of the 'l'awn Cade if it
finds that:
{1} The proposed uses of the property are. essential or desirable to the public convenience or
welfare in that this facility lags naet a public need for a spazts facility sa:tace 1958..
Continuing the use of this facility for such purpose fulfills an essential need for the youth
in the community; atad
{2) Tlae proposed uses vai:ll not impair the itategiity atad character of the zone in that this
facility has been. used fox the purposes of yoatth baseball since 1958, and na additional
uses are proposed at this tiznc; and
{3) The proposed uses would notbe detrimental to public healtlY, safety ar geYaeral vc~elfare in
that this facility has been used .far the purposes of youth baseball. since 1958, and na
additional. uses. are proposed at this time; aiad
(4) Tiae proposed uses of the property are in hartnany withtlie various elements or objectives
of tlae Getaeral Plan and the proposes of the Tawn Code in that the proposed use meets
the objectives of the fdeneral Plan and Town Code, as cliscaassed within the staff report.
Regraia'ecl firadiug for• the Redevelopnaerxt Plan for fine Central Los Gatos Redevelopment
l?rajeCt Aa'ea;
^ That tlae proposed project is consistent with tilae Redevelopment Plan far the. Central Los
Gatos Redevelopment Project Area (Section I~.B).
N:\Di;ViPMIalNG5\2009\lv(ain4l ,dnc
I;X:E[~$IT 2
RECCSMM:GI~IDED CONDITIt3S aP APPR(IVAL _ Novertt&er :X 8, 2Q09
d1 Miles Avezzue
Cozzditiozxzl Use I'erznit U-09-022
12.e+~uestizxg approval far the Balzer Field Master Plan to permit existing zxses on
:property zoned I2:C, APN 529-05-049.
PR.QPICRTY t~WNER: Town of Los Gatos
APPLICANT: Town a#`Lns Gatos - Parlcs and :Public V4'orl~s lDepartznezzt
T4 TfIE SATISIiACT1UN Op' THE DIItECT012 OF CONTMt..INITY DEVELOPIvTENT:
1'la~nzrx~ 7)ivision
1, APPRC?VAI,. Tlus application shall be completed in acoorclance with all of the
conditions of approval listed belo~,v and iYl sttbstarztial compliance with the 1VIaster
Plan approved and included as Attachment A to these conditions of approval.
Airy changes or modifications to the approved plans shall be approved by the
Community .Development Duector, the Developznezlt Review Coinrnittee, the
Planain.g Comnxissian, or'T`own Council, depending on the scope of the chanpas.
2, APPRQVCD USE. The subject approval is for the Balzer Field Master :Plan.
Approved uses are Little League and other baseball field use (i.e, bleachers,
restroams, snack shack,. and storage). Additional temporary uses xnay be
approved through the Parks and Public Works Department 'Special Use Permit
process.
3. HOURS OF UPERATTC3N. Maximum hours of operation shall be sunrise to
sLUZSet, seven days a week.
N:lD~V5C0iVDYPNS120'J7~Milad I.daa
L'YiFiI~I~ 3
• PLANNING COMl17ISSION STArF REPORT AZ'PACHIvII;NT 2
s~a a~ lYteeting Date: November 78, 2Qt).9
PRPPARED B~': Christine Walter, .Acting Parks Superintendent
L'\~~OI tL'r Ct Ic35 if1tUSGa, ~U1r
APPLICATION NO.. Conditioniil Use Permit Ap}alication U-09-U22
LOCATION; 4l M]es Aveziue
APPLICANT: To~~Jn of Los Gatos
PROPERTY' C)WNER: To~atza of Las Gatos
CON"PACT PEiRS{~N; Christine t~'oltcr
APPLICA'T`ION S11i1~iNIAR~': Rec}nesting appravFrl for the Balzar I^ie}d 1Vlastcr Plane to pez•~nit
existing uses az~ }~raperty zoned RC. APN 529«05-049.
ItE.MARIC.S:
Attached is Attacltu~ent A for tl~e Conditions afApproval {Exlzihit 3), which vas not included
~t~itlz the original report.
Prepared by: ~ .___^~
Christine Walter
Acting Parks Supcrintendiznt
.a..~ ~'` ~t -~
Approved lay:
1'l eridie R. Rooney
Director of Community Develapzx~ent
u~RR:SLB:c:gt
N:\UEV1ttEPORTS~2009\miles~t l .ad.doc