12 Desk ItemMEETING DATE: 10/03/11
ITEM NO: 12
DESK ITEM
DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2011
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: LOS GATOS CREEKSIDE SPORTS PARK MASTER PLAN — PROJECT 411-
831-4402
REMARKS:
Staff received the attached updated site plan on Friday September 30th, reflecting changes that
resulted from the Planning Commission review and approval. The receipt of the updated site plan
provided staff the opportunity to complete this master plan document. This document is included
as a revised Attachment 1 to the staff report.
Additionally, on October 3, 2011, staff received a hand -delivered letter and an e-mail. Those
public communications have been included as Attachment 3.
ATTACHMENTS:
Revised attachments are provided for this item as described below:
Attachment 1: (REVISED) Creekside Sports Park Master Plan
This document presents the project background, goals and objectives, site description, and
planning process information in a format that has been used for previous Town park master
plans. The use of this format provides consistency with the existing master plan documents.
Attachment 2: August 24, 2011 Planning Commission Staff Report (Previously received with
10/3 Agenda packet)
Attachment 3: Public Written Communications received Oct. 3, 2011
PREPARED BY: Todd Capurso, Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: 1 s) Assistant Town Manager
Town Attorney Finance
C:\Users\tcapursoWppData\Local Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\IU2HGH5F1Desk Item - Creekside Sports
Park.doc Updated: 7/1/11
ATTACHMENT 1
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Creekside Sports Park Master Plan
Town of Los Gatos Parks & Public Works Department
Town of Los Gatos
September 27, 2011
Creekside Sports Park Master Plan
Purpose and Scope
This Master Plan documents the proposed elements and uses of Creekside
Sports Park. The planning process, which has led to this document, has been
sponsored by the Town of Los Gatos 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
In 2009, the Town of Los Gatos purchased 2.8 acres of land at 930 University
Avenue. This site has been identified by the Town as the site of a future youth
and community sports and recreation facility. In June 2010, the Town Council
adopted Guiding Principles to be used in the master planning of this new facility
to ensure the timely and affordable development of a new community and youth
sports and recreation facility at this site. These guidelines include:
• Proposed uses at this facility shall address the active and unmet
recreational needs in the Town's current supply of park facilities as defined
by the Town's Parks, Open Space and Trails Inventory (dated 5/16/08).
One multi -use sports field would be provided on the site.
• Development would be done in such a manner as to reduce the
maintenance requirements and environmental impacts of the facility, without
compromising usability.
o All landscaping would be drought tolerant.
o Any lighting installed would be energy efficient.
• Artificial turf is the preferred treatment for sports fields if sufficient funding is
available.
• Large-scale (stadium -type) lighting of turf areas would not be included as
part of this facility. Security lighting of pathways and parking areas would
be acceptable.
• All existing buildings would be demolished. Any new structures would be
modest in size to accommodate restrooms, concessions, storage and
maintenance needs.
• Safe, convenient access to the facility is a priority.
o The University Avenue access driveway would be designed to
accommodate vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access.
o Provision of a pedestrian bridge across Los Gatos Creek would provide
direct access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona County Park.
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• Shared parking opportunities (with a property immediately north of the
access driveway, 980 University Avenue) would be provided to
accommodate overflow parking on weekends, when parking demand
associated with scheduled games are expected to exceed the capacity of
on -site parking facilities.
• Musical and entertainment uses would not be allowed at this facility.
• The ongoing operation and maintenance of the entire facility would be fully
covered through user fees and may be operated by an independent
contractor or service provider.
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The Planning Process
The development of the Creekside Sports Park represents the first active park
development for the Town since Belgatos Park was opened in 1978. The master
planning process for the park began in November 2010, and has involved several
community meetings and workshops to collect ideas and help design the new
facility.
Between November 2010 and February 2011, three community meetings were
held for the purpose of gathering community input on desired features for the
sports park, and to address community questions and concerns. At the end of
the three meetings an informal poll was taken to determine which type of park
had the highest level of support from the meeting attendees. The majority of
attendees favored a park containing the largest multi -purpose field possible.
The Creekside Sports Park went to Planning Commission on August 24th, where
the Conditional Use Permit was approved. This Master Plan will be taken to
Town Council for approval on October 3, 2011.
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Site Description
The Town plans to demolish all of the existing structures on the 2.8 acre site and
construct a single multi -purpose sports field, a 41 space parking lot and drop off
zone, and restroom facility/concession stand.
The plans also include the future development of a proposed pedestrian bridge
connecting the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona Lake County Park to the
Creekside Sports Park.
Proposed park hours are 9:00 a.m. to one-half hour past sunset during the week
and 8:00 a.m. to one half hour past sunset on weekends. On weekends during
the fall and spring soccer seasons, one game may be played at any given time.
The field may also be used for soccer practice during the week between
3:00 p.m. and one-half hour past sunset.
The facility is proposed to be maintained by Los Gatos United Soccer League
through a formal use agreement with the Town.
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Surroundings and Entries
The project site is comprised of 2.8 acres located on the east side of University
Avenue, generally north of Vasona Lake County Park and south of Lark Avenue.
University Avenue extends along the site's western boundary, while the Los
Gatos Creek adjoins the site's eastern boundary. Land uses adjoining the
project site include a commercial storage facility (Extra Space Storage of Los
Gatos, which is currently under construction) to the north, Vasona Dam and Lake
to the south, and the University Park Office and Professional Center to the west.
To the east and across Los Gatos Creek, there is the Los Gatos Creek Trail, and
single-family residences to the east of the trail along Las Miradas Drive.
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The only vehicle access to the site is from University Avenue via a shared
driveway that traverses the Extra Space Storage property located north of the
site at 950 University Avenue. Pedestrian access to the site would be provided
from University Avenue via a proposed sidewalk that would extend along the
shared driveway. Pedestrian and bicycle access may also be provided in the
future by a proposed pedestrian bridge, linking the park to 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 owned and operated by the Town itself. These sports
facilities are among the most heavily used resources within the town. A
comprehensive assessment of the Town's Parks System, completed in May
2008, identified a need for Master Plans for each of the Town's parks. Securing
these facilities for their current and proposed uses will ensure the continued
availability and use of fields and recreation facilities. From this point, the Town
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can evaluate the existing inventory of parks and land resources, and address
additional youth recreation needs.
Goals and Objectives
Goals are a general statement of purpose. They represent the long-range
direction of a planning project. Discussion and agreement on a clear statement
of goals 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 Creekside Sports Park and are summarized below in order to set a general
context for the master planning process:
• Encourage private/public funding, development and operation of activities
and centers consistent with the small town character of Los Gatos.
• Promote a system of Town parks and trails and maximize the use of
public utility easements, flood control channels, school grounds and other
quasi -public areas for recreational uses and play fields.
• Recognize the special needs of children.
Specific Goals
The specific goals that relate to the development and use of the Creekside
Sports Park are as follows:
• Ensure the availability of this facility as a multi -purpose field, serving the
youth and organized sports of the Town of Los Gatos.
• Secure the facility amenities, including parking areas, to support the on-
going uses of this park.
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Master Plan
This master plan for Creekside Sports Park is based on the premise that the
proposed park will serve an important resource for its community. From public
comments, it is clear that there is a general desire for the construction of the
Creekside Sports Park as an important youth sports facility within the Town.
From a larger perspective, the Town'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 for sports facilities can be fulfilled.
The construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the park to the Los Gatos Creek
Trail is proposed for the future.
Master Plan Implementation
This plan is expected to be adopted by Town Council on October 3, 2011,
securing the proposed conditions and uses. The construction of a pedestrian
bridge linking the park to the Los Gatos Creek Trail is proposed for the future.
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.
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ATTACHMENT 3
Todd Capurso
Subject: FW: (Creekside Desk Item) "no" to a bridge on the Los Gatos Creek Trail
Original Message
From: Patti Lovetro-Clarke jmailto:opulent.interiors@yahoo.coml
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 12:47 PM
To: Council
Subject: "no" to a bridge on the Los Gatos Creek Trail
The Los Gatos creek trail needs to be protected and not overdeveloped with unnecessary additions such as a bridge that
allows access to the developing sports park at 930 University Ave. Construction of a bridge will destroy one of the last
natural riparian habitats along the creek trail corridor, increase disturbances (noise, litter, vandalism, trail accidence) at
the back doors of the residence that border the trial. This is just one of the many projects being proposed for Los Gatos
to overdevelop our town with detrimental consequences.
Patti Clarke
1
The Honorable Joe Pirzynski, Mayor
Town Hall
110 E. Main Street'FLY-Ccv.0 .``.)
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Dear Mayor Pirzynski,
kE0s !\IED
--32011
MAYOR & COUNCIL
Re: Agenda item #12 for Town Council Meeting of October 3
We understand that the Council will consider Los Gatos Creeekside Sports Park Master
Plan that is recommended to authorize the construction of the Creekside Sports Park.
My wife and I sat in on the preliminary planning meetings for this park and support its
development. However, I would like the Council to consider whatever steps might be
possible to make the new facility accessible to the users of the Los Gatos Creek Trail
and Oak Meadow Park.
I use Los Gatos Creek Trail five days a week. The example that the Town has set by
having the facilities at Bolthan Field accessible to the users of the Trail is an example
we would like the Town to also use for its new facility. This provides access to
restrooms, water fountain, and benches where one can stop and watch the games and
practices going on at the field.
The things that are objectionable about the plans for the new site are as follows:
Significant community investment in a park improvement that is resticted to
only those who play (or support the players) on the new field;
No bridge to access the trail;
Gated/locked facility closed to trail users; and
No recognition that there is a well-worn trail used by bikers and hikers
along University Avenue between the current end of the paved walkway
through Vasona Park to the top of Vasona Dam and further along University
Avenue to Lark.
Even if the Council should decide that it is unable to afford to facilitate access to the
new facility, it is not prudent for the Town to create obstacles in the design of this
facility that will make it more difficult in the future to improve the trail around the lake
and improve the connection along University Avenue to Oak Meadow Park.
We urge the Council to follow through on its intial guidelines for this project and make
the Creekside Sports Park an integral part of the parks system with connection to the
Los Gatos Creek Trail and access between Oak Meadow Park and the new site. if not at
this time, at least plan ahead for the time when these enhancements will become
possible rather than take actions now that will impede such improvements in the
future.
Respectfully,
Larry and Pat Coons,-10/1 /1 1 408-395-41 14; 1pyachats@comcast.net
18400-41 Overlook Road, Los Gatos, CA 95030
creekside park 10/1/11
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