17 Staff Report - Public Input on Park Usage for Sports Facilitiesd
MEETING DATE: 01-20-04
t°wN ITEM NO.
Olt
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
~os•eAtu
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2003
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: PUBLIC INPUT ON PARK USAGE FOR SPORTS FACILITIES
BACKGROUND:
At the December 15, 2003 Town Council meeting, Vice Mayor Mike Wasserman requested that the
Town Council discuss at a future meeting the use of parks, specifically Oak Meadow Park, for sports
facilities/fields such as soccer fields. The.Council concurred that this discussion would occur at the
Town Council retreat scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2004. Subsequently, at the January 5,
2004 Council meeting, a resident spoke under Verbal Communications regarding the need for a
skateboard park in the Town. The Mayor requested that an item be placed on the January 201h
agenda to receive public input on the use of Town parks for sports facilities prior to the Council
discussion on the Sobrato development and at the upcoming retreat. This staff report provides a brief
background on the Town's discussions over the past decade regarding sports facilities/fields, and a
summary of the scope of information to be provided in the staff report for the Council retreat
discussion on this issue.
DISCUSSION:
Town Discussions on Snorts Facilities/Fields
Sports Playfields. In 1993; the Town Manager formed a Playfield Advisory Committee to identify
additional sites for soccer, baseball and softball playfields. The Committee was formed in response
to neighborhood concerns raised about the heavy use of the playfields at Louise Van Meter and
Fisher schools. The Committee identified and negotiated for the use of an additional 11 sites
(beyond the nine sites available at the time) for playfields, including two additional sites in Town
parks, Live Oak Manor and Belgatos, and one in Vasona Park. La Rinconada and. Oak Meadow
Parks were considered, but not selected as sites for playfields. The 1993 staff report is included as
Attachment I. This report could be useful in understanding what has changed since the actions taken
to increase the availability of playfields noted in the report.
PREPARED BY: Pamela S. Jacobs
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager own Attorney Clerk Finance
- Community Development Revised: 1/14/04 10:10 am
Reformatted: 5/30/02
00
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC INPUT ON PARK USAGE
(January 15, 2003)
Skate park. In 2000, the Town Council established an Ad Hoc Skate park Sub-Committee to
explore the possibility of a siting a skate park in the Town. The Sub-Committee first identified
Blossom Hill Park and the vacant lot at Lark and Winchester Blvd. as potential locations. Neighbors
at these two locations expressed their opposition to siting a skate park on these sites. The Sub-
Committee also subsequently determined that these two locations would not support a skate park of
the size desired and that a skate park should be located in an existing park or have amenities usually
found in a park such as bathrooms, adequate parking, etc. In 2001, the Town Council accepted the
Sub-Committee's recommendation that the Town approach the County regarding locating a skate
park in Vasona Park. The Town prepared a feasibility study and presented a skate park proposal to
the County for the property in Vasona behind Billy Jones Railroad Roundhouse. The County's Parks
Commission rejected the proposal in March, 2002 by a 4 to 3 vote.
In June, 2002, the Town Council established an Ad Hoc Interim Skate park Sub-Committee to
identify a site for an, interim skate park, pending the potential acquisition of County property for a
skate park site. This Sub-Committee assessed 20 potential sites, narrowing the potential locations
down to a site at Fisher School not available for 2 years and the use of 2 of the 6 tennis courts at
Blossom Hill Park for the interim skate park. Neighbors and tennis players expressed opposition to
the use of the tennis courts, and the Town Council subsequently in October, 2002, directed staff to
abandon the pursuit of an interim skate park and to focus on the acquisition of County property in
Vasona. These discussions with the County are not likely to yield results in the near term.
The Town has designated $125,000 of Proposition 12 Per Capita Grant funds (Safe. Neighborhood
Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act) for the Town's contribution to a
skate park. Reference to this allocation is found the, Town's FY 2003-2008 Capital Improvement
Program.
Soccer Fields. In addition to the 1993 effort to address the availability of sports fields, including
soccer fields, interest in additional soccer fields surfaced in 2003 when soccer parents, coaches and
players requested the Planning Commission to require a soccer field as part of the Sobrato mixed-use
development on Winchester Blvd. The applicant for this project does not support the inclusion of
a soccer field on the site, but has committed to work with the Town and the soccer advocates in
identifying another site.
General Plan Considerations
Although the Town's General Plan does not include a recreational element, the Open Space element
does address playing fields in the following goal, policy and implementing strategy:
Goal O. G. 1.1.: To acquire open space areas within the Town of Los Gatos, particularly lands
which provide recreational uses and will protect the public health, welfare, and safety of
residents and visitors.
Policy O. P. 1.5: 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
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC INPUT ON PARK USAGE
(January 15, 2003)
recreational uses and playfields.
Implementing Strategy 0.1.1.5: Assess the need for additional developed parks and
playfields in the Town of Los Gatos. The Parks Commission is noted as the responsible
party for this strategy.
This element also includes reference to preserving school playing fields as developed open spaces
in another policy and implementing strategy.
Background Information for Council Retreat Discussion
To inform Council's discussion at the Council retreat regarding the use of Town parks, staff is
preparing background information on the parks and the need/demand for other uses. The report will
include information on the size and current uses of Town parks.
CONCLUSION:
Over the past decade, the Town has engaged in efforts to identify locations for sports facilities,
including soccer and skate parks. The locations explored have included Town parks. In some cases,
additional sites have been identified successfully and in others this has not occurred. The discussion
at the January 201h Council meeting is intended to receive public input on the need for additional
sports facilities/fields and on the use of Town parks for this purpose. The Council will discuss this
matter at the Council retreat on January 24th:
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and-no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact from receiving public input on park usage for sports facilities. Any
subsequent decision for the Town to build or partner to build a sports facility in Town would have
a fiscal impact, which would be analyzed at that time.
Attachments:
1 . Playfield Advisory Committee Report, May 17, 1993 Council meeting
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MAY 6, 1993
r 1
COUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 5/17/93
ITEM NO. a a
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MAYOR AND TO COUN L
TOWN MANAGER
PLAYFIELD ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
For information ordy.
BACKGROUNO:
In August 1992, the Nino Ave. neighborhood raised concerns about crowd, traffic and pardV problems
caused by the heavy use of the playWds at Louise Van Meter and Fisher schools. The Town Manager
arranged meetings between neighborhood representatives and school and recreation district otficia to
address these issues. While short-term problems were resolved, It became apparent that ir=easlrp use of
the fields was a fundamental problem and that finding additional piayfeids was essential to solving the long-
term problem.
DISCUSSION:
The Town Manager formed a Pisyfieid Advisory Committee which has addressed the need for more piayfWds
by increasing the number sites of available from 9 to 20. Committee members did an outstanding job
identifying and quantifying playfiefd needs and identifying aftemadves to most them.
At the initial meeting In February, the Committee identified eight different athiedc organL-tations with a total
of approximately 250 teams and 3,000 players, using nk* different sixes. Soccer players needed more
practice fields, while baseball players needed additions) diamonds. Lack of playfWds has nocorty hampered
optimal scheduling but has also capped the number of young people who can participate, creating waiting
lists for some sports.
At subsequent nwdngs In March andApril, the Committee identified potemiaf new locations for practice and
game day use, kxk Ing ached sites, Town parks, religious institutiorm and State and County property.
From the list at potential sites, individual committee members made personal contacts and negotiated for
new sites with Bred suc cesa.
PREPARED BY., Michael La Rocca. Director
Parks, Forestry and Maintenance Services
5/13/23 1a30 am
DlSK\A:\bcPI A*kis Rte f
Attachmerts: Playfield Advisory Committee 113
Distribution: Regular di3tribu6orr, Playlield Adv130ry Committee, Park C 117 R 3301017
evkew y Attorney Finance ram rw _aerk ATTACHMENT 1
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( 140
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PLAYFiELD ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
May 6, 1993
Janice Smith, Union School Dl bkg Superintendent, has offered sbC school sties in her district for cormm ky
use. The sites can accommodate soccer practice on weekdays, soccer games on weekends, and basebeq
practice and games.
David Akin, Vasona Park Director, offered extensive areas of the park, equivalent to approximately 10
playfieids, for Youth Soccer practice on weekday afternoons between 3 and a p.m., the practice time of
greatest need. These are excellent sites in terms of turf and also provide a central location, parking, pubic
restrooms and. shaded picnic tables nearby.
Youth Soccer will also be able to use two Los Gatos parks, Live Oak Manor and Beigatos, with
approximately 5 more playfields.
Los Gatos Christian Church will allow use of its playfieids on three weekdays and half day on Saturday.
Tod Likens, Superintendent of Los Gatos High School, is willing to allow community groups to develop the
agricultural field adjacent to the football field which can. accommodate a baseball diamond and a soccer
field.
Girls softball and soccer representatives are working with CalTrans for use of its property at Oka Rood and
Highway 85. CalTrans informed us that a is willing to allow use of this property an a lease basis.
Soccer players now have additional practice sites at Vasona park, Live Oak Manor and Beigatos parks, and
six Union School District sites The school sites may also be used for weekend games: Baseball players
may use these school sites and the fields at Los Gatos Christian Church.
Playfieid sites already in use and those newly avaiabie are summarized as follows:
Akeady in use '
Balzar Field
BI(Man Hill Park
Blossom Hill School
Davos Avenue School
Fisher Muddle School
Jewish Community Center
Los Gatos High School
Van Meter Scrod
West Valley CdWgo
Newly availabio
Alta Vista Elementary
Carleton Elementary
Howes Primary School
Mirassou School
gaiph E. Noddin School
Union Jr. High School
uos. Gatos High School agricultural field
Beigatos Park
L1ve Oak Manor Park
Vasona Park
Los Gatos Christian Church
Other sites which were considered but not selected include Leigh High School; The Novitiate; Shir Hadash
Synagogue; the Municipal Court on Capri; Bachman, Novidate, La RGiaoneda and Oak Meadow Parks; lease
of the Uid property; and the Vasona Park and Ride area.
The Committee has solved the immedlate, need for additional piayfieida with the addWw of the Union School
District fields, extensive areas of Vasona Park, two Los Gatos parka, and Los Gatod Christian CNKch's fields.
Longer term growth can be accommodated through developing the agtultuiml field at Las Gatos High
School and using CalTrans property at Oka Road and Highway 17. The Comr *tee deserves a "Weill done'
for its work.
aZ30R7 ca
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. _ _
IAZFIE7~ AD
P
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Name
Address
Office No.
Home No.
Ren Barker
134 Hollycrest Dr.
356-8210
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Jim Barth
18237 Constitution Ave.
496-3652
354-3956
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Steve Benbov
15766 Poppy Lane
395-5570
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Bob Best
123 E. Main St.
354-8700
356-5030
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Bill Frey
16101 Jasmine Way
354-1903
356-1317
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Reed Graham
16700 Marchmont Dr.
356-8698
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Bernie Greenfield
22b Forrester Road
995-5600
356-0124.
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Tom Gremore
135 Green Hill way
293-4313
356-1862
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phil'Rnopf
17400 E. Vineland Ave.
354-1046
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Bill Mason
156 Euclid Ave.
354-8320
354-8449
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Allen Rudolph
259 Vista Del Monte
354-2730
354-4612
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Dr. Smith, Janice L.
5175 Union. Avenue
377-8010
San Jose, CA 95124
Steve Torres
15743 S.avin Lane
297-2236
395-1325
Los Gatos; CA 95030
Tom Werth
16557 Marchmont Dr.
742-2356
358-3088
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phil Wilcox
15275 Clydelle Ave.
510-792-9555
371-9594
San Jose, CA 95124
Donna Wolfe
15981 Stephanie Lane
358-1389
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Yuki Yamahata
16141 Jasmine Way
356-8752
256-3122
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Bill York
203 Palmer Dr.
866-2450
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Paul Zebb
25977 Highland Way
280-0422 Z-224
353-9480
Los Gatos, CA 95030
oaf i 1
40
May 17, 1993
Los Gatos, California
FEES & CHARGES/AMENDMENTS (23.05)
Phil Knopf, speaking for youth group use of park facilities, requested that Council not make the
use of the parks prohibitive to organized youth groups due to proposed fee increases.
Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mayor Benjamin, to approve the raising of "Planning -
Level I" fees as presented in the desk item this evening as identified as 1. E & F, 3. and 4. and
leave the "Level II & III" fees at the same level as they were last year, and cost of document fees
in all departments should be the same. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Attaway voted no
because he feels the streamlining process should be in operation first to see where some fees
could be eliminated or lessened before thought is given to raising them.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to approve the proposed park fees for
residents of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, and to place a higher tiered structure of fees on the
use of a variety of park facilities by non-residents. Carried unanimously.
PLAY FIELD ADVISORY COMMITTEE (24.25)
Informational report was received by Council and the following people from the audience
addressed the issue:
Ned Zuparko, 15443 Corinne Dr., spoke of the need for additional playing fields in Town for
developing sports programs.
Ken Barker, 134 Hollycrest Dr., addressed the fact that the committee has not found a great deal
of additional space for the programs at this time and needs to continue its pursuit of adequate
facilities to serve the needs of the community.
Tom Werth, 16557 Marchmont Dr., spoke of increasing membership in -the sports leagues and
the continued need for practice and playing fields.
Bernie Greenfield, 226 Forrester Rd., expressed the need for more playing field for organized
sports programs.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Informational report was received and filed after discussion.
AMBULANCE SERVICE/TOWN CODE AMENDMENT (25.05)
The Town Clerk read the title of the draft ordinance
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, to waive the reading of the draft
ordinance. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council introduce Draft Ordinance
entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ADDING ARTICLE V TO CHAP'T'ER
28 OF THE TOWN CODE ADOPTING CHAPTER XVI OF DIVISION A18 OF THE SANTA
CLARA COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE REGULATING AMBULANCE SERVICE. Carried
unanimously.
TC:05: MM051793 7
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