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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-1991 Study SessionJOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION/PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION STUDY SESSION - May 20, 1991 A special joint Dublin City Council/Planning Commission/Park & Recreation Commission study session meeting was held on May 20, 1991, in the Regional Meeting Room of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., by Mayor Snyder. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Howard, Jeffery, Moffatt, and Mayor Snyder; Planning Commissioners Barnes, Burnham, North, Rafanelli and Zika; Park & Recreation Commissioners Downey, Donnell, and Jones. ABSENT: Councilmember Burton; Park & Recreation Commissioners Lockhart and Cahn PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the Council, Staff and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. pARK MASTER PLAN STUDY SESSION Diane Lowart, Recreation Director, indicated that tonight's meeting would be to study the preliminary master park plan. There would be input from the Council, Commissioners and public. She reminded everyone that this was not a public hearing. No decisions would be made at this time. Public hearings would be held at a later date. She introduced David and Linda Gates, and Laura Livingston, the consultants working on the Master Park Plan. David Gates indicated that this proposed plan would be for a projected population of 85,000. He would be focusing on several pieces of the plan with an overview of the big picture. Linda Gates described the proposed plan. She indicated that they had reviewed the existing Dublin facii[ities and policies as well as the surrounding Tri-Valley communities. This established a base for them to proceed on. Ms. Gates indicated there were several different types of facilities, i.e., neighborhood parks, community parks, city parks, etc. She described some of the standard needs for the city, such as approximately 60-80 acres of community parks and 80-100 acres for a city park. ********************************************************************* CM- Vol 10 - 186 Study Session May 20, 1991 Mr. Gates presented a slide show. The slides described the existing facilities, land uses for parks; regional context; park programs; creek areas; urban trails; town square concept; pocket parks; neighborhood parks; community parks; central/city parks; and open space areas. Councilmember Moffatt asked if the County and Federal land had been taken into consideration when producing the park acreage. Mr. Gates indicated yes, except for Camp Parks. Commissioner North questioned the City park location in the East Dublin area. Was this location coordinated with the East Dublin planners. Mr. Gates indicated yes. He indicated that the proposed master park plan had more land for parks than the East Dublin plan. The actual location has not been determined and other areas can be explored. However, this piece of property is a very good location for a park. Brenda Gillarde, project coordinator for the East Dublin project, indicated that the East Dublin preliminary land use plan shows a portion of that area to be for medium density housing. Ms. Gates indicated that the location could be changed or trade offs be negotiated. Commissioner Zika felt that the master plan was to his liking. He asked if land that was considered unbuildable had been counted when considering the amount of acreage needed for park use. Mr. Gates indicated that unbuildable land was not counted. Commissioner Zika asked if the wind factor in the city had been considered. Mr. Gates indicated that they had studied several areas. With the correct designs, the wind factor could be handled. Commissioner Burnham felt that school property could be shared for park use. Ms. Gates indicated that the system had been set up without the use of school property. There was the possibility for a shared use. Mr. Gates felt that the door would be left open for sharing school property. There was the possibility of adjacent uses. Commissioner North felt that if people had to travel through Dublin Boulevard to get to the City park, people would not go. This would divide up the city' Commissioner Jones indicated that he was in favor of the central park located in the East Dublin area. It Would bring the community together at one location. He liked the golf course on the west side ********************************************************************* CM- Vol 10 - 187 Study Session May 20, 1991 of Dublin. He preferred not to have neighborhood parks located on school land. The parks would not always be accessible to the public. Commissioner Donnell felt that the variety of parks being proposed would address the needs of the City. The central location of the city park was a good idea. She indicated that people should not worry so much about "West" and "East" Dublin. The concern was all in their minds. Commissioner Downey was in favor of the proposed plan. He indicated that the consultants had accomplished a great deal and had created a good plan. Councilmember Howard agreed with the Recreation Commissioners. She was in favor of the plan. She indicated that the parks should not be shared with school lands. Councilmember Jeffery asked where the consultants came up with a projected population of 85,000. Ms. Gates indicated that they had looked at the Specific Plan and had been working with ABAG. The projection is reasonable and supportable. Councilmember Jeffery-mentioned that the City might want to look into more recycling programs, such as composting. No other city would have such a program. Fred Doolittle had concerns regarding the impact on bicyclists and pedestrians. He suggested that the city look into a seamless network of trailS linking to trails in adjacent cities. The existing streets of Dublin are not designed for bikes. There was a need for bike paths. He indicated that a connection from Dublin to Pleasanton would be a good idea. Marjorie LaBar had concerns regarding traffic congestion. She indicated there needed to be access from the east to west side of Dublin without using automobiles. She liked the idea of community gardens and the trail system in the West Dublin area. Carolyn Morgan had concerns regarding the animal population in the East Dublin area. There was a need for more horse trails. Dublin should contact Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) and coordinate the plan with them. She felt that the Livermore Airport Protection Zone would be a good location for the golf course. An audience member expressed interest in seeing community and/or botanical garden uses as well as trails for walking and/or bicycling. Bob Gee was in favor of park trails. Different activities could work together. Zev Kahn questioned whether unusable land areas were being used to calculate the estimated acreage of park land needed for the city. He felt that school property could be used for practice fields. He was ********************************************************************* CM- Vol 10 - 188 Study Session May 20, 1991 concerned that the West Dublin area would become another "Blackhawk" community. Ms. Gates indicated that using school property would balance out the total acreage of land required. Harvey Scudder had concerns regarding the elimination of o~en space areas. Were there any guidelines for preserving and/or using the open space areas for recreation? Mr. Gates indicated that there were guidelines for the open space areas. They would be meeting with Livermore and the East Bay Regional Park District to discuss these issues. There were valuable wildlife areas and the open space would need a management program. Councilmember Snyder felt that management, public or private, of the open space was a major issue. Donna Ogilvie had concerns regarding the animal habitat in the Dublin Canyon area. An audience member indicated that science and music centers would be a nice addition to the community. Mr. Gates indicated that cultural environments, such as zoos, theaters, etc. had been discussed. Milton Righetti indicated that the city should look into using grey/flood waters. Jim Stedman, representative for the Pao Lin family, indicated that they were working closely on developing their property. The proposed City park was on very valuable land and he was concerned about the park being developed on their site. His client would be concerned about the loss of his valuable property. Mr. Gates indicated that the location of parks was still in the preliminary stages and could be altered. Ron Blair had concerns regarding the loss of part of the sportsground site when Caltrans started working on the 1-680/580 corridor. He felt that additional fields should be considered. Mr. Gates indicated that additional fields and trade offs located in other areas were being considered. Diane Watts had concerns regarding over development and wanted the open space areas spared. Councilmember Jeffery commented that there should be some restrictions on park usage in areas where eagle nests had been spotted. She questioned if these restricted areas could be used for recreation. Ms. Gates commented that some usage could occur in these areas; however strict guidelines would apply. ********************************************************************* CM- Vol 10 - 189 Study Session May 20, 1991 Commissioner North asked what the possibility would be to locate a sportsground or golf course on the Camp Parks land. Mr. Gates indicated that this would be a gamble since the City may not get the land. Camp Parks cOuld be an additional resource or bonus if the City was to acquire it. Commissioner North asked how many fields would be located at the City park. Ms. Gates indicated there would be approximately 8-10 fields. Mayor Snyder indicated that the public comment period was completed. Commissioner North indicated that he would like to see a golf course located near Camp Parks. ~ Commissioner Burnham felt that it was premature to make permanent locations for parks. Commissioner Rafanelli felt that the proposed plan would link East and West Dublin with Central Dublin. He would like to see a small park located on Camp Parks. Commissioner Barnes was in favor of the proposed plan and liked the City park location. Councilmember Jeffery indicated that she would like to see more senior activities/programs, museums, trails/bike paths, and botanical gardens. The standard park ratios looked good. Community parks should have priority over neighborhood parks. There should be different activities located in different 'recreational facilities. She indicated that there was potential for the closure of Camp Parks and there might be the possibility for usage of this land. Councilmember Moffatt was in favOr of the proposed plan. He felt that there should be some flexibility on the location of the parks. Mayor Snyder agreed with Cm. Moffatt. He indicated that we needed to allow for trade offs in the future. Ms. Lowart indicated that the next step would to create an Administrative Draft Master Park Plan incorporating the input at tonight's meeting. It may be necessary to schedule another study session for the end of June. If not, a public hearing date will be set. ********************************************************************* CM - Vol 10 - 190 Study Session May 20, 1991 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ATTEST: ~C~ty cl~rk ********************************************************************* CM- Vol 10 - 191 Study Session May 20, 1991