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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2006 Approved HCAC MinutesCITY OFDUBLIN JOINT MEETING OF THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONAND HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES OF: JANUARY 25, 2006 The joint meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California. Vice Chairperson Steve Jones of the Parks and Community Services Commission was appointed to conduct the meeting. Pledge of Alleriance Vice Chair Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Parks Commissioners Present: Guarienti, Cain, Jones, Muetterties Parks Commissioners Absent: Flores, Hart Heritage Commissioners Present: Acuff, Lussie, Vonheeder-Leopold, Mack, and Halket Heritage Commissioners Absent: Fasulkey, and White Oral Communications - None Annroval of Minutes - None Written Communications -None Public Hearing - None Unfinished Business 7.1 Dublin Historic Park Master Plan Alternative Parks & Facilities Development Manager Herma Lichtenstein explained that one of the City Council Strategic Goals for 2004-2005 is to "Expand and enhance Dublin Historic Park". In order to accomplish this goal, the City contracted with Royston Hanamoto Alley and Abey (R.H.A.A.) to develop a site master plan. The purpose of the Dublin Historic Park Master Plan is twofold: (1) to assist the City Council in determining the land uses for the Dublin Square Shopping Center as part of the Specific Plan process that is underway for the area; and (2) to assist the Council in determining whether the Dublin Square Shopping Center is the appropriate location for a park to fill the existing park deficit. Work on the Dublin Historic Park Master Plan began in June 2005. The Master Plan took into consideration the adjacencies of the surrounding properties to the existing Dublin Heritage Center and looked at the site as a cohesive whole. In addition to design options, the Master Plan will include costs related to property acquisition, design and construction, and operation. The design process included two public meetings. As a result of the two public meetings the Consultant Team developed three preferred alternative plans that were considered by the Parks and Community Services Commission and Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission at a special meeting on September 19, 2005. At the conclusion of the special meeting, each Commission voted separately on the preferred alternative and both the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission unanimously recommend Option 1 - Full Site Scheme. On October 18, 2005 the City Council concurred with the recommendations of the Commissions and approved Option 1 — Full Site Scheme, as the preferred Alternative Plan for the Dublin Historic Park. At a special workshop of the City Council on November 18, 2005, at which time financing options for the Dublin Historic Park were discussed, the Council directed Staff to have the Consultant modify the preferred Alternative Plan to eliminate the proposed theater component and to add the Green Store parcel to the planning process. Minutes of January 25, 2006 Page 2 of 5 Lichtenstein introduced Aditya Advani, Landscape Architect from Royston Hanamoto Alley and Abey. Lichtenstein advised that Advani would be presenting the revised Dublin Historic Park Master Plan Preferred Option to both Commissions and the public in accordance with City Council's direction. Advani stated that the goal of the master plan is to blend the old and new areas together seamlessly and to create a beautiful area that is more visible to the public and to enhance the area to present and create an interest in Dublin's history in a fun and interactive way. Advani stated that the preferred alternative to the Dublin Historic Master Plan illustrates the removal of the performing arts theatre and the addition of the Green Store. Advani proceeded to present a slide show which detailed each element of the revised Dublin Historic Park Master Plan. This included the following park areas: 1. Fresh Water Corner 2. The Spring 3. Diversity Border Gardens and Past Time Pool 4. Picnic Area (BBQ with seating for 48 people) 5. Park Pavilion (Restrooms/Classroom) 6. Landscapes of Memory Walls 7. Trellis 8. Outdoor Classroom (Seats 30) 9. Cemetery Expansion 10. South Lawn 11. Rancho Playground and Orchard Gardens 12. Historic Hawthorn Lane 13. Main Pavilion Parking 14. North Lawn Advani directed attention to the detailed cost analysis report that includes estimates for the cost for acquisition of land, development costs and park development costs. Lichtenstein stated that the acquisition cost estimates are slightly dated and estimates could change based on current market value at the time of acquisition. Cm. Mack asked Lichtenstein if we could use the grant funds to help reduce the cost. Lichtenstein advised that it may be possible but, at this early stage, it is hard to guess on how much might be available. Vice Chair Jones asked if anyone had any further questions regarding the Dublin Historic Park Master Plan. Robert Carpenter, 4701 Sisk Road, Modesto, CA 95356, stated that he is representing the Heritage Park Office Center. He feels that 61 parking stalls will not be adequate parking for the size of the park planned. Advani responded that a formal parking study has not been completed however 61 stalls should be enough parking for 183 people (3 people per car estimate). This should be enough for daytime week -day use. Advani also added that there will be additional street parking off of Dublin Boulevard. Advani stated that we can certainly revisit this issue as we get farther into the details of the Master Plan Carpenter asked if the width of Donlon Way was going to be made smaller. Advani advised that although they re -did the parallel parking for easier in -and -out access along Donlon Way and slightly reduced the mouth of Donlon Way, the travel lanes would remain the same. Beth Wood, a member of the public audience, asked how the Green Store fits into the Master Plan. Lichtenstein advised that although the Green Store has been included in the study, no programming has been Minutes of January 25, 2006 Page 3 of 5 planned for this site at this time. The City would like to pursue acquisition of the site in the future but for now the Green Store has been integrated into the Historic Park. An unidentified gentleman from the public asked where the West Dublin Bart Station and parking was going to be located. Lichtenstein advised that the West Bart Station and parking would be located near Orchard Supply Hardware with parking adjacent to the Bart Station. Cm. Acuff stated that a lot of people would also able to walk to the park and those people won't need parking at all. Beth Wood asked where the bank was located in relation to the Dublin Historic Park Master Plan. Advani stated that he has been directed to assume that, long-term, the bank would not be a part of the Master Plan. Mimi Powers, 11583 Estrella Court, Dublin, asked what plans were included to clean up the creek. Advani stated that at this time, there are no funds allocated for work on the creek. Powers stated that water is a key element to the philosophy and design of the master plan and she felt that cleaning up the creek should be a critical element of the Master Plan. Powers asked that some estimates be included in the project to ensure that the creek is not overlooked as part of the Master Plan. An unidentified gentleman from the public asked where the situation stands with Berkeley Farms wanting to put residential property on their land. Lichtenstein answered that the City Council has directed staff to not include housing. An unidentified gentleman from the public asked if the cemetery expansion and bridge costs were included in the figures presented tonight. Advani and Lichtenstein confirmed that the cemetery expansion and bridge costs were included in the figures presented tonight and pointed out where those figures were located on the financial spreadsheet reviewed at tonight's meeting. An unidentified gentleman from the public asked if the park was going to be made "senior friendly" and wheelchair accessible. Advani answered that the pathways would be made of concrete with seating throughout the park. Advani also advised that one of the goals of the Master Plan is to create an area that appeals to all ages and encourages everyone to come experience history in an interactive and unique way which will bring families and communities together as one. Vice Chair Jones also confirmed that the entire park would be handicap accessible and in compliance with all ADA requirements mandated by law. Beth Wood asked if the seating would be comfortable. Advani advised that they have planned for comfortable bench style seating as well as seat walls to sit at and enjoy throughout the park. Advani confirmed that every consideration would be made to ensure that all the park elements are considerate of all age groups and comfortable and enjoyable for every one. Steve Lockhart, 11396 Dillon Way, Dublin, stated that he would like to compliment R.H.A.A. and Staff on doing a Minutes of January 25, 2006 Page 4 of 5 great job in combining all the different input from the previous meetings and putting it together in the revised Master Plan tonight. DHPA understands that this is a long term plan and that tonight, all we need to agree on is that we all want to have a Dublin Historic Park Master Plan in place so we can move forward with this important project. He reminded everyone that there would be plenty of opportunities in the future to decide on the final elements of the park. Lockhart would like to thank everyone for all of the hard work and the time it took to put this Plan together and is excited about creating a Master Plan to preserve Dublin's history that can be experienced and enjoyed by many future generations to come. Tom McCormack, 7170 Emerald Drive, Dublin, stated that although he wished there were more historical elements to the park, he favors the Plan. Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Input: Cm. Acuff asked that as a part of history, the Master Plan should include a sample, perhaps in a plastic box, to illustrate to children how adobe bricks were made, with mud and straw, by the early settlers. Cm. Lussie advised that was very impressed with the Master Plan but is still a little concerned that there will not be enough parking. She felt it was wise to remove the fine arts center even though she was a supporter of the theatre at first. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold commented that she is very pleased with the Master Plan presented tonight, even though she also supported the theatre in the past. She is happy to see more opportunities for historical elements that provide an opportunity to tell more stories about Dublin's full history. She also expressed concerns about parking but felt that parking is usually an issue all on its own, and is hard to escape nowadays, in a modern, motor driven society. Cm. Halket stated that the Master Plan is a beautiful vision. She was such a believer in the theatre but now she believes this plan is much more inspired to stand the test of time and to really show what Dublin is all about. Cm. Mack stated that she agreed with Cm. Halket and is very pleased with the revised plan before the Commissions tonight. ON A MOTION BY CM. ACUFF, AND SECONDED BY CM. HALKET AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AGREED TO APPROVE THE PREFERRED DUBLIN HISTORIC PARK MASTER PLAN PRESENTED TONIGHT, WITH THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTIVE TO STAFF TO INCLUDE AN INSPECTION OF THE CREEK TO ASCERTAIN IF CLEAN UP OR REDEVELOPMENT IS NECESSARYAND/OR ALLOWABLE BYLAW. Parks and Community Services Commission Input: Cm. Muetterties agreed that the Master Plan presented tonight is wonderful. She did bring up the wind issue on the west side, at the last meeting. She hopes that we can add trees in that area to help alleviate the wind factor in that area. Cm. Guarienti said he is very impressed with the changes and felt that the removal of the theatre makes the plan a lot easier to implement. He thinks the design is good for a passive park environment for the community, all the amenities are centrally located and it is a good Master Plan. Cm. Guarienti congratulated everyone on a job well done and stated he was in favor of the Plan presented tonight. He agrees with cleaning the creek up and making it look nice, but does not want to disturb the natural, beautiful setting. Cm. Cain is pleased to see that the City and Staff continue to see this project as a high priority. He advised that the Master Plan is a great base to start from but does miss the cultural arts center. Vice Chair Jones stated that the Master Plan was great. He feels this historic park will enhance Dublin dramatically. He really supports the Diversity Garden ideas. Dublin is constantly changing and this is a great Minutes of January 25, 2006 Page 5 of 5 opportunity to share this as a community. He is excited to think of one day taking his grandchildren to this park to share history with them. ON A MOTION BY CM. CAIN AND SECONDED BY CM. GUARIENTI, THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE REVISED DUBLIN HISTORIC PARK PLAN PRESENTED BY STAFF. New Business - None Other Business - None Adiournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 PM by Vice Chair Jones. Respectfully, submitted, C. Aac4a.—I Christie Marks, Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: Chairperson