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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2005 Minutes PP&D Commission OK t8COoO"ll; /(;fR~ /~~. '~"ORPOR~.~~~).,. /.... ..,~ . .. /-, ...., '_-r'. r~' . .;'~ ,', :~:, ,"::,:':-;~}' /; ,.f)>;,.., I ", ~,./,,;. ,'_.... -;.J...~!':~I.. ,. ,~/,,~ 'r.;j<l~ (_'\ CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNllY SERVICES DEPARTMENT www.cityoforange.org (714) 744-7272 FAX (714)744-7251 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes of Regular Meeting Held February 10, 2005 300 East Chapman Avenue 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hairston called the meeting to order at 5 :30 p,m, 1.1 Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner Selman led the Pledge of Allegiance, 1.2 Roll Call Present: Chair, Mike Hairston Vice-Chair, Tom Gilmer Commissioner, Lisa Blanc Commissioner, Gary Remland Commissioner, Jack Selman Absent: 1.3 Adoption of Agenda Motion: Second: Ayes: Commissioner Blanc Commissioner Remland Blanc, Gilmer, Hairston, Remland, Selman 1.4 Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 13, 2005 Motion: Commissioner Blanc Second: Commissioner Remland Ayes: Blanc, Hairston, Gilmer, Remland, Selman II. PUBLIC COMMENTS None III. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS None 230 EAST CHAPMAN A VENUE ORANGE, CALIFORNIA 92866-1506 City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10,2005 Page 2 of? IV. ORAL REPORTS FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER None, V. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 5,1 Proposed Public and Regional and Community Trails Program for the Santiago Hills IT and East Orange Areas One, Two and Three Development Projects (Applicant: The Irvine Company) Mr. Garcia reported The Irvine Company (TIC) had prepared a trails program for the Santiago Hills II and East Orange areas One, Two and Three development projects, and were in attendance to make the presentation to the Commission. Mr, Garcia introduced Dan Miller of TIC, Mr. Miller said that at last month's Commission Meeting TIC presented the plans for the parks for Santiago Hills II and East Orange Areas One, Two and Three Development Projects, and at this month's meeting they would discuss the trails for that project which will complete the second component of the plan, TIC spent a significant amount of time in the community, working with City of Orange staff, County of Orange staff and community groups. TIC believes this plan is reflective of all the input. The plan reflects objectives in the City's Master Plan, and allows for connection of future trails that are under the jurisdiction of the Nature Conservancy and the Land Reserve. At present, the City has approximately 18 miles of trails. This project will add an additional 20 miles in trails, and provide a connection to trails within this region. Mr. Miller introduced Brian Austin, Project Manager for TIC, Mr. Austin reviewed the trails with the Commission. The trails included in the plan are the following: · Riding and Hiking Trails -Unpaved with a surface of decomposed granite or native soil for equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers · Hiking Trails/Footpaths -Unpaved, natural surface, narrower than riding and hiking trails for hikers only · Off road Bike Trail -Class I off road bike trail- minimum 10' wide concrete trail. · Community Trail/Sidewalk -Concrete walk in various widths ranging from 5' to 10' wide for pedestrians. Several trails will be maintained by the Homeowners Associations (HaAs); all trails will be open to the public, Mr, Austin pointed out an at-grade crossing at Santiago Canyon Road where a signal light would be provided, and a crossing bridge over the 241 Foothill Toll Road would be built. TIC has been working with trail user groups, OP A, and the County Trail Advisory Committee. Mr. Austin said that among the groups there was more agreement than disagreement over the trails, The primary area of concern was in regard to grade separated crossings, TIC is proposing at-grade crossings where there is a button that could be activated for a safe crossing. Mr, Austin emphasized that Santiago Canyon Road would be changing City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10,2005 Page 3 of? in terms of the way traffic is managed along this road. There will be traffic signals provided to slow traffic at the sports park and various other locations. Public Comments Mr. Peter Wetzel 72 I 7 E. La Cumbre Orange, CA Mr. Wetzel said that he had been one of the people who contributed input on the trail plan. He felt TIC had done a good job in responding to the needs of the community. One area of concern is the grade separation crossing. There are homes on the south side and a sports park on the north side. It is anticipated that there will be many children and adults walking to the park from the south side. The road will be configured to have eight lanes which is a very wide road to cross. A grade separated crossing is required for safety. Mr. Wetzel also addressed the issue of Homeowners Associations maintaining a few of the trails. Recently, Mr, Wetzel read that a HOAs had agreed to maintain trails in the L.A area, and after a few years decided to close the trails to the public. Mr. Wetzel urged the City to make sure that HOAs would not be allowed that option with these trails. Mr. Tom Anderson Equestrian Coalition Mr. Anderson viewed the trail plan as a TIC interpretation and wanted to make it clear that it should be considered a work in progress. He said that there were several minor concerns, but two or three major ones. Mr. Anderson acknowledged TIC for consulting with the various groups, and he hoped that they would continue to do so. He also expressed his dismay with City staff for not communicating with the outside user groups, especially, with regard to the at-grade separated crossing issue, He noted that the Commission has been very courteous and generous with their time and it has been much appreciated. Mr. Anderson reported that there is a development in Tustin, the Tustin Ranch Estates, where he once had a stable and where horses could be ridden through the Eucalyptus Forests. The trails connected to the north Tustin Trail System. Those trails were to be open to the public, however, the Tustin Ranch Estates decided to gate their community and in the process gated the trails as well. He urged the City to safe guard public use with any agreement that is made with the HOAs. Mike Boeck Silverado Canyon Mr. Boeck is the Treasurer of the Silvarado Mojeska Recreation and Parks District, a 73 mile district. LAFCO has recently determined that under California law his district has been mandated to act as Orange County's open space district. Open spaces such as the Cleveland National Forest on three sides of our community and Irvine Ranch land on the fourth side. We have interest in helping to manage and maintain those lands. Currently, we have all the planning City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10,2005 Page 4 of7 authority for East Orange Areas 2 & 3 for all trails and recreational activities. We would very much like to work with the City of Orange in the planning of future trails and trail alignments. Chair Hairstoll closed the public commellt period as there were 110 more public comment cards, alld returlIed to the Commissioll for questiollS alld comments. Commissioner Blanc asked if the Bikeway Trail would be open during construction, Mr. Austin said that there would be a substantial amount of construction on Santiago Canyon Road. A Class 2 bike trail would not be installed until construction is complete. There would be detour plans as part of the construction on Santiago Canyon Road. Commissioner Blanc requested clarification of the safety issues at the two locations in question where TIC proposed to put at-grade crossings. Mr. Dan Miller said that there were a number of issues that were taken into consideration: I.) Terrain - cost prohibitive 2.) Issues regarding ownership ofthe bridge~ The City doesn't want to be responsible for owning and maintaining the liability of the bridge, If it is the priority of the City to move funds away from the other amenities that have been offered, TIC will address that, but it has a tremendous impact on the project itself because a whole area will be utilized for the bridge. From an engineering standpoint, a bridge will be very cost prohibitive, Another element to consider is that there will be more traffic signals installed to regulate the speed of traffic. At this point in time and in agreement with the City, TIC will not pursue building a bridge. Commissioner Blanc said that TIC had done a fine job in bringing trails to the City, but the safety issues need to be considered. Commissioner Selman said regarding the at-grade separated crossing, there were projects that he was involved with and in that particular topography and terrain the cost would outweigh the benefit. While Commissioner Selman was concerned about the safety of pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclers, he is not convinced that a bridge is the solution. Commissioner Selman added that if a bridge was to be built, that the responsibility probably would lie with either the City or the County, Mr. Selman said he was comfortable with the plan without the at-grade separated crossing. Commissioner Selman agreed with the proposal to obtain an agreement from the HOAs not to close off the trails that they maintain, and that the City Attorney's Office should be responsible for that stipulation in an agreement. Mr. Miller said that TIC would try to make the CC&Rs for the HaAs as tight as possible so that the trails would stay opened for the public. Mr. Garcia introduced Ed Knight, City Planner, for comment. Mr. Knight said that there were tentative tract maps associated with the project. Mr. Knight said he had seen this problem in past projects and had proposed that some conditions be applied. I.) Each of the trails will be noted on the final map as a public pedestrian easement; and, 2.) Specific details in each of the CC&Rs that in perpetuity they will be held as public trails for ingress and egress and there would be a specific condition that the HOAs will be precluded from building any barriers or gates that will hinder the trails. Ted Reynolds, City Attorney, noted that wording should be added if the CC&Rs are to be modified or amended pertaining to trails, it would have to be brought before the City Council for approval. City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10,2005 Page 5 of? Commissioner Blanc asked what responsibility the City would have in terms of trail maintenance. Mr. Garcia said the City would clean, repair and make modifications for erosion, Commissioner Blanc wanted to know if there is any trail maintenance standards currently on file. Mr. Garcia said that the City does have projects that have had similar issues, and they have been addressed. Chair Hairston congratulated TIC for spending a great deal of time on this project, and in their continuing efforts to communicate with the community. He said that the project for the most part works, but there are still safety concerns regarding the crossings. Chair Hairston asked if it was necessary to recommend the complete plan to City Councilor can the Commission separate out portions that they feel must be improved. Ted Reynolds, City Attorney, recommended that the motion to City Council include wording regarding the Commission's concem. Commissioner Selman moved to recommend to the City Council that the plan is approved as presented with the caveat that the Commission is concerned about safety of at-grade crossings. Commissioner Blanc requested that the motion be more specific including specific locations of the at-grade crossings, Commissioner Selman amended the motion to recommend the City Council review and approve the plan as presented, and that the Park Planning & Development Commission has safety concerns about the at-grade crossing at Santiago Canyon Boulevard and Street "A". Commissioner Selman added to the amended motion that the City Attorney's office secure an agreement with the HOAs to prevent the possibility of trails under the jurisdiction of the HaAs being closed to the public. Motion: Second: Ayes: Nayes: Commissioner Selman Vice Chair Gilmer Blanc, Gilmer, Selman, Remland Chair Hairston Chair Hairston turned the proceedings over to Vice Chair Gilmer Chair Hairston and Commissioner Selman left at 6:40 p.m. 5,2 Proposed Capital Improvement Program (C.I.P.) Budget for FY 2004-05 for Community Services Department Mr. Garcia reported that there were modifications to the C.I.P. Budget FY 2004-05 as recommended by the City Manager. Mr, Garcia said the Hart Park Pool Deck project was deferred due to a work load issue. The El Modena Park lighting and area lights project has also been deferred, Mr. Garcia noted the project was not critical at this time and would be deferred to FY 2006-07. The City Manager recommended that the El Camino Park renovation be moved up to this year. This project was originally projected for FY 2006-07. Mr. Garcia reported to the Commission that one of the reasons for this alteration in schedule was that funds had become available for improvements to the west end. The City needs to utilize these funds within a time City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10, 2005 Page 6 of? frame. Every five years the City must report to the City Council how these funds are spent. The City does not want to be in a situation where money must be returned, Even with the projects that are deferred, staff still has an ambitious year. Carry Over Projects: · Hart Park Field Renovation (construction documents) · Handy Park Field Renovation (construction documents) · Grijalva Park Ext. Soil Remediate (construction documents) · Eisenhower Park Lighting (construction documents) · Gymnasium & Master Plan (design) · Hart Park Pool Building (construction) · Tustin Branch Trail (env. & construction documents) · Santiago Creek Trail Bridge (construction documents) · Santiago Creek Bike Trail -Tustin & Chapman (design & construction documents) FY 2005-06: · Handy Park Field Renovation (construction) · Hart Park Field Renovation (construction) · Olive Park Floor Replacement (installation) · Eisenhower Park Lights (installation) · Park Furniture (purchase & installation) · Shaffer Park Picnic Shelter (constructions documents/construction) · El Camino Park Basketball Court (construction) · Grijalva Park Ext. Soil Remediation (construction) · Gymnasium/Sports Center (construction documents) Deferred Projects: · Hart Park Pool Deck (construction) · El Modena Parking Lot and Area Lights (Construction Documents and Installation) · El Modena Park (master plan) · Eisenhower Park Restroom (construction documents) · Shaffer Park Field Renovation (construction documents) · Killefer Park (master plan) Commissioner Remland moved to recommend approval to the City Council on the revised prioritization of projects in the C.I.P. Budget for FY 2005-06 for the Community Services Department. Motion: Second: Ayes: Commissioner Remland Commissioner Blanc Blanc, Gilmer, Remland VI. NEW BUSINESS None City of Orange Community Services Department Park Planning and Development Commission Minutes of Meeting Held February 10, 2005 Page 7 of? VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS None VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Blanc Second: Commissioner Remland Ayes: B c, Gilmer, Remland, xt Regular Meeting will be Thursday, March 10, 200~ G e Garcia Park Planning and Development Commission /vm - \:., Reproduction on Recycled Paper Mike Hairston, Chairman Attested on