City of Yorba Linda Memorandum

Transcription

1 City of Yorba Linda Memorandum Date: June 15, 2011 Date: To: From: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission Mike Kudron, Acting Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: BACKGROUND The planning process for Gun Club Linear Park has a long history dating back many years. Listed below are key milestones through the planning process. October 9, 2002 Yorba Linda Planning Commission Meeting Shapell Industries, applied for and was granted approval of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No (including the EIR) which subdivided approximately 176 acres into 285 residential lots and also provided among other things, an open space easement along the former Old Gun Club Road for linear park purposes (trails). November 5, 2002 Yorba Linda City Council Meeting Pursuant to the previous October 9, 2002 Planning Commission approval, City Council Resolution , included Condition No open space lots of the tentative map shall be subject to an Irrevocable Offer of Dedication to the City of Yorba Linda. Condition No. 118, stated that the proposed linear park on the open space easements shall include a paved bike trail in addition to an equestrian trail. This includes acceptance of the EIR. November 12, 2003 Planning Commission Meeting and March 29, 2006 City Council Meeting - VTTM was revised to accommodate for the restructuring of the site design for, among other reasons, street layout purposes and the new Yorba Linda High School. References were made regarding the location of the equestrian/multipurpose trail location connection north of Bastanchury Road and the need to have meandering trails through the north developments, but there were no changes to the Gun Club Road Linear Park (trails) site. April 5, 2005 Yorba Linda City Council Meeting Adopted Resolution No approving the General Plan Amendment to update the Riding, Hiking, and Bikeway Trails Component of the Recreation Element of the General Plan (ATTACHMENT A), and also approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program. Trails Segment #28 on pages 60 and 61 refer specifically to the recommendation the Gun Club Road: 1) would provide a new link between the existing trail network and the new

2 Page 2 development, 2) should include both paved and earthen multipurpose paths in connection with the new development, and 3) require the developer to construct an earthen and paved multipurpose trail from Yorba Linda Blvd. to Bastanchury Road. May 2, 2006 City Council Meeting: during the second approved revision to VTTM Tract Gun Club Road, is now referred to as Lot C of the tentative map and is subject to the irrevocable offer of dedication to the City of Yorba Linda for park and recreational purpose, subject to the City Attorney and City Engineer. Condition No. 119 was imposed via Resolution in that it requests that The proposed linear park within the old gun club road easement shall include a paved bike trail in addition to an equestrian trail to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director and City Engineer. The final design of the linear park shall be subject to review and approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission. VTTM is a parent tract from which other tracts have since been extracted including Tract known as Gun Club Trail. April 7, 2009 City Council Meeting Gun Club Trail/proposed linear park property was dedicated to and accepted by the City in fee simple. (Recorded 6/9/09) Subsequently, the Subdivision Improvement Agreement (ATTACHMENT B) for Completion of Public Improvements Parcel/Tact Map No was approved. Between City of Yorba Linda and Shapell Industries Public Improvements required under Agreement to include at minimum a multi-purpose trail, equestrian trail, and associated landscaping 2014 Shapell Industries sells their Home Building division to Toll Brothers, Inc. Toll Brothers is now the developer obligated to complete the Gun Club Road Linear Park. June 17, 2014 Approval of Extension to Subdivision Improvement agreement for Tract Map No (Gun Club Road Linear Park) City Council approved an extension of three (3) months beginning July 1, 2014 to the Subdivision Improvement Agreement for Tract map No September 16, 2014 Approval of Time extension of the Subdivision Improvement Agreement for Tract Map No (Gun Club Road Linear Park) the City Council approved an extension of nine (9) months beginning October 1, 2014 to the Subdivision Improvement Agreement for Tract Map no , thus, giving a new deadline of July 1, 2015 for Toll Brothers to complete the linear park. DISCUSSION Gun Club Road Linear Park Master Plan The linear park is approximately 7.5 acres of usable space, equating to about.75 miles long south from Yorba Linda Blvd. north to Bastanchury Road. The land itself has many limitations because of the various utility easement holders restrictions. The largest of the easement

3 Page 3 holders are Metropolitan Water District (MWD), Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD), and Golden State Water Company (GSWC). Because their large and essential water pipes flow directly underneath the entire length of the property, the park is limited to passive type activities, such as walking and equestrian trails, along with a small parking and trail head area. The following amenities are not allowed directly over their 50 easement(s), however if needed must be located outside the easements: 1) no structures, 2) no equestrian trail, other than to cross over and with a liner/barrier, 3) limited irrigation only to establish plant palette, and 4) limited cut and fill of 1-2 feet to meet grade requirements. Tract Map No and the Subdivision Improvement Agreement (SIA) were approved at the April 7, 2009 City Council Meeting, thus tasking the Parks and Recreation Commission with the review of the proposed Gun Club Road Linear Park (trail). Per the SIA, Shapell Industries (now Toll Brothers, Inc.) is obligated to construct at its own expense, and liability all improvements required by the City as part of their Parcel/Tract No , including but not limited to, all grading, roads, paving, pathways, storm drains, utilities, drainage facilities, landscaping, and all other required facilities as shown in detail on the plans, profiles, and specifications which have been prepared by or on behalf of the developer for the public improvements. The public improvements are more specifically described in Exhibit B of the SIA; Exhibit B states that the developer shall perform all work and furnish all materials necessary to complete the following public improvements in accordance with the plans and specifications necessary or required to complete this work: 1) a multi-purpose trail, 2) an equestrian trail, and 3) associated landscaping. At the direction of City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission is now tasked with the review of the tentative Gun Club Road Linear Park Master Plan. The task is to first review the tentative landscape plan (ATTACHMENT C), receive comments from the public and then provide Commissioner comments with direction to staff (and the developer). The staff has been working with the notion that the project outcome may include a 7.5 acre linear park for the existing and new community members to use and enjoy at minimum, as a connection from Bastanchury Road down to Yorba Linda Blvd., along with the trail/pathway connection to the adjacent Fairmont Knolls Park. The park would be functional as a means to stay physically fit via walking or horseback riding, but also provide for an aesthetically pleasing view along the way, that will also enhance adjacent property values. The first community meeting to discuss the Gun Club Road Linear Park Master Plan was held on February 12, 2015 with the Special Equestrian Committee. The next meeting was held March 5, 2015 with the adjacent neighbors, those that properties physically adjoin the Gun Club Road property and the connecting Fairmont Knolls Park to the east. These meetings were held in conjunction with the 7-Step Park Planning Process (ATTACHMENT D). The City Council adopted the 7-Step Park Planning Process in 1992 and it establishes procedures for the planning of new parkland and for major modifications to existing parks. A key component of the policy involves gaining input from the community.

4 Page 4 The Equestrian Committee meeting was very positive. For the most part the Committee s comments were encouraging, with a few concerns. The Equestrian Committee comments are attached for reference (ATTACHMENT E). The second meeting was conducted for the adjacent neighbors on Gun Club Road and the residents adjoining Fairmont Knolls Park. There were approximately 10 households represented with about 20 total persons in attendance. A majority, if not all attending this adjacent neighborhood meeting were not in favor of most, if any improvements, and preferred the property would remain as it is in its current state. The biggest concerns expressed were related to a loss of privacy and potential criminal activity should the area be officially open to the public, a complete list of comments are attached (ATTACHMENT F). Tonight s meeting involves Steps 3 and 4 of the Park Planning process in which the Parks and Recreation Commission reviews the tentative plan to verify consistency with the Recreation Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as well as invite residents living within 300 feet of the park site, and other potential users, to give testimony on the tentative plan before the Parks and Recreation Commission. The meetings were noticed by sending letters to households within a 300' radius of both the Gun Club Linear Park and Fairmont Knolls Park boundaries. Fairmont Knolls Park Master Plan Fairmont Knolls Park is a 4 acre park located adjacent to Gun Club Road Linear park site. Fairmont Knolls Park was originally dedicated in 1974 and is one of the oldest parks in the City of Yorba Linda. The park is in need of rehabilitation and is not currently ADA compliant. The tennis courts are in need of repairs and the playground equipment is due to be replaced. City Council approved funding of a new Master Plan of the park as part of the City's Capital Improvement Program budget. The Master Plan of Fairmont Knolls Park (ATTACHMENT G) is being completed simultaneously with the planning for Gun Club Road Linear Park. A key consideration for designing this project in conjunction with one another is that the Gun Club Road project could connect an ADA path of travel through Fairmont Knolls Park to Fairmont Blvd. It is in the City's best interest to complete both designs at once to insure the new ADA walkway will not limit potential future improvements to Fairmont Knolls. David Volz Design was selected as the landscape architectural firm to conduct the Master Plan process and develop conceptual designs. David Volz Designs is an award winning landscape architect that has designed several parks in the City including Hurless Barton Park, Bryant Ranch Park, Jessamyn West Park, Veterans Park, and others. David Volz Designs also led the Fairmont Knolls restroom feasibility study completed in The study evaluated three potential locations for a future restroom. Ultimately, it was determined that Option A, located on the northeast portion of the park next to the tennis courts, was the preferred option. The new Master Plan for Fairmont Knolls will contemplate park upgrades such as a new

5 Page 5 monument sign, ADA accessibility, landscape and hardscape options, new playground equipment, replacing unused turf areas with water wise plantings, public art, restrooms, and tennis court upgrades. New tables, benches, and trash receptacles will also be evaluated. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the design and Master Plan for Gun Club Road Linear Park. The developer, Toll Brothers Inc. is obligated for the design and construction of the park. The funding for the Fairmont Knolls Master Plan in the amount of $30,000 was approved as part of the FY 14/15 Capital Improvement Program budget. Funding for future construction of the Fairmont Knolls Park has not been identified at this time. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission provide comments and direction for staff. ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT A Approved Riding, Hiking, and Bikeway Trails Component of the Recreation Element of the General Plan Segment #28 ATTACHMENT B - Subdivision Improvement Agreement ATTACHMENT C - Gun Club Road Linear Park Tentative Landscape Plan ATTACHMENT D - City Council Policy PR-2-7-Step Park Planning Process ATTACHMENT E - Special Equestrian Committee Comments ATTACHMENT F - Adjacent Neighbors Comments ATTACHMENT G - Fairmont Knoll Park Master Plan ATTACHMENT H - Aerial Map of Gun Club Road Linear Park and Fairmont Knolls Park