HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 377-09TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 CMR:377:09
REPORT TYPE: CONSENT
SUBJECT: Adoption of an Ordinance Approving and Adopting a Plan for
Improvement to Henry W. Seale Park
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached Park Improvement Ordinance (Attachment A)
authorizing the addition of a park restroom at Henry W. Seale Park (Seale Park).
BACKGROUND
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance approving the
proposed improvement plan for Seale Park to include a new accessible restroom and associated
amenities (Attachment 1). A Park Improvement Ordinance (PIO) is required whenever any
project may affect the use, protection or enjoyment of parks or open space lands.
The Seale Park restroom project was first reviewed by the Park and Recreation Commission
(PARC) on December 20, 2005, when the Midtown Residents Association collected
neighborhood information and formally petitioned the P ARC for a restroom at Seale Park. Their
request included facts showing the community benefit of the restroom at Hoover Park, and the
I opinion that restrooms should be a priority in neighborhood parks, especially in Seale Park. The
P ARC unanimously approved the Midtown Residents Association's request.
On September 11, 2006, Staff requested policy direction from City Council on park restroom
installations as determined by CIP screening criteria requirements. Council directed Staff to
proceed with the Park Restroom CIP PE-06007 2005-2010 to be funded through Development
Impact Fees and to make budget adjustments reflecting ongoing maintenance costs, including the
Seale Park restroom.
In addition to requiring a PIO from the City Council, this project requires a staff level
Architectural Review Board (ARB) review. As part of the preparation of the staff level ARB
application process, staff held two public meetings on January 27,2009, and March 11,2009, to
gather public input on the conceptual plans. The input included comments on location, style,
issues related to current park maintenance, safety and policing issues, and impacts to parking,
park use, green building, and lighting. The project's design incorporates the comments and
suggestions offered by the public at those meetings. The design and site plan were presented to
the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 31, 2009. The Commission approved the plans
CMR:377:09 Page 1 of3
and recommended that the City Council adopt the Park Improvement Ordinance pertaining to the
project plans. A stafflevel ARB approval was received on May 6, 2009.
DISCUSSION
The installation of a restroom would include:
• Accessible sidewalk surfaces;
• Installation of exterior lights;
• Us~ of energy efficient and resource conserving features;
• Additional trash and recycling amenities; and
• Temporary closure only of impacted areas during the two month construction period.
The intent of the new restroom is to make the park more enjoyable for all users, to address public
health and accessibility concerns, to allow for c0lTl!llunity events to be scheduled at the park, to
make an aesthetically pleasing addition to the park, and to reduce driving to and from the park in
order to use a restroom. The Seale Park Improvement Plan (Attachment A, Exhibit A-l)
summarizes the Park Improvement Ordinance. The Ordinance will become effective 30 days
after the second reading at CounciL The project is anticipated to be out to bid during November.
Construction is planned for December through February, pending any delays.
RESOURCE IMPACT
In fiscal year 2008-09, the City Council appropriated $250,000 for CIP Project PE-06007, Parks
Restroom Improvements (project) to cover the costs of the design and construction. This CIP is
funded from Development Impact Fees and does not affect the Infrastructure Reserve Fund.
Currently the project is out to bid.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The proposed Seale Park Restroom Improvements project IS consistent with existing City
policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 15201 and 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Park Improvement Ordinance (includes Site Plan Exhibit A-I)
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CMR:377:09
KATE ROONEY
Project Manager
f ~f~h ~,. G NN S. ROBERTS
Dl ector ofPubhc Works
Page 2 of3
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CMR:377:09 Page 3 of3
ATTACHMENT A
Ordinance No. ---Ordinance of the Council of th~ City of Palo Alto Approving
and Adopting a Plan for Improvements to Henry W. Seale
Park
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and declares that:
(a) Article VIn of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto and Section 22.08.005 of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code require that, before any substantial building, construction,
reconstruction or development is commenced or approved, upon or with respect to any land held
by the City for park purposes, the Council shall first cause to be prepared and by ordinance
approve and adopt a plan therefor.
(b) Henry W. Seale Park and the Henry W. Seale Park Addition (collectively,
"Seal Park") are dedicated to park, playground, recreation or conservation purposes.
(c) The City intends to authorize the construction of certain park improvements
within Seale-Park, as shown on the Seale Park Restroom Park Improvement Plan (the "Plan"):
(1) Installation of accessible prefabricated restroom, which will house
one men's room and one women's room, a utility shed and a drinking
water fountain.
(2) Related landscaping, as may be required by the City in accordance
with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(d) The improvements at Seale Park will be limited to the approximately 4.3
acres of land, located at 3100 Stockton Place, Palo Alto.
(e) The project improvements will avoid protected trees and other sensitive
resources, if any. In addition, existing park uses will be restored following the completion of
project construction.
(f) The project described above and as more specifically described in the Plan,
attached hereto as Exhibit "A," is consistent with park and conservation purposes.
I
(g) The Council desires to approve the project described above and as more
specifically described in the Plan.
SECTION 2. The Council hereby approves the Plan for the construction of the
improvements at Seale Park, and it hereby adopts the Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit "A," as
part of the official plan for the construction of the park improvements at Henry W. Seale Park
and/or the Henry W. Seale Park Addition. -
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SECTION 3. The Council fmds that the project to construct the facilities at Seale
Park is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
SECTION 4.
date of its adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
090317 jb0073129
This ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first day after the
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Manager
Director of Community Services
Director of Administrative Services
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