HomeMy WebLinkAboutID2397-Park-Improvement-for-Juana-Briones-Park-1-23-12City of Palo Alto (ID # 2397)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 1/23/2012
January 23, 2012 Page 1 of 3
(ID # 2397)
Summary Title: Park Improvement Ordinance -Briones Park Restroom
Title: Adoption of an Ordinance Approving and Adopting a Plan for
Improvement to Juana Briones Park Authorizing the Addition of a Park Restroom
Located Adjacent to Fire Station Number 5 and Clemo Avenue
From:City Manager
Lead Department: Public Works
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance (Attachment A)
authorizing the addition of a park restroom at Juana Briones Park. (Briones Park), located
adjacent to Fire Station number 5 and Clemo Avenue, as recommended by community
members.
Background
A “Park Improvement Ordinance” is required whenever any substantial building of construction
project may affect the use, protection or enjoyment of parks or open space lands.
On September 11, 2006, Staff requested policy direction from the Council on park restroom
installations as determined by Capital Improvement Program (CIP) screening criteria
requirements. The Council also approved the amended Park and Recreation Commission
(PARC) restroom guideline to include neighborhood parks. The Council directed Staff to proceed
with the Park Restroom CIP PE-06007 to be funded through Park Development Impact Fees and
to make budget adjustments reflecting ongoing maintenance costs, including the Briones Park
restroom.
In addition to requiring the adoption of a Park Improvement Ordinance by the Council, the
project is subject to Architectural Review. The purpose of the review is to assure the project is
in conformance with City design standards and aesthetic appropriateness for the area. The
plans and design concepts for this project will be submitted to the Planning Department and
Staff anticipates only a staff level review will be required. See attachment A for restroom
location plan.
Staff held a community meeting on September 7, 2011, 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 and lighting. At
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the community meeting, an alternate location for the restroom was suggested and favored by
the residents. This location, off of Clemo Avenue and near the fire station, would require the
removal of two fruit trees (one of which is in poor condition). Staff recommends removal of all
three fruit trees and replanting new trees nearby.
The design and site plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 25,
2011. The commission unanimously approved the plans and recommended that the Council
adopt the Park Improvement Ordinance pertaining to the project plans.
Discussion
The installation of a restroom would include:
·Accessible sidewalk surfaces
·Installation of exterior lights
·Additional trash and recycling amenities
·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 community 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 Briones Park Improvement Plan (Attachment A, Exhibit
A) summarizes the Park Improvement Ordinance. The Ordinance will become effective 30 days
after the second reading at Council.
Pending the ordinance’s adoption by the Council, staff will submit the design concept to the
Planning Department for ARB review, then prepare design and construction documents with an
anticipated construction bid opening this summer. Should the contract be awarded by the
Council this fall, public outreach will resume informing the community about the associated
construction activities and the schedule.
Resource Impact
There is sufficient funding in CIP Project PE-06007, Parks Restroom Improvement Project to
cover the costs of design and construction, which are estimated to be $250,000. This CIP is
funded by Park Development Impact Fees as part of the Council-approved FY2011 CIP budget
and does not affect the Infrastructure Reserve Fund. The current balance of the Park
Development Impact Fees Fund is $3,028,808. On-going cleaning and maintenance of the
restroom will be allocated in the Public Works Public Services operating budget at an
anticipated cost of $6,000 per year.
Policy Implications
The proposed Briones Park Restroom Improvement projec t is consistent with existing City
policies.
Environmental Review
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Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Project is
categorically exempt from CEQA, per Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures.
Attachments:
·A: Park Improvement Ordinance (Includes Site Plan -Exhibit A)(PDF)
Prepared By:Holly Boyd, Project Engineer
Department Head:J. Michael Sartor, Director
City Manager Approval: ____________________________________
James Keene, City Manager