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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 10990City of Palo Alto (ID # 10990) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 2/10/2020 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Adoption of a Park Dedication Ordinance Title: Adoption of an Ordinance Dedicating 0.64 Acres of Land Adjacent to 3350 Birch Street to Become Part of the Boulware Park From: City Manager Lead Department: Community Services Recommendation Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached ordinance (Attachment A) reserving approximately 0.64 acre (27,829 square feet) of land for park, recreation or conservation purposes, and incorporating an existing granted easement. Background In Fall 2016, staff learned a portion of the property owned by Pacific Bell Telephone Company, located at 3350 Birch Street, across a public street from Boulware Park, would likely be made available for purchase (Report ID # 7987). The Parks and Recreation Commission, along with several residents in the Ventura neighborhood, recommended the City Council explore the potential acquisition of the property for use as additional parkland. In January 2019, the property was listed for sale, and on February 25, 2019, City Council voted unanimously to grant the City Manager authorization to explore, negotiate, and potentially submit an offer to purchase the property (Report ID # 10061). On May 17, 2019, the City entered into contract to acquire the property (Informational Report ID # 10466) and received City Council authorization to finalize the purchase on August 18, 2019 (Report ID # 10416). The close of escrow occurred on September 16, 2019, and the grant deed was recorded later that day. The property is bound by Lambert Avenue to the north, Birch Street to the east, Chestnut Avenue to the south, and Ash Street to the west. Boulware Park is a 1.5-acre neighborhood park situated across a public street from the southwest corner of the property. The area surrounding the property and Boulware Park is a mix of residential, industrial, and commercial land uses. Acquisition of the property allows for the expansion of Boulware Park, which would then City of Palo Alto Page 2 meet the recommended National Recreation and Park Association standard for neighborhood park size of at least two acres, and potentially integrate the street right- of-way between the parcels into the park. The property’s location proximate to the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan study area enhances potential connectivity with the Fry’s site. Discussion Article VIII of the City Charter states: “All lands owned or controlled by the city which are or will be used for park, playground, recreation or conservation purposes shall be dedicated for such purposes by ordinance.” Additionally, the Charter states that all dedicated parklands shall be listed, with their legal description and map, in Section 22 of the Municipal Code. On April 3, 2017, the Parks and Recreation Commission sent a memorandum to the City Council recommending the exploration of purchasing the property to allow for the expansion of Boulware Park (Report ID # 7987). Dedicating the 0.64 acre former Pacific Bell parcel as parkland is consistent with the overall goal of the Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation Master Plan (Parks Master Plan) and in particular Policy 1.B, which aims to expand parkland inventory. Although not located in a “park search area”, defined in the Parks Master Plan as an area where residents lack access to parks and natural open spaces within ¼ mile of their homes, the property provides additional parkland near two densely populated areas of the City which have been identified as “park search area(s)”. On November 18, 2019, a public meeting was held to collect feedback from the community on what kind of amenities should be considered for the new property and how it should be integrated with the existing Boulware Park. A follow-up community meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 2020. Timeline • Second Reading of the Park Dedication Ordinance: February/March 2020 • Further public outreach on park useage and amenties: February 2020 • Parks and Recreation recommendation on park useage and amenities: Spring 2020 • Present project for funding as part of the FY 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan Budget process: Spring 2020 Resource Impact Developing the property for public use as a park will require funding through a Capital Improvement Project. Capital Improvement Project PE-19003 was established for this purpose in staff report 10416. In the interim, the annual weed abatement maintenance cost of the property (approximately $2,500) will be absorbed by Community Serivices Department’s operating budget. Funding for the Capital Improvement Project and ongoing operating and maintenance costs are subject to the City Council’s appropriation of funds in future budget cycles. City of Palo Alto Page 3 Policy Implications The proposed park dedication ordinance is consistent with and implements policies in the Comprehensive Plan 2030 that guide land use, community services and facilities. Specifically, the acquisition and development of a park is consistent with Policy 3-3.3 and Program C3.3.2 as well as Policies C-4.3 and C-4.6 of the Community Services and Facilities element of the Comprehensive Plan. It is also consistent the Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan Policies 1.B and 1.B.7. Stakeholder Engagement The Parks and Recreation Commission, along with several residents in the Ventura neighborhood, recommended the City Council explore the potential acquisition of the property for use as additional parkland. Staff are hosting several meetings with neighboring residents to assist with park planning efforts. Environmental Review Dedication of this site as park land is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under section 15316 (Transfer of Ownership of Land in Order to Create Parks) of the CEQA Guidelines. CEQA analysis would be required and conducted prior to any physical changes, including any development of the property for recreational activities or the construction of any recreational facilities in the future. Attachments: • Attachment A: Park Dedication Ordinance 1 20200107_TS_024_200 Ordinance No. _____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Dedicating Approximately 0.64 Acres of Land Adjacent to John Boulware Park For Park, Playground, Recreation or Conservation Purposes The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. Section 22.08.430 of Chapter 22.08 (Park Dedications) of Title 22 (Parks) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added to read, as follows: “22.08.430 Addition to John Boulware Park That certain parcel of land as delineated and described in Exhibit A‐30 and attached hereto, formerly known as 3350 Birch Street, is hereby reserved for park, playground, recreation or conservation purposes.” SECTION 2. The Council hereby finds that dedication of this site as parkland is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant impact on the environment. In addition, the adoption of this ordinance is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 because it is an action to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment and 15325(f) because it is an action to acquire lands for park purposes. // // // // // // // // // // // 2 20200107_TS_024_200 SECTION 3. This ordinance shall become effective upon the expiration of thirty (30) days from its passage. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Deputy City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Community Services 3 20200107_TS_024_200 EXHIBIT A‐30 APPENDIX A TO CHAPTER 22.08 OF TITLE 22 (PARKS) (see following pages)