REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of the Proposed Schematic Design for the Fairway Glen Park Restroom Project
Report
Council Pillar
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
BACKGROUND
Council approved the FY2019/20 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, including Project #3186 to construct a restroom building to serve users of Fairway Glen Park, located at 2051 Calle de Primavera. The neighborhood park currently has accessible play spaces for ages 2-5 and 6-12, two tennis courts, a BBQ area, a large grass meadow, and landscaping.
In mid-2020, the City hired SSA Landscape Architects, Inc. to design a restroom building within budget, and to solicit community input. The restroom building will provide two accessible stalls, drinking fountain with water bottle filler & dog bowl, and a maintenance/utility chase; the project includes new utility connections, ADA entry, security lighting, camera, touchless faucets and hand dryers, and modest landscaping. A site evaluation identified two potential locations convenient to utilities and compatible with the park's overall site plan.
Community Outreach.
From October 3 to October 21, 2020, the City design team conducted an online community survey through the City’s Open City Hall digital platform, invited participation through various social media, and provided images to illustrate the options. The City had 109 attendees and 70 responses with approximately 3.5 hours of public comment. The community comment was clear on the proposed restroom location with 62% preferring Option B which is midway between the playground and picnic area, and tennis court amenities. The public input preferred (by more than 18-30% above the next closest preferences) a standing seam roof (54%), board and batten siding (44%), and stone veneer (85%). The input had a less clear preference on the color palate (39-35-26%). The building design will comply with current building codes and regulations.
DISCUSSION
At the November 17, 2020, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting, the Commission will consider and finalize a recommendation to Council on the Schematic Design (Attachment 1) for the restroom building and motion will include recommendation of the color scheme Option one, or Option two.
MEASURE R
The recommendation for changes to the existing Fairway Glen Park may be subject to Measure R. In November 2016, voters passed Measure R, which added Section 714.1 Protection of Parkland and Public Open Space to the City Charter. Measure R prohibits selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of parkland for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, and also prohibits its use from changing, being abandoned, or discontinued without such sale, lease, disposal or changed use having first been authorized or ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the electorate during a general municipal election for that purpose. Measure R also prohibits changes in park use for over 180 days without a majority vote of the electorate and substantial building, construction, reconstruction or development upon dedicated parkland except pursuant to ordinance subject to referendum. The referendum process is set forth in the Elections Code.
The recommendation to approve the Fairway Glen Park Restroom Schematic Design, which will also therefore update the Fairway Glen Park Master Plan to include the restroom building, may be considered as “substantial building, construction, reconstruction, or development” of the existing park. The approval of the schematic design will require an ordinance in order to comply with Measure R and will be introduced as part of the Council’s consideration of the Commission recommendation. The ordinance does not include a sale, lease, disposal, or change in park use requiring a majority vote of the electorate. Staff will recommend that City Council introduce an ordinance to ensure compliance with Measure R. The ordinance will come back to Council at a subsequent meeting for adoption in accordance with City Charter sections 808 and 812.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 “Existing Facilities”, 15302 “replacement or reconstruction”, and 15303 “new construction or conversion of small structures” as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting or minor alteration of existing public facilities or topographical features involving negligible expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agencies determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY2019/20 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget Project #3186 has an approved budget allocation of $900,000 for design, construction, administration, permits and contingency. Current maintenance activities for the park are included in the Parks & Recreation Department annual operating budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission’s agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, e-mail clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend City Council Approval of the Fairway Glen Park Restroom Project Schematic Design (Option One, or Option Two) and a Park Master Plan Update to include the proposed restroom building.
Staff
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Fairway Glen Park Restroom Project Schematic Design