TO: TARA SCHULTZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, INTERIM COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 25, 2019
Reviewed by:
City Manager: TS
Finance Director: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
EL BARRIO PARK IMPROVEMENTS
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SUMMARY
The City entered into an agreement with Claremont McKenna College (CMC) for improvements at El Barrio Park as a result of the development of housing units at the east end of Harwood Place. The design concept (Attachment A) is ready for City Council approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the design concept for El Barrio Park Improvements.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost for these improvements will be fully funded by CMC.
The staff cost to meet with the architect and to prepare this report is estimated at $818 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Services Department.
ANALYSIS
CMC approached the City to develop six homes at the end of Harwood Place. The City, in an effort to preserve the residential character of Arbol Verde, the neighborhood around El Barrio Park, required CMC to make park improvements. CMC is required to construct a pedestrian walkway into the park from the public sidewalk on the south side of Harwood Place abutting El Barrio Park and then along the northern boundary of the park to the public sidewalk abutting the park on the west side of Claremont Boulevard. CMC is also required to improve the landscaping, install safety lighting, add several benches, a picnic table, and several trash receptacles elsewhere in the park. CMC will pay for these improvements.
The firm of Soltis Landscape prepared a design concept which was reviewed by the Parks Hillsides and Utilities Committee and the Community and Human Services Commission. CMC held public meetings to gather input prior to design development.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds the following:
Council Priorities - This item addresses the Council Priorities of Local water issues, Quality of Life, and Sustainability.
Sustainability Plan - This item complies with the goals of Sustainability Plan.
Economic Sustainability Plan - This item is consistent with the Statement of Basic Values on Economic Sustainability.
General Plan - This item addresses Measure II-22 relating to Water Conservation Programs and Measure III-39 Community Facilities Maintenance, Renovations, and New Construction of the General Plan and furthers the goal.
2018-19 Budget - This item meets the Community Services Department Work Plan Goal C-8: Ensure that parks are in healthy and clean condition, free from litter, graffiti, pests, and disease - to provide a safe environment for the public.
Youth and Family Master Plan - This item does not relate to the objectives in the Youth and Family Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, park improvements are categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA guidelines. This Class 1 exemption allows for the improvements of topographical features with negligible or no expansion. Additionally, none of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions set forth in State CEQA Guideline section 15300.2 applies to the proposed project because the proposed project (1) is not located in a uniquely sensitive environment, (2) is not located within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, (3) is not located on a hazardous waste site, (4) would not have a cumulative impact. Therefore, no further environmental review is required.
Additionally, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA does not apply to this item because there is no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The installation of park improvements will not have a significant effect on the environment because the action will not result in or lead to a physical change in Claremont.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
At its May 13, 2019 meeting, the Parks, Utilities and Hillsides Committee reviewed and recommended that the Community and Human Services Commission review the design concept for El Barrio Park. The excerpt from the meeting minutes is attached (Attachment B).
At its June 5, 2019 meeting, the Community and Human Services Commission reviewed the design concept for El Barrio Park Improvements, and recommended approval by the City Council. The excerpt from the meeting minutes is attached (Attachment C).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Copies are available at the City Hall public counter, the Youth Activity Center, the Alexander Hughes Community Center, and the City website.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan David J. Roger
Interim Community Services Director Community Services Deputy Director
Attachments:
A - Proposed Design Concept
B - Excerpt from the 05-13-19 Parks, Hillsides, and Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes
C - Excerpt from the 06-05-19 C&HS Commission Meeting Minutes