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RESOLUTION NO. 2017-224 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING A PARK MASTER PLAN FOR THE 1.9-ACRE P-5 PUBLIC NEIGHBORHOOD PARK LOCATED IN MILLENIA, AND APPROVING THE PARK NAME “ STRATA PARK”
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
This report presents the draft Park Master Plan for the third Millenia park and seeks approval of the plan and the park name, “Strata Park.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The project was adequately covered in previously adopted, Otay Ranch Eastern Urban Center (EUC), Final Second Tier Environmental Impact Report, EIR 07-01, SCH No. 2007041074. Therefore, no additional environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has determined that the project was adequately covered in previously adopted Final Second Tier Environmental Impact Report, EIR 07-01. Therefore, no additional environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On September 5th, 2017, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended for approval the Master Plan and the name Strata Park, with a number of recommendations to be considered during the preparation of the construction drawings. These items were as follows:
• Include a urinal in one of the restroom stalls
• Include more than one drinking fountain
• Include distance markers on walkways associated with the fitness area
• Locate trash receptacles, BBQs and hot coal containers to avoid tripping hazards.
• Avoid the use of plant material with large spikes.
• Consider planting vines at the large shade structure
• Explore ways to reliably charge fees for outdoor fitness classes being run on a business basis in the park.
DISCUSSION
Background
This 1.9 park site is located in Millenia, formerly known as the Eastern Urban Center, in eastern Chula Vista. The Sectional Planning area (SPA) plan for the development was adopted by City Council on October 6, 2009, Resolution No.2009-224 and Ordinance No. 3142. The site was offered for dedication to the City and accepted on Final Subdivision Map No. 16081 recorded at the San Diego County Recorder’s Office on December 28, 2015. The SPA includes an overall master plan for the system of six parks within the development, describing their locations, how the park obligations, per Chapter 17.10 of the Municipal Code, will be met, and how overall design concepts and program elements will be included within each park.
Parks Concept for Millenia
The SPA plan for Millenia includes an Urban Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan which describes a system of parks, plazas and trails within the development that will reinforce the character and function of the development as the premiere urban-mixed use center of South San Diego County. It includes a concept diagram of each park including the 1.9-acre P-5 park. Each concept diagram lists the elements recommended to be included and the overall theme for the park.
Millenia Parks Agreement
The Millenia project meets its park obligations, as stated in Chapter 17.10 of the Municipal Code, through a combination of parkland dedication, parkland development improvements and in-lieu fees. The ways in which these provisions are to be made are documented in detail in the “Agreement Regarding Construction of Parks in a Portion of Otay Ranch Eastern Urban Center” (Park Agreement), Resolution No.2009-226, approved on September 15, 2009 by City Council. The Millenia parks are to be provided through the “turnkey” method where the developer constructs the park on behalf of the City in lieu of paying park development fees. The Park Agreement makes provision for an increased level of park facilities than are typically included in a Chula Vista park. The associated level of park credit given by the City for the parks is increased to reflect the increased level of amenities. In addition, the developer will provide recreation facilities along the jogging trails through the business district for which they may receive credit as well as meeting the remaining portion of their obligation with in-lieu fees. The agreement allows for the City to approve special event programming in Millenia parks to help encourage the sense of community.
The Millenia master developer and the landscape consultants, Spurlock Landscape Architects, have entered into a two-party agreement for the design of the P5 Park.
Park (P-5)
The overall theme for the park is “Light.” The draft master plan for the park includes the following elements:
• Restroom Building (with limited storage)
• Flexible Use Plaza
• Shade Structure/Trellis (creating patterns and color)
• Picnic/BBQ Area
• Porch Swings
• Fitness Court
• Open Lawn/Flexible Event Space
• Outdoor Game Facilities (heavy duty public park grade)
Ping Pong
Foosball
Bean Bag Toss
Horseshoe
• Community Garden
• Movable Tables and Chairs
• Hydration Station
• Formal and Informal Walks
• Low Water Use Planting Palettes (reflecting both sun and shade)
• Special Light Elements (in addition to standard park lighting)
Glow in the Dark aggregate paving
Light Rings
In-ground Lighting
Glowing Boulders
As a turnkey park, the developer will build the park on behalf of the City to meet their park obligations. There will be no capital cost to the City for the construction of this park. The projected park development budget totals $2.63 million, as summarized below.
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(Millions) |
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Projected Construction Cost* |
$ 2.04 |
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Projected Soft Costs |
$ 0.59 |
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Total Park Development Budget |
$ 2.63 |
*Per cost estimate prepared by design consultants.
Park Name
Strata Park will take on the name of the fronting street, Strata Street, for the park name thereby continuing the naming theme which was begun with the first Millenia Park, Stylus Park on Stylus Street and the second Millenia Park, Orion Park on Orion Avenue.
Special Maintenance Provisions
The Park Agreement makes provision for a more enhanced level of park maintenance than the Chula Vista General Fund typically allows for. Fifty percent of the maintenance cost will be the City’s average annual cost per acre for park maintenance. To match this amount, fifty percent will be contributed to the City by a Community Facilities District (CFD) (discussed below) which assesses future development in Millenia. This enables the City to maintain the parks with more maintenance intensive features at no additional cost to the General Fund.
CFD 14M (a Mello-Roos District) administers funds for Millenia’s public infrastructure maintenance. The resident’s special tax contribution will fund fifty percent of the annual park maintenance costs. The City’s General Fund will fund the remaining fifty percent of the annual park maintenance costs through this same CFD. This mechanism is set up to ensure that the funds for the maintenance of Millenia’s parks are used exclusively for maintaining the Millenia Parks.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council members, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The proposed P5 Park addresses the Healthy Community and Connected Community goals as it seeks to provide recreational opportunities for residents.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the preparation of this item are borne by the developer, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund or the Development Services Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Upon completion and acceptance of the park, the General Fund will annually contribute fifty percent of the park’s maintenance cost, with the remaining fifty percent being funded via CFD 14M. The current average maintenance cost per park acre is $60,000. At 1.9 acres, this equates to a projected annual General Fund contribution of $114,000 (2016 dollars).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Park Design Exhibits
2. Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting dated Sept 5th, 2017
Staff Contact: Mary Radley, Landscape Architect, Development Services