01 - Laserfiche WebLink

He noted that staff processed the PUD through a number of meetings with the Parks and Recreation Commission and they approved the current design. Heard previously at public meetings was a need for a restroom. At both the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, there was an interest in both paved and non -paved walking paths around the park, as well as an issue in the lighted tennis courts. Mr. Bocian presented a design of the park and he described the location of its major features. All developers on the Staples Ranch site are sharing in costs to develop and also in the use of the detention for hydro- modification and storm water requirements. He described the access road which is used for City vehicles to enter the detention basin and provide maintenance. When staff was first looking at the detention basin concept, they were exploring an initial open turf area. The more this was reviewed and in working with all parties involved, it became apparent that it would serve a better function if it was a more natural habitat area. What staff has proposed is for the area to have large boulders, an attempt to keep water in the area throughout the year so that potentially habitat can live in the area. They also want to minimize the irrigation throughout the entire park. Mr. Bocian presented a design of a boardwalk area which is not included in Phase I, but the City may choose to add it at a later date. He also noted that the tennis courts are lit. He said the City is attempting to adhere to green building standards and attempt to achieve a LEED Silver rating for the project. There is a bus shelter and the City will adhere to Bay Friendly Landscaping Guidelines. There is a green screen proposed for the restroom area which provides a nice amenity, a 7 -foot wall proposed in the rear up against the Mercedes area is to be screened with landscaping, and the Planning Commission's recommendation was to eliminate the block wall and replace it with a landscape screen. Their concern related to graffiti and the desire to have a more landscaped area. Staff feels the block wall is important and has proposed that there be vines and landscaping on the block wall which should be an appropriate impediment to any graffiti, and it provides a certain amount of graffiti between the Neighborhood Park and Auto Mall. Mr. Bocian stated that initially, the master plan showed a small exercise area and that the City Council expressed concern about the size of the area. The standards for a dog park ranged between 1 -2.5 acres, and in comparison, the dog park at Muirwood is about % of an acre. When this was brought forward to the Parks and Recreation Commission, they indicated they wanted to see a dog exercise area somewhere in this location of the City. Staff responded that they would look at it again when reviewing the Community Park and Ice Center and if it does not work there, other areas in East Pleasanton could be considered. He said one thing that was noted that it would not fit in the Neighborhood Park. There was also a lot of discussion during the master plan process of whether dogs could be allowed in the detention basin area, which will be open seasonally to the general public; although he said it is not an area where the City would encourage a lot of off -leash dog activities. However, if someone wanted to walk their dog(s) in the area, they could. Councilmember Cook- Kallio said she has received numerous concerns over the last week regarding the lack of the availability of a dog park in town, and she asked why it was something difficult to achieve. Mr. Fialho said there have been discussions with East Bay Regional Park District about constructing a dog park by Shadow Cliffs and the Liaison Committee of Councilmembers Thorne and McGovern have heard about this concept. The Bernal property is another option, and Phase 4 has a dog park planned, but this is subject to Council approval. He noted there are other opportunities in East Pleasanton, as well. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 15 September 7, 2010