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