CCMIN071613 - Laserfiche WebLink

mitigation requirements. She explained that because the swale is a waterway, coordination with Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board will be required. A jurisdictional determination report, which catalogs the site features, has been completed and is ready to be submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers so that the dialogue with other regulatory agencies may begin. Option B chooses to enhance the natural swale features and perhaps require less mitigation, but reduces active use areas and does not address safety or accessibility issues. City Engineer Kirkpatrick explained that storm drainage is also an important consideration in determining the best course of action relative to the drainage swales. He presented several slides demonstrating the existing storm drainage system that runs into the park. He explained that the drainage basin furthest north, which extends from Kottinger Ranch, down Kottinger Creek, under First Street before entering the swale along Lions Wayside Park, has had a number of upstream improvements that provide for a generally dry line by the time it reaches the park. The second drainage system travels up Angela and ties into the drainage channel underneath Neal Street. This more southerly channel is always wet, which will likely require more mitigation to underground than will the portion along Lions Wayside Park. He acknowledged that it has been suggested that the City simply fill in the ditch but stressed that underground conduit along the Lions Wayside portion is critical to managing drainage during storm events. Richard Larson, Richard Larson Landscape Architecture and Planning, presented the schematics for Options A and B. He stated that the two options reflect the input that was used to develop the goals and uses identified in the master plan and stressed that the schematic diagrams apply those goals and uses to the existing site map in a very preliminary fashion. He noted that Option A drawings show the Delucchi Park swale as open, very much like it exists now, and the Lion's Wayside portion of the swale as it would look if undergrounded to accommodate all of the desired uses. Option B shows a very similar approach to the two parks with the exception that the Lions Wayside swale is open to the air for almost its entire length, with crossings at the bandstand and where the regional trail enters from what is currently parking at the north of the site. He also noted that the plans reflect a holiday ice rink, which was proposed at one time but is now off the table. Working off of several smaller diagrams, Mr. Larson demonstrated the proposed site uses under Option A. This includes a restroom building at the southern end of West Angela Street and the intersection of the regional trail and west trail. It is hoped the area would accommodate the kind of active uses that take place along West Angela and serve as a transition from street to park activities. The plan also proposes plazas to join the two parks at Neal Street, one of which could serve as a common middle plaza with the addition of bollards to close off the street for special events. Councilmember Brown noted there are a number of bus stops in the area and asked if he envisioned eliminating bus service during events. Mr. Larson said the question has been raised before and not yet answered, but that they have contemplated the potential for bus only access or temporarily realigning the bus route during events. He discussed the proposed bandstand location, sited midway between the plazas and Firehouse Arts Center, noted several other locations where street blocks during special events might make for a really strong pedestrian zone, and demonstrated the proposed trail crossings. Ms. Yuan-Miu interjected to note that at its May meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission requested that the plaza area be extended up to Railroad Avenue. Mr. Larson reviewed the proposed sensory garden, which was recommended throughout the input process. He explained that the feature is expected to serve as a visual cue and gateway from Main City Council Minutes Page 8 of 13 July 16, 2013