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BACKGROUND <br /> In 2015, Ponderosa Homes submitted an application to develop single-family homes on <br /> a 9-acre site located within the Valley Trails neighborhood at 6900 Valley Trails Drive <br /> (Sycamore at Valley Trails). The Planning Division provided comments regarding the <br /> proposal and encouraged Ponderosa to meet with the residents of the Valley Trails <br /> neighborhood to gain their support. Upon completing the outreach to the community, <br /> Ponderosa submitted a revised development application, which included proposed <br /> improvements to the Valley Trails Park which is immediately adjacent to their <br /> development site. Ponderosa's proposal included landscape improvements to <br /> implement water conservation measures (i.e., turf removal and replacement with <br /> groundcover at several locations) in Valley Trails Park. Ponderosa also proposed <br /> installation of a new tot lot within the park. <br /> During the public outreach process, which included the Parks and Recreation <br /> Commission review of the proposal on September 8, 2016, it was determined that the <br /> tot lot would be located within the eastern half of the park between the cul-de-sac ends <br /> of Carlsbad Court and Harpers Ferry Court. <br /> Cost estimates for the proposed landscape improvements and tot lot were then <br /> prepared, totaling $177,800. As part of the final approval of the proposed single-family <br /> home development, Ponderosa agreed to provide this sum to the City to implement the <br /> landscape improvements and construct the tot lot. <br /> After approval of the development project, and upon receiving payment for the park <br /> improvements in July 2018, staff reached out to Ross Recreation Equipment Co., who <br /> was selected through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, to design the tot lot. <br /> In late 2018, staff met with Ross at the site and obtained a design for the tot lot as it was <br /> proposed between the cul-de-sac ends of Carlsbad Court and Harpers Ferry Court. <br /> On Saturday March 2, 2019, these plans were presented to the neighborhood at a <br /> public outreach meeting held at the proposed tot lot site, which is the typical process for <br /> all playground projects. The outreach event was for a two-hour time period from 1-3 <br /> p.m. Approximately 20 people attended the event. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> The comments received from residents at the outreach event primarily focused on the <br /> location of the tot lot. Residents preferred that the tot lot be located in closer proximity to <br /> the restroom and playground for 5- to 12-year-olds. Residents indicated that this <br /> location would allow parents to keep an eye on both younger children (2- to 5-year-olds) <br /> playing at the tot lot and older children (5- to 12-year-olds) playing at the existing <br /> playground. It would also allow for quicker and more convenient access to the restroom. <br /> In addition to location, residents also expressed a desire that the tot lot include some <br /> type of shade structure. <br /> In response to the public input received at the meeting, and as well phone calls and <br /> emails received during the outreach period expressing concern over the same issues, <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />