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considered to be particularly suitable for the Staples Ranch site, given its close <br />proximity to I-580; proposed adjacent urban land uses on three (3) sides; and the lack of <br />existing on-site natural amenities. <br />Two (2) separated parking lots are proposed to serve the park. The smaller of the two <br />is intended for shared use between the lower park area (sports fields) and the ice <br />skating facility. It would be accessible only by way of the eastern end of Stoneridge <br />Drive. The second parking lot is larger, and is intended for use primarily by those <br />visiting the ice skating facility. This lot is accessible via Auto Mall Place. The parking <br />lots would be connected only by way of an emergency vehicle access drive (EVA). No <br />public traffic connections through the park, between Stoneridge Drive or Auto Mall <br />Place, are proposed. <br />In addition to the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendations regarding park <br />uses, included as Attachment E, are letters of support for the ice skating facility from the <br />Pleasanton Unified School District and Hendrick Automotive. <br />Additional Five Acre Neighborhood Park <br />As indicated above, the Commission recommended the Council consider the inclusion <br />of a lighted baseball field as the first priority if the City purchases five (5) additional <br />acres of land from the SPA that would be used jointly for storm water detention and <br />open space immediately to the northwest. As the Council is aware, staff has been <br />negotiating with the SPA regarding acquisition of this site, which would serve a dual use <br />as the detention basin for the entire Staples Ranch site and a neighborhood park. The <br />MOU designates this area as "auto mall option"; however, the SPA has informed the <br />City that the auto mall will not expand to this site. As a result, staff has been pursuing <br />acquisition of the land for park uses. It is anticipated that the Council would review <br />original terms of the acquisition at a future meeting. <br />While we have not yet finalized any action related to this acquisition, it is important to <br />note that due to the grading required to accommodate a detention basin, the <br />neighborhood park would most likely be suitable for passive open space and not <br />suitable for sports fields, including baseball. The Commission was informed of this fact <br />and concurred that while a baseball field was the top priority, the most likely scenario <br />involves transferring more passive uses, such as open space elements and/or a dog <br />exercise area, from the community park to the five acre site and replacing those with a <br />lighted baseball field. Ultimately, the Commission and the Council would review more <br />detailed planning of the two parks, or just the community park, once the property has <br />been transferred to the City concurrent with approval of the Staples Ranch <br />development. <br />Ice Skating Facility <br />Should the City Council approve the Commission and staff's recommendations, staff <br />anticipates holding preliminary discussions with SJAM regarding its project concept and <br />its integration into the park. As presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission, the <br />facility would require approximately eight (8) of the 17-acres and include four skating <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />