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with a broad development that included a 37-acre auto mall, 45-acre senior continuum <br />care community, a 12-acre retail commercial site and the 17-acre community park. In April <br />of 2006 the Council approved the MOU which established a road map. Staff indicated <br />they would go through a planning process. He presented a diagram which was included in <br />the MOU of the planning area, said the 17-acre site was large and represented the fourth <br />largest park in the City. <br />The Council will discuss tonight a recommendation from the Park and Recreation <br />Commission for putting an ice-skating facility on the site and even given this, the <br />remaining part of the parcel not dedicated to the rink would still be regarded as the eighth <br />largest park in the City. <br />In October of 2006 San Jose Area Management, who are affiliated with the San Jose <br />Sharks, approached the City with an interest in putting in an ice-skating facility on the park <br />site. They estimated it would require ±8 acres and their vision would be a joint <br />public/private venture. He said their initial concept was for a full service ice rink, a lobby, <br />restaurant, restrooms, pro-shop, conference room, rental areas and they proposed a <br />whole range of activities within the building including open skating, skating programs for <br />youth and adults, high school hockey programs, hockey schools camp, figure skating <br />instruction, regular instruction, and a very complete operation that would intend to meet <br />the needs of residents as well as immediate regional needs. <br />Council provided feedback and indicated that prior to taking any action on the matter that it <br />be reviewed by the Park and Recreation Commission to ensure a public review process, <br />identify potential uses, community interest, and recommend whether the use would be a <br />good fit for the site. Staff determined that the project could be benefited from professional <br />consulting services, and Wayne Rasmussen was hired to conduct the process. <br />Jim Wolfe, Director of Parks and Recreation said the Park and Recreation Commission <br />elected to conduct a 4-part process in reviewing the matter. In February the Commission <br />met in with Wayne Rasmussen to discuss how the process would work and input would be <br />gathered. Two workshops were conducted in March to receive input from stakeholders <br />and interested residents about types of amenities they would like to see on the site, and in <br />April, to present two options. There was one modification based on the plan and rather <br />than make the decision at the workshop, they provided more opportunity for public input, <br />the Commission heard the matter at their regular April meeting and prepared the <br />recommendations which were before the Council. He further pointed out that the concept <br />plans were not a master plan. <br />Wayne Rasmussen of Rasmussen Planning, Inc., said the process began with the <br />preparation of an opportunities and constraints map which he presented, and in order to <br />inform the Commission as to the site characteristics they conducted a noise evaluation, <br />looked at wind, views, tree locations, and the surroundings of the park and its proximity to <br />the Chain of Lakes. He further indicated at the second and third workshops, input was <br />received from the public regarding uses. The Commission was able to accommodate <br />most uses in the plan to be presented and of the uses two all-weather lighted fields for <br />soccer/football/Lacrosse, afour-rink ice skating facility, six lighted tennis courts, bocce <br />courts, a dog exercise area, lawn bowling area, passive open space, trails, restrooms and <br />parking were identified. <br />During the time surrounding the second Commission meeting the County Surplus Property <br />Authority had been working on plans for the Specific Plan area and they made a <br />suggestion that the City reconsider the configuration of the park from rectangular to an <br />City Council Minutes 8 July 17, 2007 <br />