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7. MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION <br />A. Review of Proaosed Master Plan for Staales Ranch Community Park <br />Mr. Wolfe advised that in April 2006, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding <br />(MOU) with the Alameda County Surplus Property Authority (SPA) regarding the future development of <br />the County-owned Staples Ranch Property, located in the northeast unincorporated area of Pleasanton. He <br />noted that the MOU anticipates the development of a 37+/- acre auto mall, 45+/- acre senior continuing <br />care community with up to 8001iving units (including skilled nursing support facilities), 17+/- acre <br />community park, and an 11+/- acre commercial center. <br />Following approval of the MOU, the City was approached by San Jose Arena Management, LLC <br />regarding the potential of forming a joint public-private partnership to develop amulti-rink ice skating <br />facility within the community park site. <br />In October 2006, the City Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct a community <br />planning process for the purpose of developing a conceptual site plan and list of potential recreational uses <br />for the proposed park. In March and Apri12007, the Commission conducted two (2) workshops regarding <br />the concept plan, and reviewed various park options to accommodate desired amenities, including all- <br />weather sports fields, a baseball field, tennis courts, afour-rink ice facility, bocce ball courts, dog exercise <br />area, restrooms, parking, and trails/open space. The Commission requested that staff prepare a draft site <br />plan diagram consisting of these uses, but eliminate the baseball field and add a lawn bowling area. <br />In Apri12007, the Commission unanimously indicated its support for a proposed four-rink ice skating <br />facility, in addition to two (2) all-weather, lighted sports fields; six (6) lighted tennis courts; two (2) bocce <br />ball courts; dog exercise area; lawn bowling; passive open space; trails and trail heads; two (2) restrooms; <br />and parking areas. The City Council reviewed the proposed conceptual plan in July 2007, and after <br />receiving public input, approved the Commission's recommendation. <br />During a joint City Council/Planning Commission Workshop in November 2007, representatives of two <br />(2) local advocacy groups, Pleasanton First and Friends of Pleasanton, read a joint statement concerning <br />the development of Staples Ranch. These groups requested that a comprehensive master plan process be <br />conducted to further refine the various park elements and where they would be located on the property. <br />The City Council directed staff to immediately initiate a master planning process for the 17-acre Staples <br />Ranch Community Park, including significant outreach to the community and public workshops regarding <br />the park configuration and amenities. <br />Staff contacted the landscape architecture firm RRM Design Group, located in San Luis Obispo, to assist <br />with the process, and the City Council ratified a contract with the firm in December 2007. Mailings <br />regarding proposed community workshops to gather input regarding the Park Master Plan were sent to <br />those living within the Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan area, and ads announcing the workshops were <br />placed in the four (4) local newspapers. The workshops were held on Thursday, February 7 and Saturday <br />February 9, with approximately 80 people in attendance. <br />Based on information gathered at the workshops, a proposed Master Plan was presented at a third <br />community meeting held on Saturday, March 15. The major elements of the proposed plan included: four <br />Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes <br />April 10, 2008 <br />Page 2 <br />