Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: August 28, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: David Sanchez, Community Development Director Subject: Underground Waiver for PVRPD Pickleball Courts
BACKGROUND
Everett Scofield of Lauterbach & Associates Architects, on behalf of Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) has applied for administrative approval to construct a Pickleball Court complex on 1.5 acres of PVRPD property at the easterly end of Freedom Park adjacent to Houck Street and Skyway Drive. This use is a by-right, permitted use that may be approved by the Director of Community Development.
Overhead electrical distribution lines and transformers exist along the southerly property line parallel and adjacent to Skyway Drive. These power lines and equipment do not serve the project site and serve as transmission to other properties to the south and east.
Additionally, power is supplied to the project site by an aerial drop to a pole at the northeast corner of the property. Section 13.08.140 of the Camarillo Municipal Code (CMC) requires that “all property for which any development permit or approval for development by the city is required,” must underground all overhead utilities. CMC §13.08.160 allows the City Council to waive or conditionally waive the provisions of CMC13.08.140 when the requirement is deemed unreasonable or impractical.
PVRPD requests that the City Council waive the requirement for undergrounding poles and overhead utility lines and infrastructure adjacent to the southerly and easterly property lines, concurrently with the processing of the administrative development applications.
Pursuant to CMC §13.08.160, the City Council is the decision-maker for the requested waiver.
Applicant: Everett Scofield of Lauterbach & Associates Architects on behalf of PVRPD.
Property Owner: PVRPD, 1605 E. Burnley Street, Camarillo, CA 93010 Assessor’s Parcel Number: 230-0-030-145
PVRPD Underground Waiver
August 28, 2024
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General Plan Designation: Park
Zoning Designation: Rural Exclusive Residential (R-E)
DISCUSSION
The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) is an independent special district established in 1962 under California Public Resources Code (PRC) § 5785. It is governed by a board of directors elected by the district's residents, as required by the PRC.
The swimming pool and recreation building that formerly occupied this portion of the park has been demolished and the pool filled in. The proposed project is a pickleball complex featuring 15 courts plus a tournament court as well as shade structures, concessions, restrooms, and storage. The proposed project would be built in phases as funds become available to continue the development of the site.
Section 13.08.140 of the Camarillo Municipal Code (CMC) requires that “all property for which any development permit or approval for development by the city is required,” must underground all overhead utilities. This requirement includes communications, associated overhead structures, poles, overhead wires used for the transmission of electric energy at voltages of 30k or under.
Freedom Park is unique within Camarillo due to its remoteness from residential developments and its role in serving both local residents and those from surrounding areas. The proposed development aims to address the increasing demand from PVRPD residents for additional pickleball facilities. Pickleball, described by CBS Sports as the fastest-growing sport in the United States and expanding at the professional level, highlights the relevance and importance of this development (source: CBS Sports).
CMC §13.08.160.A allows the City Council to modify or waive the undergrounding requirements if it deems the requirement unreasonable or impractical. This is relevant in areas with existing overhead powerlines where the creation of an underground utility district is not planned in the near future, and if the City Council identifies the area as having unique or special circumstances.
PVRPD’s request letter states that they are an independent, special district that serves Camarillo residents who are requesting additional facilities for pickleball. Their non-profit status and limited financial resources constrain their budget for this project and the requirement for undergrounding or paying an in-lieu fee would render the project infeasible. Additionally, the project being located near the airport creates unique circumstances and it is unlikely that the area would be designated as an undergrounding district.
PVRPD Underground Waiver
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The California Public Utilities Commission website on undergrounding programs reports that challenges to undergrounding include the costs which are estimated to be between $350 to $990 per foot in Southern California Edison service areas. For PVRPD, the cost to underground the aerial utilities adjacent to their project could range from $200,000 to $560,000. Additionally, the lines along the southerly edge of the project do not serve the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the requested waiver to utility undergrounding is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the waiver may have a significant effect on the environment.
No work will be done on the utility lines, therefore there is no project and there can be no impact.
RECOMMENDATION
1. That the City Council waive the requirement for removal of the existing poles and undergrounding of the existing overhead utilities and waive the in-lieu fee.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Letter from PVRPD dated August 13, 2023
3. Site Plan
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None