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November 12, 2024
ITEM TITLE
Park Master Plan: Approval of the Park Master Plan for a 1.41 Acre Park (P -1), Including the Name ‘Eden Rose Plaza’, Located in Otay Ranch Village Two
Report Number: 24-0260
Location: Northeast Corner of Santa Victoria Road and Santa Carolina Road
Department: Development Services
G.C. § 84308: Yes
Environmental Notice: The Project is adequately covered in the previously certified Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (“FSEIR”) for the Otay Ranch Village Two Comprehensive Sectional Planning Area Plan Amendment (FSEIR 12 -01; SCH #2003091012; and incorporated by reference in City Council Resolution No. 2014-207, dated November 4, 2014).
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the Park Master Plan, including the name ‘Eden Rose P laza’, for the P-1 Park located in the Village of Montecito Core Area of Otay Ranch Village Two.
SUMMARY
This report presents the Park Master Plan and the proposed name of ‘Eden Rose Plaza’ for the 1.41-acre Park (P-1) located in Otay Ranch Village Two. The public park will be privately maintained and owned by the Village of Montecito Homeowner Association (“HOA”) with a public access easement over it.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act ( “CEQA”) and has determined that the Project was adequately covered in the previously certified Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (“FSEIR”) for the Otay Ranch Village Two Comprehensive S ectional Planning Area Plan Amendment (FSEIR 12 -01; SCH #2003091012; and incorporated by reference in City Council Resolution No. 2014 -207, dated November 4, 2014) . Thus, no further environmental review or documentation is required.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Park Master Plan for this 1.41-acre Park by a vote of 5- 0, on September 21, 2023. The Park was un-named at the time of the presentation. A Parks and Recreation Commissioner noted an issue concerning the availability of bike racks in city parks and has recommended the installation of additional racks. Bike racks will be addressed with the refinement of the construction documents prior to construction. Staff provided an update to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting on November 7, 2024, regarding the proposed name for the park.
DISCUSSION
Background
P-1 Park is located at the corner of Santa Carolina Road and Santa Victoria Road at the northeast edge of the roundabout in the heart of the Village. The Sectional Planning Area (“SPA”) plan for the development was originally adopted by City Council on May 23, 2006. This park site came into being because of the Village Two Comprehensive SPA Amendment approved by City Council in November 2014. The SPA amendment included a conceptual park layout listing the proposed park program. The name 'Eden Rose Plaza’ was suggested by Baldwin & Sons and selected to honor the memory of Deeann Baldwin. Eden Rose was a favorite flower of Deeann Baldwin and the name, 'Eden Rose Plaza' embodies Deeann's eye for style and design.
Otay Ranch Village Two Parks System
The Village concept of development creates a pedestrian friendly community that provides recreational spaces located within “walkable” distances from residences. Since 2015, the Master Developer has constructed four private HOA recreational facilities, an HOA Clubhouse and Pool facility which also provides a gym for residents and HOA Summerland Pool. Public park areas have also been built and provided to the City of Chula Vista in turnkey condition per the Agreement Regarding Construction of Parks P-1, P-2, P-3 P- 5 and P -6 in a Portion of Otay Ranch Village 2 , recorded on November 21, 2014, document number 2014 - 0509142. They include the following:
1) Montecito Park. Opened in April 2018. This public park provides a large multi-use field, tot lot for 2- 5 years old, playground for 5 -12 years old, picnic shelter, tennis court, basketball court, seat walls and a restroom. This 4.4 -acre park is the first phase of a park that when fully built w ill be slightly larger than 7 acres. Phase 2 will add 2.4 acres, and is planned to open in late 2025/2026 and Phase 3 will follow a City of San Diego waterline relocation.
2) Meadow Park. Opened in August 2022. This Park is 5.1 acres and has areas for small and large dogs, play areas for children, a large walking path around the perimeter of the park with work-out stations, picnic areas, a ping pong pavilion, half basketball court for 5-12 year-olds and a half court for all ages, and an outdoor teaching area and a restroom.
3) Grove Park. Opened on September 13, 2023. This Park is 7.1 acres and features a multi-purpose turf field, walking path around the perimeter of the park, basketball courts, tennis courts striped for pickle ball, playgrounds for children , an activity plaza, passive lawn area, picnic areas, game tables, benches with shade canopies and Corn Hole game area.
An additional 2.7-acre neighborhood Park P-6 is planned to be built in the western portion of Village Two which could be expanded to account for any parkland shortage if necessary.
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P-1 Park
Public Access Easement
The Master Developer, Baldwin & Sons, granted and the City accepted a public access easement over all of Lot 15 (P-1 Park) for park use and other public uses on the Final “A” Map 15350 for Otay Village Two and Portions of Village Four, recorded on November 21, 2014. The Village of Montecito HOA will be responsible for the maintenance of this public park in perpetuity.
Community Meeting
A public meeting was held on August 10, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Montecito Swim Club at which residents were presented a preliminary park design and informed about the timeline for park design and construction.
Several comments were made by re sidents in favor of the design, particularly related to the park’s layout which guides users away from the vehicular roundabout at the southwest corner of the park. There were also comments made on the need to have adequate pet waste stations in the area.
Park Master Plan
The Master Developer has entered into an agreement with consultants Schmidt Design Group for the design of P-1 Park. The park is a pedestrian park serving the immediate community therefore no on -site parking will be provided; however, there will be an accessible parking space with access to the park located on Santa Victoria. The park layout creates a symmetrical wedge open space for residents to use and balances the neighboring adjacent housing development nearby. The proposed site will be graded with gentle grades throughout, with the maximum slope gradient of 3:1 in a few small areas.
The landscape strategy for the park provides an inviting central plaza and a diverse range of gathering areas, a central green natural turf area, game ar eas, and a garden walk. Throughout the park, a combination of accent trees, shade trees, and decorative plants create an inviting, gardenesque atmosphere, and drought tolerant plant material based on Water Use Classification of Landscape Species. Decorativ e paving at each end of the central lawn defines pedestrian gathering space within the park. The central open space includes a flexible lawn area with adjacent bench seating which will provide a space for gatherings and group activities. The irrigation sys tem will be designed for reclaimed water and will include water -saving components such as a weather-based controller, rain shutoff device, master valve, flow sensor and efficient spray and drip irrigation.
The master plan for the park includes the following elements:
Picnic tables/benches
Bean bag toss area
(2) Bocce ball courts
(2) Community rocker benches
(2) Group picnic area under shade structures (rentable) Foosball table
Ping pong tables
Group gathering plaza with overhead festival lights
Compass rose accent paving as the landmark features
Large open lawn area
Seating areas within gardenesque planting areas
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New additional accessible parking stall along Santa Victoria Road Park monument sign in the Montecito Community theme
Pedestrian orientated paved walkways & meandering DG pathways with lighting Bike racks
Pet waste stations
After design approval, the team will develop construction documents to be reviewed by the City.
Construction of the park is expected to start in Fall of 2025.
Park Development Budget
Based on Parkland Acquisition and Development ( “PAD”) fees as of Oct 1, 202 4, the park’s estimated development budget is $1,293,243. The current cost estimate for P-1 is approximately $2,250,000. To bridge this gap and preserve the features of the park in the current design, the Master Developer proposes using up to approximately $1,200,000 of the in -lieu PAD fees required to be paid for their C1/MU3 project, located within Village Two, due to the extra units created using density bonus on the C1/MU3 project. The City has agreed to this approach for the park budget.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 1000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property -related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
All park design costs are borne by the Master Developer as part of their PAD obligation, as discussed above.
There is therefore no current-year fiscal impact to the General Fund or Development Services Fund as a result of this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
All park construction costs will be borne by the developer as part of their PAD obligation, as discussed above.
This park will be a privately owned and maintained by the Village of Montecito Homeowners’ Association in perpetuity, resulting in no ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. P-1 Park Master Plan
Staff Contact: Tom McDaniel, Landscape Architect, Development Services Patricia Ferman, Principal Landscape Architect, Development Services Laura C. Black, AICP, Director of Development Services