400-081-02 9A
CCS:PCD:RM:BJS:F:ICCSADMNISHAREISTAFFREPICC2.OSE
City Council Meeting: July 1, 1997 JUL D 1 1997
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Approve in Concept the Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study and to Direct City Staff to Proceed with the Required Environmental Review for the Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan
INTRODUCTION
This report requests conceptual approval of the Draft Open Space Element, the Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study, including the recommended changes as specified in this staff report and its attachments, and recommends that the City staff proceed with the required environmental review of the Element and the Master Plan. Conceptual approval will provide formal direction to City staff to work closely with other public entities and community organizations to refine these concepts and to conduct the necessary environmental review for final approval in December of 1997.
BACKGROUND
On June 10, 1997, the City Council held a public hearing on the above referenced documents with over 100 individuals providing public comment. Prior to the hearing, 1 JUL O 1 1997
9A
Council members received the attached staff report (Attachment A) that provided background on the planning process to date, identified key themes and objectives, and transmitted recommended changes to the documents from City Commissions and City staff (see Attachment A-2). Upon completion of the public hearing, the City Council requested that Council action be rescheduled from June 24, 1997 to allow for additional review time by Council members.
DISCUSSION
Public comments on the draft documents have focused on the following areas:
Off-leash Dog Areas:
The public debate regarding the siting of off-leash dog areas presents a particular challenge. Public testimony focused on the positive public benefits for dogs and dog owners as well as the negative impacts on residents adjacent to off-leash areas. The Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, with the additional recommended changes in Attachment A-2, proposes a multi-pronged approach:
Creation of a 1.4 acre off-leash dog area on non-aviation land at the Santa Monica Airport.
Retention of the off-leash area at Pacific Street Park until the area at the Airport is available for community use.
Retention of the off-leash area at Joslyn Park pending conduct of a park master planning process to determine its long-term uses.
Siting of any new off-leash dog areas in non-residential areas.
Development of regulations governing existing and new off-leash areas that are sensitive to the needs of adjacent neighbors including the hours of operation and 2 number of dogs allowed per human park user.
The development of innovative solutions to worn turf areas.
Enhanced site monitoring and enforcement of off-leash areas, funded in part by user fees.
Staff Recommendation: The above strategies are recommended for inclusion in the Master Plan. In addition, staff recommends that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the neighborhood mitigation measures described above occur six months following their implementation.
Campus Promenade:
Since the public hearing, a number of communications have been received by City Council members and staff regarding the concept of creating a "Campus Promenade" in the Sunset Park area. The draft documents propose the creative use of public lands in Sunset Park to address the deficiency of parks in the neighborhood -- one of the few areas in the City where many residents must walk over 1/2 mile to the nearest park. The proposed concept includes the enhancement of the grassy lawn area at John Adams Middle School in Phase I of the Master Plan and the possible narrowing of Pearl Street between 16th and 17th Streets to provide for a more pedestrian-oriented environment at times when vehicular access is not required. This concept was proposed for further study in Phase I of the Master Plan (a five-year period beginning in Fiscal Year 2002-3) in recognition that a collaborative planning effort involving interested parties would be needed to further assess this proposal. The draft Master Plan refers to the process on page 25 as follows:
3 "This action would be contingent on the identification of additional parking to serve college needs and collaborative planning between the City, School District, College and neighborhood residents."
Staff Recommendation: Add language to the draft documents to clarify that the concept of narrowing Pearl Street would undergo a separate feasibility analysis that included the assessment of traffic, parking and other impacts on the neighborhood.
MTA Right-Of-Way:
The Draft Open Space Element Policy 4.3 recognizes the potential of the MTA corridor to become an important linear open space element within the City, without compromising potential transit use. It proposes a dedicated bicycle lane and continuous landscaping that designates it as an important open space. The Draft Master Plan further refines this concept and proposes to "develop a recreational pathway along the MTA corridor. " This strategy recommends improvements which make recreational activities possible without diminishing the future potential of the corridor for transit. The viability of these uses were reviewed informally with MTA staff. They noted that the development of a regional bikeway system for transportation purposes is consistent with the goals of the MTA, however broader recreational uses would jeopardize the MTA and City's ability to use the right-of- way in the future for a transit project. They also requested that reference to MTA's goal of generating revenue from other temporary uses be included.
Staff Recommendation: The draft documents clearly acknowledge the need to ensure that the right-of-way be available for future transit uses. Given MTA's concern about broader recreational uses at this time, staff recommends that the Master Plan strategy be changed 4 to read: "Develop a Bikeway along the MTA Corridor and Explore the Feasibility of a Multi- Use Recreational Pathway that Does Not Diminish the Future Potential of the Corridor for Transit." Staff does not recommend that the Master Plan include reference to the MTA's goal of revenue generation from the right-of-way as this is outside the scope of a parks and recreation strategy document.
Airport Non-Aviation Land Study:
Residents living near the Airport and users of the Airport expressed concerns regarding the development of recreational facilities at the Airport and the possible impact of future Airport development. Several of the comments focused on the relocation of facilities located in the northwest corner of the Airport and the expansion of Clover Park.
Staff Recommendation: See Attachment A-2 for staff recommendations.
Phasing and Funding:
Public input from residents and the Santa Monica Youth Athletic Foundation requested accelerated funding for a range a proposed projects including: implementation of the school/park concept and recreational uses on non-aviation lands at the Santa Monica Airport (Planning proposed for Year 2), and initiation of the Memorial Park Master Planning process (proposed in Years 3-4) As indicated in Attachment A-3 and A-4 of this report, the total cost of Master Plan implementation over 20 years is approximately $142.5 million.
Net capital costs (after deducting projects with identified funding sources or other funding strategies) are estimated to be between $70 and 80 million, necessitating a bond measure 5 of approximately $15 million to fully implement the 20-year program. Prior fiscal year appropriations, the City's FY 1997-98 Operating Budget and the Three Year Capital Improvement Program, adopted by the City Council on June 24, 1997, provide for $41.8 million to support specific projects over the next three years. Priority was first given to park improvement or expansion projects that can readily be implemented and for which funds are available, given that several important park improvement projects were delayed due to the 18-month long-range planning effort. Other proposed master planning projects were then phased beginning in Year 2, allowing additional time to refine the proposed funding strategies for these projects. An additional $5.9 million was set-aside to address parkland acquisition and development for a total commitment to date of $47.7 million.
Staff Recommendation: The schedule of projects should not be altered due to funding considerations and the number of major projects in progress.
BUDGET AND FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The City's FY 1997-98 Budget, adopted on June 24, 1997, includes all necessary appropriations to implement program priorities of the Master Plan for the coming year. The approved Capital Improvements Program includes all necessary appropriations for those capital projects prioritized for implementation in the first three years of implementation. No additional appropriations are required.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommends that the City Council approve in concept the Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study with the additional staff recommendations, and direct staff to proceed with the required environmental review for the Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation • Master Plan.
Prepared by: Barbara Stinchtield, Acting Director
Brett Horner, Senior Administrative Analyst
Department of Community and Cultural Services
Suzanne Frick, Director
Karen Ginsberg, Planning Manager
Department of Planning and Community Development
Jeff Mathieu, Director
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Department of Resource Management
Attachment: Staff Report - June 10, 1997
7 The recreation and open space improvements contemplated in the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study would be operated and maintained by the Community and Cultural Services Department and would not be a budgetary responsibility of the Airport Fund.
RECOMMENDATIONS
City staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing on the Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study and review the attached Commission and staff recommendations and proposed additions and changes to these documents in preparation for Council action scheduled for June 24, 1997.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director
Karen Ginsberg, Planning Manager -
Planning and Community Development Department
Barbara Stinchfield, Acting Director
Brett Horner, Senior Administrative Analyst
Community and Cultural Services Department
Jeff Mathieu, Director
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Resource Management Department
Attachments: 1: Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 2: Commission and Staff Recommendations
4: Capital Improvement Program - Santa Monica Parks and Recreation Master Plan
3: Master Plan Strategies Addressed in FY 1997-98 Proposed City Budget
Draft Open Space Element
Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan
20 ongoing Community Development Bock Grant (CDBG) funds to be used in the Pico neighborhood;
contributions from the General Fund due to any increases in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues for regional-serving parks and facilities; an aggressive approach to securing grants and other external funding; and a citywide Community Facilities District (CFD) special tax or General Obligation Bond to fund parks and recreation facilities, and maintenance (depending upon the level of General Fund support for ongoing operations).
Attachment 3 of this report outlines all projects, cost estimates and proposed phasing. The total cost is approximately $140 million over a 20-year period. Net capital costs (after deducting projects with identified funding sources or other funding strategies) are estimated to be between $70 and $80 million. Because of the high level of community interest in new and improved facilities in the near future, a $15 million bond measure would be needed to implement priority projects in the first two phases of the plan. In subsequent phases, the availability of additional restricted and non-restricted funds would provide adequate funding for remaining projects.
The 3 year Capital Improvements Program and Community and Cultural Services Department operating budget included in the proposed FY 1997-98 City Budget contains a number of appropriations and objectives related to Phase I implementation of the Master Plan. Attachment 4 outlines those Master Plan strategies addressed in the coming year's budget. The recommendations outlined in this staff report have no additional budgetary impact for FY 1997-98.
19 criteria: community need; project readiness due to prior Council approval and/or current budget appropriations; ability to leverage City funds with outside sources; overall cost of the project (including projected maintenance costs) versus available funding; and required pre-design and pre-construction approvals.
Cost Estimates: Preliminary cost estimates were developed by the project consultant in order to determine the overall financial impact of implementation. Cost estimates were developed by project and included design, construction and operating and maintenance costs. These general cost estimates will be refined prior to submitting specific projects for consideration for City Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding.
Funding Strategies: A detailed analysis of funding sources and revenue projections was -
conducted by the project's economic consultant - Economic Planning Systems. A summary of this analysis is included as the last chapter of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and proposes the following strategy:
ongoing commitment of General Fund revenues for open space and parks CIP projects, including operations and maintenance;
ongoing commitment of the Parks and Recreation dwelling unit tax and the Office Development Housing and Parks Project mitigation fees; commitment of available Beach Funds for new beach parks and related beach projects;
commitment of tax increment funds, starting in Phase I of the implementation program, for park acquisition and development projects within the Redevelopment Area;
contributions from the Civic Development Fund for enhanced or expanded parks and facilities within the Civic Center;
18 that Airport master planning issues can be resolved.
Planning Commission: On May 7, 1997, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the recommendations in the study and also requested that the following comments be transmitted to the City Council: that Sunset Park neighbors' issues related to the expansion of Clover Park be examined, that bikeways and pathways be further refined including looking at the feasibility of a loop around the Airport to Clover Park.
Recreation and Parks Commission: On May 22, 1997, the Recreation and Parks Commission unanimously approved the recommendations in the study, and they also recommended that a strategy be included in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to assess the feasibility of the expansion of Clover Park into the northwestern portion of the Airport as long as any expansion does not compromise the proposed recreational uses as recommended in the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study.
BUDGET AND FINANCIAL IMPACTS
An implementation program for proposed open space and parks strategies was developed including determining the appropriate phasing for specified projects, developing preliminary cost estimates, and identifying the range of funding sources to support them.
Phasing: The twenty-year time period for the Master Plan was divided into four five-year phases. Each specified capital improvement project was evaluated based on the following 17 Attachment 2 of this document further details specific recommendations and corresponding staff responses to the three documents under review. The City Council will be asked to incorporate changes to the documents as noted in the attachment on June 24, 1997.
Draft Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan On April 9, 1997, the Planning Commission and Recreation and Parks Commission met jointly to review and act upon the Draft Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Each Commission unanimously approved the draft documents with a number of changes and additions as noted in Attachment 2 and recommended transmittal to the City Council for conceptual approval. In addition, the Sports Advisory Council of the Recreation and Parks Commission voted to approve the Parks and Recreation Master Plan at its May 7, 1997 meeting. The Commission on Older Americans endorsed the Parks and Recreation Master Plan on May 21, 1997 with changes as noted in the attachment. - The Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
The Airport, Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions reviewed and acted upon the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study as follows:
Airport Commission: On May 12, 1997 the Airport Commission recommended:
The use of the non-aviation land for parks purposes;
non-aviation land uses being limited to that shown in the Phase I development area, and the area south of Airport Avenue bounded by Santa Monica Community College on the west and Bundy Avenue on the east; and all other Airport land be reserved for aviation use for the purpose of compliance with the 1984 Settlement Agreement and resolution of other aviation uses and neighborhood issues.
The Airport Commission's major concern is the need to maintain flexibility at the Airport so 16 This study analyzes one of several opportunity sites identified for parkland expansion in the Draft Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Currently these draft documents describe the range of possible open space uses for the non-aviation lands at the Airport. The timing for review and approval of the Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study allows for integration of the final concept plan into these documents.
Community Impact
The combined community impact of implementing these documents includes:
An increase of approximately 50 acres of parkland through creative use of public spaces and through parkland acquisition;
5.3 acres of new gardens, greens and habitats including new community gardens;
Increased neighborhood and community gathering places totaling 2 acres. 10 miles of enhanced medians and parkways and 3 miles of pathways to create a system of "green streets" linked to the city's parks and open spaces; An enhanced community forest including 3 miles of freeway forest and planting of 7,000 new trees;
Enhanced recreational facilities including expanded aquatics facilities for recreation, instruction and competition, access to an additional 15 acres of play fields, dedicated skating facilities, improved tennis and basketball courts and expanded community centers for general and specialized recreation; Expanded recreation programs that foster a "climate of inclusion" and target the special interests of Santa Monicans of all ages;
Expanded park-based cultural events targeting small-scale events that promote family and neighborhood interaction.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
The following section summarizes the recommendations from City Commissions. 15 tie down of 550 based aircraft and 40 transient aircraft; o The City will provide sufficient space for three "full service" fixed based operators; and
The City will provide sufficient space for the location and operation of limited or specialized fixed based operators.
The recommended concept plan includes sufficient space for aircraft parking by maintaining a portion of the mid-level tie down area within the study area for aircraft parking, relocating a portion of the aircraft parking from the east side of the Santa Monica Air Center to the west side, and relocating the aircraft maintenance run-up area to an enclosure just north of the existing Parks Maintenance hangar.
The study recommends that implementation of this project be phased once funding sources have been identified. The first phase improvements would displace the existing surface automobile dealership parking. It would include the Airport Avenue walking/jogging path and pedestrian improvements including street trees and lighting, two-thirds of the play field area and associated amenities, the off-leash dog area, temporary parking areas adjacent to play fields and temporary parking for the Santa Monica College Shuttle.
Subsequent phases of the project would include the relocation of Donald Douglas Loop South with enhanced access to the Airport Administration Building, installation of the remaining play fields and amenities, shared parking areas and improvements including landscaping, relocated parking and possible infill buildings on the south side of Airport Avenue. An environmental analysis for this project would be undertaken concurrently with future architectural design of the project.
14 The recommended concept plan for the non-aviation land builds upon the existing unique character of the Airport and provides a mix of uses including aviation uses, recreational and arts facilities, and design and related professional studios. Recreational activities are proposed for the area immediately north of Airport Avenue and include: three athletic play fields with lawn areas, playground equipment and restrooms, an off-leash dog. area, a walking/jogging path along Airport Avenue and possible bicycle loops around the fields.
The existing buildings south of Airport Avenue will remain with the possible addition of new landscaping/gardens and the relocation of parking to the back of the buildings. The plan includes the possibility of adding several infill buildings to the south side of Airport Avenue for additional artist/design studios, a dance space or cultural center and/or facilities for City. administrative and maintenance functions.
The proposed plan includes the relocation of Donald Douglas Loop South 350 feet to the west in order to place the play fields together. Vehicle parking, totaling approximately 470 spaces, is proposed to accommodate Airport, recreational, and temporary Santa Monica College Shuttle uses.
The proposed plan does not preclude the Airport's ability to conform with requirements set forth in the 1984 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Settlement Agreement. The study follows the specific "performance standards" as defined in the 1984 Agreement in determining how much land would be required for Airport operations:
The City will provide and maintain sufficient space to permit the parking or 13 Provide opportunities for seniors to obtain leadership roles within the community - including volunteer and community service and employment programs.
Community Access
Improve communication between the City and the public in order to provide notification of all City and other community recreation program offerings to the widest audience possible -- including a range of community outreach and public information strategies.
Ensure accessible and responsive community programs, classes and events - by promoting and expanding scholarships and fostering a "climate of inclusion" to increase participation of Santa Monica's culturally diverse population and employing a multi-disciplinary and interdepartmental approach in developing new programs and events.
The Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
As directed by the City Council in June of 1996, the feasibility study (see Attachment 1) assesses using land in the southern portion of the Santa Monica Municipal Airport for -
recreational and other community uses. The background analysis discusses the open space planning context and the relationship of this study to the City's comprehensive open space planning effort. The study describes existing uses in the study area and explored five land use alternatives. After a series of public meetings and workshops and review by City Commissions, a recommended concept plan emerged that provided the following major elements: pathways, pedestrian improvements, play fields, off-leash dog area, unstructured open space, building uses, parking, traffic and transit. A phasing plan and capital cost estimates were also developed.
12 Community Programs
Provide a diverse range of community programs - including community classes, nature programs and cultural offerings, especially targeting small- scale, intimate cultural events throughout the year at City parks and open space areas.
Programs for Children, Teens and Families
Ensure that every Santa Monica child has a support network enabling them to become a contributing and responsible member of the community - through academic support and mentoring programs.
Ensure that Santa Monica families have a variety of program options to help them prepare children for later social and educational experiences -- through quality early child development programs and innovative programs for children and their families at City parks.
Ensure that youth in Santa Monica learn life-enhancing skills to equip them to make responsible recreation and leisure time choices for the rest of their lives -- targeting new programs for youth ages 11-14 and 14-18.
Coordinate programs on an ongoing basis that will improve outcomes for people and their families - through a range of youth leadership opportunities and social programs.
Programming for Persons with Disabilities
Ensure that individuals with disabilities are integrated into all City-supported programs based on reasonable accommodation needs - through the development of interdepartmental planning teams, staff training, and volunteer buddy programs to ensure inclusion.
Provide targeted programs for various disability populations -- emphasizing the involvement of participants and their families in program development.
Senior Programs
Coordinate and expand programs to promote the physical, social, cultural and mental well being and independence of seniors - through a range of programs that emphasize nutrition, physical and mental well-being, recreational opportunities, continuing education and assistance with key life transitions.
11 and/or new facilities for aquatics, children's play areas, field sports, skating, court games and off-leash dog areas.
Enliven Parks and Open Spaces with Cultural Facilities and Community Centers - by promoting open air performance spaces and renovation and expansion of cultural facilities in park settings.
• Gardens, Greens and Habitats
Realize the Full Potential of Nonpark Open Spaces to Support Gardens and Greens - through increased access to public spaces that have scenic and aesthetic value, expansion of community gardens, and integration of publicly accessible greens into the design of renovated or new public facilities fronting city streets.
Celebrate the Natural Environment - through establishing demonstration gardens and habitats.
Public Gathering Places
Create New Neighborhood Gathering Places - through creative design of parks and public places to promote neighborhood gatherings and events. • Green Streets, Pathways and the Community Forest
Develop a Comprehensive System of Green Streets and Recreational Pathways - through developing pedestrian friendly streets and bridges as well as recreational pathways for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating.
Enhance Santa Monica's Community Forest - by implementing an aggressive tree planting program on city streets, freeway embankments and public open spaces, coupled with a comprehensive Community Forest Management Program.
RECREATION PROGRAM STRATEGIES
Community Sports
Ensure that all Santa Monica residents - young and old - have an opportunity to participate in a continuum of noncompetitive and competitive activities that will enhance valuable leisure time - through a range of sports and fitness programs including walking and aquatics as well as field, court and beach sports.
10 implementation and a number of appendices including a parks and recreation program inventory, community demographics, recreational trends and priorities.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan celebrates Santa Monica's strong recreational identity, historically tied to the community's extraordinary natural setting and mild climate.
Santa Monicans walk, bike, skate, participate in cultural events, experience nature, and engage in a wide range of active sports throughout the year. As stated in the Master Plan:
"In the most fundamental sense, recreation within a town like Santa Monica has to do with establishing ties between people and building a sense of community by creating opportunities for physical, social and cultural interaction." Correspondingly, the strategies outlined in this document are based on the premise that Santa Monica residents and visitors see the entire City as their park system -- where users enjoy the community's renowned public gathering places, its streets, the beach and parks to pursue their recreational activities of choice.
Key strategies include:
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE STRATEGIES
Parks and Recreation Facilities
• Expand the Community Park System - through creative use of public lands and targeted parkland acquisition and development.
Reinvest in Existing Parks - through increased maintenance and security, park revitalization projects and park redefinition and master planning.
Improve and Expand Sports and Recreation Facilities - including improved 9 Objective 2: Expand the open space system through use of public properties.
Objective 3: Establish a system of linked central parks.
Objective 4: Establish a citywide system of pathways and linear open spaces.
Objective 5: Establish stronger connections to regional open spaces.
Objective 6: Reinforce the underlying physiographic structure of the City.
Objective 7: Clarify City form and structure.
Objective 8: Heighten the sense of nature in the City.
Objective 9: Increase the accessibility of open space.
Objective 10: Incorporate art and cultural events in public places.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan
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The Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan sets forth specific strategies to implement the objectives and policies contained in the Open Space Element. Following an introduction and a description of the recreational themes, trends and community preferences that form the basis for the document, the strategies are broken into two major sections: (1) parks and open space strategies and (2) recreation program strategies. The parks and open space strategies address: parks and recreation facilities; gardens, greens and habitats; public gathering places; and green streets, pathways and the community forest.
Recreation program strategies address: community sports; community programs; children, teen and family programs; programs for persons with disabilities; senior programs; and . community access. The Master Plan also presents an overview on financing and 8 Streets as Public Open Space
Building upon the community's interest in walking, bicycling and skating, the Open Space Element and the Master Plan recommend that specific attention be paid to the city streets to reexamine their role and function and, where feasible, transform them to create a better balance between the space reserved for vehicles and space reclaimed for pedestrians, bicyclists and skaters. This would be accomplished by "greening" the streets to create linear open space. This will also result in a significant expansion of the City's community forest and support Sustainable City practices.
Recapturing the Beach
The Open Space Element identifies the Santa Monica Beach as an important asset and defining feature of the community. Strengthening the connections from the City to the beach and utilizing portions of the beach, particularly north of the Santa Monica Pier, for parkland expansion will help further tie the beach to the City.
Reclaiming Lost Space
The fragmented blocks adjacent to the Santa Monica Freeway and the freeway embankments themselves have been identified as "lost space" which should be reclaimed for enhanced open space. Lost space also includes public land with unrealized open space potential such as the land not required for aviation use at the Santa Monica Airport. By redefining these spaces through landscaping and/or the development of new parks the City will increase its open space resources.
Restoring Nature in the City
The importance of Santa Monica's topography and location between the ocean and the mountains is embodied in this concept. Capturing, restoring or reinterpreting nature is encouraged through the creation of specialized gardens, restoring natural watercourse, emphasizing the city's upland slopes, and nurturing and expanding the community forest.
These themes are translated into the ten broad open space objectives that are accompanied by a range of detailed policies to guide implementation efforts. The objectives are:
Objective 1: Develop and maintain a diversified and balanced system of high-quality open space.
7 Open space for the preservation of natural resources
Open space used for the managed production of resources Open space for outdoor recreation
Open space for public health and safety
The Draft Element is organized into five sections: A summary of objectives and policies; an introduction summarizing the results of the public participation process, an explanation of the relationship between the Element, State law and other City planning documents; an overview of open space in Santa Monica; a discussion of open space concepts; identification of objectives and policies; and approaches to implementation.
There are seven broad concepts which provide the basis for the objectives and policies in the Draft Element and the proposals in the two companion implementation documents.
These concepts were developed in direct response to community needs and the unique characteristics of the Santa Monica community as identified during the community outreach - effort. They include:
A Seam of Central Open Spaces
Recognizing the significant amount of public resources and land in the center of the City including the freeway corridor, emphasis is placed on this area for maximizing the potential of the existing spaces (Stewart Street Park; Memorial Park, the Civic Center) and promoting the expansion of open space within this area to form linkages from the eastern end of the City to the beach.
The School as Park
Schools are identified as an important open space resource in the community.
Expansion of their role to create a weli-distributed system of school parks that are accessible to the neighborhoods in which they are located is a major focus of the documents. Conversion of paved surfaces to play fields and green areas and improvement of school entry areas for public gathering places is suggested as a way to expand open space resources in the community.
June 10, 1997 City Council Public Hearing
June 24, 1997 City Council Conceptual Approval
June-October 1997 Discussions with and Review by Governmental Entities June - October 1997 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation for the Open Space Element / Parks and Recreation Master Plan
November 1997 Commissions' Review of Final Open Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Recommendations
Forwarded to City Council
December 1997 City Council Public Hearings and Approval of Final Open Space Element and Final Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Final EIR
Noticing
The Draft Open Space Element and Draft Park and Recreation Master Plan were made available for public review on March 10 and March 13, 1997 respectively. The Non- Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study was made available on May 2, 1997. The availability of the documents and the public review schedule was noticed by two mailings to over 2,000 individuals and organizations on the City's open space mailing list. Display ads, published in the Outlook on May 27 and June 6, 1997, invited residents to participate in the Council meetings scheduled for June 10 and June 24, 1997.
DISCUSSION
The Open Space Element
The Draft Open Space Element sets forth a plan for the protection and enhancement of open space resources and uses in the City of Santa Monica. State planning law defines "open space" as any area of land or water which is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use and which is designated on a local, regional or state open space plan as any of the following:
5 Project consultants and City staff worked closely with two key partners in implementing open space strategies-- the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and Santa Monica College (SMC). In addition to ongoing meetings with District and College staff and consultants, presentations were given to the SMUSD Athletic Advisory Committee, the SMMUSD Board of Education and the President's Task Force on Athletics at SMC.
Conceptual approval by the City Council will serve as direction to City staff to initiate formal planning and review activities with partner governmental agencies including SMUSD, SMC, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, City of Los Angeles, State Recreation and Parks Commission, the California Coastal Commission and other local, state and Federal agencies. The purpose of these activities will be to further assess interest in the proposed partnerships and to outline the steps that would be necessary to ensure full involvement of staff, elected officials and their constituencies in decision-making.
Review Schedule
The schedule for review and final approval of the Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study is as follows:
March-May 1997 Commission Study Sessions
April 9, 1997 Joint Planning Commission/Recreation and Parks Commission Public Hearing and Action on the Draft Open Space Element and Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan
May 1997 Public Input, Review and Action by Airport Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission
regarding Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
4 This effort involved over 3,000 community members and resulted in a status report entitled Community Voices as well as community input summaries in the attached documents.
Approximately 30 update meetings, community presentations and focus groups were held during the second phase of the project to ensure continued involvement by community groups.
City Commissions also played a key role in the planning process to date. The Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions held three joint public hearings to receive community input and to formulate and refine the emerging themes and strategies. These included a February 1996 public hearing to review community needs and priorities, a June 1996 hearing to review the "Open Space Conceptual Framework" which outlined emerging themes, and an April 1997 hearing to receive public comment and act on the draft documents. The Recreation and Parks Commission held separate study sessions on specialized recreation program areas. The Airport Commission received updates and discussed the Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study six times during its development.
The Airport, Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions separately reviewed and took action on this study in May 1997. The Arts Commission, Commission on Older Americans, and the Environmental Task Force focused their review on specific strategies and proposals in their areas of jurisdiction and interest. Commission recommendations are discussed later in this report. In January 1997, the project consultant, Roma Design, presented emerging concepts to the City Council in a study session. 3 involved the development of major open space objectives and policies and the corresponding implementation strategies -- culminating in two draft documents: The Draft Open Space Element which updates the City's current Open Space Element, adopted by the City Council in 1973; and the Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, representing the City's first comprehensive strategic plan for the improvement of the City's community parks and recreation system. The Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study, commissioned by the Council in June of 1996, analyzes the south portion of the Airport as a potential site for open space improvements and parkland expansion - one of several identified in the Draft Open Space Element. The interrelationship of these documents pointed to the need for a coordinated process grounded in public input and review - first the assessment of community needs and preferences and then the ongoing involvement of the broadest range of community members in the formulation of the strategies outlined -
in the documents.
The Community Outreach and Review
The project's community outreach program included:
a statistically valid random telephone survey of 685 Santa Monica residents regarding park and open space use and priorities,
surveys of park users in all City parks,
five community open houses and workshops attended by over 400 participants,
kits used by 11 community and neighborhood groups to conduct their own workshops,
high school forums and questionnaires conducted by SAMOHI planning interns involving approximately 1,500 students, and
elementary and middle school classroom activities involving approximately 600 students.
2 9 A
• CCS:PCD:RM:BJS:fccslsharelcc.ose JUN 1O 1997
City Council Meeting: June 10, 1997
JUL 1 - 1997
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Conduct a Public Hearing and Discuss the Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Airport Non- Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study in Preparation for Conceptual Approval of Docurnents by the City Council on June 24, 1997.
INTRODUCTION
This report provides background on the Draft Open Space Element, the Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Airport Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study and recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing and Council discussion on the documents in preparation for approval in concept on June 24, 1997. Conceptual approval will provide formal direction to City staff to work closely with other public entities and community organizations to refine these concepts and to conduct the necessary environmental review for final approval in December of 1997.
BACKGROUND
The attached draft documents represent the culmination of an 18-month planning effort that was first initiated by the City Council in June of 1995. The first phase of the project involved inventorying the City's open spaces, parks and recreation facilities, assessing community needs and priorities and developing emerging themes. The second phase 1 1997
JUL 1 - go
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
Non-Aviation Land Use
Feasibility Study
Seen Sue sar
DRAFT • APRIL 1997
Attachment 1
Table of Contents
1. Introduction...
2. Background Analysis... ....1
3. Preliminary Objectives and Potential Uses..... .... 4
4. Alternatives..... ....5
5. Recommendations ... 9
Appendix I. Community Comments at Background Analysis Workshop, November 24, 1996.. . 16 -
Appendix II. Community Suggestions at Alternatives Workshop, January 25, 199... 17 Appendix III. Summary of Written Comments at Recommendations Workshop, March 16, 1997. .. 19 Appendix IV. Topics Discussed at Recommendations Workshop, March 16, 1997 .. . 22 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
I. INTRODUCTION 2. BACKGROUND ANALYSIS
The purpose of this study, which was initiated in Sep- The following planning considerations were ad- tember, 1996, has been to evaluate the potential for dressed as the first step in assessing the feasibility of accommodating recreational facilities and other
aco podating recreatonal and community uses at
community uses on the south side of the Santa
Monica Airport, in the area identified as "residual
• Open space planning context
land" in 1984 (the "study area"). This feasibility study • Airport operations was undertaken in the context of the concurrent • Existing uses and resources on the south side o Citywide open space planning process and consisted the Airport of three phases, each of which included a community
Environmental factors.
workshop:
• Background Analysis
Open Space Planning Context
• Alternatives
As part of the Citywide open space planning proc-
• Recommendations.
ess, residents indicated their preferences for recre
ional activities and additional open space and recrea
Each of these phases is summarized in the following
tional facilities. Facilities that ranked high on their list sections.
include:
• Walking and jogging paths
• Bicycle routes and paths
• Play fields
• Off-leash dog areas
A swim facility
Skateboarding and in-line skating facilities
Children's play areas and unstructured open
green space for picnicking, sitting, and other ac-
tivities.
The Open Space Element/Parks and Recreation Mas-
ter Plan process has evaluated possible opportunity
sites in the city for accommodating additional open
space and recreational facilities. The south side of
the Airport is one of those opportunity sites.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan identifies spe-
cific locations for additional recreational facilities, including the following high-priority facilities:
• Aquatics facilities, including a two-pool facility at Santa Monica College and a recreational pool in
a park setting.
• Skating/skateboarding facilities, including a youth
skating program at rotating sites and use of the
South Beach parking lots for off-season roller
hockey.
• An off-leash dog area that would be relocated
from a temporary location at Pacific Street Park
to a permanent location on the south side of the
Airport.
• Play fields, including conversion of hardscape at
school sites; several potential multi-use lawn ar-
eas between the parking lots and sand on
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
beaches north of the pier which could be used • Sufficient space to park 550 based and 40 or informal sports, children's play kite flying an transient aircraft. icnicking; new field areas at existing parks; and
• Sufficient space for three "full-service" fixed base
on the south side of the Airport. operators (FBOs), each of which must have 0 Greens, gardens and habitats at a range of pub- sufficient space to provide a full range of services licly sites throughout the city. including but not limited to aircraft and avionics (aviation electronics) sales; maintenance, service
The following summarizes potential open space ex- and repair, flight school and training; and charter pansion identified by the Parks and Recreation Mas- and air taxi service. ter Plan in the context of existing open space in the
City: Sufficient space for limited or specialized FBOs
such as avionics or propeller maintenance, repair
or installation. Bill's Air Service and Santa
Monica Aviation are examples of specialized
City wide Open Space Acres FBOs.
Parks
Existing 112.7' According to the 1984 agreement, land not required Proposed 31.1-57.32 for airport operations may be used for non-aviation Total 143.8-170.0 purposes. Revenues from non-aviation land uses must be used first to support airport operations.
Gardens Greens and Habitat
Existing 33.8 As part of this feasibility study, Shutt Moen Proposed 5.3 Associates, aviation engineers, evaluated the Total 39.1 Airport's current capacity for aircraft parking. That Public Gathering Places evaluation determined that the required aircraft Existing i0.9 parking can be accommodated if a portion of the mid-level tie-down area and the area around the
Proposed
Total Santa Monica Air Center remain in use as aircraft parking areas. Those areas are shown as aircraft
parking in the recommended concept in Section 5 of
Green Streets, Pathways,
this report.
and Community Forest
Existing 8.2 miles
28,700 trees
Proposed 13.0 miles Existing Uses in the Study Area
7,000 trees
Total 21.2 miles There are currently about 130,000 square feet of 35,000 trees building space in the study area. Buildings on the Includes proposed beach parks (6 acres). south side of Airport Avenue are owned by the City " Includes a range of 1 to 25 acres for the south side and leased to individual tenants. Over time the City has gradually shifted uses on the south side of
of the Airport, representing the five alternatives.
Airport Avenue from industrial uses, like welding and
manufacturing that could impact adjacent residents,
to lower-impact uses including artists, designers, film Airport Operations production, general office and light industrial/storage space.
The 1984 Agreement as it Relates to
this Study. In 1984 the City and the Federal The Santa Monica Air Center, located north of Aviation Administration (FAA) signed an agreement Airport Avenue and west of Donald Douglas Loop, which, among other provisions, allows the City to includes aviation-related uses, such as experimental use Airport land which is not required for airport aircraft manufacturing and flight schools; a large operations for non-aviation purposes. Specific
multi-use/event space (the main hangar); and other
"performance standards" were defined for uses similar to those on the south side of Airport determining how much land would be required for Avenue. East of Donald Douglas Loop is the SMC 'airport operations, including the following: shuttle parking lot (310 spaces) and car storage for car dealerships.
2 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
Key resources include the arts and design commu- Air quality. Mestre Greve Associates' prelimi- nity, the Former Airport Administration Building nary assessment is that air quality in the study area is (3200 Building) the Spitfire Grill, and several of the not significantly impacted by either airport opera- converted aircraft hangars. tions or traffic on Bundy Drive, due, in part, to me- teorological conditions, including sea breezes from
Existing uses generate over $l million per year in the west that blow emissions away from the study lease revenues that support the operation, mainte- area. However, as with other environmental factors, nance and capital costs of the Airport. the issue of air quality will be evaluated as part of the environmental analysis.
Environmental Factors Light and Glare. Shutt Moen Associates, avia- tion engineers, indicate that, while play field lighting Potential environmental impacts will be evaluated in adjacent to airports can create problems during foggy detail in the environmental assessment of the rec- or inclement weather, those problems can be effec- ommended concept. The following identifies poten- tively addressed through the use of glare control tial factors that were considered in developing the devices. Glare control devices would also be re- alternatives and recommended concept. quired to reduce impacts on surrounding residents.
On clear nights, the adjacent lighting may be benefi-
Traffic and Access. A detailed traffic analysis cial as it can provide orientation to aircraft ap- will be conducted as part of the environmental as- proaching the airport. sessment of the recommended concept.
The potential impact on surrounding residents by
With respect to access to recreational facilities, be- illuminated play fields located south of Airport Ave- cause the south side of the Airport is relatively iso- nue would be more difficult to mitigate than fields lated from Santa Monica residents, it not well-suited located north of Airport Avenue. Illumination of play to be a neighborhood park to which surrounding fields north of Airport Avenue would be buffered by City residents, in particular children, could walk. both distance and existing and potential infill struc- However, it is suitable for citywide uses, such as play tures south of Airport Avenue. fields or an off-leash dog area, to which users gener-
ally drive. Safety and Security. At general aviation air- ports, the majority of aircraft emergency landings and
Existing public transit service is limited to Santa accidents occur in the landing or take-off zones, Monica Bus Line 14 which stops along Bundy Drive which, at Santa Monica Airport, are east and west of near its intersection with Airport Avenue and the the runway. Emergency landings or accidents directly Santa Monica College Shuttle which stops in several to the side of a runway are infrequent and, when locations along Airport Avenue. they do occur, typically happen late at night during foggy or rainy weather when parks are not in use.
Noise. According to Mestre Greve Associates, No such emergency landings or accidents have oc- noise and air-quality consultants who provide on- curred at the Santa Monica Airport. Nonetheless, going services to the Airport, land-use guidelines for safety is an important concern. In addition, some general aviation airports indicate that active recrea- airport users have expressed a concern that crime tional uses, such as play fields, are more appropriate and vandalism may increase if recreational facilities than passive uses such as picnic areas and tot lots. are located at the Airport, The Airport Administra- tion Building and mid-level tie down provide a buffer
Active recreational facilities, in particular, play fields, between the runway and Airport Avenue-adjacent could impact residents south of the Airport if those parcels which may be beneficial with respect to both fields were located close to those residents. Mestre of the above safety concerns.
Greve's preliminary assessment is that play fields
north of Airport Avenue would not adversely affect
residents to the south, because of both the distance
and the buffer provided by existing uses south of
Airport Avenue.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 3
Hazardous Material Remediation. Exist- 3. PRELIMINARY OBJECTIVES ing documentation provided by the City's Environ- AND POTENTIAL USES mental Programs Division indicates that there is con-
tamination from underground storage tanks in the The background analysis and community input led to study area. Remediation has been initiated. The a series of preliminary objectives:
issue of any hazardous material affecting the study
area and appropriate remediation will be addressed • Respond to community's open space priorities as part of the environmental assessment. Conform to the 1984 FAA Agreement Provide a mix of uses that creates a synergy
among recreation, arts and aviation
Workshop I: Background Analysis/ Preserve key resources and the Airport's unique Walking Tour, November 24, 1996 character
• Be compatible with surrounding residents and
The purpose of the walking tour was to: airport operations. • Familiarize the public with the south side of the
Airport and the issues that the feasibility study The background analysis and community input also will address. identified a series of potential recreational and com- munity uses that appeared to be appropriate for the
• Give participants an opportunity to provide in- south side of the Airport. Given the potential iden- put into the study. tified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for additional recreational facilities at other locations in Over 120 people took part in the workshop, either the City and the characteristics of the Airport's taking the short walking tour or visiting interactive south side, the following were identified as candidate displays at the Airport Administration Building. They uses to be accommodated, if feasible:
provided input at the interactive displays and/or in
specially prepared guidebooks. Three potential per- • A multi-use path through the study area that spectives regarding future use of the study area would link to a larger citywide system • Play fields
emerged from participant responses:
• Off-leash dog area
• Retain existing uses Unstructured open space with enhanced land- • Provide open space and recreational facilities. scaping, including native and other diverse spe- Provide an integrated mix of recreation, aviation cies
and arts/community uses. • Public amenities serving the above uses Specific issues and potential uses identified by the These objectives and potential uses were tested community are summarized in Appendix I. through the development of a series of alternatives and the discussion of those alternatives with com-
munity members.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
4. ALTERNATIVES tanical gardens, would be located south of Airport Avenue, tucked in among the existing buildings. One
The five alternatives included a range of recreational or two existing buildings or new infill buildings might features that potentially could be accommodated on be used for recreational or community activities, the south side of the Airport. Conceptual design such as a multi-use facility, gymnasium or dance facil- schemes were developed and preliminary costs, in- ity. Alternative 3 would cost about four times as cluding land, capital improvements (construction), much as Alternative I. and operation and maintenance, were estimated for
each alternative. Figure I shows the five alterna- Tenants on the south side of Airport Avenue would tives. The five alternatives were presented to com- continue to shift, as they have in recent years, to munity members on January 25, 1997. They were "low-impact" users such as artists, architects, design- also presented to the Planning Commission, Parks ers and small film production companies, thereby and Recreation Commission and Airport Commis- expanding the existing creative emphasis. sion for their review and comments.
Two existing buildings on the north side of Airport
Alternative I consists of a multi-use recreational Avenue would be removed. The four tenants in path that could be used by walkers, joggers and bicy- those buildings would be relocated to a nearby clists. The path would parallel Airport Avenue and building.
Donald Douglas Loop and would tie into the city-
wide pathway system proposed by the Open Space Alternative 4 includes the multi-use path and open Element. It would also wrap around the Airport to space and recreational facilities both north and south connect to Clover Park. of Airport Avenue. Like Alternative 3, the area north of Airport Avenue would accommodate three
Alternative 2 includes the multi-use recreational play fields with surrounding lawns, a walking/jogging path described above and open space and recrea- loop and play equipment; a multi-use paved area; a tional facilities north of Airport Avenue on land cur- small off-leash dog area; and a parking lot north of rently used for vehicle and aircraft parking. Alterna- Airport Avenue. In addition, there would be two tive 2 would include two play fields, a multi-use additional play fields on the eastern half of the area paved area which could be used for skating, basket- south of Airport Avenue where they would be buff- ball or other court sports, events or event parking, a ered from adjacent homes. The play fields on the small off-leash dog area, and space for other open south side would not have lawn area for spectators. space or recreational facilities which might include Existing buildings on the south side of Airport Ave- open green space, a multi-use recreational building or nue could be reused for recreational or community gymnasium. Lawn areas with benches, tables and facilities and pockets of open space could be accom- picnic facilities, a walking/jogging loop, and some play modated around them. Additional parking would be equipment would be located around the play fields. provided south of Airport Avenue to serve the rec- In addition to tenant parking, a large reservoir of reational uses on the south side. Alternative 4 would parking, which could be shared by recreational facili- cost nine to ten times as much as Alternative I and ties, events and, in the short term, the existing Santa would require additional programming and staffing Monica College shuttle program, would be provided. costs which are not included in the preliminary cost Alternative 2 would cost three to four times as much estimate. as Alternative I.
In addition to the four relocated tenants on the
Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2, with the north side of Airport Avenue, several existing build- multi-use path along Airport Avenue and Donald ings and all existing tenants (approximately 53) on Douglas Loop and major open space and recrea- the south side of Airport Avenue would be displaced tional facilities north of Airport Avenue. There to accommodate the additional recreational facilities. would be three play fields with surrounding lawns, a
walking/jogging loop and play equipment; a multi-use Under Alternative 5, uses on publicly owned land paved area; a small off-leash dog area; and a large in other parts of the city, that are compatible with parking lot north of Airport Avenue. In addition, the study area, would be relocated to the study area, some open space and recreational facilities would be so that open space and recreational facilities could be integrated among the existing buildings on the south developed on those sites. The cost of this alterna- side of Airport Avenue. Pockets of open space, tive would include the relocation of existing facilities which might include an airport history park or bo- to the study area as well as the construction, opera- Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 5
tion and maintenance of open space and recreational 5. RECOMMENDATIONS facilities on the other publicly owned sites. Subse-
quent to the development of this alternative, the Based on input from community members at the Parks and Recreation Master Planning process and Alternatives Workshop and from the Commissions, the City Yard Master Planning process have deter- a series of recommendations and a recommended mined that little or no City-owned land is available concept plan illustrating those recommendations for a land trade. At best, I to 2 acres of land adja- were prepared. The recommendations were pre- cent to Stewart Street Park might be available. sented to community members on March 16, 1997.
Based on input at that workshop, the recommenda-
tions and recommended concept plan were refined
Alternatives Workshop, The refined recommendations are described below.
January 25, 997
Key Recommendations
The alternatives were presented to community
members on Saturday, January 25, 1997. During the • Provide a mix of uses that create a vital, inter- first part of the workshop, participants reviewed the related community at the Airport:
background information and proposed alternatives : Aviation uses displays. Each participant either indicated his or her Arts, design and related professions preferred alternative or created a new alternative. • Recreational facilities.
During the last hour all participants took part in a
discussion session with staff and consultants. Preserve and build upon the existing character of the Airport.
Out of the more than 100 people who attended the • Provide a mix of recreational facilities:
workshop, 92 indicated their preference for an alter- • Walking and bicycling paths - a walking path native. One-third preferred Alternative 1, generally that connects to Clover Park and Citywide interpreted as the closest to status quo. Two-thirds paths and an off-street bicycle loop around preferred the alternatives that added play fields and the recreational facilities other recreational facilities (i.e., Alternatives 2, 3, or Play fields 4 or some variation of them). Of those who pre- An off-leash dog area ferred recreational facilities, over 50% preferred Al- Lawns, pockets of unstructured green space ternative 3, which would maintain the arts commu- and botanical gardens nity on the south side, and a little more than one- Indoor facilities, such as dance space or a third preferred Alternative 4. Alternative 5, the pub- cultural center, as funding permits. lic land trade, received no support. Of the total 92
community members, 19 suggested variations to • Possible additional uses on south side of Airport Alternatives | through 4. Most variations and other Avenue may include:
suggestions by community members, which are listed • Additional artist/design studios in Appendix Il, have been incorporated into the rec- • Indoor community facilities, such as dance ommendations. space or a cultural center
• Relocated City Yard administrative uses
(possibly 1-2 acres to permit one new play
field at Stewart Street Park) or the City
Parks Division currently located on the
north side of Airport Avenue.
• To meet the 1984 FAA Agreement's require-
ment that space be provided for 550 permanent
and 40 transient aircraft and to provide other
necessary aviation services:
• Maintain a portion of the mid-level tie-down
area for aircraft parking
Relocate a portion of the aircraft parking
and one tenant an experimental aircraft
manufacturer) from the east side to the
west side of the Santa Monica Air Center
Relocate the maintenance run-up area.
6 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
ENO
a recreational poli
TeN:
Alternative | Multi-Use Pathway on Airport Avenue to 23rd St, and on Donald Douglas Loop Aircraft tlo-down» Shared SMC/evons 2 soccar floldo,
i and renanto relocated parking 1 with sofsball overlay.
Multipurposs paved
Barker Hangar curfaco - skating,
Corob cranbe
parking, orca con
Walkingfoggina
loop around fielde nill recreationai or
and dog park Loff-ioach dog ardo i community facilities recreational pach
i alona Airport Ave
Alternative 2 Recreational Facilities North of Airport Avenue Aircraft tle-downo Multipurposo paved Shared SMC/event*s 3 soccer flolds, ourfnot - skating, parking 2 with coftball overlays,
from east of courts, evante,
Barker Hangar parking, otc.; con-
vartibie to tie-damto
Walkingjjogging
loop around floido
Multi-uar
and dog park
гостолистві рама
along Airport Ave.
Infli recreational/
схралав@ curdaor dinine
of the Spitfire Grill and
: Alrport history park
Alternative 3 Integrated Park/Arts Community
Figure | Alternatives
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 7
Multipurpoce pared 3 doccor flolds,
surfaco -- okating.
courts cunts surrounded by lawn
from anot of
parking, etc; con
Walking/jogging
Multi-uso loop around fields
recreational path
Do Abortse
Recreational or
pommunity facilitleo
12/4
Alternative 4 Maximum Recreational Facilities
SMO
Amrart Ha,daume
from enst of
Off-leach dog area
moreational osth
along Airport Ave.
Facilicles relocated
from Ciby Yard rolocated
Prom chaan
Alternative 5 Public Land Trade
Figure I Alternatives
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
• Provide SMC shuttle parking in the short term Building and both west and east of the Santa Monica with the long-term goal of relocating it away Air Center. from the Airport.
One Santa Monica Air Center tenant will need to be
• Improve transit service to all facilities on the relocated. The Santa Monica Air Center leasehold south side of the Airport and provide bus stop east of the Barker Hangar will be relocated to the amenities. area between the existing leasehold and the hangar currently occupied by the Parks Division, including
building area sufficient in size to accommodate the
Recommendations Workshop, relocated tenant.
March 16, 1997
The existing maintenance run-up area will be reo-
The above recommendations and an illustrative site cated to an enclosure west of its current location. It plan showing how those recommendations could be will be the only run-up area for the Airport and will accommodated on the south side of the Airport accommodate small planes. were presented to the community on Sunday, March
16, 1997. Major new concerns raised at this work-
shop included: Open Space
• A bicycle path along Airport Avenue, intersect- Pathways. A walking/jogging path will parallel ing 23" Street, may be unsafe for small children. Airport Avenue from the southeast parking lot to • A parking lot located across the street from play 23" Street. As currently envisioned, the path will fields may create a safety hazard. consist of a 10-foot wide decomposed granite com- bined walkway/parkway on the south side of the
• Off-leash dog area users should be separated street for most of its length, crossing Airport Ave- from play field users. nue at a safe location yet to be determined. It may be necessary to replace a portion of the existing
concrete covered slope west of the access road to
The Recommended Concept Plan 250| Airport Avenue with a more vertical land- scaped retaining wall to accommodate the pathway.
The recommended concept plan was revised as fol- Between the parking lot in southeast corner of the lows to address the above concerns: site and the 2800 Airport Avenue building (currently • The path along Airport Avenue is proposed for Santa Monica College Applied Design Center), a four-foot wide concrete sidewalk will also be pro-
walking and jogging only. A bicycle path around
vided parallel to and south of the decomposed gran-
the play fields will be provided.
ite path/parkway.
• Parking for the recreational facilities has been
relocated directly adjacent to the play fields, A walking/jogging path will be provided around the eliminating the need to cross the street. play fields. If grade changes and space permit, a bicy- cle path for children will be included.
• A separate route from the parking lot to the off-
leash dog area is provided.
Due to community concerns about its safety for
small children, a bicycle path will not be provided
Figures 2 and 3 are illustrative plans of the rec- along Airport Avenue. Adult cyclists may continue ommendations, including the above refinements. to ride in the roadway along the curb. The street Figure 2 shows Phase I; Figure 3 shows a subsequent cross section, while tight, may be shared by automo- phase which accommodates existing Santa Monica biles and cyclists if traffic moves at a relatively slow College shuttle parking. Figure 4 provides a series speed (less than 30 miles per hour). Buses present a of illustrative sketches of the recommended concept. potential conflict which will be carefully considered in evaluating rerouting of Santa Monica Bus Lines.
Aviation Uses Pedestrian Improvements. Along Airport
Avenue, deciduous trees that will provide shade in
The recommended concept retains aircraft parking the summer and sunlight in the winter will be inter- on a portion of the existing mid-level tie down area planted with existing healthy Carob Trees for an located southeast of the Airport Administration average spacing of 25 to 30 feet. Pedestrian-scale Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 9
lights (on 10 to |4-foot poles) to illuminate the Summary of Recreational/Community pathways will be provided along each side of the Facilities. In summary, the following will be pro- street. The trees and lights will be located along the vided, as illustrated in Figure 3:
curb, in line with existing trees, in decomposed gran-
ite parkways. Tree species will be labeled for educa- Facilities Acres tional purposes. The parkways will be 10 feet wide Pathways 2.2' where they serve as a pedestrian path and six to Play fields/lawns 7.6 eight feet wide, as existing conditions permit, on the Off leash area 1.4 other side of the street. Gateway elements and signs Unstructured open space 2.0 will be provided at each entrance to the Airport. Potential indoor facility 0.5 Dedicated recreational parking 1.8 (160 spaces)
Donald Douglas Loop will be relocated west in an Temporary SMC shuttle park- intermediate phase. As part of that relocation, ing; convertible to other uses 3.2 (310 spaces) streetscape improvements similar to those on Air- Total 18.7 port Avenue will be provided. Approximately 6,500 linear feet.
Play Fields. The recommended concept will pro- Building Uses vide about 7.5 acres of play fields. The programming
of those fields will be determined by the City De- Existing buildings will remain and, in later phases, one partment of Community and Cultural Services in or two infill buildings may be added. Over time ten- consultation with the Recreation and Parks Commis- ants will shift from light industrial and general office sion, Sports Advisory Council and community/user to primarily arts- and community-related uses. In- groups. The Airport play fields could have, for ex- door community facilities, such as a dance facility or ample, two soccer fields and two softball fields as cultural center, may be added. In addition, if a por- shown in the illustrated concept; all soccer; all soft- tion of the existing City Yard (I to 2 acres) is added ball; or both soccer and softball overlays. The field to Stewart Street Park to provide an additional play area is not large enough to accommodate a baseball field, then an equivalent area on the south side of the field. Spectator areas, play equipment for small chil- Airport could be occupied by additional low-impact dren, restrooms, and a concession area will be lo- City facilities, such as administrative offices. cated around the play fields, along with the jog-
ging/bicycle loop described above.
Parking
Off-Leash Dog Area. A I.A-acre off-leash dog
area will be provided at the eastern edge of the study Where possible, tenant parking will be located be- area. If it is located north of Airport Avenue, the hind buildings with open space in front, similar to the mound of uncompacted earth on the site will be existing layout of the 3200 Building. Existing and graded so that the majority of the site will be located new parking areas will be more efficiently laid out. A well below street level (most of the site is currently preliminary parking layout indicates that there will be 20 to 30 feet below street level) to reduce potential as much or more parking for tenants on the south noise impacts on residents east of Bundy Drive. In side of Airport Avenue than there is today. combination with the grade difference, the sound of
traffic on that heavily traveled street will generally Approximately 160 parking spaces on what is now mask sounds from the off-leash area. the mid-level tie down area will be shared by recrea- tional facilities and the Airport on weekdays and used
Unstructured Open Space. Open space that exclusively for recreational facilities on weekends. will not be designated for specific activities and could These spaces are located directly adjacent to the play be used for a variety of passive and active uses will fields, so that play field users do not have to cross a also be provided. Such unstructured open space street to walk from the parking lot to the play fields. includes the following: Stairs and a ramp will provide access down to the play fields from the west end of the parking lot. A
• Lawn around play fields and, in particular, the path from the east end of the parking lot will extend sloping lawn along northern edge;
east along the top of the slope to the off-leash area.
• Pockets of green space with benches, tables, etc.
Users of the off-leash dog area will be directed to
among buildings along path; the east end of the parking lot to minimize the inter- • Botanical gardens with labeled plants. action of dogs with other users. 10 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
Walking/jogging Shared SMC shuttle Recreational facility Playfields with lawn Walking/jogging path along and event parking parking areas, play equipment loop around fields. Off-leash dog area Airport Avenue and restrooms
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
11. Shared SMC shuttlel
event parking
50 Figure 2
150 200
Recommended Concept: Phase 1 Santa Monica Airport
Non-Aviation Land
Feasibility Study
Patricia Smith, ASLA 4/18/97
Walking/jogging Aircraft tie-downs, hangars Shared SMC shuttle Playfields with lawn Recreational facility Walking/jogging path along and tenant relocated from and event parking areas, play equipment parking loop around fields. Off-leash dog area Airport Avenue east of Barker Hangar and restrooms
Relocated Donald Douglas
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study Loop with path
TARAT
Potential infill with Unstructured green Existing buildings remain with Shared SMC shuttlel compatible buildings (typ.) space along path (typ.) landscaped parking behind (typ.) event parking Figure 3
• 150 200
Recommended Concept:
Santa Monica Airport
Integrated Airport/Park/Arts Community Non-Aviation Land Feasibility Study
Patricia Smith, ASLA 4/18/97
Play fields and multi-use loop with sloping lawn in the background Looking east on Donald Douglas Loop
Streetscape improvements, decomposed granite path and sidewalk along the Santa Monica College Applied Design Center.
Looking east on Airport Avenue near 23rd Street Looking west on Airport Avenue with the off-leash dog area and play fields on the right and arts community on the left
Figure 4 Images of Recommended Concept
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 13
Approximately 130 spaces will be provided on the Reconfigured parking on the south side current site of the maintenance run-up area, which U Landscaping of the south side will be relocated west, and another 180 spaces will Possible infill buildings which could be occupied be provided in the southeast corner of the site. The by community facilities or compatible tenants. combined 310 spaces will be used for events in eve-
nings, recreational facilities and events on weekends Post SMC Shuttle Parking Phase. In the and, in the short-term, by the SMC shuttle program. future when SMC shuttle parking is relocated away In the longer term, when SMC shuttle parking is re- from the Airport, the parking lot in the southeast located, additional recreational facilities or infill ten- corner could accommodate either infill tenant space ant space can be located in the southeast corner, as or additional open space. For example, the off-leash described below under Phasing. area with parking to serve it could be relocated to the southeast corner and initial off-leash dog area,
with its irregular topography, could be redeveloped
Traffic and Transit as unstructured open; or it could be excavated and graded to accommodate an additional play field. Fu-
A detailed traffic analysis will be conducted as part of ture use of the parking area northeast of the Santa the environmental assessment of the recommended Monica Air Center is flexible. It could remain as car concept. A preliminary examination indicates that parking for general Airport use, events or recrea- Airport Avenue may need to be widen by a few feet tion, if needed, or it could be placed in aviation use along its approach to Bundy Drive/Centinela Avenue to provide flexibility on other parts of the Airport. to facilitate access to the south side of the Airport.
Estimated Capital Costs
Phasing
Preliminary cost estimates indicate that the capital
The following provides a phasing plan that is depend- cost of the recommended concept will be as follows:
ent upon the availability of funding.
Phase Capital Cost -
Phase I. Phase I would consist of improvements Phase I
that will displace only surface automobile parking and Subsequent Phases will not affect aviation uses or the Parks Division
facility currently located on the south side of the
Airport. It would include the following elements, as Post-SMC Shuttle Parking Phase is not shown. illustrated in Figure 2:
• Airport Avenue walking/jogging path and pedes- Based on current City costs, the annual operation trian improvements including infill street trees and maintenance cost of the recommended concept and pedestrian lighting. would be on the order of $90,000. • Two-thirds of the play field area, with sur-
rounding lawns, restroom facility, children's play
area and amenities.
• The off-leash dog area. Implementation and Financing
• A parking area adjacent to the play fields.
Parking in the southeast corner and on the for- The timing and financing of the recreational elements mer Briles Hangar site as temporary SMC shut- of the recommended concept are being addressed in tle parking. the context of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. ..phase of implementation, which will be financed from
Subsequent Phases. Subsequent phases would
include the following, as illustrated in Figure 3:
source would be a general obligation bond or Com-
• Relocated Donald Douglas Loop with path to munity Facilities District (CFD), either of which will view decks require a two-thirds vote of the public. The timing Remaining play fields with lawns and amenities f improvements will depend upon the approval of Shared parking areas nancing mechanism
Pockets of open space, including botanical gar-
dens, on the south side of Airport Avenue
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 15
APPENDIX I.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS AT BACKGROUND ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
NOVEMBER 24, 1996
Issues
• Ensure continued operation of the Airport and compliance with FAA requirements. • Continue to accommodate existing tenants and community events, including monthly antique/flea market and Barker Hangar events.
• Provide an adequate buffer between recreational uses and adjacent airport-related and residential uses.
Ensure adequate access to and parking for recreational uses and other events. • Prevent recreation-associated noise, light and hours of operation from negatively impacting sur- rounding residential areas or Airport operations.
Ensure a safe and healthy play environment.
0 Provide adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized access to aircraft operation areas, illegal kite flying, etc.
Protect historic buildings and trees.
Note importance of connecting any proposed pathways at the Airport to the City's pathway system.
Plan for eventual relocation of Santa Monica College shuttle parking.
The Airport location is somewhat isolated (being on the edge of Santa Monica and in an area that may serve Los Angeles residents better than Santa Monica residents).
Specific Uses Suggested -
Recreation
• Play fields and green space
Pathways for walking, jogging, bicycling, and skating
Multi-purpose facility for basketball, dance performing arts, etc.
Off-leash dog area
Picnicking and seating areas for airplane viewing
Swimming pool
Other Community Oriented Uses
Artists, creative professions and small business space
Antique/flea market
• Child care facility
• Community use of Barker Hangar
Aviation
• Tie-down spaces
Aviation support facilities
Airport and aviation education/history venues.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
APPENDIX II.
COMMUNITY SUGGESTIONS AT ALTERNATIVES WORKSHOP
JANUARY 25, 1997
Note: responses are shown in italics.
Suggestions Incorporated Into Recommendations
Alternative 1
• Expand the art/design studios.
Provide space for hobbies, e.g., wood- working, art, vehicle storage - existing and infill space can be leased for such uses.
Extend the path to Airport Administration Building and Airport viewing area.
Path is not safe for skating and skateboarding due to the slope and potential conflicts with traffic, bi- cycles and pedestrians.
Alternative 2
• Weave the path through the study area - the path moves through the south side of the Airport as much as possible given the linear nature of the space and the location of play fields, buildings and parking. • Integrate the path with green pockets.
• Maintain artist/design spaces.
Provide drop-off area for play fields.
Keep the Spitfire Grill.
• Permit vendors to serve play fields.
Provide gateway signage.
Alternative 3 -
• Use one building for dance/seniors/community meeting space or provide a single-purpose dance space - community uses such as these would be given priority for leasing existing or infill space south of Air- port Avenue. As an alternative, conmunity groups could join forces with existing or potential commercial ten- ants to share the use of a facility, e.g., a sound stage with a sprung wood floor designed to accommodate dance.
Priority could be given to tenants who make arrangements to share space with community groups or for recrea- tional uses.
• Cultural Center for visual/performing arts.
• Add a fourth play field - once SMC shuttle parking is relocated, this would be possible. • Play fields should be for soccer only, not with softball overlays - this is a programming decision that will be made in the context of the programming of Citywide play fields. 0 Don't overdo south side improvements; rents need to remain affordable. 0 Don't plan artists' community; no "artists' park."
• Keep Barker Hangar and related buildings.
Softball/playground instead of off-leash area - once SMC shuttle parking is relocated this would be possi- ble.
• Weave path through area.
• Open space pockets throughout south side.
• Passive green space with rolling hills instead of soccer fields - the recommended concept provides both.
Alternative 4
• Basketball courts - courts could be provided in an existing or infill building south of Airport Avenue or, when SMC shuttle parking is relocated, in a portion of the parking area northwest of the play fields. • Playground or passive open space instead of off-leash area - once SMC shuttle parking is relocated, this could be provided; however, it would be competing with the demand for additional play fields. • Eliminate SMCC shuttle parking - it is the City's long-term goal to do so. • Reduce required street crossings between recreational facilities/parking.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 17
Alternative 5
• Add a buffer and path north of relocated City Yard facilities • Add a gateway to the Airport
Suggestions Not Incorporated
• Skating and skateboarding - the Recreation and Parks Master Plan proposes programs and facilities for skating, roller hockey and skateboard at other locations throughout the City.
Pool - the Recreation and Parks Master Plan proposes that a competition aquatics facility be located at Santa Monica College and a recreational pool at a more centrally located park. • Football field - there is not sufficient space, nor did the community identify this as a priority in the open space planning process.
• Stadium field for 2,000 spectators with track and field space - there is not enough space for such a facility.
Child care - child care is a not a use that would be provided directly by the City. However, as a community use, space in an existing or infill building could be leased by a child care provider.
Recreation on mid-level tie-down area - a portion of the mid-level tie-down area will be used for parking to serve the play fields; the remainder is needed as a buffer between recreation and active aviation operations and for aircraft parking to meet the 1984 FAA Agreement.
• Walkway around air field - walkers and joggers may proceed from the Airport Avenue pathway to the side- walk on 23" Street and Pier Street to Clover Park, through the business park or along Ocean Park Avenue to Bundy Drive, and back to Airport Avenue. For safety reasons it is not possible to have a walking path east of and at the same elevation as the runway, directly under the runway approach.
Remove SMC Applied Design Center - Santa Monica College has a 10-year lease for the Applied Design Center site with an option to extend it.
• Infill existing buildings on entire site: additional studios/offices/light industry, maintaining archi- tectural character - the recommendation, based on a balance of all community needs and objectives, is to pro- vide an integrated mix of aviation, recreation and arts community uses. 18 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
APPENDIX II.
SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS AT RECOMMENDATIONS WORKSHOP MARCH 16, 1997
Open Space
Path
• Path is dangerous for cyclists because of slope and ingress/egress from buildings. • Bike loop around the play field area is a better idea. • Bike/walking path should circle play fields and connect to Clover Field. North bike path leading into/out of airport.
Are paths wide enough for biking and roller blades?
• Can bike path loop around the Airport?
Connect bike paths to rest of Santa Monica.
• Why is path on the south side of Airport Avenue? The north side has the play fields.
Play Fields
• Provide more recreation facilities at the expense of aviation facilities; double the green areas. • Better to have 3 or 4 soccer fields in one location than some soccer and some softball. • Kids need a place to practice soccer and more open space in general • Play fields should be augmented with practice fields.
Aircraft exhaust is a danger to kids playing sports.
A trade that would add a field next to Stewart St. Park sounds positive.
Trade off with Stewart St. Park is a bad idea.
Off Leash Dog Area
• No dogs.
• Put off leash dog area on the south side of Airport Avenue and add a practice field where it is pro- posed.
• How will you ensure that only Santa Monica residents use the off leash dog area? Unstructured Open Space
• Provide walkways through gardens and make them informative, e.g., xeriscape. • When are the mini-botanical gardens with signs, etc. going in? • Unstructured open space is as important as play fields. • Select biodiverse plants for educational purposes
Other Recreational Uses
• The land for soccer is out of proportion to uses for others. Could buildings house a community art gallery, an active photo center and printmaking studio, e.g., Barnsdall Park and L.A. Photo Center, community center which brings people of mixed ages together as well as work space which supports many rather than a few individuals?
What about 24-hour basketball facility?
• Provide indoor/outdoor dance facility.
General
• Public land should have more areas that serve the public that I see here. • Maximize recreational use for all generations.
• Emphasis park use; not industrial or event arts.
• Park will cause safety hazards around aircraft and might create a haven for gangs with increased crime.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 19
Building Uses
0 Keep facilities that bring in revenue.
Keep the flea market.
Why are the arts a priority?
The Spitfire Grill is not a historical landmark.
Buildings space should serve the entire community rather than a few artists. 0 Land within the Airport boundary is dedicated park land, useful only for aviation or park uses - commercial development (including artists) is not legal.
Parking/Traffic
Provide parking adjacent to play tields so children don't have to cross roads.
Where are turn-outs for drop-off and pick-up?
Ensure adequate parking for businesses, SMC and recreational facilities - they may coincide often.
Auto parking is adequate for non-business use.
Parking can be worked out; also, van/car-pooling and bicycling should be encouraged.
Move SMC shuttle parking from the Airport.
U Provide handicapped parking closer to buildings.
Be sure emergency vehicles can get to all businesses and play fields.
Proposed recreational uses will add traffic to already congested street and area.
SMC cars generate traffic at the Airport.
Airport Avenue should not be a major thoroughfare or cut through.
Widen Airport Avenue to improve auto circulation with pedestrian signals for day use.
Phasing
Better to have more open space than infill buildings on south side of Airport Avenue. • Too much to soon.
Aviation Facilities
• Provide adequate facilities to maintain the Airport as a important and viable asset to the City. Clover Field was a very important World War II air field and should be treasured and continued. • Concerned that this is a subtle attempt to close the Airport by creating safety issues (by mixing planes and kids).
• Preserve the existing character of Airport.
Are play fields the best use of the land?
| Make sure maintenance run up area is kept small enough for single engine use only - no twins or jets.
Provide tie-downs and hangars to comply with the 1984 Agreement Remove SMAC and its tie-downs.
Remove eyesore buildings just east of SMAC.
Move tie-downs to the north; otherwise admit that the tie downs area is aviation land. Mid-level tie- down area could be dog park and dog park could be unstructured open space. • "Non-aviation" land is undetermined by 1984 criteria at this time. Until it is, proposals like this are inappropriate.
• There are not enough hangars to meet demand; add more hangars. Would hate to see more airplanes put out in the elements because of loss of hangar space. 20 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
• How will you educate park users about the airport? Walls do not help; see-through fences and good signage will.
Additional Comments
Support the integrated airport/park/arts community plan; it is a good plan for all concerned. • Review project 2 years after construction to see how it's working.
Oppose any change to the present conditions, especially anything that would affect aviation uses.
This proposal violates the 1984 Agreement.
Be sure 1984 Agreement is followed.
Please resolve airport agreement issues before dealing with any other uses; it is unwise and would prove very costly to constrain the Airport's ability to deal with aviation/ community issues.
Its seems you could achieve most of what you propose without tearing down any existing hangars or aircraft parking areas.
•• The City's poor maintenance shows in photos - pavement and City yard are shabby and neglected; electrical wires are above ground.
• Citizens should get to vote on this proposal.
Comments Not Directly Related to Recommendations
• Reduce aircraft noise.
Clover Park Adjacent
• Put a wide sidewalk on the east side of Clover Street (west of Fire Station #5).
Turn area south of Fire Station #5 and RIR site into green open space with aircraft viewing area.
Consider benches and picnic tables and extended jogging path. • Move aviation uses near Santa Monica residential area in northwest corner (adjacent to Clover Park), possibly to the south side of the Airport.
Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study 21
APPENDIX IV.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT RECOMMENDATIONS WORKSHOP
MARCH 16, 1997
Open Space
Safety of bicycle path due to Airport Avenue slope, 23" Street intersection, and pedestrian and build- ing access/egress conflicts
• Practicality of path tying into other City paths
Alternative bike loop around soccer fields
Clover Park expansion as first priority
Botanical gardens and biodiversity
Flexibility of uses over time
Original acquisition of land as parkland/airport
Impacts on noise sensitive uses
Potential conflicts between tress and planes
• More open space instead of potential infill buildings • Safety issues arising from proximity of open space to runway and mid-level tie-down area Building Use/Phasing
• Adequate space around buildings
• Status of toxics on site
Need for dance facility in first phase
• Maintaining existing architectural character; ability for tenants to customize Parking/Traffic
• Adjacency of parking areas to play fields
Provision of adequate recreational user parking
Access to parking areas
23d Street intersection
Elimination/loss of SMC shuttle parking is subsequent phases Loss of Lear parking
0 Parking for existing users
Widening of Airport Avenue
Emergency vehicle access
Access easement to Lear facility
Fuel truck access
Practicality of bus system at the Airport
Preservation of bus serving Airport
Traffic impacts on surrounding area
Safety of bicycle assess via 23" Street which is heavily trafficked Aviation Facilities
Compliance with 1984 Agreement
Impacts of play field lighting
Tie-down areas
Buffering of adjacent residents
Safety
Maintaining views of airport facilities from path and Airport Avenue Use of the south side of the Airport for industry/ manufacturing as buffer between Airport and resi- dences
Relocation of hangars from east of SMAC
22 Non-Aviation Land Use Feasibility Study
Attachment 2
RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO DRAFT OPEN SPACE ELEMENT, DRAFT PARKS
AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN AND NON-AVIATION LAND STUDY
DRAFT OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
Objective 1. Develop and maintain a diversified and balanced system of high quality open space.
Open Space Flexibility: The Commissions recommend that Objective 1 emphasize keeping the use of public open spaces as flexible as possible including multiple uses.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Off-leash Dog Areas: In response to resident concerns regarding the siting of off-leash dog areas, the Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions ("the Commissions") recommend that a policy be included in the Open Space Element as follows: Any new park activities should be sensitive to adjacencies to all uses, to the maximum extent feasible, and balanced to provide optimal use to the greatest number of people.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. Staff recommends that a policy be added to Objective 1 as follows:
"In determining public uses for new and existing parks and open spaces, consider the impact of those uses on adjacent neighbors and compatibility with other park uses." Public Gathering Places on Commercial Streets: The Commissions recommend that Policy 1.5, "Expand public gathering places within the City," address the use of commercial streets as public gathering spaces and cite development of seating areas in commercial districts as an option to be considered under this policy.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Objective 2. Expand the open space system through use of public properties.
Surplus School Sites: The Commissions recommend that Policy 2.3, "Improve school sites as public open space," be expanded to encourage the City and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to work cooperatively should a school property become available in the future, noting that by State law, the City would get the opportunity to acquire the site prior to any transfer to private interests.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Recommended Changes to Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Non-Aviation Land Study 1 "Woonerfs" and Use of Streets and Alleys for Recreation: The Commissions recommend that Policy 2.4 of the Draft Element, "Encourage open space and recreational use of alleys and street ends," be changed from "encourage" to "develop?.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Use of City Streets for Park Expansion: The Commissions recommend that the Draft Element include an objective that considers the conversion of property adjacent to existing parks which is currently dedicated as street right-of-way for park expansion. Consideration would be addressed as part of the master planning of individual parks.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Objective 3. Establish a system of linked central parks.
Stewart Street Park and Bergamot Station: The Commissions recommend that Policy 3.3, "Provide linkages between Stewart Street Park and Bergamot Station, "include more detail on proposed linkages between these two locations.
Staff Recommendation: Proposed linkages include visual linkages as well as possible physical linkages such as consideration of a pathway between the park and Bergamot Station in any redesign of the City yards. Staff has met with Wayne Blank of Bergamot Station to discuss several physical linkages that could occur and a range of programmatic initiatives to increase community access to cultural resources at the site. Staff recommends that Open Space Element language remain as proposed, given that additional planning and discussion will be needed in order to further define what specific linkages are possible.
Objective 4. Establish a citywide system of pathways and linear open spaces.
Public Pathways: The Commissions recommend an added policy under Objective 4 to emphasize pathways and connections between parks for all age groups.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Objective 5. Establish stronger connections to regional open spaces.
Beach Access: The Commissions recommend that Policy 5.1, "Reconnect the City and the beach," be amended to include "improve pedestrian bridges and public transportation from Palisades Park to the beach."
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Attachment 2 2
415 PCH: The Commissions recommend that a new policy be added under Objective 5 to include additional discussion of this property and the planning process to assess interim and permanent plans for the site.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Objective 6. Reinforce the underlying physiographic structure of the City.
Ridgetop Parks: The Commissions recommend that Policy 6.2, "Emphasize ridgetop parks and open space," be expanded to further explain this policy.
Staff Recommendation: The existing text explains this concept broadly. Master planning of specific parks at a later date would further define site-specific proposals to address this strategy.
Objective 7. . Clarify City form and structure.
No changes were recommended.
Objective 8. Heighten the sense of nature in the City.
Native Plants and Plant Maintenance: The Commissions recommend that Policy 8.3, "Promote - biodiversity in and expand city gardens," include language encouraging the use of native plant species and that a new policy be added to seek to minimize pesticide and chemical use in landscape maintenance.
The Commissions also recommend that the City's Conservation Element address this issue.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Community Gardens: The Commissions recommend that Policy 8.4, "Develop new community gardens," include assessing the feasibility of lease arrangements for community gardens on vacant private property.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Habitats: The Commissions recommend that a new policy be added under Objective 8 that specifically cites the preservation and reclamation of the natural habitats of the City.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Public Gardens: The Commissions recommend that Policy 8.6 be added to read: "Encourage the development of private park conservancy groups that could assist in creating public gardens." Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Recommended Changes to Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Non-Aviation Lend Study 3 Rainwater Percolation and Reduction of Stormwater Runoff: The Commissions recommend that a new policy be added under Objective 8 that encourages measures to increase groundwater percolation and to reduce stormwater runoff.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The continuance and extension of the pilot alternative sidewalk paving program should be included as a policy in the Draft Open Space Element. Additional measures will be considered in formulating policies for the Conservation Element.
Objective 9. Increase the accessibility of' open space.
No changes were recommended.
Objective 10. Incorporate art and cultural events in public places.
Temporary Visual Art: The Commissions recommend that Policy 10.2 of the Draft Element, "Encourage temporary visual art installations in parks and other open spaces" be changed to "Facilitate temporary art.."
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
-
Implementation Approaches
Private Open Space: The Commissions recommend that language be added to the "Implementation Approaches" section of the Draft Element that covers an inventory of private open space (e.g., Development Agreements, the Hospital Area Specific Plan) and encourages working with those institutions to enhance the public use of that open space.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. Language could be included under "public/private initiatives" in the Implementation section.
Private Contributions for Open Space. The Commissions recommend that language be included in the Draft Element that encourages private contributions to expand public open space citywide.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Attachment 2 4
DRAFT PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
Strategy: Expand the Community Park System.
Beach Parks: The Commissions recommend that a demonstration program using stormwater run-off from the proposed treatment plant for the proposed north beach parks be considered to educate the public.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Airport Non-Aviation Land: The Commissions recommend that, if feasible, a path circling the Airport to link the non-aviation land adjacent to Airport Avenue with Clover Park, should be included.
Staff Recommendation: The project consultant looked at this alternative, finding that a dedicated loop around the Airport is not feasible due to use restrictions on aviation land; however, City streets could be used to connect the Airport and the park and would be considered in the proposed Citywide Streetscape Master Plan.
School Parks: The Commissions recommend that language in the Master Plan referring to school parks be changed from "The City and School District should work cooperatively.." to "the City should work cooperatively with the School District."
Staff Recommendation: Concur. Staff also recommends that additional language be added to the Master Plan to clarify the decision-making process required by the School District and Santa Monica College in assessing the strategies proposed for school sites and involving their staff, elected officials, school communities and neighbors in review of the proposals.
Strategy: Reinvest in existing parks.
Redefinition of Parks: The Commissions recommend that a number of existing and proposed parks be given consideration for additional uses and that creative ways should be sought to utilized these areas.
Reference was made to Hotchkiss and Crescent Bay Parks, Staff Recommendation: Crescent Bay Park has been included in the Draft Master Plan for redefinition through cultural arts programming. Staff concurs regarding the addition of Hotchkiss Park.
Strategy: Improve and expand sports and recreation facilities.
Off-leash Dog Areas: The Recreation and Parks Commission recommends that a strategy be added to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicating that "off-leash dog areas should be located in non- residential areas."
Recommended Changes to Draft Open Space Element, Draf Parks and Recreation Muster Plan and Non-Aviation Land Study 5 Staff Recommendation: The current proposals in the draft Master Plan include: retain Joslyn Park as an off-leash dog area, initiate a master plan of Joslyn Park to determine long-term improvements and uses for the park, retain Pacific Street Park off-leash area on an interim basis until the proposed off-leash area at the Airport is available. Staff recommends additional language that acknowledges the community benefit of appropriately sited off-leash dog areas and sets forth provisions to deal with neighborhood impacts including: (1) any new off-leash dog areas established by the City be sited in non- residential areas, (2) regulations governing existing and new off-leash dog areas be sensitive to the needs of adjacent neighbors including the hours of operation and number of dogs allowed, (3) innovative solutions to turf wear and tear be developed, and (4) ongoing onsite monitoring and enforcement of off- leash areas be provided, funded in part by user fees.
Play Field Overlays: The Commissions recommend that the proposed overlays at Los Amigos and Clover Parks be eliminated due to site constraints.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Expanded Facilities: The Commission recommends consideration of several areas for increased recreational use including: south beach areas for play fields, the Civic Center for high school uses during the day, a marina area at the Pier for water sports, and an ice skating rink on non-aviation lands at the Airport.
Staff Recommendation: Given the intense use in the south beach area, only informal recreational activities are recommended. The Civic Center master planning process for park development will consider a wide range of recreational and park uses, including consideration of the relationship to SAMOHI. Construction of facilities for water sports at the Pier is not recommended for inclusion, however, the expansion of programming for beach sports is encouraged in the Program Strategies section of the Master Plan. An ice-skating rink could be one of the infill activities on non-aviation land at the Airport. The recommended concept plan does not preclude that possibility.
Strategy: Realize the full potential of nonpark open spaces to support gardens and greens.
Community Gardens: The Commissions recommend that this strategy be expanded to include investigation of ways to lease vacant parcels for use as gardens.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Strategy: Celebrate the natural environment by establishing demonstration gardens and habitats.
Demonstration Gardens: The Commissions recommend that the new Civic Center park areas be identified as an area for a Sustainable City demonstration.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Attachmen 2 6
Strategy: Develop a comprehensive system of green streets and recreational pathways.
Woonerfs: The Commissions recommend that Master Plan implementation include the development of a process to involve the neighborhoods in the creation of "woonerfs", i.e. mixed-use streets and rights-of-way that include recreation, and that the implementation program for Phase IV include reference to woonerf improvements.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Streetscape Improvements: In addition to the Pico and Downtown Streetscape Projects, the Commissions recommend that Main Street and Montana Avenue be included as proposed projects in the draft documents.
Staff Recommendation: The feasibility of these projects be further evaluated, including consideration of available funding and the extent of community support. Reference to the potential on these streets could be included in the document.
Pedestrian-friendly Streets: The Commissions recommend that the safety and protection of senior citizens while using streets and pathways should be included as a strategy.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that general language be included in this section referring to the need for safe and secure pathways and streets for all Santa Monicans, including seniors.
Pedestrian Bridges: The Commissions recommend that the strategy to improve pedestrian bridges from Palisades Park to the beach be a priority and also include the feasibility of adding an additional pedestrian bridge at the north end of the park.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. Language should also include reference to the necessary coordination with CalTrans.
Strategy: Ensure that recreation providers will have an ongoing mechanism for planning and coordinating sports programs and for sharing physical resources.
Private School Facilities: The Commissions recommend that the Draft Master Plan recognize the opportunities for community use of private school facilities (including Crossroads and Windward Schools).
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Recommended Changes to Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Non-Aviation Land Study Strategy: Provide programs that are directly related to Santa Monica's natural environment.
Nature Programs: The Commissions recommend that Palisades Park and the adjacent bluffs be included as a site for nature programs, including docent tours.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Strategy: Coordinate and expand programs to promote the physical, social, cultural and mental well being and independence of seniors.
Program Development: The Commission on Older Americans recommends that language in the Senior Programs strategy section clarify what proposed programs are already underway versus proposed new programs. The Commission recommends that language be added, where appropriate, referring to sustaining, improving and expanding (existing) programs.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Financing and Implementation:
Master Plan Updates and Evaluation: The Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions recommend that timetables be set for future review of the document, aiding in prioritizing of projects given available funding. The Commission on Older Americans recommend that language be added to ensure that the - Commission be the first to review any future changes to senior programs recommended in the document.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. City staff will propose a schedule of periodic updates to the Master Plan and inclusion of language to ensure that City Commissions will be instrumental in updates, reviews and changes to the Plan.
Conservancy: The Commissions recommend that language promoting park conservancies be added to the Implementation section of the Master Plan.
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
Additional Staff Recommendations:
Clover Park Traffic Circulation: The Commissions recommend assessing traffic ingress and egress from Clover Park onto Ocean Park Boulevard.
Staff Recommendation: This will be considered as part of the Circulation Element update.
Attachment 2 8
NON-AVIATION LAND USE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Recommended Concept Plan: The Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissions approved the recommended concept plan as described in the study. In approving the concept plan, the Planning Commissioners expressed a desire to insure that the open space development of the non-aviation land is linked to and integrated with the rest of the community. They identified the importance of leaving room for bicycles to traverse on Airport Avenue in a safe manner, that a pedestrian/bicycle loop be provided around the Airport to Clover Park and that the feasibility of including a pedestrian bridge over the intersection of Walgrove and 23rd Street be investigated as a way to connect the pedestrian path planned for Airport Avenue with the pathway identified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Dewey Street. They also suggested that skateboarding be considered as a possible use for the site. In addition to approval of the current plan for the non-aviation land, the Recreation and Parks Commission recommends that a strategy be included in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to assess the feasibility of extending Clover Park into the north-western section of the Airport as long as recommended recreational uses included in the concept plan are not compromised. The Planning Commission requested that Council consider neighbors' issues related to this proposal.
The Airport Commission recommended: the use of the non-aviation land for parks purposes; non- aviation land uses being limited to that shown in the Phase 1 development area in the recommended concept plan, and the area south of Airport Avenue bounded by Santa Monica community College on the west and Bundy Avenue on the east; and all other Airport land be reserved for aviation use for the purpose of compliance with the 1984 Settlement Agreement and resolution of other aviation uses and neighborhood issues. The Airport Commission considers the extension of Clover Park a significant issue and recommends flexibility in the non-aviation land use concept to address this.
Staff Recommendation: Staff and project consultants have evaluated the feasibility of the extension of Clover Park and have determined that extension into the Airport would impact the proposed recreational uses on non-aviation land, specifically the reduction of ballfield acreage. In reviewing this proposal in the context of the objectives and strategies proposed in the draft Element and draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the increase in active recreational space on non-aviation lands continues to be a priority with more unstructured open space sited elsewhere in the City. Consideration could be given to a visual landscaped buffer between the adjacent neighbors and the current uses on the northwest corner of the Airport in response to concerns. Therefore, staff recommends that approval of the recommended concept plan for non-aviation lands as submitted.
Recommended Changes to Draft Open Space Element, Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Non-Aviation Land Study 9
Capital Improvement Program
Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Master Plan
Total Cost Phase:
Funding Source/Phase •Estlmate (1) Phase T Phase II" Phase III Phase IV Total Acquisition
Acquire new park land $16.335,000 $4,083,750 $4,093,750 $4,083,750 $4,083,750 $16,335,000 Improve new parks for recreation purposes (2) $3,267,000- $1,089,000 $1,089,000 $1,089,000 $3,267,000 Facility sharing
Madison School Linear Park $0 $0 $0
Municipal Pool Replacement Project $3,950,000 $3,950,000 Convert school paved areas
School #1 $1,050,000 $1,050,000
School #2 $1,050,000 $1,050,000 $0
School #3 $1,050,000 $0 $1,050,000
School #4 $1,050,000 $1,050,000
School #5 $1,050,000 $1,050,000
Improve N.W. corner of Adams J.M.S campus $210,680 $210,680 $210,680 Expanded Recreational Use of Public Faclities & Land
Beach Park #1 $2.811,600 $2,811,600 $0
Beach Park #2 $2,811,600 $0 $2,811,600
Nonaviation path/streetscape $2,730,697 $2,730,697 $0
Nonavialion area park land $10,960.022 $10,960,022 Santa Monica Parks and Recreation Master Plan Capital Improvement Program Virginia Ave. Park Expansion $1,850,000 $1,850,000 51,8 Mt. Olivette Open Space $268,490 $268,490 $268,490
Woodlawn Cemetery Improvements $332,640 $332,640 $332,640 MTA Corridor Improvements •$633,600 $158,400 $158,400 $158,400 $633,600 Park-based recreational aquatics facility $4;305,600 $0 $4,305,600 $4,305,600 Stewart Street Park Expansion $1,129,490 $0 $0 $1,129,490 $1,129,490 Civic Center Parks from Specilic Plan and Childrens Play Area $10,365,500 $10,365,500 $0 $10,365,500 Pathway Improvements
Campus Promenade $1,544,740 $1,544,740 $1,544,740
Pearl St. Median (Lincoln to 16th) $870,150 $870,150 $870,150 North-South Corridor $681,840 $0 $691,840 $681,840
East-West Corridor $2,795,070 $0 $2,795,070 $2,795,070
Olympic Bivd. median improvement $590,000 $590,000 $590,000 Sidewalk/parkway widening • $2,933,500 $733,375 $733,375 $733,375 $733,375 $2,933,500 Freeway Pedestrian Bridge Improvements $367,080 $0 $367,080 $367,080 Freeway Pedestrian Bridge Improvements $408,860 $408,860 $408,860 Freeway Pedestrian Bridge Improvements $400,860 $0 $100,860 $400,860 Pedestrian bridges over PCH $310,000 $310,000 $0 $310,000 San Vicente Boulevard median improvements $255,610 $0 $0 $255,610 $255,610 So. edge Linear park with pathway $891,000 $0 $891,000 $0 $891,000 New street end medians (south of freeway) $458,080 $0 so $0 $458,080 $458,080 Convert Street Ends (north of freeway) $900,000 $0 $0 $900,000 $900,000 Community Forest Planting Program $3,000,000 $750,000 $750,000 $750,000 $750,000 $3,000,000 Downtown Streetscape Project
Circulation Modifications $568,000 $568,000 $0 $568,000 ATTACHMENI 3 Transit Priority Streets $4,422,260 $4,422,260 $0 $0 $4,422,260 Street lighting, landscaping & furnishings $4,077,930 $2,038,965 $2,038,965 $4,077,930 Street lighting, landscaping & fumishings $7,425,610 $3,712,805 $3,712,805 | $7,425,610 Economic & Planniho Systems, Inc. 3/31/97 HISIASMOMMODELICOSTS XLS Capital Improvement Program
Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Master Plan
Total Cost Phase:
Funding Source/Phase Estimate (1) Phase i Phase II Phase ii Phase IV Pico Streetscape $3,670,461 $3,670,461 $3,670,461
Beach Trail Project $1,900,000 $1,900,000 $1,900,000
$7,668,100 $7,668,100 $7,668,100
$100,000 $100,000 $100,000
Additional bal reds at clover Pai $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $350,000 $350,000 $350,000
Aditional bal told at As An idle School $350,000 $350,000 $350,000 $350,000 $350,000 88888888888 $350,000
Pacitic St. Park improvements $352,700 $352,700
Marine Park riparian wash project $264,000 152000
Miles Playhouse Renovation (Lincoln Park) $1,233,147 $1.233,180 South Beach roller hockey $50,000 $50,000 $50,000
Youth Skating Cours $22,000 $22,000 $22,000
$80,000 $80,000 $80,000
New Tennis Courts $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
Now Volleyball Courts $60,000 $60,000 $0 $60,000
Park play equipment replacement $1,100,000 $1,100,000 $O $0 $1,100,000 Marine Park ballfield lighting $210,000 $210,000 $0 $210,000 Park Facility Maintenance and Accessibility Project $5,954,571 $1,488,643 $1,488,643 $1,488,643 $5,954,571 Expansion of community centers 53,000,000 $1,500,000 $3,000,000 Basketball Court Replacement $449,000 $449,000 $449,000 Park restroom and concession replacement project $1,760,000 $1,760,000 $1,760,000 Douglas Park Improvements $610,000 $610,000 $610,000
Beach Maintenance Project $438,779 $109,695 $109,695 $109,695 $438,779 Joslyn Park Improvements $300,000 $300,000
Lincoln Parate in Improvements $1,500,000 $O $1,500,000 $903,000 $0 $903,000
Palisades Blull Stabilization $5,800,000 $5,800,000
23rd Street Nature Garden $65,000 $65,000 $O $65,000
Gymnasium $2,850,000 $2,850,000
Master Plans
Citywide Streetscape Master Plan $350,000 $350,000 $0 $350,000 Civic Center Master Plan $200,000 $200,000 $0 $0 $200,000 Joslyn Park Master Plan $50,000 $50,000 $0 $50,000
Memorial Park Master Plan $75,000 $75,000 $0 $0 $75,000 Civic Auditorium Landscape Plan $40,000 $40,000 $0 $0 $40,000 TOTAL $142,588,267 $65,174,750 $42,180,013 $25,462,563 $9,770,943 $142,588,267 (1) Costs include conditons and bonds @ 10%; contractor overhead and profit @ 10%; and architect fees @ 10% ( aquatic facites and SOMALI parking structure incude 15% lee for VE).
Costs excude engineering costs and fees (except for aqualle ladilles and parking structure); (chll, structural, mechanical and electrical); ulties; and hazardous malerials removat.
Other excluded costs: moblization, salvage, or relocation; water meter and water service for all Irrigation and associaled leos and Cly admintstration, staking and testing. (2) While the phasing is not possible to predict and new land will not be acquired in equal amounts, the City will continualy set aside funds for future land acquisiton.
Source: City of Sanla Monica Cornmunity and Cultural Services Administration; City of Santa Monica 1997-2000 Captal Profect Proposals: ROMA Design Group; Econorik und Planning Systems, Ic Economic & Planning Syslems, Inc. 3/31/97 H 6IAASMOMMODELICOSTS XLS
PROPOSED PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES
ADDRESSED IN FY 1997-98 PROPOSED BUDGET
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES. ENHANCED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
PARKS & OPEN SPACE SERVICES
CURRENT BUDGE FY 97.98 FY 98.99. FY 99-00 TOTAL
Expand the Community Park System.
Develop new recreation facilities within the non- $180,000 Feasibility/ $400,000 $580,000 aviation land at Municipal Airport. Planning
Develop school parks at up to five locations in Feasibility/ $100,000 $100,000 partnership with the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified Planning School District.
Expand Virginia Avenue Park. $1,528,536 $647,736 $2,176,272 Reinvest in Existing Parks - Maintenance and Security.
Implement an ongoing parks facility maintenance and $1,262,091 $769,062 $1,017,591 $3,048,744 Cario paramand recreation facitiest standard of
Replace restrooms and concessions in parks. $107,497 $348,454 $1,528,584 $1,984,535 Enhance park lighting and signage to increase user $438,424 $438,424 safety and access.
Create an ongoing and systematic play equipment
inspection and repair program. See Footnote @
Implement a comprehensive Turf Management $105,600 $184,000 $289,600 Program to ensure a high level of field maintenance See Footnote ® and renovation.
Continue and expand field monitoring and field
scheduling.
ATTACHMENT 4
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES ENHANCED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
PARKS & OPEN SPACE SERVICES
CURRENT BOOGET FY 97-98 FY 98-99 tY 99.00 TOTAL
Reinvest in Existing Parks - Park Revitalization
Implement proposed improvements to Douglas Park. $462,706 $931,255 $1,393,961 Implement the improvements to Palisades Park and $5,009,634 $2,260,000 $760,000 $8,029,634 South Beach (B.I.G.)
Develop a new competitive and instructional pool $415,323 $3,484,677 $3,900,000 complex at the site of the Municipal Pool.
Improve and Expand Sports and Recreation Facilities.
Create children's play areas that emphasize age- $713,400 $713,400 See Footnote 3 appropriate play opportunities and a range of play
experiences.
Add playing fields at new community sites. See Footnote Develop a youth skating program at rotating sites
throughout the community.
Enliven Parks and Open Spaces with Cultural Facilities and Community Centers.
Renovate Miles Playhouse. $742,142 $721,345 $1,463,487
Developion Pathwaysive System of Green Strets and
Make all streets pedestrian friendly. $266,005 $8,244,447 $8,900,000 $17,410,452 confind she Santa Monica Beach Trail to reduce user $300,000 $300,000 Develop and implement an aggressive tree planting
program on City streets and in public open spaces. See Footnote
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES ENHANCED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SERVICES
PARKS & OPEN SPACE
CURRENT BUDGET FY 97.98 FY 98-99 FY 99-00 TOTAL
Develop and implement a comprehensive Community
Forest Management Plan. See Footnote
TOTAL PROPOSED FUNDING - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $11,231,358 $17,890,976 $3,806,175 $8,900,000 $41,828,509 See Footnote
PROGRAM
General Fund Contribution $3,773,594 $4,439,006 $3,163,175 $11,375,775 Other Funds, Grants $7,357,764 $13,451,970 $643,000 $8,900,000 $30,352,734 F: ICCSADMNISHARE BUDGETICIPICHART1.597
Play area renovations for Douglas ($250,000) and Virginia Avenue (TBD) are budgeted in those projects. $21,500 in operating funds have been budgeted to increase the level of repair and maintenance of play equipment and sand areas. The 24 hour hotline, active since August 1996, will continue with increased public education as to its availability. $140,800 in operating funds have been budgeted to increase ball field aeration, fertilizing and hydro seeding, additional field maintenance equipment and replacement of bleachers at all park ballfields.
$500,000 is budgeted in FY 1998-99 for site planning for the Airport non-aviation land and pilot school park project per previous entry under Community Park expansion Tree planting efforts will increase by 25%. $15,000 in operating funds will used for a new tree well maintenance and special watering program.
With the recent hiring of the City's Community Forester, development and implementation of a comprehensive Community Forest Management Program will occur in FY 1997- In addition to the above allocations, the FY 1997-98 Budget includes a $2.4 million set-aside toward implementing priorities of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, including park renovations & parkland acquisition and development.
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES 97-98 BUDGET
PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS
RECREATION PROGRAMS ENHANCEMENT
Ensure that All Santa Monica Residents - Young and Old - Have an Opportunity to Participate in a Continuum of Noncompetitive and Competitive Sports Activities that Will Enhance Valuable Leisure Time.
Develop collaborative skating programs, events and In partnership with the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club, the City will provide in-line skating, trips to meet the increasing demand for this emerging skateboarding and roller hockey programs and events for youth. Trips to regional skate parks sport. will be sponsored by the City's Human Services Division.
Provide a year-round affordable aquatics program for The City will provide a year-round aquatics program, including recreational, competitive and youth and adults of all ability levels. instructional opportunities at the Municipal Pool for an additional 3,367 participants.
Increase the availability of community gyms. The City will expand gym hours at Memorial Park to include week-end evenings, targeting older youth and young adults. Organized volleyball and basketball play will be conducted. Planning efforts with the Boys and Girls Club and Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District are ongoing regarding a coordinated plan for use of all community gym facilities.
Develop a comprehensive approach to recreational Planning will begin in FY1997-98 for collaborative programming with local organizations once opportunities at Santa Monica State Beach in improvements to the South Beach activity areas (Muscle Beach and Chess Park) are coordination with capital improvements and enhanced completed. New FY 1997-98 beach events will include a high school volleyball invitational facilities. and a beach swim competition.
Ensure that recreation providers will have an ongoing City staff, with the Recreation and Parks Commission and the Sports Advisory Council, will be mechanism for planning and coordinating sports A nelong revied fired us and all provide doines relicien euledle got see se programs, and for sharing physical resources.
field use.
Enhance and Expand Current Cultural Offerings in the City.
Establish a program of small-scale intimate cultural A new Community Cultural Events Fund has been established to support small cultural events events throughout the year at City parks and open in neighborhood parks in conjunction with park-based programs and activities offered by the space areas. Department of Community and Cultural Services. In the future, this fund may be available to other departments to couple cultural experiences with other City-sponsored community events.
Create art and cultural programs that focus on specific The City's park-based and afterschool youth programs will strengthen their arts and cultural neighborhoods and populations, such as seniors, offerings in the coming year. Initiatives include the creation of a TV video program produced families and youth. by youth with assistance from CityTV and the participation of " artists in residence" and local non-profit arts programs in school- and park-based youth programs. The City will also provide funding support for the Virginia Avenue Park Summer Youth and Family Architecture Program previously funded from outside sources. The Transportation Department will continue its transit school art program for elementary school children to create artwork that will be exhibited on the Big Blue Bus.
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES 97.98 BUDGET
PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS
RECREATION PROGRAMS ENHANCEMENT
Coordinate enhanced cultural offerings in the City with Contingent upon 2nd year funding from the California Arts Council, the City and SMMUSD will the Santa Monica Arts Education Foundation Project begin a pilot project at five school sites to implement classroom-based arts activities using curriculum. local community arts organizations and artists.
Ensure that Every Santa Monica Child Has a Support Network Enabling Them to Become a Contributing Member of the
Community.
Expand the CREST (Childcare, Recreation, Enrichment, The CREST Program, the joint School District/City afterschool program, will expand from four Sports Together) afterschool program to all public pilot sites to eight elementary school sites in the coming year, ensuring that all SMMUSD elementary school sites. students will have access to a full complement of well-supervised and enriching activities afterschool. Key new elements of the program will be the introduction of arts offerings and increased scholarships to ensure access by all Santa Monica families.
Collaborate with schools, businesses and city
departments to offer academic support, including Building on existing programs, City departments will work with community-based programs to homework, tutoring, enrichment and education develop a network of homework assistance and tutorial options for youth at school, park, opportunities. library and community sites. A Children's Librarian will be assigned to all CREST sites.
Ensure that Youth in Santa Monica Learn Life-enhancing Skills to Help Them Make Responsible Recreation and Leisure Time Choices for the Rest of Their Lives.
Expand the City's volunteer program or other citywide
community service programs in order for youth to get
more opportunities for firsthand experience in the field community organizations. The CREST Program will continue and expand the training and hiring of recreation. of high school interns at all 8 school sites.
Promote more diverse recreational opportunities to Refinement of the new City/School District afterschool programs at John Adams and Lincoln support young people between the ages of 11-14 Middle Schools (ASAP) will continue. A new winter holiday camp for middle school youth will years and 15-18 years. be offered during the winter break. Expanded weekday evening hours at Memorial Park Gym will be targeted to older youth.
Ensure that Individuals with Disabilities are Integrated Into All City-supported Programs Based on Reasonable Accommodation Needs.
Research, gather and provide information to the Efforts in the coming year will include a community survey to identify recreational needs of community regarding programs that are available to and opportunities for persons with disabilities. An inventory will be developed to serve as a individuals of all ages with disabilities. basis for future program planning and development.
MASTER PLAN STRATEGIES PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS 97-98 BUDGET
RECREATION PROGRAMS ENHANCEMENT
Improve Communication Between the City and the Public to Provide Notification of all City and other Community Recreation Program Offerings to the Widest Audience Possible.
Establish an integrated information service to promote The redesign of public information materials for the Department of Community and Cultural recreation programs. Services will begin in FY 1997-98, including changes to the format and distribution of the City's newsletter, Seascape. A public information strategy for recreation programs and facilities will be developed for implementation in FY 1998-99 - in conjunction with new City community outreach initiatives.
Ensure accessible and responsive community Scholarships for low-income families will be significantly increased for all youth programs, programs, classes and events. including CREST, Aquatics, and Middle School Day Camp and trips. The City's new multi-site on-line class registration system will be operational, with a touch-tone feature that will allow residents to sign up for classes by phone.
F:ICCSADMNISHAREIBUDGETCIPICHART3.597