02-15-2011 - Public Hearing Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment - Item 8 Attach 2 (2).doc
PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT
PALMVIEW PARK MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 3
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
APPLICANT: City of West Covina
LOCATION: Palmview Park, 1340 E. Puente Avenue
I. DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATION
The request is to consider an extension of the evening use of the baseball field lighting at Palmview Park from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
II. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission choose one of the following options:
Approve Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 3.
Continue this item in order to gain additional information about the request.
Deny Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 3.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
The project is a Categorical Exemption, Class 1 (Section 15332: Existing facilities) pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA) since the
project site involves the use of existing lighting fixtures at Palmview Park.
IV. HISTORY
On May 16, 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9219, approving Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 1, allowing for the installation of a field lighting system on the existing
baseball field. Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 1 restricted the use of baseball field lighting to Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings of each week.
On December 12, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2000-90, approving Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 2, allowing for the expanded use of baseball field lighting on
Monday and Tuesday evenings (in addition to Wednesday through Saturday evenings) of each week. Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 2 also allowed for the installation of an on/off
switch on the baseball field lighting timer mechanism to allow the lights to be turned off manually if games are completed earlier than 8:50 p.m.
V. SUMMARY OF DATA
North: “Single-Family Residential” (R-1); single-family residences
East: “Residential-Agricultural” (R-A), “Single-Family Residential” (R-1); single-family residences
South: “Single-Family Residential” (R-1); elementary school (Rowland Avenue Elementary School)
West: “Single-Family Residential” (R-1), single-family residences
Zoning Designation: “Open Space” (O-S)
General Plan Designation: Park
Notices of Public Hearing have been mailed to the 156 owners and occupants of properties located within 500 feet of the project site, following City Council policy on park site notification.
Public hearing notices were also posted at the park site.
VI. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS
Palmview Park is located on the southwest corner of Puente Avenue and Lark Ellen Avenue. The baseball field is located in the southwest corner of the park and is adjacent to an elementary
school to the south and single-family residences to the west.
Steve Bennett, president of Pacific Coast Little League, submitted a letter requesting the extension of the evening use of baseball field lighting from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mr. Bennett
requested that the Palmview Park Master Plan be amended to allow the lights to be on until 10:00 p.m. to allow for more baseball games to be played since the number of teams in the
league has increased. In his letter, Mr. Bennett also expressed concern about safety if the lights turn off before a baseball game is finished, citing that a player could be injured
if a pitched, batted or thrown ball is in the air when the lights turn off. Additionally, Mr. Bennett feels that extending the evening use of baseball field lighting will allow Pacific
Coast Little League to continue to provide a quality and safe playing environment for more children and allow the league to increase its registrations and teams.
Staff is in support of extending the evening use of the baseball field lighting until 10:00 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. A condition has been included in the resolution requiring that
games end by 9:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday to allow the fields to be cleaned and the participants to leave the field. Evening use of baseball field lighting shall continue to be
prohibited on Sundays, pursuant to the conditions of approval of Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 1.
VII. RECOMMENDATION
Staff is supportive of Pacific Coast Little League’s needs due to the current and future number of participants. However, extending the evening use of the baseball field lighting from
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. could negatively impact the adjacent residences located to the west of the baseball field. Therefore, staff recommends that the Planning Commission and Community
Services Commission choose one of the following options:
Approve Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 3.
Continue this item in order to gain additional information about the request.
Deny Palmview Park Master Plan Amendment No. 3.
______________________________
Amy Davis
Planning Assistant
REVIEWED AND APPROVED:
______________________________ ______________________________
Jeff Anderson, AICP Michele McNeill
Acting Planning Director Community Services Director
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Planning Commission Resolution for approval
Attachment 2 – Planning Commission Resolution for denial
Attachment 3 – Park Facility Use Agreement
Attachment 4 – Letter Requesting Extension of Lighting Time
Attachment 5 – Resolution for Park Master Plan Amendment No. 2
Attachment 6 – Resolution for Park Master Plan Amendment No. 1