Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/1999 - PB&R Commission1 t 11 1 1 1 COMMISSION Minutes February 2, 1999 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission jRegular Meeting February 2, 1999 — 7pm CONVENED AT 7:02am 1. ROLL CALL Present: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: David Niederhaus, General Services Director Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Executive Secretary II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 5, 1999. Motion carried by acclamation. Ill. PUBLIC COMMENTS Liz Parker, 1048 Irvine Avenue, Newport Baseball Association stated that a community meeting had been held and that they were pleased that approximately a dozen households attended. She requested that this item be added to the March agenda. She reiterated that it is their desire to be { ) good neighbors, and were surprised that parking and noise were more of an issue with the residents then the additional lights. Steve Rausch, Newport Soccer Association stated that he supports Ms. Parker comments. He stated that soccer is not interested in playing games at night but do need the lights for practice. Practice would not extend' after 7:30pm, but would request that other youth sport groups not be allowed to use the park since they pay field fees. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. Park and Tree Division 4. Senior Services Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to accept items 2 and 4 from the consent calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. The following items were removed from the Consent Calendar 1. Correspondence - The following correspondence was received after posting of the agenda • A.M. McGrath, February 1, 1999 • Marvin Gaebler, February 1, 1999 • Andrew Couch, January 22, 1999 (received January 27, 1999) ( • Dorothy Beek. January 28, 1999 (received February 2, 1999) • Kenneth Russo, January 29, 1999 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 1999 Page 2 Correspondence to Mayor and Members of City Council, January 7, 1999; as well as the items listed above were acknowledged. 3. Recreation Services — Senior Recreation Manager Hunt reiterated Ms. Parker's comments regarding Mariners; he stated that the concerns expressed were the existing parking and the lights. 5. Bench Donation — Commissioner Glasgow questioned why a homeowner would send a letter disapproving the bench. Director Niederhaus displayed pictures of the bench at 6"' street, stated that he had talked to several residents and the association, and noted that there does not seem to be any adverse reactions. Director Niederhaus stated in the past there has not been a need to even locate a trash container at 6'h street. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 1, 3 and 5 on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6. Bonita Canyon Park — Chair Beek stated that at the January 25 City Council meeting a check was given to the City for the development of the park. She stated that $5.7 million will be used for the build -out leaving approximately $200,000 for architect fees. She stated that there will be a study session on Feb 23 to review the revisions provided by the architect. Chair i Beek also thanked the architect and The Irvine Company for their support. After discussion staff will look at the possibility of changing the time for the study session to 3pm. 7. Balboa Beautification Program — Chair Beek stated that this item had been pulled at the request of the Balboa Point Peninsula Association. 8. Lincoln Athletic Center — Senior Recreation Manager Hunt stated that staff had received this request from the Newport Beach Little League. The request is for access to the fields on Friday and Saturday until 9:45pm for make -up games only; and for the installation of a permanent scoreboard. Manager Hunt stated that he had met with the Newport -Mesa Unified School District and that their staff made it clear that this project must be approved by the state architect for installation. Commissioner Skoro asked if the scoreboard would face the homeowners. Manager Hunt stated that it would face Pacific View and the residents across the street next to the church. Chair Beek asked if the Little League had requested and received approval for use of the fields on Fridays for make -up games in the past. Manager Hunt stated yes. Chair Beek opened the public hearing, Tim Pinkerton, 22 Crest Circle, stated that numerous calls have been made to the police department regarding the lights being on as late as 11 pm. He stated that the lights should be ( ) turned off at a reasonable time. He also noted that it was not just during little league but also during soccer season. He stated that they have to endure the lights and the noise on almost a daily basis. He suggested the Little League hire a security guard to assure that the lights are turned off appropriately. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 1999 Page 3 Manager Hunt stated that the lights at field #2 are turned off no later than 9:45pm, depending on the schedule, sometimes earlier. If the lights are on past 11 pm, staff is unaware of this. Staff will contact police to review the reports. Commissioner Skoro asked staff to look at the timing,of these lights. Bob Kopicki, 10 Crest Circle, questioned Manager Hunt under what conditions would it take for Friday and Saturday evening use to be refused. Manager Hunt stated that the fields can only be used for make -up games, which would not include practice. Mr. Kopicki stated that that to approve this request is an abuse of the system to the residents. He stated that lights are tolerated during.the week, but they need the weekends. He urged the Commission deny the request for any additional use of field lights. He also noted that if his numbers are correct that the scoreboard would be 24 feet high and would be at the top of his townhome because of the slope. He stated that this scoreboard would be visible to traffic and would become an eyesore and possibly a distraction. He also asked if an environmental study had been done. He urged the Commission disapprove the installation of the scoreboard. Chair Beek stated that this request makes no major change regarding Friday night, as this has l been approved seasonally for the past three years. The fields can only be used in the event that there is rain or water main breaks creating a need for make -up games. Mr. Kopicki stated that it seems that the Little League request something new every year BJ Johnson, 23 Canyon Crest, stated that the quality of life is impacted because of the noise and the lights and to expect residents to endure Fridays and Saturdays evenings is just too much. Karen Kopicki, 10 Crest Circle, stated that she lives directly across the street from the field, and have had to endure the noise and lights daily from 8am in the morning until late at night. She then shared one minute of the noise (from a tape recorder) that she describes as a typical weekend occurrence. She stated that she taped this from her bedroom balcony. Ms. Kopicki stated that the residents need Friday and Saturdays evenings for their own well being; there needs to be a balance. She urged that the Commission not approve the additional field light use. Give us Friday and Saturday evenings and to vote no to a permanent scoreboard. Commissioner Sinclair asked Ms. Kopicki if the problems. have gone from bad to worse. Ms. Kopecki stated that 7 years ago lights appeared, without notifying any homeowners, it was just imposed on them. Every day and night there is more noise and more kid's. Commissioner Glasgow stated that Lincoln has been an active field for over 40 years t ) Ms. Kopicki stated that for several years it was not used as an active park. Sandy Strick, 20 Crest Circle, faces Pacific View. She stated that several years ago the lights were installed and play increased. She emphasized that they have kids and enjoy watching Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 1999 Page 4 children playing. She stated that there use to be a maintenance guy that turned off the fields. She stated that there is a continuing problem of the lights being turned off at the appropriate times. She also stated that play begins 6am and that concession trucks arrive at 6:30am. She stated that the lights go off at 9:45pm, but that there are some nights that they stay on all night. Ms. Strick stated that there seems to be a total lack of control of usage of the fields, and lights. Ms Strick stated that this is just a quiet residential neighborhood and to have a 16 foot scoreboard is excessive, and urged disapproval. Chair Beek asked what days has she observed children playing in the park at 6am. Ms. Strick stated on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Jim Manning, 3841 Ocean Birch, representing the Newport Beach Little League, stated that there is simply no place for these kids to go. All other surrounding communities have Little League play on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. In terms of the lighting, he would like to narrow down who is abusing the lights, as the Little League pays for the light usage during their season. Mr. Manning reminded the Commission that the scoreboard was approved for installation in, Center field last year, they are requesting to change the location which would locate it at 50 yards past the outfield. Mr. Manning stated that he would like better policing of the lights. Mr. Manning also requested that the Little League be allowed to ,practice until 7:45pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Senior Recreation Manager Hunt stated that this extra practice time was not part of the request in front of the Commission. Chair Beek stated that this was not part of the request currently in front of the Commission. She recommended that Mr. Manning request this in writing so that Commission could look at this at another meeting. Chair Beek asked Mr. Manning if he was aware of teams playing at 6am. Mr. Manning said no, they have trouble with the children getting there on time for their games at 8:30am. Mike Wade, AYSO 57, stated that his only concern of the scoreboard is that it be placed so that it is not a hazard to soccer players. All games begin at 8:30am. Soccer does not play or practice on Sundays. Chair Beek asked if he was aware of any concession trucks coming before 8 am. Mr. Wade stated that they do not utilize them. Chair Beek closed the Public hearing. Commissioner Sinclair asked who has the light cards, and how many are out. Manager Hunt stated that there are approximately 80 cards out. He stated that they will be more stringent with the use of cards, also staff will have an electrician look at the timer on the lights. Motion by Commissioner Franklin to approve option B for only Friday evening use. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 1999 Page 5 Chair Beek stated that possibly it is helpful to decrease the time on Saturday to possibly 8pm. Substitute Motion by Chair Beek to approve the request by Newport Beach Little League to use Lincoln Athletic Center fields on Fridays until 9:45pm and Saturdays until 8pm during the season of March 1 through June 12, 1999 for make -up games only. Specific dates and times for these make -up games must be requested through the Senior Recreation Manager. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Glasgow, Skoro, Beek, Sinclair. Nays: Tobin Pfaff, Franklin. Commissioner Skoro asked staff to report monthly on complaints /problems at Lincoln Athletic fields. Motion by Commission Pfaff to approve the installation carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None of a permanent scoreboard. Motion Tobin 9. Request for Reforestation — Director Niederhaus stated tha t reforestation has met all requirements.of the City G -1 Policy. correspondence on this issue. He stated that Mr. Fluter woul d and replacement of the trees with 24 -inch box. Chair Beek opened the public hearing. this item was request for Staff has not received further pay $1,300 for the removal Virginia Herberts, stated that she was on the Commission when these trees were approved, and that the businesses and associations had actively participated in and agreed to the trees. them. Ms. Herberts stated that the business should just spend $39 and have the trees trimmed. She urged that the trees not be removed. Elaine Linhoff stated that drives or walks by Cannery Village almost every day and that the trees do not block the view of his business. Jan Vandersloot, SPON, stated that this request for reforestation strays away from the City G -1 policy. He also stated that planting Queen palm trees would not solve Mr. Fluter's problem. Chair Beek closed the public hearing. Russ Fluter stated that he has owned the property at Newport Pier Plaza since 1980 and apologizes if people think that he is asking forthis reforestation only for financial reasons. He stated that if he knew back when the trees were planted that they would look like they do today, the businessmen's association would never have approved the planting of ficus trees. I ) Director Niederhaus stated that staff did agree that the ficus was the best tree to be planted at that time, but more is known about the ficus and it is not the case now. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 1999 ( Page 6 Commissioner Sinclair questioned that aside from the aesthetics, are these trees doing any damage? Director Niederhaus stated that the trees are not causing any damage but that the request does meet the reforestation standards. These trees have been severely trimmed already. Commissioner Sinclair stated that these ficus trees are beautiful. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the reforestation request Ayes: Beek, Glasgow, Pfaff, Skoro Noes: Sinclair Absent: None Abstain: Franklin, Tobin 10. Tree Removal Appeal — Director Niederhaus distributed photographs of the trees on Antiqua Way. In addition, he detailed additional correspondence and photos received from Ms. Palmer. Staff has offered to plant a Magnolia tree, but that would still not give the owner any uniformity and that is she has requested. He stated that this request does not fall under the reforestation policy and that the pear trees do not lend themselves to be replaced. Chair Beek stated that this item would be deferred until staff can contact Ms. Palmer regarding other suggestions to pay. Jan Vandersloot stated that this topic of discussion is totally outside the realm of the G -1 policy. He stated that this request does not meet any of the requirements. Director Niederhaus will contact the homeowner. 11. Subcommittee Reports • Liaison Committee - No new information. • Open Space Committee - No new information. • Budget— Skoro asked staff to keep them informed as to any schedule. • Liaison with Oasis - No new information. • Naming of Parks - No new information. • Community Services Award - No new information. • Skateboard — Commissioner Franklin stated the Committee met on January 19 and reviewed the report submitted by purkiss -rose and received good comments from the public. The committee will hold a public hearing at the Newport Shores Association Club House on March 16. VI. Future Agenda Items • Volleyball Court Removal • Balboa Beautification Program • Tree Removal Appeal (Ms. Palmer) VII. ADIOURNMENT- 9:45pm SUBMITTED BY: ':�— L/` e TERI CRAIG, COMMUNITY ERVICES EXECUTIVE SECRETARY