Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04241990 - 2.6 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Harvey E. Bragdon �,... + Director of Community Development 1 DATE: April 24, 1990 g:, ::.;, Costa Courty SUBJECT: Montarabay Ballfields Project, CP 488-80, Contra ounty Service Area M-17 (Applicant/Owner) , to redevelop the existing ballfield facilities located at the Montarabay Community Center, 2250 Tara Hills Drive (APN #403-020, 012) , in San Pablo. SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . Accept the Grant awarded by the State for this project. 2. Certify the EIR as being complete and adequate, according to CEQA, and considered prior to project approval action. 3 . Make the findings as set forth in the County Zoning Administrator' s Resolution of Certain Findings Required by the California Environmental Quality Act, as the Board' s basis for this decision to include: a. A Statement of Overriding Considerations concerning the traffic and circulation conflicts at the Tara Hills Drive railroad trestel undercrossing; b. Mitigation measures as referenced in the attached CEQA findings resolution; and, 1 C. A mitigation monitoring program for assuring compliance with AB 3180 as identified in the FEIR. 4. Approve the Montarabay Community Ballfields Project CP #88-80, subject to the identified mitigation measures. r CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNA _ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATIM OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : ACTION OF BOARD ON April 24, 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED x OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A _ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT z ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: i i, III, y NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Iv MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. cc: Community Development ATTESTED /990 County Administrator PHIr BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY DEPUTY 6. Authorize staff to proceed with obtaining bides for the award of a project construction contract. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of .the Montarabay Ballfields reconstruction project will entitle the County to utilize already acquired State financial assistance not otherwise directly available to this jurisdiction. No commitment of general funds monies is expected; and if additional funds are needed, the possibility of utilizing State Park -Bond Act- monies would be considered first, prior to any request for County general funds. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS This project involves realignment and reconstruction of two small ballfields at the Montarabay Community Center located in an unincorporated area of San Pablo, between the Cities of Pinole and Richmond. Planned improvements include the replacement of existing dirt playing field areas with one large ballfield including landscaping (turf) , irrigation, lighting, seating, a backstop, fencing, and utility building, etc. After completing an initial study, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared, circulated, and certified on the project in accordance with the County and State CEQA Guidelines. The Zoning Administrator considered a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on the project, reviewed the document, and accepted public commentary on it. A public hearing was conducted, testimony received, the public hearing closed, and an additional seven days allowed for accepting comments on the DEIR. Written comments received during the review period identified problems relating to access and circulation, light and glare, and potential social and economic effects. A Responses to Comments document discussed the issues in more detail, and where appropriate, necessary changes were incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) text. In addition to certifying the FEIR, the Zoning Administrator made findings which included a Statement of Overriding Considerations regarding traffic and circulation conflicts at the Tara Hills Drive railroad trestle undercrossing. The Statement indicated specific physical constraints ( i.e. narrow access, adjacent. stream bed, and overcrossing structure) and economic considerations made infeasible a permanent mitigation measure identified in the EIR recommending widening of Tara Hills Drive to allow two lanes under the railroad trestle. Because no funds currently exist for implementing the measure, part of the proposed alternative mitigations are temporary in nature. All other areas of potentially significant impact were addressed via a series of mitigation measures covering traffic and circulation, light and glare, and visual and esthetic factors. These mitigations include provisions for establishing the mitigation monitoring programs required for ensuring compliance with AB 3180. A $200,000 grant was received from the State by the County' s M-17 Service District for the purposes of developing the planned ballfields project at Montarabay Community Center. Some residents in the area expressed opposition to the proposed project, contending available grant monies should be applied to improvements at other area recreational facilities. However, use of the money is specifically designated for the previously described improvements and cannot be used elsewhere within the M-17 Service area. If not utilized under the conditions of the original grant award, the money will have to be returned to the State. Neighbors have also raised questions regarding other areas of project concern including potential impacts on nearby neighborhoods. These issues were identified during a public hearing conducted by a County consultant following receipt of the grant funds. These issues were subsequently incorporated into the project' s initial study, preparation of the EIR, and in the reports analyses presented to the Zoning Administrator. CW/min2/cp-88.80 2006 COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR Resolution No. 21-1990 A RESOLUTION OF CERTAIN FINDINGS REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT A Resolution of the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa making certain findings required by the California Environmental Quality Act in connection with a project for which an Environmental Impact Report has been prepared involving a project to realign and reconstruct two small ballfields at the Montarabay Community Center located in an unincorporated area of San Pablo, between the cities of Pinole and Richmond. WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa intends to take action on a project for ballfield facility improvements and reconstruction at 2250 Tara Hills Drive, San Pablo (APN #403-020-012) , File No. CP 88-80 hereafter referred to as the "project"; and WHEREAS, the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA) , as amended, requires that, when approving a project for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared, the decision-making body shall review the EIR and make specific findings regarding the significant effects on the environment identified in said EIR; and WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report entitled Environmental Impact Report for Realigning and Lighting Montarabay Community Ballfields in Unincorporated San Pablo was prepared for Contra Costa County Service Area M-17 by Mills and Associates under the direction of the County of Contra Costa as the Responsible Agency, in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, and the EIR was found adequate and complete by the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa on August 21, 1989; and WHEREAS, a mitigation monitoring program for ensuring project implementation compliance per California State Assembly Bill 3180 (effective June 1, 1989) has been included in the EIR to address potentially significant adverse environmental impacts; and WHEREAS, the . Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa is the decision-making body for the planned project to allow ballfield facility improvements and reconstruction; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Administrator does hereby certify that as a decision-making body, it has considered and approved the information contained in such EIR prior to the Board of Supervisors acting upon or approving such project; and BE IT RESOLVED that the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa makes the following findings with respect to the significant effects on the environment of such project as identified in the previously mentioned EIR: 1. Traffic/Circulation Impact - Additional traffic generated during the PM peak hour (and for 2 or 3 games thereafter) would likely create vehicular conflicts at Tara Hills Drive where the roadway narrows to one-lane under the railroad undercrossing. Mitigations - (Interim Measure) Install a flashing yellow light and warning signs labeled "one-lane road" on each side of the train trestle to alert drivers of oncoming traffic. Establish with the County Public Works and Sheriff' s Departments an on-going monitoring program to determine the need for roadway widening under the railroad trestle overcrossing. If improvements are necessary; facilitate discussions between County Public Works Department and M-17 Service District to set budget improvement priorities. Overriding Considerations - Specific physical constraints and economic considerations make infeasible the permanent mitigation measures identified in the EIR recommending widening of Tara Hills Drive to allow two-way traffic underneath the Atchison-Topeka and Sante Fe train trestle. Part of the proposed mitigation measures are temporary in nature and no funds currently exist for implementing the recommended permanent measures. 2. Noise Impact, Mitigation, Discussion - Not significant, no mitigation measures are necessary. 3. Light and Glare Impact - Mobilehome park residents would be affected by light introduced at the ballfield. Mitigations A. Revise the lighting design to decrease number of light fixtures from 26 to 22 and increase pole height from 50 to 60 feet for a better downward angle; B. Switch ballfield lights off via an automated timer system at 10:00 p.m. C. Require a community center field supervisor to be present during games, assist with problems, and ensure that team members and patrons leave the field by curfew time; D. Post a sign indicating that a 10:30 p.m. curfew exists for users of the park and ballfield facility; E. Request the County Sheriff's Department to patrol the park around 10:15 p.m. and remind team members and patrons of departure curfew time. Impact - Mobilehome park residents and motorists driving towards the lights would be adversely affected by glare generated from ballfield lights. Mitigation - Install a street light on the south side of the trestle to offset ballfield light glare occurring on train trestle approach route. 4. Visual/Aesthestics Impact - 50 foot high ballfield light standards would be visible from the mobile home park creating a sense of visual clutter for area residents. Mitigations - Utilize tapered metal light poles without climbing rungs or maintenance platforms; paint poles and light fixtures blue or another color which minimizes contrast with the skyline and sunlight reflection. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa makes the following additional findings with regard to the EIR: Changes or alterations have been required or incorporated into the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effects identified in the EIR relating to noise, light and glare, and visual/aesthetics; and Specific economic, social , or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the EIR suggesting widening of Tara Hills Drive to allow two-way traffic underneath the A.T. & S.F. train trestle; and The recommended findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa finds the project will not have a significant effect on the environment because mitigation measures identified in the EIR have: Eliminated or substantially lessened all significant effects on the environment where feasible; and Remaining significant effects on the environment found to be unavoidalbe are acceptable due to overriding considerations. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Zoning Administrator of the County of Contra Costa, alifornia, on this 21st day of August 1989: AlancTrlli&Z242ing Administrator ccw4/boscega.res California Environmental Quality Act NOTICE OF 0 Completion of,Environmental Impact Report Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 651 PINE STREET NORTH WING-4TH FLOOR MARTINEZ,CALIFORNIA 94553-0095 Telephone: (415) 646-2035 Contact Person Celeste Wixom Project Description and Location: NOTICE OF COMPLETION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR COUNTY FILE #CP 88-80 Project Description: Montarabay Community Ballfields This project involves realignment and reconstruction of two small ballfield facilities at the Montarabay Community Center located in an unincorporated area of San Pablo, between the cities of Pinole and Richmond. The property is situated at 2250 Tara Hills Drive (APN #403-020-012) -along the San Pablo Bay shoreline adjacent and west of an elementary school , east of the Montarabay Community Center building, south of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, and north of the Atchison-Topeka Railroad tracks. Planned improvements include the replacement of existing dirt playing field areas with one large ballfield, including landscaping (turf) , irrigation, lighting, seating, a backstop, fencing and a utility building, etc. Justification for Negative Declaration is attached. The.Environmental Impact Report is available for review at the address below: Contra Costa County Community Development Department 4th Floor, North Wing, Administration Building 651 Pine Street Martinez, California Review Period for Environmental Impact Report -March 29, 1989 thru May 12, 1989 By AP 9 R4/88 Community Development partment Representative Community Development Department Contra Costa County Contra Costa County Zoning Administrator Monday June 19, 1989 - 9 : 30 a.m. Agenda Item # CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SERVICE AREA M-17 (App/Owner) ( #CP 88-80 ) I . INTRODUCTION: This project involves realignment and reconstruction of two small ballfield facilities at the Montarabay Community Center located in an unincorporated area of San Pablo, between the cities of Pinole and Richmond. The property is sitsuated at 2250 Tara Hills Drive (APN #403-020-012) along the San Pablo Bay shoreline adjacent and west of an elementary school, east of the Montarabay Community Center building, south of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, and north of the Atchison-Topeka Railroad track. Planned improvements include the replacement of existing dirt playing field areas with one large ballfield, including landscaping (turf) , irrigation, lighting, seating, a backstop, fencing and a ultility building, ect. II . GENERAL INFORMATION: I An intial study conducted on September 19 , 1988 indicated the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment, thus requiring the preparation of an environmental impact report. On September 21, 1988, staff circulated a Notice of Preparation to all abutting property owners, interested persons, organizations, and agencies, allowing a 30 day period for identifying significant environmental issues and receiving public comments. Following an October 24 , 1988 response deadline, the County contracted with Mills and Associates who completed a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the planned project. The DEIR and a Notice of Completion were circulated on March 27, 1989 giving a 45 day initial review and comment period which lapsed on May 12 , 1989. As indicated in the Notice of Public Hearing distributed in early June, an additional 7 days will be permitted for the receipt of written public comments following the Zoning Administrator ' s consideration of the DEIR. III . ANALYSIS: a. Environmental Background: An initial study prepared for the proposed project identified several potential areas of significant environmental impact: 1. Increases in exposure to and existing noise levels ; 2. Production of new light and glare; 3. Generation of additional vehicular movement; and, 4. Increase in traffic hazards to motor vehicles , bicyclists or pedestrians. More specifically, these concerns arose from the following project components, respectively: 1. The facility' s improved and expanded seating capacity; 2. Introduction of new field lighting; 3 . Additional attendance levels causing larger traffic volumes; and, 4. Accident potential due to existing roadway design and restricted access/circulation patterns. b. Project Background: A $200, 000 grant has been received from the State by the County' s M-17 Service District for the purposes of realigning and reconstructing two ballfields into one field at the Montarabay Community Center. _ Use of the grant money is specifically designated for the previously described improvements and cannot be used elsewhere within the M-17 Service Area; if not utilized under the conditions of it' s award, the money must be returned to the State. Upon receipt of the grant, the County hired a consultant to prepare a master plan for the community center facilities. A public hearing was also conducted at which several issues were identified as having the potential for impact on the nearby neighborhoods. These impacts were identified in the proposed project' s initial study, during preparation of the environmental impact report, along with the analysis and subsequent sections of this report. While the project setting appears relatively remote, surrounding areas include the adjacent Seaview Elementary School, single family residences (east of the park) and Tara Hills Mobile Home Park, and Montalvin Park (south of the site) . However, the actual ballfield site remains physically separated from nearby land uses by the AT & SF railroad embankment. Access to the Montarabay Park and ballfield is limited to Tara Hills Drive, a two-lane roadway which narrows to an unimproved, one lane private street at the train trestle undercrossing. Existing site facilities consist of a park containing two undersized dirt softball fields and a community center which offers adult education classes , public seminars, sponsors special events, and periodically rents to groups for private functions. Tara Hills Recreation Association presently uses the softball diamonds for practice only during weekdays; but the field is not used by adult teams due to it ' s small size and lack of nighttime lighting. . Project plans call for reconfiguring the two undersized all dirt ballfields into one, full size grass softball diamond. Reconstruction of the ballfields would include new fencing, landscaped tree screening, irrigation, exterior lighting and auxiliary facilities such as an electronic scoreboard, additional bleachers, a backstop, a utility building. The new ballfield would be suitable for use by youth, mens, and womens recreational leagues as well as allow for nighttime games; the recreation district would permit evening playing until 10: 00 p.m. for winter and summer league play. Availability of the ballfield for league play would generate revenues to the district for future recreational/park improvements and land acquisition. The proposed project also includes construction of a picnic area adjacent to the field with table and barbeque pits, with plans to eventually develop a mini-park/tot lot including play structures in this area. C. Discussion- Although this project will positively benefit the San Pablo and surrounding areas by expanding recreational opportunities, it also involves some potentially negative environmental impacts. They include increased noise and lighting levels, additional traffic volumes, restricted circulation patterns and increased accident potential. Each of these issues has been addressed in the DEIR and attendant mitigation measures, where necessary, have been suggested to reduce or eliminate such impacts to a level of insignificance. IV. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES: The following potentially significant environmental impacts and related mitigation measures were identified in the DEIR: 1. Traffic/Circulation Impact - Additional traffic generated during the PM peak hour (and for 2 or 3 games thereafter) would likely create vehicular conflicts at Tara Hills Drive where the roadway narrows to one lane under the railroad undercrossing. Mitigation - ( Interim Measure) Install a flashing yellow light and warning signs labeled "one-lane road" on each side of the train trestle to alert drivers of oncoming traffic. (Permanent Measure) Widen Tara Hills Drive under the railroad trestle to two travel lanes for accomodating two-way traffic access at Montarabay Park and Community Center. Discussion - Because the proposed mitigation is a temporary one and funds do not currently exist for implementing the permanent measures, a statement of overriding considerations should be adopted. 2. Noise Impact, Mitigation, Discussion - Not significant, no mitigation measures are necessary. 3 . Light and Glare Impact - Mobile home park residents would be affected by light introduced at the ballfield. Mitigation - Measures for reducing the amount of introduced lighting to an insignificant level include: a. Revise the lighting design to decrease number of light fixtures from 26 to 22 and increase pole height from 50 to 60 feet for a better downward angle; b. Switch ballfield lights off via an automated timer system at 10: 00 p.m. Impact - Mobile home park residents and motorists driving towards the lights would be adversely affected by glare generated from ballfield lights . Mitigation - Install a street light on the south side of the trestle to offset ballfield light glare occurring on train trestle approach route. 4. Visual/Aesthestics Impact - 50 foot high ballfield light standards would be visible from the mobile home park creating a sense of visual clutter for- area residents. Mitigations - Utilize tapered metal light poles without climbing rungs or maintenance platforms; Paint poles and light fixtures blue or another color which minimizes contrast with the skyline and sunlight reflection. V. FINDINGS• The following findings should be made before taking any action relative to approving the ballfields reconstruction project: a. Changes or alterations have been required or incorporated into the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effects identified in the Environmental Impact Report relating to noise, lighting/glare, and visual/aethetics; and, b. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Environmental Impact Report requiring widening of Tara Hills Drive to allow two-way traffic underneath the A.T. & S.F. train trestle; and, C. The recommended findings are suppported by substantial evidence in the record. As recommended for approval, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment because mitigation measures identified in the Environmental Impact Report have: a. Eliminated or substantially lessened all significant effects on the environment where feasible; and, b. Remaining significant effects on the environment found to be unaviodable are acceptable due to overriding concerns. VII . RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator: 1. adopt a statement of overriding considerations to the Board of Supervisors concerning the traffic and circulation conflicts under the railroad trestle undercrossing on the Tara Hills Drive private roadway extension; 2. adopt a resolution to the Board of Supervisors certifying the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Report and it' s completion according to CEQA and County Environmental Review Guidelines ; 3. adopt a statement of findings to the Board of Supervisors for each of the identified significant environmental impacts indicating the findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record; 4. adopt a the mitigation monitoring and implementation measures/system identified in the Environmental Impact Report for assuring compliance with CEQA tracking measures required under AB 3180; 5. adopt a resolution to the Board of Supervisors approving the Montarabay Community Ballfields project , subject to the mitigation measures identified in the Environmental Impact Report. CW:vpl mtbeir.rpt 6/13/89 a• G B THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DATE: April 24 , 1990 MATTER OF RECORD SUBJECT: MontaraBay Ballfields Project The Board this date approved the MontaraBay Ballfields Project, to redevelop the existing ballfield facilities located at the MontaraBay Community Center, County Service Area M-17. The following persons spoke in favor of the project: Melvin Johnson, 2114 Blackwood Drive, San Pablo, Bob Hankins, 2119 Cypress Avenue, San Pablo, and Colleen Hankins, 2119 Cypress Avenue, San Pablo. The following persons spoke in opposition to the project: Richard Knoblauch, 2636 Rim Road, San Pablo, Joan Knoblauch, 2636 Rim Road, San Pablo, and Leona Hermansader, 2459 Shamrock Drive, San Pablo. In addition, Rita M. Fisi, 16401 San Pablo Avenue, #227, San Pablo, did not speak but presented a card expressing her opposition to the project. THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY NO BOARD ACTION TAKEN