TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution certifying an addendum to the Sports Park Environmental Impact Report (SCH#1999091108) for proposed improvements at Willow Springs Park, and approve the Willow Springs Park Master Plan. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
In April 2012, the City of Long Beach kicked off the master planning process for California Gardens, a 50-acre site located between Willow Street, Spring Street, Orange Avenue, and California Avenue (Attachment A).
Following an evaluation of existing conditions, the first of two master plan workshops was conducted to receive community input. Over 40 participants attended the first workshop held on July 21, 2012. The four-hour interactive workshop included the following:
· Presentation of background information;
· A site awareness tour that included an opportunity for participants to record their site observations at each tour stop in workbook format;
· Group discussion of tour findings (such as likes, dislikes, issues, safety, and security);
· Group design charette to graphically express ideas on site maps.
The information received at the workshop was then synthesized, evaluated, and summarized in written and graphic format. The resulting information was presented at the second master plan workshop held on August 22, 2012. Almost all of the attendees from the first workshop participated in the second workshop. The second workshop included a summary of the feedback received at the first workshop, including:
· Workbook summaries;
· Group discussion summaries; and
· Group plan summaries.
The participants were able to confirm that the project team had accurately reflected the information provided at the first workshop. Following this summary, the participants were led through a consensus planning process that included a composite bubble diagram and a graphic master plan. The entire process is summarized in the Master Plan Summary Report (Attachment B).
The general consensus from the workshop participants is that the master plan reflects the desires of the community that have been expressed throughout the process. The master plan was well received, without opposition.
After the workshops ended, the Master Plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and approved by the Commission on December 13, 2012. The next step is City Council approval.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on December 21, 2012, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 20, 2012.
SUSTAINABILITY
While approval of the Willow Springs Park Master Plan would have no immediate sustainability impact, employing the Master Plan to guide future development of California Gardens will increase the sustainability of future development by eliminating incompatible developments in various locations throughout the project site. Use of the Master Plan will promote synergies between individual projects that comprise the phased implementation of the Master Plan.
Individual projects developed in the implementation of the Master Plan will restore habitat, use and demonstrate the use of native and drought-tolerant plantings, sustainably address storm water capture and use, and will incorporate recycled and sustainable materials wherever possible. In addition, the environmental education included in the phased development will promote sustainability to site visitors.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 8, 2013, in order to allow project planning to move forward.
FISCAL IMPACT
At this time, no fiscal impact would result from approval of the Willow Springs Park Master Plan. However, significant funding must be secured in the future to implement phased development of the Master Plan. In addition, funding must be secured for maintenance and operation of all future development. There is no job impact associated with the recommended action. However, future development of individual projects will result in an unknown number of design, construction, and landscaping jobs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER