HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - COUNTY MONITORING PROPOSED (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE
December 8, 1992
AGENDA REPORT
City Manag
Item to be
SUBJECT: County Monitoring: Proposed "Croatian Park"
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
Lynn M. Harrisy�o
Los Angeles County Is currently processing an application for a proposed 40 acre private
recreational. facility on the west side of Sierra Highway, north of Vasquez Canyon Road. The
proposed park would be used for private events of the Croatian National Association, whose
previous recreation park in Los Angeles was closed as a result of the Century City Freeway
construction. The Association also plans to rent the facilities for private functions. The project is
scheduled to be heard by the Regional Planning Commission on December 9, 1992.
The City's County monitoring staff has reviewed the project and feels that the proposal is a
reasonable use of the property and can be determined to be consistent with the City's General Plan.
In a letter (Attachment 1) to James Hartl, Director of Regional Planning, dated November 4, 1992,
City staff Identified concerns with traffic, grading, visual Impacts, and hours of operation and
suggested conditions of approval for the project which we felt would resolve these concerns.
At the City Council meeting of November 10, 1992, several residents of the area expressed concern
regarding traffic, noise; visual Impacts and water supply and quality. As City staff had not
addressed water supply and quality in the November 4letter, the Council directed staff to follow-up'
on this Issue and schedule the Item for the December 8, 1992, Council meeting. Staff requested
additional information from the County regarding this Issue in a letter dated November 17, 1992
(Attachment 2). We have not yet received a response. Staff has also asked that a County planner
be present at the Council meeting to answer questions regarding the project raised by
Councllmembers and the public.
Staff continues to feel that the project constitutes a reasonable use of the property, that the
concerns of the area residents and the City can be resolved through appropriate conditions of
approval, and that the City should maintain a neutral position on this project.
RECOMMENDATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Receive staff report;
Receive public testimony;
Direct people Interested in the proposed project to testify at the December 9,
Planning Commission meeting; and ---
Take no further action on this Item.
1992, Regional
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APPROVED
City of
Santa Clarita
JIu "Ic
Mayor
Jan Helot
Maywpro-Te r
Jo Anna Darcy
23920 vaiencia Blvd.
Suite 300
City of Santa Clarita
California 91355
November 4, 1992
Phone
(805) 259-2489
Fax
(805) 259-8125
Mr. James Hani
Director, Regional Planning
County of Los Angeles
320 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Attention: Mr. Richard Frazier, Variances and Permits Section
Re: Project No. 94499: "Croatian Park"
Dear Mr. Hartl:
On October 7, 1992, we were pleased to receive a copy of the site plan of the
Proposed "Croatian Park" from Mr. Dean Williams, agent for.the applicant, who has
also provided us with additional background Information about the project. This
proposal for a private recreational facility in this location, near the Canyon Country
Little League baseball diamonds, appears to be a reasonable use of this property,
and may provide the surrounding community with additional facilities for recreation
on a rental basis.
Georp courAm P riblor Mr. Williams has also Informed us that he has met with both the Lower Mint Canyon
Caunrshranwer
Property Owners' Assoclation and the Ague Duke Town Council, and Is attempting
to resolve any concerns expressed by these groups. In a conversation with Chris
Kudlja of my staff, Mr. Wlillems expressed interest In accommodating all concerns
expressed by adjacent communities as much as possible.
On October 14, 1992, we received a copy of a letter from Mr. Dean Williams to you
requesting a continuance of the scheduled public hearing on Wednesday, October
21, and later confirmed with Mr. Nick Hesselkus that the hearing has been
postponed to December 9.
This letter was just one example of this applicant's Interest in resolving community
concerns and courtesy In keeping Interested parties up to date concerning the
Progress of this application.
Our preliminary review of the plans raised a few questions regarding potential traffic
concerns, grading and visual concerns, and hours of operation.
The following comments and suggestions forconditlons of approval may be useful:
e Traffic Impacts
According to Regional Planning environmental documentation "Project
Changes/Conditions due to Environmental Evaluation," (dated June 24, 1992,
attached), the applicant will be responsible for constructing and/or contributing
to various Improvements along Sierra Highway to mitigate this project's traffic
Impacts. The document also recommends Inclusion of this project In the Route
126 Bridge and Major Thoroughfare (B & T) Construction Fee District.
Mr. James Hartl
November 4, 1992
Page 2
We concur with these recommendations, and wish to emphasize the need for
widening of Sierra Highway between Davenport Road and Sand Canyon Road,
as well as the inclusion of this project within the Route 126 8 & T district. We
request that specific conditions regarding these Improvements be attached to
the project, and that occupancy not be granted until necessary road
Improvements are complete and operational.
Visual Impacts
It Is our understanding that the project will require approximately 600,000 cubic
yards of grading, and will result in landform modification resulting in a terraced
plateau set back from Sierra Highway by approximately 250 to 450 feet.
According to the plan, the edge of the plateau would be graded to an average
elevation of 60' feet above that of Sierra Highway. From the plan, It appears
that principles of contour grading have been used in the grading design to a
great extent, and that a small knoll near Sierra Highway Is planned to be
retained undisturbed.
We request that the project be conditioned to require that the entrance
driveway be screened from below by appropriate landscaping, using large
shrubs or trees. Screening of the driveway, and planting of the fill slopes
below it will soften the outline of the plateau edge, and minimize visual Impacts
from below.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on a project that may provide
substantial community benefit and Identity. When they are available, please send
us a copy of the draft conditions of approval. We Intend to sand a representative
to the public hearing on December 9; we will keep you Informed of our
communication with the applicant. If you have any questions* regarding our
comments, please call me at (805) 255.4345.
Sincerely,
Li.>
LL M. Harris
Deputy City Manager
Community Development
LMH:CMK
cc: Mr. Dave Vannatta, Planning Deputy
Mr. Dean Williams
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City of
Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd.
Suite 300
City of Santa Clarita
California 91355
November 17, 1992
Phone
(805) 259.2489
Fax
(805) 259.8125
Mr: James Hanl
Director, Regional Planning
County of Los Angeles
320 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Jill "ic .
Mayor Attention: Mr. Richard Frazier, Variances and Permits Section
Jan Heidi
Mayor Pro -Tem Re: Project No. 90-499: "Croatian Park"
Carl Bayer Dear Mr. Hartl:
Counalmember
Jo Anne Darcy During the regular City Council meeting on November 10, 1992, several residents of
Councuawnber the Vasquez Canyon. area addressed the City Council regarding the proposed
George Pederson "Croatian Park." Their concerns focus on several Issues, notably water supply and
Cou hverrdw quality, traffic, noise, and visual quality. In our previous letter of November 4,1992,
we requested various mitigation measures regarding traffic and visual quality
(grading and landform alteration) Impacts. We did not address water supply Issues.
However, because water supply and quality have been called to our attention, we
would appreciate the opportunity to ask a few questions regarding the project's
proposed water consumption and provisions for sanitation.
It Is our understanding that the proposed water use Is approximately 23,000 gallons
per day for landscaping, and 54,000 gallons per day forconsumption, to be supplied
from two private wells. (Letter from Mr. Dean Williams to Paul McCarthy, Impact
Analysis Section, 3/31/92) Has the effect on adjacent properties and wells been
determined? According to the residents' testimony, numerous wells In the vicinity
have "gone dry." Has adequate water supply been determined for this project? We
would. appreciate copies of any documentation showing whether or not there is
sufficient water available to serve this project.
In addition, it was expressed that the proposed use of a septic system may affect
water quality In adjacent water wells. Has It been determined to your satisfaction .
that the project will have no Impact on groundwater quality, and/or would It be
appropriate to investigate this matter further at this point? Again, we would
appreciate receiving any documentailon which demonstrates whether this project
would create adverse Impacts on the adjacent community with respect to these
issues, in addition to those we addressed previously.
Mr. James Hartl
November 17, 1992
Page 2
Thank you In advance for your consideration of our questions. As we Informed you
In our letter November 4, 1992, we Intend to send a representative to the public
hearing on December 9. If you have any questions regarding our comments, please
call me at (805) 255.4345.
Sincerely,
Ly n M. Harris
Deputy City Manager
Community Development
LMH:CMK
cc: Mr. Dave Vannatta, Planning Deputy
Mr. Dean Williams
Mr. Tom Hoagland, L.A. County Public Works
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