HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-07 - AGENDA REPORTS - SKATEBOARD FACILITY (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Wee
amilton C. Smyth
of City Council
6
FROM: arav Cit Manager
DATE: January 7, 1997
SUBJECT: SKATEBOARD FACILITY
Backeround
On May 14, 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 96-68, approving the application
of Proposition A grant funds for the design and development of a skateboard facility.
On May 30, 1996, the City was awarded $32,811 in Proposition A funds to be used toward
the development of a skateboard park.
Staff spent the past several months reviewing potential sites and creating a site evaluation
form to determine the best location for the facility. A total of 22 sites were evaluated. Many
factors were taken into consideration during the rating process to choose a location that was
easily accessible to skaters, yet did not pose an excessive nuisance to adjacent neighborhoods
or businesses. Attached is a list of potential locations and criteria that were used in the
rating process.
On October 2, 1996, a meeting was held with Ron Kilcoyne, Transportation Manager, and
Lynn Harris, Director of Public Works, to discuss the feasibility of developing a skateboard
facility on a sub -parcel at the Metrolink Station on Soledad Canyon Road. The site was
approved for further consideration. On October 23, 1996, City staff met with skaters and
their parents to review possible locations. The skater's recommendation, along with the list
of potential sites, was taken forward to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on
October 10, 1996. At this meeting, staff was requested to narrow the selection of sites down
to three. On November 7, 1996, Metrolink (Soledad), utility easements (by Home Depot), and
Canyon Country Park were presented to the Commission. Further research showed that the
utility easement may not be a viable option since only passive parks are permitted on their
property. Canyon County Park was not easily accessible to all skaters and would use land
visably in site of adjacent homes.
The Parks and Recreation Commission, skaters, Sheriffs station, and Public Works have all
given their support to seek approval from Council to pursue the Metrolink parcel on Soledad
Canyon Road. It has all of the amenities needed by skaters, including security, lights,
restrooms, and telephones. It is accessible by all modes of transportation, is centrally located,
and does not impact neighbors or businesses. In discussions with the attorneys, we feel an
agreement can be made to open negotiations with Bermite for either a long-term lease or land
acquisition.
Additional Site Opportunity
In October 1996, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), requested letters of interest
for establishing Bike Stations in L.A. County to be submitted prior to November 8, 1996. At
the request of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Director of Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services directed staff to respond to the request.
The area under review for the skateboard facility will also provide adequate space for a Bike
Station. A Bike Station is a unique, new idea incorporating a public/private collaboration
funded with an MTA grant and private capital to provide bike rentals, showers, storage, and
snack bar for cyclists. Currently, there is one bike station in the United States located in
Long Beach, California. Staff has reviewed the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station site with
Bike Stations, Inc., the design, development, and operating company for the Long Beach
Bike Station. They were impressed with our Metrolink Station design, the bike trail, and
eiisting bike lockers. Staff will be requesting authorization from the City Council to submit
a grant application for a Bike Station. The Parks Planning staff is currently investigating
a publiclprivate partnership operating agreement in the event we are successful in our Bike
Station funding application to MTA. This agreement is being patterned after the agreement
between Bike Stations, Inc. and the City of Long Beach. Our City Attorney is currently
reviewing the proposed agreement. Upon. approval by the City Council we will have the
opportunity to negotiate an operation agreement that could include the skateboard facility.
Recommendation
City Council to review and discuss.
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ATTACHMENT A
SITE LOCATIONS AND CRITERIA
LOCATIONS
Metrolink - Soledad Canyon
Metrolink - Via Princessa
Santa Clarita Park
Newhall Park
Bouquet Canyon Park
Valencia Glen Park
Valencia Meadows Park
North Oaks Park
Canyon Country Park
Old Orchard Park
Central Park
Utility Easements
Lost Canyon
Bermite
Soledad Canyon - Next to bowling alley
Bouquet Canyon - Magic Mountain Parkway
Redview Drive - Near BMX & Hart School District
Saugus Speedway
Cyanamid
Property adjacent to Alta Dena
Property near Home Depot
Sierra Highway - near YMCA Roller Hockey Rink
City Owned
Central Location
Trail Access
Transit Access
wmmis\skatbd1l96
Security
Residential Impact
Commercial Impact
Impact on Existing Usage
Restrooms
Parking
Development Costs
Telephone