HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-15; Parks & Recreation Commission; 1199-6; Letter to Christina BrazierPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
AB# 1199-6
RECOMMENDED ACTION :
STAFF: STEYAERT
LETTER TO CHRISTINA BRAZIER MTG. DATE: 1 1/15/99
TITLE : INFO
0 ACTION
Accept and file.
ITEM EXPLANATION :
Staff has responded to a letter on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding a
citizen’s concern about “over-building,” loss of open space and future plans for park
development. Please refer to attached.
EXHIBITS:
1. Letter to Christina Brazier - (October 19, 1999) from Park Development Coordinator.
2. Letter to Christina Brazier - (October 14, 1999) from Principal Planner.
22
October 19; I999
DEVELOPING TOMORROW‘S
LEADERS
Christina Brazier
2905 Via Pepita
Carlsbad, CA. 92009-9238
Dear Christina,
BUILDING COMMUNITY PRIDE
STRENGTHENING
FAMILIES
IMPROVING
QUALITY
OF LIFE
rc
I have been asked to respond to your letter to the Parks and Recreation
Commission concerning “over-building’’ of Carlsbad, loss of open space
and your interest in learning about future plans for parks.
You hit on a very hot topic right now! You, as many residents, are
concerned with all the new development going on right now. I understand
that the Planning Department has also responded to your letter (Don
Rideout, 10/14/99). They addressed the issues of development and the
loss of open space, and the City’s plans to provide open space and
wilderness areas throughout the City. Therefore, I will restrict my
discussion to the City’s plans for parks, current and future.
As stated in the Planning Department’s letter, the City has a “General
Plan”, that was approved many years ago with the input of the citizens of
Carlsbad. The General Plan is considered to be the “blueprint” for how the
City will look, now and in the future. The General Plan has several
sections, called “Elements”, that address different aspects of the City,
including Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Public Safety, Parks and
Recreation, and other topics. The Parks and Recreation Element, includes a “Park Master Plan” for the entire City, outlining all existing and future
parks. I have provided a copy of the Parks and Recreation Element for
your review.
The Park Master Plan is based on providing 3 acres per thousand people
in the City. When developers build projects here, we require them to either
dedicate land for new parks, or if the City prefers, collect money, which we
then use to buy park land. This is how we can afford to provide the
beautiful parks in Carlsbad. However, per State Law (the “Quimby Act”),
we are only allowed to require developers to dedicate, or pay fees, based
23 EXHIBIT I
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad CA 92008- 1989 (760) 434-2€!
pg. 2; Christina Brazier
- on the 3 acres per thousand population figure. This is OK though, because 3 acres per
thousand people will allow us to provide an extensive park system servicing all
residents of Carlsbad, and at the same time, not be so much land that we can’t provide
quality maintenance of the parks and recreation employees to operate the parks.
You live in La Costa Valley, which is in the South East Quadrant of the City (the Park
Master Plan divides the City into four quadrants). In the attached information, you will
note that the.S.E. Quadrant has several existing parks, including Stagecoach Park,
which is.one of the City’s most popular facilities. You also have some very exciting
future parks planned in your Quadrant. Carrillo Ranch will be the City’s premier
historical park. It will be 27 acres and will include museums, trails and open space
among a lovely setting of an early California adobe hacienda. It is scheduled to be open
in early 2002. Alga Norte Park is planned to be 33 acres and will have the City’s second
public swimming pool. The park portion is anticipated to be open between 2002 and
2003 with the pool developed several years later. If you would like to learn more about
these upcoming projects, please feel free to contact me directly (tel. 434-2855).
In closing, we have one of the most extensive park systems planned in the County, if
not the entire State. Carlsbad is the envy of many North County cities when it comes to
park facilities. That is not to say that it wouldn’t be nice to have.more. However, we
believe we have a plan that is sustainable, in other words, a park system that we will be
able to provide a high quality of amenities and be able to maintain and operate them
over the years to come. -
Thank you for your letter. It is good that you are aware of the quality of life in your
community. Continue to keep an eye on what is going on and feel free to contact us at
any time should you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mark Steyaert
Park Development Coordinator
attachment:
c: Parks and Recreation Commission (w/letters attached)
Recreation Director (wlletters attached)
Senior Management Analyst, Beverly (w/letters attached)
,-
24
Sept 23,1999
Dear Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission,
and raised here, and presently attend La Costa Canyon High
School.
I am concerned about all the over-building of Carlsbad,
especially in La Costa Valley. I feel sad to see so many homes
being built in an area that once was home to many animals. I am
afiaid that we are losing a lot of open-space areas.
space areas in Carlsbad?
My family has lived in Carlsbad over 20 years. I was born
Are there plans for more parks, wilderness areas, or open
Please give me any information on future plans for our town.
Sincerely,
Christina Brazier
2905 Via Pepita
Carlsbad, CA 92009-9238
25
0C.T-20-99 WED 09: 05 P, 02
i
c
- Citv of Carlsbad
October 14.1999
Christina Brazier
2905 via Pep’ita
Carlsbad, CA 92009-92$8
Dear Ms. Brazier:
First I must apologize for the delay in replying to your letter. It is normally our practice to
respond to letters within a week. However, we have been very busy latety dealing with
the exact issue that you have raised, namely Ute conservation of open space and wildlife
habitat. Our hectic pace for the past several weeks resulted in an unavoidable delay in
writing back to you.
i i
We appreciate your letter,and your concern about the loss of open space. The question
you have raised is a large and complex one having to do with the overall issue of growth
in our region. To give you a proper answer, we must begin with the laws that govern
property rights and development. Beginning with the Constitution, there are many laws
that protect the right of property owners to use their property in a way that is
economically beneficial io them. The government cannot refuse to allow some
development of property without paying for it. In cases where a government agency has
gone too far in regulating land use, the courts have awarded damages to private property
owne‘rs who were denied ‘a reasonable economic use of their land. This does not mean
property owners can do whatever they wish, but it does mean that there are limits to
government‘s ability to regulate private property.
California cities typically regulate private property by having a General Plan and Zoning.
These documents describe the. kinds of land uses that can be permitted in various
places. I have enclosed copies of the Carlsbad General Plan and Zoning maps for your
use. La Costa Valley area is shown on the General Plan map as RLM and RM. These ’
designations mean the ama is planned ,for Residential Low and Moderate density. The
zoning is P-C which means Planned Community. In keeping with these regulations, the
property owner applied for permits from the City to build approximately 1,000 homes, two
schools, a child care center, a church, roads, and other features that will support the new
neighborhood. La Costa Valley also contains some open space as shown on the
General Plan map.
*
Before the City approved that project, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was
prepared to analyze the effects of the project on the area. The EIR indicated .that the
project would have some significant negative environmental effects, and it recommended
measures to reduce or eliminate those effects. These kinds of measures are called
“mitigation.” La Costa Valley was required to provide considerable mitigation to
compensate for its environmental impacts, including setting aside some land nearby as
permanent open space. I
2075 Las Palmas Dr. * Carlabad, CA 92009-1576 - (760) 4 EXHIBIT 2
26
P. 03 1 OCT-20-99 WED 09:06
t CHRISTINE BRAZIER OCTOBER 14,1999
PAGE TWO
Even though projects may meet alf the requirements of the law, we understand that
development of previous!y natural, open areas can be upsetting. It would not be
possible to keep every paicel of natural land as open space. However, the City is doing
everything possible to ketbp as much open space as we can, while also giving private
property owners their rigtits to develop. We have had an active open space planning
effort for over 70 years. IMost recently we have undertaken a plan called the Habitat
Management Plan which ill save the most important remaining pieces of natural land in
the City. If you count all of our beaches, lagoons, parks, mitigation areas and other natural land that will rema n in permanent open space, the totaf is approximately 10,000
acres or about 40% of the 1 ntire City. I
We hope this letter has adwered some of your questions and given you new information about the community you live in. Please continue to care about these issues, and write
to us again if you have.further questions or thoughts regarding growth.
Sincerely,
A //&/ .?d&- r.
J
DON RIDEOUT
Principal Planner
Attachments
c: City Manager
Community Development Director
Planning Director
c
27
* OCT-20-99 WED 09: 07 P, 04
September 23,1999
Dear City ManagerRay Patchett,
La Costa Canyon.%@ School. I have lived in Carlsbad all my
life. I am concernek that the quality of life that existed not too
long ago is rapidly &hanging. I am saddened by -the rapid loss of
open space areas. Ilam' worried about the environment that once
was home to many kimals. I miss the flower fields on El Camino
Real that are not the: Target center. The over building, especially
La Costa Valley, saddens me. What does the future hold for the
youth of Carlsbad? :Are we being squeezed out from all the
building? What abciut the wildlife? How will that effect our
environment? Are there fixture plans for open space areas, parks,
natural wilderness areas?
My family hd lived in Carlsbad. 20 years. I am a student at
I would appreciate hearing fkom you regarding future plans
for the City of Carlsbad.
rc' Thank You
Christina Brazier
2905 Via Pepita
Carlsbad, Ca 92009-9238
,- .