HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; 0907-4; Citizen Concerns Hidden Canyon Community ParkPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
AB#0907-4
MTG. DATE: | 09/17/07
STAFF:| SWENCK
CITIZEN CONCERNS REGARDING
HIDDEN CANYON COMMUNITY PARK
D INFO
ACTION
RECOMMENDED ACTION :
Receive staff report regarding citizen concerns at Hidden Canyon Park and direct staff
accordingly.
ITEM EXPLANATION :
In August 2007, City staff received a letter from a group of residents living adjacent to Hidden
Canyon Community Park regarding their concerns involving certain activities at the park (Exhibit
1). The residents requested that staff present their concerns at an upcoming meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Commission, and ultimately recommend eliminating the use of inflatable
party jumps in the park entirely.
The residents' concerns included, (1) the use of inflatable party jumps and the noise and safety
issues associated with the gasoline powered generators required to operate them, (2) the
location and placement of a designated picnic area for rentals, (3) the size and frequency of
rentals, and (4) the parking and traffic problems along Vancouver Street specifically associated
with picnic rentals and inflatable party jumps. In addition, staff has received unrelated complaints
regarding skateboarding in the park, and activity before and after posted park operating hours.
In an effort to address these concerns and manage public demand for park use, staff has opted
to voluntarily regulate and limit the picnic rentals at Hidden Canyon Park to a maximum of 50
participants per event—in a designated area away from the adjacent homes. Only one inflatable
party jump is allowed at any one time.
Staff recently identified an electrical outlet nearby the designated rental area which will be used
to power the blowers used with the inflatable party jumps. This will completely eliminate any
noise or safety concerns related to the use of gasoline powered generators.
BACKGROUND:
Hidden Canyon Community Park is located at 2685 Vancouver Street. Amenities in the 3.5 acre
park include a picnic area, tot lots, seating and lawn areas, walking paths, and a restroom facility
(Exhibit 2).
In June 2002, the City Council approved the Master Plan in concept. Council then directed staff
to proceed with the project with the listed entitlements and design contained in the Master Plan.
The Recreation Department organized and conducted a public workshop, requesting input from
neighboring residents as to what elements the park should contain.
AB#0907-4
Pg. 2
The Planning Commission approved the final Master Plan design in April 2003. Subsequently, the
City Council awarded the bid and authorized construction to begin on the park in July 2004.
Council Policy 28, Facility Use Regulations, allows for picnic area rentals and for the use of
inflatable party jumps in designated areas of Carlsbad parks. All other open park areas are
available on first come, first served basis—reservations are not necessarily required.
Since April 2006, staff has processed a total of 25 rental permits for the designated picnic area
located adjacent to the restrooms and of those 25 rentals, 13 included a permit for an inflatable
party jump. The City does not schedule nor permit any major special events at Hidden Canyon
Park.
CONCLUSION:
Staff is currently reviewing the concerns the neighboring residents have expressed, including
issues dealing with skateboarding and activity before and after posted park hours. Staff requests
additional time to evaluate and report back to the Commission regarding the residents' concerns,
and to consult legal council to determine what action may be taken for possible inclusion to the
Municipal Code regarding park use.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
EXHIBITS:
1. Citizen Letter of Concern (August 2007)
2. Map of Hidden Canyon Park
August 12, 2007 EXHIBIT 1
Lori Swenck
Recreation Area Manager
City of Carlsbad
Thank you for taking time to discuss my concerns regarding the neighborhood problems produced
by the inflatable party jumps at Hidden Canyon Community Park. The purpose of this letter is to
document those concerns and the comments I have received my neighbors, for consideration to
Staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Carlsbad City Council.
The use of inflatable party jumps are inappropriate and unsuitable in Hidden Canyon Community
Park for the following reasons:
We join and support our neighbors to the west and their documented issues concerning the noise
problems and safety issues regarding generator powered party jumps. However, we take exception
to your proposal to designate the grassy area near the restrooms as the party jump location. The
party jump noise is in proximity to the homes and the hillside reverberation is intolerable and
disturbing to the neighbors and the other park patrons. Due to the topography of the park, even
one party jump in the proposed area is loud throughout the entire park.
The party jump events have also significantly exacerbated the traffic and parking problems on
Vancouver Street. Regardless of whether electrical outlets or quiet generators are used, these
single party events are permitted for up to 25 persons. On occasions, past individual party events
have exceeded this limit, and there have been multiple same day events. Typically, these events
have lasted 4 to 8 hours each.
The Carlsbad Planning Commission Report defines Hidden Canyon Park as "passive, containing
only picnic facilities, tot lots, and a restroom building". Actively powered party jump houses are
not passive. I strongly doubt the planning report considered the use of such event equipment in the
noise and traffic evaluations.
Residential community home owner associations (HO As) and the City of Encinitas do not allow
inflatable party jumps in recreational parks. These groups have already determined this equipment
is a noise problem, nuisance, and disturbance to the homeowners and park patrons and their
opportunity to enjoy the parks.
Whenever I talk to the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation staff, they empathize with our concerns,
and agree they would not want to have these party jumps in their backyards.
I ask you to present these concerns to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and request your
support to recommend eliminating the use of party jumps at Hidden Canyon Community Park.
As discussed, please notify the residents of the scheduled commission and city council public
comment meetings.
Sincerely,
Paul & Kathy Santy
2693 Vancouver St.
Chris Fulcher
3351 Concord Street
Volly & Molly Williams
2689 Vancouver Street
Tim Mackey
3355 Concord Street
Mike & Coleen Foster
2697 Vancouver Street
Betty Betzold
3363 Concord Street
Margaret Moritz
3347 Concord St.
Jackie Behrhorst
2696 Waterbury St
EXHIBIT 2
City of Carlsbad
1—
HIDDEN CANVON PARK
Northeast Quadrant
t-~, T»!\ ) Viewpoint - Benches -^
Entry Arbor
View Point - Benches
Play Equip. Kids 6-12
Seat Wair
Drinking Fountain
Raised Planter - Seat wall
Play Equip. Kids 3-6X55"
,.^V Restrooms
Split Rail Fence ''
m
UtifvAcGBWRood- "
Park Trail (10% max.)
Entry Arbor-^
Additional Parking - \i\
5 spaces - v
Existing Parking -
r Power line
V L^ One Acre
Drawing Scale 1' = 407
Master Plan
Auto / Pedestrian
'<a I Access
lew Wall -
Both sides ul
Parking Lo<
; i
*.-- ^5
\ -,
March 2002