May 10, 2005
SUBJECT: Revision of De Anza School Sports Field Master Plan to include Proposed Batting Cage Facility (05-125)
REPORT IN BRIEF
On November 14, 1972, the City of Sunnyvale entered into a Maintenance and Use Agreement with the Sunnyvale Elementary School District for several school properties located in Sunnyvale including De Anza School sports field. Please see Attachment A, aerial view of De Anza School and De Anza Park. Over the years, the Agreement has been revised, updated and amended on occasion and continues to-date. Recently the District notified the City that it supports a change of use of a portion of that field to allow Sunnyvale Southern Little League, at their own cost, to construct a batting cage. The Agreement states that it is the City’s responsibility to revise the Master Plan (a simple 8.5” x 11” site plan, not a complex document) whenever substantial improvements are requested. Additionally, to take affect, the revised Master Plan must be approved by both governing bodies (Council and School Board).
Staff has revised the Master Plan in accordance with the League’s request including details not noted previously such as the area of the sports field that has been used for baseball score boards. Please see Attachment B, Revised Master Plan for De Anza Sports Fields. Staff facilitated an evening meeting with the near neighbors to allow the Little League an opportunity to share the planned project details and allow for public input. While not all neighbors were able to attend, those neighbors that attended expressed support for the League’s plan to construct a batting cage facility and the related changes to the Master Plan. Stratford School leases the De Anza School facility from the District and has also expressed support for the project. On April 14, 2005 the Sunnyvale Elementary School District Board of Education reviewed this matter and acted to approve the revised Master Plan as noted on Attachment B (Alternative 1 in this report).
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed a draft of this report at its regular scheduled meeting on April 13, 2005, heard extensive input from near neighbors and unanimously recommended Alternative 1 with conditions as noted in the Recommendations section of this report.
Staff recommends that Council approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza School sports field to include the proposed batting cage facility, that the facility be screened with the use of landscape shrubs/trees, and that the facility be operated in accordance with City policies.
BACKGROUND
A Maintenance and Use Agreement for De Anza School sports fields has been in place since November 14, 1972. This Agreement has allowed public use of the sports fields during non-school hours. Typical public uses include passive recreation such as walking, jogging or watching sports games and more active recreation has included baseball, football, soccer and such. As consideration for this access and use, the City provides for all maintenance of the fields, recreational amenities and the adjacent parking lot.
The current Agreement notes that whenever a substantial improvement not included in the Master Plan for the site is requested, the Master Plan must be revised by the City. Further, any newly revised Master Plan must be approved by both governing boards (School Board and City Council) before it may be placed into effect. The installation and maintenance of any improvements agreed to by both parties shall be paid for by the party proposing it, or by both parties if jointly proposed.
On December 6, 2004, the District notified the City that it supported the Sunnyvale Southern Little League’s construction of a batting cage facility near the southwest corner of the fields). The Lessee of the old elementary school, Stratford School, has also expressed support for the facility. The facility would essentially be a rectangular chain-link structure with a home plate/batter’s box at one end and a ball pitching machine at the other end. Netting would be hung inside to slow the struck ball before it hits the chain-link walls and to ensure balls are confined within the structure. Staff has reviewed the proposed location and found that it is not a portion of, and would not impact, the larger sports field that is programmed for baseball, soccer, football, etc.; and, it would not impact leisure and recreational uses of adjacent De Anza Park. As noted on Attachment B, the proposed location is a small area of turf generally used as teams do pre-game “warm-up” activities such as throwing balls or stretching exercises. The location is bordered by Ticonderoga Avenue, a chain-link fence, the chain-link baseball backstop structure, and the De Anza School entrance with parking lots.
Costs for installation and maintenance of proposed improvements shall be borne by Sunnyvale Southern Little League, as these facilities would primarily serve their players. While the Batting Cage would not likely be a significant source of revenue for the Community Recreation Fund, the Recreation Division would have the opportunity to rent the facilities to other users outside of Sunnyvale Southern Little League’s times of use. All use would be governed by the City, Batting Cage Reservations Policies as noted in Attachment C. Concerns that might arise regarding days or times when the facility may be used would be addressed through the Recreation Division, Little Leagues Liaison.
On April 14, 2005, the Sunnyvale Elementary School District Board of Education met to consider the revised Master Plan. The Board approved the revised Master Plan as noted in Attachment B.
EXISTING POLICY
From the Recreation Sub-Element:
Policy 6.1B.2: Develop effective partnerships to address the complex needs of youth.
Action Statement: Maintain and pursue cooperative opportunities with schools, private industry, public agencies, and other organizations to work with youth.
From the Open Space Sub-Element:
Policy 2.C.2: Provide, develop and maintain Athletic/Play Fields.
Goal 2.2D: Cooperate with and support the four School Districts which serve Sunnyvale in order to continue access to school sites and facilities by people who live, work or visit in Sunnyvale for suitable, safe and consistent recreational use and enjoyment.
Policy 2.2D.1: Participate in joint planning by the City and School Districts for preservation, development or upgrading of open space and recreational facilities for continued use of school open space sites.
Action Statement 2.2D1b: Update base maps and inventory of facilities and equipment of all sites subsequent to any development, redevelopment or other improvements.
Additional Policy:
Maintenance and Use Agreement between the City of Sunnyvale and the Sunnyvale School District dated November 14, 1972, and extended June 25, 1991.
DISCUSSION
Batting cages are very popular with players and coaches of Little Leagues, Youth and Adult Softball Leagues. For some time, the League has searched for space to build batting cages and provide added benefit for the kids. This is not unusual as many sports and activity groups compete for limited resources. The League approached the School District for a site that is on District-owned property. Such a site was located; the League and the District support construction of batting cages at De Anza School sports field.
However, while in use, batting cage facilities can be busy and at times the noise of the bat/ball can interrupt neighbors’ quiet. In this case, the noise is much like that the neighborhood has experienced for many years while the Little League players play baseball and practice batting at the site. Batting cages are constructed of chain-link materials similar to the school fencing and the baseball back stops nearby. Netting is typically hung inside the chain link structure to assist in noise concerns and to protect the baseballs from damage. The cages are primarily used for instruction and batting practice for children ages 5 through teen years and allow a safe place for batters to swing away and keep the balls confined. In this manner, the children practice without obstructing or impacting the practice of other children.
Batting cage facilities also tend not to be aesthetically attractive amenities. However, actual construction, if approved, would require a plan check and permit process by Sunnyvale Community Development Department. It is anticipated that any approved facility would include landscape shrubs and trees to screen neighbors’ view from the south (Ticonderoga Avenue) side as plants mature.
Staff has discussed potential parking/traffic concerns with League representatives and note that the potential users are most often children below driving ages and who are scheduled to visit the site for practice or games. Therefore, additional players, teams or users are not anticipated during the League’s use of the batting cage facility. All use would be governed by the City Batting Cage Reservations Policies. Concerns raised on the part of the school, neighbors or facility users would be addressed through the Recreation Division, Little Leagues Liaison. The Liaison holds regular and special meetings with all league groups on topics such as park rules, litter, parking and more.
While not required by City project review processes, League members began a survey of the adjacent neighbors and found support for the changes. However, not all neighbors were at home when League Representatives visited the neighborhood. Subsequently, a public meeting was held on March 1, 2005, at the De Anza Park Building to allow League representatives an opportunity to share the proposed project in greater detail with neighbors and allow for neighbor input. Please see Attachment D, Public Meeting Announcement. While not all neighbors were able to attend, those neighbors that attended expressed support for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City Capital or Operations Budget whether Council approves or does not approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza School Sports Field. If approved, the construction and nominal maintenance costs for the chain link style facility and repair/replacement of interior netting, plate and other equipment such as pitching machines would be provided by Sunnyvale Southern Little League.
Conclusion
Sunnyvale Southern Little League desires to construct a batting cage facility at De Anza School sports fields. Sunnyvale School District and its lessee Stratford School support that construction. The District Board of Education has approved the revised Master Plan per Attachment B.
Per written Agreement, construction of substantial improvements requires revision of the Master Plan for the De Anza School sports fields; and, the revised Master Plan must be approved by both the Sunnyvale School District School Board and the City Council to take effect.
City Council approval of the revised Master Plan would allow the Sunnyvale Southern Little League, at their own cost, the opportunity to construct a batting cage facility at the De Anza School sports field.
Without City Council approval of the revised Master Plan the Sunnyvale Southern Little League would not be allowed, at their own cost, the opportunity to construct a batting cage facility at the De Anza School sports field.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council agendas on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, publication of the Council’s agenda in the San Jose Mercury News and availability of the report in the City Clerk’s Office, Library, Parks and Recreation Administration, Community Center and Senior Center.
A public input meeting was held at the De Anza Park multi-purpose building on March 1, 2005. Fliers were posted at De Anza Park multi-purpose building.
Notice of Commission and Council meetings regarding this report was also distributed to the "Friends of Parks and Recreation" mailing list (a list of organizations and individuals who have expressed an interest in parks and recreation issues).
On April 14, 2005, the Sunnyvale Elementary School District Board of Education conducted a public meeting on this topic and approved the revised Master Plan in accordance with Attachment B.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza Park sports field to include a proposed batting cage facility per Attachment B.
2. Do not approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza Park sports field to include a proposed batting cage facility per attachment B.
3. Provide direction to staff as Council deems appropriate.
RECOMMENDATION
The Parks and Recreation Commission met on April 13, 2005, and unanimously recommended that City Council approve Alternative No. 1 with the following conditions:
- The Batting Cage Facility is to be landscaped so it is not visible from Ticonderoga Avenue.
- The Batting Cage Facility will not be paved.
- The Batting Cage Facility size will be limited to 70 ft. x 34 ft. x 12 ft. with the long side on the north side of the cage and not to exceed 2 ft. away from the parking lot as far away from Ticonderoga Avenue as possible.
These conditions were recommended by Commissioners to mitigate the negative visual aspects of a large chain link structure, concerns for additional paving and to address noise concerns, all of which were raised as concerns by neighbors during the hearing.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1: Approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza Park sports field to include a proposed batting cage facility per Attachment B.
This action is consistent with Council’s previously approved Maintenance and Use Agreement between the City and Sunnyvale Elementary School District to maintain these properties for recreational uses during non-school hours. The proposed structure would be consistent with other structures (fences, baseball back stops and bleachers) at this site and consistent with design of sports field amenities in general. Aesthetic concerns could be addressed with the addition of landscape shrubs/trees along the south border (Ticonderoga Avenue side) of the enclosure. Proposed amenities would maximize play and instructional value for youth at no additional cost to the City or District, and the District Board of Education has taken formal action to approve the revised Master Plan.
Prepared by:
Curtis Black, Interim Director
Parks and Recreation Department
Reviewed by:
Robert Paternoster, Director
Community Development Department
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. Aerial View of De Anza School and De Anza Park (.pdf format)
B. Revised Master Plan for De Anza Sports Fields (.pdf format)
C. Batting Cage Reservations Policies (.pdf format)
D. Public Meeting Announcement (.pdf format)