May 3, 2005

SUBJECT:       Revision of Serra School Sports Field Master Plan to include Proposed Batting Cage Facility (05-129)

REPORT IN BRIEF

On August 12, 1986, the City of Sunnyvale entered into a Maintenance and Use Agreement with the Cupertino Union School District for several school properties located in Sunnyvale including Serra School sports field. Please see Attachment A, aerial view of Serra School and Serra 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 Serra Little League, at their own cost, to construct a batting cage facility. 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 Serra Sports Fields. On February 23, 2005, 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 strong support for the League’s plan to construct a batting cage facility and the related changes to the Master Plan. On March 8, 2005 the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education reviewed this matter and acted to approve the revised Master Plan to include a Batting Cage Facility (Alternative 1 of this report).

The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed a draft of this report at its regular scheduled meeting on April 13, 2005, and unanimously recommended that Council approve revision of the Master Plan to include a batting cage facility with certain conditions as noted in the Recommendations section of this report.

Staff recommends that Council approve the revised Master Plan for Serra 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 Serra sports fields has been in place since August 12, 1986. 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.

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 November 22, 2004, the District notified the City that it supported the Serra Little League’s construction of a batting cage facility near the southwest corner of the fields. 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 Serra 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 the school asphalt surface and the chain-link baseball backstop structure. To complete this project two medium-sized trees of poor structure and moderate health must be removed. New landscape shrubs and trees could be placed near the structures for screening purposes.

Costs for installation and maintenance of proposed improvements shall be borne by Serra Little League, as these facilities would primarily serve their players. While the batting cage facility 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 Serra 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 League Liaison.

On March 8, 2005, the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education conducted a public meeting to review this topic and formally 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 Cupertino Union dated May 16, 1989.

DISCUSSION

Batting cages are very popular with players and coaches of Little Leagues, Youth and Adult Softball Leagues. For over ten years Serra Little League had two batting cages constructed by their volunteers at Cupertino Jr. High. However, in 2003, the District required that the cages be removed to allow for additional classroom space. Since that 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 Serra 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. The sound would also be as experienced by neighbors of the Cupertino Jr. High batting cages over the previous ten-year period. 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 the view of the batting cage facility 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 February 23, 2005, at the Serra 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 strong 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 Serra 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 Serra Little League.

Conclusion

Serra Little League desires to construct a batting cage facility at Serra School sports fields. Cupertino Union School District supports that construction.

Per written Agreement, construction of substantial improvements requires revision of the Master Plan for the Serra School sports fields; and, the revised Master Plan must be approved by both the Cupertino Union School District, Board of Education and the City Council to take effect.

On March 8, 2005, the Cupertino Union School District, Board of Education approved the revised Master Plan to include a batting cage facility at the Serra School sports fields.

Council approval of the revised Master Plan would allow the Serra Little League, at their own cost, the opportunity to construct a batting cage facility at the Serra School sports field.

Without Council approval of the revised Master Plan the Serra Little League would not be allowed, at their own cost, the opportunity to construct a batting cage facility at the Serra 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 Serra Park multi-purpose building on February 23, 2005. Fliers were posted at Serra 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 March 8, 2005, the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education conducted a public hearing on this topic and approved the revised Master Plan consistent with Attachment B.

ALTERNATIVES