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David Lewis, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the staff report.
Councilmember Howe asked how the Challenger School meeting on August 24, 2006 was noticed to the neighborhood and asked if staff attended that meeting. Director Lewis stated Challenger School posted notices and/or distributed flyers, and that Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff were in attendance at the meeting.
Councilmember Howe asked if Director Lewis received feedback about the meeting from the Parks and Recreation Department staff that was not included in the staff report. Director Lewis stated staff did observe that there was significant concern over the lack of public noticing before the project began, which was not noted in the staff report. He stated the meeting did result in discussion about the various traffic issues, good dialogue was shared and input taken, and an agreement was made to facilitate work group meetings with neighborhood representatives.
Councilmember Howe asked if staff is in the process of reviewing what would be approved with the school district in the future versus what was approved in the past. Marvin Rose, Director of Public Works, stated staff has worked with the school district, in a cooperative effort, to review their proposed plan, but the City has limited authority to do anything about the plan. He stated it appears the current plan is better than the existing one, but it is not the City’s plan. Staff looked at what the school was proposing within the context of how it would address the on-street issues.
Councilmember Howe asked how the plan went from not needing City Council approval to the City now needing to approve the plan. Director Lewis stated the agreement the City has with the school district regarding open space (which this plan involves), requires both parties to agree on the use.
City Manager Chan stated there are two separate issues in terms of City involvement with this project. One issue is to consider changes to the Open Space Master Plan. The other issue is the curb cut permit (the review for this routine permit is at staff level), which is not part of the agenda tonight. She stated the construction and design of Challenger School is not under the purview of the City Council.
Director Rose explained that a curb cut permit is required to construct a driveway. Traffic staff was not aware of the land use issue when they issued the curb cut permit to Challenger School.
Councilmember Howe stated it was odd to have an open space issue come before Council when the project has already begun; thereby creating community concern. He asked that staff work with the school district in the future to make sure that the issue comes before Council (if needed) and community issues are raised before the project starts.
Councilmember Moylan verified that the modified Master Plan that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended is different from what was approved by the Sunnyvale School District and recommended by staff.
Councilmember Moylan asked why the school needs two lanes and Director Lewis stated that was to avoid a “choke point” (where two lanes flow into one).
Councilmember Chu verified that the curb cut designed by the school is two-lanes wide to expedite traffic flow and also that the school’s plan will have a mandatory right turn out of the lot.
City Manager Chan reiterated that staff looked at the plan only as a courtesy and that traffic pattern questions should be addressed to the Challenger School representatives.
Mayor Swegles opened the Public Hearing at 8:32 p.m.
Robert Harms, Parks and Recreation Commission, stated the commission voted 3 to 2 to recommend approval of the revised Master Plan for Hollenbeck School sports field with the condition that the driveway on the west side of the school building be limited to one lane to minimize the loss of open space. The driveway could then open to two lanes after it turns on the south side of the school building and traverses the existing hard-play surface. Councilmember Chu verified two commissioners were opposed to any type of curb cut.
Clay Stringham, Challenger School, apologized for not notifying the neighbors in advance about the project. He stated there is a major traffic issue on Hollenbeck and the school has looked at this situation over a number of years. Although not required, Challenger School is attempting to correct this situation. Mr. Stringham stated a neighborhood meeting was held with approximately 105 attendees and notices were sent to neighbors within a 300-foot radius of the school. The proposed two-lane, one-way, driveway loop they are proposing will accommodate approximately 62 cars, which they anticipate will allow for a faster drop off of students and significantly reduce the cars backing up on Hollenbeck. He stated the school is paying for the entire cost of this improvement.
Councilmember Howe verified that Challenger School developed the plan based on their experience elsewhere, but it was designed by Debolt Civil Engineering. Councilmember Howe verified the Civil Engineer had a traffic background and had designed two other similar traffic loops similar to one proposed by Challenger School.
Councilmember Chu verified 62 cars was the capacity for the two-lane driveway loop and asked if that included cars up to the Torrington entrance or all the way back to Hollenbeck. Mr. Stringham stated it counts from the point someone would pass through the gate onto the grassy surface area, so it does not include cars on Torrington. Councilmember Chu asked how citizens will know the area is restricted when the school is not using this access. Mr. Stringham stated there is a gate on both ends and that the curb cut already exists, the school is just proposing widening it.
Glen Soby stated concerns over the City Council approving the revised Master Plan for the Hollenbeck Park Sports Field. He stated this field is the only recreational place the residents have available for use and this proposal would render the field almost useless. He is in not if favor of approving the plan and would like to allow time to discuss this project with the community and to come to an agreement on a one-lane road.
Mayor Swegles asked staff to research when the agreement with the school district would expire regarding the sports field.
Mark Schertler requested Council address the entire project from a Hollenbeck traffic flow perspective, including the public safety aspect, and come up with a complete Master Plan.
Stephanie Edelman spoke about the need to involve everyone in the process to make this the best Master Plan for this site. She cited concerns about increases in student population and suggested busing as an alternative for traffic issues. She urged Council not to approve this plan until it has been looked at in depth with the community.
Ed Fong stated he did traffic studies and found most of the traffic at Hollenbeck and Torrington. Based on his studies, he stated a single lane would be adequate.
Susan Richter requested that Council not approve the Master Plan and asked that Council take time to further review the traffic issues along with impacts on the neighboring streets, such as Vanderbilt Drive. Councilmember Moylan stated it did not appear traffic would increase on Vanderbilt Drive. Any driver turning left off Hollenbeck onto Vanderbilt would have to cross traffic without a signal; whereas, they could go up to the nearby signal and make a quicker left turn.
Shahnaz Parvaneh stated concerns regarding Vanderbilt Drive and requested that Council not approve the Master Plan.
Lisa Sprinkle expressed concerns about traffic issues on neighboring streets to Challenger School. She requested that Council attempt to save as much of the open space as possible for the community and showed a picture of the driveway work through the middle of the site. Councilmember Howe verified that if the driveway were scaled back to one lane and moved to one side, the project would have less of an impact to the site. If the driveway had to remain as two lanes, but were relocated to one side, it would improve the situation.
Usha Kreaden congratulated Challenger School for coming up with a plan to alleviate the traffic issues. She state the traffic studies should be left to the experts to asses whether one or two lanes would help to alleviate the traffic issues.
Craig Stauffer stated concerns about traffic on Hollenbeck and disturbing the open space.
Margaret Okuzumi stated her concerns about the Challenger School driveway plan and safety issues for children dropped off. Councilmember Chu verified Ms. Okuzumi was within 300 feet of the school and that she did not receive a meeting notice from Challenger School.
Eric Fulda stated he did not receive notification of a meeting and learned about the project when he walked by the site. He is opposed to the roadway without further traffic studies and would prefer that there not be any driveway. He suggested looking at alternatives such as carpooling and stated the school has plans to enlarge, which will mean more cars.
Richard Kurkowski commended Ed Fong and his traffic studies. He stated concerns over the exit from the driveway and urged Council to minimize the impact to the open space.
Gerry Glaser urged Council to focus on the land use and the open space, not the traffic problem. He requested the traffic problem be studied, but not to use it as rational for approving a land use change.
Benjamin Picard, Deputy Superintendent Sunnyvale School District, stated on June 22, 2006, the Sunnyvale School District Board of Education approved a lease extension with Challenger School extending through June 30, 2020. One of the provisions of the lease extension was that Challenger School constructs a new driveway loop on the property to accommodate automobile traffic related to the drop off and pick up of students. Therefore, they are asking for approval of this amendment to the Master Plan to allow for this project. He stated the Board of Education did place this item on their agenda (following the June 22 meeting), and after considering the public input, once again affirmed their position to approve the plan as presented.
Councilmember Howe asked about growth plans at Challenger School. Mr. Picard stated the lease does provide that the five existing portable classrooms on the property will be replaced by the District due to their poor condition. He stated the lease also allows the number of portable classrooms to be increased to nine; however, any increase would be subject to City approval consistent with the facility use permit. Councilmember Howe verified that if this were a public school, this project would be approved by the State of California. Councilmember Howe asked about placement of the roadway and Mr. Picard stated the roadway has been rough graded at the current location, because they had to work around a storm drain, a water main, and existing trees. However, they are willing to reconsider the placement.
Councilmember Chu asked about the removal of play equipment and what the plans were for replacing that equipment. Mr. Picard stated they plan to partner with Challenger School to replace the play equipment with more modern equipment. Councilmember Chu asked if auto pollutants were considered in the design of this roadway. Mr. Picard stated he had not taken auto pollutants into consideration. Councilmember Chu stated children would be getting out on the right side of the car and with this design they would exit into traffic and asked Mr. Picard to comment. Mr. Picard stated children would unload where the road goes back to one lane exiting onto Hollenbeck (with a right turn only) and that many children ride in the back of the car and are able to get out on either side of the vehicle.
Mayor Swegles verified with Mr. Picard that the agreement regarding the sports field with the school district would expire in twenty-five years. Mayor Swegles asked if the school district took the property back from the City when the agreement expires, would the district still allow the neighbors to use the open space. Mr. Picard stated it is the school district’s intention to continue a relationship with the City; however, if they took the field back, the district would allow the community to use the open space during non-school hours, but the sports field would not be maintained at the current level.
Wendy Bockholt, Sunnyvale School District Board Member, stated her support of Challenger School driveway and their attempts to get cars off Hollenbeck. She stated the driveway at the site would not be an issue for her children.
Councilmember Howe verified that there was one person speaking at the school board meeting. He asked what the vote was from the school district board for reaffirming the plan for Challenger. She stated the issue was up for review and discussion and they all agreed upon the plan and did not re-vote on the issue. Councilmember Howe verified with Ms. Bockholt that if the school board wished to rescind their action at that meeting, they could have directed staff to bring the issue back for reconsideration.
Councilmember Chu asked if the board had any discussion on one-lane versus two-lanes. Ms. Bockholt stated their meeting was before the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and that issue had not been brought up to the board. Councilmember Chu asked if a formal traffic study was completed before the project started. Councilmember Chu stated that Mr. Picard nodded “no” from the audience in response to his question.
Mr. Stringham of Challenger School made his closing arguments. He stated a formal traffic study was not done, but 99% of the traffic already turns right on Hollenbeck. He stated parents do sign the rules and regulations for Challenger School. If parents do not adhere to those rules, their child will be dismissed from the school. Carpooling is encouraged and discussed with parents. The exit would be a right turn only, one car exit (expanded to fifteen-feet).
Councilmember Chu asked if there were a consensus in the neighborhood outreach to have a one or two-lane driveway. Mr. Stringham stated the opinions varied widely.
Councilmember Howe asked Mr. Stringham’s opinion regarding the intersection of Hollenbeck and Torrington and the issue of parents who park on Hollenbeck and attempt to cross the street to drop off their child. Mr. Stringham stated some parents will continue to park on Hollenbeck: however, he thinks this project will partially alleviate the situation.
Vice Mayor Lee asked if the driveway were approved for one lane, would Challenger School still build the driveway. Mr. Stringham stated he is not sure since it would not meet the objective of reducing traffic; therefore there would be no reason to do the project. He stated with the Department of Parks and Recreation approval, there is a possibility to move the lanes closer to the tree line; however, one tree would be removed. He stated there are additional items that the school staff is discussing with the neighborhood work group, one of which is to educate parents and redirect them to Remington and Mary.
Mayor Swegles asked that cones be used to make sure the exit is only a right-hand turn. Director Rose stated there are ways in which to make it difficult to make a left-hand turn, such as making the exit sweep to the right.
Mayor Swegles closed the Public Hearing at 9:53 p.m.
Councilmember Moylan verified with City Attorney Kahn that based on state law, land use items regarding a public school are not within the City Council’s power to change and the reason the City has any leverage on this particular project is due to the agreement that the City and school district have regarding the sports field. He stated this property is not a park; instead, it is a school field that the City is able to use.
MOTION: Councilmember Chu moved and Vice Mayor Lee seconded to approve staff recommendation Alternative No.1: Council approves a revised Master Plan for Hollenbeck Park Sports Field
with
a one-lane driveway for the entrance coming from Torrington on the west side of the site, designed as close as possible to the tree line and if necessary remove one tree, and require a right turn-only for exiting traffic.
Councilmember Moylan stated that he supports Alternative No. 1 as written and approved by staff and the school board, but without the amendment as listed in the motion. He stated if the City and the school board do not approve the same thing, then none of the cars will be taken off Hollenbeck. The proposed driveway would improve the traffic situation at the school. Councilmember Moylan stated that the balance is between school district’s open space and traffic safety, which is the issue for the City. However, he is in agreement with moving the driveway as close to the tree line as possible.
VOTE: 4-1 (Councilmember Moylan dissented, Councilmembers Hamilton and Spitaleri absent)
Mayor Swegles called a recess at 10:10 p.m.
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