HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2003-08-25 #H 1 �
August 25, 2003
AGENDA REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Attention: John B. Bahorski, City Manager
From: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services
Subject: STATUS REPORT RE: PROPOSED
"EDUCATIONAL CENTER" AT GUM GROVE
NATURE PARK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Receive and File Status Report.
BACKGROUND:
On August 7, 2003 the California Coastal Commission considered and approved the "Mitigation
Plan" for the Heron Pointe development by John Laing Homes located on the Hellman Ranch
property. The Coastal Commission approval included approval of the location of the "education
facility" at the locations previously reviewed and rejected by the City Council on July 28, 2003.
These locations were proposed to be located between the rear yards of the homes along Crestview
and the side yards of the most southerly homes of the Heron Pointe development. The City Council
rejected those proposed locations due to concerns regarding privacy and security from the adjoining
property owners along Crestview. The Commission approval of the Mitigation Plan allows the
initiation of the cultural resource work in accordance with the Mitigation Plan, and will also allow
for the final grading of the residential development, the installation of all underground utility
systems, and the road work to be completed. Authorization to pour foundations for the homes will
be withheld by the Commission until a location for the education facility is approved by both the
City and the Coastal Commission.
The Coastal Commission indicated that if other alternative locations are considered and approved
by the City Council that John Laing Homes could apply for an amendment to the approved
"Mitigation Plan" and that would be considered by the Coastal Commission, probably as a permit
amendment.
AGENDA ITEM #
Z: \My Documents\John Laing Homes \Education Facility Status Report CC Staff Report.doc \LW \08 -20 -03
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Status Report re: Proposed Educational Center at Gun: Grove Nature Park
City Council Staff Report
August 25, 2003
Staff has met with John Laing Homes and Mr. Morales, the Most Likely Descendent, and Robert
Dorame, the project Native American monitor, on the property and have identified a couple of
alternate locations for the education facility that are on the west side of the Heron Point
development, and approximately 680 feet to the north of the rear property lines of the homes along
Crestview. •
Overview of Alternative Locations for the Education Facility:
One location is immediately west of the "pocket park" within the residential development, and the
other location is within the pocket park itself. The Native American representatives are not
supportive of the location within the pocket park as it places the facility immediately between large
two -story homes. The location to the west of the pocket park is more preferable due to the
following considerations:
❑ The location is of high preference to the Native American representatives as it is
approximately 680 feet away from the Crestview homes, is located within the culturally
significant Landing Hill complex, provides an excellent viewpoint over the future wetland
restoration area, and provides a direct view towards the "Puvunga" site in Long Beach.
❑ The site will be located on a terrace approximately 4 -6 feet lower than the back yards of the
Heron Pointe homes facing the wetland area, allowing for sufficient landscape screening.
❑ The site would be accessed from the main trail through Gum Grove Park with a narrower
"spur trail" at this time. Ultimately, this spur trail could be the starting point for an ultimate
trail system around the entire 100 -acre restored wetland area. The Coastal Commission
made it very clear during their discussion of the education facility that the only access to the
education facility cannot be through the residential development.
❑ The proposed project will also include a fence and gate system across the Gum Grove Park
extension between the rear fences of the Crestview homes and the new Heron Point homes.
Coastal Commission staff appears to be receptive to this idea as long as the fence is not
located immediately adjacent to Seal Beach Boulevard, id a "natural" appearing fence
structure, and is not too high. Staff is envisioning a split -rail wood fence approximately 5-
ffet high with a metal gate similar to the existing gate at the Gum Grove Park entrance at
Avalon that would be set back approximately 200 -250 feet from Seal Beach Boulevard.
The gate would be closed between dusk and dawn, in accordance with the terms of the
Coastal Development Permit.
Anticipated City Review Process of Alternative Locations for the Education Facility:
Staff is proceeding to prepare the proper reports to allow the City to formally consider the locations
discussed above. The schedule presented below is based on the anticipation that both the Parks and
Recreation Commission and the City Council reach closure on the issue at the meeting dates
indicated below. If additional meetings are necessary to determine the matter, the meeting schedule
will need to be revised.
Education Facility Status Report.CC Staff Report 2
4 • -
Status Report re: Proposed Educational Center at Gunz Grove Nature Park
City Council Staff Report
August 25, 2003
The anticipated review and consideration process is presented below:
❑ September 10, 2003 - Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting (Special Meeting)
❑ The Commission will review the proposed alternative locations, receive comments from
interested individuals, and forward its recommendations regarding the alternative
locations to the City Council for final consideration and approval. Notice of the Parks
and Recreation Commission meeting were mailed to all property owners and to
occupants of those residential properties along Crestview on August 21, 2003.
❑ September 22, 2003 — City Council Meeting
❑ The City Council will review the recommendations of the Parks and Recreation
Commission regarding the alternative locations and determine to approve a location
based on the recommendation of the Commission and any additional public testimony
that may be presented at the City Council meeting. Notice of the City Council meeting
to be mailed to all property owners and to occupant of those residential properties along
Crestview by September 2, 2003.
Upon a final determination as to an acceptable location by the City Council, John Laing Homes
will then submit the appropriate application materials to the California Coastal Commission for its
review, consideration and action. At this time it is not possible to anticipate the date of any future
consideration of this matter by the Coastal Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and File Status Report.
NOTED A % APPROVED:
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i f Whittenbe John :. Bahorski
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ector of Development Service Ci / anager
Education Facility Status Report CC Staff Report 3