CC - Item 5A - Proposed Conceptual Design of Jay Imperial ParkROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMENIRS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGE
DATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2013
SUBJECT: PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF JAY IMPERIAL PARK
SUMMARY
The City Council will review and discuss the draft conceptual design for the future Jay Imperial
Park to be developed along the Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission lines easement.
The proposed park will be located on San Gabriel Boulevard, south of Garvey Avenue,
extending to the west on two parcels adjacent to Pine Street and Falling Leaf Avenue. The final
design of the park will be contingent upon approval by SCE.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council review the conceptual design for Jay Imperial Park and
authorize the City Manager to initiate formal discussions with Southern California Edison
regarding park design development.
At its regular meeting on January 8, City Council awarded a contract for design development of
Jay Imperial Park on two parcels under the SCE transmission corridor directly west of San
Gabriel Boulevard. Development of the nearly five acre park is consistent with the City's
Strategic Plan, is a welcome addition to Rosemead's limited open space inventory, and would
bring much needed recreational opportunities to an underserved neighborhood.
The current draft design, estimated at $1.3 million, includes a variety of amenities: parking,
walking /jogging paths, dog park, sports court, adult exercise equipment, lighting, landscaping
(including turf, trees, a green shield along the north and south perimeters, and an interpretive
garden area), and site amenities (i.e., drinking fountain, benches, trash receptacles, and picnic
tables). However, early discussions with SCE representatives suggest that final design of the
park will likely exclude some of the proposed amenities which they deem to be "permanent
structures."
The project has an approved budget of $800,000 consisting of a San Gabriel Rivers and
Mountains Conservancy (RMC) grant, transportation funds, and some general fund monies.
Staff, though, is pursuing additional funding to offset some specific project costs. Additionally, in
informal discussions with SCE, they indicate that the restroom, dog park, sports court, and adult
fitness equipment will, likely, be disallowed under their "permanent structures' policy. These
issues will, likely, result in a project for which both budget and costs are in the range of $1
million. This will, as anticipated, limit the park to passive use.
ITEM NUMBER: 5 \
City Council Meeting
February 12, 2013
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As a large part of the funding is from the RMC, we are required to seek community input
regarding the project. On January 26, city staff and the architect conducted an informal onsite
meeting. Flyers were distributed to 300 area homes. Twenty -two residents came out to review
the design and provide comments. Another sent comments via email.
Residents are excited that the park is being developed, and see it as long overdue. Comments
were very positive with concerns limited to cars speeding through the neighborhood and
vagrancy /loitering along the easement. We informed residents that the project should have a
positive impact on both concerns through traffic calming measures and increased access, use
and visibility once the park is developed. A future meeting will be conducted with residents when
we are closer to final design. Resident input will be included in our discussions with SCE.
NEXT STEPS
SCE, as landowner, will have final determination regarding what amenities can be developed on
the property. Thus, formal design discussions with SCE must begin shortly. Following Edison
approval, the conceptual design will be forwarded to the California Public Utilities Commission
for authorization to proceed with the project. Once that is granted, we will initiate a 25 to 30 year
license agreement with SCE for the park and begin construction. City Council will be kept
apprised of project progress.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the project was approved by the City Council as part of the FY 2012 -13 Capital
Improvement Program. The project will be funded using a combination of RMC grant funds,
transportation funds, general fund monies, and other sources. Precise cost estimates for the
project will be determined by the final design.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local environmental
guidelines exempt "in -fill development projects' where the proposed development occurs within
city limits on a site measuring no more than five (5) acres substantially surrounded by urban
uses, meeting I' able General Plan and Zoning regulations. Accordingly, this project is
classified asass 32 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA guidelines.
Parks aiV Re4r$atiorybirector
Attachment: Jay Imperial Park Preliminary Plan
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