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CC - Item 6B - Review and Approval of Jay Imperial Park Design E M F o " ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL CIVIC R'°` STAFF REPORT . r� c° TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGERI/44 DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2015 SUBJECT: REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF JAY IMPERIAL PARK DESIGN SUMMARY At City Council is aware, the City has been working with Lawrence Moss Associates on the design of Jay Imperial Park since 2011. During that time, there have been many design iterations resulting from limitations imposed by Southern California Edison (SCE). The proposed design was recently approved by SCE and includes turf and miscellaneous landscape elements, personal fitness equipment (e.g., a fitness zone), a decomposed granite walking path, picnic tables and benches, drinking fountain, and security lighting. Development of the park is included in Rosemead's Capital Improvement Program with most of the $700,000 allocated for the project being provided through a Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Grant. Staff Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve the proposed design of the Jay Imperial Park. BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS The City of Rosemead contracted with Landscape Architect Lawrence Moss Associates in March, 2011 to design Jay Imperial Park on two parcels along the SCE easement located between San Gabriel Boulevard and Falling Leaf Avenue. Over the past five years, the design has been altered numerous times in accordance with mandates issued by SCE. Additionally, during the design period, the number of overhead lines increased as part of a SCE transmission line project. This further limited the design as elements cannot be placed directly under transmission lines. While a variety of amenities had been considered, SCE guidelines simply would not allow for many of them. As a result, the final design of the nearly five acres includes large turf areas, miscellaneous landscape elements, personal fitness equipment, decomposed granite walking path, picnic tables, benches, drinking fountain, and security lighting. Also, east-west perimeter fencing will be removed for easy patron access and shrubs will be planted along the north and south property lines to create a consistent appearance. Park trees will be provided through a Los Angeles County tree grant. As it is primarily a neighborhood park, it will have designated on-street parking. In September, the City received a letter from SCE engineers indicating all issues had been ITEM NO. 6.B City Council Meeting October 13,2015 Page 2 of 2 resolved and there were no further concerns with the proposed design. In 2013, an environmental notice of exemption was filed for the Jay Imperial Park project. Due to the park's size, minimal amenities, and negligible traffic, noise, air or water quality impacts to the surrounding area, it was granted a categorical exemption. SCE's legal department has reviewed and made several changes to the lease agreement and it should soon be forwarded to the City for signature. Once the agreement is executed, the project will be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for review. That review is anticipated to take six to twelve months. On September 28, 2015, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy authorized an extension of the project grant through June 30, 2017. However, it is important to note that the project must be completed and all reimbursements issued by that date. It is, therefore, imperative that the CPUC review be completed as soon as possible, the project bid and the park constructed as quickly as feasible in order to meet the revised grant deadline. PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. FISCAL IMPACT Development of Jay Imperial Park, including the design phase, is included as part of Rosemead's Capital Improvement Program. •repay,d/Submitted by: it (W*, Davn•gym-ry-Scott •-r,ter=:.■. ecreation Director Attachments: Jay Imperial Park "Preliminary Plan" Notice of Exemption % ao _ 4e ,_ J Sr Ii Ea Qs a 3 �.� fa ! , it I �y�$ tici ti Z 0 �� � � ! ' ` W 1 € f �, I L sr , 1 , 1,11' J W oti I u�.. W N j.J I & C i I, ,a W K Li W 'Z3 I HI 1 I F vdby I W ti J•. / N l Y J � � ' !�'1 N I41 I I o N. _� ,� , h 4 I j I� i II ''l , m ,4. F I aF =.„ X41 L II °S I 83` ya 0 ...I 1111d Y ><a !SIP M 111 i =49= I NOTICE OF EXEMPTION To: ❑ Office of Planning and Research From: City of Rosemead 1400 Tenth Street, Room 121 8838 E.Valley Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95814 Rosemead, CA 91770 Ili County Clerk County of Los Angeles 12400 E. Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA 90650 Project Title: Authorization for the Development of Jay Imperial Park Project Location—Specific: APNs: 5284-012-801, 5284-006-800, 5264-006-802, 5284-006-803, 5284-006-805 Project Location—City: City of Rosemead ORIGINAL FILED Project Location—County: County of Los Angeles FEB 1 3 2013 Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project: LOSANGELES,COUNTY CLERK The development of Jay Imperial Park project consists of 4.91 acres(214,000 square feet) of land on multiple parcels within the Southern California Edison Easement(located between San Gabriel Boulevard and Falling Leaf Avenue). Development will be largely passive with elements to include walking paths, interpretive gardens,turf areas, picnic benches, and dog park amenities. Name of Public Agency Approving Project: City Council Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project: City of Rosemead Exempt Status: (Check one) ❑ Ministerial (Sec, 21080 (b)(1); 15268); ❑ Declared Emergency(Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(c) ❑ Emergency Project(Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269 (b)(c); © Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: Section 15332, Class 32 ❑ Statutory Exemptions. State code number: Reason why project is exempt:The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as applicable zoning designation and regulations. The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. Lead Agency Contact Person: David Montgomery-Scott Area Code/Telephone/Extension: (626) 569-2161 If filed by applicant: 1.Attach certified document of exemption finding. 2. Has a no ice •f, mpg o1n�Ibeen filed by the public agency approving the project❑Yes❑No (� 0) ��UX te::February 13, 2013 Title: Director of Parks and Recreation Signature.\Ci�!'�. � G;,1.i © Signed by Lead Agency Date received for filing at OPR: ❑Signed by Applicant