3. Crestview Drive City Property Discussion

Mr. Weiss gave an overview of Crestview property. The property is four acres and zoned as Open Space – Future Neighborhood Park. If sold, a zoning change would be necessary. The area has steep grading – two small or one large soccer field may fit depending on grading, and/or possibly two small baseball/softball fields. Necessary grading could cost approximately $100,000 for the top but the figures are speculative until a serious quote is acquired. Wind is an issue. Neighbors had complained in the past of the Highway 280 Interchange running through.

Parking – A decent amount of space is available on the street, but the exact count of spaces is unclear. The Economic Development Director estimated that if the four acres were sold, the revenue could be approximately $8 million for town homes, four million for single family homes development. The Planning Director could advise what could and could not go in that space. A professional appraisal would be necessary. If a playing field were proposed for this area, would the zoning need to be changed? Yes, as this area is zoned for a future neighborhood park.Open space is defined as an element or component in the general plan as a zoning designation. Are there any limitations due to land butting up against the water district land? Not unless it would disturb their property. Would any potential use of the land cause soil contamination? Highway 280 extension was proposed for the land, but now not being considered. More valuable to sell was one thought, but where would another piece of property be found?

East side specific plan – commercial/retail land goes for over $2 million per acre. Harbor Industrial Area is approximately 210 acres. Palo Alto Medical Foundation facility has 18 acres. How big is Kelly Moore? Will the neighbors at the Crestview Drive property have the same feeling as those around Heather or other school sites? The Breuners site is being developed for major retail and is owned by a Sacramento company that develops shopping malls. Has the possibility of a private sports facility location during the day and allowing sports at night been looked at? Mr. Weiss was not sure of any areas currently. Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale was noted as an example.

Tab 5 - City owned parcel map was reviewed, El Camino to 101 and Harbor to Holly.

Natural grass without lights would be a good argument to the neighborhood for a good use of space. Uneven parcel, facilities will need to be built, etc. Co-chair Lewis asked Mr. Weiss for an estimate on the parcel. Mr. Weiss will pursue. What is the extent of grading Crestview property? The amount of dirt moved needs to stay under 100,000 cubic lbs. on the west side of San Carlos per previous regulations.Economic feasibility may be the deciding factor regarding the recommendation to sell or not.

4. Chilton Property Potential Sale Report from Staff:

The recommendation was made to sell this property then use the money only to acquire land somewhere else. The Economic Development Director estimated $2.5 million dollars for the 70,000 sq. ft. (1.6 acres) that is zoned Open Space – Planned Community with a Dedicated Open Space Easement.It has been designated as a park.Alternative funding committee recommended selling the parcel for development. Original developer owner agreed to donate the land in lieu of financial payment.

Recommendation from last week still stands. Land that is sold will be done so only with other land available to purchase.Staff was requested to find what was the best we could hope to buy if $2.5 million dollars were available.If Crestview and Chilton areas were sold, what would be available for that amount ($10.5 million)?When the land is sold, the money would go into a special account.

Is it plausible to put a field in an industrial area? $2.5 and $10.5 million what could we get for that? Both size of property and what could be developed, what would it cost to buy; what would it cost to develop. With and without accumulating property.Is it plausible for appropriate money, is it politically and real estate plausible to have space on the east side given the money. Development cost should be separate from purchase cost.

5. Potential School Sites Discussion:

Mr. Whiteley distributed handout regarding potential changes at school sites.

Lower Tierra Linda - Priority #1

Possibility of creating a level lighted synthetic field where the softball fields are now. He made it clear that the schools were interested in improving fields for students and community, but could not contribute any money to improvements or maintenance.Without lights, no new time for softball, but would be like a new field the rest of the year. The current slope is about 8 ft. Fields are not in good shape for most uses.Soccer and softball have been played on them. The field would need to be leveled. A new field would be good for the school, although it is not designated as a high priority for school funding.

The Carlmont area has trouble with traffic.

Upper Tierra Linda – Priority #2

Tierra Linda Middle School and Charter School have no particular plans for the upper land. Acreage allows for a U10 size soccer field but there is a 30-foot drop on the other side possibly necessitating a large retaining wall. McPherson Field – could be improved, does not hold a full sized soccer field, but a smaller one would probably work. What if Edison Montessori moved to another site on campus? That would allow for a larger field.

Heather - Priority #3

The school community is enthusiastic about a new field.The blacktop needs to stay as viable space. The exact configuration is not important but they want to retain a certain amount of asphalt.

Additional resources for maintenance at school sites need to be figured into any recommendation.

Central - Priority #4

A Little League/softball field with parking could fit in the central area. Synthetic turf would be desirable. It is important to be able to use the playing field when it’s wet or in light rain. The Central Asphalt Area is used for roller hockey camp, drop in roller blading, skateboarding, bike riding, and basketball.Youth baseball and soccer use the existing asphalt for extra practices or when the fields are closed due to rain.

The parking on the blacktop would be lost if a field was placed in current blacktop area. A buffer zone is needed when designing any athletic field for safety.

Other school sites have very little significant area that would be plausible.

Mr. Whitely was thanked for a great presentation.

6. Additional Comments on School Sites - Mr. Weiss

Arundel –

The smallest baseball field will fit, daycare is an issue. Daycare has exclusive use of playground from after school until 6:00 pm.

Carlmont -

Football field is synthetic turf.If lights are provided the school principal is in support of guaranteeing usage time to the City of San Carlos. Approximate cost would be $180,000 for lights. Soccer is currently paying a fee to use the synthetic football field.

The upper baseball field is the largest field of all sites. Can fit full size soccer, full size baseball. It does need a complete renovation, some grading is also needed. No parking.Unknown when it would be available.

San Carlos School District is K-8; High School is Sequoia Union High School District.

The observation was made that the sense of Carlmont being a shared commodity is not as solid as believed. Annexation of Carlmont field space would need approval of Sequoia Union High School District and the City of Belmont.Burlingame High School model: High School has exclusive rights during the day, Burlingame Parks and Recreation brokers the field after school hours.

Discussion with someone from the Sequoia Union High School District would be needed. What kind of hours would be available? Dealing with the district does not work very well; the school itself needs to be dealt with at the site.

Is there any benefit to sharing lighting costs and additional available time with Belmont?

Staff will provide information for the two Tierra Linda sites Heather, and Central sites including size/field configuration and extra play hours available plus cost for natural and synthetic turf, with and without lights. Staff will also provide potential additional hours available to the community with lights added to the Carlmont football field.