Fox Canyon Neighborhood Association, Inc.

CROSSROADS PARKS REPORT

CROSSROADS -- PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE

Summary Parks Report & Recommendations Approved:
May 26, 2005 by a 5/2/1 vote


The Crossroads, Park Working Group ("Working Group") was established by the Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Committee ("PAC") at its December 9, 2004. The Working Group was charged with reviewing park needs in the Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area ("Project/Project Area") and assessing opportunities to meet these needs. The Working Group is comprised of four members of the PAC and citizens of the community who either expressed an interest in participation during the December 9, 2004 PAC meeting or responded to the agendas, which were mailed to interested community members from a list maintained by the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency for the Project. Five public meetings (January 13, 2005, February 10, 2005, March 10, 2005, April 14, 2005 and May 12, 2005) were conducted to identify potential park and open space sites in and around the Project Area as well as possible funding sources (see attached meeting minutes and notices).
At its final meeting (May 12, 2005) the Working Group forward recommendations to the PAC in its desire to make these projects eligible for future study and funding from property tax increment revenue generated by the Project Area, as well as development fee revenue from the City Heights, College and Eastern planning areas in the City of San Diego. The PAC/ Working Group recommendation is intended to be forwarded to the affected planning groups (City Heights, College and Eastern), for inclusion in future Public Facilities Financing Plan updates. With respect to funding the PAC/Working Group made the following recommendations:
• Establishment of a dedicated park fee for the entire College Planning Area (similar in structure to the Mid-City and North Park Neighborhoods) at $15,000 per residential unit (including multi-family units) for the 2006-07 fiscal year, with a 9% annual increase.
• The College Area Redevelopment Plan should be amended to not exclude projects from Development Impact Fees.
• An increase in the existing City Heights (Mid-City) park fee to $15,000 per residential unit (including multi-family units) for the 2006-07 fiscal year, with a 9% annual increase.
• An increase in the existing Eastern Area (Mid-City) park fee to $15,000 per residential unit (including multi-family units) for the 2006-07 fiscal year, with a 9% annual increase.
The Working Group evaluated three different park fee amounts ($12,000, $15,000 and $18,000) for each of the three community planning areas (see attached May 12, 2005 memo). When the Working Group analyzed potential park fee revenue against the present-day cost of remaining projects in each of the Public Facilities Financing Plans, a 2006-07 fiscal year fee of $45,000 per residential unit was found to be justifiable (see attached May 19, 2005 memo). However, the PAC/Working Group believed that a park fee in excess of $15,000 for any community would prove detrimental to affordable housing production. The list of projects begins with the Highest Priority projects because the PAC/Working Group is concerned about future development taking place on the sites, thereby decreasing the feasibility of future park development.

HIGHEST PRIORITY:

• Montezuma Park Expansion - Acquire Azeltine school site (or a portion of) for enhancement of Montezuma Park on Catoctin Drive. Property is in escrow with housing development expected to take place next year (2006), if a community plan amendment is approved late in 2005.
Timeline - Less than six months to acquire site, before community plan amendment is approved.
Cost- $1-2 million from tax increment, park fees and park mitigation for the Paseo mixed-use project (if applicable). Ultimate costs depend upon the value of community plan amendment currently being sought.
• Fox Canyon - Parcels number 1, 3 and 4 as described and identified in Annex I [Park Land Inventory] of the Fox Canyon Parks Subcommittee Report have been identified for neighborhood park sites.
Timeline - Sites should be acquired as soon as possible to avoid loss of opportunity to other development.
Cosf- $600,000-700,000 from tax increment and park fees.

• North Chollas Community Park, completion of phase 1 (C) - Improvements to facilities that are identified in the 1997 Chollas Park Master Plan.
Timeline - Unknown, City of San Diego already owns site.
Cosf - $250,000 for snack bar (includes bringing utilities to the site) from tax increment to match existing funds of $300,000 already set-aside for this project.
• Rolando Park Elementary School (off Vista Grande Dr.) - Determine School Districts development intentions for existing site, as it is a prime location. PAC/Working Group is interested in the potential of a community park use adjacent to an open space canyon area and turfing of the dirt field areas for joint-use. North Chollas Community Park Timeline - Immediate, Working Group concerned that San Diego Unified School District is currently reviewing development potential of site. North Chollas Community Park Cost - Unknown at this time, cost will depend upon the scope of the negotiated park use.
• Disposition of the College Heights Library building and property after completion of the new library on Montezuma at Reservoir Drive. While the PAC supports the College Business Improvement Districts lease for the College Rolando Service Center, the PAC/Working Group would like to see a community-serving area, park and/or plaza on the College Heights Library site.
Timeline - Immediate, PAC/Working Group concerned that developers may be examining this site for development.
Cosf- Unknown at this time, cost will depend upon the scope of the uses.

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS:

• Horace Mann Middle School - Unlighted grass turf and upgraded irrigation of athletic fields for joint-community use.
Timeline - Immediate, fields are in poor condition and the San Diego Unified School District may be open to joint-use funding given its current financial situation.
Cost - Unknown at this time, cost will depend upon the scope of the project.
• Create an El Cerrito Neighborhood Plaza/Park site along El Cajon Blvd. between 54th Street and College Avenue. The PAC recommends the El Cerrito Community Council ("ECCC") stablish an Ad-Hoc committee to evaluate potential sites and advise the PAC prior to, or at the September 22, 2005 PAC meeting of its progress.
Timeline - Immediate, PAC/Working Group concerned about availability of land.
Cost - Unknown at this time, cost will depend upon the scope of the project.
• Streamview Linear Park - Develop areas identified in the Streamview Drive Enhancement Project Plan. Timeline - Unknown. Cost - Unknown at this time, cost will depend upon the scope of the project.
• North Chollas Park Improvements, Completion of phase 1 (D) - This project would grade and turf a large multi-use athletic field for baseball, football, soccer and other athletic events.
Timeline - Conditional on available funding.
Cost - $1 million to come from a combination of development impact fees, park fees and property tax increment revenue.

• Determine the feasibility of linking University Avenue to the canyon on the south-side of Crawford High School and the Chollas Creek restoration - This project would bring open space closer to University Avenue and create safer pathways for students to access the school. The PAC will establish a University-Crawford Canyon Working Group ("UCC Working Group") to explore design and use options for this area. At least one representative should be designated from the following groups: ECCC, PAC, Eastern Area Planning Committee and a community member, with the PAC designating the community member.
Timeline - Unknown. Cosf- Unknown at this time,
Cost will depend upon the scope of the project.

• Chollas Park, Completion of phases 2 through 5, North Improvements - This project would include creek enhancements, picnic areas, basketball courts, nature trails, dog-run, parking and open play areas.
Timeline - Conditional on available funding.
Cost - To be determined and included in the update of the Mid-City Public Facilities Financing Plan. Source of funds is likely to come from a combination of development impact fees, park fees and property tax increment revenue.
• Support South Chollas Park improvements including a privately developed golf course on former landfill site.
Timeline - Initial approvals to be completed by June 1, 2005.
Cost - Does not require public financing.

JOINT-USE SCHOOL SITES:

• Carver Elementary - Grass turfing of existing field area.
• Tubman Village School - Grass turfing of existing field area.
• Jackson Elementary - Grass turfing of areas where there are temporary classrooms.
• Marshall Elementary - Trail to Fox Canyon Park and grass turfing of existing field area.

OTHER JOINT-USE SCHOOL SITES:

• Montezuma Language Academy - Grass turfing of existing field area.
Cost - Should be paid from College Redevelopment Project tax increment revenue or San Diego State University Foundation, as park mitigation for the Paseo mixed-use project (if applicable).
• Oak Park Elementary - Grass turfing of existing field area.
• Darnell Charter Elementary-Grass turfing of existing field area.

Attachments:
January 13, 2005 Meeting Minutes/Notice
February 10, 2005 Meeting Minutes/Notice
March 10, 2005 Meeting Minutes/Notice
April 14, 2005 Meeting Minutes/Notice
May 12, 2005 Meeting Notice/Memorandum/Report
May 19, 2005 Memorandum