Piedmont Council Faces 5 Choices on Blair Park

The Piedmont City Council has some to consider.

The council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the council chambers in , 120 Vista Ave. An overflow crowd is expected, with the city planning to have large screens in the City Hall corridor with a live video-audio feed.

Youth sports advocates have worked for years to stoke the momentum behind a plan to build a field in the narrow canyon that contains Blair Park, and thus relieve pressure on other city fields crowded with lacrossers, baseballers and young soccer stars. Other residents are looking to scale down or scotch development of Blair Park, citing reasons of environmental preservation, traffic safety and cost in criticizing the plan to build a parking lot and dig into a hillside for a field separated from Moraga Avenue by a high berm.

“This is the most divisive issue I’ve seen by far (in Piedmont),” said former Mayor Al Peters, who in recent months has been involved in discussions about possible compromises.

“The City Council, as is the case with many controversial matters, will eventually strike a balance between the needs and interests of the overall community and that of the neighbors and others that may be opposed to a project,” said Recreation Director Mark Delventhal.

 The City Council’s agenda report, prepared by Delventhal, outlines five possible actions for the council:

• Consider project alternatives as proposed by the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization, a group of youth sports advocates.

• Consider alternatives as presented in recent months by residents Bill Blackwell and/or Charles Oraftik, including ideas to build a smaller field in Blair Park than that envisioned by PRFO.

• Consider comments from recent Recreation Commission and Planning Commission meetings on the Moraga Canyon Sports Fields Project. After the council certified the EIR (environmental impact report) on Dec. 6, the Planning Commission signaled another direction, recommending that the plan be rejected. The Recreation Commission supported the PRFO revised plan, presented to that commission Jan. 19 by Clarence Mamuyac of the PRFO.

• If the council opts for an alternative or substantially changes the PRFO plan, it may face the need to revisit environmental reports on the project, perhaps soliciting estimates for further consultant work.

• Stand pat and take no further action on the project.

Delventhal’s report asks the council to give staff direction about what proposals and alternatives to include. After that, the council is asked to advise on whether staff should consult with attorneys and get an updated cost estimate from the city’s consultant, LSA and Associates, for additional CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) analysis that may be required because of revisions to the plan.

Blair Park Timeline

• Feb. 24, 2011 — City Planning Commission unanimously rejects the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization, arguing that the planned turf field is too big for the site, requiring a retaining wall 35 feet high at its peak.
• Feb. 17, 2011 — City Park Commission votes in favor of a playing field plan, reserving itself a role in choosing replacements for trees removed.
• Jan. 19, 2011 — The Recreation Commission supports the PRFO revised plan.
• Dec. 16, 2010 — An alternate, compromise plan emerges from some community members. The idea is a smaller Blair Park field with less earth moving and/or an expanded Coaches Field.
• Dec. 6, 2010 — Piedmont City Council certifies the EIR, with Councilman Garrett Keating the lone dissenter.
• Nov. 1, 2010 — The council approves an additional $25,000 for LSA and Associates for the preparation of the EIR.
• Aug. 9, 2010 — The comment period on the draft EIR closes, with more than 850 comments logged (letters, emails, hearing testimony).
• July 19 and Aug. 2, 2010 — Two public hearings are held on the project.
• June 18, 2010 — A draft EIR on the project is released to the public.
• Jan. 5, 2009 — The City Council accepts a gift of $165,000 from Steve Ellis of PRFO to fund topographical, soils analysis and design studies for a Blair Park project. The council also hires LSA and Associates for $95,000 to prepare a full EIR for the Coaches Field and Blair Park projects.
• Dec. 1, 2008 — The City Council “amalgamates” two projects for consideration: the PRFO plan for Blair Park and the city’s plans for a synthetic turf Coaches Field with lights.
• May 5, 2008 — PRFO representatives present their plan to the City Council. The council authorizes environmental studies estimated at $45,000, to be refunded by private groups.
• Feb. 28, 2007 — A consultant for the Recreation Commission files a report evaluating improvement alternatives for Coaches Field, across Moraga Avenue from Blair Park. It recommends a synthetic turf field to best accommodate expected heavy use.
• 2006 — A citizens' group with representatives from soccer, baseball and lacrosse leagues (that will later coalesce into the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization) develops a plan for two fields, a restroom, snack shop and parking area at Blair Park.