Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: November 28, 1995
STAFF REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Establish Temporary Off-Leash Areas
at the Southwest Corner of Stewart Street Park and the
Northern End of Palisades Park to Replace the Marine
Park Site, to Pursue Use of the Exposition Right-of-Way
for an Off-Leash Area and to Further Evaluate Airport
Sites for Off-Leash Use
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council adopt the attached
resolution eliminating the off-leash area at Marine Park and
designating an area at the southwest corner of Stewart Street
Park and an area at the far northern end of Palisades Park as
temporary off-leash areas. The report additionally recommends
that staff work with the FAA, Airport Commission, Planning
Commission and Recreation and Parks Commissions to appropriately
site and develop an off-leash area at the Santa Monica Airport.
The report also transmits the recommendations of the Recreation
and Parks Commission in this regard.
BACKGROUND
In September of 1994, following a trial period during which
leashed dogs were allowed in all City parks and off-leash areas
were designated at Joslyn and Marine Parks, the City Council
directed staff to identify an alternative to the Marine Park
location and suggest additional off-leash areas. Council has
further expressed interest in development of non-park locations
for off-leash use.
At a special meeting on August 14, 1995, the Recreation and Parks
Commission held a public hearing to consider seven potential off-leash sites. After taking public comment and deliberating, the
Commission recommended that Council direct staff to take the
necessary steps to:
1) Eliminate the Marine Park off-leash area.
2) Open the far northern end of Palisades Park and the
southwest corner of Stewart Street Park for temporary
off-leash use.
3) Initiate negotiations with MTA regarding beautification
of as much of the Exposition rail right-of-way as
possible and conversion of some part of the area for
off-leash use including parking.
4) Report back about the long term prospects of an extension
of Clover Park in the area south of the fire station to include an off-leash area.
Descriptions of the proposed off-leash sites are attached to this
report and are located on the associated maps by a dog symbol.
Subsequent to the Recreation and Parks Commission meeting, a
proposal was received from Santa Monica Dog Owners Group (SMDog)
regarding conversion of an area at the northwest corner of the
airport for off-leash use. The sketch they submitted is attached
to this report with an indication of where parking might be
sited. The Recreation and Parks Commission voted at their
September 21, 1995 meeting to support development as suggested by
SMDog as a replacement for the Joslyn Park off-leash area. This
recommendation is separate from and in addition to the
recommendations stemming from the August 14 meeting.
It was anticipated that the Airport Commission would consider the
dog owners' proposal in September, but that meeting was cancelled
and the October agenda was sufficiently crowded that the item was
not heard. The matter will be before the Airport Commission on
Monday, the 27th of November. Staff forwarded an inquiry to the
FAA regarding their position on such a use of the property and
they have expressed tentative approval of the concept.
The Marine Park playing fields and off-leash area were closed for
renovation in July. The off-leash area has not been reopened
pending Council consideration of staff and Commission
recommendations.
DISCUSSION
All of the park locations that the Recreation and Parks
Commission considered at their August 14 meeting have drawbacks
and a number of them drew neighborhood opposition. The two
locations recommended by the Commission for temporary use are not
without problems. The Stewart Street location is adjacent to a
trailer park and may generate noise and odor complaints from
residents. Much of the Palisades Park site is paved, not the
preferred surface for use by dogs, and is not irrigated, which
may lead to significant odor buildup. In addition, establishment
of an off-leash area at this site will require Coastal Commission
approval and will be short-lived as it must be closed when
construction of Palisades Park improvements commences in
approximately nine to twelve months. Dog owners consider both
sites too small.
Costs for establishment of the temporary sites are relatively
low. Fencing at Palisades Park would be approximately $650 and
at the Stewart Street park site approximately $950. The staff
effort involved can be accommodated. Staff estimates that the
temporary sites could be fenced and available for off-leash use
by December 31 at the latest.
In regard to the non-park sites discussed at the August 14
meeting, both the Exposition right-of-way and the Airport site
adjacent to Clover Park would each require considerable
regulatory process to secure, significant capital expenditure to
improve and, in the case of the Exposition site, the likelihood
of rental payment. Development of the airport site would
displace current uses as it is currently occupied by a
maintenance building and used by the Police Department for
training exercises.
The northwest Airport site, referred to by Santa Monica Dog
Owners Group as "Propeller Park" may also be a viable off-leash
location. Staff cannot recommend immediate implementation of the
site due to accessibility, parking and traffic concerns.
Neighbors of the site disagree with dog owners regarding the
impact of incremental noise and the likelihood that prevailing
winds would eliminate odor. They express concern that the
elevation of the site, overlooking backyards, would eliminate the
privacy they have enjoyed. Neighbors also cite noise and jet
fumes as potentially harmful to dogs and their owners.
Public access to the northwest Airport site is envisioned to be
off Airport Avenue at the new west perimeter road. Construction
of this road pends review under procedures to be established by
the Airport and Planning Commissions and may occur next Spring or
Summer. The new roadway would provide public access to the dog
park but restrict access to the airside of the airport by two
access control gates. Vehicle parking would be accommodated east
of the triangular dog park area on a level site near the taxiway
which would be separated by a fence. An estimated twenty five to
thirty cars could be accommodated in this area.
Development of the non-park sites would be relatively costly,
including demolition and removal of paving, grading and grubbing,
lighting, accessibility considerations, irrigation and
landscaping. Depending on the size of the areas secured for off-leash use the costs could run from $150,000 to several hundred
thousand dollars. Capital projects of this nature require
professional design services via proposal process, formal bidding
on construction and construction management by staff or
contractor. With a heavy complement of capital projects
underway, the scheduling of such work would involve a
significant time lag. Annual incremental maintenance costs
associated with the addition of green space are estimated at
$13,300 per acre.
Two additional factors regarding the Airport sites warrant
consideration. The community sensitivity that surrounds any
development at the Airport must be addressed. The Planning and
Airport Commissions are about to consider guidelines for public
process in regard to development and it may be premature to
designate a site prior to implementation of the process that
results from their deliberations. In addition, update of the
Open Space Element and formulation of the Recreation and Parks
Master Plan is underway. In public meetings related to that
effort, the Airport has been repeatedly identified as a desirable
location for the expansion of park, field and sports facilities.
The Council may wish to reserve decisions about appropriate
siting of an off-leash area until the recommendations from that
process are shaped.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of the temporary sites can be accommodated in the
existing Parks and Sports budget. For development of the right-of-way or airport sites, a significant additional capital
appropriation would be required.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council adopt the attached resolution to
eliminate the Marine Park off-leash site and establish temporary
off-leash sites at Palisades Park (pending Coastal Commission
approval) and Stewart Street Park. It is also recommended that
Council direct staff to vigorously pursue the Exposition right-of-way for green space and off-leash use and to evaluate Airport
sites to determine their relative feasibility, cost and
suitability for off-leash development with appropriate public
input.
Staff will continue to seek other appropriate sites in the City
for off-leash development, working with dog owners, appropriate
boards and commissions and neighborhood groups.
Prepared by: Susan E. McCarthy
Director of Community and Cultural Services
Attachment A: Off-Leash Sites Recommended by the Recreation
and Parks Commission August 14, 1995
Attachment B: Northwest Airport Site Proposed by Santa Monica
Dog
Attachment C: Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Santa Monica Designating Off-Leash Areas
Attachment C
City Council Meeting 11-28-95 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NO. ___
(City Council Series)
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA DESIGNATING
OFF-LEASH AREAS
WHEREAS, in October 1993, the City Council authorized off-leash areas in Joslyn and Marine Parks; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Park location has been found unsuitable
for the purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is the Council's intention that dog owners be able
to enjoy access to off-leash areas in the City's public parks.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Resolution No. 8670 (CCS) is hereby repealed in
its entirety.
SECTION 2. The Director of Community and Cultural Services
shall designate a portion of Joslyn Park, a portion of Stewart Park
and a portion of Palisades Park for off-leash use only during the
hours of 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
SECTION 3. Marine Park shall be discontinued for off-lease
use at any time.
SECTION 4. The off-leash use at Stewart Street Park and
Palisades Park is intended to be temporary until such time as non-park areas are developed for off-lease use or, in the case of
Palisades Park, until construction begins on park renovation.
SECTION 5. Dog owners are expected to adhere to ordinances
regarding leashing of dogs when not within a designated off-lease
area; control their dogs to prevent the commission of nuisances and
to visibly carry the means of removing their dog's fecal matter,
and preventing excessive barking.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be
in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
_________________________
MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attorney
ATTACHMENT B: Northwest Airport Site Proposed by Santa Monica
Dog
ATTACHMENT C: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Designating Off-Leash Areas