Driving range ext to be considered by council, 4/18

Wanted to pass along information on a Public Hearing Notice from the city regarding the environmental review of the golf course driving range extension proposal (extending the driving range and a reconsideration of the lease agreement that was not approved previously) on April 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in the City Council Chambers at 1424 Mission Street, South Pasadena.

The proposal to extend the driving range is as follows, according to the public hearing notice:

As proposed, the project would include screening the boundaries of the expansion area, as well as replacing the screening along the northem and southern boundaries of the existing driving range. The screening at the western boundary of the existing driving range would be removed. The new screening would be supported by poles approximately 75 feet in height. The proposed project would also involve the removal of 16 trees within the expansion area, of which 12 are considered mature. Of those 12 mature trees, one is a coast live oak, two are "Significant Trees" (as defined by the City of South Pasadena Tree Ordinance): one is an American black elderberry; and one is a sycamore. 

Environ. Review, p. 3-4:

The project applicant is proposing a 0.59-acre expansion of the existing 4.56-acre driving range at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course. The current driving range is irregular in shape, and is approximately 660 feet (220 yards) in length and 300 feet (100 yards) in width (refer to Figure 2, Project Site). The proposed expansion would extend the length of the existing driving range by approximately 97 feet (32 yards) to the west. The golf course property (which is not included as part of the land leased by the City) extends an additional 39 (13 yards) feet to the west beyond the proposed expansion area's western limits. This area will remain undeveloped and the existing chain link fence will remain in place. Currently, a protective screen is located along the northern, southern and western boundaries of the existing golf course driving range. This screen is supported by poles approximately 40 to 50 feet in height. As proposed, the project would include screening the boundaries of the expansion area, as well as replacing the screening along the northern and southern boundaries of the existing driving range. The screening at the western boundary of the existing driving range would be removed. The new screening would be supported by poles approximately 75 feet in height……

The proposed project would involve the removal of 16 trees within the expansion area, of which 12 are considered mature… Prior to removal of any tress a "Tree Removal Permit" would be obtained, consistent with South Pasadena Municipal Code (Chapter 34 Trees and Shrubs). The ordinance does not have a specific or numerically defined replacement policy on trees removed as a result of development or construction. Tree replacement criteria are discussed within the Private Property Tree Removal/Replacement Permit Application (City of South Pasadena, Public Works Department, Engineering Department) and the City of South Pasadena Guide to the City's Tree Ordinance...

[blah, blah, blah.... the bold, red type was added by me. So how does this go? Residents get slammed for removing trees, whether it is justified or not, but for development, no prob!]

It came as no surprise to me that the draft of the review issued the following finding (p. 12)

X - I find that although the proposed project could not have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. 

The riveting, 160 page report can be found at this link: http://www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/whatsnew/PDFs/golflease/ArroyoSecoGolfCourseLeaseAgmt.pdf. It takes a while to download. All relevant info can be gotten at:

Copies of all relevant materials, including the project specifications, and the MND, are on file at these locations:
• City of South Pasadena City Hall, Planning and Building Department (first floor), City Clerk's Office (second floor) located at 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030, hours are from 7:30a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 7:30a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
• City of South Pasadena Library, Reference Desk, 1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030, hours are from Monday- Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00p.m., Thursday & Friday 10:00 a.m.-6:00p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00p.m.
• City of South Pasadena Website http://www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/whatsnew/index.html If you have any questions regarding the MND, please contact Senior Planner, John Mayer, at (626) 403-7220, or via e-mail at jmaver@ci.south-pasadena.ca.us.

Have a read and let me know what you think. I have tried hard not to say too much until I read everything more carefully, but some of it is kind of hard to take. One of the most annoying aspects is the amount of money spent so far, just on this proposal, that may be ultimately be cost prohibitive and financially crazy. Ask the city how much the Environmental Review cost, particularly the amount spent on the driving range extension portion. To see this happening at a time when we are being asked to pay more for water, schools, police, fire, and all of the other essential city services, is truly galling.

I want to report, on a happier note, South Pas girl scout troop 1371 has been working in the nature park on their Silver Award and are just finishing up. They created an interpretive sign for the kiosk on Pasadena Ave (a temporary sign is in place until the permanent one is completed), brochures and an attractive brochure holder, and plant id signs in the park. They also participated in the MLK Service Day in January. All in all they worked very hard and did a truly amazing job. Hats off to Troop 1371!

NEXT PARK CLEANUP: APRIL 21