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<br />Mr. Rasmussen noted that this was a complex project and a large property, He displayed the
<br />layout ofthe site and summarized the background and scope of this project. He noted that there
<br />were distinctively different plant communities intended to create an outdoor arboretum and that
<br />were common to the Tri- Valley area: riparian, other wetlands, oak savannah, oak forest, and
<br />several others that existed before human development took place in the area, The landscape plan
<br />was intended to bring back those plant communities in various areas, such as the riparian along
<br />the arroyo and other channels that would be enhanced or created, Wetland areas would be
<br />located near stormwater detention basins, and the oak savannah area, consisting of primarily
<br />grasses and sparse oak trees, would be located in the meadow areas, The forested areas would be
<br />a variety of different kinds of oaks, In addition to those plant communities, the land form will
<br />not be flat, and mounding and trails would be created, He noted that outdoor art could be
<br />threaded throughout the landscape,
<br />
<br />He noted that the area to the west of the freeway would be almost all open space, with the
<br />exception of a potential Park-and-Ride lot/trail staging area, While the General Plan calls for a
<br />Park-and-Ride lot, he noted that the lot by Stoneridge Drive is not being used to a major extent,
<br />An environmental education center could be located across the way, as suggested by the Plan, to
<br />provide information that would relate to the rest of the site, He noted that the site contains
<br />Native American Reflective grounds and that some appropriate landscape treatment for this area
<br />may be developed with the Ohlone Tribe, A 4-H Club may located near the freeway, with the
<br />possibility of having agricultural areas around it, for selling pumpkins or Christmas trees,
<br />
<br />Mr. Rasmussen noted that the Community Park Master Plan proposed three soccer fields
<br />including a small stadium and two other lighted soccer fields below it, and four baseball fields
<br />- three lighted initially, and perhaps the fourth field to be lighted in the future, He noted that
<br />the fourth field was being stubbed out with electrical connections; one of the four fields would
<br />be a small baseball stadium, A combination lacrosse/football field would be created as well,
<br />Facilities to accommodate these uses would be located throughout the grounds, and'parking
<br />would be located on the perimeter for proximity to the uses, but there would be no automobile
<br />traffic going through the middle of the site,
<br />
<br />In response to an inquiry by Chaitperson Arkin regarding whether any botanical gardens would
<br />be included, Mr, Rasmussen noted that would be an appropriate use in open space areas or in the
<br />agricultural areas,
<br />
<br />Al
<br />
<br />In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Maas regarding whether the Garden Club may
<br />become involved in recommending appropriate gardens for this site, Mr, Rasmussen noted that
<br />would be possible, He noted that the major facilities within this site would be planned in the
<br />future in more detail by master plans,
<br />
<br />In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank whether the soccer fields would be lit,
<br />Mr. Rasmussen replied that all ofthe fields are to be lit, with the possible exception ofthe
<br />informal baseball field,
<br />
<br />Commissioner Blank noted that in his presentation, Mr, Rasmussen had indicated that there
<br />would be a soccer stadium, soccer fields, the four baseball fields, and a lacrosse field; however,
<br />the Plan indicated the soccer stadium would also be used for lacrosse, He inquired whether there
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<br />EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, February 22, 2006
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