1972/09/0772 -571
Hall Anaheim California COUNCIL MINU'T'ES Se
tember 7 1972 1 :00 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Anaheim met in adjourned ,7ourned regular
PRESENT: COUNCILMEN; Sneegas, Stephenson
ABSENT; COUNCILMEN: None Pebley, Thom and Dutton
PRESENT: CITY MANAGER: Keith A. Murdoch
CITY ATTORNEY: Joseph B
CITY CLERK: Den M. Daou
DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION: John Collier
SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION; Lloyd y Trapp
Mayor Dutton called the meeting to order and announc
of the meeting was to discuss and consider a ch that
in the park construction programs possible change in
Mr. Dave Peeler, Chairman of the Parks and
submitted and read action taken by the Parks and Rec ti Recreation Commssion
special meeting held this date, unanimously recommending the foollollo Commission wing at
g;
"That the City of Anaheim purchase 33 acres of
Canyon at the western end of the canyon and that the park land in Oak
y thi
light of the ruggedness of the balance of the canyon think it reasonable in
Oak Canyon be given to the City at no cost; and further, the remainder of
land be acquired at the east end of Walnut Can on R er, that 5 acres of park
the plans for the utilities to be located in the ese and further, that
be approved by the Parks and Recreation Departmentar1nPortion of the canyon
and that the canyon improvements, check dams and other flood t lPa con o trols sightliness)
provided and installed by the developer, also subject tor re
approval before acceptance of the park site." Parks and Recreation
The Commission favored the concept of the City receivi
as stated in the original letter of agreement with the Grant p a 65 to rb e
o
composed of 27 acres that the City is now in the t Company, to be
to the Orange Unified School District at Nohl Ranch Imperial, of acquiring aajfcent
acre site at the Walnut Canyon Reservoir to serve the possible future a five
a bl
related recreation as well as parks, and the 33 acres at the west e fturd end owftO Oak which represents that portion which would lend i tself best for park
k
used park
Mr. Peeler read the last portion of their report advising
member of the Anaheim City School District Administrative that a
this could be a fine nature and ecology staff indicated that
recreation use relating to the naturalyoutdoorseand for l d e mostn welcome
the schools could use the area in their teaching as well as most the Parks as
Recreation Department and that they further were sure that l fu and
availale for development for such use. Federal funds were
Mayor Dutton asked what the opinion of the Parks and
Commission was regarding this change or addition in park Recreation
to the former policy of the the conventional t p p rk concept in relation
etc., constructed adjacent to school sites. Henoted t with
he c onc ball diamonds, under is-
cession would be a wilderness type park conducive to nature a
camping• ere hike ing and day
Mr. Peeler replied they recognized ball
joint use of the facilities between the schools and arks are are a essential and
to the community and should continue and that this concept real benefit
the present policy, but the Cept should not replace
park would be beneficial. Commission also recognized the open type land
Ci t
purpose
concept
Mr. Peeler felt the Parks
the school district in the area and
nothing is apparently being done to
canyon area.
and Recreation Commission should contact
apprise them of our concern in that
acquire school sites in the hill and
As to the site under consideration, Mr. Peeler reported it
approximately 51 acres and they as a Commission felt the City should comprised
should not
a
72 -572
City Hall, Anaheim, California COUNCIL MINUTES
have to pay for the entire site, whatever the
should pay for only the flatter area and that
picnic type facilities.
September 7, 1972, 1 :00 P.M.
price might be; that the City
area that could be used for
Councilman Thom,regarding the proposed advantages of offering a
natural wilderness area as a concept in a recreational use and the challenge
of providing something different, noted Featherly Park and the proposed Yorba
Park, both similar type parks and asked if the Commission considered that
similar facilities would be provided approximately one mile away.
Mr. Peeler replied that the Commission had not pursued that point
and he did not know whether that type of coordination was possible in the use
of the other parks or whether joint development was possible.
Mr. Peeler further reported the concern of the Commission on the
disposition of Robber's Roost and thereupon submitted a resolution recommending
preservation of Robber's Roost as a natural, historical landmark.
Mayor Dutton advised that the Robber's Roost issue had been previously
considered by the City Council and because of the difficulties in development
had been abandoned.
Councilman Pebley noted the actual peak known as Robber's Roost was
not definitely determined according to Mr. Nohl former owner of the property.
Mr. Murdoch noted Featherly Park was used primarily by transits and
for camping and the likelihood of Yorba Park being used for camping to the
same extent was not as great. He stated the staff felt subject area would be
used by groups only by permit and would thereby differ somewhat from the
Featherly Park use.
Mr. Murdoch in considering passive areas or natural areas, stated the
City must consider if this was a type of recreation facility the City should
assume the obligation for or would it be a regional type facility that should be
handled at a different governmental level. He noted the City had considered
regional or quasi regional facilities such as Anaheim Lake, Anaheim Beach or
the Five Coves area.
Mr. Murdoch asked Mr. Collier what percentage of City owned land
adjacent to school sites devoted to passive uses would be supplanted by this
type of recreational facility.
Mr. Collier replied approximately one-third to one-half of the City
owned parks' use was in'the passive direction, leaving the balance of the
athletic facility on the school's portion.
Mayor Dutton felt the City was forced to change the concept somewhat
in subject area because of the terrain.
The original agreement to purchase was brought up and Mr. Murdoch
reported 23 acres was to be adjacent to the Orange Unified High School property;
that is now approximately 27 acres gross, including the library site and streets
over which the City has an easement,for a net of approximately 25 acres. Further
25 acres was to be adjacent to the reservoir site, the precise location never
determined.
Mr. Murdoch noted the Parks and Recreation Commission now recommends
the former 25 acres adjacent to the reservoir site be reduced to 5 acres.
In answer to a question, Mr. Murdoch reported that the land value in
the basic letter agreement was $550,000.00 for 65 acres.
Mr. Murdoch further reported that staff has been attempting to work
with the developer on the utilization of this canyon as a part of the overall
concept for perhaps six to eight months to determine if feasible.
Discussion was held regarding possible drainage problems created by
the development and Mr. Murdoch advised that it was the responsibility of the
Signed
72 -573
Hall Anaheim California COUNCIL MINUTES Se•tember 7 1972 1:00 P.M.
developer to solve the drainage problem for the developments u stream and
logical less expensive way would be through the canyons. p the
Mr. Stewart Moss, representing the Santa Ana Canyon Property Owners
Association, advised that they wholeheartedly supported anything that tends
support the natural atmosphere of the entire hill and canyon area and the to
particular parcel in question had a beautiful stand of oak trees. He stated
there was nothing traditional about the canyon area as it is a completely new and requires new thinking. That the standard useage of ball parks, etc.
tied with school areas serve a definite function and is required, however,
the same time there should be a specific requirement for a place where eo le
can get back to the natural state of things. p p
Mrs. Jean Morris, 1550 Flippen Circle, Anaheim, agreed with state-
ments made by Mr. Moss and felt people moving into the area are looking for-
ward to preserving as much as they can the natural area.
Mr. Ed Hartnell, 1313 Candlewood, member of the Parks and Recr a
Commission, advised of the beautiful formation of Robber's Roost and feltit
should be preserved if at all possible.
for the people who desecrated that area to deed ttottheuCi t be an it i penance
this Oak Canyon for a park. y for s people
Councilman Stephenson after viewing the site, favored acquiring the
location for a park, Councilman Dutton agreed.
Mr. Bill Stark, President of Anaheim Hills, advised that they were
endeavoring to save the oak trees and felt they were carrying out the intent
as communicated two years ago. He suggested a Council committee be appointed
to work out a workable program based on the recommendation of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. He stated they would like to develop the service
area and work out some method of giving the City the land in turn for the
park fees.
At the conclusion of the Council discussion that followed, Councilman
Stephenson moved the recommendations of the Parks and Recreations Commission
be received and the concept approved and that negotiations be entered into in
an attempt to implement the concept. Councilman Sneegas seconded the motion.
To this motion Councilman Pebley abstained. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Dutton suggested staff investigate what can be expected in park
and recreation in -lieu fees; that perhaps both remaining canyon areas might
be acquired. g
Mr. Murdoch reported that the second canyon is located in the north
in service area no. 2, much of which is in the Agricultural Preserve, however,
as a part of the concept as approved, should be considered for acquisition
before too late.
As to Council representation to the staff investigating committee,
Councilman Pebley moved that Councilman Sneegas and Mayor Dutton be nominated
to represent the City Council. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion.
MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Stephenson moved to adjourn, Councilman Pebley seconded
the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Adjourned: 2 :40 P.M.
City Clerk