Saticoy & Wells Community Plan & Development ... - City Of Ventura

Saticoy & Wells Community Plan and Code EIRSection 4.13 Public Servicesparks, tot lots and picnic areas. Within the Project Area, Saticoy Community Park is located justnorth of Old Town Saticoy near Aster Street and the Project is redesignating the park as part ofthe 2005 General Plan authority. This park is also referred to as “the old ball field” due to thepresence of a baseball field on its premises. The Fritz Huntzinger Youth Sports Complex islocated within the Project Area adjacent to the Saticoy Regional Golf Course. The Youth SportsComplex consists of about 18 acres and provides ball fields and neighborhood park facilitieswhich include three baseball fields, open space, barbecue pits and picnic tables. Figure 4.13-2shows park and recreation facilities near the Community Project Area.Open space areas located along the barrancas and the Santa Clara River also provide informalrecreational opportunities used as bike and walking trails by residents in the area.The 2005 General Plan sets a goal of providing 10 acres of recreational uses per 1,000 residents.The 2005 General Plan states that the City currently falls approximately 1,050 acres short ofmeeting that standard with a ratio of about 8 acres per 1,000 residents. Action 6.2 of the 2005General Plan requires higher density development to provide pocket parks, tot lots, seatingplazas and other aesthetic green spaces. In addition, Action 6.3 of the 2005 General Planrequires development to include trails when appropriate.Funding. The operation and maintenance of parks and other recreational facilities arefunded primarily by the City’s general fund. The ability to provide proper maintenance,equipment, and recreational programs has declined in the City due to declining general fundrevenues. Additional funding has been obtained through grants, shared use arrangements(such as with the school district), and other funding mechanisms.The development of parks is funded through various fee programs on new development in theCity. Quimby fees are charged on all single family and condominium developments. ServiceArea Park Fees are charged on all new development in the City (including rental housing andnon-residential development) for the development of new community facilities (such as the newcommunity park). Capital Improvement Deficiency Study (CIDS) fees are charged on newdevelopment in the Saticoy & Wells area for the development of new facilities to offset thecurrent deficiency of parks in that part of the Project Area. CIDS fees are applied in addition tothe general City capital improvement fees. Developers may petition the city council to pay aportion of the fees if for example she only develops a portion of the parcel. The developer mayalso petition the city council to waive the additional general city capital fees.e. Regulatory Setting.Fire. Fire hazards are addressed mainly through the application of the State Fire Codeand the Uniform Building Code (UBC). The Fire Code addresses access, including roads, andvegetation removal in high fire hazard areas. The UBC requires development in high firehazard areas to show proof of nearby water sources and adequate fire flows.The VFD sets standards for fire flow, based on a number of factors, including type ofdevelopment and setting. The City has a residential sprinkler ordinance in place, which hassignificantly reduced the risk of fire damage throughout the community.4.13-6City of Ventura