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Item No. 1.
MEETING DATE: March 13, 2023
TO:	PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM:	SUSAN KIM, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT By:
SUBJECT:	PROPOSED PARK NAMES FOR NEW PARK AT 200 WEST GREENWOOD AVENUE

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):

The naming of a new neighborhood park was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and found to not be a project as defined under Section 15378(b)(5) because it will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment, and therefore, is exempt from CEQA review.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Planning Commission:

Make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the preferred park name for the new park at 200 West Greenwood Avenue.

DISCUSSION:

Through the Proposition 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, the City of La Habra obtained a grant for the development of a new neighborhood park at 200 West Greenwood Avenue. The new park site was formerly occupied by the clubhouse for the La Habra Woman's Club; however, the building has since been demolished due to its dilapidated condition. After the demolition of the building, the subject property was purchased by the City for development of a public park.

The proposed park will include a children's playground area, exercise equipment, natural turf space, benches and seating areas, water fountains, a demonstration garden, trees, central picnic area, a walking path, decorative lighting and landscaping as shown on Attachment "A". The new park is intended to serve La Habra's residents with the aforementioned amenities and enrich the quality of life of the surrounding community.

In keeping with the City Council's policy and procedures for the naming of public facilities (see Attachment "B"), staff is presenting the Planning Commission with the following list of potential park names, in order of preference, as suggested by members of the La Habra Woman's Club:

1. Las Reinas Park (Queens Park)
2. Las Doñas Park (The Ladies Park; Doñas is a term for a woman that indicates seniority)
3. Las Soñadoras Park (The Daydreamers Park)
4. Las Damas Park (The Ladies Park)
5. Jardín de Las Damas (The Ladies Garden)

The La Habra Community Services Commission reviewed the above list of potential park names at their meeting on February 8, 2023. The Community Services Commission voted 3-0 (Commissioner Kempker and Commissioner Rojas were absent) to select "Las Reinas Park" as the preferred park name. The Community Services Commission briefly discussed the possibility of selecting a name which would also acknowledge the City's upcoming Centennial Celebration. However, the Community Services Commission agreed that incorporating "Centennial" to the name may detract from the park site's association with the La Habra Woman's Club. While the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of La Habra's will occur in 2025, the La Habra Woman's Club is celebrating their 125th anniversary this year.

Per the City's policy and procedures, staff intends to forward the recommendations by the Planning Commission in addition to the Community Services Commission to the City Council for final selection. It is anticipated that the proposed name, along with the proposed design of the park, will be presented to the City Council in April 2023.

FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:

There is no impact to the City's General Fund.

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES):

The consideration of park names is not subject to compliance with the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Permit because it does not involve a project whereby a disturbance of soil will occur.

GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

The proposed public hearing item is related to the following General Plan policies:

LU2.5 - Places Supporting the Quality of Life. Provide a diversity of uses and services supporting La Habra's residents such as facilities for civic governance and administration, public safety (police and fire), seniors and youth, community gatherings, and comparable activities. Work with external agencies and non-profit organizations to encourage the provision of services and facilities not under the City's jurisdiction, such as public schools, parks and recreation, fire protection, and quasi-public infrastructure.
LU 8.3 - Parks and Open Space Amenities. Ensure that existing neighborhoods contain a diverse mix of parks and open spaces that are connected by trails, pathways, and bikeways and are within easy walking distance of residents.

The proposed public hearing item is related to the following City Council Goal and Objective:

Goal 3 - Maintenance and Improvement of City Infrastructure
- Objective B: Maintain and upgrade City buildings, facilities and parks

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