Beach Chalet Soccer Fields - Public Comment Due

Written comments due by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2011

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields project has been released. This project would replace natural grass in Golden Gate Park with 7 acres of plastic grass and tire waste and install 150,000 watts of 60 foot tall stadium lights next to Ocean Beach. "a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historic resource . . .(DEIR)"

In November, the Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the DEIR. Soccer enthusiasts from all over Northern California cited examples of poor maintenance of the present grass fields by the Department of Recreation and Park, and asked for a renovated playing field. Local residents talked about their love of Golden Gate Park as a special place in the City and expressed dissatisfaction with the DEIR's inadequate discussion about the loss of wildlife habitat, the loss of a considerable chunk of Golden Gate Park to development, and the impact of the 60 foot stadium light towers on the Park, on Ocean Beach and on views from Sutro Heights.

Chris Patillo, a qualified historic landscape architect who specializes in cultural landscapes, said that she supports soccer play but ". . .I have reviewed your EIR and I think it inadequately presents alternatives to you. I believe there is an alternative that is a viable alternative that will not obliterate an important cultural landscape."

The Commissioners raised concerns about the impact on Golden Gate Park and encouraged the Planning Department to pursue the alternatives in more detail. Some Commissioners suggested that the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields be renovated with real grass and no night lighting combined with fixing up other playing fields. The goal is to provide more playing time for youth soccer without destroying the historic character, the aesthetic value, and the habitat of the western end of Golden Gate Park.

Send written comments to Mr. Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, SF Planning Department, 1650 Mission Str, Ste. 400, SF, CA 94103 or bill.wycko@sfgov.org For info or a copy of the DEIR www.sfoceanedge.org

Katherine Howard, ASLA Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance

Scoping Meetings on MUNI's Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP)

Tues Dec 6 &Wed Dec 7 • 6:30 pm • One South Van Ness 2nd Floor Atrium (So Van Ness & Market St.)

The purpose of this notice is to receive comments to assist the Planning Department in reviewing the scope and content of the environmental impact analysis and information to be contained in the EIR for the TEP Program.

The purpose of the EIR is to provide information about potential significant physical environmental effects of the proposed project, to identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and to describe and analyze possible alternatives to the proposed project. Preparation of an EIR does not indicate a decision by the City. However, prior to making any such decision, the decision makers must review and consider the information in the EIR.

Send written comments to Mr. Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, SF Planning Department, 1650 Mission Str, Ste. 400, SF, CA 94103 or bill.wycko@sfgov.org Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on December 9, 2011.