by Ed Moy
The San Francisco Planning Department released a long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Beach Chalet Athletic Field Renovation on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
According to the Planning Department, the draft report is “meant to identify and assess any environmental impacts of our proposed renovation of the Beach Chalet soccer fields.”
“The DEIR found a significant impact to historical resources from the project,” stated environmental planner, Sarah B. Jones. “All other impacts were found to be less than significant, or could be mitigated to that level. The DEIR considers several alternatives, including an off-site alternative at West Sunset and two versions of the modified project that could reduce the impact to historic resources. The DEIR is an informational document and it doesn’t make any recommendations regarding the merits of the project or the alternatives.”
The DEIR is available to the general public as a pdf file on Rec. and Park’s website (www.sfrecpark.org) or the Planning Department’s website (www.sf-planning.org).
Topics covered in the DEIR include aesthetics, cultural resources, biological resources, hazards and hazardous materials and air quality.
A public hearing on the DEIR will be held at City Hall, Room 400, on Dec. 1. Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12.
The Rec and Park Department’s fact sheet states the DEIR found that renovation of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields will create a single “unavoidable significant impact” to the site’s value as a historic resource. The report determined that replacing grass with synthetic turf, installing field lighting, adding on-field spectator seating and creating concrete pedestrian paths around the fields would alter the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields’ existing features, which convey historical significance. However, Golden Gate Park’s designation as a historic place on the federal, state and local levels would remain unchanged as the park has many features which will continue to convey historic character and significance.
The Beach Chalet Athletic Field renovation project came under fire late last year when area residents complained about the environmental impacts of the potential installation of artificial turf. Neighborhood residents also expressed concerns about the installation of night lighting that would allow games to be played until 10 p.m.
According to the City Fields Foundation (www.cityfieldsfoundation.org), a non-profit group that has been raising money to replace grass fields with artificial turf, the synthetic materials have been installed and are in use at several fields across the City. The Foundation says the lower maintenance costs and increased playing time it offers make it a sound choice.
The $8.9 million renovation cost for Golden Gate Park would be partially shared by City Fields, which has already helped to renovate several aging facilities in the City.
“Renovating Beach Chalet with lights and synthetic turf will eliminate all dangerous gopher holes and more than triple the amount of play on the fields,” states City Fields Foundation on its website. “Currently, the fields host 4,738 hours of annual play. The proposed renovation will add 9,582 hours of new play each year. The renovation will also make the facility much more family-friendly and inviting for all – athletes, spectators and park visitors.”
According to Connie Chan, deputy director of public affairs for Rec and Park, a 2004 study found San Francisco would need to add 35 soccer fields and 30 baseball/softball fields to meet demands due to a lack of access to athletic fields in the city. Rain is often a main culprit in the loss of usable athletic fields.
“Since 2006, SF Rec and Park and the nonprofit City Fields Foundation have worked to address this challenge by renovating select city athletic fields with synthetic turf and field lights,” Chan stated. “We are proposing to renovate the dilapidated Beach Chalet Athletic Fields in the western end of Golden Gate Park with synthetic turf, field lights and other amenities because Beach Chalet is one of three primary ground sports fields in San Francisco that are unfortunately in abysmal condition, often closed and lacking spectator seating.”
Chan stated that with the release of the DEIR, public comment will be accepted until Dec. 12.
Submitted public comments will be addressed in a “comments and responses report,” which will be released and considered by the Planning Commission in the spring of 2012.
“The Planning Commission is ultimately responsible for certifying that the DEIR is accurate, adequate and consistent with the requirements of state law,” Chan stated.
For more information on SF Rec and Park’s response to the DEIR, go to the webpage at http://216.121.125.82/BeachChaletAthleticFieldsDraftEnvironmentalImpactReportFactSheet.aspx. To download the SF Planning Department DEIR, go to the city’s website at http://www.sf-planning.org. The report is also available for public review and comment on the Environmental Planning website at http://tinyurl.com/sfceqadocs. Hard copies and CDs are also available at the Planning Department’s information center at 1660 Mission St., first floor. Referenced materials are also available for review at the Planning Department’s office at 1650 Mission St., fourth floor.
Westside San Francisco 