Notes from 6.17.10 Meeting

Pam Hyland visited the Richmond City Hall, Planning Department, to ask about parcel maps and permits. She spoke with a very helpful and nice gentleman, Kieron Slaughter, Assistant Planner. He was a fount of information.

1. There are actually two parcels within the area we are looking at:
200 South Garrard, parcel # 550 011 010, owned by Richmond Associates, Windsor, CA (WE ARE CHECKING INTO THIS TO MAKE SURE OF ITS ACCURACY).

321 Canal Boulevard, parcel #550 010 013, owned by Richmond Development Company.

Both are zoned light industrial, N-2.

2. Permits: May need a zoning text change (re-zoning as a public park – CRR Community Resource) but likely we can just apply for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), which is easier.
For a TUP, we would apply under “Agricultural use, domestic animal (sales) and services.”

3. We would apply for a business license (Pam gave the forms to Kate to keep in the dog park files for when we are ready to do that). On the application, we should indicate the use (a short paragraph), any improvements, modifications, parking accommodations, signage about rules and donors*, striping for parking, etc. Mr. Slaughter advised Pam to include the shared interest and parking arrangement with BarkStix as that kind of mutual benefit is of interest to the planners. We should also mention that we are using an otherwise dormant lot for a positive community purpose.

*If we decide on a fixed sign larger than a political sign, we will need a permit for that and it’s EXPENSIVE - $500+. We can, however, use non-fixed banners tied to the fence and rotated from time to time without paying for a permit.

DOG PARK VOLUNTEERS MEETING THIS THURSDAY JUNE 17 AT 6:30 PM

PLEASE COME WE NEED ALL OF YOU TO MAKE THIS PARK A REALITY. THINGS ARE FALLING INTO PLACE SO PLEASE JOIN US AND GET INVOLVED SHARE YOUR IDEAS

June 3,2010 PRDP Meeting Notes

16 people in attendance

Gail S Green, author of Dog Parking It, at meeting to advise us how to proceed.

Recommendations for Park:

Membership only park – details to be worked out

Small cedar chips –
• keeps flea infestation to a minimum
• helps avoid flooding and mud during rain
• recommended to have entire park with chips – no dirt or grass
• Need to figure out how many feet of chips are needed.
• Do not get chips from a construction site or company – they will often have nails in them

Fencing – 5 to 6 feet high
• Have center fencing dividing small & large dog area
• Have fencing in center covered so that you can not see through it
• How much fencing do we need
• Reflective strips on the top of both sides of the gates – this makes it easier to know if the gate is open or closed

Water - have water away from gates so as not to cause congestion for those going and coming.

Seating – have uncomfortable seating so that people do not hang around all day. Plus if they are uncomfortable they will spend more time watching their dogs then talking or reading.

Polices:
• Anything you take to the park becomes community property, such as balls.
• Dogs must be spayed and neutered

Advertising
• Companies can advertise by having banners that are placed on fencing
• Rate advertising space depending on how visible banner will be from the street
• Some Companies that may be interested are Veterinarians, animal artists and photographers

Farmers Market
Get a booth at the Pt. Richmond market to recruit volunteers and donations


City of Richmond
Get police department involved in park – ask for suggestions
Get Animal Control involved – ask for suggestions

Business Cards – need to have so we can pass out to potential members and donors

ITEMS TO BE RESEARCHED

Fencing
Netting for Fencing
Water
Chips - Kate
Donations
Farmers Market/ Promotional materials – TJ, Elaine and Linda
Rules/Safety Committee
Waste Management - Ben
Membership
City of Richmond – Blue Prints, Permits, Code of Conduct – Marilyn and Pam (Kate already got blue prints from landlord).
Need Job and task descriptions for volunteers
Insurance
Attorney - Marilyn

NEXT MEETING – THURSDAY, JUNE 17TH.

MORE GOOD NEWS!!

I know that some of you are concerned about the "For Sale" sign that is posted on the new "Point Richmond Dog Park," so we got blue prints today from the owner. There is a big easement by EBMUD (East Bay Utility District) running smack dab through the middle of the park (east-west direction). Unless we are mistaken, no permanent structure can be built on a public utility easement. This most likely means that there will be little if any interest from a perspective buyer who wants to build. We hope this allays concerns or objections to the parcel. Let me know if anyone can confirm the "no permanent structure" on a utility easement.