Plan for 23-Acre Sports Park Delayed as City Seeks More Info

Residents will have to wait a little longer for that proposed 23-acre sports park in Rancho Santa Margarita.  

Citing the need for further study, the City Council voted Wednesday to reject the proposals of nine companies that put in bids to become project manager of the first phase of the Chiquita Ridge development.

Located between the 241 Toll Road and Antonio Parkway, Chiquita Ridge is the 92-acres of city-owned open space on which officials hope to build the largest sports park in southern Orange County.

Councilwoman Carol Gamble, who moved to reject the bids, said more research has to be done before the council can move forward.

Gamble said they may have “put the cart before the horse.”

“We’re doing an excellent job of selecting the sofa for our living room … before we have selected a house,” Gamble said.

As part of that same motion, Gamble directed staff to plan a workshop, wherein the council could review all the studies done so far on the project, “so that we can all get up to speed together,” Gamble said.

Gamble said she was worried about "finding the gnatcatcher" sooner rather than later, a reference to beginning the project only to discover well into it that concessions must be made for endangered species. She made reference to a hospital project that, after the foundation had been laid and walls were up, had to be moved 15 feet because of such a discovery.

The motion passed unanimously.

In 2005, the city obtained the Chiquita Ridge open space in a settlement with the County of Orange, the Rancho Mission Viejo Company and an environmental group called the Endangered Habitats League.

One of the terms of the settlement was that—if the land is developed—23 acres at minimum must be a sports park, 32 acres can be other developments and the rest, when the project is complete, must be open space.

Councilmembers are eager to see the sports park built, and have called the project one of the most important, if not the most important project in city history.  

In March 2010, the city created a request for proposal for firms interested in becoming a project manager of the first phase of the Chiquita Ridge project: creating a feasibility study—an analysis of the possible development options—of the land.

After receiving nine proposals, staff recommended that RBF Consulting be awarded the $369,144 contract at the June 8 City Council meeting.

Councilmembers postponed the decision to June 22.

Though the council rejected the RBF bid on June 22, officials said they were pleased with staff work so far and with the work that RBF had put into the proposal.  

Mayor Tony Beall said he understood the council’s desire for more research, but cautioned that thorough study had already been done.

“I want there to be a clear understanding of the depth of the analysis that has taken place over the past six years as we move forward tonight,” Beall said.

Other business

• Councilman Jerry Holloway asked for an update on the council’s proposed ban on sex offenders in city parks. City Attorney Greg Simonian said city staff should have a draft ordinance for the council to examine at the next meeting on July 13.  
• If you think the city’s streets signs look a little shinier, you’re not imagining things.  That’s because RSM just finished the new reflective street sign upgrade project.
• City contractors have also finished phase two of a pavement removal and asphalt replacement project on the following roads: Headland, Borrego, Tepolito, Danta, Mapache, Tejon, Raposa, Rana and Danta.
• The council voted to postpone a decision on who would be the next Mayor Pro Tem to an undetermined future date.
• Councilmember Jesse Petrilla returned from service in the California Army National Guard in Kentucky.
• The June 22 council meeting marks the first time in four months there has been a full five-member city council.
• In a rare occurrence, the council had no presentations or proclamations for the night.

The next adjourned regular meeting of the city council will be held July 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the EOC Conference room,, 22112 El Paseo.