COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

August 16, 2004

SET TIME:

9:45 a.m.

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 14, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of a Use Permit Amendment, pursuant to Section 6500 of the San Mateo County Zoning Regulations, to replace the existing tennis court lighting and increase the number of lighting fixtures and lighting levels providing light to the six existing tennis courts at the Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club located off Alpine Road in the unincorporated Portola Valley area of San Mateo County. (Appeal from the Planning Commission’s decision denying the Use Permit Amendment based on the inability to pass a motion to approve it.)

RECOMMENDATION

Grant the appeal and approve the Use Permit Amendment for the tennis court lighting upgrade to a level not to exceed 60 foot-candles (FC) as recommended by Planning Commissioner Wong, by making the required findings and adopting the conditions of approval.

PROPOSAL

The Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club is requesting to replace the existing tennis court lighting as well as increase the number of lighting fixtures and lighting levels serving the six existing tennis courts.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION

The Planning Commission action on this matter was as follows. Commissioner Wong moved to approve the application but at a lower lighting level, 60 foot candles. Commissioner Kennedy seconded the motion. Commissioners Bomberger and Silver were opposed. Commissioner Nobles was absent. The effect of the resulting 2-2 vote was denial of the application based on the inability to pass a motion to approve it.

BACKGROUND

The Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club tennis court lighting was approved in 1986. The six tennis courts have six lighting fixtures each. The Club has determined that the existing tennis court lights are inadequate. The existing lights are below levels appropriate for recreational tennis play and the club reports accidents due to inadequate light. The private tennis club is located off Alpine Road, which is a County Scenic Road. Located directly across the street from the club is an office and shopping complex with private residences located up and behind the office complex. The concerns of the neighbors are the impacts they will experience due to the increased lighting levels and fixtures.

SUMMARY

The Club is requesting to replace the six fixtures per court with eight fixtures per court that will also increase the lighting levels. Proposed lighting shields will direct rays to the court surface and away from Alpine Road and Los Trancos Creek. Light timers will also insure that lighting cannot be on past 9:00 p.m. in the winter months and 10:00 p.m. the rest of the year. Staff is also requiring the club to install motion detectors or similar controls so that lights on courts not in use cannot be turned on.

Staff recommends that your Board approve the added lighting for the tennis courts at a maximum level of 60 foot candles as proposed by Commissioner Wong. The reasons for this recommendation are, first, that the club has already been approved for lighting, so that issue is not before you. Second, the U.S. Tennis Court and Track Builders Association has established guidelines for tennis court illumination that specify 60 foot candles as the minimum light level for recreational play. Staff believes the club has a reasonable expectation to provide its membership with the minimum lighting levels established by this association. Sixty foot candles seems a reasonable minimal enhancement to accompany the replacement of previously approved lighting.