 |
|
|
|
|
Streit backtracks, addresses historic preservation group
By Leigh Ann Maze
City councilman Nick Streit presented an idea to build a gym in the Heritage Orchard to the parks and recreation commission Feb. 7, but members of the heritage preservation commission thought he should have come to them first.
Although two heritage preservation commissioners attended the parks meeting, the commission said it was not given enough notice that the item was on the parks agenda.
"The heritage commission should have been notified," wrote heritage chairman Norman Koepernik in a letter to parks and recreation commission chairwoman Judy Alberts. "The orchard is a heritage landmark and any discussion about its use or change in use should have had our commission represented." Alberts apologized to Koepernik for the oversight in a responding letter.
Streit attended the preservation commission's March 14 meeting to formally present his idea to them, and to explain the reason he attended the other meeting first. On Feb. 7, Nemat Maleksalehi, a Saratoga resident, who, in January, offered to build and fund an indoor sports hall for the city, was on the agenda to discuss his gym idea. Since Streit felt it was better for the city to build and fund a gym of its own, he wanted to present his idea the same night as Maleksalehi.
Maleksalehi has since pleaded guilty to state charges of welfare fraud and felony grand theft. He also is being charged in federal court with money laundering, and mail and wire fraud. He did not show up at the meeting on Feb. 7, and the city has not heard about his gym proposal.
The 13.9-acre Heritage Orchard, located along Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues, is a heritage landmark owned by the city.
Streit envisions a gym designed to look like a barn big enough for two basketball courts, but with the same look and low profile as the library, that also is located at one corner of the orchard. The gym would be connected to existing parking areas at the library and the city buildings by footpaths through the orchard. He also wants to incorporate a heritage museum, where the younger generations of Saratogans can learn local history.
"I believe if we don't make the orchard accessible, inviting, user- friendly and a learning experience for every Saratogan, the future generations will make it a sports complex," Streit said.
Any change to a designated landmark, such as the Heritage Orchard, must be brought before the heritage preservation commission according to a city ordinance. The commission can then make a recommendation to community development director James Walgren. Walgren can take the recommendation to the Planning Commission, which can make a recommendation to the City Council.
Streit presented his idea to the parks commission as a citizen, and did not represent the council.
A subcommittee, formed by the parks commission, will look into more sites for recreation in the city, and they may look at the orchard as a possible one.
"It's nice to see members of the community coming forth with ideas and solutions," said Alberts, who is a member of the subcommittee. "I think we need more of that."
According to Alberts, the parks commission held a community meeting in 1996 to ask what recreational facilities the community wanted. The first priority was a community center, and the second was more playfields. "Neither of which has yet to be realized primarily because of lack of available space," Alberts said.
On March 21, the city might make progress toward these goals, when the City Council hears a presentation from architects on a new community center. Playfields at Congress Springs Park are scheduled to be completely redesigned and renovated.
Since 1996, attempts to locate new playfields at selected Saratoga school sites by the parks commission have been unsuccessful.
"I don't believe anyone in Saratoga can argue the demographics are changing," Streit said. "I'm trying to figure out a way to accommodate the kids that are coming to town."
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1955
