two, renovate the beach chalet athletic field with natural grass. three, do not add lights to the beach chalet athletic fields. csfn opposes the e.i.r. for the beach chalet project because it is inaccurate, inadequate and incomplete. now, it's not as though the beach chalet is the only site that city could provide extra hours of soccer for players. but the west end of the golden gate park, a renowned treasure, cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the city. it's not a choice. we want soccer fields. we want kids to play, but it doesn't have to be in golden gate park. >> thank you very much. any additional public comment? >> i'm regina rirson and i asked you to please not certify this e.i.r. i'm a long-time resident of san francisco and i live just a few blocks from the beach chalet. and i also am a voter and a business owner. i'm big on beauty and i walk myself and with my friends and loved ones all around western golden gate park, including all those trails, all around the beach chalet, and also at the beach at night with my sweet heart. we really e

and loved ones all around western golden gate park, including all those trails, all around the beach chalet, and also at the beach at night with my sweet heart. we really enjoy looking at the ocean and the moon and the stars and really appreciate that. and i'm one of those, if you've ever seen them, a few eccentric people who when they walk they pick up trash and pull weeds, and i've never felt the need to tell anybody before but right now, i do, and i'm not doing it just so that we can have more traffic and more invasive lights, fewer trees, and ugly plastic turf, and more pollution out there. that's not what i'm doing it for. and so fortunately none of it's necessary because there's arficial turf for the western sunset playground and natural turf for the beach chalet soccer fields and thanks. >> any additional public comment? ok. so seeing none, the public comment portion of this hearing is closed and we'll move to commissioners questions and comments. commissioner antonini? commissioner antonini: thank you. i guess there isn't a staff wrap-up. we've probably had quite a bit already. i wa

i had my first soccer game at beach chalet. i had my first high school game at beach chalet. a couple of things i wanted to say about artificial turf. better for soccer, less injuries, and i think the arg is that there are toxins in the artificial turf. you can use biodegradable, they use coconut treading right now. more importantly, when i listen to the nature, and i am a fan of all nature, my favorite sound is to your kids laughing and playing. that is what i want to say. >> i think there should be turf on the fields because people trip, fall, sprained ankles, and get hurt often because the grass has pot holes. there should be turf. >> is this the last group of kids? i think we are going to -- we kind of understand. [laughter] thank them for coming down here today. >> i want turf because you did not have to water it very often. if you have real grass, you have to come down and water it, like, the whole field. >> my name is henry. i like turf fields because if you slip on a pothole or fall in a pothole, you can get seriously injured. there are no pot holes on the turf fields

i lived in san francisco, my -- played in beach chalet. i broke my leg in beach chalet playing. i've had four cart idgeage operations all from playing on grass fields. you go to sunset, it's artificial grass. it's not about the children that. out on a sunday morning, 70-year-old men playing. they're not in -- not in a hospital, they're out there getting energy. this is about the whole community. it's not just about children. it's about adults, about everybody. everybody gets benefit out of these fields. the fields right now you can't play in them. three months of the year you can't play in them. it's a nine-foot fence. no children can get in to play. that's why the children are leaving san francisco i believe because of this. so the thing is, we are only talking about a small piece of golden gate park. not talking 25, 30 acres. you're talking about seven acres in a park. i'm an adufment i would not send my children out there. you can't even go out there, it's so dangerous. with the boards and the lights and everything. go out there, there's nobody out there because people are af

the beach chalet soccer fields, the purpose why we're here today. again this photo shows the existing conditions and the proposed solution on the right. the present condition is grass field. the the soccer fields are currently fenced with an eight-foot link -- chainlink fence around the facility and it's currently closed about half the time during the year and is only used through formal permit and reservation process. next slide. so a little bit more. the soccer field at the west end of the park hads been in existence more than 75 yards -- years and it's one of our three primary athletic facilities. during the fall more than 1,500 kids and 600 adults play at beach chalet every week. the soccer field in scale, golder gate's total is, this is less n -- than 1% of the fat -- facility. current condition, the fields are closed for rents about 50% of the time as a mentioned. it's only open by reservation and closed before 3:00 p.m. most week days, closed every monday throughout the year and closed due to winter season conditionsnd staff maintenance needs

and all these kids are affected by beach chalet. the question about grass fields is will they suffice? and the grass fields unfortunately are locked. the better the field, the more it has to be locked. i know the concern here is will families be leaving and are families leave and is this one more thing? so our next speaker is a child who is moving to hills borrow in july over this kind of issue. ty swensson. >> yes, i am leaving to hills borough. it's because -- belinelli -- chime chime --ing [belinelli] >> it's because i really want beach chalet to become turf and there aren't that many turf fields so my family is moving so i can play socker for more time. of the year. >> my name is luke bronson and i support the turf. the reason is i live in the richmond neighborhood and i -- when i want to play on the school night when i have no homework and nothing to do, when i go out to beach chalet it's always locked to let the grass grow or something like that. if it's turf they don't have to let the grass grow, and kids will be able to play

i am in support of the plan for beach chalet. when i first moved to san francisco, the program was actually canceled. we practice once a week for one hour. due to field conditions, we have had to cancel over half of the practices, deal with minor injuries, compete with adult themes for field space. this project would increase playing time, allow been the kids to further develop individual teams -- a lot and the kids to fellow -- for develop individual teams and life skills. i would like to request approval and may for beach chalet to move forward. thank you. president fong: ok. [

also, i have had a lot of injuries from beach chalet. that is one of the reasons why turf is better. i have twisted my ankle, like, 10 times. the ball does not roll straight at all. i was playing goalie once and i missed the ball because the bulk rolled -- ball rolled one direction and bounced in a different direction and a second. i completely support the turf fields, and the lights. thank you. >> my name is gabriel and i play on the same team. i have been playing since the first grade. i am now in eighth grade. in sixth grade, i did a science fair presentation. i studied how much lead there was in the grass field as opposed to the turf fields. i felt that there is 200% more lead in grass field than in turf fields. i sent my samples to a lab, and they were willing to help. they thought turf was a great idea, too. i find that turf is much better because the ball rolled straight. it does not bounce up in the air. it is more like playing a real soccer. thank you. >> i also play on the same team. on grass, it is a bumpy and it is not easy t

i have played on beach chalet for a long time. the fields would be much better if they were on grass. i want them to be on the turf fields. >> my name is brian. i want there to be more turf fields because the ball can move faster and you do not get hurt as much. >> my name is conner and ti hope there can be turf fields because i feel more safe. on the grass, there can be more bombs and i can slip and fall. -- there can be more bumps and i can slip and fall. >> i think that turf fields would be great because they would be able to stay open a lot longer. even if it rains, you can still play. that would make everything easier. >> i want turf fields because it is easier to play on. >> my name is joe. i would like to have turf on the beach chalet fields because there are too many problems with grass. >> i live on 44th avenue, only a couple of blocks away from beach chalet. if it was a turf, we would have a lot more opportunities to play. >> i am 11 years old. we just wanted to say we think it is important to get the turf fields because

i am in support of the plan for beach chalet. when i first moved to san francisco, the program was actually canceled. we practice once a week for one hour. due to field conditions, we have had to cancel over half of the practices, deal with minor injuries, compete with adult themes for field space. this project would increase playing time, allow been the kids to further develop individual teams -- a lot and the kids to fellow -- for develop individual teams and life skills. i would like to request approval and may for beach chalet to move forward. thank you. president fong: ok. [reading names] if i have called your name, come on up. >> i would like to start by submitting -- there are eight copies. i did not realize there were 12 of the. i am a resident of san francisco. i worked in the field of field development to or promotion of field development and as a coach for over 20 years. i would like to start off by stating that i am not the biggest proponent of filled turf, but considering the conditions of san francisco and of this w

at issue before you today is the renovation of the soccer field at the beach chalet in the golden gatetaff report provided for you provides more detailed analysis, so my summary today will be brief. the planning department received many hundreds -- perhaps over 1000 -- e-mails in response to this project. the majority of e-mails were opposed -- opposed to the renovation of the beach chalet and focused most of the criticism on the synthetic turf and nighttime lighting. the overwhelming majority commented on the design of the soccer field and did not specifically address the general plan policies that are the purview of the report i'm about to summarize for you, so i'm really responsible for making sure that the projects moving forward is not uncommon on the project specifically and is in conformity with prior to steer the majority of the policies and general plan come from the recreation and open space element. the recreation and park department have a broad mandate to provide a diverse and balanced open space system, including recreational opportunities. for example, a policy for what

the proposed beach chalet is the first to undergo an e.i.r. and with rec and park we willingly requested additional review leading to an e.i.r. which confirmed that this project is safe for people, the environment, the park and for kids and that's exactly what the e.i.r. found. this project will have practically no environmental impacts. the e.i.r. thoroughly examined many of the issues you will hear abouted tooze -- today. it's very comprehensive and very data-driven. this renovation has been studied extensively the past two years and we've had an abundance of participation. this is a good project for our kids and for our city. you've heard a lot today about families with kids leaving the city. i raised two here and it's not always as you -- easily -- easy but the city haze lot to offer. let's give them one more reason to stay, the safe, high quality fields. thank you very much. >> good evening, commissioners. i'm linda, a 43-year resident of san francisco, a mother and a grandmother of children who play soccer. i live in district 11 which is

i don't think the heat at beach chalet will be a problem too often. although there are areas where it is warmer, that is one of the sites. i can testify, i think the kids are right about playing on the artificial turf on some of the older fields of san francisco. i played softball on many fields before the was artificial turf, and we had a lot of problems with the fields in those days. it was hard to play softball, and i think soccer would be more difficult. i am going to move to certify the eir, if there are no other comments. >> second. >> commissioners, the action before the planning commission, the motion before the planning commission is to certify the final eir. on that motion -- [roll-call vote] thank you commissioners, that motion passes for-one, with commissioner moore voting no against. [applause] commissioners, another action before the planning commission it is adoption of the ceqa findings. commissioner antonini: i move adoption of the findings under the california environmental quality act. commissioner borden: second. >> commissioners,

however, the selection of the beach chalet is inappropriate. it is such a beautiful meadow, and transforming it into synthetic turf is like telling our children that nature has a low priority for their lives. it is also hard to believe that school age children will be playing soccer into the night and in the fog. our society is -- with all its gadgets is already undermining our inclination as human to interactions. now we're depriving our connection to the natural world by killing off plants and animals now extant in the meadow and its surrounds. please find an altern atevb to the destruction of our natural heritage. thank you. >> any other special accommodations? >> and then, you, sir. >> him. as you can tell, i'm blind. what i'd like to do first of all is say, it's interesting, today i was listening to cnn and they had a list of the five best cities in the united states for parks and san francisco was number one. now, i think one thing that's interesting, we always talk about our parks and usable space as though the sword of damocles it handi

even when i was asked to come here to speak, was it pretty much in support of the beach chalet project but it was also, i have to speak the truth. i live right next to golden gate park so i'm a sunset person and i've come here from somewhere else but there are two things that concern me. one, it is the limited amount of field space that there is in the city and grass fields but i have to say, listening to everyone, i've been more conflicted than our pris recent decision he came to over the past few years because i am for the environment, i am for education and i am for kids being able to have a playing space. but the items are, i am for the field, i'm not for the lights. the reason i come to that conclusion is, it's very nice to go out and see the night sky. as an educator, i am dismayed when kids do not have a sense of wonder when they walk into my classroom, that they don't know the other heavenly bodies that are out there. we just had an amazing celestial event this past weekend with the eclipse and some kids don't get a chance to see that. what also i do like seeing in parents havi

i want to turf beach chalet. i have 400 boys out on the field day i have done for the last nine years. i cannot tell you how many injuries i get on a field day from the boys on that field. i am also up at night, wondering if the field will be closed. i have to have a backup plan. as i call to get a reservation, every year, there is a tossup whether it will be closed, if they want 400 kids on the field. if we had more turf fields, public schools and independent schools would use them during the day. i pay considerable right to rent the field during the day. that is more revenue to the park. that is for the use of turf fields. nobody wants to go out. nobody wants 400 kids during the day,

i want to turf beach chalet. i have 400 boys out on the field day i have done for the last nine years. i cannot tell you how many injuries i get on a field day from the boys on that field. i am also up at night, wondering if the field will be closed. i have to have a backup plan. as i call to get a reservation, every year,

this has not been done before the beach chalet sote. -- site. it is part of the mou and is required to use on used funds to be carried forward to the next fiscal year. we have time to do the right thing with an alternative. another point i wantwith the co- the product is inconsistent with the local coastal plan, because it fails to protect the naturalist the quality of the park, and because it will have negative effects on other resources in coastal zones but said the project boundaries. this point is definitely appealable to the california coastal commission. you need to hear that. please do not approve this permit. thank you for your time, and hang in there. >> please do not certify the eir. i am beth lewis. it is flawed. it is inadequate. the eir claims the only adverse effect is it will impair the historical significance of a very small portion of the park. i really do not think that cutting down 55 trees and paving over 7 acres near a beautiful ocean, essentially changing the character of the west end of the park, is significant. the benefi

this has not been done before the beach chalet sote. -- site. it is part of the mou and is required to

is in -- the beach chalet is in my backyard. i say yes to families in my backyard. i say yes to children learning, playing, and using my backyard. i come with the greatest respect for the people who are here, my neighbors, who are speaking against the project. i have stood with them, fighting for and against other projects in the city. i would prefer that my children play on grass. but i know from experience they are being asked not to play at all. this project is very important to us. i implore this joint committee to say yes to the project. the project is sorely needed. it is long past due, and is extraordinarily well thought out. it reaches a balance, and we need more balance. please help us take this step forward. thank you for my minute and a half. >> good evening, commissioners. my name is mike sullivan, and i am here with my son, joseph, and one of his best friends. i am here in my role as a soccer dead. it is my first time i have been to speak in front of either commission. this is important to our family. joe and rocky have been playing on these fields for

. >>> grass at the beach chalet fields will be replaced with turf. there's project that calls for new lights and seating. supporters say the changes could cut down on maintenance and increase playing time. but opponents say the project would hurt the wildlife habitat. >>> there is a new report card out today. m just seven minutes we'll gonna take a look at the list and see how many bay area beaches got passing grades or warning to stay out of the water. >>> a new poll shows supports for proposition 29. that's down from march. >>> there's more fallout from washington, d.c. over facebook's troubled ipo. congress and federal regulators are getting involved. they want to know if the investors got a better deal. they think morgan stanley might have warned some clients and not others about problems with facebook. congressional staffers say there could be hearings about it but -- there could be hearings about it but none are planned at this point. >>> you need to come in and hike. >> getting ready for a big anniversary. what's planned and how traffic is gon

about 10,000 kids play in league using the field behind the beach chalet but drainage is a problem creatingslippery field that sometimes lead to injuries. opponent who want the park to remain in a natural state say they will appeal. >>> well when students in fairfield start school in the fall, there's a good chance they won't have any sports or after school programs. school board voted to cut them but tonight students and parents are putting up a fight. lillian is live in fairfield tonight with the story. lillian? >>reporter: >> i weren't to know what we can do as a community to get a plan in action to save our sports. >>reporter: parents came pleading. so did students. student athletes from fairfiel fairfield. rodriguez high say they won't know what to do if the school district carries out the plan to eliminate sports. >> devastating. many it would be flat out devastating. >>reporter: board members voted in february to cancel all sports and other after school activity as way to offset 6 and half million dollar deficit. the parents students and teachers hoping the board will find a way to k