City Council Allows Belmont Youth Soccer Groups Use of Koret Field

Belmont leaders sent a clear message to Belmont youth soccer groups Tuesday night: they support the leagues’ use of Koret Athletic Field, despite a strong voice of opposition of neighbors concerned with noise levels on the field.

In a 4-0 vote, the Belmont City Council denied an appeal of the Planning Commission that approved an amended Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Koret Athletic Field for Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), located at 1500 Ralston Ave. Councilmember Warren Lieberman, who lives close to the field in question, recused himself from the vote as required by government code.

The amendment at the heart of Tuesday night’s hearing was made to the 2005 CUP that allows the Belmont United Soccer Club and Belmont/Redwood Shores AYSO to hold games at Koret Field.

At its July 19 meeting, the Belmont Planning Commission .

But residents in the surrounding neighborhood, primarily those living on Chula Vista Dr., have complained of increased levels of noise, and the lack of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that they say would protect them from disturbances.

Evelyn Seely read from a lengthy prepared statement on behalf of the appellants, “The basic issue is now, and always has been, the level of noise.”

She continued, “There are flaws in the 2005 CUP.” Seely then read a section of California Code regarding noise and traffic stating that the noise generated by soccer games at Koret Field was far out of proportion to what was acceptable under California Code.

 “Koret Field is like an amphitheatre, and the noise travels up the hills,” she added.

Tom Snider, president of Belmont United Soccer Club, responded to the appellants’ statement, “We urge the council to deny this appeal and accept the Planning Commission’s amended CUP allowing youth soccer groups to use the field.”

Snider and other youth sports leaders had agreed throughout the process to work with neighbors to try to keep noise to a minimum.

Snider reminded the council that the field use issue has been going on for two-plus years. “A gracious gift from NDNU and Judith Greig has been given to our community. Any new limitations will be unacceptable to NDNU and will completely derail the progress we’ve made.”

A number of speakers addressed the council, both in favor and opposition to the appeal.

Representatives of the group, “Belmont Residents for a Tranquil Community,” who organized to fight the amended CUP, spoke on the noise from the field affects everything from property values to peace and quiet.

Longtime Belmont resident Richard Hughes said he’s fearful of lights being put on the field, and requested some relief from weekend noise. “I ask the council to give some relief on Sunday at least once a month so I can get some peace and rest.”  

Some new developments in school construction projects prompted Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Belmont Sports Advisory Committee, Rich Bortoli, to address the council. “This issue has become even more important recently because of school expansion projects,” said Bortoli.

“Ralston Middle School and Fox School fields won’t be usable for a while and the Belmont Sports Complex is years away from turfing, so we need Koret Field,” Bortoli said. He also noted that there is no expense to the City to use Koret Field.

Speaking as a resident after recusing himself from the hearing and the vote, Councilmember Warren Lieberman addressed the council, “Please don’t over think this issue and impose restrictions on NDNU. I don’t want to minimize the concerns of the neighbors who live near Koret Field, but we can’t limit field use in other parts of Belmont due to noise. I hope you deny this appeal.”

Councilmembers each spoke of their respect for the neighbors’ concerns and acknowledged that those objecting to the field use were not troublemakers, but are truly annoyed by the noise.

Councilmember Dave Warden, noting that many Belmont residents live adjacent to youth sports fields, said, “I frankly haven’t gotten one complaint of noise from all the other sports fields. It’s frustrating that we don’t have the tools to change the situation (at Koret Field), but I will uphold the Planning Commission’s decision.”

Councilmember Christine Wozniak sympathized with the neighbors, but suggested giving the youth soccer groups a chance to use the field for a year and let the City see how it works.

In his comments, Councilmember David Braunstein posed the question, “Can the youth sports groups fill the time that NDNU has the field available?” He then answered, “Yes.”

Mayor Coralin Feierbach stressed how contentious an issue the use of Koret Field has become, and asked for all groups involved to try to work together.

“I would hope NDNU will meet on a regular basis with neighbors to see if there are any problems,” Feierbach said.

“I went to AYSO Opening Day on Saturday, and there were about 80 teams. We clearly don’t have the space we need for all these children to play.”

Feierbach concluded, “Be kind. Be just. Do it.”

Following the vote, Tom Snider said, “I’m happy for the kids of Belmont and future generations of kids who now have the ability to play on an all-weather, state-of-the-art field. And I thank NDNU.”