Neighbor warns council that Planning Commission approval of elevated soccer fields will ‘change’ California Avenue neighborhood

Susan Cole, a homeowner on East California Avenue, told the Baldwin Park City Council on April 16 that a Planning Commission approval on March 26 allows construction of a two‑story building with parking at ground level and five outdoor elevated soccer fields on top directly behind her home and neighbors’ properties.

Cole said the 25‑foot‑tall structure would sit within 9 feet of rear property lines, include outdoor floodlights and operate until 10 p.m. on weeknights and all day on weekends. "An out of town investor is being allowed to build a 2 story building right up to within 9 feet of our rear property right line with parking on the bottom, 25 feet tall, and 5 outdoor elevated soccer fields on top with all the outdoor sports floodlights that go along with it," Cole said.

Cole said the Planning Commission and the applicant acknowledged during the March 26 hearing that soccer balls are likely to fly from the elevated fields into adjacent yards, and she described the effect on neighbors’ evening quiet and safety for children and older residents. She said she delivered a petition to the city clerk and asked council members to visit California Avenue and meet with affected residents.

Mayor Avila acknowledged Cole’s petition and said the council would "look into it." The meeting record shows no vote or formal council action on the project at the April 16 meeting; Cole’s remarks were made during the public comment period and officials said staff would follow up after the meeting.

Cole also requested that individual council members give residents time to speak directly with them; she said a council member had already inquired about the project at a prior meeting. The city clerk will retain Cole’s petition in the meeting record per her remarks.