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Neighbors urge Baldwin Park to reconsider planning commission approval of elevated soccer fields behind homes
Summary
Residents told the city council they oppose a recently approved project that would put a two‑story parking structure and five elevated soccer fields within nine feet of rear property lines in a residential area, citing noise, lighting and safety concerns.
Neighbors from the California Avenue area told the Baldwin Park City Council on April 16 they want the council to intervene after the Planning Commission approved a recreation project in an industrial zone adjacent to their homes.
Susan Cole, a homeowner on East California Avenue, told the council the project was approved by the Planning Commission on March 26 and would place a two‑story building with parking on the ground floor and five outdoor elevated soccer fields on the roof within nine feet of the rear property lines of nearby houses.
"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. "This new recreational use in the industrial zone is behind our homes, a use that will make noise and produce glaring light... until 10:00 at night during the week and all day Saturday and Sunday."
Cole said both city staff and the project applicant told the Planning Commission that soccer balls will be propelled off the fields into neighboring yards and asked the council to meet with affected residents, review the project and consider safety and quality‑of‑life impacts. She said neighbors had compiled a petition and would leave it with the city clerk.
Mayor Avila acknowledged the concern and said the council would look into the matter.
The matter as described in public comment was not a council agenda item on April 16; the Planning Commission has already approved the project, and Cole requested the council give residents opportunities to speak individually with council members and staff about the project.
