Supervisors continue hearing after residents and RPD clash over parking on renovated Pine Lake Meadow

Sean Ellsburn, chair of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, continued a public hearing to June 11 after a lengthy exchange over plans to allow parking on the newly renovated Pine Lake Meadow during the Stern Grove Summer Festival.

Yomi Agunbiade, general manager of the Recreation and Park Department, told the committee the master plan for Stern Grove, started in 02/2001, envisioned some parking in the meadow while calling for alternative sites over time. He said the contractor seeded the meadow about four to five weeks after construction and RPD—s plan is to overseed the site once a year, with the department prepared to reseed more often if needed.

—It's been part of the plan— to continue to have parking on that meadow, Agunbiade said, adding that the site now has irrigation and infrastructure (concrete collars on sprinkler heads and heavy valve-box tops) installed to protect the system and help the grass recover.

RPD officials also said they had secured two to four additional parking control officers, would deploy roving enforcement and aim to station a tow truck nearby on concert days. The department said it will inspect the meadow weekly and decide one week before the first concert whether parking can safely occur.

Steve Haines, executive director of the Stern Grove Festival Association, described logistical efforts to reduce neighborhood impacts: contacting large nearby lots (the San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco State University and Stonestown Mall) as shuttle origins, promoting transit and bike valet and pledging not to park beyond a defined portion of the meadow so roughly half of the northern section would remain vehicle-free.

But most public commenters opposed meadow parking. Speakers raised environmental and public-health concerns (oil and brake fluids reaching soil and groundwater), questioned whether the contractor prepared the site with load-distribution materials to protect turf from vehicle weight, and urged alternatives such as shuttle buses and temporary lane parking on Sloat Boulevard. Specific claims included an estimate that the festival could bring —4,000 cars this season— (statement by Felicia Zager) and a historical claim of —about 50,000 cars— parked on the meadow over the past decade (public comment).

Critics who spoke during public comment included neighborhood association representatives and frequent Stern Grove visitors. Pat Skane (Pine Lake Park Neighborhood Association) proposed opening Wawona Street for staff and staff/performer parking (he estimated capacity at 60—100 cars) and urged rapid implementation of shuttle contracts. Several speakers urged that the Stern Grove Festival Association bear the cost of added parking control officers rather than city departments.

RPD acknowledged trade-offs and said some residents must accept a —leap of faith— while the department monitors the site; Agunbiade reiterated that annual reseeding is a routine maintenance practice and that the contractor has an obligation for initial seeding and short-term maintenance. One public commenter said reseeding had been described to the community as costing about $10,000; RPD said it would confirm and that the department—s estimate should include staff time.

The committee did not take a formal vote on meadow parking. Chair Ellsburn set a follow-up hearing for Monday, June 11 so RPD and the Stern Grove Festival Association can report updated shuttle and alternative-parking plans and the department can provide a site-inspection determination at least one week before the first concert. The continuation was made —without objection.—