Architectural board backs preliminary design for permanent Monte Vista dog park after strong community support

The Architectural Review Board on July 16 gave preliminary approval to a proposal to make the Monte Vista pilot off‑leash dog park permanent, endorsing the park’s layout while asking staff to provide alternate, lower‑cost fencing options for budgetary review. Staff presented a 15,044‑square‑foot design with separate small‑ and large‑dog areas, ADA access, pervious‑concrete walkways, benches, drinking fountains and landscaping outside the fence.

City parks staff said the site has operated as a temporary off‑leash pilot since April 2024 under successive temporary use permits. "This project proposes to remove the temporary fencing currently up at the dog park and construct a permanent 15,044 square foot off‑leash dog park," planner Megan Mussoff said, listing proposed materials and the option to use either a five‑ or six‑foot black powder‑coated aluminum fence. Staff also described a lower picket spacing at the bottom — a "puppy picket" — to prevent small dogs from slipping through.

Board members repeatedly noted their role is design review, not funding. Vice Chair Patrick O'Connor pressed staff for a timeline and a cost comparison between the higher‑end aluminum fence and a lower‑cost chain‑link option, saying the planning commission and later decisionmakers would need a clear budget picture. "Approving a design that doesn't have a comparative cost analysis of one design versus another is a little bit difficult," he said. The board asked staff to include an alternate design and budget estimate in the plan set to assist planning commission deliberations.

Residents and volunteer stewards who have run the pilot addressed the board in force. Sea Dog/CDOG volunteers described regular maintenance, volunteer oversight and local usage counts; one speaker said volunteers had counted as many as 60–70 dogs on average daily before they stopped formal counts. Sea Dog representatives also said the volunteer group has committed to raising funds: "We've committed to raising $50,000 to kick start the park," an officer said, adding a private donor agreed to match up to $10,000 and that Sea Dog would cover any gap for a wrought‑iron fence if needed.

Board member Richard Little asked about liability for bites; staff responded that, "if a bite is solely just caused by the action of another dog, generally, no, the city is not liable," and noted additional protections are available if the city council reviews and approves final designs. Members also questioned whether the park would be locked at night; staff said the current pilot remains unlocked and the permanent park is proposed to function the same way, given the park closes with sunset along with the rest of the park.

Staff acknowledged neighborhood parking is often at or near capacity and said no formal parking study has been done; their assessment was based on staff observations and public comments during the pilot. Residents and Sea Dog volunteers provided neighborhood parking counts and urged that the project can be managed without significant new parking infrastructure.

The board’s motion approved the preliminary design review with comments, including a condition that the planning commission receive alternate design options (notably a lower‑cost chain‑link fence) and associated cost estimates. The board did not enact entitlements or appropriate funds; staff and Sea Dog members said fundraising and grant applications would continue as entitlements progress.

The ARB’s decision advances the project to the planning commission phase, where entitlements and any conditions will be finalized and where the availability of grant funding and private contributions can be considered. The Monte Vista pilot will continue to operate under the temporary permits while approvals proceed.