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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.1 5. 1 TOWN OF Los ALTOS HILLS November 8, 1995 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: REVIEW OF PROPOSED PATHWAY ELEMENT OF GENERAL PLAN FROM: Curtis Williams, Planning Direct RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: Consider the attached draft Pathway Element, discuss, recommend changes and format, and continue to a subsequent meeting date. BACKGROUND At the September 20, 1995 City Council meeting, the Council requested that the Pathways Committee and the Planning Commission review the attached proposed Pathway Element and related ordinance amendments and make recommendations to the City Council for its consideration and adoption. Also attached is a copy of the approved minutes from the Council meeting, a memo from Councilmember Dauber with her suggestions, a memo from Mayor Siegel regarding the issue of "nexus", and a copy of the current Pathways Element of the General Plan. DISCUSSION There are a number of substantive issues which the Commission may want to discuss relative to the proposed Pathway Element. As discussed below, there are also procedural considerations related to the Element, which must be addressed prior to approval. General Plan Amendment The proposed Pathway Element comprises a revision to the Town's General Plan. As such, the revision will require at least one public hearing before the Commission, with Town-wide published notice at least 10 days in advance of the hearing. The Commission's action will be a recommendation to the Council. The City Council will similarly have to conduct a public hearing, with notice, prior to action. Staff suggests that the Commission's hearing not be scheduled until a draft is prepared substantially reflecting Commission direction, and until a Negative Declaration regarding the Plan has been prepared. Pathways Committee Review The proposed Pathway Element has also been forwarded to the Pathways Committee for review and comment. Staff has not yet received comments, but is Planning Commission: November 8, 1995 Pathway Element Page 2 aware that the Committee has discussed the current draft. We expect comments will be available prior to your next meeting regarding this subject. Format Staff is concerned that, since this would be the first revised element of the General Plan to be adopted, a format be used which will work for other elements to be considered. After reviewing recent drafts of elements for Pathways, Open Space, and Land Use, previously prepared by the Commission, staff suggests a basic outline similar to the following: Introduction or Backgrl and Goals Policies Implementation Standards ' Classifications Monitoring/Maintenance This approach can be used, and modified as necessary, for all of the General Plan elements, with the likely exception of the Housing Element, which is more of a "stand-alone" document, and which must be structured to meet State requirements. Staff suggests that the Commission discuss format and direct staff to modify the dr aft Pathway Element to be consistent with a desired format, prior to the Comp ission's next review of the document. Environmental Review An amendment to the General Plan constitutes a "project", as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As there is no exemption which applies to such amendments, staff will need to prepare a,Negative Declaration to support the Pathway Element. A 30-day public notice and review period will be required prior to the Commision's consideration of the Negative Declaration and the draft Pathway Element. Staff is available to respon id to questions from the Commission and the community. i ATTACHMENTS Draft Pathways Element and Ordinance Changes September 20, 1995 City Coundil Minutes September 25, 19b5 Memo from Councilmember Dauber October 4, 1995 Memo from Mayor Siegel 1981 Pathways Element of the General Plan GENERAL PLAN OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS PROPOSED'PATHWAY ELEMENT • BACKGROUND Paths serve two basic and important functions -- circulation and recreation The pathway system is composed of roadside paths and off road paths. Paths are an important component of the Town's local circulation system, providing safe, off road, pedestrian and equestrian access. In effect they serve as the sidewalks of our rural residential community. The primary users and beneficiaries of most of these paths are likely to be local residents. Roadside paths are similar to city sidewalks. They are located within the road right of way. The road right of way is planned to have the needed width to accommodate the paved surface as well as a path separated from the paved surface. Off road paths connect to roadside paths and are located on dedicated easements on private property or public lands. The street system in the Town is not a grid. There are few arterial streets. The Town street system is designed to minimize the intrusion of the car into and through the Town. Cul-de-sacs are common. This street plan makes it difficult to reach nearby neighborhoods. Off road paths overcome this restriction by joining neighborhoods for pedestrians but not for cars. Roadside paths separate the car and pedestrian and allow both a safer movement. The hills of the Town force the streets to often have blind curves which make the separation more important than a grid street system. The paths allow children to walk safely to school; while others use them to walk to Town, to exercise, to visit a neighbor, to walk their dog or to ride a horse. Path-related recreational activities (such as walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding) are among the most popular and rapidly growing forms of outdoor recreation as the public is becoming increasingly more health and fitness conscious. 1 Both the recreational and circulation functions of the paths will become even more important as population continues to grow and as recreational demand increases. The pathway system started its development with the incorporation of the Town. The early off road paths were developed for equestrian use. Throughout the years as each new subdivision developed and each new residence was the an increased use and need for roadside and off road paths 'occurred. The paths have expanded incrementally along with the new developments and increased population. Each new development has contributed to the needed expansion by dedication of path right of way and path construction. Each new development that adds potential new users of the system needs to contribute to the pathway system by dedication of easements and/or construction of paths or the payment of in lieu fees which are used by the Town,on improvements of the pathway system. The system is still incomplete. Implementation of a Town wide path system and the individual paths within it is a long term process, that will take many years to accomplish. In many instances, it will quite literally be a gift that one generation provides to the next. It takes a long time to implement a path because paths are generally implemented one segment at a time as opportunities arise. The Town is not ever likely to have all the money that might be required to go out and purchase all thea easements needed to develop all of the paths. Consequently, the implementation of paths will have to continue to take place over a long period of time, using a variety of processes, on a case-by- case basis, as opportunities arise and resources are available. Piecing together a Town-wide path system one small segment at a time isa difficult, time-consuming, and fragile process._ Failure to obtain a few critical links in a proposed path can disrupt the continuity of the path and thus delay, and possibly even prevent, its eventual completion. The fragility of .his piecemeal process makes it all the more critical that opportunities be taken advantage of as they arise for they may not arise again for many years, if ever.' POLICIES A. ROADSIDE PATHS 2 1. Roadside paths are located within the right of way of Town streets and on separate path easments on private streets. They should be separated from the road pavement and meander, where possible. 2. The Town Council shall adopt a list of those streets or portions of those streets that shall be planned for paths on both sides of the street. 3. A roadside path shall be maintained on only one side of the street unless the street is included on the list adopted pursuant to Policy A2. 4. A roadside path shall not be maintained on a cul-de-sac that serves or could serve six or less lots. The traffic on such streets is deemed so minor that pedestrians can safely use the paved surface as a walkway. The Council may grant an exception to this policy for safety reasons. 5. The Town Council may exempt a private street from including a path when the width of the private street will not accommodate both the paved surface and a path. 6. Where additional right of way is required to accommodate a roadside path so that it may be separated from the paved road or because of steepness of a shoulder, the additional dedication shall not affect the computation of the MDA (maximum development area) of the lot. B. OFF-ROAD PATHS 1. Off-road paths are located on easements on private property which have been dedicated to the Town. They provide connections between neighborhoods and short cuts to schools and open space. Cul-de-sacs should have off-road paths which lead from the bulb to the adjoining neighborhoods. 2. There are three classes of Off-Road Paths: Class 1 -- Those off-road paths for which the Town owns an easement with a completed alignment on which a path has been developed and is maintained by the Town and open for public use. The Town will only maintain and hold open to the public Class 1 off-road paths. Class 2 -- Those off-road paths for which the Town owns a section of an easement but the alignment has not been completed or the path easement has not been developed or maintained and is not open for public use. Such paths remain to be completed in the future. Class 3 -- A planned future off-road path. 3 3. Off-road path easements may be through a conservation easement. 4. An emergency road easement may also include an off-road path easement. 5. The creation of new subdivisions - especially with cul-de-sac streets - should consider the need of pedestrian connections to nearby developments. 6. Off-road pathway easements on private property should not affect the computation of MDA (maximum development area).; 7. Off-road paths are to be kept as natural as possible. C. REGIONAL CONNECTIONS TheP athway system of he Town is intended to primarily serve Town residents but it should be connected to the path and trail systems of our neighbors. The Palo Alto paths along Arastradero Road connect Arastra Preserve, Esther Clark Park and Gunn 'High School to Town paths. It would be very desirable if Foothill Park were connected Access to Shoup Park and Redwood Grove in Los Altos to our path system would improve pedestrian access for both cities. The western boundary of the Town meets Rancho San Antonio Open space Preserve of the Midpensinusla Regional Open Space District. This Preserve has an ir xtensive tram system that attracts large numbers of visitors. The primary entrance to the Preserve where extensive parking is available at Rancho San Antonio County Park at the end of Cristo Del Rey Drive in Cupertino. Connections into the Preserve from the Town are intended for local residents and have very limited parking (Ravensbury Avenue, Stonebrook Avenue, La Loma Drive, Rhus Ridge Road, Francemont Avenue, Hidden Villa). THE MASTER PATH PLAN The Master Path Plan shall consist of all of the following: 1. The list of streets with paths planned on both sides of the street. See Policy A2. 4 2. A book of street maps of the Town in which is recorded the side of each street on which a roadside path is planned. These decisions will be made incrementally by the Pathway Committee, with the advice of the City Manager, at the time of subdivision approval or site development approval or on the request of the City Manager or his designee for maintenance advice. The book of street maps shall also show those streets exempt from roadside paths under Policies A4 and A5. 3. A book of street maps of the Town in which is recorded the location of Class 1 off-road paths. 4. A book of street maps of the Town in which is recorded the location of Class 2 off-road paths. The Pathway Committee will review from time to time these paths to determine the feasibility of their development and recommend actions to open Class 2 paths to Class 1. • 5. A map to be developed by the Pathway Committe and approved by the Town Council showing future needed off-road paths. Such a map, upon adoption, will identify Class 3 paths. In addition to the documents required by 1 through 5, the Town may display the Master Path Plan through maps or data bases for public and staff use. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PATH SYSTEM 1. Development of paths occurs incrementally as development generates increased use of the system. Either at the time of subdivision or development property owners contribute right of way and/or construction of paths on their property. Owners of property on which no path is needed contribute by the payment of a pathway fee. The pathway fee is an amount of money roughly proportionate to the costs imposed on lots on which paths are located. A development of 400 square feet of floor area or less should not have a significant impact on the path system and should not be required to contribute. A lot that contributed a fee at the time of subdivision should not contribute at the time of development. Pathway fees should be deposited in a special fund and used only for path projects. 2. The incremental development of the path system results in gaps in both the roadside and off-road elements. Public funds available to the Town, including the pathway fees, should be used on projects that will complete the gaps in the system. • 5 i 3. Path standards should be adopted by the Council. 4. Site development authorities should be sensitive. to path location and design. This is especially the case for the off-road paths. The location shall be sensitive to the privacy of future residents whenever a parcel is subdivided or a lot is developed. Typically, such paths are located near the edge of the property, when topography permits. Property owners should be included in path planning. 'Ile Pathway Committee shall give notice and a hearing to a property owner before it makes a recommendation relative to an off road path to be located on the property of the owner. Fencing may sometimes be appropriate. All paths shall be located and designed to preserve the beauty and natural character of the area and to safeguard the user. Particular care should be given to retaining trees and vegetative cover and to minimize grading and erosion. 5. State Law offers protection to land owners from liability for injuries to users of the pat$ system. Information about these laws should be made available to land owners. i 6. Street trees along the roadside path system should be promoted by the Town but should be located to avoid conflict with path use. 7. Path maps showing interesting neighborhood walks should be made available so as to iencourage residents to greater use of the system. 8. Property owners who damagelpaths on their property should be required to repair them. Damage can occur by landscape planted too close to the path, sprinklers near the path, and slippery driveway surface across a path. 9. Class 1 off-road paths should have sign posts at their entrance to help residents locate them and feel free to use them. 10. Major off-road paths should be named as a way to encourage their use and to honor Town residents who have contributed to the development of the system. • 11. The Town should accept offers of dedication of Class 2 paths made at the time of development and record them so that the future path right of way is identified. The Town should seek donation of path easements needed to complete gaps in the system. The Town should assume the legal and engineering costs involved with such donations and inform residents of possible tax advantages fro 1 easement dedication. 7 6 12. A pathway committee of residents interested in the pathway system should be appointed by the Council. A major responsibility of the committee should be to prioritize for the Council and the City Manager those paths most in need of maintenance or development. The committee is also responsible for the maintenance and development of the Master Path Plan. 13. Property owners may not block off paths. 14. Trails and paths shall be permitted in open space and conservation easements. These trails shall be constructed and maintained to minimize the environmental impact upon the area. 10/11/95 • • 7 Ordinance Changes to go with Path Element 1. Add Article 3 to Title 3, Chapter 3 to read: Article 3. Pa way Fund 3-3.301 Establ shed There i hereby esta lished a special fund to be known as the "Pathway Fund". ' 3-3.302 Depose is All funds collected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9-1.111 and 10-2.608 shall be deposited into the Pathway Fund. 3-3.303 Expenditures All fun s received and held in the Pathway Fund shall be used exclusi ely for the maintenance, repair, construction and acquisition of property for the pathway system 2. Amend Section 9-1.1112 (a part of Subdivision Ordinance) Section 9-1.11i2 Every subdivider shall dedicate pathway easements and construrt paths to ci y standards when such dedications and constru:tion require ents are a condition of approval of the • tentative map. Any lot in the subdivision that'does not contain a path shall b e assessed a pathway fee, the amount of which hall be fixed be Council resolution. Funds collected shall be deposited in the Pathway Fund. i 3. Add Section 1 -2.608 and r peal Section 10-2.1314 to the Site Development Ordinance I Section 10-2.6 8 Pathway Fee 1 A site development ermit for a lot on which no path is needed nd on whicll is to be constructed 400 square feet ' i or more of floor area shall be assessed a pathway fee, the. amount of which shall be fixed by Council resolution. Funds collected shall be deposited in the Pathway Fund. No fee shall be assessed if the lot has been assessed and paid a fee pursuant to Section 9-1.1112. 4. Repeal subsection (c) of Section 10-2.1314 which now reads: The Site Development Committee or Planning Commission may require fees, including in lieu payment, for storm drainage assessment fund, road improvements, and pathway improvements for every lot created prior to January 1, 1973. Such amount will be established by resolution of the City Council. 6.2 Referral a: revised Pathway Element to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation Siegel reported that he had prepared a proposed draft element to the General Plan. This document had leen reviewed by a committee of the following: Councilmember Dauber, Pathways Committee Chair Earnest and Planning Commissioners Gottlieb, Schreiner and Stutz. Siegel suggested that the Council review the proposed pathway element and forward comments to the Planning Commission and Pa hways Committee for review and recommendation to the Council. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To make the following changes to the proposed draft pathway element dated 9/12/95: Page 2, Item A.1: add the following sentence: They should be separated from the • road pavement and meander, where possible. • Page 3, Item. B.1: add he following sentence: Cul-de-sacs should have off-road paths which lead from the ulb to adjoir.ing neighborhoods. Page 3, Item 4: A roa side path shall not be maintained on al cul-de-sac that serves or could serve six or less lots. The traffic on such streets is deemed so minor that pedestrians can safety use the paved surface as a walkway. I The Council may grant an exception to this policy for safety reasons. I '. Page 3, Item B.2 - Class 1 --- delete "and signed". ' 1 Page 4, Add Item 7: "0 f-road paths are to be kept as natural as!,possible." Page 4, item C, paragraph 3: Access to Shoup Park and Redwood Grove in Los Altos to our path system wo IuId improve pedestrian access for both cities. Page 4, Item C, paragraph 4: fourth Sentence should read: "Connections into the Preserve from the Town are intended for local residents and lhave very limited parking (Ravensbury1 venue, Ston 'brook Avenue, La Loma Drive, Rhus Ridge Road, Francemont Ave ue, Hidden Villa)". Delete the following sentence: "A number of access point (Ravensbur, Avenue, Stonebrook Avenue, La Loma Drive, Rhus Ridge Road, Francemont Avenue, Hidden Villa) should encourage local use and reduce the need for parking." Page 5, Implementation of the Path System, Item 4, Insert the following sentence after the second sentence: The location shall be sensitive to the privacy of future residents whenever a parcel is subdivided or a lot is developed. September 20, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting FP" — Page 6, Add the following to item 4: All paths shall be located and designed to preserve the beauty and natural character of the area and to safeguard the user. Particular care should be given to retaining trees and vegetative cover and to minimize grading and erosion. Page 6: Item 6: Add the following: "but should be located to avoid conflict with path use." Page 6: Item 11: Add the following: The Town should seek donation of path easements needed to complete gaps in the system. The Town should assume the legal and engineering costs involved with such donations and inform residents of possible tax advantages from easement dedication. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add the following: Property owners may not block off paths. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add the following: Trails and paths shall be permitted in open space and conservation easements. These trails shall be constructed and maintained to minimize the environmental impact upon the area. Council commented on the general Master Path Plan which should include a list of streets, the pathway standards, the booklet on paths and the whole picture of the Town's paths. With regard to this, it was noted that there should be an explanation of the types of paths and this could be included in the standards. Casey referred to the section on the Implementation of the Path System and the contribution by property owners at time of development of right of way and/or construction of paths or payment of path in lieu fees. Casey wanted to know what created the nexus in these situations. She strongly believed that in part due to • recent court decisions there had to be a very clear correlation between a project and the path land and/or money for paths being required. It was agreed that this issue of nexus would be addressed by the Planning Commission during their review of the draft Pathway Element. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to send the draft pathway element to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation and at the same time to send it to the • Pathway Committee with the request that they send their comments on the draft to the Planning Commission for review. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Development Process Subcommittee: next meeting 9/28/95 September 20, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting rom:Elayna Dauber To: Date:10/2/95 Time:10:29:03 Page 1 of 3 MEMO DATE: Sept. 25, 1995 FROM: ELAYNE DAUBER TO: Pat Dowd RE: Pathway Element suggested changes (note suggested change are in bold) Pi- 1 3rd paragraph They are located within the road right of way, whenever possible. 5th paragraph I've rewritten the first three sentences to make thein flow better. Same content. The Town street system is not a grid. There are only a few arterial streets and many cul de sacs. The system is designed to minimize the intrusion of;the car into and through the Town. This street plan makes it difficult... 6th para. ...the separation more important than with a grid street system. . 7th para eliminate the word while after the semicolon p.2 para. 2 Formal develo ment of the pathway system began after incorporation of the Town. .Throughout the years a each new subdivision occurred and each new residence was built an increased use and need for roadside and off road paths developed. para. 4 It takes a long to to completel'develop a path because. last para Roadside path . are located within the.right of way of Town streets whenever possible, and on separate path easements when outside the right of way or on private streets. p.3 2. Major streets shall ave paths on both sides. The Town Council... 3. (old number,4) lots if t e traffic...wal<way.and if the street is not a link to a major off road path. 3. Off road path easements and paths may be through open space and conservation easements. These paths shall be constructed structed and maintained to minimize the environmental impact 4pon the are . 4. (old number 5) The Town Council ay exempt... 6. (old number 3) A roadside pathe shall be maintained on one side of all streets not described in A2, A3, or A4. 6. Dedication of a pathway right of ay does not ever affect MDA of a lot. B4. All emergency road easements shall include an off road path easement. p. 4 B5. The creation of...str ets-shall consider ...developments. Paths should provide easy access among areas, n ighborhood , and adjoining roads. Cul de sacs should have paths which lead from t e bulb to adjoining neighborhoods. new 6 The owner shall IFIesign the development to take into consideration the location of the path(s) to preserve the privacy off future residents whenever a parcel is subdivided ora lot is developed. rom:Elayne Dauber To: Date:10/2195 Time:10:30:07 Page 2 of 3 • 6. Off road ...property do not affect... section C last para. Connections into the Preserve ...and have very limited parking. They include Ravensbury Avenue, ...Hidden Villa. THE MASTER PATH PLAN The Town shall document its pathway system with a Master Pathway Plan that shall consist of the following: 1. A Master Pathway Map showing all current and proposed trails. 2. A list of streets that shall have paths on two sides. 3. A list of streets that are exempt from having a path. 4. A set of standards for the pathways adopted and reviewed by the City Council. 5. A book of street maps showing in detail: a. (old number 2) the side of the street... b. (old number 3) c. (old number 4) 6. (old number 5) page 5 Implementation add as a new number 2. The Town shall encourage residents to voluntarily donate desirable pathway easements. Incentive may be that the Town does any necessary engineering and legal work for such donations. 4. eliminate the line that says "Fencing may sometimes be appropriate." • page 6 6. Street trees along the roadside path system should be planned by the Town whenever possible. 8. ...across a path. Property owners may not block off Class 1 or on road paths. 10. unnecessary in a general plan, eliminate 11. The Town will accept offers... 12. (this should be moved up to number 1 of this section. A pathway committee of residents interested in the pathway system will be appointed by the Council. Major responsibilities of the committee will be: a. Monitoring the maintenance of the pathway system. b. Prioritizing the maintenance and development of Class 1 paths. c. Maintenance, evaluation, and development of the Master Pathway Plan. ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED UNDER STANDARDS 1. All paths and trails should be located and designed to preserve the beauty and natural character of the area and to safeguard the user. Particular care whould be given to retaining trees and vegetative cover and to minimize grading and erosion. rom:Elayne Dauber To: bate:10/2/95 Time:10:31:13 Page 3 of 3 li 2. Pedestrian and equestrian paths should be separated from the road pavement and meander, where possible. Off-road paths are to be kept as natural as possible. With respect to the ordinance change..Section $ repeal...Do we really want to repeal the storm drain assessment fund? Ij ; ii 1 1 I I I LOS ALTOS HILLS 1JALIFORNIA DATE: October 4, 1995 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Bill Siegel c).7,be Nexus and the Pathway General Plan The Council discussed the wording in the background statement on pages 1 and 2 and paragraph 1 on page 5 in regard to the effort to spell out the nexus between the pathway system and the imposition by the Town of costs on developers at the time of subdivision or home development or remodeling. The Council requested the Planning Commission, Pathway Committee and staff to review this issue. There seemed to be agreement that new lots created by land subdivision create a nexus for additional paths because more lots mean future homes which will house people who will use the path system. There may be agreement that a new residence to be built on a lot that did not construct a needed path on the lot at the time of its creation will house additional people who will use the path system and therefore there is a nexus that justifies the developers to be required to contribute to the system. • There was disagreement when an addition would justify imposition of costs for pathway construction or in lieu fees. The draft presumes that an addition of 400 square feet of floor area or less would not create additional use of the path system. Should this figure be higher? One idea was to say if the remodel adds a bedroom that it then is subject to pathway contribution since it is presumed that an additional bedroom means more residents. This is more subjective than square feet. When is a room a bedroom? Are accessory structures, such as a garage or • cabana, floor area that trigger path contribution? Should there be a list of structures whose floor area does not require path contribution? We welcome your contribution to the debate on this issue. ?6379 Fremont Road :os Altos Hills 2alifornia 94022 115 / 941 - 7222 Fax 415/941-3160 . APPROVEDD: Planning Commission on January 14 , .19f31 PATH AND TRAIL ELEMENT City Council pm March 4, 1981 To. include the Master Path & Bike INTRODUCTION - Maps I I I The Path nd Trail Element describes the basic .framework for the development ofnon-vehicular traffic within the Planning Area. The path and trail system includes bikeways, pedestrian land equestrian paths, (as classified and defined on Page ) . Santa Clara County . has established trail and pathway routes for inter-city travel . The Town path and trail system connects to the County system where ap- propriate. The Scenic Roads Element of the General Plan has provision for a comprehensive Scenic Trail kystem. The Scenic Roa� ;Element also en- courages ,spacios road rights-of-way to provide for !both vehicular traffic but restricts the idth of the paved portions of those rights- of-way. . I The bikeways provide f r both inter-city and initra-city travel . Within limits imposed by sa=ety, the bikeways vary considerably ac- cording to the nature of the terrain. The major pedestrian and equestrian paths are generally located along the arterial and major collector roads which run along the peri- 1 *phery of the Town and criss-cross the Town as shown on the General Plan Map. Also major" paths connect, via easements, in critical areas where roads are not feasible. Heavily traveled roads should have paths on both sides. The majority of the planning area is served by paths and trails , refer- red to as Connector Paths, vihich link the community and provide intra- neighborhood an intra-community travel . These paths and trails are typically locat d along one side of a road, along easements over private property, and through open space and conservation easements. Local paths provide limited access to the connector paths. Local paths provide passage to wander over and to explore the natural areas of the Town and provide the inter-connecting strands of the web which helps bind the community together. All paths in the Town have scenic qualities. GENERAL OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives in development of the path and trail system is to provide a means of safe and convenient non-vehicular travel throughout the community, to enhance the rural setting of the community, and to provide an opportunity for outdoor recreation in this setting. PRINCIPLES: 1. All paths and trails should be carefully located and designed to preserve the beauty and natural character of the area and to safeguard the user. 2. Particular care should be given to retaining trees and vege- tative cover and to minimizing grading and erosion. Eques- trian and pedestrian paths should be separated from the road pavement, and meander, where possible. 3. Except regional 'bikeways systems, the Town bikeways, paths , and trails are designed primarily for local use. 4. Paths should provide easy access among areas, neighborhoods , adjoining roads, and cul-de-sacs. 5. Cul-de-sacs should have paths which lead from the termini to adjoining neighborhoods. 6. All path easements shall have sufficient width to provide a pleasing and safe corridor for travel and for the construction of the path. 7. Road rights-of-way shall be wide enough to ,accomodate good paths. 1 8. Path and bikeways nay need to be on both sides of the road in some places. 9. Bikewa s should be provided as shown on theMaster Bikeway Plan. { 10.' The Malter. Path PT shows in a general way' all paths, both existing and proposed. Many connections are schematic and await development f the property. 11. All emrgency road and easements shall also be paths'and/or trails. I 12. Whenevr a parcel is subdivided or a lot i�slldeveloped, the owner shall design the development to take into consideration the loction of the path(s ) to preserve the ;privacy of future residens. 13. Trails ,ill beP ermitted in open space and; conservation easements. These trails shall be constructed and maintained to minimize the environmental impact upon the area. 14. New pats will be established and designedasnecessary for undeveloped parcels . 15. All new bridges shall be designed with room ;for paths. STANDARDS: 1. Bikeways standards, including curvature, grade, alignment, and sight distance, should be conducive to safe andconvenienttravel . 2. For Regi nal bikeways, efforts should be made to establish bike lanes, climbing lanes, or edge marked shoulders on the designated routes. Where the County and Town standards differ, the Town standards shall p, avail . 3. Major bikeways within the road rights-of-way should consist of either a paved path separated from the roadway or clearly marked bike lanes adjacent to the vehicular travel lanes with as much width as is feasible. Rolled curbs or a safe shoulder should be provided along all bike lanes. Major bikeways within easements should be paved. 4. Safety should be emphasized in path standards. Along with safety, path alignments should be sensitive to esthetics and the preser- vation of the natural environment. 5. Paths shall be located away from the roadway, wherever feasible. 6. Paths shall be kept free of impediments that restrict their intended uses. 7. Where major paths are designated on arterial roads, paths should be established on both sides of the road. Where it is only feasible to establish a major path on one side of the road, considerable effort should be made to maintain the continuity of the path on one side of the road. 8. Adequate provision should be made for pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian crossings at appropriate locations. Crossings should have adequate sight distance to minimize hazard, and be clearly distinguished by signs and lane markings. CLASSIFICATION: A. BIKEWAYS: 1. Regional Bikeways The Santa Clara County Master On Street Bike Plan provides for through routes in Los Altos Hills. 2. Major Bikeways Within the Town, a network of bikeways should be provided along frequently traveled streets, particularly those providing con- nections to schools, as shown on the Master Bikeway Plan. 1 3. Local Bikeways Local bikel,Jays are alo g roads and provide a means for travel from one neighborhood too another. Widening and striping of the roads is not comtemplated unless for safety reasons. 4. Connecting Multipurpose Paths I Although nolt a part of the bikeway system, multipurpose paths can be used as connecting links as shown on the Master Bikeway Plan. B. PEDESTRIAN AND EQUESTRIAN PATHS: I. Major Paths i i Major paths should be established as shown on th'e Master Path • Plan. In school areas and where vehicular traffic is heavy, particular efforts should be made to provide paths on both sides of the road They will be constructed of durable materials. 1 2. Connector Paths • Such paths r trails as shown on the Master Path1Plan Map, shall be construe ed along ro.ds and in easements to provide the inter- connection or the benefit of all the townspeople. These paths and, trails may be paved or graveled or consist of cleared natural ground, depending on their use and location. They will facilitate travel on foot or by horse on a system throughout the whole Town avoiding whe ever possibpe vehicular traffic. I I 3. Local Paths Local paths rovide acc4s to specific areas to join connector paths. They are basically intra neighborhood in character. 4. Scenic Paths and Trails Though all the Town paths have scenic value, some; paths and trails , most often onatural cleared ground, serve not so much to connect, 1 . as to meander through the woods and hills and meadows and orchards and along waterways' of the Town. They should be established in all scenic areas of the Town; all residents should have some scenic trails easily accessible. They may be on major, connector or local paths. They are marked on the Master Path Plan. MAINTENANCE: Provision will be made to maintain these public paths on a regular basis by the Town.