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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 27 2015 FINAL_PWC_Min_15-0427.doc 6/2/15 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, April 27, 2015 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Ann Duwe, Nick Dunckel, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene Kerr, Rachelle Mirkin, Bridget Morgan, Sue Welch, Denise Williams Members absent: Tim Warner, Bob Stutz (Associate) Council Liaison present: John Radford LAH Staff present: Suzanne Avila, Planning Director Members of public present: Arnaud Collin (26925 St. Francis Road) Ben McMills (13350 Burke Road) Carol Gottlieb (Summerhill Road) Kjell Carlsson (Traffic Safety Committee) 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES The agenda was approved after moving item 4a (Staff Presentation by Planning Director, Suzanne Avila) to precede item 3 (Property Reviews). Minutes from the March 23, 2015 meeting were approved with minor amendments. (EG moved, WC seconded, and the vote was nine in favor (WC, AD, ND, EG, VH, BK, RM, BM, DW) and one abstaining, SW, secretary). 3. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 26925 St. Francis Road (100-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a second story addition and renovations. Arnaud Collin was present representing the developer. The parcel is on the north side of St. Francis at the intersection with La Cresta and has frontages on both streets. Both streets are public roads and neither is on the list of roads that should be planned to have paths on both sides of the street. A roadside path in good condition exists on the side of La Cresta opposite this parcel. The PWC roadside path working map indicates this parcel is on the preferred side for a roadside path on St. Francis. The topography will readily accommodate a roadside path in the road right-of-way on this frontage. The 2005 easement database indicates a 10-foot wide pathway easement along the eastern border of the parcel and all adjacent parcels on La Cresta from St. Francis down to Arastradero, although this off-road route has been removed from the Master Path Plan. WC moved that the Town ask the developers of 26925 St. Francis Road to construct a IIB path in the road right-of-way, separated from the pavement, along the St. Francis frontage. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, AD, ND, EG, VH, BK, RM, BM, SW, DW). B. 24300 Dawnridge Drive (96-15-ZP-SD-GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a second unit. Developer was not present. The parcel is on the south side of Dawnridge, a public cul-de-sac serving 17 parcels, and has a small frontage abutting the cul-de-sac bulb. The southern border is Caltrans land (I-280 ROW). An existing native off-road path runs on a 20-foot wide easement from the cul-de-sac bulb along the full length of the northern border as part of the off-road path along I-280 connecting Dawnridge to Claussen, Voorhees, and El Monte. Searches for easement records yielded conflicting information about the location of this easement (i.e., it is either on 24300 Dawnridge or on the adjacent parcel belonging to SCVWD (24444 Dawnridge)). Parcel development plans show a 5-foot public utility easement on the northern border of this parcel. A second off-road path exits to the north (to Hilltop Drive) from the opposite side of the cul-de-sac between 24444 and 24274 Dawnridge. PWC is currently exploring how to modify and/or open this route for which the Town holds all necessary easements. EG moved that the Town clarify whether the existing 20- foot off-road pathway easement is on the northern border of this parcel. If it is on the parcel, the development plans should show this easement and the developers are asked to upgrade the existing off- road path to IIB standards after construction. If the existing pathway easement is not on this parcel, the developers of 24300 Dawnridge Drive are asked to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. WC seconded and the vote was nine in favor (WC, AD, ND, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW) and one recusal for proximity (RM). C. 13350 Burke Road (100-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence and second unit. Ben McMills was present representing the developer; he reported a plan to remove all vegetation on the parcel and locate the driveway on Chapin. The parcel is on the west side of Burke Road at the intersection with Chapin and has frontages on both streets. Both streets are public roads and neither is on the list of roads that should be planned to have paths on both sides of the street. These streets are part of a major route from the hills to downtown Los Altos and carry a significant amount of pedestrian, bicycle, and auto traffic. The PWC roadside path working map indicates the side of Chapin on which this parcel is located is the preferred side for a roadside path. This corner currently has poor sight-distance because of vegetation encroaching on the road ROW. The PWC roadside path working map indicates the opposite side of Burke is the preferred side for a roadside path, and a roadside path in good condition exists on that side. PWC discussed the value of providing roadside paths on both sides of Burke for safety on this busy road, especially at this intersection. At minimum, FINAL_PWC_Min_15-0427.doc 6/2/15 2 extending the path along the Chapin frontage around the corner to the stop sign on Burke would provide better sight-distance for pedestrians who must cross over Burke to access the roadside path. EG moved that the Town ask the developers of 13350 Burke Road to build a IIB path on the Chapin frontage separated from the pavement in the road right-or-way or on an easement on the property if necessary, continuing the pathway around the corner to the stop sign on Burke. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, AD, ND, EG, VH, BK, RM, BM, SW, DW). 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Staff Presentation on Update of Update of Master Path Plan Map. LAH Planning Director, Suzanne Avila, distributed a handout and led the discussion about update of the Master Path Plan Maps (Attachment A). PWC discussed objectives, specific tasks, and potential methodologies. The last formal map update was done in 2005 and many new easements and paths have been added to the system. In addition, new areas have been annexed to the Town. Pros and cons of using a consulting firm were discussed. Updating the maps will help PWC and staff make better decisions for capital investment improvement projects and pathway recommendations and help identify and develop important routes to school. Another objective of the update is to improve communication with the public (e.g., residents, realtors, developers) about the Town pathway system, including locations of easements and pathways. The existing mapping subcommittee (AD, ND, EG, VH, SW), which reviewed the status of roadside paths in Town last year, will work with Suzanne Avila and Richard Chiu on the update of the Master Path Plan maps. PWC Council Liaison John Radford recommended the subcommittee meet this month and outline what needs to be done, what the process will be, how much it will cost, and to develop a preliminary timeline. Specific tasks already identified include finding a platform for the pathway system (e. g., CAD, GIS); reviewing current status of roadside and off-road pathways; incorporating the list of corrections PWC has developed since 2005; and creating tentative maps for newly annexed areas. B. Review of Public Walking Map. Chair AD reported that the Town reprinted 1,800 copies of the Public Walking Map without informing the PWC or including the corrections PWC had requested. Errors remain and street names are still illegible. PWC Council Liaison, John Radford suggested the PWC prepare an updated draft and ask for a new printing. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Off-Road Path from Dawnridge to Hilltop. BK has been exploring grant opportunities from the SCVWD to help pay for construction of this off-road route. The Town holds all easements needed, including a 45-ft wide easement that would allow switchbacks on the steeper section just south of Hilltop. A plan and cost estimate are needed for a grant submission to SCVWD. EG moved that the PWC ask Richard Chiu, LAH Planning Public Works Director, to stake the easement borders and work with the PWC to lay out a preliminary design for this route. ND seconded and the vote unanimously in favor (WC, AD, ND, EG, VH, BK, RM, BM, SW, DW). B. Review of Roadside Path on West Side of Manuella Road. Deferred to next month. C. Review of Decision Tree for Roadside Pathways. SW presented a draft decision tree that explains the key factors the PWC considers in making recommendations for roadside pathways on parcels under review during the development process (Attachment B). Councilmember John Harpootlian had suggested this be made into an information booklet for residents and developers. PWC discussed the pros and cons of the handout. The consensus was that the materials were too detailed and complex for the public. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. None. 7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. A. Restoration of Path on Summerhill. Carol Gottlieb, a resident of Summerhill Road, requested the PWC repair the roadside path along Summerhill between Amigos Court and Miraloma Way. This is a busy through-road and currently pedestrians must walk in the street. AD reported that this project was discussed during CIP review and PWC plans to ask Town staff to restore the path. CG also reported that Dawnridge will be widened in 2017 and that it may be possible to construct the off-road path to Hilltop at the same time. 8. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS A. Maintenance Issues. AD will follow up on these. i. Middle Fork Lane. A resident complained that landscaping was obstructing the off-road path from Middle Fork lane to on 13424 Middle Fork Lane and needs to be trimmed back. ii. Saddle Mountain. A resident asked that the Town replace the pathway marking post that has been removed from the entrance to the off-road path between 27811 and 27801 Saddle Mountain Court and to trim the overgrown vegetation on the path on 27801 Saddle Mountain Court. B. Staffing PWC Information Table at Earth Day and Pathway Run/Walk. EG and DW staffed the information table at Earth Day on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Westwind Community Barn. Public response was good and FINAL_PWC_Min_15-0427.doc 6/2/15 3 many maintenance requests were obtained. EG suggested a photo display for next year. EG also volunteered to set up the table at the Pathway Run/Walk on May 9, 2015. Other volunteers are needed. C. Path Along Magdalena Off-Ramp of I-280. The pathway easement adjacent to the I-280 Magdalena off-ramp connecting the newly opened Bob Stutz path to the existing roadside paths on Magdalena Road has been surveyed and staked. It was suggested that the Town create an open two openings in the fence and lay out a native path on the easement to allow it to be used until a IIB path can be constructed. This easement will provide a much safer route because pedestrians will no longer have to walk on the paved lanes of the I-280 off- ramp. 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next months’ meeting will be held one week early because of Memorial Day. Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, May 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall 10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. A. Path Along Magdalena Off-Ramp of I-280 11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 pm. Attachment A: Master Path Plan Update (LAH Planning Director) Attachment B: Decision Tree for Roadside Pathway Recommendations Approved as amended at the Pathways Committee meeting of May18, 2015. Changes shown in red.