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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 23 2015 FINAL_PWC_Min_15-1123.doc 12/15/15 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL Minutes of Special Meeting of Monday, November 23, 2015 1. ADMINISTRATIVE A. Call to Order. Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:05PM B. Members/Associates present: Alisa Bredo, Jim Basiji, Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene Kerr, Bridget Morgan, Sue Welch, Denise Williams Members/Associates absent: Bob Stutz, Rachelle Mirkin, and Tim Warner (Associates) Council Liaison absent: John Radford Members of public present: Christine and Benjamin Sloss (28025 Natoma Road) Kjell Karlsson, Traffic Safety Committee C. Approval of Agenda. The agenda was approved as written. AD moved, EG seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). D. Approval of Minutes. Minutes from the October 19, 2015 meeting were approved with minor amendments. EG moved, WC seconded Vote was ten in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, DW) with SW abstaining]. E. Ex Parte communications. None declared. 2. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 24632 Olive Tree Lane (Lands of Rebecca and Japit Tulsi; APN 336-35-034; file #418-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a major addition, hardscape, and pool. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the south side of Olive Tree Lane where the road makes a sharp turn to the north. Olive Tree is a public cul-de-sac serving at least 24 lots and not designated to have paths on both sides. The parcel is on the preferred side for a roadside path (opposite side slopes up steeply from the roadside) and the frontage has a flat area that could accommodate a roadside path adjacent to the pavement. Two PWC members thought there was insufficient space for a path. The road has poor sight distance here because of the sharp turn and providing a path would improve safety for pedestrians. Plans show the road ROW will be widened. EG moved that the PWC recommend that the Town request the owners of 24632 Olive Tree Lane to construct a standard IIB path in the road ROW along the Olive Tree frontage and roughen the driveway surface to provide footing for horses. ND seconded and the vote was 9 in favor (AB, JB, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, SW, DW) and two opposed (WC and BM). B. 12930 La Cresta Drive (APN 175-44-046; Lands of Diligent Operations Limited, owner Mark Chan; file 398-15- ZP-SD-GD-CDP). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the east side of La Cresta and also has frontage on Anacapa (both are public streets that are not designated to have roadside paths on both sides). A roadside path adjacent to the pavement exists on the La Cresta frontage and continues on parcels on the same side in both directions. The lot slopes up steeply from Anacapa and a roadside path exists on the opposite side of Anacapa. Both streets are steep and winding with poor sight distance. EG moved that the PWC recommend the Town to request the owners of 12930 La Cresta Drive 1) to construct a standard IIB path along the La Cresta frontage in the road ROW if possible or on a dedicated easement on the parcel if necessary; and 2) to roughen the driveway surface to provide footing for horses. No path is needed on the Anacapa frontage. ND seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). C. 13801 La Paloma Road (APN 175-35-009; Lands of Cai-Li (Weiwen Li and Jack Cai); file #419-14-TM-IS-SD- GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence and second unit. The developer was not present. The parcel is between Maurer Lane and Todd Lane on the west side of La Paloma, a public street designated to have roadside paths on both sides, between Maurer Lane and Todd Lane. The adjacent parcel to the south (13791 La Paloma Road) has a relatively new IIB path separated from the pavement and on the inside of a shallow drainage culvert that runs along the pavement. The path on the adjacent parcel appears to be missing a short segment (3-5 feet long) between the north edge of the driveway and the property line. PWC discussed the possibility to have the Town construct this short segment to make the path continuous and keep pedestrians off the roadway. AD will request the Town Engineer to check the easement on the adjacent parcel (13791 La Paloma) and determine why the roadside path was not built to the edge of that property. EG moved that the PWC recommend the Town to request the owners of 13801 La Paloma Road to construct a standard IIB path along the La Paloma frontage in the road ROW if possible or on a dedicated easement on the parcel if needed to locate the path on the inside of the drainage culvert and to line it up with the existing path on the adjacent parcel to the south. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Right–of-way designations during re-paving project. PWC discussed the pros and cons of having the Town Public Works Department clear vegetation from the road right-of-way at the time street re-paving is done. PWC could FINAL_PWC_Min_15-1123.doc 12/15/15 2 review each street to be re-paved on a street-by-street basis and make recommendations for clearing vegetation that is obstructing pathways. EG will ask Public Works Department for a list of proposed paving projects for 2016. B. Removal of railroad ties from Fremont Road path. PWC discussed the possibility of removing the railroad ties installed between the pavement and the landscaping to protect the plants when the Fremont Road Safe Routes to School Path was built. The Town has received complaints from residents about the appearance of the ties and their danger to cyclists. PWC discussed pros and cons of removing the ties. AD will consult with Town Engineer, Richard Chiu, about his department’s plans and other options. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Report from Map Update Subcommittee. Subcommittee Chair EG reported that planning is underway for neighborhood meetings to gather input from residents in the annexed areas. Goals of these informal meetings are to educate residents about the pathways system and to learn their preferences for pathways in their neighborhoods. Eight meetings organized by geographic area are planned for late January through early March. Post cards announcing meeting dates will be mailed to residents two weeks before each meeting. Meetings will be held in the Parks and Rec building on a midweek evening and will be followed by a group walk through the relevant neighborhood(s) on the following Saturday. Council has been kept informed and has been supportive in the organizing this information-gathering process. B. Path Across the Front of Gardner Bullis School (GBS). AD presented the PWC proposal for a path across the GBS frontage to Council at the Nov 19, 2015 Council meeting. Council was generally supportive and recommended that the issue be included in discussions planned for next month between the school district and Town representatives. AD distributed copies of the design plans for the Fremont Road Safe Routes to School Path that include the GBS frontage (Attachment A) and showed slides of other schools in the area that have sidewalks across their frontages. AD will also attend the meeting with the Town and the school district. C. Connection Fremont Road to Redwood Grove (City of Los Altos). PWC members made site visits to the area prior to the meeting. AD distributed a SCC Assessor’s map of the area at the south end of Fremont Road where it abuts Los Altos (Attachment B) and a map of Redwood Grove showing the newly constructed paths along the LAH side of the creek. Inspection of these maps did not clarify the ownership of land needed for a pathway route connecting LAH to the preserve. AD will continue to research maps and will also contact Los Altos Council Member Jean Mordoeau (a former LAH Council Member) to discuss options for creating a pathway connection. 5. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. A. Council Meeting. See item 4B. 6. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS. B. Improvements for bicycle safety at Page Mill Road and I-280 Interchange. BK reported on the recent fatal bicycle accident at Page Mill and Christopher’s Lane and urged Town committees and individual members to ask the County Board of Supervisors (Joe Simitian) for action to address bicycle safety concerns at this interchange. Chairman AD will draft a letter for PWC review and approval at the December meeting. C. Maintenance Requests/Problem Areas. AB reported paths needing maintenance or other work identified on a recent Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association ride. These included the following: — Dawson near the Bob Stutz Path (equestrians found four two areas above and below the pathway marker needing work); — El Monte from Foothill College to the entrance to the Bob Stutz Path. On the east side of El Monte equestrians must ride in the paved bike lane near the crosswalk and along a narrow strip of shoulder immediately adjacent to the pavement as the road approaches I-280. — Summerhill at Miraloma. Pathway needs overhead maintenance to allow equestrians to pass. — Magdalena east of I-280 underpass. Horses/walkers must use the paved bike lane facing opposing traffic. the narrow shoulder adjacent to the pavement 8. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS. Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, December 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall 9. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. 10. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 35 pm. Attachment A: Design Plans for Fremont Path Safe Routes to School Path showing frontage of Bullis School) Attachment B: County Assessor’s Map of Fremont road at Redwood Grove Attachment C: Map of Redwood Grove path improvements Approved as amended at the Pathways Meeting of December 14, 2015. Amendments shown in red.