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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 19 2015 FINAL_PWC_Min_15-1019.doc 12/15/15 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL Minutes of Special Meeting of Monday, October 19, 2015 1. ADMINISTRATIVE A. Call to Order. Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:04PM 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, Rachelle Mirkin (Associate) Members/Associates absent: Bob Stutz, Tim Warner (Associates) Council Liaison present: John Radford Members of public present: None C. Approval of Agenda. The agenda was approved moving item 2A (Stirling subdivision) after the other properties for review (items 2B-D). SW moved, WC 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 Sep, 2015 meeting were approved with minor amendments. EG moved, DW 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. 10631 Magdalena Road (Lands of Ming Zeng and Quin Tan; APN 182-06-062; file #369-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a major addition and basement. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the north side of Magdalena between Stonebrook and Blandor Way. Magdalena is a public road not designated to have paths on both sides. A IIB path in good condition and located on the bank separated from the roadway exists across the street. Roadside paths exist on the same side of Magdalena as the parcel under review on adjacent parcels to both east and west. The parcel has a narrow gravel frontage adjacent to the road that is walkable. PWC discussed at length whether to recommend a roadside path or a pathway in-lieu fee. WC moved that the PWC recommend the Town ask the developers of 10631 Magdalena to pay a pathway in-lieu fee if they have not already paid one. Discussion included additional arguments for a roadside path and a request to ask staff for additional information about the status of the path and pathway easement across the street. WC withdrew her motion. After further discussion, BK moved that the PWC recommend the Town to require the developer to construct a IIB path along the Magdalena frontage. AB seconded and the vote was 5 in favor (AB, AD, ND, BK, DW); 4 against (JB, VH, BM, SW); and 2 abstaining (EG; did not visit site; WC; more information needed). B. 14161 Miranda Road (APN 175-22-017; Lands of Croll; file 371-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is a flag lot on the west side of Miranda Road near the intersection with Fremont. The only frontage on Miranda is the driveway. The proposed Miranda Path Project that will provide a continuous path along the full length of the west side of Miranda from Fremont to Estacada Saltamontes will include the frontage of this parcel. After discussion, WC moved that the PWC ask the Town to request a pathway in-lieu fee from the developers of 14161 Miranda Road if they have not already paid one. BM seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). C. 25700 Bassett Lane (APN 336-43-013; Lands of Yiu; file #370-14-TM-IS-SD-ND). This proposed 2-lot subdivision was reviewed at the PWC meeting of 11/24/14 with the recommendation that the Town ask the developer 1) to construct a native path within the existing pathway easement on the eastern border of Parcel 2; and 2) grant an easement conferring public access over part of Bassett Lane and Rhus Ridge Road adjacent to the subdivision. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed subdivision on 10/01/15 and requested the PWC review their recommendation in light of the constraints on the subdivision. The developer was not present. PWC reviewed the plans and discussed options. The existing off-road pathway easement was dedicated in 1993 and provides a safer route for pedestrians and equestrians than walking along Rhus Ridge Road, which is narrow and steep with poor sight-distance. EG moved that the PWC allow the previous pathway recommendation for the subdivision at 25700 Bassett Lane to stand as written. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). D. Re-review of Stirling subdivision. SW reused herself for proximity. AB recorded minutes for this discussion. AD distributed a draft of PWC response to the Mitigated Negative Declaration (Attachment A) • Reviewed Stirling Subdivision Notice of Intent, Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). o Notice of Intent has not yet gone to Planning Commission o Will not be before Jan 16 (engineer not available in Dec.) • Need to gather PWC response to the Mitigated Negative Declaration that was submitted • AD sent minutes from last review by PWC dated Aug 25, 2014 to PWC o Lengthy discussion at the time FINAL_PWC_Min_15-1019.doc 12/15/15 2 o Stirling property is one of the last large subdivisions in town • AD drafted response reiterating the seven recommendations based upon review of old minutes from Aug 2014 and adding one new item based upon review of old minutes, and circulated for PWC to review o AD clarified that response ordered to match Mitigated Negative Declaration o It was noted that easements in the Declaration are not in locations requested or widths requested previously o There was some discussion about trees on the East side and whether the path there would interfere o BK requested clarification on whether developer is required to build bridge. AD clarified that developer will build bridge. BK asked if this should be added to the response. o AD clarified new item added to response. Maps shows two dormant slides on lot 5. The mitigation noted in the declaration is drains. The new suggestion is to make the easement contiguous with the open space easement on Lots 5 and 6 on that side so there is more leeway for building switchbacks.  AD stated that wide switchbacks are desired to help ease erosion into Matadero Creek o Question on whether road is public or private, and whether access is allowed for pedestrians. Road is public, so PWC assumes that entire length of Charles Rd. will become a public road.  Suggestion to add “The PWC assumes that this is to be a public road which implies that it has a pedestrian easement in the road right of way” to response. o AD noted that in comparison to other similar subdivisions, the easements requested are smaller – other nearby properties (such as adjacent Edgerton property) and others in large developments have 50 ft scenic easements. AD also noted that consideration should be given to protecting the creek and preserving a wildlife corridor and trees  WC requested clarification about the difference between a scenic easement and conservation easement.  AD clarified that both are open space easements, created for the same reason. o BK moved to adopt the wording with addition of the public road comment noted in vi above.  ND seconded the motion.  In favor: BM, BK, JB, ND, AD, DW, VH, EG, AB.  Opposed: WC. SW recused. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Connection Fremont Road to Redwood Grove (City of Los Altos). AD described the existing paths that connect the eastern end of Fremont Road in LAH to Redwood Grove in Los Altos. LA recently upgraded the paths and footbridge in the park, including steps up the steep hillside on the west side of Adobe Creek. The path is in common use and upgrading a short linking segment would make the route safer. A number of residents requested improvement of this connection at the PWC information table at the Town Hoedown in September. The exact locations of boundaries of properties in the area (including (private land, LA land, Cal Water land, and ROW of Fremont road) are not known. A survey and discussions with the Town of LA and the private landowners are needed. PWC will visit the area during PWC site visits in November. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Report from Map Update Subcommittee. Subcommittee Chair EG showed the latest version of the improved and updated Walking Map provided by Public Works Director Richard Chiu. A few additional minor edits are needed. EG moved that the PWC return the revised map and the minor corrections to Richard Chiu with the recommendation that this improved format be used for the new maps. DW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). EG reported that the subcommittee is now meeting twice a month and has gathered all Council Resolutions for new pathway easement dedications from 2005 to the August 2015. At the last meeting with staff, the City Manager agreed to approve purchase of commercial database software (Filemaker Pro) to record pathway easement data if the PWC agreed this software is needed. SW moved that the PWC approve purchase of Filemaker Pro software for electronic clerical support for the Map Update subcommittee. DW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, JB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). EG will maintain the database. EG also reported that neighborhood meetings will commence in January to gather input about pathway preferences from residents in areas of Town annexed since the last map update. 5. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. A. Council Meeting. At the Council meeting of Oct 14, 2015, EG presented another update of the Map Update Subcommittee. Open Space Committee presented the proposal (a modified version of which PWC had voted to support at the September PWC meeting) to prohibit bikes on trails within Byrne Preserve. (The fire road would still be open to bikes). Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that for review at a future public hearing. FINAL_PWC_Min_15-1019.doc 12/15/15 3 Councilmember John Radford noted that the sentiment of the Council after hearing the arguments presented is that stronger action. (than signs) is warranted. 6. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS. A. Path Across the Front of Gardner Bullis School. AD reported on concerns from Council and residents about the traffic situation in front of GBS, including a potentially dangerous crosswalk. Council asked for traffic study to evaluate the crosswalk and may recommend removal of the crosswalk if study results warrant it. Mayor Corrigan is working with LAUSD on this issue. AD will inform Mayor Corrigan of PWC concerns and previous recommendations for a roadside path across the front of the school. B. Development Plan at 26991 Moody Road. These plans, including PWC recommendations, will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting of Oct 22, 2015. C. Maintenance Requests. AD will pass the list of maintenance requests that was gathered from residents at the Hoedown to ND, the PWC Maintenance Czar. 8. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS. Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, November 23, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall 9. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. Property reviews and Stirling MND. 10. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm. Attachment A: Draft PWC Response to Stirling Subdivision Mitigated Negative Declaration Approved as amended at the Regular Pathways Meeting of November 23, 2015. Amendments shown in red.