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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 28 2015  Minutes September Final.doc 12/29/15 1  Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, September 28, 2015 1. ADMINISTRATIVE A. Call to Order. Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM B. Members/Associates present: Alisa Bredo, Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene Kerr, Bridget Morgan, Sue Welch, Denise Williams, Rachelle Mirkin and Bob Stutz (Associates) Members/Associates absent: Jim Basiji, Rachelle Mirkin, Tim Warner (Associate) Council Liaison present: John Radford Members of public present: Jim Waller (26105 Elena Road) Susan Chappell (10990 Terry way, Los Altos) Michelle Wolak (14511 De Bell Road) C. Approval of Agenda. The agenda was approved as written. AD moved, EG seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). D. Approval of Minutes. Minutes from the Aug 28, 2015 meeting were approved with minor amendments. WC moved, EG seconded Vote was nine in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, DW) with SW and DW abstaining]. E. Ex Parte communications. None declared. 2. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 26105 Elena Road (Lands of Walller; APN 182-06-062; file #330-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a barn. The developer, Jim Waller, present, explained that the parcel already had pathway easements and therefore should not have to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. The parcel is on the northeast side of Elena, the third parcel north from the intersection of Elena and Robleda. Elena is a public road, not designated as an official “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides of the road. A roadside path within the Elena Road ROW exists along the full length of the Elena frontage. Off-road pathway easements on the parcel along the northwest border and along the northeast border (the frontage parallel to I-280) were dedicated to the Town in 1980 (Parcel Map-458M55-56; Attachment A). These paths are passable, but need clearing. It was suggested that the Town crew could clear vegetation from these paths at the same time the off-road path on the adjacent parcels (26101 Elena and 12469 Robleda Road) are cleared. PWC will request staff to send a letter informing neighbors of this activity. WC moved that the PWC recommend that the Town require the owner of 26105 Elena Road to maintain the existing native paths as he has been doing and to restore the path along the Elena frontage to IIB standards after construction is completed. ND seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). B. 14511 De Bell Road (Lands of Wolak; APN 175-05-001; file #XYZ). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer, Michelle Wolak, was present and stated that no other parcels in the vicinity have roadside paths and therefore none should be required on her property. De Bell is a public road and is not designated as an official “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides of the road. PWC noted that De Bell is an exceptionally wide road with ample room for pedestrians to walk on the pavement. The asphalt pavement extends into the road ROW where a roadside path adjacent to the road would be located. A suggestion to add striping to delineate vehicular lanes and shoulder was discussed but was rejected because striping is not used on other roads in Town and is not consistent with the semi-rural character. WC moved that the PWC recommend that the Town require the developers of 14511 De Bell Road to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. DW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). C. 27161 Fremont Road (Lands of Wu; APN 175-32-062; file #341-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is relocation of driveway, installation of hardscape, and fence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the west side of Fremont between Arastradero and Old Trace. Fremont is a public road, designated as a “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides of the road. The Town may seek funds (e.g., SRTS) to upgrade the roadside path in this part of Fremont Road, but no funding is available at this time. The roadside path installed here should be consistent with the design prepared for the Town in 2011 for this part of Fremont Road Path. BK moved that the PWC recommend that the Town require the owners of 27161 Fremont Road to rebuild the IIB roadside path to be consistent with the existing Town drawings and to roughen the driveway to make it safe for horses. AB seconded; the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). D. 26270 Purissima Road (Lands of XYZ; APN 182-06-034; file #319-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the southwest side of Purissima at the intersection with Robleda, but has no frontage on Robleda. The rear of the property borders Caltrans land (I- 280). Purissima is a public road, designated as a “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides. A IIB path adjacent to the pavement exists along the Purissima frontage. EG moved that the PWC recommend that the Town require the developers of 26270 Purissima Road to restore the existing IIB roadside path along the   Minutes September Final.doc 12/29/15 2  Purissima frontage to IIB standards after construction is completed. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). E. 27150 Julietta Lane (Lands of Chan Chi-Foon; APN 182-23-017; file #317-15-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is a major addition and remodel. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the southeast side of Julietta Lane at the intersection with Altamont Road and has frontage on both streets. Julietta is a cul-de-sac serving 16 lots and connects to an off-road path. The opposite side of Julietta is preferred for a roadside path because of flatter topography. This part of Julietta is public. Altamont is a public road, designated as a “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides. A crude native path recently carved out by the Town runs along the Altamont frontage, but it slopes down to the road and provides poor footage. The Julietta frontage is overgrown with shrubbery and has poor sight-distance for pedestrians approaching Altamont. EG moved that the PWC recommend the Town to require the owners of 27150 Julietta Lane to build a level, standard IIB path separated from the pavement, along the Altamont frontage; and to trim the shrubbery along the Julietta frontage for better sight lines for pedestrians approaching Altamont. ND seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). F. 25857 Westwind Way (Lands of Pichai Family Trust; APN 175-45-063 and 175-45-070); file #338-15-ZP-SD- GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence with basement. The parcel is on the north side of Westwind Way at the intersection with La Paloma and has frontages on both streets. La Paloma is a public road designated as a “two-sided road” to have paths on both sides. Westwind is a public through-road not designated as a “two-sided road”. IIB paths separated from the road and in good condition exist along the Westwind and La Paloma frontages. A pathway easement along most of the La Paloma frontage was dedicated to the Town in 1985 (Parcel Map-544M29) and is shown on the developers’ plans. Part of the path on the La Paloma frontage appears to be outside the pathway easement (because of the topography). It would be difficult to move the existing path because of the slope. The path on the Westwind frontage appears to be within the road ROW except for one small section that extends partially onto the parcel. AD moved that the PWC recommend that the Town require the developers of 25857 Westwind Way 1) to restore the existing paths in their current locations along Westwind Way and La Paloma frontages after construction is completed; 2) to realign the pathway easement along La Paloma to include the existing path; and 3) to add water boards to the path along Westwind to reduce erosion. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). G. 26691 Moody Road (Lands of Hanabe; file #400-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. PWC reviewed this parcel at the meeting of 12/22/14. The recommendation at that time was ask the Town to require the developers to construct a IIB roadside path in the road ROW along the Moody Road frontage and to grant an easement to confer public access to Moody Court adjacent to this parcel if one does not already exist. The PWC has been asked to review the project again in light of new information. Specifically, the Town reports that the Moody Road in front of the parcel is under the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County, not LAH. Thus, an encroachment permit would be required to construct a path in the road ROW in front of the parcel. PWC discussed this at length. ND moved the PWC recommend that the Town ask the developers of 26691 Moody Road to 1) grant a 10-foot wide pathway easement for the segment of native path that runs across the narrow part of the property from Moody Road up to the Artemis Gintzon path in Byrne Preserve; and 2) grant an easement conferring public access over Moody Court if such access does not already exist. In addition, PWC requests the Town to pursue an encroachment permit from Santa Clara County to allow the Town to construct a IIB path within the 10' road right-of-way of Moody Road extending from the foot of the native path on Moody Road to Moody Court. The developers need not wait for the encroachment permit to be granted. AD seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of Mora Drive and Terry Way. At the July 27, 2015 PWC meeting, Susan Chappelle, a resident of Terry Way (Unincorporated Santa Clara County just across the LAH border) proposed that Town of LAH consider building roadside paths along Mora Drive from Eastbrook to the end. She returned this evening with additional information. AD read relevant minutes from the July meeting. Ms Chappell discussed safety issues related to the existing road conditions on Mora (narrow and winding with blind corners and poor sight-distance in many spots), as well as parking problems, high volume of pedestrian traffic, and the need for roadside paths to keep pedestrians off the pavement. She reported many neighbors favor roadside paths and several parcels have paths or partial paths. The country county reported to her that berms for drainage had been installed in the past on Mora Dive shoulders, but these were not roadside paths. PWC discussed ROW widths, Town boundaries, role of the San Antonio Hills Home Owners Association, and the process that likely would be required for getting roadside paths built by the Town and/or the county. PWC thanked Ms Chappell and noted that the PWC recognizes the issues with this area. The PWC will consider the upper Mora Drive area as part of the Master Path Plan Map update. It was suggested that Ms Chappell contact the organizers who successfully promoted the Miranda Road Path project for ideas and advice.   Minutes September Final.doc 12/29/15 3  4. OLD BUSINESS A. Report from Map Update Subcommittee. Subcommittee members met with staff on Sept 2, 2015 and provided Public Works Director Richard Chiu with a list of corrections to the Public Walking Map. Director Chiu presented prototypes for new maps using a variety of resolution sizes. The next update from the subcommittee to Council will be at the October Council meeting. Subcommittee members continue to work on updating easements and new paths added since 2005. B. Update on Miranda Road Path Project. At the Sept 17, 2015 City Council meeting Council voted to approve the staff request for authorization to proceed with the solicitation of bids for the construction of the Miranda Path project. Council noted this was not a vote to approve the project and several issues need to be resolved (i.e., final cost, and collection of future in-lieu fees from parcels on which the Town will build pathways). C. Update on Magdalena End of Bob Stutz Path. At Richard Chiu’s request, PWC again briefly reviewed draft plans for the Magdalena end of the Bob Stutz Path (adjacent to the south-bound I-280 Magdalena off-ramp). PWC had approved the draft plans at the August 2015 meeting and asked RC to proceed with pursuing an encroachment permit from Caltrans. D. Vote on Proposal to Limit Mountain Bikes in Byrne Preserve. At the Aug 28, 2015 meeting, PWC discussed the OSC proposal to prohibit mountain bikes from trails in Byrne Preserve. The proposal, which Parks & Rec Committee also supports, will be taken to Council for vote in October. The general consensus at the last PWC meeting was to allow bikes to continue to use the fire road and the segment of the AG trial from Moody Road to the intersection with the trail up to Byrne Park Lane, but exclude bikes from other trails in the preserve. Parks and Rec suggested that PWC take a formal vote to support this position. PWC discussed the issue again and clarified the wording identifying the section of the AG trail on which bikes would be allowed. EG moved that the PWC support allowing mountain bikes on the fire road and on the segment of the Artemis Ginzton trail extending from Moody Road to the intersection with the trail leading southwest out to Moody Court. Bikes will be excluded from all other trails in the Preserve. BK seconded and the vote was 7 in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK); two abstaining (BM and SW); and one opposed (DW).  5. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. A. LAH Hoedown. AB reported that the PWC information table at this town event (staffed by PWC volunteers AB, JB, and RM) was very successful, with many residents making inquiries and reporting paths that need maintenance. Copies of the soon-to-be-obsolete Public Walking Map distributed for free proved very popular. AB will send the maintenance list to the Public Works Director, Richard Chiu. Answers to frequently asked questions will be published in the Town Newsletter. B. Council Meeting. At the Special Council meeting of September 24, 2015, Council interviewed seven candidates for the open City Council position and selected three to move to the final interviews. The interviews and final vote will take place at the Council meeting on September 29, 2015. A. Obstruction in Off-Road Path between Via Ventana and Matadero Creek Lane. AD reported that after the original path eroded, the replacement path was placed close to an oak tree so the path is too narrow for horses to pass safely. She read a draft letter to be mailed to the homeowner from the Mayor asking if they would allow the fence post to be moved a few feet to widen the path so horses can use the path safely. EG moved that the PWC accept the letter and send it to the Mayor. AB seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (AB, WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, BM, SW, DW). 6. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS. B. Response to Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for Stirling Subdivision. AD reported that the most recent developers’ plans and the MND do not take into consideration all the recommendations the PWC made for this 9- lot subdivision. Responses to the MND must be submitted to the Town before October 23, 2015. PWC agreed that the October PWC meeting would be moved up one week to Monday, Oct 19, 2015 so PWC can submit comments. C. LAH Wines and Vines. AD reported this event for LAH vintners and wine aficionados will be held Oct 25, 2015 (2 to 5 pm) and volunteers are needed to help with set-up, wine pouring, and cleanup. ND volunteered. 8. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS. Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, October 19, 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 9:02 pm. Attachment A: Existing pathway easements on 26105 Elena Road Final minutes approved as amended (red text) at the regular meeting of the PWC on October 19, 2015. --siFtL =T*SF\ERG=v)SF\e*> Ss -\N-S-S "T <acE\ a, -q) -rRE}.?H>-\ \ 'lrJ---!v\!, "\l&\ ft F @4q.o.4k,vser, tci. E, I l$slt=tr l$ID tglst; - -\5 9-)\ st\ 6-.T SR*\1, $N F Ne \ F *{ rsFC) sE ts ll ".x:tuFSEro*-q$tEh $FEgFF*[Eii= ulcnE !> Fg .$E .t' 5h HE &o F d t'- Irt4, cr r ig tt) z? f.'ttI !n r() (a b Eo(,t fnh fi*Ittfq&}$tA ), "&tt&er.2{r lS$ Mr. and Mrs. Olivera P, $. EuxSt*1*6 $anlo*c, CS'" PSl$!. &"S'!KX SKPA&T.kIXNT! RS: File*14&9SZP-SD ?61.05 Hens Soad f.lew reaidence Dear Mr. rno Mrs. Olivera: Your requeet for a Site Devetopment Perrnit for g new rceidence wau approvod at the Planning Commicsion me6ting of $rptcmbcr27,1995. Thr City Cddncil upheld tl* P'snning Commi*cion'r epproval. Floas€ ncte the foll,owing {ondtscrr* whidb cpp}ytn t}wo* epprwok: 3. !t, .lnlls fr*mcnt &*rad i-r.r; All** !l lll*(oliisrstr $4$?3,ltSl*,{1"?}?l P;-.t {l$l${!"}!frl 1, Pqrk$ tlw*mstruetJonpw*a**i tlte kuildlingfi& and enanrntndi*6 prspsfty *hetl be'*le*r*d *f d&** and flammable msteritl* 8s s n6? ts cl*ele * {i* hs*&rd, PLANNIhIC DEPARTMENT: Any modlficsticru to th* approved planx ah*ltbtte?isnr&d d apfroved by the Town rkiiirsr or r!i* rknntqgfrscnsricsias, d*p*r,Ci*g*n the *errpx *f lhe chxng*r. $ubx*qu*nt s fraxting x t*nd***p*,$erefri$g pkn oholt be reviswsd by th* Stk *evelopnn*nt {*l$n*see, f*flisr*e, *ttwrt**n rhali b*r givln m pi**tinp wlri$t will be xd quet* is b$ss,k up ths view of the n*w r**idene* from eurrcundlxg prnper*i*m, d*ll land*e*pfuTg r*qrrir*4 for *creening purpo$e$ *'r Jsr srwlpn ecnW! m$st b* install*d prinr tn $ln*l irup*e*o& Ostdssr tighdng *hnll b* reviewsd and *pproved witir the landecape plan" A lcnd*eep* msintewnce deprosit, equal to tlre cs*tof nng*rl*l* nnd Lumltation for *ll l*nds**ping r.eExir*d fsr s#**nin& puryse*$ s; fi:r erosion esntrol, **all b* p*$ed pr**r ts finnl i:wp*etisn, An inrpeetian *f ttro tranr{*wpc losnsur* a**q*al* est&bliehffi$$t nnd [| ?-tn to1 El,ena' froaa/-Mi..ar_tdMrs. Olivera October 2I, 1995 Page4 pedestrian Eaffic safe$ on Elena Roa.{ and surroundingJolfyaysi itorage of corrstructiori materiiils; placement of sanitary facilities; parkiig for construcdon vehieles; and par.king-for consbuction iersorriel, A debris box ({ryh dumpsier) shall be placed on slte lor iouection of conshuction debris. Arrangements must be made with the Los Altos Garbage Cornpany for +he debris box, since they have a franchise with the town ahd no other hauler is allowed within theTowniimits. 1,6. The property owser shall inform the Town of any damagp and ehrilf refair any damagecaused. by the.construction of the.project to pathwfys, private driieways, ariC-public and private rd?dJ'vlys/ irior tofinai inspection and.relense of -occups.ncy Pemrrls and.shall brovidi the Town with photographs of the exibting conditions of ihe roadways and path* ays prtoi to acceptance of plans for building plancheck. The pathway along Elgna Road shallbe restored to type IIB staniards pinr nfinat ilEpection. The e{sdng nativg pat{t $ong the freeway and iide proigrty line shall be deared. qhe ctiv-ew1l it utt U. roughened wleri th6 pathway intersects bo the satisfaction of the City Ungtneer pior toftralproiectinspeclion. The project geotechpicai consultant shalt review a1d lpprove.alt geotechnicaiand geological aspects of th€ proiect, inqluding tlt. .. ions6uction of the leach field and ston4 drainage system, and sna11 su4rtarize the results of tireir conslruction plan rgview iq-a f9't!er to be sub-miited to the Tow n, prior to acceptapce af pldns fot building plan check, The project geotecirnical corsultant shall describe the lesutts of inspeitioirs aid as$uilt cpnditioru 6f the project ln a. letter to be s,jbmitted to the Town Engineering Department pdor lo final inspection. 18. llnon comoletiori of construction, n funl inspection shall be set with the Planning ilr,to.m*t otrd Etgineerhg Depa?lment alt lesst Wo weeks prtor tu fnal building inspectbn approul CONDITIO. N NUIvIBBRS 10, lL 14,15,16,17 AND 18 SHALL BE COMPTETED AND SIGNED OFF BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOI{, AND TIIE CITY ENGINEER PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION Pi.ANS FOR PLAN CHECK BYTI{E BUILDTNG DEPAT(TMENT. Proparlles residing within the Lor. Altos School District boundaries mqst pay Schbol Distlict fee-s before rgceiving their building permitfrorn Los Altos