HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 28 2014
FinalPWC_Min_14-0428 6/19/14 1
Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, April 28, 2014
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
Chairman Joe Kleitman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Members present: Weegie Caughlan (arrived 7:06 PM), Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Br eene Kerr,
Joe Kleitman, Sue Welch, Denise Williams
Members/Associates absent: Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Rachelle Mirkin, Tim Warner (excused), Bob Stutz
(Associate)
Council Members present: Courtney Corrigan (PWC Council Liaison)
John Harpootlian (Alternate PWC Council Liaison)
Members of public present: Connie Bright (representing developers of 13811 Ciceroni Lane)
Carol Gottlieb (Chair, LAH History Committee)
Kjell Karlsson (Traffic Safety Committee)
Frank Wang (representing developers of 26096 Todd Lane)
Frank Wang (representing developers of 26096 Todd Lane)
Bill Balson (Dori Lane)
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES
Agenda was unanimously approved as written (moved by EG; seconded by SW; EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW).
Minutes from the March 24, 2014 meeting were unanimously approved with minor amendments (moved by EG;
seconded by VH; EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW).
3. Properties for Review. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations:
A. 13811 Cicceroni Lane (File 92-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence.
Corinne Bright was present representing the developer. The parcel is on the west side of Cicceroni, a
private cul-de-sac (per Public Works Dept memo of 10/11/13) serving six residences. No pathway
easement appears to be recorded on the Master Path Plan or on the development plans. The parcel slopes up
steeply from the pavement and the PWC “bubble map” indicates the other side of Cicceroni Lane is the
preferred side for a roadside pathway, should one be constructed. No roadside paths exist on this side of the
roadway and no off-road pathways exit from Cicceroni. EG moved that the Town ask the owners of 13811
Cicceroni Lane to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. BK seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC,
EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW).
B. 12179 Hilltop Drive (File 82-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence.
The developer was not present. The parcel is a flag lot off the north side of Hilltop and has no frontage on
the road except the shared driveway. VH moved that the Town ask the owners of 12179 Hilltop Drive to
pay a pathway in-lieu fee. EG seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, EG, VH, BK, JK,
SW, DW).
C. 26096 Todd Lane (File 72-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence.
Frank Wang was present representing the developer. The parcel is on the south side of Todd Lane at the
intersection with La Paloma and has frontage on both streets. Todd is a public cul-de-sac serving ten
residences and an off-road path connecting to Bullis Gardiner School and Robleda Road exits from the end
of the street. A IIB roadside path in good condition already exists along the La Paloma frontage. The flat
topography along the Todd frontage can easily accommodate a roadside path and the PWC “bubble map”
indicates this side of Todd is the preferred side for a roadside pathway, should one be constructed (see
attachment). A resident noted that in some locations along Todd roadside paths that were open in the past
have been obliterated by roadside plantings. WC moved that the Town ask the developers of 26096 Todd
Lane to construct a IIB roadside path along Todd Lane connecting from the existing roadside path on La
Paloma to the eastern property line and in the road right-of-way if the road is wide enough. If the road is
not wide enough, ask the Town to ask for a 10-foot pathway easement for the path. The Town should also
ask the owners to provide appropriate traction on the driveway surface. EG seconded and the vote wa s
unanimously in favor (WC, EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW).
D. 11565 Old Ranch Lane (File 88-14-ZP -SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence.
The developer was not present. The parcel is on the west side of Old Ranch Lane, a cul -de-sac serving
seven residences. 1rfThe Goals, Policies, and Programs in the Pathway Element of the LAH General Plan
apply to properties in this annexed area. The paved surfaces of Old Ranch Lane and Old Ranch Road are
very wide and can safely accommodate pedestrians. No off-road pathways exit from Old Ranch Lane.
Discussion of a possible future connection from Old Ranch Road to Putter Way (on an adjacent property)
FinalPWC_Min_14-0428 6/19/14 2
was deferred to a later date when the MPP is updated. BK moved that the Town ask the developers of
11565 Old Ranch Lane to pay a pathway in-lieu fee; and to determine whether Old Ranch Lane is a private
road and if so, to request an easement conferring public access for pedestrians in the roadway in front of
this parcel. SW seconded and the vote was 6 in fa vor (EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW), one opposed (WC who
objected to requesting both the fee and the on-road easement). After the vote it was determined (per Public
Works Dept memo of 10/11/13) that Old Ranch Lane is a public road.
4. NEW BUSINESS. None
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Safe Routes to School “Active Transportation Program” Grant. BK distributed an information
sheet and reviewed the proposed grant LAH will submit for funding to extend the Fremont Road Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) Pedestrian and Bike Path from Town Hall to Arastradero Road. Richard Chiu,
other staff, and the contractor are preparing the grant for submission on May 21, 2014. RC has requested
formal support for the project from the PWC. This section will likely be less expensive than Phase 1 -2 and
require only 15% local matching funds.
BK moved that the PWC reaffirm the commitment to build the Fremont Road Safe Routes to School
Pedestrian and Bike Path Phases 3 and 4 from Town Hall to Arastradero Road. This path will be an
important connector from the Fremont Road Safe Routes to School Path Phase 1-2, which was successfully
completed in 2013 and is in heavy use, as well as a connector to the Palo Alto pathway system that leads to
other schools (e.g. Gunn High School). Collectively, Phase 1 to 4 of the Fremont Road SRTS Path will
affront two schools within the Town of LAH and will provide connections for students and LAH residents
to additional schools through the regional pathway systems in Los Altos, Palo Alto, Stanford, and local
open space areas. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.
B. Pathway Mapping Project Update. EG met with Richard Chiu to demonstrate the .kml pathway maps for
Google Earth developed by Bill Gibbons. PWC discussed issues of access, security, auditing prot ocols,
version control, researching and vetting underlying easement information, and assuring accuracy of the
maps. RC will maintain control of the master maps and help advise the PWC on these issues. The
immediate goal is to correct the shortcomings of the existing maps. Some data may be presented to Council
in August.
6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. None.
7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
A. History Walk. Carol Gottlieb (Chair, LAH History Committee) asked the PWC to co-sponsor a guided
History Walk on the day of the Town Picnic (June 1, 2014). Participants will walk from Town Hall to the
picnic area at the Purissima ball fields, stopping at points of historical interest along the way. Busses will
be available to bring walkers back to Town Hall. Committee approval of PWC sponsorship requires an
emergency motion (see Item 8 below). PWC members will help with organization and attend.
B. Pathway Maintenance Requests. Carol Gottlieb also reported that 1) two spots on the path from Voorhees
Drive to Barley Hill Road are dangerous to horses and need repair; 2) that the entrance to the Bob Stutz
Path off Dawson Drive needs a marker at the entrance. PWC recommended she refer these maintenance
issues to Richard Chiu.
B. Letter to LASD. BK distributed a draft letter he wrote representing the PWC that will be sent to the Los
Altos School District (LASD) suggesting they seek grants from the Safe Routes to School Initiative for
improving bike parking facilities at local schools (see attachment). He outlined the benefits of students
riding to school, the efforts LAH has made to provide pathways for students to use, and the pressing need
for better bike storage at local schools. The letter will be forwarded to the City Council for approval. BK
will also ask the LAH Education Committee to consider this issue at their next meeting.
C. Path through Bullis School Campus. Council Member Courtenay Corrigan reported that LASD has receive
a substantial private donation for improvements at Gardiner Bullis School and that this might be a good
opportunity to request LASD to reopen the LAH pathway easement along the border of the campus that
they closed several years ago.
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTAION REQUESTS
A. Ex Parte Communications. None declared.
FinalPWC_Min_14-0428 6/19/14 3
B. Bob Stutz Path Update. EG reported that Richard Chiu said work on this new off-road path connecting
from Magdalena to El Monte Road will begin in June or July and should be completed by the start of the
school year.
C. LAH Pathways Run/Walk and Town Picnic. EG asked for volunteers to help at the 13th Annual Run/Walk
on June 10 at the Westwind Community Barn and at the Town Picnic on June 1 at Purissima Park.
D. Emergency Motion to Support History Walk (See above). Because this item was not on the agenda and
needs committee approval before the next meeting, an emergency motion was made. EG moved that the
PWC support the History Committee’s Historical Walk to the Town Picnic. DW seconded and the vote was
unanimously in favor (WC, EG, VH, BK, JK, SW, DW).
E. Letter to PWC about Bike-Horse Conflicts on Trails. An equestrian who uses trails in Town-owned open
space near Westwind Barn sent a letter expressing concerns about bike -horse conflicts on trails and
requesting the Town to post signs stating bikes must yield to horses (see attachment). Chair JK read
minuets from a 2012 PWC meeting covering discussion of an incident involving a fast bike and a PWC
member walking her dogs. AT that time, the PWC decided against taking any action (e.g., posting signs).
This item was not on the current agenda and no action was taken.
9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
May meeting will be a week early to avoid meeting on Memorial Day.
Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, May 17, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, May 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA.
11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 PM
Attachments: Bubble map of Todd Lane
Safe Routes to School Active Transportation Program California SRTS Funding Toolkit
Letter to LASD (Breene Kerr)
Letter to PWC about Bike-Horse Conflicts on Trails