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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 24 2014 FinalPWC_Min_14-0224 3/28/14 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL APPROVED Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, February 24,2014 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Joe Kleitman 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, Tim Warner, Sue Welch, Denise Williams Members/Associates absent: Tim Warner (excused); Bob Stutz (Associate member; excused) Council Members present: Courtney Corrigan (PWC Council Liaison) Members of public present: Bill Balson (Dori Lane) The agenda was unanimously approved as written. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from the January 27, 2014 meeting were approved without amendments. 3. Properties for Review. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 12501 Zappettini Court (File 12-14-ZP-SD-GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the west side of Zappettini Court at the intersection with Altamont Road and has frontage on both roads. Altamont is a “two-sided” public road designated by Council as a road for which roadside paths on both sides are recommended. Zappettini is a public cul-de-sac serving four residences and has an off-road path exiting from the end that runs along the southwestern border of 12660 and 12620 Zappettini. The off -road connection to Central Drive and Byrne Preserve has not yet been completed, although the Town holds the necessary easements. The Town already holds a pathway easement along the Zappettini Court frontage of this parcel, but not on the Altamont frontage. (See attachments.) The existing path along Altamont is narrow and partially blocked by a utility pole near the western border of the parcel. The fence appears to be located in the road ROW. This path is close to Byrne Preserve and is heavily used by equestrians, hikers, and cyclists. Auto traffic along Altamont is heavy and cars often speed along this section. So a path separated from the roadside would be safer. WC moved that the Town ask the developers of 12501 Zappettini Court to build a standard IIB path along Altamont Road either in the road right -of-way or in an easement on the parcel. No one seconded. BK moved that the Town ask that the developers of 12501 Zappettini Court, because of the high traffic volume on Altamont, to construct a IIB path along Altamont with separation from the road, especially in the area of the utility poles; said pathway is to be within the road right-of-way to the extent possible or within an additional easement as needed. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. B. 26495 Altamont Road (Lands of Battenfield; File 1 -14-ZP-SD-GD). Review is continued from the January meeting. The homeowner reported at the January meeting that he is amenable to a roadside path along Altamont that is located down the slope and separated from the road edge. Because the PWC had not considered this option, the decision was deferred until after second site visit to explore this option. Altamont is a “two-sided” public road designated by Council as a road for which roadside paths on both sides are recommended. The Town already holds a pathway easement along the full Altamont frontage of this property as well on the adjacent properties to the east (27022 and 27010 Dezahara) and on at least one additional property further to the east (26385 Altamont Road). (See attachments.) PWC members who walked these easements report they are amenable to construction of a pathway separated from the road. AD moved the Town ask the owner of 26495 Altamont Road to build a IIB pathway in the existing easement below the road along Altamont Road and to remind the owners that the path across their driveway needs to be etched to be safe for equestrians. EG seconded. The need for a IIB path versus a native path on the section below the road was discussed. BK amended the motion to specify “construction of a IIB path along Altamont from the western border extending across the driveway approximately to where Julietta meets Altamont. Along Altamont to the east and below this point, homeowners are asked to build a native path within the existing pathway easement. ND seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Pathway Blockages. Bill Balson, LAH resident, presented a proposal to install gates on pathways to block wildlife. (See attachments.) PWC discussed at length concerns about blocking pathways and limiting wildlife movement. Issues of expense and feasibility were also raised and it was pointed out that LAH ordinances do not allow blocking paths. All members spoke in opposition to this proposal and no action was taken. FinalPWC_Min_14-0224 3/28/14 2 PWC members reported existing the following sites where pathways are blocked: i. Bassett Lane at Summitwood. The road/pathway connecting Summitwood to Basset Lane had been narrowed with a fence and chain so it was not large enough for horses and bikes to pass through. PWC discussed this site at length. There was considerable confusion because apparently the opening had been enlarged after some members visited the site last week. The status of this connecting easement is not known (i.e., whether it is a road or pathway). BK moved that PWC ask Town staff: 1) to assure that there is enough space between the posts and the iron fence for horses and bikes to pass through and if there is not, to move the posts so the opening meets the standard 5-foot wide pathway requirement; 2) to clarify the status of the easement here; 3) to ask the subdivider of 25700 Bassett Lane to unblock the off-road pathway that runs along the eastern border of the parcel as PWC recommended at the time of subdivision so the public can use this route; and 4) to confirm that the subdivider of 25700 Bassett Lane provided an easement that confers public access along Bassett Lane (a private road) as PWC recommended at the time of subdivision. ND seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. ii. 12469 Robleda. The pathway along the eastern border of this parcel and the adjacent properties (26101 and 26105 Elena) adjacent to I-280 has become impassible because of vegetation and needs to be cleared. The path along the northwestern border of 26105 Elena that completes the connection to Elena is also blocked. PWC will ask staff about removing these obstructions. iii. 27408 Byrne Park Lane. The route from the road into Byrne Preserve is blocked with a chain and oleanders. Although this off-road route is on the Master Path Plan, the Town may not yet hold this easement. No action. B. Property owner liability for trail use on public easements. Members have reported queries from residents about pathway liability issues. Chair JK reminded members that giving legal advice is the role of the Town Attorney, not the PWC. ND moved that PWC ask the Town Attorney to address the PWC on issues of pathway liability. EG seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Nicholson/Hale Creek Path. The owner of 12400 Stonebrook (on which part of this path runs) apparently has constructed a fence along the outside border of the pathway easement on this p roperty, but appears to be amenable to moving it. The HO will address the PWC at the February meeting. ND and DW will visit the pathway route with Director of Public Works, Richard Chiu to examine options for establishing a preliminary connection within the allocated budget (e.g., using a bulldozer). Unresolved issues include the exact route between the existing off-road paths on the Nicholson subdivision and the easements on the adjacent properties. At the March 20, 2014 Council meeting, EG will make a for mal request to Council to name this path the “Bob Stutz Path” to recognize his many years of service and substantial contributions to the PWC and the Fire Commission. B. Pathway Mapping Project Subcommittee Report. EG reported that the subcommittee will divide the Town into quadrants and begin site visits to audit the status of all roadside and off-road paths and easements. Richard Chiu will then incorporate these data into the existing CAD maps. EG’s husband is creating an app to allow members to access and update the maps using a smart phone or iPad. The goal of the project is to create a single, accurate pathway map system to meet the needs of the PWC, Town staff, Council, and the public. AD reported that Portola Valley hired a person to walk and audit all paths; they initially used a CAD system to store the data then switched to a GIS system. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS A. City Council. Council Member Courtenay Corrigan reminded PWC about the mandatory Brown Act Training on Thursday March 13, 2014 at 6 PM at Town Hall. She reported that according to SB751, which became effective Jan 1, 2014, meeting minutes must a report roll call vote of members on all motions as well as time when members arrive and leave the meeting. At the February Council meeting, Council also voted to require Associate Members on certain Standing Committees (i.e., PWC, EDC, OSC) to be approved by Council. They also voted that only committee members and Council -approved Associate Members (i.e., not members of the public) can attend property site visits. PWC Associate Member Bob Stutz was appointed by Council at the October 17, 2013 meeting. B. VTA. BK reviewed potential grant opportunities for LAH pathway projects, including purchase of bike rack for Bullis School and bike lockers program. This item will be added to the March PWC agenda 7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR --None FinalPWC_Min_14-0224 3/28/14 3 8. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. PWC agenda deadlines and general administrative issues. PWC discussed deadlines for setting agenda items. JK reported that 1) the Monday prior to the meeting, the Town will send out courtesy notices to homeowners that PWC will make a site visit the following Saturday; 2) the Tuesday prior to the meeting, JK will pick up development plans for project to be reviewed at the meeting; 3) the Thursday prior to the meeting, JK will make plans available to PWC members for distribution on a first -come-first-served basis; 4) the Saturday prior to the meeting, site visits will be made; site visits onto properties can only be made on this date. “Drive-by” site visits can be made at any time. The possibility of noticing site visits as PWC meetings to allow group visits was briefly discussed; JK reported that that staff do not support this. 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, March 22, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, March 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall 10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. 11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM Approved at the March 24, 2014 PWC meeting with typo amended.