HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 27 2014
FinalPWC_Min_14-0127.doc 2/25/14 1
Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL APPROVED
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, January 27,2014
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
Acting Chairman Eileen Gibbons called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM
Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Ann Duwe, Nick Dunckel, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene
Kerr, Rachelle Mirkin, Tim Warner, Sue Welch, Denise Williams, Bob Stutz
(Associate Member)
Members absent: Joseph Kleitman
Council Members present: Courtney Corrigan (PWC Council Liaison)
Members of public present: David Battenfield (26495 Altamont Road)
Kyu Kim (27798 Via Ventana)
Bill Balson (Dori lane)
The agenda was approved as written.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
Minutes from the November 25, 2013 meeting were approved with typos corrected.
3. Properties for Review. The following properties was reviewed for pathway recommendations:
A. 26495 Altamont Road (Lands of Battenfield; File 1-14-ZP-SD-GD). Reason for pathway review is
construction of a new residence. David Battenfield, the owner, was present and addressed the PWC. The
parcel is on the north side of Altamont Road across from Julietta where Altamont curves sharply to the
north. Altamont is a public road and designated as a road for which roadside paths on both sides are
recommended. The property is relatively flat and could accommodate a path along the roadside from the
western border to the driveway. From the driveway to the eastern border the parcel slopes down steeply
from the road edge. A roadside path exists on the other side of Altamont. No off-road paths are shown on
the Master Path Plan. PWC discussed options for a roadside path, considering the slope, the location of the
road ROW, and safety issues. The HO reported he is amenable to a roadside path located down the slope
and separated from the road edge. Because the PWC had not considered this option, the decision was
deferred until after another site visit.
B. 27798 Via Ventana (Lands of Kim; File 378-13-ZP-SD-GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of
a new residence. Kyu Kim was present representing the property. This arm of Via Ventana is a public cul-
de-sac serving five residences and has an off-road path exiting from the end. The property is on the eastern
side and slopes up steeply from the roadside. The opposite side of the road appears to be the preferred side
for a roadside path. AD moved that the Town ask the owners of 27798 Via Ventana to pay a pathway
in-lieu fee. TW seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
C. 14495 Miranda Road (File 410-13-ZP-SD. The reason for pathway review is a major addition and second
unit. The HO was not present. The parcel is on the west side of Miranda, a public road and a major route to
nearby schools. The topography is flat and roadside paths exist on one or both sides of Miranda at
numerous locations, including across the street from this parcel. Although Miranda is not on the official list
of roads for which paths on both sides are recommended, because it is a major route to school, the PWC
recommends roadside paths on both sides for safety. BK moved that the Town ask the owners of 14495
Miranda Road to build a IIB roadside path along the road and if no pathway easement is in place, to
dedicate one. ND seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
D. 11921 Hilltop Drive (File 408-13-ZP-SD). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new
residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the north side of Hilltop, a public cul-de-sac
serving 13 residences. A 4-ft tall stone wall has been constructed in the road ROW along the Hilltop
frontage, which will apparently have to be moved. An off-road path exits from end of the cul-de-sac on the
adjacent parcel, which runs to the north and connects back to Hilltop Road (which forms a loop here). The
Master Path Plan indicates another off-road path is planned to run to the south off the end of Hilltop Road
across the street from this parcel. The parcel is on the side of the road preferred for a roadside path because
it is flat; the opposite side of Hilltop slopes down from the roadside. Segments of roadside path exist on this
side of Hilltop to the west. AD moved that the Town ask the developers of 11920 Hilltop Drive to build
a standard IIB roadside path along the Hilltop frontage, either in the road ROW or on a pathway
easement. ND seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
E. 12345 Briones Way (File 340-13-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is a second unit. Developer was not
present. The parcel is on the west side of Briones Way, a public road, The property slopes up steeply from
the roadside and the preferred side of Briones for a roadside path is the side opposite this parcel. A rough
FinalPWC_Min_14-0127.doc 2/25/14 2
roadside path exists. VH moved that the Town ask the owners of 12345 Briones Way to pay a pathway in-
lieu fee. RM seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Name new path in Nicholson Subdivision to “Bob Stutz Path”. EG suggested that the new off-road pathway
through the Nicholson subdivision be named after Bob Stutz to recognize his many years of service and
substantial contributions to the PWC and the Fire Commission. The path will connect to the existing path
named to honor his spouse, Mary Stutz. The History Committee, which named other new paths, will be
informed of this decision. AD moved to carry forward the proposal to name the path through the
Nicholson subdivision the “Bob Stutz Path”. SW seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Pathway Mapping Project Subcommittee Report. EG reported that the subcommittee met and agreed that
the categories of pathways needed to track the status of paths and easements are: Class 1, 2, and 3 (as
described in the Pathway Element) for off-road paths; and also Class 1, 2, and 3 for roadside paths (not
currently described in Pathway Element).
Class 1—Off-road paths for which easements have been granted to the Town for a completed route, on
which a path has been developed or pathway use has been established, and which is maintained by the
Town and is open for public use.
Class 2—Off-road paths for which easements have been granted to the Town for less than a completed
route, or where the pathway easement exists but the path has not been constructed or maintained and is
not open for public use. Such paths remain to be completed in the future.
Class 3—A planned future off-road path, as shown in the Master Path Plan. These paths may need
dedication of easements over a single large parcel of land, or may require easements over a number of
smaller parcels.
PWC discussed options for storing and updating pathway easement map data and making this information
available to PWC, staff, Planning Commission, residents, and developers planning to purchase land in
LAH. EG will ask Richard Chiu to provide cost estimates for purchase of GIS systems and for hiring a
contractor to update the existing CAD system. PWC discussed these options as well as the need to record
PWC recommendations for newly annexed areas to the maps.
B. Update of PWC Recommendation for 26400 Eshner Court. PWC reviewed this property at the January
meeting and formally recommended the path be left in its current location. It has been in this location for
years and moving it closer to the road may increase erosion. Apparently staff has reported the path must be
moved into the easement. The developers will take their plans to the Planning Commission later this month.
Issues related to communication between staff and the PWC were discussed.
6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS
VTA. BK reported grant opportunities for LAH pathway projects (e.g., completion of Fremont Road pathway);
purchase of bike rack for Bullis School; bike lockers program. PWC discussed pros and cons of the CalTrans
proposal to modify the I-280 -Page Mill Road intersection, including communication issues with agencies, lack
of traffic data, whether improvements for bikes would be included, and resident opposition.
7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
Bill Balson, LAH resident presented a statement outlining a proposal to install gates on pathways to limit
wildlife movement (Attachment 1).
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION. None
9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, February 22, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. WC asked that Mr. Balson be added to the agenda.
11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM
Attachment 1: Statement by William E. Balson
Minutes approved Feb 24, 2014