HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 24 2014
Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, November 24, 2014
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM
Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Vic Hesterman, Joe Kleitman, Sue Welch, Tim
Warner (arrived 7:10 pm), Denise Williams
Members/ absent: Eileen Gibbons (excused), Breene Kerr, Rachelle Mirkin, Bob Stutz (Associate)
Council Members present: Courtney Corrigan (PWC Council Liaison; arrived 7:30 pm)
Members of public present: Heather Rose (Chair, LAH Education Committee)
Bob Elson (Miranda Drive)
Les Earnest (Dianne Drive)
Liz Hitchner (26370 Ginny Lane)
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES
Chair AD called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Agenda was approved as amended to move item 5C to top.
(AD moved, WC seconded, and vote was unanimously in favor (WC, ND, AD, VH, JK, SW, DW). Minutes
from the October 27, 2014 meeting were approved with amendments.
3. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW
The following property was reviewed for pathway recommendations:
A. 25750 Moody Road (File 379-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is remodel and construction of an
addition. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the south side of Moody Road (public road) at the
intersection with Rhus Ridge Road (private road) and has frontages on both roads. The roadside pathway map
(“bubble map) shows an existing roadside path along the Moody frontage. The developers’ site plans do not
show any pathway easements, although a IIB roadside path in good condition has been constructed on the
Moody frontage, probably in the road ROW. This pathway was constructed and paid for by the Town and VTA
in 2005-06 as part of the Moody Road path upgrade. Developers are to restore the roadside path along Moody
to IIB standards after construction is completed. WC moved that: 1) Town staff should confirm whether
pathway easements exist along both the Moody Road and Rhus Ridge frontages and if so, whether they
are in the road ROW or on the property in question; 2) if pathway easements exist and are in the road
ROW, request the developers to pay a pathway in lieu fee; 3) if pathway easements do not exist, request
these easements and do not require developers to pay a pathway in lieu fee. JK seconded and the vote
was unanimously in favor (WC, ND, AD, VH, JK, TW, SW, DW).
B Bassett (File 370-14-TM-IS-SD-ND). Reason for pathway review is a two-lot subdivision. The developer was
not present. The subdivision is on the east side of Bassett Lane, a winding cul-de-sac that serves six residences
and it has frontage on both Bassett and Rhus Ridge Road (both private). The roadside pathway map (i.e.,
“bubble map”) shows the preferred roadside pathway in the roadway on both Basset and Rhus Ridge.
Development plans show an existing off-road pathway easement along the eastern border of Parcel 2 that is 30
feet wide at the higher southern end (Rhus Ridge Road) and 60 feet wide at the lower northern end where it
meets Bassett Lane and connects to the emergency access road to Summitwood. This easement has sufficient
space to allow the path to meander through the trees and away from the creek. AD moved that the subdivider
construct a native path within the existing pathway easement on the eastern border of Parcel 2,
meandering around trees and away from creek. Developers must stake the proposed path route for
review by the PWC prior to constructing the path. Staff should also request an easement in conferring
access for the public over Bassett Lane and Rhus Road adjacent to the subdivision. WC seconded and
the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, ND, AD, VH, JK, TW, SW, DW).
C. 25800 Vinedo Lane (File 383-14-ZP-SD-GD). Reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence, a
pool, and sports court. The developer was not present. The parcel is a flag lot on the south side of Vinedo,
which is a private road. The 2005 Master Path Plan shows an off-road path running along the western border of
this parcel and the adjacent parcels to the west (25830 and 25810 Vinedo) that connects Vinedo to Altamont
Road. This path includes the shared driveway for 25800 and 25802, and 25560 Vinedo and is open and
accessible. The roadside pathway map (i.e., “bubble map”) shows the opposite side of Vinedo is preferred for a
roadside path along Vinedo. JK moved that the Town ask the developers of 25800 Vinedo to pay a
pathway in lieu fee. Staff should confirm that easements have been granted on the shared driveway
and/or the adjacent parcels (25830 and 25810 Vinedo) for passage on the existing off-road pathway
segment leading from Vinedo to Altamont. WC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC,
ND, AD, VH, JK, TW, SW, DW).
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4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consistent Barrier for Emergency Access Roads. Chair AD reviewed the types of barriers that exist on
emergency access roads (EARs; Attachment A) in LAH (e.g., simple chains versus locked gates) and proposed
that these be standardized so that all EARs are accessible to the public in an emergency (i.e., no locked gates
that require keys to open). Staff suggested that PWC make a recommendation about what they prefer to see for
safety. Discussion included whether this was the responsibility of staff or the Traffic Safety Committee rather
than of the PWC. The issue of assuring access to pathways where easements exist but been obstructed was also
raised. JK moved that the PWC recommend that during the survey of emergency access roads in Town,
special consideration should be given to passage of people and animals through all emergency access
roads. WC seconded. The vote was seven in favor (WC, ND, AD, VH, JK, SW, DW) and 1 opposed (TW;
PWC lacks expertise on this issue and this recommendation does not assure access to paths that are
supposed to be open and have been obstructed).
B. Letters to Homeowners to Request Easement to Connect South End of Bob Stutz Path with Magdalena Path.
AD reviewed the status of potential connections to Magdalena at the south end of the Bob Stutz path. The
connection is needed along the I-280 freeway ramp, which is bordered by a culvert and a 7-ft fence. Currently
pedestrians must walk along the pavement on Caltrans land. The location of the property lines between
Caltrans and private lands is not known. SW offered to research maps of the area. AD moved that if it is
determined that the Caltrans ROW cannot accommodate a path, a letter will be sent to owners of the
adjacent parcels requesting easements. ND seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, ND,
AD, VH, JK, SW, TW, DW)
C. Request to Add Creeks to Pathway Walking Map. PWC received a request from Kit Gordon to add the
locations of named creeks to the next printing of the LAH Pathway Walking Map. Discussion included pros
(e.g., value of identifying creeks for the public) and cons (too much information on these small maps).
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Bob Stutz Path Bikeway. This new off-road pathway connecting Magdalena to El Monte Road is complete and
officially opened on Nov 1, 2014. Les Earnest (LAH resident) presented a proposal to make this off-road path
a regional bikeway (Attachment B). This would involve paving additional sections not currently paved. PWC
discussed the proposal and agreed to discuss it further when CIP projects are prioritized. It was noted that VTA
or other agencies might have grant funds available.
B. Public Notice for Pathway Committee Saturday Site Visits. PWC discussed options for property review site
visits so they will be more effective but will not violate the Brown Act. Portola Valley issues a public notice
for all development proposals and any member of the public is free to attend these site visits. Site visits are
followed the same day by an additional public meeting to discuss the proposals. PWC discussed the pros and
cons. AD will ask staff about potential liability, ADA compliance, and other issues related to such publicly
noticed study sessions in LAH.
C. Miranda Road Pathway. At the October 2014 PWC meeting, Jan Ahrens (LAH resident) reported on the
serious traffic situation on Miranda Road and requested the Town complete roadside paths on at least one side
of the road to provide a safe route for children walking to local schools. The PWC “bubble map” shows the
west side of Miranda is preferred for roadside paths because of its topography. PWC had suggested that
Miranda residents organize and formally request the Town to improve the pathways.
Bob Elsen (Miranda Road) presented a detailed illustrated review of the current status of roadside paths on the
west side of Miranda and a parcel-by-parcel proposal for improvements that would create a complete path
along the west side. He also presented a petition favoring the proposal signed by all affected residents, except
one who opposed the plan. The proposed path is about 1200 linear feet on 14 parcels, 7 of which have existing
roadside paths or pathway easements. Most of the route will be within the road ROW and will be 5 to 5.5 feet
wide except for one narrower section that must accommodate a heritage oak near the road edge. Two low
retaining walls will be required. Mr. Elson will meet with Richard Chiu and Carl Cahill later this week to
discuss the proposal.
Heather Rose (Chair of LAH Education Committee) said the LAH Education Committee supports the project
based on high parent demand and will send a letter of support to the PWC and the Town.
PWC thanked Mr. Elsen for his work and discussed the proposal at length, including the need to obtain a
formal cost estimate from staff. The consensus was that the Miranda project must be evaluated in the context of
other projects already on the current CIP list. It was suggested that residents who may benefit from other CIP
projects should be informed about future PWC meetings to prioritize CIP projects so they can advocate for
projects they prefer. JK moved that the PWC agendize prioritization of pathway CIP projects, including
the Miranda proposal, to the January PWC meeting. AD seconded and the vote was unanimously in
favor (WC, ND, AD, VH, JK, SW, TW, DW)
6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS.
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A. City Council Meeting Nov 10, 2014 included discussion of the budget and the size of volunteer committees.
7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS
9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, December 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. None
11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.
Attachment A: Map of Emergency Access Roads in LAH
Attachment B: Les Earnest Proposal for Bikeway Along Bob Stutz Path
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