Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 27 2014 FinalPWC_Min_14-1027.doc 11/25/14 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, October 27, 2014 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Ann Duwe called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene Kerr, Rachelle Mirkin, Sue Welch, Tim Warner (arrived 7:15 pm), Bob Stutz (Associate) Members/ absent: Joe Kleitman, Denise Williams (excused) Council Members present: Courtney Corrigan (PWC Council Liaison) Members of public present: Heather Rose (LAH Education Committee) Jan Ahrens Gary and Grace Sawka (13828 Concepcion) 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES Chair AD called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Agenda approved as amended to move item 4A to top. (EG moved, SW seconded, and vote was unanimously in favor.) Minutes from the September 25, 2014 meeting were approved with amendments. EG moved, WC seconded; vote was 7 in favor (WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, RM, TW); 1 recusal (SW). 3. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW The following property was reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 26475 Anacapa Drive Road (File 336-14-ZP-SD). Reason for pathway review is construction of new residence. The developer was not present. The parcel is on the northwest side of Anacapa, a public road that is not designated as a two-sided road that should have paths on both sides. The PWC Roadside Path Working Map (Attachment A) shows the opposite side of Anacapa is the preferred side for a roadside pathway and a few roadside exist on that side. No off-road paths exit Anacapa in the vicinity of the parcel. EG moved that the PWC ask the Town to request a pathway in-lieu fee from the developers of 26475 Anacapa Drive. TW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (WC, ND, AD, EG, VH, BK, RM, TW, SW). 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation from Heather Rose, Chair of LAH Education Committee. Heather Rose and RM reviewed potential collaboration opportunities between the PWC and the LAH Education Committee. Discussion notes are outlined in a spreadsheet (Attachment A) distributed by RM. Rose reported an increase in the number of children and youth attending local schools as well as an increase in traffic through Town. Many students bike or walk to schools using the LAH pathway system. More students are biking to Gardiner Bullis (GB) since completion of the new SRTS pathway on Fremont and bike storage facilities are being expanded. (GB has the best Walk-Bike program of all LASD schools.) Other issues Rose covered include improving access to GB for cars, bikes, and pedestrians (e.g., repairing back pathway, creating a formal back entrance, installing traffic calming devices, creating new student drop-off locations); improving communication of parent issues; and methods to improve communication from public about pathway maintenance needs (e.g., smart phone app or interactive web site). As part of the presentation, Jan Ahrens (LAH resident), reported on the traffic situation on Miranda Road. Residents have noted a significant increase in the number and speed of cars using Miranda, much of which is “cut-through” traffic avoiding Manuella, Foothills Expy, or I-280. Ahrens asked PWC for help in improving the pathways along this road, which are used by many students walking or biking to GB and to local high schools. PWC discussed the situation, noting that roadside paths are not completed along even one side of the road, and that Miranda is not designated a “two-sided road” that should have paths on both sides where possible. PWC discussed options for improving the path and recommended that Miranda residents organize and formally request the Town improve the pathways for safety. PWC does not have authority to require new pathways except as a condition of development. Options for funding (e.g., Town funds, grants) were discussed. PWC will walk the route next month and will make a request to Council to add this road to the list of designated “two-sided “ streets. B. Proliferation of stumps, stones, and parking in pathways. The Town and PWC have received complaints from residents about obstructions placed in pathways. Most appear to be intended to prevent parking on pathways (especially by construction crews). PWC discussed options for discouraging parking on pathways, including asking sheriff to ticket offenders, placing “No Parking” signs, and ways to inform residents about parking restrictions as well as about their option to report cars parked on pathways. PWC will write items for Town web site and/or the newsletter. 5. OLD BUSINESS FinalPWC_Min_14-1027.doc 11/25/14 2 A. Reopening of Emergency Access Road between Oak Knoll Circle and Dawson Drive. Locked gates at both ends currently block the emergency access road between Oak Knoll Circle and Dawson Drive. Opening this short section of emergency access road would improve public safety in the event of an emergency (e.g., wildfire, zombie attack) and create a valuable loop route for local residents enjoying the new Bob Stutz path. The Town holds emergency access road easements across all four parcels (24036 and 24032 Oak Knoll Circle; 11653 and 11853 Dawson) and pathway easements on two of the parcels (24036 and 24032 Oak Knoll Circle). Mayor Radford will write to the owners of the other two parcels requesting they voluntarily open the emergency access road for pedestrian use. B. Availability of Bill Bliss pathway Book. ND distributed a URL (http://blur.by/XLfT0c) where Bill Bliss’s photo book, “One Hour Hikes in Los Altos Hills” can be purchased. The price is $30 to $58, depending on the format. C. Bob Stutz Path Opening. Construction of this new off-road pathway connecting Magdalena to El Monte Road is complete and it will be officially opened on November 1, 2014. PWC discussed final preparations for the opening ceremony to be held Saturday, Nov 1 (10 am at the Dawson Drive entrance) to celebrate and publicize the new path and honor Bob Stutz for his many contributions to the Town. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS. None 7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None. 8. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND PATHWAY REPRESENTATION REQUESTS A. Pathway at 12838 Concepcion. Gary Sawka (12838 Concepcion) asked for clarification of the PWC recommendation with regard to trimming the redwood trees they have planted in the road ROW to make room for a roadside path. He recalls the path needs to be only 3 feet wide and the Public Works Director specified five feet wide to meet Town standards for native paths. This property was reviewed at the PWC meeting of July 23, 2012 and the recommendation was for a native path along the roadside (Attachment B). SW reported that she reviewed the recommendation and a tape of the minutes and determined that the PWC recommendation did not specify a width for the pathway. Further, standards for native paths had not been formally adopted at the time of this recommendation. Because the item is not on the agenda no formal action was taken. B. Memorial Bench On Mary Stutz Path. Chair AD distributed a copy of a newsletter article from 1980 reporting that the LAH Council had approved placement of a memorial bench for Mary Stutz along the eponymous path in Juan Prada Mesa Preserve (Attachment C). AD has identified a site. SW will inform the Open Space Committee about the bench. C. Miranda Road Status as One-Sided Road. Council Member and PWC Liaison Courtenay Corrigan encouraged PWC to pursue Council action to designate Miranda Road as a two-sided road. 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, November 24, 2014 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall 10. TOPICS FOR NEXT AGENDA. None 11. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm. Attachment A: Discussion Notes: Opportunities for Collaborations Between LAH PWC and Education Committee Attachment B: PWC Recommendation for 12838 Concepcion (July 23, 2012) Attachment C: Mary Stutz Obituary Approved at the Regular meeting of November 27, 2014. Amendments shown in red. Discussion Notes Aim: Meeting to discuss potential intersection and collaboration opportunities between LAH Pathways and LAH Education Committee work. Date: September 23, 2014 Attendees: Rachelle Mirkin (Participant, Pathways Committee), Heather Rose (Chair, Education Committee) Item Issue / Discussion Next Step 1. Committee Focal Area(s) Education Committee is working on: • Building a strong, cooperative relationship between LASD and Gardner Bullis • Providing a voice and potential solutions to parent issues Pathways Committee is working on: • Providing recommendations to Town staff (in alignment with the Master Plan, Circulation Element and other Town Council approved documents and land owners) on the development and maintenance of pathways and trails and easements relating to pathways and trails. • Working in tandem with other committees to coordinate safe walking and biking routes. Continue to share focal areas and ideas for where overlaps may occur. 2. Potential overlapping initiatives Safe routes to schools • The Education Committee is considering the Gardner Bullis (GB) site plan and how access to the school can be safe and convenient for cars, bikes, and pedestrians (assumption is that the population of students will continue to increase1). Current ideas from the committee and parents include: o Assess how kids currently drive, bike, walk to school – Greentown LA conducted surveys in 2012 and 2013 although small sample size, found very few walk or bike. o Increase the size of the bike cage – The bike cage expansion at Gardner Bullis is happening. Construction is under way! o Fix the back pathways path o Discuss idea of perhaps adding a more formal back entrance to the school (e.g. off of Todd Lane - road from private to public). Todd Lane has been repaved. This makes the back of the school a much more viable drop-off point from La Paloma (and/or Beatrice?) o Fremont needs two-sided paths, traffic calming, and to address car passing issue –Traffic committee is currently assessing • Leverage and link to PA and Los Altos Safe Routes programs (learn from their implementation) o PA bus issue - parents pay for busing but many are not happy with Pathways Committee to consider its role in: • Fixing the back entrance / pathway to GB – making it safe, accessible and convenient in the wet as well as dry seasons. • Working with the Education Committee (and others?) to advocate for a more formal back entrance to GB • Advocating for a two-sided path along Fremont • Ensuring pathways are appropriately connected and maintained to any “stop” location (bus, drop and walk…especially for Walk to School and Walk-a-thon) • Ensure linkages to Los Altos and Palo Alto pathways and plans • Consider developing a smart phone reporting mechanism for pathway issues (connect with                                                                                                                 1  Source:    Enrollment  Report.  See  pages  38-­‐39,  43.   the availability or accessibility. - Idea of LAH taking a larger role in coordination being discussed in Education Committee. Palo Alto does have some recommended routes (map) o Los Altos has assigned a staff person to oversee/coordinate work. Los Altos has a recommended route to GB (Cedric) o Kanga Ride is being tested in LAH to increase carpooling o Walking School Bus and Bike Trains are used for annual Walk to School Days o "Drop and Walk/Bike" plan (e.g. Town Hall or O'Keefe Reserve) o Use "Bear Tracks" e-mail newsletter and Gardner Bullis website (currently has WoW component - Walk or Wheel) • Implement / expand relationship between parks and rec, community and LAH Town o Education Committee is to meet with Sarah (LAH staff): 1) consider joint use agreement or other mechanism to facilitate programs and access, 2) consider a school-based reading program using LAH residents o Parents are looking for a more convenient way to report pathway issues (going to Town Hall to fill out a form is considered too cumbersome). Ideas include: Smart Phone App, linking the existing form to Gardner Bullis website and town website, discuss with LAH Fire District - feasibility of adding capability to Next Door? Richard and LAFD to see what is being done) Education Committee to continue to: • Keep Pathways Committee updated on progress as related to the Pathways charter o Conversations relating to back entrance to GB o 2015 dates for Walk to School (10/8/14) and Walk- a-thon (10/11/14) o Potential locations for “bus stops” (for busing, “drop and walk,” “walking school bus”…) o Conversations with LA (Cedric) and PA • Move forward on its greater mission Potential Next Steps for the Pathways Committee Specific input from parents on needs: • Need an easy way to report needed fixes to pathways/trail issues via smart phone app. • Safety is key for children walking, biking, and making crossings. Need to ensure crosswalks are aligned with pathways on school routes • Need to figure out where "park & walk" locations on school routes could be located (e.g. Town Hall). Lincoln Park would also be good if crossing points could be fixed and connected to LAH pathways. Anticipating a 10-15 minute walk or bike route for elementary. • Work with Los Altos (Cedric) on "suggested routes to school" via bike & walking. • Partner with Los Altos to connect pathways with crossings, sidewalks & bike lanes. • Improve pathway for back access to GB (need to consider “weather proofing” so that kids feet stay dry). Consider adding a more formal back entrance to GB Rachelle to work with Pathways Committee to put on agenda for discussion (on agenda for 11/24/14 Pathways Committee Meeting). Heather to continue to link with parents and school for up-to-date input.   Attachment B for Pathways Committee Meeting of October 27, 2014 Excerpt from July 23, 2104 Pathways Meeting Committee recommendation for 12838 Concepcion: 12838 Concepcion Road (Lands of Sawka). The reason for pathway review is construction of an addition. The parcel is on the east side of Concepcion at the intersection with Fremont Road and has frontage on both roads. Concepcion is a designated “two-sided road” that should where possible have roadside paths on both sides. A roadside path in good condition runs along the opposite side of Concepcion all the way from the Fremont intersection to the Purissima intersection. The owners were present and spoke requesting a native path instead of a standard IIB path so they can avoid the loss of privacy if they have to trim back the trees planted along Concepcion. They note that the creek that runs parallel to the road was culverted on their property in 1989, but is open on the adjacent parcels to the south. On the five parcels to the south of 12838, the roadside path is a narrow native path because the space between the road edge and the creek is not wide enough for a full-width standard IIB path. Residents currently walk on both sides of the road here and it is used by children walking to nearby Bullis Gardener school. The PWC discussed various options at length; it was not known where the limits of the road right- of-way (ROW) are. A motion was made but not seconded to obtain a roadside pathway easement on this property and request the owner to build a native path. Ann Duwe moved that the PWC ask the Town to determine if the road ROW extends to the fence. If it does not, the Town should request a pathway easement and build a native path. If the ROW does not extend to the fence, the homeowners are asked to construct a native path along the roadside. The vote was unanimously in favor.