HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 25 2013DraftPWC_Min_13_0225.doc 1
Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL
Minutes of Meeting of Monday, February 25, 2013
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
Chairman Eileen Gibbons called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Ann Duwe, Breene Kerr,
Rachelle Mirkin, Denise Williams
Town Council members present: Jim Abraham, John Radford
Members of the public present: Mark Blackman of Custom Dreams, architect for
26520 Purissima
The agenda was approved with minor amendments.
2. PROPERTY REVIEWS. The following properties were reviewed for pathway
recommendations.
A. 26520 Purissima. The reason for the agenda item is that the Town is
extending the road right of way on the property to 30’ from the centerline.
The PWC had recommended at the 11/26/12 meeting that the owners grant a
pathway easement “outside” the 20’ easement. Breene moved that the
pathway now be located within the existing right of way and that it be
brought to IIB standard at close of construction. Rachelle seconded. The
vote was unanimous in favor.
B. 25950 Elena. The reason for the review is an addition to the residence.
(Ann Duwe recused herself since she lives next door.) Discussion ensued as
to the exact width of the road right of way along the property frontage.
Denise moved that the existing path be brought up to the IIB standard at the
close of construction. The motion included the provision that staff be sure
there is an easement for the path if the path is not in the road right of way.
Weegie seconded. The vote was 4 in favor, with Ann abstaining.
C. 25600 Elena. The reason for the review is a new residence. There is an
existing path along the property frontage. Weegie moved that staff be sure
there is an underlying easement and that the path be brought up to IIB
standards at the close of construction. Rachelle seconded. The vote was
unanimous in favor.
D. 26970 Orchard Hill Lane. The reason for the review is a new residence.
There is an existing paved path along the segment of private road which
runs beside this property. Breene moved that staff check to be sure there is
an underlying easement for the path and that the home owner be asked to
pay an in lieu fee. Ann seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor.
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. O’Keefe to Robleda path. There was discussion about what, if anything, to do
on the off-road segment of path between O’Keefe and Robleda. This is a safe
route to school, and while the surface is generally excellent, water collecting
in a few low spots is a problem in rainy months. Star thistle growing there
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can cause tire punctures in dry months. Breene recommended setting aside
money from our budget to pay for materials so Town staff could repair the path.
He also recommended collecting suggestions from users. Action was tabled until
the next meeting, when everyone should come prepared with lists of any repairs
needed for Town paths.
B. Canyon to Hidden Villa status. Breene will check to see what plans, if any,
the County has for a path.
C. Legal status of pathway map. Because of the difficulty of creating an accurate
pathway map, the expense and difficulty of keeping it up to date and the
extraordinary public sentiment the map generates, the PWC raised the
question of when, why and how the map became the controlling document.
The Town Council has repeatedly put off updating the map, which hampers its
usefulness, especially now that new areas, not covered by the old map, have
been annexed to the town. The language of the Pathway Element gives
sufficient guidance and has, in fact, been the guiding principle informing
PWC decisions for lack of an updated map. Eileen will draft an action item
for the staff asking for clarification as to whether the map or the Pathway
Element is the dominant document. Councilmember Radford asked for an
email about this issue with a little background information.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. 26880 Elena and Black Mountain/Elena connection. The resident at 26880 Elena
declined to grant a pathway easement and will pay the in lieu fee in accordance
with the PWC original recommendation.
B. Bicycle safety on paths. Mayor Waldeck asked for two volunteers from PWC to
attend a combined meeting with Open Space and Traffic & Safety Committees.
Meeting dates are 3/27 and 4/4. Eileen will check with those not present.
C. The Horsemen’s Association would like another walk/ride event on the same
Robleda/Taaffe route used last time. A September date is likely.
D. Earth Day. Eileen will call Parks & Rec to see whether there is sufficient
manpower for a special event on 4/23.
E. Pathway Run. There was general support for a repeat of this successful event, to
be held May 11.
5.REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS
A. Breene reported that the County Bicycle Expenditure Plan might be a
source of partial funding for projects such as:
1. El Monte Road, the segment passing under Highway 280 and
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extending to St. Nicholas School
2. Hale Creek Path
3. Black Mountain – the end of the Taaffe trail
6.GENERAL DISCUSSION
B. Mayor Waldeck has proposed expanding the number of PWC members.
Currently there are 11 members. Current members should send their
thoughts to the Council before Thursday’s meeting.
7. The minutes of Jan. 28 and were approved as corrected.
8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, March 23
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, March 25
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Duwe
Acting secretary