HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 3 2013Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL (Approved Jan 28, 2013)
Minutes of Meeting of Thursday, January 03, 2013 (Special Meeting to Cover Items from December, 2012)
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
Chairman Eileen Gibbons called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM
Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Breene Kerr, Joseph Kleitman,
Rachelle Mirkin, Tim Warner, Sue Welch, Denise Williams
Members absent: Nick Dunckel
Town Staff present: Richard Chiu, City Engineer, LAH Director of Public Works
Members of public present: Vic Hesterman, Canario Drive
Chung Pong Ng, architect
Glenn Wilkerson,
Sonja Wilkerson,
Abbas Emami,
Malahat Tauassoli,
The agenda was approved as written.
2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
3. PROPERTY REVIEWS. The following properties was reviewed for pathway recommendations:
A. 14130 Baleri Ranch Road (Lands of David Wand and Amanda Chi). The reason for pathway review is
construction of a new residence. Chung Pong Ng, the architect for the project, was present representing the
developers. Baleri Ranch Road is a T-shaped, public cul-de-sac off Page Mill Road near the intersection
with I-280 that provides driveway access for 8 homes. This lot is at the end of the north bulb. A roadside
pathway in good condition exists on the opposite side of the street and leads to an off-road pathway
between 14090 and 14110 Baleri Ranch Road that connects to Page Mill to the west and town-owned open
space property to the east. An off-road path also runs along the east border of 14130 Baleri Ranch Road,
but this path is not shown on the applicants’ development maps and appears to be on the adjacent properties
to the east (27877 and 27880 Saddle Court). It was also noted that the pathway on 14210 Baleri Ranch
Road has been blocked by a woodpile and Town staff should be contacted to re-open it. Breene Kerr
moved that the PWC ask the Town to confirm that a pathway easement is in place for the off-road
path on 27877 and 27880 Saddle Court and if it is, to ask the owners of 14130 Baleri Ranch Road to
pay a pathway in-lieu fee. Ann Duwe seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
B. 13761 La Paloma Road (Lands of Tauassoli and Emami). The reason for pathway review is construction of
a new residence. The developers were present. The property is on the west side of La Paloma, which is a
public road that has been officially designated a “two-sided road” and is required to have paths on both
sides where possible. Roadside pathways have been constructed on the opposite side of La Paloma; and on
the adjacent lot to the north (13791) on the same side of La Paloma as the property under review; and at
other locations along both sides of this street. La Paloma is a heavily traveled road important in the Town
circulation and also serves as a route to nearby schools; completion of roadside paths along both sides is
desirable for safety. Breene Kerr moved that the Town ask the owners of 13761 La Paloma Road to
construct a IIB roadside path along the La Paloma frontage of the property to connect with the
pathways on the adjacent properties (13791 and 13751 La Paloma). A pathway easement should be
dedicated if the path cannot be constructed within the road right of way. Town staff is asked to
remind the developers that the driveway surface should meet Town standards for pathway-driveway
crossings (i.e., non-slip surface for horses). Joe Kleitman seconded. The vote was unanimously in
favor.
C. 27201 Deer Springs Way (Lands of Wang and Mei). The reason for pathway review is construction of an
addition. The developers were not present. The property is on the west side of Deer Springs Way at the
intersection with Byrne Park Lane and has frontage on both streets. Byrne Park Lane is a cul-de sac; a
roadside path has been constructed all along Byrne Park Lane on the side opposite the property under
review. This path connects to an off-road path that enters Byrne Preserve a short distance further down the
street. The general consensus was that no roadside path is needed for this property on the Byrne Park
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frontage. Deer Springs Way is a private cul-de-sac that provides access for 12 homes; an off-road pathway
exits from the end of this street. Shrubbery that obstructs the route of a roadside path near the intersection
will need to be cut back. The development maps do not show a pathway easement on the property; the road
right-of-way is not shown because Deer Springs is a private road. Breene Kerr moved that the Town ask
the owners of 27201 Deer Springs Way Road to construct a IIB roadside path along the Deer Springs
Way frontage of the property and to dedicate a pathway easement along this frontage. The pathway
should go all the way to the corner to provide safe crossing of Byrne Park Lane. Ann Duwe seconded.
The vote was unanimously in favor.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. PWC Map for West Loyola Area. The PWC again discussed how best to inform WL residents about the
LAH pathway system as well as to hear their concerns and ideas about pathway routes in their
neighborhood. Issues discussed included the importance of providing a consistent message to residents and
making clear that the role of the PWC is to communicate with residents and to implement the laws rather
than to legislate and/or negotiate with residents. The PWC unanimously agreed that the same consistent,
long-standing policies regarding pathways that are clearly laid out in the General Plan apply to all parts of
Town, including newly annexed areas. The subcommittee will continue to work on developing
informational materials that describe the Town pathway system and the pathway review process that is a
condition of development in the Town.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Pathway Connection from El Monte to Magdalena. At the July 23, 2012 meeting, the PWC discussed and
prioritized pathway CIP projects. The route from El Monte to Magdalena (through the recently completed
Dawson subdivision and along I-280) was among the highest priority projects. The Town apparently holds
all the necessary easements except for the short stretch along the exit ramp of I-280 at Magdalena. It had
been suggested that because this route serves Foothill College and could serve as a regional route, funding
from county or federal government grants might be available to pay for construction. However,
construction with outside money would require more stringent standards than the usual Town standards for
pathways. Town staff visited the site and suggested that the Town could complete this project as a Capital
Investment Project (CIP project) using existing LAH pathway funds. Town staff requested that the PWC
designate this route as the highest priority CIP project so funds cane be applied to it. Staff has contacted
two companies about surveying the route. The Wilkersons, whose property on Stonebrook has a pathway
easement that is included in the El Monte to Magdalena path, expressed concerns about the path on their
property and also had questions about the timing of pathway construction and payment of an in lieu fee.
Following lengthy discussion, they were referred to Town staff for additional information. The Chair,
Eileen Gibbons put to a vote that the PWC recognize the El Monte to Magdalena route as the highest
priority CIP pathway project. The vote was 6 in favor; none opposed. Three members abstained
because they had not had the opportunity to review the complete list of CIP projects for comparison.
B. Minutes of the meeting of September 24, 2102 were adopted without amendment
6. Presentations from the Floor
Vic Hesterman, Canario Way, briefly addressed the PWC expressing interest in joining the PWC. He was
encouraged to complete the application.
7. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM
8. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Welch
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January 24, 2013