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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 24 2013Minutes June 24 7/24/14 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee Minutes of Meeting of Monday, June 24, 2013 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Eileen Gibbons called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Eileen Gibbons, Vic Hesterman, Breene Kerr, Rachelle Mirkin, Tim Warner, Sue Welch, Denise Williams Members absent: Ann Duwe, Joseph Kleitman Council members present: John Radford Members of public present: Walter Chapman, Chapman Design Associates (for 26390 Anacapa Drive) Larry Wang (12369 Barley Hill Road) Jeff Athens (12369 Barley Hill Road) The agenda was approved as written. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved with minor amendments. 3. PROPERTY REVIEWS. The following properties was reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 26390 Anacapa Drive (Sunshine Hills LLC). PWC reviewed this property at the 18 Apr 2013 meeting. At that time the PWC recommended that the Town require the developers of 26390 Anacapa Drive to construct a IIB pathway around all street frontages on Anacapa and Ascencion in the road ROW. At the corner where the property slopes up steeply and would require a retaining wall and where the pavement is very wide, allow the path to run on the pavement, if possible, rather than cut into the hillside. Town staff reported that the road around the corner is substandard and will not accommodate a pathway within the roadway and requested that pathway be located off the roadway and behind the fire hydrant. This will require grading the hill back from the roadside. Walter Chapman of Chapman Design Associates was present representing the homeowner. The PWC discussed the necessity for this change and agreed it was feasible and safer. Breene Kerr moved that the PWC approve the staff recommendation to grade back the hill and locate the pathway off the roadway. The owners must still construct roadside pathways all along both Anacapa and Ascencion and roughen the driveway crossings for equestrians. Tim Warner seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. B. 12369 Barley Hill Road (Lands of Athens). The reason for pathway review is construction of an addition and a second unit. The homeowner was present. The property is on the west side of Barley Hill, which is a public road and not a “two -sided” road requiring paths on both sides. An off-road pathway connecting to Claussen exits the end of this cul-de-sac. Although the pathway map indicates the opposite side of the street is preferred for roadside pathways along most of its length, sections of roadside paths have been constructed on both sides at various locations. The homeowner reports that there is 10 -foot easement along the road that he has always kept clear and that is used by walkers and expressed the desire to keep the pathway. The junipers will have to be cut back on a small section on the south end of the frontage. Denise Williams moved that the Town ask the owners of 12369 Barley Hill Road to construct a IIB roadside path along the Barley Hill frontage. Breene Kerr seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. C. 26438 Ascencion Drive (Lands of Chao Shiu -Ping Trust). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The homeowner was not present. Ascencion is a public road and not a “two -sided” road requiring paths on both sides. The property is a flag lot on the east side of Ascension with only one corner (the width of the driveway) having frontage on this road. Breene Kerr moved that the Town ask the owners of 26438 Ascencion Drive to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. Tim Warner seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Annual Report to Council. Chairman Gibbons reviewed her annual presentation to Council made June 1, 2013. She covered the mission/charter of the PWC, activities carried out by the PWC during the past year (walking maps, Circulation Element), composition of the committee (new and repeat-term members; potential for term limits), obstacles the PWC met updating the Master Path Plan in newly annexed areas, and future plans (e.g., bike program). Council Member John Radford r eported that, in response to Chairman Gibbons’ presentation, the City Council requested that a subcommittee be formed (John Radford and Courtenay Corrigan) to study and make recommendations about how to address pathways in the Minutes June 24 7/24/14 2 annexed areas. This subcommittee will meet in first half of August. Eileen Gibbons and Nick Dunckel volunteered to work with the Council Members on this subcommittee. B. Election of New Committee Chair. Current Chair, Eileen Gibbons will be unable to continue to serve another term as Chair but will remain on the committee. Tim Warner nominated Nick Dunckel to serve as temporary Chair in July; election of a new chair would be deferred until August or the next meeting. The vote was unanimously in favor. C. I-280-Page Mill Intersection. CalTrans has planned major changes at the intersection of I-280 and Page Mill Road. This includes installing traffic light at the southbound off-ramp and Page Mill; this is apparently needed to prevent traffic exiting I -280 from backing up on the highway. The PWC discussed at length the need for LAH to have a voice in this new CalTrans plan, especially in light of the increased business development along the Arastradero corridor. There is also a need for safer bike routes through this interchange, which is heavily used by cyclists, including safer access to Old Page Mill Road. A few PWC members will visit the site later in the week. Review of the plans for the Alpine Road-I-280 interchange may be useful. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Review of Updated of General Plan Circulation Element. The PWC reviewed the draft Circulation Element at the May meeting and submitted recommendations for changes to staff. The committee reviewed the latest draft, which included most of the PWC edits. Unanimous opposition to “sharrows” was expressed again. B. Open Space Committee Proposal for Stewardship. The Council voted to allocate $50K from the FY 2013- 14 budget; PWC had provided a letter of support for this. PWC also discussed installing native paths in O’Keefe preserve to improve accessibility. The committee will visit the site next month. C. Budget Information. Chairman Gibbons reported on budget items: last year the Town collected $137K in pathway in-lieu fees. The estimated cost of the Hale Creek off-road pathway will be $156K. D. Update Hale Creek Area on General Plan Map. The part of the route adjacent to the freeway was removed from the Master Path Plan map and needs to be put back. The Town holds all the necessary easements. The PWC formally approved this revision and Chair Eilee n Gibbons showed proposed changes in the map. She will request that the Planning Commission accept them. E. Paths Needing Repairs. Ginzton Pathway work still hs not been completed. A resident has complained that the former pathway on the old Stonebrook Drive right-of-way is overgrown and impassable. Chairman Gibbons reported that the owners on one of the properties stopped staff from clearing this because they though there was no easement. Chairman Gibbons has confirmed that there is indeed a pathway easement her and will work with staff to get the route cleared. The same resident complained about the connection between Oak Knoll and Stonebrook that is blocked by a two gates. Chairman Gibbons reported that the town does not hold the necessary easements here to allow access. The pathway along the Dana property (Rhus Ridge Road) will be cleared as part of the subdivision process. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS A. VTA. Breene Kerr reported that the grant money allocated to the town from transportation funds co uld be used to finish the landscaping at the I-280-El Monte interchange. The County traffic person also suggested additional lighting to improve safety for bikes through this area. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. West Loyola Study. Nick Dunckel suggested we consider asking Council to fund a professional study of the feasibility and cost of constructing pathways in the West Loyal area. Eileen Gibbons and Nick Dunckel will propose this at the meeting with Council Members. 8. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, July 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch July 19, 2013