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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 18 2013FinalPWC_Min_13-0318.doc 7/23/14 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee Final Minutes of Meeting of Monday, March 18, 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, Sue Welch, Denise Williams Associate Member present: Bob Stutz Members absent: Ann Duwe, Joseph Kleitman, Tim Warner, Councilmember present: John Radford (CC liaison to PWC) Staff present: Richard Chiu, Director of Public Works; Nicole Horvitz, Planning Department Members of public present: Heather Rose Margie Suazo JJ Harris Russ Harris Saulon Harris Tristan Harris Kjell Karlsson The agenda was approved with minor amendments in item order (move Communications from the Floor to top). 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR A. City Councilmember John Radford reported concerns by Council that the PWC site visits might be violating the Brown Act. These walks are intended for viewing the sites, but not for any decision-making activities. The Council will review the procedures at the next CC meeting and make recommendations. Councilmember Radford also noted that the on-road pathway maps might be removed from the General Plan. The issue of how pathways in newly annexed areas should be treated remains unresolved. B. Margie Suazo thanked the PWC for their help with the Fremont Path and asked that the PWC work with parents to identify important feeder pathway routes used by kids going to Gardiner Bullis School. She also reported that “WOW” day (walk or wheels) is planned on April 29 to encourage kids walking or biking to school and they would like to have PWC represented. Bike to School Day (May 8), the Drive Less Challenge, and Safe Moves (Los Altos) bike safety assemblies are also planned. She would like to see Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and the school district work together to get funding for bike safety assemblies and bike rodeos held in every school. GreenTown Los Altos is also soliciting input for pathway routes to school. C. Heather Rose (Chair of LAH Educational Committee) reported that as part of Safe Routes to School, she will take the lead on getting feedback from parents and schools about problems and best routes to school. Formal surveys in classrooms are planned for three dates to determine how many students are walking or biking to school. There is also interest in surveying parents about most common routes their kids use. D. Path from O’Keefe to Robleda. Breene Kerr proposed that this route be upgraded by mowing to reduce weeds and improving the path surface. The PWC visited the site in March and the Town posted signs informing neighbors of plans. Several residents sent emails and/or attended the meeting to voice their opinions about the path: Jolon Waggoner (LAH Horsemen’s Association) reported that holes created by ground squirrels can be a hazard for horses if the path is not mowed. She also suggested that the path be sloped towards the freeway to improve drainage. Derek Bray reported that he uses the path and is satisfied with its current condition. Bob Kresge asked that resident clean up after their dogs and that the Town mow earlier in the season and do a general clean-up along the pathway. The general consensus of the PWC was that minor improvements to the path are appropriate, but this path should not be paved and should remain primarily for use of local residents, including students walking and riding to school. Eileen Gibbons moved that the PWC ask the Town to mow this path and do minor maintenance. The PWC will revisit the route later and prioritize it with other paths needing upgrading. Breene Kerr amended the motion to include a request that Town staff be given a materials budget of up to $5,000 for this project. Nick Dunckel seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. FinalPWC_Min_13-0318.doc 7/23/14 2 3. PROPERTY REVIEWS. The following properties was reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 14350 de Bell Road (Lands of Rose and Berry). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developer (Rose) was present. The property is on the south side of De Bell, which is a wide street. An asphalt pathway exists along the roadside on the opposite side of the street. No roadside paths exist on the adjacent properties. De Bell is very wide and can accommodate pedestrians walking on the shoulders. No off-road paths exit from D Bell. Sue Welch moved that the Town ask the owners of 14350 De Bell Road to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. Denise Williams seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. B. 24140 Dawnridge Drive (Lands of Valy Jalalian). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new secondary dwelling. The developers were not present. The property is on the southwest side of Dawnridge, which is a cul-de-sac that is part private and part public (borders not known) and has frontage on Dawnridge. This property does not have frontage on the adjacent street (Princess Ellena Court) because that frontage is owned by the property across Princess Elena (24044 Princess Ellena). An off-road path exits from the end Dawnridge and connects to Barley Hill Road and Clausen Court and is a route to St. Nicholas School on Voorhees Drive. Dawnridge is quite wide and traffic appears to be light, so walking on the road should not be a problem. No pathways exist along the street on adjacent properties. It is not known whether an easement conferring public access exists on the road. Breene Kerr moved that Town staff clarify whether an on-road pedestrian easement exists on Dawnridge in front of this property and to request a pathway in-lieu fee with the condition that we have public access on the road here. Nick Dunckel seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor, except for one recusal for proximity. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Fremont Path. PWC has been invited to the ceremony, which will be held March 29, 2013 at 8:15 AM at Gardiner Bullis Gardiner School. B. Additional Bicycle Coalition Ceremony for Fremont Path. It has been proposed that an additional ceremony be held in coordination with Bike to School Day and/or the proposed “Zip Bike” program. Decision was deferred until dates are confirmed. C. Paths Needing Repairs. PWC members complied a list of paths that need maintenance. These include: - Mary Stutz Path - Packard Path - Paths in Byrne Preserve (path on hill near erosion channel; path up to Central; bridge near the riding arena is covered with mud and may be rotting; town may do repairs for Pathway Run) - New stairway at Chaparral and Moody Road (the top step is dangerously large and needs to be modified; landscaping is needed) - Magdalena (needs general maintenance and shrubbery needs to be cut back in places) - Altamont Road at 26000 at Seton (path is full of reflector strips between driveway and water apparatus; pedestrians have to walk on the road) - Manuella Road (curb cuts need to be fixed to accommodate bicycles) - Miranda Road (route to school; needs bike-friendly curb cuts and has many missing segments—really an easement/CIP project) - La Paloma Road (route to school; part of the pathway is washed out in places on the east side) - Steep path near Matadero Creek (“Path Was Closed” sign needs to be replaced with sign that reads “Path for Pedestrians Only”) D. Corrections to Walking Map. Town is preparing an updated “Walking Map” to be distributed to the public that shows all passable pathways in Town. PWC members complied a list of corrections: - Add the new off-road Taffee pathway - Remove Summit Wood Court (a private cul-de-sac with no public access) - Add new Hale Creek path (only the part from Dawson to Magdalena that is built) - Add path from Saddle Court down to Page Mill Road - Add path running downhill from between 27880 and 27877 Saddle Court - Add North Fork Lane (in-road access) - Add route from Three Forks Lane to Alexis following Water District easement FinalPWC_Min_13-0318.doc 7/23/14 3 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Condition of path from Black Mountain Road to Elena. There was a concern that the path near the bridge was muddy and might need enhancements. The PWC walked this route (along the creek from Elena to the bridge) and determined that repairs are probably not needed at this time. The site will be reviewed again next winter during rainy season. B Standards for Native Paths. No clear standards exist for native paths; the construction is generally adjusted to the existing conditions at each site. Construction would be more consistent if standards existed. Town staff did not accept the design standards previously suggested by the PWC. Nick Dunckel will try again to request staff adopt and follow native path standards. Breene Kerr will talk with staff about not repeating the fix that was done at Rhus Ridge Road and Adobe Creek. C. LAH Pathway Run. Parks and Recreation annual run in Byrne Preserve will be held May 11, 2013. PWC will help with registration. D Joint Meeting with Traffic Safety Committee to Discuss Circulation Element. A meeting to review the proposed Circulation Element for the LAH General Plan is scheduled for April 3, 2013 at 5 PM. PWC members are asked to review the document and be prepared to provide input. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS A. VTA. The Town of LAH sent three grant applications for VTA money to upgrade bike paths: 1) Hale Creek pathway from Magdalena to El Monte; 2) extension of new Fremont Road path from Town Hall to Arastradero; and 3) landscaping of I-280 interchange at El Monte. The Hale Creek path did not score well and can probably be constructed Town funds. The project to extend the new Fremont Road path scored very well and is likely to be funded. B. Traffic Safety Committee. Kjell Karlsson reported that CalTrans plans to modify the interchange at Page Mill Road and I-280. The site meets criteria to receive additional money to pay for signals (i.e., has had at least five accidents in a single year). 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Palo Alto Bike Path. Palo Alto plans to repave the bike path along Arastradero Road and create a new entrance to encourage bikes to use this route instead of the roadway. B. Byrne Preserve Path Maintenance Issue. Pathway across the eroded drainage swale in the grassland in Byrne Preserve gets very muddy and could benefit from improved drainage. Sue Welch will take this to Open Space Committee. 8. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next Pathway Walk: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next Regular Meeting: Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch April 19, 2013