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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes November 26 FinalMinutes November 26 Final.doc                     2/20/15 1  Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee FINAL (Approved Jan 28, 2013) Minutes of Meeting of Monday, November 26, 2012 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Eileen Gibbons called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Weegie Caughlan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Breene Kerr, Joseph Kleitman, Rachelle Mirkin, Bob Stutz, Tim Warner, Sue Welch, Tim Warner, Denise Williams Members absent: Dave Jessen Other Town Officials present: Ginger Summit, City Council Jim Abraham, Planning Commission Members of the public present: Brigette Morgan, West Loyola Drive The agenda was approved as written. 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR New members Weegie Caughlan and Rachelle Mirkin were welcomed. 3. PROPERTY REVIEWS. The following properties was reviewed for pathway recommendations: A. 27391 Altamont Road (Lands of Paloma Hills Living Trust). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developers were not present. The property is on the north side of Altamont Road (which is officially designated a “two-sided road” and required to have paths on both sides) between Black Mountain and Briones Way. A IIB roadside path exists along Altamont here that was apparently put in when the lot was subdivided. Tim Warner moved that the PWC ask the Town to assure that a pathway easement is in place here and to ask the owners of 278391 Altamont Road to restore the pathway to IIB standards after construction is complete. Ann Duwe seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. B. 26520 Purissima Road (Lands of Vahdat, Amin and Suzanne). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developers were not present. The property is on the west side of Purissima, which is officially designated a “two-sided road” and required to have paths on both sides. This is a flag lot with frontage along Purissima. There are road shoulders here that appear to be used for parking, but no pathway exists. A pathway separated from the road has been constructed on the opposite side of Purissima. Purissima is a heavily traveled road important in the Town circulation and also serves as a route to schools. Apparently improvements to the road are planned but no details are known at this time. The general consensus was that a pathway set back from the roadside is preferred here for safety rather than a pathway in the road right-of-way. Eileen Gibbons moved that the Town ask the owners of 26520 Purissima Road to grant a pathway easement on the property outside the road right-of-way along Purissima and to build a IIB pathway on this easement. In addition, the owners are to remove any barriers in the pathway easement and to assure that the driveway surface where the path crosses is appropriate for horses. Nick Dunckel seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. C. 12254 Tepa Way (Lands of Bridges). The reason for pathway review is construction of an addition. The owners were not present. This is a flag lot accessed via a driveway off Tepa Way, which is a public road. Adobe Creek runs along the northern edge of the property. A roadside path runs on an easement along the Moody Road frontage of this property. This path is on the opposite side of the creek; there is no access to this pathway from the property. The only frontage on Tepa is the driveway. The adjacent properties on both sides of the driveway have graveled shoulders; it is not clear whether these are a formal pathway or are parking areas. Visitors accessing the nearby Rhus Ridge entrance to the MidPen Open Space frequently park along Tepa. Nick Dunckel moved that the Town ask the owners of 12254 Tepa Way to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. Ann Duwe seconded. A suggestion was made to amend the motion to also request that if changes to the driveway are made, the suface should meet Town standards for pathway-driveway crossings (i.e., non-slip surface for horses). However, this amendment was not seconded and the original Minutes November 26 Final.doc                     2/20/15 2  motion passed unanimously. D. 12234 Tepa Way (Lands of Muliawanm Djuki and Dewi, Linda). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developers were not present. The lot is on the east side of Tepa Way at the corner of Tepa and Adobe Lane and has frontage on both roads. Both roads are public. The Tepa frontage has graveled shoulders; it is not clear whether these are a formal pathway or are parking areas. Visitors accessing the nearby Rhus Ridge entrance to the MidPen Open Space frequently park along Tepa. Because Tepa has a significant amount of traffic and has poor sight distance for cars coming around the corner and down the hill towards this property from the south, a roadside path along Tepa is important for pedestrian safety. The pathway should be separated from the roadside and cannot be used for parking. Adobe Lane is a cul-de-sac serving more than eight residences and an off-road path connecting to El Monte exits the end of this street. The general consensus was that no roadside pathway is needed on the Adobe Lane frontage of the property because this street has little traffic and is very wide, with ample room for both pedestrians and two vehicle lanes. The Town may consider painting a strip along one side of Adobe Lane to designate a pedestrian area. Joe Kleitman moved that the Town ask the owners of 12234 Tepa Way to grant a pathway easement along the Tepa Way frontage and to construct a IIB pathway there. No pathway is required on the Adobe Lane frontage. Weegie Caughlan seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. E. 12403 Hilltop Drive (Lands of Bock). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The developers were not present. The property is a flag lot on the north side of Hilltop Drive, which is a public road. Access is via a shared driveway off Hilltop and the lot has no frontage on Hilltop except for this shared driveway. Ann Duwe moved that the Town ask the owners of 12403 Hilltop drive to pay a pathway in-lieu fee. Denise Williams seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. 4. OLD BUSINESS     A. Chairman Leave of Absence. Chairman Gibbons, who had considered asking for a leave of absence for personal reasons, reported that she does not need to take a leave. She suggested that a co-chair be elected to run the meetings in the event she must miss a meeting. Sue Welch nominated Anne Duwe and the vote was unanimously in favor.   B. Planning Commission Response to PWC Map for West Loyola Area. The PWC draft map of possible roadside and on-road paths in the newly annexed West Loyola area was presented to the Planning Commission at the October 16, 2012 PC meeting. LAH Planning Director Debbie Pedro presented the staff report, which included existing and proposed pathway maps and a review of Town policies regarding pathways. The newly annexed West Loyola area of Town is not represented in either the Master Path Map adopted in 1981 (which shows on-road and off-road paths) or the updated Master Path Plan approved by Council in 2005 (showing updated off-road paths). In February 2012 the PWC received authorization from City Council to study the newly annexed area and prepare a draft pathway map indicating possible locations of roadside and on-road paths in this area. This map would be used as an informal reference document to assist the PWC, Town planning staff, and the Planning Commission in planning paths on future site development projects in the newly annexed area. Chairman Gibbons also spoke and reiterated to the PC the need for these maps and how they would be used. She reviewed outreach efforts to WL residents that had been made by the Town and the PWC and explained that no easements or pathways would be requested until individual properties started a new development project and that pathways might not be built for many years. A number of residents living in the WL area spoke in opposition to pathways in their area citing concerns about privacy, property values, cost, safety, and other issues. They also complained that they had not received notice for any public meetings discussing the draft map. After lengthy discussion the PC recommended that PWC meet again with residents of the WL area, review the proposed map, and present it to City Council. The PWC discussed at length 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. The PWC unanimously agreed Minutes November 26 Final.doc                     2/20/15 3  that the same consistent, long-standing policies regarding pathways that are clearly laid out in the General Plan must apply to all parts of Town, including newly annexed areas. The value of a series of small informal meetings with residents versus a single large meeting was discussed. The consensus was that the most useful approach would be a well-publicized meeting that is held at Town Hall that follows a formal structured agenda and includes Town staff, Planning Commissioners, and City Council members as well as the PWC. In addition, it was agreed that the process of developing the draft map for newly annexed areas and the process of the revising the Master Path Plan need to be carefully differentiated going forward. Eileen Gibbons, Ann Duwe, and Joe Kleitman volunteered to serve on a sub-committee to develop presentation materials for the meeting. Topics will include description of the LAH pathway system, General Plan policies, pathway requirements as a condition of development, and the process the PWC follows in making recommendations for pathways when a project comes up for development (i.e., as a condition of development). Information about the benefits of the pathway system in LAH and about walkable communities in general will also be included.  Brigette Morgan (Eloise Circle) complained about committee’s failure to effectively notify residents of the WL area about past meetings to discuss the draft pathway map. Joe Kleitman moved that the PWC schedule an informational meeting at Town Hall that will include a formal presentation from the PWC and will be attended by as many relevant Town staff as possible. Prior to the meeting a PWC subcommittee should be established to prepare the agenda, documents for presentation to the public, and an invitation letter to be sent to residents of newly annexed areas of LAH. Sue Welch seconded. The vote was 10 in favor and one opposed. C. Pathway Connection from Black Mountain to Elena Road. A resident of the Black Mountain Road has asked Chairman Gibbons to help re-establish the connection from the east end of Black Mountain Road (cul-de-sac) to Elena Road. Apparently this route was used by residents in the past but was blocked by fencing several years ago. Chairman Gibbons reviewed the records and determined that the town does not hold all the easements necessary to complete this connection. The PWC discussed whether to approach property owners about voluntarily offering an easement to the town, but no specific action was decided. D. Discussion of Effective Meeting Training. Members who attended the Town-sponsored meeting about the Brown Act reported they found it of value. They also noted that PWC site visits as currently done do not violate the Brown Act. No decisions are made; these meetings are for observation rather than decision- making and are open to the public. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Welcome to new members. New PWC members, Weegie Caughlan and Rachelle Mirkin were introduced and spoke about their interest in the pathway system and the PWC. The PWC also thanked outgoing Council Member, Ginger Summit for her invaluable service to the committee. B. Vote for Associate Member Bob Stutz. Long-time PWC member Bob Stutz, whose most recent term expired in November, was unanimously elected to continue as an Associate Member of the committee. C. Foothill College Path. New construction on campus around the ball fields has disrupted the pathway around the perimeter. Joe Kleitman, who has met (as a neighbor) with Foothill College President and Chancellor about other issues volunteered to contact them about restoring the path after construction is completed. D. West Loyola Coffee. Joe Kleitman moved that a proposed informal coffee meeting with a resident of the West Loyola area be tabled until formal materials are prepared and approved by the PWC. Ann Duwe seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. E. Plan for Reviewing New Maps. This item was tabled until January after the new City Council is seated. 6. REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS Minutes November 26 Final.doc                     2/20/15 4  A. VTA. Breene Kerr noted that VTA is now calling for project proposals and recommended that the town submit a proposal. Breene Kerr moved that the PWC ask the City Council for $15K to hire a consultant to do preliminary plans for the connection from Magdalena to El Monte via the new off- road Nicholson path with the idea of submitting a grant to the VTA. Eileen Gibbons seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Joe Kleitman asked about the process for bringing violations (e.g., new mail boxes under construction in pathways or road rights-of-way) to Town staff. Chairman Gibbons noted that residents can call the town or let her know and she will contact the town. 8. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM 9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS By unanimous agreement, no meeting will be held in December. 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 December 5, 2012