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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes March 23Draft2PWC_Min_032309 2/12/20 1 • Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee Minutes of Meeting March 23, 2009 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Chairman Nick Dunckel called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Anna Brunzell, Courtenay Corrigan, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Nancy Ginzton, Bill Silver, Bob Stutz, Sue Welch Members absent: Chris Vargas, Tim Warner LAH Council Members present: Breene Kerr, Ginger Summit Members of the public present: Eric and Cheryl Evans, owners of 11641 Buena Vista Drive Andrew Libor, owner of 11885 Francemont The agenda was approved as amended below. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: i. 11641 Buena Vista Drive (Lands of Evans). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence and a second unit. The Evans’ were present. This 10.2-acre property is on Buena Vista and extends down to Central Drive; a small “thumb” extends across to the north side of Central. A paved fire road runs the full length of west side of the property; it may be too steep for horses. Mr. Evans said that neighbors want to keep this road as a paved emergency access road. Both Buena Vista and Central are private roads with public access. The “thumb” north of Central is steep, too small for development, and is in conservation easement. The PWC previously discussed running a path through this thumb to connect with Zappettini Court. Bill Silver and the Town engineer explored the area north of Central for pathway routes several years ago and concluded that the “thumb” area provides the best place for access up to Central, although the immediate need for this connection is lessened by recent completion of the route along Page Mill Road connecting Altamont and Central. Construction could be done at a later data as a CIP project. Bill Silver moved that on the portion of 11641 Buena Vista Drive lying north of Central Drive a pathway easement should be recorded to fall anywhere within that portion of the property north of Central with its exact location to be determined by engineering at the future time of actual development. The PWC further asks that the Town verify the existence of a pedestrian and equestrian easement along the fire road on the west side of this property and the existence of a pedestrian and equestrian easement on the portions of Buena Vista and Central lying within this property. Eileen Gibbons seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. ii. 11885 Francemont Drive (Lands of Libor). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The owner was present and said he sees nothing in the development that will affect pathways. The 7-acre property is at the end of Francemont, which is a cul- de-sac. The plan describes a 32-foot wide combined roadway and public utility and pathway easement (a “private road with right of passage”). The property abuts San Antonio Open Space on the south and a large parcel of unknown ownership on the west side. No off-road pathway is shown in the immediate vicinity on the 2005 Master Path Plan. The area may be reviewed in the future when the PWC considers revisions to the MPP. Francemont is a dead end and the steep asphalt road would not be good for horses. The sign on Francemont that says, “Private Road” should be changed to instead read Draft2PWC_Min_032309 2/12/20 2 “Dead End”. Courtenay Corrigan moved that the Town ask for a pathway in-lieu fee from the owners of 11885 Francemont Drive and confirm that the easement exists to the end of Francemont. Anna Brunzell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. B. Bullis Gardener School Pathway. The principal of Bullis Gardener School asked Courtenay Corrigan to let the PWC know that residents and dogs are not permitted to walk on school grounds during school hours (7:45 AM to 4:15 PM). The PWC visited the school on the March 21 pathway walk and found that no pathway has been constructed on the east or west side of the property. Thus, the only place people can walk is through the schoolyard. The MPP shows paths on the west and south sides of the school property. The school should provide these important paths for safe access for children walking to and from the school and for local residents who need to go through the area during school hours. Courtenay Corrigan will tell the principal of the school to discuss the matter with the City Council. Breene Kerr said the Council would be happy to work cooperatively to find a solution. C. Chaparral Safety. Carl Cahill asked the PWC for their opinion on the safety of Chaparral for pedestrians and equestrians. He cited the Jan 2009 report from CGS Consultants that discussed poor sightlines at several locations. Residents of Chaparral are asking the Town to pay for maintenance and improvements of the road. The PWC made a site visit on March 21. The PWC consensus is that Chaparral is an important connection and should remain open, that it is not dangerous, and that the Town should not abandon ownership or the easement along this road. One PWC member who walks Chaparral every week said she could name ten other roads in Town that are more dangerous and does not feel there is a safety issue. Few cars use the road (it serves only five residences) and space exists for cars to pass pedestrians and horses. Walkers and riders can hear approaching cars. The unpaved road limits driving speed; improving the road may speed up traffic. In lower sections plants appear to be encroaching into the road right of way and should be cleared to provide more room. The PWC suggests the Town explore placing signs such as “Slow for Pedestrians” to warn motorists. 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Associate Members. Nancy Ginzton announced last month that she is stepping down as a full member of the PWC and will continue to serve as an associate member and as the LAH liaison to VTA. Chair Nick Dunckel showed Town regulations describing the role of associate members of volunteer committees. The PWC unanimously voted Nancy Ginzton as an associate member and as a representative to VTA. B. Design of Pathway on 27755 Edgerton Road (Lands of Liu). PWC made recommendations for this path from Ursula Lane to Edgerton Road at the August 25, 2008 meeting. The MPP shows an off-road path through this property along the south and east borders of the property. The path is a very important connection between Westwind Barn, Byrne Preserve, and the scenic Wallace Stegner path, which starts just across Edgerton from this property. The owners are placing the house close to the south border and a path in this location would pass relatively close behind the house. The PWC unanimously recommended in August that the owners be required to construct a native path through the property connecting Ursula and Edgerton and the location of the path may be at the discretion of the owners. This month Town staff informed the PWC that the owners have opted to place the pathway along the northwest border of the property, which is much steeper than the route originally Draft2PWC_Min_032309 2/12/20 3 proposed by the PWC. The Planning Commmission has asked the PWC for further comments on construction. The pathway route has a slope of as much as 20 degrees along the path and 16 degrees sideways to the path. The desire is to assure that a pathway be constructed that does not wash out and have to be replaced and/or repaired frequently. Small retaining walls and steps constructed of railroad ties may work and will not present a barrier to horses. Councilmember Kerr suggested that the Town require the pathway be completed before the final certificate of occupancy is issued. Anna Brunzell moved that Nick Dunckel be designated to serve as liaison to the Town for issues related to the pathway on this property. The PWC will further request that the pathway be completed before the Town issues the final certificate of occupancy. The vote was unanimously in favor. C. Earth Day Celebration at West Wind Barn. The PWC will again set up an information table at the Earth Day celebration at West Wind Barn on Sunday, April 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Volunteers are needed to set up the table, talk to visitors, and show off the new walking path map. Anna Brunzell and Ann Duwe will help out. D. Review of Pathway In-Lieu Fees. In February, the PWC discussed whether or not an in-lieu fee could be collected at the time of site development if one was collected at the time of subdivision and whether change of ownership was required to collect a fee. Nick Dunckel discussed the issue with Town staff and was told that PWC makes the recommendation for a fee and the Town staff makes the decision about whether or not it is appropriate to collect a fee. No further action is needed from PWC. E. Discussion of Updating Master Path Plan. PWC discussed the process for updating the MPP, including which areas to include first and when public meetings are required. Council and Town staff will assure that the appropriate process is followed. The PWC agreed that the April meeting should include a formal (agendized) discussion of which roadways in the newly annexed areas of LAH should be included in the MPP (for roadside paths). Major candidates for inclusion in the MPP are West Loyola Drive, Berkshire Drive, and Toyonita Court. The equestrian paths northeast of Crestridge Drive, Old Ranch Road, and Hillpark Lane will be deferred for later discussion. The PWC would like to obtain lot or subdivision maps to determine future possibilities for roadside pathways based on street dedications. Nick Dunckel will clarify requirements for public meetings with Town staff. Three public meetings may be necessary: one with PWC, one with Planning Commission, and one with City Council. F. CIP Projects. Nick met with Richard Chiu to discuss CIP projects and will meet with him again in two weeks. Nick Dunckel reported that the triangle of land at the corner of Moody Road and Chaparral, which the PWC considered as a potential short route to improve access to Chaparral, is private property. A suggestion was made that the PWC call the owner of the property to see if he is willing to allow a short path on the property. Councilmember Kerr reported that staff is now doing preliminary engineering on the new projects at Page Mill and Arastradero Roads. Cost estimates will be available prior to the CC budget meeting in June. G. Reports from members who have attended other meetings i. VTA meetings. Nancy Ginzton reported that the VTA has put the section of Moody Road from Hidden Villa to Canyon Road (in the unincorporated county) on the priority list for sidewalk construction. No cost estimates and construction will not begin for 7 years. Draft2PWC_Min_032309 2/12/20 4 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the February 23, 2009 meeting were approved as amended. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM. 4. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next pathway walk: Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next regular meeting: Monday, April 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch March 30, 2009