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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes November 23Draft2PWC_Min_112309 2/12/20 1 Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee DRAFT Minutes of Meeting November 23, 2009 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Co-Chairman Nick Dunckel called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Anna Brunzell, Nick Dunckel, Ann Duwe, Eileen Gibbons, Bill Silver, Bob Stutz, Tim Warner, Sue Welch Members absent: Courtenay Corrigan, Chris Vargas Associate Members present: Nancy Ginzton Council Members present: Breene Kerr and Ginger Summit Members of the public present: Ciesinskis, owners of 26435 Ascension Drive The agenda was approved as amended below. 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. None 3. PROPERTIES FOR REVIEW A. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: i. 26435 Ascension Drive (Lands of Ciesinski). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The Ciesinskis, the homeowners, were present at the meeting. The lot is located on the north side of Ascension; the road makes a near-right angle turn here and follows two sides of the property. The property slopes up steeply from the roadside and construction of a pathway would be difficult. Ascension is a one- sided road and PWC maps show the opposite side is preferred for a roadside pathway. Bill Silver moved that a pathway in-lieu fee be collected from the owners of 26435 Ascension Drive. Anna Brunzell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. 27349 Julietta Lane (Lands of Ilnicki). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The property is on the west side of Julietta, near the end of this cul-de-sac serving approximately 13 properties. The Town already holds easements along the north and west sides of the property. Off-road pathways along these easements provide important connections to Chaparral Way to the south and to Byrne Preserve (via Deer Springs Way and Byrne Park Lane) to the north. The existing 10-foot “path” easement on the north side of the property runs along the south side of a 20-foot wide asphalt emergency access easement. On the west side of the property there are an existing 20-foot fire road easement, a 10-foot “equestrian” easement centered on the centerline of the fire road easement, and a separate 10-foot “path” easement. Part of this equestrian easement appears to be outside the actual emergency access road. Most of the “path” easement appears to lie outside the actual fire road. Near the NW corner of the property, a pathway easement turns south and follows the full length of the western property boundary and joins a pathway easement on the adjacent property (27359 Julietta) that connects to Chaparral Way. The PWC discussed the importance of these connections for both pedestrians and equestrians between Chaparral Way, Deer Springs Way, and Julietta Way and the importance of clarifying all the easements on this property to assure continued public access. Ann Duwe moved that the Town clarify the language describing the easements on 27349 Julietta Way to confer full pathway access in the alignment currently occupied by the emergency access road. The PWC recommends removing the part of the easement on the north side that is outside the emergency road. The easement should include the dogleg heading towards Deer Springs Way. Anna Brunzell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. Draft2PWC_Min_112309 2/12/20 2 iii. Eastbrook Subdivision (Lands of Nicholson). The PWC reviewed this subdivision on November 27, 2006 and again on September 28, 2009 when the developers returned to discuss potential revisions to the PWC recommendations. (See Addendum below.) The discussion today reviews the developers revised proposal for pathway routes through the property. Chair Dunckel presented maps from the developers dated Nov 12, 2009 showing 1) a native path from Dawson Drive near the driveway of Parcel C heading west and following the contours (making a single switch-back) down through the conservation easement to join the paved sewer easement at western edge of the property; and 2) a native path splitting off the paved sewer easement near the west side of Hale Creek and running down to the northern border of the property and along this border to the NW corner of the property; 3) a paved path along the full length of the sewer easement. The committee approved paths 1a and 3a but discussed the pros and cons of various routes for the native paths below (i.e., north of) the sewer easement and whether the developers should construct this path at this time. At subdivision, pathways are usually constructed before any of the lots are sold. Possible routes for the lower native path include 1) the one suggested by the owners; 2) a route down from the sewer easement along the existing firebreak following the contours; and 3) a steep switch-backing route down from the sewer easement near the western edge of the property. The route along the firebreak is less steep and the route along the western edge has the advantage of joining directly to the upper native path. Although the sewer easement continues to the west on the adjacent property (12131 Oak Park Court), the Town does not hold a pathway easement on this property. Thus, an alternative route should be provided. Bill Silver moved that requirements in the PWC recommendation of September 28, 2009 be changed as follows: 4) Require a native path connecting Dawson Drive to the paved portion of the sewer easement along the western edge of the property following the contours shown in the developers’ map dated Nov 12, 2009; 5) Build a native path connecting the sewer easement to the NW corner of the property generally following the existing firebreak; 6) The PWC requests the developers stake the approximate route of the proposed pathway for their review prior to the town signing off on the subdivision Ann Duwe seconded. The vote was 8 in favor one opposed. The approximate location of the firebreak road is shown below: Draft2PWC_Min_112309 2/12/20 3 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Bicycle Issues. Nancy Ginzton, PWC liaison to VTA, reminded the committee that it had responsibility for bicycle issues within the Town. City Council has expressed concerns about traffic safety in general, including speeding cars and potential bicycle-auto conflicts on the Town’s narrow winding roads. The committee discussed possible ways to improve safety (e.g., signage, bicycle lanes, more frequent street sweeping) and the role of the PWC. It was suggested that the PWC ask the Council how they envision the PWC’s role in bicycle issues. The Santa Clara Sheriff, Captain Calderon, is preparing a report on the traffic “hot spots” in Town and a committee will likely be formed to study traffic. This will include consulting with neighboring Towns to see how they addressed problems. B. Extension of pathway at 25310 Elena. Bob Stutz, PWC member and owner of 25310 Elena has offered to allow the Town to extend the existing pathway along the south side of Elena onto his property at the junction with Moody Road and El Monte. He reported that pedestrians are forced into the street here and he is willing to cut back the rosemary to make room for a roadside path. C. Problem roadside pathway at 13841 Robleda. Councilmember Summit reported that recently a horse walking along the narrow roadside pathway at 13841 Robleda slipped and fell into the creek. Although the horse was not injured, this narrow strip of pathway is heavily used and needs to be improved for safety. The Santa Clara County Water District opposes covering the creek. The Town is exploring an alternative to move the road a few feet to the opposite side so the path can be made wider and safer. D. Inconsistencies on Town Pathway Maps. At the September 2009 PWC meeting, Eileen Gibbons presented for discussion a list of apparent discrepancies between the various versions of the Public Path map of December 10, 2008 and the walking map distributed to the public. Tonight Chair Dunckel handed out a list of possible corrections to the Public Path Plan based that discussion as well as a list of discrepancies in various versions of the Master Path Plan. PWC members will review the lists and discuss at the next meeting. The plan is for PWC to resolve all map discrepancies, present them to the Council for approval and then arrange to have revised maps made. Chair Dunckel suggested that the next public walking map should include pathways in areas adjacent to LAH such as the San Antonio, Arastradero, and MidPenn Open Spaces as well as adjacent streets in the towns of Palo Alto and Los Altos. E. Update on Pathway Projects. The Arastradero Road CIP project has been held up because the Town does not have all the necessary easements. The mayor wrote to homeowners asking for the easements. One response has been received suggesting a trade of the easement for an increased MDA. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of September 28, 2009 meeting were approved as amended. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM. 4. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next pathway walk: Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next regular meeting: Monday, January 25, 2010 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Draft2PWC_Min_112309 2/12/20 4 Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch December 8, 2009 ADDENDUM From the minutes of September 28, 2009 PWC meeting: iii. Eastbrook Subdivision (Lands of Nicholson). The PWC reviewed this subdivision on November 27, 2006, at which time the proposal was for a two-lot subdivision. The property lies between Dawson Drive and Interstate 280. Hale Creek runs through it approximately North-South. A paved sewer easement runs approximately East-West and approximately parallel to I-280 through the property from Eastbrook Avenue to the east side of Hale Creek. The pavement resumes on the opposite (West) side of Hale Creek and continues to 12131 Oak Park Court. A gate on Eastbrook (immediately adjacent to the I- 280 off-ramp) provides access to the paved sewer easement. The property lies between Dawson Drive and Interstate 280. Hale Creek runs through it approximately North-South. A paved sewer easement runs approximately East-West and approximately parallel to I-280 through the property from Eastbrook Avenue to the east side of Hale Creek. The pavement resumes on the opposite (West) side of Hale Creek and continues to 12131 Oak Park Court. A gate on Eastbrook (immediately adjacent to the I- 280 off-ramp) provides access to the paved sewer easement and will be a driveway for two of the lots. The decision of the PWC on November 27, 2006 required the following: 1) A pathway easement over the existing sewer easement from Eastbrook Avenue to the western boundary of the subdivision; 2) A paved path for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles and a native path adjacent to the paved path for horses, both within the existing sewer easement; 3) A bridge over Hale Creek suitable for pedestrians, horses, and bicycles; 4) A native path connecting Dawson Drive to the above paths. This native path is to be located between Parcel A and Parcel B of the subdivision and to use the existing pathway easement between 11639 and 11635 Dawson Drive. The reason for the review was that the owner requested that the PWC review their decision of Nov 27, 2006 to determine whether a) the pathway mentioned in (4) is necessary and b) to obtain relief on the request (2) that the native path be separate from the paved path over the full length of the path. The owners believed that a strict interpretation of (2) could require building separate bridges over Hale Creek for the native and the paved pathways. The owners’ representative instead proposed building a single wooden bridge to serve both pathways. The PWC pointed out that a pathway on the paved pathway could serve as part of a bicycle route serving Foothill College. The PWC reiterated the importance of having a connecting pathway to Dawson Drive to provide an alternate outlet for safety, to permit equestrians to optionally bypass the busy exit at Eastbrook and 280, and to connect to the nearby Town-owned Juan Prada Open Space at Dawson, a primary goal of the pathway system. The PWC suggested a less intrusive path that would run along the Southern boundary of the property from the driveway at Dawson Drive to the Southwest corner of the property and North to the sewer easement and further North to the Northwestern property boundary, perhaps heading East on the sewer easement to Draft2PWC_Min_112309 2/12/20 5 permit a more gentle descent to the Northwestern property boundary. The exact route would be chosen in conjunction with the Town Engineering staff. Anna Brunzell moved that the PWC modify requirements 2 and 4 of the Nov 27 2006 decision as follows. (The others items were left unchanged). 2) A paved path for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles along the existing sewer easement and an additional native path for horses, adjacent to the paved path where possible. 4) A native path connecting Dawson Drive to the above paths. The PWC further requested that when the approximate route of the pathway is determined, the property owners return to the PWC with revised plans and stake the approximate route of the proposed pathway for their review. The motion was seconded by Bill Silver and passed unanimously.