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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes April 28Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee Minutes of Meeting April 28, 2008 1. ADMINISTRATIVE Co-Chairman Ginger Summit called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM Members present: Jim Bliss, Anna Brunzell, Courtenay Corrigan, Nick Dunckel, Nancy Ginzton, Bill Silver, Bob Stutz, Ginger Summit, Chris Vargas, Jolon Wagner, Sue Welch Members absent: None Members of the Public: Jude Kirik, architect representing George Salah, owner of 27361 Altamont James Parivash, owner of 27270 Natoma Road Kenehan, owners of 14555 De Bell Road The agenda was approved as amended below. 1. NEW BUSINESS A. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: i. 27361 Altamont Road (Lands of Salah). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. The property is on the north side of Elena Road between Briones Way and Black Mountain Road, close to Byrne Preserve. Plans show a 10-foot easement for a roadside path is to be dedicated here. Pathways are planned for both sides of Altamont (i.e., it is a “two-sided road”). Jude Kirik, architect, was present representing the property owner. Mr. Kirik said the property owner understands that an easement was dedicated at the time of subdivision and wants to know if the pathway will continue on the adjacent properties. The committee discussed the importance of pathways in this area because of the proximity to Byrne Preserve. Chris Vargas moved that the owners of 27361 Altamont Road install a IIB pathway along Altamont in the dedicated pathway easement. Bob Stutz seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. ii. 27270 Natoma Road (Lands of Lee and Koch). The reason for pathway review is a proposed five- lot subdivision. The property is south of Natoma Road and a new private road is planned through the subdivision connecting Natoma to Almaden Court (currently a cul-de-sac). The proposed road will be 20-feet wide and has a 60-foot easement, allowing ample room for a pathway. The road will incorporate the existing driveway accessed from Natoma. The pathway on Natoma is on the side opposite this property. James Parivash, who is the subdivider, was present and was amenable to a pathway along the new road. Bill Silver moved that the owners of 27270 Natoma Road install a IIB pathway along one side of the new road. Courtenay Corrigan seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. iii. 14555 De Bell Road (Lands of Kenehan). The reason for pathway review is an addition and remodel. The owners were present. The property is west side of De Bell Road, the second lot south of Estacada Way. Because De Bell is a wide road, the Master Path Plan does not require pathways on either side. This property has an asphalt strip running along the roadside (probably a parking strip), which from the plans appears to be in the road right-of-way. No pathway easement exists on the property. Town staff are currently examining whether collecting a pathway in-lieu fee for this property is appropriate. The PWC has proposed that if no fee has been collected during the past ten years, one should be collected. The final decision on this will be made by City Council at the May 8, 2008 meeting. Chris Vargas moved that a pathway in-lieu fee be collected from the owners of 14555 De Bell Road if Town staff determines that it is appropriate. Anna Brunzell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. iv 26430 Weston Drive (Lands of Fuller). The reason for pathway review is addition of a second unit. The owners were not present. The property is on south side of Weston Drive, which is a cul- de-sac that serves at least ten properties. The side opposite this property is preferred for a roadside pathway and pathways already exist on some properties on that side. Bill Silver moved that a pathway in-lieu fee be collected from the owners of 26430 Weston Drive. Jolon Wagner seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. 2. OLD BUSINESS A. Pathway In-lieu Fees. The committee reviewed previous discussions about collection of pathway in- lieu fees from properties under developmental review where a pathway was not required and for which a fee may have been collected in the remote past. Several PWC members will make recommendations to the City Council at the May 8 Council meeting B. Earth Day Pathway Clean-Up Projects. Chris Vargas reviewed this year’s pathway cleanup projects with local schools, which were again a great success. Students from Bullis Charter School and St. Nicolas participated. Students from Pinewood School will paint the barn and shed behind Town Hall. It was suggested that additional restoration projects be added next year and that the program be expanded to include Los Altos schools. C. Earth Day Celebration at West Wind Barn. The PWC set up an information table at the Earth Day celebration at West Wind Barn on Sunday, April 20. Anna Brunzell, Courtenay Corrigan, and Bill Silver again provided expert help with this. D. Update of CIP Projects. i. Old Altos Triangle. This project is moving forward. Pathways on all properties on the east side of Fremont between Edith and Old Altos will be upgraded as part of the resurfacing of Fremont Road. Road rights-of-way are narrow in some locations, but adjustments are being made as necessary (e.g., moving pathway to opposite side of the road) to make the route as safe as possible. ii. Taaffe Road Pathway. LAH engineer Richard Chu received contacted several trail-building firms and received three bids for design and construction of this new off-road pathway. The highest bid was $165,000, which seems high even though the route involves short stretches of steep terrain and crosses two small creeks. Bids from Alta Planning and Design (Berkeley) and The Land People (Benecia) were $35,000 for design only. They estimated construction costs (if culverts rather than bridges can be used for creek crossings) at about $58,000. Richard Chu will present the proposals to Council for approval. Possible participation of the California Conservation Corp or a local builder was discussed, as well as slope and drainage issues. Ginger Summit will check with Debbie Pedro about the width of easements in the steep area where switchbacks will be required. California Department of Fish and Game review is required because the route crosses creeks. iii. Ginger Summit will continue to lead Town staff on walks of proposed CIP routes. iv. At the request of Town staff, Chairman Summit raised the need to complete the connection between La Paloma and Robleda Road. The pathway on the Evershine property will bring the connection close to Atherton Court, but that cul-de-sac is a private road with no public access. Several routes through the area have been proposed. The PWC will visit this area on the pathway walk in May and Chairman Summit will draft a letter to homeowners in the area to solicit feedback on potential options. E. Update of Pathway Element of the LAH General Plan. At the City Council meeting on MAY 8, 2008, City Council will review and vote on proposed changes to changes to the Pathway Elements of the General Plan. Chairman Summit will send PWC members copies of the changes in wording recommended by the Planning Commission. She will also represent the PWC at the May 8 meeting. F. San Jose Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. Anna Brunzell, PWC representative to the San Jose Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee reminded the PWC that her term is ending soon and a replacement is needed. This committee meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month and helps make decisions about countywide transportation projects that involve pedestrians, bicycles, and/or trails. LAH City Clerk, Karen Jost, will post a vacancy notice in the LAH Town Crier. G. Westwind Community Barn Standing Committee Report. Nick Dunckel, the PWC representative to West Wind Barn reported no pathway issues at this time. Chairman Summit will check with Town staff about plans to restore the surface of the pathway along Altamont at the site where utilities were recently under-grounded. H. Reports from PWC members who attended City Council or Planning Commission No reports were offered. PWC members volunteered to attend Planning Commission and City Council Meetings on the following dates: May 1 Planning Commission No volunteers May 8 City Council Ginger Summit will attend to present PWC views on the General Plan Update May 22 City Council Bill Silver will attend 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the March 24, 2008 meeting were approved as amended. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM. 4. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Next pathway walk: Saturday, May 23, 2008 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next regular meeting: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Please not that this is TUESDAY, not Monday night. Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch May 25, 2008