HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes June 23Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee
Minutes of Meeting June 23, 2008
1. ADMINSTRATIVE
Chairman Ginger Summit called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM
Members present: Jim Bliss, Courtenay Corrigan, Nick Dunckel, Nancy Ginzton, Ginger
Summit, Bob Stutz, Jolon Wagner, , Sue Welch
Members absent: Anna Brunzell, Bill Silver, Chris Vargas
Members of public present: City Councilman Mike O’Malley
Les Earnest, Secretary of the LAH Historical Committee
The agenda was approved as amended below.
1. NEW BUSINESS
A. Communications from the floor.
i. Proposal for new path names. Les Earnest Secretary of the LAH Historical Committee, reported
that that committee has been charged with reviewing and proposing names for roads and
pathways in Town. He presented proposals for two new named pathways:
1. “Wallace Stegner Path” (a route from Three Forks Lane to Edgerton Road close to the former
Stegner residence) named in honor of the Town founder and renowned author.
2. “David and Lucille Packard Path (a route along Purissima Creek from Elena to Taaffe Road)
named in honor of the former owners of the land where the path runs and whose successful
company made possible their major charitable contributions throughout the world.
PWC discussed the proposed routes and names; opinions were highly favorable and no
opposition was voiced.
B. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations:
i. 28160 Story Hill Road (Lands of Ebeld). The PWC reviewed this property on Aug 27, 2007. The
reason for the original pathway committee review is new development. The PWC recommended
that a II B path be constructed on this property along Page Mill Road from Story Hill Road to the
drainage ditch where the path crosses Page Mill to connect with the pathway on the south side
of Matadero Creek Lane. Councilman Mike O’Malley expressed concern about the safety of this
configuration, given the high volume and speed of traffic (cars and bicycles) on Page Mill. The
homeowners are amenable to the existing recommendation. Safety issues and possible
alternatives configurations were discussed. Jim Bliss moved that the PWC maintain the
previous recommendation. Nick Dunckel seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.
1. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update on Ongoing CIP projects. Chairman Summit updated the PWC on the status of four
ongoing CIP projects approved by City Council.
i. Fremont Road. This project has been sent out for bids and is expected to be completed in
October.
ii. Taaffe/Elena/Black Mountain. This high priority project has been sent out for bids and is
expected to be completed in October. Chairman Summit reported that the Town has opted
not to use the large retaining walls suggested by one firm to keep the slope of the path less
than 8%. Many pathways in Town have a steeper slope (e.g., the Edgerton pathway). A
native path will be more natural, less invasive, and will require less construction.
iii. El Monte Road at Foothill College. A pathway will be constructed in the median strip
under the I-280 overpass, new traffic lights will be installed and the median strip will be
landscaped.
iv. Purissima Road at the Little League Field. This pathway work is being done as part of the
upgrade of the Little League facilities. The new IIB path will run behind the ball fields,
between the fields and the I-280 right-of-way fence. Town staff and Little League will make
decisions about the height of the fencing between the field and the pathway. Making the
pathway ADA accessible and adding mile markers for joggers was suggested. Courtenay
Corrigan will discuss this with LAH Parks and Recreation.
B. Review CIP list and update priorities for coming year. Chairman Summit led the committee
through a review of the remaining CIP projects, including the list of high-priority projects
presented to Council in October 2007 and the CIP 2007 Summary Sheet (a list of 21 projects).
i. High priority projects presented to City Council in October 02007 include:
1. Magdalena-El Monte Corridor (along I-280). This project was presented to the City
Council in October 2007 as a potential high-priority project. Although the property
owner appears not to object to the project, nothing can be done until development plans
are submitted to the Town.
2. Zappatini connection between Central Drive and Altamont. This project was presented
to the City Council in October 2007 as a potential high-priority project and has gone out
for bids. A small bridge over a seasonal stream and steps/switchbacks up a steep bank
are needed.
3. Buena Vista to Sherlock Connection. This project was presented to the City Council in
October 2007 as a potential high-priority project. Although the project remains a high
priority, additional easements are needed and the exact route is not yet determined. The
Town holds easements all along Sherlock and on several properties north of Sherlock.
Easements are still needed on 27150 Sherlock (to join to the rest of the private road on
which the Town already has easements) and on the Sherlock property that lacks a
number on the parcel maps. This parcel apparently belongs to a trust in Burlingame.
4. Taaffe/Elena/Black Mountain. Discussed above.
5. Elena Road to La Barranca. One easement is still needed before this potential connection
can be made.
6. Old Altos Triangle. Work is being planned for this heavily traveled area close to Los
Altos.
7. Viscaino. This connector road does not currently have paths and needs either a berm of
pathway to protect pedestrians.
ii. Projects on the CIP 2007 Summary list that have been completed are:
#1. Moody Road Pathway Segment (Francemont to El Monte)
#2. Foothill College Path and Bike Lane (Segment 2)
#4. El Monte Road from Stonebrook to Voorhees (Segment 4)
#5. El Mont Road from Voorhees Drive to Summerhill Avenue (Segment 5)
#6. Robleda Pathway Improvement from Atherton Court to Wildcrest Drive
#12. Bridge on Page Mill Road
#14. Edgerton Pathway repairs (landslide damage)
iii. Projects on the CIP 2007 Summary list that are already underway or can be removed from the
list are:
#3. El Mont Road from Foothill College entrance to Stonebrook Drive intersection. See
above.
#15. Claussen Court to Dawnridge. Reduce cross slope, clear and improve native path. A
water company easement is available; this is currently being worked on.
#16. Concepcion Road at Purissima. Not a problem; remove from list.
#19. Taaffe Road-Elena Road. See above.
#21. Ariel Lane to Esther Clark Park. Palo Alto requiring an EIR; remove from list
iv. Remaining CIP projects for consideration:
#7. Pedestrian Bridge at corner of Ravensbury and Magdalena Avenue. Pedestrians and
cars must share this narrow bridge. PWC will ask Town engineer to evaluate the site
and make suggestions for improvements.
#8. Magdalena Avenue I-280 off-ramp. A retaining wall and path are needed between the
road and drainage ditch. Need to clarify whether public can access Water District land
through the gate near the off-ramp.
#9. Magdalena Avenue to El Monte. See above.
#10. Bullis School paths. Improve paths on Fremont Road, including crosswalks. Should be
funded by school improvements budget. Parents parking on the pathway have been a
problem.
#11. Byrne Preserve pathway system. Some paths are very muddy and nearly impassable
during the rainy months. Nick Dunckel will work with Town staff on this.
#13. La Loma Drive to Open Space. Construct native path around water tank; several
easements are needed.
#17. Viscaino Road path. Install a berm to separate the road from the pathway. Safety is and
issue here. The road is heavily traveled by both pedestrians and cars and many people
walk in the street.
#18. Page Mill Road. Work with Palo Alto and other agencies to make this road safer for
pedestrians and equestrians.
#20. Hilltop Drive. Hilltop needs a path around a dangerous curve at 12355; work with
property owner.
v. Additions to the CIP list suggested by PWC members are:
1. Clausen Court to Dawn Ridge (along I-280). This area has been neglected. There is a
water company easement. Parts of the route are steep, but passable. Hilltop to
Dawnridge will provide a good connection to the eastern end of this route.
2. La Cresta to Roble Ladera. Town holds easements here. The path, which is currently a
drainage ditch, needs to be brought up to standards.
C. Minor Changes to Master Path Plan. The Master Path Plan (MPP) approved by City Council on
March 8, 2005 includes only off-road pathways. Since the approval, several errors have been
identified in the map and the PWC has completed another map showing proposed roadside (on-
road) pathways. PWC reviewed errors in the existing maps and discussed possible changes to the
MPP. Any proposed changes are subject to public hearings and City Council approval. Chairman
Summit will discuss this issue with Council members. Areas to consider include:
i. Deerfield Road to Robleda Court. Jim Bliss is interested in donating an easement on his
property in this area as part of a potential route that would improve pedestrian access to Town.
A fence is currently blocking an existing easement.
ii. Public utility easement parallel to Magdalena. A pathway already exists here and appears to be
well used.
iii. West Loyola area. Addition of roadside pathways on major roads to this newly annexed part of
LAH.
iv. Burke Lane Fire Road. This fire road is not on the MPP, but is in use and is on the walking map.
v. Sunset Lane. Only the side of Sunset that has pubic access should be shown on the walking
map.
vi. Unresolved areas on the MPP. If these are not resolved, then the map will revert to the routes
shown on the 1996 MPP.
D. Maintenance issues. The Town has hired a work crew that will be doing maintenance work on
pathways. Nick Dunckel gave them a copy of the signpost map and some have been installed.
E. Other.
i. New email address for Nancy Ginzton (nanginzton@gmail.com)
ii. Nancy Ginzton ahs been appointed as the LAH representative to the San Jose Pedestrian and
Bicycle Advisory Committee.
iii. Election of new PWC officers will take place at the August meeting
F. Westwind Community Barn Standing Committee Report. Nothing new to report.
G. Reports from PWC members who attended City Council or Planning Commission. None to report.
PWC members volunteered to attend Planning Commission and City Council meetings on the
following dates:
July 10, 2008 City Council meeting Jolon Wagner
July 17, 2008 Planning Commission No meeting
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Anna Brunzell's minutes of the May 23, 2008 meeting were approved as amended.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.
6. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Next pathway walk: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall
Next regular meeting: Monday, August 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Welch
August 25, 2008