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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes May 21Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee Minutes of Meeting May 21, 2007 1. ADMINSTRATIVE Chairman Ginger Summit called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Members present: Jim Bliss, Anna Brunzell, Courtenay Corrigan, Nick Dunckel, Ginger Summit, Bill Silver, Bob Stutz, Jolon Wagner, and Sue Welch Members absent: Nancy Ginzton, Chris Vargas Council Members present: Councilman Breene Kerr Members of public present: Mr. Kianian, property owner 14320 Miranda Road Ms. Raffetto, property owner 14380 Manuella Road Tia smith, representing property owner 24800 Summerhill Road Bob Russ, property owner 12374 Melody Lane The agenda was approved as amended below. 1. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR A. Councilman Breene Kerr reviewed the history and current status of new pathway construction on Moody Road. The new roadside pathways from Foothill College to Hidden Villa have significant value. Construction of the segment through the Foothill parking lot was delayed by increased costs; VTA has provided additional funds and construction is scheduled to start this summer. Councilman Kerr also asked the PWC to identify potential pathway projects in LAH that may be appropriate for outside funding from federal, state, or local agencies. In order to qualify for such funds, the route must be part of the regional transportation plan, which is being updated this summer. Chairman Summit recommended construction of a pathway from Magdalena to Foothill College along the south side of I-280. The Town holds easements along the full length of this route and it would provide a safe route from southeast LAH and Los Altos to Foothill College. She recommends a paved path for bicycles and an adjacent non-paved path for pedestrians and equestrians. A bridge would be required over Hale Creek. The PWC should prepare a brief presentation for City Council describing the proposed route and the rationale for funding (e.g., including description of route and path, aerial maps, advantages of providing connectivity). 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Personnel changes. New PWC member Jim Bliss was welcomed to the committee. LAH City Engineer, Henry Louie will be leaving for a new job in San Carlos as of June 7, 2007; he will be greatly missed. B. Special Meeting with City Council. Councilman Mike O'Malley, City Council liaison to the PWC has requested that the PWC meet with the Council on Thursday, June 14 to discuss committee priorities and pathway maintenance issues. C. The following properties were reviewed for pathway recommendations: i. 14320 Miranda Road (Lands of Kianian/Ezzati). The reason for pathway review is a remodel. The property owner was present. The property is at the corner of Miranda Road (east side) and La Lanne Court (north side). La Lanne is a cul-de-sac that serves at least nine properties. Current PWC maps recommend that Miranda have roadside pathways on both sides of the street where possible because it serves nearby Bullis School. Roadside pathway segments exist on this side of the street further north on Miranda. A roadside pathway would be within the Miranda right-of- way. PWC maps are inconsistent with respect to recommendations for roadside pathways on La Lanne (i.e., some maps recommend the south side of the road as the preferred side, others recommend the north side.) The most recent map recommends the north side. An adequate pathway could be created along the south side of the property (along La Lanne) by cutting back the shrubs. Roadside pathways exist elsewhere along the north side of La Lanne except at 25691, where two monument mailboxes block access. The property owner is concerned about construction costs and reported that no pathways were required for recent construction projects on several nearby properties. Courtenay Corrigan moved that the owners of 14320 Miranda Road construct a IIB pathway along the west side of the property on Miranda and just clear the brush along roadside on La Lanne to a width of about five feet. Bill Silver seconded. The vote was 7 in favor, one abstention. ii. 14380 Manuella Road (Lands of Raffetto). The reason for pathway review is a remodel. The property is at the corner of Manuella Road (east side) and De Bell Road (north side). Because of its width, roadside pathways are not required along De Bell. Pathways in excellent condition exist on the property along both roads. The homeowner was present and reported that they had always kept the pathways in good condition and assured that they would be repaired after construction. They have no objection to leaving the pathway along De bell although the Town does not require it. The homeowner also reported problems with construction vehicles from a project up the street parking on their pathways for the duration of the project (i.e., for two- and a half years). These heavy vehicles damaged the pathways and she asked if the Town could do anything to help with this problem. Parking on pathways has been an ongoing problem. Although LAH code requires that all construction vehicles park on site, this is seldom enforced. Chairman Summit suggested that the property owner contact the Town and obtain signs and road cones to discourage parking on their pathways. Anna Brunzell moved that at 14380 Manuella Road the PWC recommend that the property owners restore the pathways along Manuella Road and De Bell Road after construction. The vote was unanimously in favor. iii. 24800 Summerhill Road (Lands of Designed Environ, Inc). The reason for pathway review is construction of a new residence. Tia Smith represented the property owner. The property is on the southwest side of Summerhill, the second lot up from El Monte. The developer has already constructed a roadside pathway. A five-foot solid wall has been constructed along the property line adjacent to the pathway. Large clumps of pampas grass block the pathway at several spots. Ms Smith also reported problems with neighbors parking on the pathway on the property; the PWC discussed ways to discourage this. Bill Silver moved that the PWC recommend that no additional pathway needs to be placed along the property at 24800 Summerhill Road because a pathway already exists. The Town is responsible for maintenance of the existing path. Nick Dunckel seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. iv. 12374 Melody Lane (Lands of Russ). The property owner, Bob Russ, was present. The property is a flag lot accessed via a driveway off Melody Lane. No pathway exists here and none is needed. Bill Silver moved that a pathway in-lieu fee be collected from the owners of 12374 Melody Lane. Courtenay Corrigan seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. v. 27355 Sherlock (Lands of Ramberg). The reason for pathway review is a remodel. PWC member Anna Brunzell is co-owner of this property; she recused herself from discussion and voting. Sherlock is a private road and PWC generally tries to obtain right-of-way over private roads to assure public access. Most other property owners on Sherlock have already granted right-of- way. Jim Bliss moved that the PWC recommend that the owners of 27355 Sherlock grant public right-of-way over Sherlock. Bill Silver seconded. The vote was 6 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention (Anna Brunzell) vi. 26974 Fremont Road (lands of Brougher). The property is on the east side of Fremont. A roadside pathway in good condition exists along Fremont here. Bill Silver moved that the PWC recommend that no additional pathway needs to be placed along the property at 26974 Fremont Road because a pathway already exists. If the pathway is damaged during construction, it must be repaired. Anna Brunzell seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. vii. Roadside pathways on Dezahara Way. Nancy Ginzton requested that the PWC review its prior recommendations for roadside pathways along this loop. When the development was put in easements were taken on both sides of the street. No pathway exists and landscaping has largely ignored the easements. The previous recommendation was that the inner part of the loop is the preferred side for a roadside pathway. Because Nancy Ginzton was not present, discussion was delayed until the June meeting. 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Earth Day School Pathway Clean Up. The Bullis School Earth Day pathway cleanup was rained out and has been rescheduled for June 8, 2007. Thanks to Anna Brunzell for her on going help with this project. B. PWC booth at the LAH Town Picnic. The LAH town picnic will be held Saturday June 2, 2007 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Bill Silver, Anna Brunzell and Jim Bliss volunteered to man the PWC information table. C. Additions and Changes to the Public Walking Map. Chairman Summit asked PWC members to continue reviewing the draft version of the public walking map (dated November 22, 2006) for inaccuracies in their quadrants and to submit hard-copies or email to her ASAP with corrections. Roadside pathways and existing off-road pathways should be included. Roadside pathway routes can be designated as a line in the middle of the road (no need to specify which side of the road the pathway currently runs along). Jim Bliss will assume Anne Duwe's map quadrants. D. Town survey. Chairman Summit reported that the results of the recent telephone survey have been compiled and are available at town Hall. The survey included a sample of 300 residents. The survey done in 2001 was sent by mail to all residents and 1,117 responses were received. There were some complaints from respondents in the telephone survey that the questioners were not native English speakers and were unable to answer questions about the complex issues covered in the survey. E. San Jose Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. Anna Brunzell, PWC representative to the San Jose Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee reported that LAH received $400,000 for the Moody Road pathway project and that this represents more than 25% of the money distributed throughout Santa Clara County. F. Pathway Maintenance Issues. Town Engineer, Henry Louie will be leaving LAH as June 7, 2007. Nick Dunckel will discuss the status of pathway maintenance projects with him before he leaves and report to the PWC next month. G. Reports from PWC members who attended City Council or Planning Commission Chairman Summit reported that this month the City Council approved two elements of the updated LAH General Plan (i.e., Conservation and Open Space and Recreation). Additional elements, including the Land Use element are currently being updated. H. Items for May PWC meeting agenda. Chairman Summit requested that the PWC review its standards for native paths at the June meeting. Apparently, no formal standards exist. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of May 21, 2007 were approved as amended. Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM. 6. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS The PWC will not meet in July or December of 2007 A special meeting of the PWC with City Council will be held on Thursday, June 14 Next pathway walk: Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 8:30 AM at Town Hall Next regular meeting: Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Respectfully submitted, Sue Welch May 24, 2007