HomeMy WebLinkAbout59-20RESOLUTION 59-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
LOS ALTOS HILLS ESTABLISHING RULES FOR PUBLIC USAGE OF
OFF-ROAD PATHWAYS IN THE TOWN'S PATHWAY SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Pathways Element of the Los Altos Hills General Plan was adopted on May 8,
2008 and amended on September 19, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Town's pathways system as stated in the Pathways Element is to
serve four basic and important functions: 1) circulation throughout the community, 2) safe access
and emergency routes, 3) outdoor recreation/fitness, and 4) preservation of the open character of
the Town; and the pathways system is designed to complement the Town's roadway system and
to enhance nonmotorized circulation by providing connections between neighborhoods and access
to local or nearby destinations; and
WHEREAS, Policy 1.4 in the Pathways Element states that all paths shall be located and
designed to preserve the beauty and natural character of the area and to safeguard the user; and
WHEREAS, Policy 2.1 in the Pathways Element states that roadside paths shall be located within
or immediately adjacent to the right-of-way of Town streets and on separate pathway easements
adjacent to or over private streets. Roadside paths shall be separated from the roadway pavement
by landscape buffering and shall meander, where possible; and
WHEREAS, Policy 3.2 in the Pathways Element states that there shall be three classes of off-road
paths:
Class 1—Off-road paths for which easements have been granted to the Town for a completed
route, on which a path has been developed or pathway use has been established, and which is
maintained by the Town and is open for public use;
Class 2—Off-road paths for which easements have been granted to the Town for less than a
completed route, or where the pathway easement exists but the path has not been constructed or
maintained and is not open for public use. Such paths remain to be completed in the future;
Class 3—A planned future off-road path, as shown in the Master Path Plan. These paths may need
dedication of easements over a single large parcel of land, or may require easements over a number
of smaller parcels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is permitted to adopt rules and regulations, including regulations
establishing prohibited acts, for any public park, preserve or other public area in the Town pursuant
to Section 12-1.01 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, Section 12-1.01 (i) provides that it is unlawful for any person to, within any public
park, preserve, or other public area in the Town, do any act that violates rules and regulations
adopted by the City Council, and the prohibited act is posted on a Town generated sign; and
Resolution 59-20 Page 1
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt additional policies to support and clarify the
Town's existing rules related to public usage of the Town's Pathway System contained in the Los
Altos Hills General Plan, Municipal Code and other adopted policies; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the establishment of additional supporting and
clarification rules for usage of the Town's pathway system is exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that these rules and regulations will not have a
significant effect on the environment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills
hereby adopts rules for public usage of off-road pathways in the Town's pathway system as
outlined in Exhibit A.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town of
Los Altos Hills at a regular meeting held on the 15th day of October 2020 by the following vote:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
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BY:
Michelle Wu, Mayor
Resolution 59-20
Page 2
EXHIBIT A
Rules for Public Usage of the Town's Off -Road Pathways
1. Purpose
This policy is intended to support and clarify the Town's existing rules related to public usage
of the off-road pathways in the Town's Pathway System contained in the Los Altos Hills
General Plan, Municipal Code and other adopted policies.
2. Definitions
a. Class 1 Off -Road Pathway—An off-road path for which easements have been granted to
the Town for a completed route, on which a path has been developed or pathway use has
been established, and which is maintained by the Town and is open for public use.
b. Class 2 Off -Road Pathway—An off-road path for which easements have been granted to
the Town for less than a completed route, or where the pathway easement exists but the
path has not been constructed or maintained and is not open for public use. Such paths
remain to be completed in the future.
c. Class 3 Off -Road Pathway—A planned future off-road path, as shown in the Master Path
Plan. These paths may need dedication of easements over a single large parcel of land, or
may require easements over a number of smaller parcels.
3. Pathway Usage Rules
a. Class 1 Off -Road Pathways should be open and available for public use, with the following
exceptions:
When a health and safety hazard, including but not limited to a fallen tree, soil erosion,
flooding, a failing retaining wall or other damage, is present, when maintenance or
repairs are required, or on any day deemed to be a day of high fire danger, the City
Manager is authorized to close a pathway and post notice of the closure at entrances to
the subject pathway.
b. Class 2 and 3 Off -Road Pathways are not open for public use.
i. The City Manager is authorized to post "No Public Access" signs at entry points for
Class 2 and 3 Pathways when deemed necessary.
Resolution 59-20 Page 3