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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/1993Minutes of a Special Meeting May 22,1993 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Saturday, May 22, 1993,10:00 A.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER. ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Tryon called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 10:05 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard and Siegel Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Johnson Staff: City Manager Les M. Jones, II and City Clerk Pat Dowd 4 Press: Jan Shaw, Los Altos Town Crier 2. REGULATION OF TRUCK TRAFFIC ON STONEBROOK AVENUE The City Council discussed the issue of truck traffic on Stonebrook and several options for regulating it. Such options included: reducing speed limit, making truck traffic one way thus stacking the trucks, use of flag men for this one way solution; opening up the access to Magdalena. The City Manager reported that on Thursday, May 20th a meeting on this subject had been held. In attendance at the meeting in addition to himself were Councilmember Siegel, John Vidovich, Jeff Peterson and representatives from the Sheriffs Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Stevens Creek Quarry Company. They recommended as a first step the lowering of the speed limit to 15 mph for trucks going downhill on Stonebrook. John Vidovich agreed to pay for the additional cost for enforcement of this speed by the Sheriff's Department. A next step might include limiting the truck traffic to one way but concern was expressed about stacking the trucks on El Monte. May 22, 1993 Special Meeting Tryon raised the safety issue and stated that if stacking of trucks was done it should be at the quarry not at El Monte. She also discussed the issue of enforcement and opening up Stonebrook to Magdalena. Dauber asked if the County had been invited to this meeting and was advised that they were not invited. She believed the County should be included and should have some responsibility for the problems this project was causing. She also commented that there was a service road along the McCullough property which might also be used and it was agreed this alternative would be researched. Hubbard commented that he had some rough figures of the amount of traffic being discussed. At 35 trucks a day, making 7 trips a day, there were 259 trips one way or in other words at the maximum one a minute. Siegel did note that the trucks did not haul dirt every day. On the subject of the enforcement issue, Siegel also commented that the deputies would be out on Stonebrook for a couple of hours a day and would stop all speeders. Council discussed the Stonebrook Path Project which would soon be going out to bid and questioned whether this project should be done while the dirt hauling was continuing. It was noted that the bid opening was scheduled for June 9th with the award of contract scheduled for the June 16th Council Meeting. Council decided to proceed with this schedule and not abandon the competitive bid process on an urgency basis. Council also discussed opening up Stonebrook to Magdalena and staff was directed to research this section of `r the road for a right of way. John Kolski, Stevens Creek Quarry Trucking Company, explained that the schedule for hauling dirt was dictated by Caltrans as they were getting the dirt from the Highway 85 project. He explained the schedule of the trucks and the impact of having them back up at the Highway 85 site, the quarry or El Monte. On the subject of trucks, he stated that double trailers had a better pivot than single trailers. Ruth Buneman, 12655 La Cresta, noted that she was a bicyclist and it was very difficult to get around the Stonebrook area on a bicycle. In her opinion Stonebrook should be opened up but she did not know the impact of this option on private property. George Barnett, Edgecliffe, commented on the safety issue and suggested limiting the number of trucks leaving the 85 construction site with a full load. He also suggested slow and yield signs at Priscilla and Prospect. Mr. Barnett believed stacking the trucks at El Monte could cause problems but did not believe the speed limit was an issue. He was quite concerned, however, that there was no exit other than Stonebrook in case of an emergency. May 22, 1993 Special Meeting `w Rosemary Meyerott, Town Historian, commented that over the years there had been a problem with the traffic going to the quarry. In her opinion the best solution was to open up Stonebrook. She also expressed her concerns about too much development in that area and not being able to get out on Stonebrook in case of an emergency. Shirley Stevenson, Prospect, noted that she had lived in Town for 31 years and was very concerned about the lack of exits for so much development in the area of Stonebrook. She also did not agree with the dirt being hauled up Stonebrook but if it could not be prevented then she certainly believed it should be conditioned and Mr. Vidovich should be responsible. Alan Dale, 25274 La Loma Drive, supported opening up Stonebrook to the quarry. He also believed the truck drivers were excellent drivers and changing the speed limit was not necessary. If the Council did reduce the speed limit however he believed the residents would have to abide by the law since they were supposed to be going the 25 mph speed limit. Richard Aurelio, 25320 La Loma Drive, believed it was impossible to come down Stonebrook with all of the truck traffic, noise and dirt. About 100 residents were negatively impacted in his opinion with only John Vidovich benefitting. Mr. Aurelio noted three areas of concern: benefit to residents - access to the lake; preservation of open space on hillside and pathway easements. He asked what leverage the Town had but was advised by the Mayor that the Town could not legally ban the trucks. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Council agreed to take the following short term actions regarding Stonebrook: direct the crew to clear the trees on Stonebrook for better visibility and to place lane delineators on Stonebrook in the areas recommended by the Public Works Department. Council further agreed to schedule this issue for a public hearing at their June 2, 1993 City Council Meeting and at that time to review a complete report as prepared by staff on all of the issues raised concerning regulation of truck traffic on Stonebrook. These issues include: the alternate access through the McCullough subdivision; limitation of truck traffic, reduced speed limits, one-way truck traffic (stacking trucks/use of flag men); asking the owner, John Vidovich, to agree to opening up Stonebrook; restricting trucks to double trailers; and May 22, 1993 Special Meeting researching the access to Magdalena for possible right of way. It was agreed that the following would be invited to the meeting on the 2nd of June: representatives from the Sheriffs Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Stevens Creek Quarry Trucking Company, the County and John Vidovich. Notices would also be posted on Stonebrook and Magdalena. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 4. ADIOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Res pectful1 submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the May 22, 1993 Special City Council Meeting were approved at the June 2, 1993 Regular City Council Meeting. May 22, 1993 Special Meeting