HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2009 PEBTAC MinutesSaratoga Pedestrian, Equestrian and Bicycle Trails Committee Meeting
City Hall Planning Offices
13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Meeting started 7:00pm
I. Organization
Attendees:
Denise Goldberg, Chair (absent, excused)
Jim Stallman, Vice Chair
Bill Brooks, Citizen Advisor (absent, excused)
Ray Cosyn, Citizen Advisor
Ann Waltonsmith, Citizen Advisor
Iveta Harvancik, Staff
II. Administration
Minutes approved for January 2009.
III. Oral and Written Communication
None
IV. Staff Report
A. Sanborn Park has put out a notice that dogs are once again allowed in the Park – they
must be on leash.
B. Denise walked Chester and asked about an apparent trail easement. Staff identified
that there is an trail easement on the south side of the 2 parcel subdivision in question
as shown on a city parcel map which was provided to the committee. A discussion
ensued regarding other trail easements on the west side of the Chester Sobey
neighborhood with one connecting to West Valley College and another to San Marcos
Road identified.
V. Old Business
A. Bicycle Facilities Map/Circulation Element – Ann of the committee provided photos of
Class III signage and striping (sharrows) features found in San Francisco which could
be considered for our Class III Bike Routes. A City Council Agenda item will again be
taken up on this matter as early as March 18th but first it will be vetted through the
PEBTC on March 17th.
B. Potential New Trail Maps – 2 trails are on the City website now. 5 candidate new maps
were distributed and comments are to be made by the committee along with review by
the City Attorney and Public Works Director.
C. Trails Photo Contest – There is an article on the contest in the current issue Saratoga
News. The sponsor, Village Business Venz Photography, is conducting the contest and
hoping to attract High School participants. Venz Photography offered to facilitate a
Trails specific photo contest should the PEBTC want to pursue this.
VI. New Business
A. Code of Ethics and Values – distributed to committee members
B. Blue Hills School Railroad Crossing Safety Project - Dennis King, neighborhood
resident to the crossing presented findings on a color coded map of the neighborhood
for a survey which he conducted. There is overwhelming support from he and his
2
neighbors to have the crossing reopened. He asked how best to pursue this. The
committee expressed its support and also noted that the crossing is a VTA BPAC
project with planned funding. It was suggested that the Mayor be contacted. The
committee acting Chair is to write a note to the Council asking for an update on City
efforts to reopen the crossing and also to carry a message to the VTA BPAC with the
latest evidence of support for the crossing project. Saratoga’s Mayor is on the PAC at
VTA and should also be able to convey the importance of this project with the added
request that VTA work to include seeing that UP grant the City the easement necessary
to reopen the crossing. It was noted that the neighborhood is a 1967-68 development
and that there has never been a safety problem with the crossing as it was.
C. Carnelian Glen Trail Encroachment – Mary Anne Swan expressed concern about new
fencing encroaching on the trail. A survey would be required to establish whether the
fences are encroaching upon the trail easement. At this time there is no plan to do such
a survey.
D. Parker Ranch Trail Update – Saratoga Country Club and the Parker Ranch HO
Association have signed approval to rerouting of the trail to improve the grade on the
hill. This is a consent calendar item for the forthcoming City Council meeting.
VII. Member Reports (information only, no actions to be taken)
A. Pending trails updates – Parker Ranch Trail – new alignment easement to be on
18th Feb Council Consent Calendar
B. Member reports – Mustard Faire is March 1st.
VIII. Action Items Summary
Jim – Write letter to Council regarding Blue Hills School Railroad Crossing Safety Project
Jim – Communicate importance of the Blue Hills School Railroad Crossing Safety Project
to the VTA BPAC
Ann – Follow up with an interested community member who expressed an interest in
possibly joining the PEBTC