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SCTF 2001 - 2002 2001-2002 STEVENS CREEK TRAIL TASK FORCE MINUTES 1 of 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Kick-off Meeting Minutes MEETING LOCATION: Cupertino City Hall,Conference Room C and D 10300 Torre Avenue,Cupertino MEETING DATE: Tuesday,January 16, 2001 at 4:00 PM MEETING TIME: 4:00 PM ATTENDANCE: Task Force Member, Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino City Council Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain,Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association Dave Constant, Cupertino Swim&Racquet Club John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle art,! Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scot Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze, Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John.Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Community Members Emily Adams, Santa Clara University Staff Members Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Therese Smith, Parks and Recreation Director Consultants Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner These meeting minutes, if not corrected at the next meeting by any party in attendance, shall be acknowledged as an accurate report of the events that transpired at this meeting. 1. Welcome JS:Cuperfino/SCT/Task Force Kickoff City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Richard Lowenthal opened the first Task Force Meeting with a warm welcome to the members. Mr. Lowenthal noted that the Task Force represents community members from along the proposed trail alignment and trail users groups. He stated his beliefs that the trail will provide a significant community amenity and that the vision of a trail from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean will leave a legacy. II. Introductions Task Force Members, staff and consultants introduced themselves and provided a brief background on their interest and involvement with recreational trails. III. "First Impressions" Slide Show Tour Jana Sokaie provided an armchair tour of the trail corridor via a slide show. She discussed the natural mvironment of the creek corridor,history of the site,features unique to Cupertino and the opportunities and constraints to trail development.She noted that Cupertino is the first city where the trail begins to climb from the valley floor into the foothills. This change in elevation will afford trail users expansive views of Silicon Valley. She also noted that Cupertino was the only city in which an orchard remained along the trail corridor. The citrus orchard located on the Stocklmeir site will remind trail users of the Valley's agriculture roots that inspired the name "Valley of the Heart's Delight." She also noted that the roadway crossings of the creek would create challenges to providing for a Class I route, which is defined by Caltrans as a pedestrian and bicycle path grade-separated from roadways. The connections to Rancho San Antonio County Park and Stevens Creek County Park would provide opportunities for other types of trail use possibly including horseback riding and mountain bicycling. These foothill park sites would offer challenges to meeting the American with Disabilities Act(ADA). IV. Role of the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force The role of the Steven Creek Task Force is to complete the planning and public review of the Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study. The Task Force will learn about the opportunities and constraints to trail development including land availability, environmental sensitivity and geotechnical suitability. Based on this data, the Task Force must select a trail route from a variety of alignment alternatives prepared by the consultant team. A primary charge of the Task Force is to collect public input on the trail alignment options. JS:Cupertino/SCT/Task. Force Kickoff City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Task Force members must be willing to: z • Make a one-year commitment to the committee h„ • Attend meetings once, occasionally twice, a month throughout 2001 -'° Balance the interests of trail enthusiasts with the carry capacity of the ,'Q, environment and desires of property owners. The Task Force will work directly with City staff and the consultants. Trail alignment alternatives will be presented to the Task Force for review. The Task Force will also be responsible for gathering public cornrnent on the feasible trail routes through a series of community meetingF.The information supplied by the consultants, reviewed by the Task Force and refined by the community w`J provide the basis for the trail alignment through Cupertino. The selection of a chair and vice-chair was discussed. Richard Lowenflhol, Cupertino City Council, David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society each expressed interest in these capacities. All members were encouraged to give consideration to serving in these roles. At the next meeting, members can further discuss these roles, identify their interest in these two positions and, then a vote will occur to elect the chair and vice-chair. V. Scope of Work and Schedule-Jana Sokale Jana Sokale distributed a proposed project schedule that highlighted the scope of work, deliverables and meeting schedule required to complete the asscciated work products. Task Force Members were requested to review the schedule in the coming month against their personal calendars so that a final schedule can be adopted at the February Task Force meeting. Upon adoption of the schedule, staff will notify the community of the public hearing dates through a variety of media forms. VI. What will make the Stevens Creek Trail a Success in Cupertino? Richard Lowenthal engaged the Task Force in an exercise to answer, "What will make the Stevens Creek Trail ,:.Success in Cupertino?" The comments from this discussion were recorded and are in laded as an attachment to the minutes. Task Force Members are asked to review this attachment and bring any additional ideas to the February meeting. VIL Next Steps/Announcements The next meeting will focus on the geotechnical report and the implications of the findings on the feasibility of constructing the trail. JS:Cupertino/SCT/Task Force Kickoff City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Steve Haze noted that the Cupertino Historical Society meets in the evening of the fourth Tuesday of every month. Programs planned in February and March may be of interest to the Task Force. He also noted that on March 24 at 1:00 PIA the Society would be participating in the Commemoration and Re- enactment of the Juan Bautista De Anza Expedition. An announcement detailing this program is provided as an attachment to the minutes. VIII. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM. The next meeting will be held February 27,2001 at 4:00 PM at Cupertino City Hall to review the geotechrucal report and base mapping. JS:Cupertino/SCT/Task Force Kickoff City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'frail Feasibility Study Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Technical Reports Meeting Minutes MEETING LOCATION: Cupertino City Hall, Conference Room C and D 10300 Torre Avenue,Cupertino MEETING DATE: Tuesday, Febrzary 27, 2001 MEETING TIME: 4:00 PM ATTEND.' NCE: Task Force Members Present Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain,Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein, Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee ® Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scot Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze, Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Chuck Noble, Scenic Circle Neighborhood Task Force Members Absent Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association Dave Constant, Cupertino Swim & Racquet Club Staff Members Ray Chong,Traffic Engineer Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Therese Smith, Parks and Recreation Director Consultants Ted Sayre, Cotton.,Shires and Associates David Schrier, Cotton,Shires and Associates Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner These meeting minutes, if not corrected at the next meeting by any party in attendance, shall be acknowledged as an accurate report of the events that transpired at this meeting. JS: Cupertino-SCT/SCT-TF Minutes #2 Page ) of 4 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'frail Feasibility Study I. Welcome The meeting was called to order by Richard Lowenthal. II. Introductions Mike O'Dowd introduced Chuck Noble, the newest member of the Task Force. Mr. Noble will be representing the Scenic Circle Neighborhood. All Task Force Members,staff and consultants introduced themselves. III. Approval of the January Minutes The January Minutes were unanimously approved. ICJ'. Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Administration Jana Sokale distributed an updated roster and project schedule.Jana Sokale polled the Task Force on their interest in establishing tour dates for each of the study areas. The Task Force indicated a desire to have tour of each of the study areas scheduled shortly before each meeting. If was suggested that these walks be held in the late afternoon. IVls.Sokale will work with staff to select dates and include the tours on the next schedule. A tour of the existing Stevens Creek Trail ® system was also requested.This will be scheduled on a Saturday.Staff and consultants will select potential Saturday tour dates for discussion at the March meeting. It was also requested the project schedule include the time of each meeting or tour. Ms. Sokale will update the schedule and distribute a copy at the March Meeting. The selection of a chair and vice-chair was discussed. Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino City Council,Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission, David Greenstein, Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,Craig Breon, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society each expressed a willing to assist in these capacities. Mr. Buenz asked each of the candidates to describe their interest and experience in serving in these capacities. Mr. Breon noted, that he would be interested in serving as vice-chair. He has served as a Planning Commissioner in Portola Valley and is the Executive Director of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. He noted that his interest in the trail project stemmed from his environmental background. Mr. Greenstein noted his interest was in either position. He is currently the chair of the Cupertino Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee. He has run pubiic meetings and would enjoy furthering bicycle and pedestrian access through Cupertino as part of the Stevens Creek Trail. He feels the trail will particularly benefit children and families in Cupertino by providing an off-street transportation and recreation experience. Ms. Bradford noted that she was willing to serve, but already had the JS:Cupertino-SCT/SCT-TF Minutes #2 Page 2 of 4 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study added responsibility of serving as the Parks and Recreation Commission liaison to the Task Force. Mr. Lowenthal suggested that David and Craig serve as chair and vice-chair respectively and called for a vote. David Greenstein was unanimously elected to serve as chair. Mr. Lowenthal passed the chair duties to Mr. Greenstein. He called for a vote for vice-chair. Craig Breon was unanimously elected to serve as vice-chair of the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force. V. Geotechnical Findings Report Jana Sokale introduced Ted Sayre,Senior Engineering Geologist and David Schrier,Senior Geotechnical Engineer from Cotton,Shires and Associates. Mr. Sayre and Mr.Schrier conducted a geotechnical and engineering analysis of constrained trail corridor areas to determine the feasibility of developing trail routes in these locations. Their work included a feasibility analysis,development of conceptual engineering solutions required to build these sections of the trail and preparation of construction budget estimates for these engineered structures. Their work is documented in the"Geotechnical Feasibility Evaluation,Stevens Creek Trail,Cupertino Segment" report dated February 21,2001 and distributed to the Task Force at the meeting. Their work focused on five areas: • Connections from Varian Park to Stevens Creek Boulevard • Stevens Creek Boulevard Crossings • Blackberry Farm Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridges • McClellan Road Crossings • Closed Quarry Trail Alignments The potential trail alignment solutions were presented by Mr. Sayre and Mr. Schrier. The Task Force members had numerous questions regarding the trail alignment solutions and budget estimates. These questions were fielded by Mr. Sayre and Mr. Schrier. Ms. Sokale noted that those options that were deemed feasible would be presented again to the Task Force in.relationship to the proposed traii alignment alternatives. She noted that it was i mportant to determine feasibility in these areas prior to devel p no trail routes. The limited feasibility presented in these areas usually limited routing options for the trail. The engineering solutions will be integrated into the overall trail ailgnnments for Study Areas A through D and will be presented from March through June. vi. What will make the Stevens Creek Trail a Success in Cupertino? A handout summarizing the answers "What will make the Stevens Creek Trail a Success in Cupertino?" exercise which was lead by Richard Lowenthal in January was distributed. Task Force Members are asked to review this attachment and 40 bring any additional ideas to the February meeting. This item was tabled due to lack of time and will be reagendized in the future. JS:Cupertino-SCT/SCT-TF Minutes #2 Page 3 of 4 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Trail Feasibility Study VII. FeasibilityStuds Mapping Y PP g Jana Sokale distributed a base man of the trail study area.She requested that Task Force members mark-up this map with any additional features that were important to consider in the development of the trail alignments. She asked that the base map mark-ups be mailed to her by March 16 so than the additional information could be represented on future work products. VIII. Homework/Announcements/Next Steps Jana Sokale reminded Task Force members to prepare their comments on the base map and to indicate their top choices on the feasibility study goals homework. Both of these items should be mailed to Jana Sokale by March 16. Steve Haze noted that on March 24 at 1:00 PM the Cupertino Historical Society would be participating in the Commemoration and Re-enactment of the Juan Bautista De A.nza Expedition. The next meeting will focus on the biological report and the trail alignments in Study Area A - Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve to the Hammond-Snyder Home off Stevens Creek Boulevard. IX. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM. The next meeting will be held March 27,2001 at 7:00 PM at Cupertino Senior Center to review the biological report and trail alignments in.Study Area A. JS:Cupertino-SCT/SCT-TF Minutes #2 Page 4 of 4 • City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Stevens Creek '.Trail 'Task Force Study )Urea A - 'Frail Alignment Meeting MEETING LOCATION: Cupertino Senior Center,Reception Hall 21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard,Cupertino MEETING DATE: Tuesday,March 27,2001 MEETING TIME: 7:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain,Friends of Stevens Creek Trail John Buenz,Meadows Home Owners Association Ann Cleaver,Meadows Home Owners Association John Giovanola,Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson,Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway,Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society(late arrival) Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Task Force Members Absent Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Dave Constant,Cupertino Swim&Racquet Club Staff Members Ray Chong,Traffic Engineer David Knapp,City Manager Mike O'Dowd,Recreation Supervisor,Blackberry Farm Marie Preston,Parks and Recreation Admin.Secretary Therese Ambrosi Smith,Parks and Recreation Director Consultants Jana Sokale,Environmental Planner Lynne A.Trulio,Ph.D., Wildlife and Wetlands Ecologist These meeting minutes, if not corrected at the next meeting by any party in attendance, shall be acknowledged as an accurate report of the events that transpired at this meeting. Aft Page 1 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Frail Feasibility Study I. Call to Order David Greenstein,Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Mr.Greenstein gave the audience a brief description of the history of the Stevens Creek Trail and the creation,role,objectives,and project schedule of the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force. II. February Meeting Minutes The minutes were unanimously approved as drafted. III. Oral Communications(items not on the agenda) Question Are these meetings costing the taxpayers money,and how much? Answer: Yes,tax money is paying for this process.The current budget is$80,000. IV. Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Administration Jana Sokale distributed updated roster and final schedule(handouts). The Task Force selected Saturday,April 21 to tour other trail segments.The h,-"° day tour will fall on"State Trails Day."A start time will be announced closer to the day. V. Feasibility Study Goals Jana Sokale detailed the general study areas of the proposed Trail via enlarged maps.She also presented Feasibility Study Goals for review and refining.She will take the comments and recommendations from the Task Force and the public and incorporate them into a report that will be given at the next Task Force meeting on April 24. 10 Each Task Force member was asked to review the goals,select their top four goals,explain their point of view on each of their selected goals,and forward their comments to Jana Sokale by Friday,April 16.Ms.SokaIe will compile these goals and bring them to the April 24 meeting. VI. Biological Findings Lynne Trulio,Ph.D.,Wetlands&Wildlife Ecologist was introduced.Dr.T rulio took the Task Force through the details of her draft report,"Assessment of Biological Opportunities and Constraints for the Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study."This report was developed early in the process to strategize protection for various species and i,a!,itats.Part of her report included a habitat map detailing land features,land uses,and habitat types.Her report highlighted and identified potential ecological restoration opportunities.To develop this report,she did field surveys over the last year,examined existing documents on the area,and held conversations and meetings with knowledgeable local experts. VII. Presentation of Study Area A-Rancho San Antonio County Park to Stevens Creek Boulevard at the Hammond-Snyder Home Jana Sokale presented a slide show of Study Area A from Rancho San Antonio County Park and the Open Space Preserve to Stevens Creek Boulevard at the Hammond-Snyder Home. She discussed Study Area A and the trail alignment recommendations for the site. She presented the handout entitled"Study Area A-Trail Alignment Study Session Summary- Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve to Stevens Creek Boulevard at the Hammond-Snyder Home.." VIII. Study Area A-Public Comment Page 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Paul Metz,a San Jose resident working in Cupertino is excited about trail. He likes the idea of paving from the new Stevens Creek Boulevard bike lanes to the proposed trail route paralleling Permanente Creek.He also likes the bike lanes on Cristo Rey. He has used Cristo Rey to ride his bike.He would like not to be forced off the road onto a path where keeping the required 15 mph is difficult to maintain. - Barbara Robben grew up in Cupertino and returns regularly to visit mother at'Che Forum.She lives in Berkeley and grew up in this area during 40's and 50's.She uses many of the trails in the area.She is a runner and likes the alternatives of the pathway system.She talked with staff following meeting to give further input on handicap access from paved trail to a decomposed granite trail,the little knoll,questions about fire and the chain-link fences being installed in the area. Rodney Brown,Cupertino resident,road and mountain biker,and a hiker.He noted that the section planned to go along the existing bike lanes on Foothill Boulevard,where gravel trucks travel,is a scary place to T C road bike.There is a lot of gravel and debris in ffie bike lanes,unless the street sweepers nave gone by recently.He understands that there are other limitations in the area:can't go in the Phar Lap area,the UP trail may not be a viable alternative.He asked that the Task Force look for other alternatives in that area because for cycling on Foothill Boulevard is the scariest portion of his ride. As a mountain biker,he asked the Task Force to open the trails to all users.He believes that there won't be a lot of mountain biker use because it is a small trail system,but it would be a good area for families with kids because there would be less traffic.There was a concern about equestrian vs.mountain cyclist issues.There are plenty of places in the area where with the right trail design those issues could be largely mitigated with,proper site lines.He asked the Task Force to consider those issues.He asked the Task Force to look at having representatives from other user groups,i.e.,mountain cyclists,hikers.He would like an e-mail address to respond to,as well as,a website to access information. Jim Bodwin,Cupertino resident.He is excited about the trail and goes to Fremont Older Open Space Preserve about three times a week.The trail up Stevens Creek Boulevard, toward Hanson-Permanente would be an important link for families with strollers and young children and a possible alternative commute route.Parking may become a problem at the Hammond-Snyder Home because there is no parking available on Saturdays at Rancho San Antonio due to its popularity. He was concerned about opening up an area to horses where they don't now go. If more access is given to the horses,they will cause more environmental damage.Fremont Older Open Space Preserve has a real problem with erosion damage from the horses. Mr. Bodwin felt that by putting in loops for the horses,the city would also be catering to private owners and improving their business. Who owns the stables? Jana Sokale stated that Whispering Creek Stable boards horses for private individuals. They do not operate an equestrian concession.They lease the land from PG&E Company. Councilmember Lowenthal agreed that mountain bikers were potentially underrepresented. IX. Discussion Councilmember Lowenthal asked how the Task Force might arrange for compatibility between off-road bicyclists and horses?Steve Haze commented that the Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail is a paved trail running parallel with a soft surface equestrian trail.The two Page 3 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Frail Feasibility Study trails are separated by a split-rail fence.Mr.Haze also stated that if a trail is designed appropriately,there can be multi-use:hikers,runners,walkers,equestrians,off-road bikes. He believes decomposed granite(DG)is a good trail surface.Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(MROSD)does not pave any of their trails and many of the ca.-nty park systems trails are strictly dirt.It seems that,as a compromise,instead of asphalt or two separate trails,DG as the surface material could be considered.He believes that another issue to consider is the highest priority of the area and what would the appropriate use of the area. Jana Sokale stated that the City of Cupertino will not own or operate these lands and that these lands will be owned by the County of Santa Clara and operated either by the County or by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.Their policies will need to be interfaced with what Cupertino wants to do.Their policies provide a trail use and management framework for the Task Force to consider. Jana Sokale asked the Task Force if there were any trails or areas they wished eliminated/changed/added to Study Area A. Steve Haze asked that an alignment be added through the PG&E property going along the rail line corridor because there is a landscaping service which is on the backside of the substation property that went in during the last month.Jana Sokale said she would review this trail alignment and report back at the April 24 Task Force Meeting. Richard Lowenthal requested clarification on the trail alignment alternatives presented along Stevens Creek Boulevard. Ray Chong,Traffic Engineer noted that bicycle lanes were being added to Stevens Creek Boulevard from the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard to the edge of the residential development.Jana Sokale noted that the trail alignment needs to connect to these bicycle lanes and that two options had been presented for review.The first option includes a Class I trail parallel to Stevens Creek Boulevard that traverses Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department property before connecting to the on-street bicycle lanes at Ridgeway Drive with a new signalized intersection.The second alternative connects trail users to Stevens Creek Boulevard with a signalized intersection at the driveway to the Hammond-Snyder Home.The second alternative would extend the on-street bicycle lanes up the hill to this new intersection. The Task Force directed Jana Sokale to prepare cost estimates for both options and present these alternatives at the April 24 Meeting. X. Next Steps T11e Task Force agreed to keep all alignments as noted plus investigate an alignment through the PG&E property along the rail line. - Add 'information to the city's website,including maps. Marie wcupertino.org,is a contact e-mail address for interested parties to receive agendas and/or packets. - At the televised April 5 Parks and Recreation Commission,Stevens Creek Trail information will be disseminated. - "Task Force members tc work on their four goals and send back to Jana Sokale by April 16. - Task Force should read Dr.Trulio's report and send comments to Jana Sokale by April 16. - An upcoming tour schedule will be sent to Task Force members within a week. Transportation and lunches will be arranged for these tours,so RSVP's are important. - The Parks and Recreation Commission agenda will be will be sent out to the Task Force members. Page 4 • City of Cupertino Stevens Creels 'Trail Feasibility Study - For the next agenda,it was suggested that"public comment" be put on earlier. - Have a copy of the Task Force materials at McClellan Ranch Park in the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail office,as well at the main City library. XI. .Announcements-None XII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. The next Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Meeting will be held at the Cupertino Senior Center on Tuesday,May 22,2001 at 7.00 PM. Page 5 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Trail Feasibility Studv Approved Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Study Area A-Trail Alignment Meeting Tuesday, April 24,2001 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Jeanne Bradford, Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Comruttee Mary Jo Gunderson,Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Dave Constant,Cupertino Swim&Racquet Club Task Force Members Absent-None Staff Members David Knapp,City Manager Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director., Parks and Recreation Consultant Jana Sokale;Environmental Planner I. Call to Order David Greenstein,Chair,called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. II. March 27 fleeting Minutes The minutes were unanimously approved as drafted. III. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) - None Page 1 r City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study IV. Old Business Study Area A—Trail Alignment Recommendations: Jana Sokale reviewed the recommendations and changes to the map of Study Area A. She addressed questions and concerns from the Task Force members.Areas of concern were staging areas, parking, safety, and impact on neighborhoods. It was noted that the County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department is being kept informed. Limited parking at San Antonio Park is a concern. Public Comment Paul Metz,a San.Jose resident working in Cupertino, stated that in Study Area A(I need a description for the area he is discussing), leaving that area as gravel so that kids and neighbors can have access sounds good. The singular demand lights sounds like a good idea. If money is needed for that,he believes Safe Routes To School was re-approved,so there might be money to pay for such a connection. If the park(San Antonio Park)is growing,then possibly another staging area would make sense in order to get people into this section of the park. Judy Hogin,home backs up to Linda Vista Park. She expressed concern that there will be a huge impact on neighbor'tood in respect to privacy and parking. There are 35 parking spaces in the park,which is a small handful for what will be needed. Believes that.Linda Vista Park is not an ideal location for the trail to go through. Stephanie Constant lives near Linda Vista Park. Concerned that with the already busy Linda Vista Drive. She believes there would be an increase in traffic, as well as parking problems. Currently, parking for Linda Vista Park overflows onto the streets during weekends. If Linda Vista Park becomes a staging area, this will only increase current problems. Mrs. Constant is an avid bicyclist and strongly supports the efforts to build more bike trails. Jim Bodwin, (Jana,after your review of this paragraph, please reword to the best of your memory as it was inaudible and difficult to know what he was talking about so it's as verbatim as I could make it) He asked for expansion of the legend to show where mountain bicyclists are welcome. He also requested that we check with who owns the lands to make sure that they won't arbitrarily close those trails to mountain bikers or other bikers at a later date, which has happened in some of the Midpeninsula areas recently. He believes that Areas A and B are the most important areas from a bicyclist's point of view. There are alternatives to these areas, but no alternatives through the other Page 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels 'frail Feasibility Study areas. On Area B, right about here is where a bicyclist was killed on Stevens Canyon Road and this would represent a way for bicyclists to access Fremont Older without having to go up Stevens Canyon Road where there are a number of trucks which use the road,so this is a very important safety issue I think to have an open way to get through here on bikes. . There is an existing footbridge across the creek here and a trail back in this way which might be a good way to tie this into this parking lot for probably only for walkers,but I think this is something that should be looked at. Also this road continues to cross here to a parking lot and then Old Stevens Canyon Road goes up and hooks back up and is still actually recently paved and it is like going on a road bike, and that would provide an alternative assuming a road biker could get through here. At least for mountain bikers could get almost to the base of the dam and avoid Stevens Canyon Road so I think this needs to be looked at emptying into.This looks like this may be nature'trailish' as oppose to mountain biking. You're thinking mountain biking for that?This is fairly steep here and this is a section that you may want to look at some alternative alignments-one for mountain bikers, one for hikers,or perhaps even one that is downhill and one that is uphill for bikers and hikers because bikes don t go uphill very fast. I would like to see this done in a way that there are fewer conflicts between mountain bikers,but this is going to be an important access route into Fremont Older for people like me who don't want to be killed on Stevens Canyon Road. Action: The Task Force approved the Trail Alignment Recommendations for Study Area A with the exception of adding the area from the rotary to the park edge, and also looking at adding gravel access with the appropriate traffic control and leave the staging for future discussions. Tana Sokale was directed add an agenda item to a future meeting to review the whole alignment. V. New Business Study Area B -Trail Alignment Review Jana Sokale gave a slide presentation on the proposed areas with a major focus on Study Area B-Stevens Creek County Park to Linda.Vista Park. She explained that in the planning process,a final feasibility report will be developed that will identify viable trail alignments. These findings will be used to prepare environmental documents. Up to this point, the following documents have been developed: biological report, geotechnical report, as Page 3 City of Cupertino Stevens Creep 'Trail Feasibility Study well as a draft feasibility report. The Task Force reviewed the site feasibility characteristics, the trail alignment map and trail alignment alternatives. Jana Sokale was directed to: • Get projected trail use figures for next month's meeting • Investigate what the County of Santa Clara takes in park-use fees on an average week at Stevens Creek Park • Show another alignment that connects to the lower Stevens Creek County Park parking lot • Add restoration opportunities to the habitat and trail maps Public Comment Randy Ong,home backs up to Linda Vista Park. He expressed concern about putting a staging area at Linda Vista Park. The rear of his home is exposed to the park and he is concerned about the possibility of an increase in crime and a decrease in privacy. He and his family are excited about the trail and they are also bikers and hikers. Rod Brown,President of ROMP and Cupertino resident near Linda Vista Park. As a resident,he believes that the costs are worth the efforts and that things can be done to mitigate the impacts in the neighborhood, such as setting up Blackberry Farm as a staging area. He is concerned about excluding equestrians from some of the trails, and believes the Task Force should avoid these exclusions. He believes that in separating trail users,the stage will be set for complaints of discrimination. For instance,if speeding cyclists are a problern in the area, install speed-reducing features instead of prohibiting cyclists from that area. Also from a management point of view, this would simplify things, since Fremont Older is generally open to all users on all trails with only a couple of exceptions -parallel trails for different users increases costs to the system. Craig Cummings - He believes Linda Vista Park does have parking issues,especially on weekends, and neighborhood traffic would be impacted. He stated that Linda Vista Park is a daytime use only park and is closed at sunset. He believes that if a trail goes through Linda Vista, the park would have to be open during the night. He was informed that the park will be locked at night and there is a potential for people's cars to be locked in until the morning. Page 4 City of Cupertino Stevens C-eek Frail Feasibility Study Tana Sokale was asked to: • Develop policy recommendations regarding the possible staging area at Linda Vista Park • Look at specific alignments through and around this park • Investigate the number of annual passes the County of Santa Clara has sold A Task Force member requested investigating putting a staging area in the privately owned old Dorsa quarry area,whether a school is built there or not. VI. Feasibility Study Goals Action: The Goals had been voted on by 13 of the 15 members. The Task Force agreed to wait to finalize this list at the May meeting after all of the members have place their votes. V11. 'Trail Funding-Tabled to a later date. VIH. Announcements • Jana Sokale asked the Task Force to review the distributed Trail Funding Case Study and Trail Funding Report. These comment on the various funding program sources,grant monies, and their processes. • If there is any interest in doing another tour of the Mountain View section of the Trail,Jana Sokale stated ahe would be happy to organize another trip. + There will be a tour of Study Area B on May 15. • For those members who are interested in the feasibility study process, on May 23, the City of Mountain View is presenting their draft of their feasibility study of segment two of the trail. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 to Tuesday,May 22, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully subm' ted Mari6Preston Recording Secretary Page 5 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels 'Trail Feasibility Study Drafted Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Study Area B --Trail Alignment Meeting Tuesday,May 22,2001 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Jeanne Bradford, Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze, Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners (late arrival) John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Dave Constant,Cupertino Swim& Racquet Club Task Force Members Absent John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement Staff Members Mike O'Dowd,.Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Admin. Secretary, Parks and Recreation Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Consultant Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner I. Call to Order David Greenstein, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. II. April 24 Meeting Minutes The minutes were unanimously approved as drafted. 111. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) -None. IV. Old Business Page 1 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Study Area B -Trail Alignment Recommendations: Jana Sokale reviewed the recommendations and changes to the map of Study Area B. A new trail was added r`rom the quarry floor to the Chestnut Picnic Area in Stevens Creek County Park. The knoll trail from Linda Vista Park to the quarry rim was deleted. Ms. Sokale reviewed responses to the issues and questions raised at the April 24 Task Force Meeting. These included concerns regarding the use of Linda Vista Park as a staging area, the impact of a parking fee at Stevens Creek County Park on proposed staging areas along the Stevens Creek Trail, possible shared parking with school proposed on the quarry site and future trail use and parking demands. Public Comment Jim Bodwin, 22475 Palm. He requested that Linda Vista Park not be made a staging area. He would like to see Stevens Canyon Road. widen. Steve Patt, a Cupertino resident. He would like to see the Task Force make a recommendation to the County Parks and Recreation Department regarding the fee program. He does not support the fee policy. He does not feel wider trails are safer in areas of steep terrain. He feels the wider trails encourage higher speeds. Action: Following discussion by the Task Force, Items 1 and 2 were accepted. Item 3 was placed into Study Area C. This recommendation will be acted upon as a component of Study Area C. The Recommendations were accepted as amended. V. New Business Study Area C -Trail Alignment Review Jana Sokale gave a slide presentation on the proposed areas with a major focus on,Study Area C -Linda Vista Park through McClellan.Ranch to Blackberry Farm. She distributed "Study Area C -Trail Alignment Summary" and the accompanying trail neap for Task Force review and discussion. She presented the proposed trail alignments and features. Councilmember Lowenthal introduced Commander Dave Clifford from the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department. Commander Clifford had just joined the audience. Page 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Mary Jo Gunderson suggested that a meeting be held with the Linda Vista residents whose homes back the old haul road.The Task Force agreed that a community meeting of the Linda Vista Park neighbors needed to be arranged. It was also agreed that there would be no Area C Recommendations on the June agenda. The Task Force also agreed to present the proposed trail routes to the McClellan Ranch Task Force for their review and input. The Task Force meeting schedule will be redone to reflect these meetings. Susie Brain asked if Study Area C should be divided into two parts. Jana Sokale noted that this might be appropriate depending on the outcome of the two new community meetings. The decision could be delayed until this information is known. Council member Lowenthal asked if a multi-use trail could be situated behind the 4-H area. Jana Sokale noted concerns regarding the topography behind the anim,:cl pens and proximity to the oak trees. She will do some further evaluations in the area and report in June. Ann Cleaver views McClellan Road as hazardous to bicyclists and walkers. Dave Constant said he did not like the appearance of a signalized intersection in the Stevens Creek valley. John Buenz pointed out that the underpass crossing options at McClellan Road only work with the old haul road alignment. Mary Jo Gunderson did not believe trail users would use Babb Road. She felt the route was too far away. She requested that a signal be evaluated at McClellan Ranch and Linda Vista Drive. She noted this intersection is busv in the morning when students are on the their way to school and residents on their wav to worn. She also note: that the sidewalks do not extend all the way to McClellan Ranch. This would need to be remedied if the trail were to follow the Linda Vista route. She also noted that nighttime activities at Linda Vista Park create problems for the neighborhood. Steve Haze questioned whether a wooden trestle overpass rnight work as a grade-separated crossing of McClellan Road.. David Greenstein felt that use of Linda Vista Road as the trail route might additionally impact Linda Vista Park. Page 3 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Trail Feasibility Study Susie Brain stated that McClellan Ranch is a jewel. She preferred no paved trails in the park and use of the existing parking area as a trail access point only. Craig Breon states that he had ar..off-the-wall idea of possibly closing McClellan Road to all through t!-affic. In doing this, no underground tunnel or overpass would need to be constructed. The Task Force did not fallow-up on this suggestion. Ann Cleaver noted that the McClellan Ranch Task Force should look at the proposed :rail routes and provide feedback to the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force. Public Comment Steve Patt,Cupertino resident. He stated that during the week, Linda Vista Park seems deserted. He felt the proposed pedestrian light on McClellan Road near Deep Cliff Golf Course seemed dangerous. He would like to see the trail in Area C not developed for multi-use and that the trail through McClellan Ranch be a soft trail for walkers, strollers,runners, etc. - Barry Scott, Baxley Court homeowner with property backing up to the old haul road. He is opposed to having the trail in his backyard. He has experienced trespassers, burglaries and one arson attempt. He would like to see an alternative to the haul road alignment. Joan Cummings, home borders Linda Vista Park. Her family supports biking, and hiking. She stated that the haul road should not be a.multi- use trail and she has serious concerns regarding security. She does not want to see more asphalt. - Jerome Zis, Saratoga resident, runner/road biker, and mountain biker, lives near UPRR corridor. He stated that he would support a parking fee in staging areas. - Council member Lowenthal asked if the County Parks and recreation Department had partnered with cities to provide Venture Passes. Jana Sokale noted that the fee program was new. She will investigate this question and report in June. - Jim Bodwin, 22475 Palm. He stated that there are no sidewalks on one sine of McClellan Road near the Ranch. He would like to see a trail Page 4 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels Trail Feasibility Study through the Simms property and a pedestrian bridge cross the creek in the vicinity of th-_ 30' retaining wall on McClellan Road. Rod Brown, La Paloma Drive resident. He is concerned about the alignment going down Hyannisport Drive. He would like to see the alignment go down Linda Vista Drive to McClellan Road instead. He is also concerned about trail users running across McClellan Road at the Ranch if a signalized intersection roadway crossing is selected. Craig Cummings, home borders Linda Vista Park. He wants more detail about the trail alignment through Linda Vista Park. He would like the Task Force to propose a solution to the neighborhood regarding parking problems. He recommended that if a pedestrian light is placed on McClellan Road that it be placed at Linda Vista and McClellan. Michael Ludwig,Scenic Circle resident. He stated that he is in favor of the under crossing at McClellan Ranch or would like to see a signal light at the entrance to McClellan Ranch. He believes that the Bubb Road alignment should be dropped and use of the haul road is the preferred alignment. He stated that the term"on-street" alignment should be"on-sidewalk" alignment. Jana Sokale was directed to: • Evaluate extending the trail along Linda Vista Drive instead of using the Bubb Road alignment. Possibly consider dropping trail directly into McClellan Ranch at this juncture. • Diagram the trail circulation through Linda Vista Park • Prepare design and operations concepts for use of the old road and Linda Vista Park. Some ideas included: c Limiting parking time o Possible entrance fee with free neighborhood passes o Reducing the elevation of the haul road o Undergrounding utility wires along the old haul road 2. Feasibility Study Goals Action: The top five Feasibility Study Goals were approved as drafted. 3. Final Biological Report Page 5 City of. Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Frail Feasibility Study It was recommended that the California Tiger Salamander and Western Burrowing Owl be removed from the "special status species occurring or likely to occur in the Project Area (page 4)." Action: The biological report was approved as amended. VI. Announcements • Study Area D Tour will be on June 19;an e-mail will ge out to Task Force members • Study Area D Study Session will be held June 26 as scheduled • Check out the City of Mountain View's website for their reports Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:05. Respectfully submitted, r Marie Preston, Recording Secretary rage 6 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Approved Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Study Area D - Trail Alignment Meeting Tuesday, June 26, 2001 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain,Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association John Giovanola,Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course (late arrival) John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Task Force Members Absent Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association Dave Constant,Cupertino Swim& Racquet Club Steve Haze, Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones, Stevens Creek Canvon Homeowners Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino City Council Staff Members Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Consultant Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner 1. Call to Order David Greenstein,Chair, called the meeting,to order at 7:06 p.m. 11. May 22 Meeting Minutes Page 1. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study III. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) -None IV. ®Id Business Study Area C- Community Input and Follow-up Jana Sokale reviewed the June 20th Linda Vista Neighborhood outreach meeting and distributed a summary of the concerns, questions,and ideas raised at that meeting.The main areas of concern are alignment, security, trail use,habitat,housing values,and Linda Vista Park.Jana will develop responses to these concerns. Mary Jo Gunderson will forward feedback from the neighborhood to keep the list of concerns current. Mary Jo will work with the neighborhood in putting together a list of other trail alignment suggestions. Craig Breon presented the comments from the June 210 meeting of the McClellan Ranch Task Force that met on June 21. The McClellan Ranch Task Force was generally supportive of the trail alignment through McClellan Ranch. Comments included: • The Task Force wanted the nature trail and the riparian area to stay relatively low-key. • There was universal agreement that the trail would come into McClellan Ranch through Blackberry Farm and then into the orchard area (using an eastern alignment). • The Task Force wanted the trail to stay as far away from the creek as possible. • The Task Force preferred the trail alignment behind the community gardens and 4-H area. There are some minor concerns if the trail passes by the 4-H Center. Upgrades to the 4-H-a.cility in terms of fencing pen location and signage may need to be clone. • There was no opinion as to whether the trail should go under McClellan Road or cross the street west of the creek. • There was some support for a signalized crossing at Linda Vista. Drive and McClellan Road. There would be adequate views of the Ranch from this point. • The Task Force believed that a low-intensity walking path (dirt)from Scenic Blvd. through the Simms property to McClellan Ranch might provide a spur trail that allows people from the Scenic Blvd. neighborhood to get to the trail. Page 2 City of. Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Trail Feasibility Study • Surfacing and width of the trail drew many opinions. All agreed, though, that the trail should be handicapped accessible. O Parking during the week would not be a.problem. because McClellan Ranch is generally a low-usage park and would make a good staging area. If additional parking were needed, the Task Force wanted the city to look at the frontage of the Simms property. The Task Force believes that the current use of the Simms property (residential) does not fit with either the city ordinance of the site as a nature and rural preserve or the long-term vision of McClellan Ranch that all uses would serve either nature or agricultural purposes. The Task Force did note that there is a drainage problem in the goat pen area.This would need to be addressed with the trail. The audience raised concern about opening any gate on Scenic Boulevard. Currently, the street gets a great deal of traffic because the gate to Blackberry Farm is well known among local teens. Public Comment Steve Patt asked Craig Breon if the McClellan Ranch Task Force discussed whether the existing nature trail would intersect with the proposal new trail, so that people coming would then take a tour of the actual nature trail, and whether the trail would cause any trees to be cut down? He commented that Linda Vista Park is noted as a "neighborhood park" in the summary of the Linda Vista Neighborhood meeting. What does this mean? Although he doesn't live near the park, he is a Cupertino resident and considers the park his as well. He doesn't believe that the adjacent neighbors have special decision-making rights to the park. Craig Breori answered that the McClellan Ranch Task Force dirt not discuss the intersection of the proposed neui trail with the existing nature path, but lie znnuld lie a proponent of such a connection. There are trees that map be inipacted by the trail, especially zi�ith the proposed McClellan Road underpass. Removal of trees nyould be controversial and avoided if possible. Melissa Drysdale stated that a September meeting to continue discussions about Area C would be useful. Lyman Black,10338 Scenic Blvd., believes that the trait concept is %vonde.rful because he enjoys running and biking at other local trails. He questioned the number of potential users (20-100/hr) and the impact to neighborhoods. He offered the idea of using Byrne Avenue instead of going; through to Page 3 City of Cupertino Stevens Creak Trail Feasibility Study Blackberry Farm. A ger perspective may be to use Stevens Canyon Road. He believes that proponents of the trail tend to dismiss the homeowners as not in my backyard folks." He believes that the trail is directly in their backyards. fie feels the Task Force and staff are insensitive to homeowners. He proposed that the trail is not feasible, is unworkable, and 30 years too late. Jana Sokale responded that the usage patterns for this trail cannot be ansuvred at this time and the character of this trail is much different than trails in other areas. Site does not believe that the trail v411 be as heavily used as sortie of the trail systems discussed at the May Meeting. The Stevens Creek Trail in Cupertino does not provide access to large business park end-destinations nor does it offer loop trails that are often sought by destination recreators. Steve Moody,Scenic Circle is pleased that the trail alignment was taken out of Scenic Circle and put in the Blackberry Farm area. He would be opposed to the trail being put back into the Scenic Circle area. There is already a gate from Scenic Circle to Blackberry Farm. He believes that this is sufficient to get access to the trail.He questioned the assumption that there should be a trail that connects the bay to the sea, and does not necessarily believe that this is a good assumption and it should be challenged. Rod Brown,La Paloma Drive believes putting a staging area at Linda Vista Park would increase the number of cars parking on the street. However, he sees the trail as an asset to the neighborhood and is encouraged that the Task Force has taken extra efforts to take into account the concerns of the neighborhood. A question from the audience challenged the need for the trail. Dave Greenstein stated that it was not the charge of the Task Force to question the General Plan, but to look at all the issues/feasibility of putting in a trail and report back to the City Council. Dave stated that the public has the right to get involved in the General Plan process and to ask for items to be pulled for reconsideration. There is a General Plan kick-off meeting scheduled for July 17, 7 p.m., at the Senior Center. Action: Revised Study Area C Schedule - After review and discussion of the Community Meeting Schedule, it was unanimously agreed to schedule the additional Linda Vista Neighborhood meeting on September 19. The Task Force will make recommendations regarding Area C at the first meeting in the fall. The first fall meeting was rescheduled from September 25 to October 2 to allow for sufficient time to respond to the Linda Vista Neighborhood. This revised schedule and the Study Area Page 4 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study C - Linda Vista Neighborhood Meeting Summary will be posted on the web site.Jana will prepare responses to the Linda Vista Neighborhood questions to address the concerns raised at the June 20 meeting. This handout will be mailed to all residents on.the meeting roster within 4 to 6 weeks. V. New Business Study Area lD-'frail Alignment Review Jana Sokale gave a slide presentation on Study Area D- McClellan Ranch through Blackberry Farm to Stevens Creek Boulevard with possible spur trail to Varian Park.She distributed and reviewed the draft Study Area D Trail Alignment Summary and Map.Jana explained that the trail alignments were technically feasible and identified on the map to inspire comment and discussion. She encouraged ideas from the Task Force and the public. Public Comment Laura Zimmerman, 10472 Scenic Circle,feels strongly that there be green space and if installing the trail involves restoring green space, she supports the Stevens Creek Trail. She stated there is community concern about additional traffic and parking on Scenic Circle. Currently, many cars break the posted speed limit. If traffic increases, it may create an even more dangerous situation for the many pedestrians and playing children in the area. She also believes that weeds should not be cleared away because these are green plants,weeds or not, and plain brown dirt looks more unsightly and is contrary to the idea of trails. Kaye Walster,representin, he Meadows of Cupertino Homeowners' Association- an association 28 planned homes clustered on small lots along a strip of land that sits immediately between the western boundary of the former Stocklmeir property and Scenic Blvd. She stated that several of their homes are sited less than 10 feet from the former Stocklmeir property through which the trail is expected to be aligned. The Homeowners' Association requested that the Trail Task Force consider some requests that come directly from the specific interests of their membership. The requests included that: • The trail alignment for the Stocklmeir property is drawn so as to minimize the degree of potential intrusion into the privacy currently enjoyed by the residents whose homes back onto the city's property. e An optimal alignment would stay near to the creek and does not wander close to the boundary they share. They have two specific areas of concern: Page 5 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study 1. Near where the trail would intersect or cross Stevens Creek Blvd., there is a cluster of several homes tight up against the property line. If the trail is routed behind the old Stocklmeir house, on the side of the house away from the creek, this would run only a few feet away from the back doors of at least three homes. In particular, they are worried about the potential aesthetics and acoustics of a below-grade trail crossing at this location. 2. Near:where the trail to is to bridge the creek in the southern end of the current orchard,such a bridge should be located some 100 feet or more from the shared property line, since again there are homes that are sited quite close to the creek at that end of the property. Strong consideration should be given to selecting a single-track,soft- surface trail so as to minimize high impact use, as"Well as to retain as much of the natural beauty on this area of the creek. • While they recognize that the Task Force may not have final jurisdiction over the city's choices regarding plans for the orchard located on the Stocklmeir property,they wished to express their hope that whatever plans are considered for this trail,and any other improvements in this area, will continue to appreciate the beauty and the history embodied in one of the ® area's very few remaining orchards. Chester Gabriel, 10334 Scenic Blvd.,requested that answers to the Linda Vista neighborhood meeting summary be posted on the Task Force's web site. He asked how the public can comment on the General Plan. He doesn't believe people should be forced to snake the whole trail completely contiguous. He strongly urged that there be fencing between the trail and private properties. He lives next to Blackberry Farm, and at one time, despite a steep grade, poison oak and a fence, people went right through a small break in the fence and wandered onto his property from Blackberry Farm. From his experience, it is too much to expect people to stay on the trail. In response, it Was noted that the General Plan update schedule should be on the cihj's zrieb site at uVzau?.cupertino.o!W. It zuas explained that Cupertino has a Vision of a non-motorized transportation netznork Within Cupertino that includes this trail, the UP Trail, the Regnart Creek Trail and the San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail. Ultimately, these trails mill provide a Way for residents to move about tlreir community v41hout getting in their cars. Trails are funded by grants. There are many different avenues for obtaining fit nding. Bill Hawkes, has lived 23 years on Scenic Court. At the time he purchased his home, he was assured by the developer and the city that the park would Page 6 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'frail Feasibility Study remain in its natural state. He believes that adding a bridge to the trail from Scenic Circle is not a good idea. He recommends: 1. The Task Force end itself. 2. The Task Force turn its attention to preservation of certain areas, which would be more beneficial. 3. This may have been a good idea, but believes it's about 30-50 years too late. Max Bokelman, has lived for 15 years at the north side of Scenic Circle across the creek from Blackberry Farm. He relayed many instances he has witnessed over the years: all-night parties involving alcohol and/or drugs,people sneaking into the park at all hours of the night when there was a hole in the fence, public drunkenness,loud noises all hours of the night, disgusting behaviors such as urinating in front of their house and in yards,fires, vandalism, thefts and dumping of trash in his yard. The majority of the neighbors rallied and sent their support for closing the hole in the fence. In January, the city completed fixing the fence and installing in a gate to allow some access to Blackberry Farm. At that time, Mr. Bokelman agreed to close the gate at night. Mr. Bokelman reported that he has not had to call the police since and he has not had to pick up trash left by others -it's been a really quiet, peaceful place to live and he wants to keep it that way. He does not support the opening of this gate for access to the Stevens Creek Trail. He also believes that opening this access would snake Scenic Circle a trailhead parking lot. Don Bautista, 23 years at 10434 Scenic Court, is totally opposed to the route that is being taken. He believes there must be another way to connect San Antonio Park to the Stevens Creek County Park. He asked that in September, there be a presentation of another alternative. He suggested the Task Force contact the Sheriff's Department for historical data on incidents in this area. He feels the addition of the trail would only increase the current problerns they have been experiencing. Gillian Rutter, 10280 Phar Lap Drive is adamantly opposed to the Varian Park spur because of the close proximity to the elementary school. She believes that a trail going by private property, past schools and through little parks with children s play equipment is in conflict with the idea of experiencing the natural beauty of the environment. She proposed throwing the proposal and feasibility study away; it is costing taxpayers a lot of money and wasting her time to take this spur trail out of her neighborhood. She believes she could get a fair amount of support from the neighborhood to support her opinions. She is opposed to combining bike and pedestrian trails; doesn't believe the two Page 7 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels Trail Feasibility Study mix well. She also suggested that land for sale on Stevens Canyon Road be purchased for park trail use. Mark Law, homeowner off.Phar Lap Drive, stated that he is against the proposed Varian Park spur. He believes the geology of the high ridge on the west side of the creek,where there are homes up against the creek, appears to be fragile. There has been a considerable amount of erosion in what are already small back yards,and a trail through this space would encroach on the privacy of those homeowners; this could effect property values in a negative way. One of the reasons he bought his home was the creek in the backyard and the privacy of it. If that went away, it would be detrimental. He does not agree with the comments that alluded to a transportation aspect of the trail would actually increase property values.The city should be concerned with homeowners' property values,ergo the city's revenue stream. He also believes the trail alignment going behind Scenic Circle (the western side alignment j and the spur trail do go through a riparian habitat that would be significantly impacted by the trail. He does not see the need for the trail, but does support a trail going on Stevens Creek and Foothill Boulevards, though not a pretty as some small trails - there are large,well built roads, bike lanes on both sides, and good sidewalks on both sides. He does not see the need of putting the trail through the Varian Park neighborhood. Alex Carlton read an excerpt of a letter by Skip Shephard who lives at the end of the Meadows of Cupertino,nearest to Stevens Creek Boulevard. "As a homeowner whose home is located less than 20 feet from the west boundary of the Stocklmeir property, my hope is that the Task Force will give full consideration to the existing privacy of all the homeowners whose homes border the orchard. I am in favor of the Stevens Creek Trail and look forward to hiking the trail with my wife and two children. How and where the trail will enter and exit the orchard property is of great concern to all of us. Ideally, the plan is, I assume, to align the trail directly adjacent to the creek itself." Mr. Carlton said he believes it would be a mistake to assume that the traffic would not be very high. He believes that if the trail is worth doing, it's worth doing well and worth having a lot of people using it. He believes the proposed 500 feet of tunnel could become an attractive nuisance to young people. The daytime use fits beautifully, but there are serious nighttime concerns. Other issues are security, access, parking and privacy. Past behaviors surrounding public areas have not always been encouraging residents to take a leap of faith that things will be different in this case and that the trail will raise property values. He advised that to squeeze in this last Page 8 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Frail Feasibility Study ® stretch,residents need to work to minimize the contact with existing private property and to maximize the use of the current publicly available land. He also recommended more of the small-scale meetings. He suggested greater use of the land in the existing fee-use facilities and rebalancing the revenue from this fee-use area against the city's greater plan for having a non- motorized transportation system. Lyman Black, 10338 Scenic Blvd., believes that the western alignment is not ecologically sound. He stated that he hears over and over "incompatible usage" referenced in every step of the way. He also believes that squeezing in a trail into a built-out area is an incompatible use, and there is no need for it. He pointed out that there are ways already in place to allow us to see the vision of non-motorized transportation- they are called roads and sidewalks - we have them,we can improve them, we can use them. He suggested to bypass the alignment on Scenic Circle and Blackberry Farm by using Byrne Avenue. A person can cut across McClellan to Stevens Creek on Byrne Avenue. A connector would have to be negotiated at Stevens Creek Boulevard. He also suggested bypassing the entire area by using Foothill Boulevard and Stevens Canyon Road,but he has not seen too much development of this option. In conclusion, he stated the city should not squeeze in one last use of the land because it is incompatible with the homeowners. If it were such a.great idea and a benefit to property values, the property owners in Los Altos and Sunnyvale, whose properties go to the center of the stream channel rather than to the bank, would have embraced the idea of the trail. Through common decency, Cupertino should do exactly the same thing. He also believes the Task Force should recommend that it is not feasible to squeeze in the Varian Park link, but instead to use the existing conduits of Stevens Canyon Road, Foothill Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard. If the city wants to rehabilitate the creek channel,he believes that is a separate issue. Nancy Noto, 22093 Stocklrneir, home is up against the Stocklmeir orchard. She envisions the trail being trashed by hikers and is also concerned about strangers invading her privacy. Her wish is that the orchard be restored. and preserved. Dick Thompson, Dean Court says he is concerned with the number of bridges and the western alignment. He is concerned that there will be an increase in traffic, which would increase noise levels and create security problems. The trail should be relocated at Stevens Creek and Foothill Boulevards. Page 9 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Joyce Salian, 24 years at 22116 Clear Creek Court noted that the proposed trail is in an area where deer live and birth their young and the trail will] destroy this pristine area. She also believes privacy and safety will be compromised. The area has already experienced kids setting fires, drugs and other unlawful behavior by people, and to have more people come through the area would have a tremendous negative impact on the environment and residents. She pleaded that the trail be relocated. Steven Patt,Cupertino resident, stated that he supports the general concept of the trail and does not support any pp rticular alignment. He also stated that the Task Force is doing a fine job of sorting out the details. He believes that the point of the trail is recreation for families, hikers,etc., not just a way to get somewhere. He also stated that there is no need for the trail, but people want trails because there are amenities, they keep people in the community, and they raise the property values of all homes. Many of the problems that people say they have experienced do not come from the trail. He also believes that the number of people that will be added from the trail is small compared to the number of people currently using Blackberry Farm. The trail is not the cause of the problems. Michael Ludwig, 10472 Scenic Circle, stated that it is the job of the Task Force to put forward recommendations;it is not their job to say not to do the trail, which is the job of the City Council. He believes that the Task Force should be communicating how the minimize problem areas. He fully supports the idea of developing non-motorized forms of transportation. He stated that he strongly supports the trail. Task Force Comments Chuck Noble commented that the bridge going across the creek on Scenic Circle lands on.the bank directly opposite his driveway. He does not want this bridge. He also pointed out that another suggested bridge is at the end of the street- two bridges within a couple hundred feet of his home. Therese Ambrosi Smith stated that money has b.�en funded to do a Blackberry Farm master plan. It is hoped that the Stevens Creek Trail issue can be resolved so it can be incorporated into this master plan. There will be separation between trail users from the people who ar: paying to use Blackberry Farm. It was decided to wait for the trail alignment to be decided before the master plan is started. A letter will be going out to consultants Ahk requesting qualifications for doing a master plan. The public input will be conducted by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The master plan could Page 10 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek 'Trail Feasibility Study impact Blackberry Farm Golf Course. She stated that the city does not hold a position on a preferred trail alignment. Jeanne Bradford suggested that perhaps the trail could be routed along the eastside of the golf course and possibly go to the other side of the golf course. This would put someone at a safer place on Stevens Creek Boulevard. She supports including an alignment through Blackberry Farm in conjunction with the development of the new master plan. She supports using as much public property as possible for the trail. Craig Breon suggested an investigation of a trail alignment from Rancho San Antonio Park to Stevens Creek.Park that avoids the quarries. He suggested that there be an elimination of the western bank of the alignment in Study Area D. Action: It was unanimously agreed to eliminate the west bank alignment from further study as the main trail corridor in Study Area D. Next Steys Jana Sokale was directed to: • Investigate putting in another alignment (east side) in the Blackberry Farm/Golf Course area if the golf course is to be reconfigured. • Investigate the possibility of putting the Stocklmeir property through the environmental review now, or both (Blackberry Farm/Golf Course and Stocklmeir) go through environmenta' review now. • Investigate using part of the Blue Pheasant Restaurant/Golf Course non- fee parking lot as a staging area. • Investigate how to keep fee/non-fee parking patrons separate at Blackberry Farm. • Investigate the east bank alignment and its entrance. • Investigate the Simms spur trail. • Keep both ways of crossing Stevens Creek Boulevard (tunnel and signal light) on the table. • Get answers out regarding Area C to the Linda Vista Park neighborhood and on the web site. Dave Greenstein requested a way to discover if the Varian Park neighbors were interested in the Varian Park spur trail. Therese Ambrosi Smith answered that the spur will come into play when it connects up to something bigger and people in the neighborhood really want it. If presently the Page Il City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study neighborhood does riot want it, then the stud would still reflect that it was g Y investigated. It was noted that this is an expensive access. Dave Greenstein reported that the spur was added because there had been a request to provide walking access to the school, instead of parents having to drive their children to school. Action: It was unanimously agreed to further study only the SCVWD maintenance road with access stairs as a spur trail to Varian Park. Following a question of an audience member,Jana Sokale stated that the trail is only intended to be open during the day. She also stated that they have heard from many residents living in the Stevens Creek corridor that there is nighttime activity.She will bring this issue to the attention of staff. V1. Announcements • The Mountain View City Council is scheduled to take action on the final reach of the Stevens Creek Trail on Wednesday, June 27. • A portion of the Stevens Creek Trail will be renamed the "Tony Look Stevens Creek Trail' in a Dedication Ceremony to be held at Stevens Creek County Park on Saturday,June 30. Claude "Tony" Look provided the original inspiration for the Stevens Creek Trail more than 30 years ago. • The Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission will receive an update on the Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study at their July 12 Meeting. • Next Task Force Meeting is scheduled for July 24 at 7:00 PM at the Cupertino Senior Center. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. 1�espectfully submitted, Marie Preston, Recording Secretary Page 12 ® City of Cupertino Stevens Creels Trail Feasibility Study AFroved Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creels Trail Task Force Study Area D - Trail Alignment Meeting Tuesday,July 24, 2001 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association John Giovanola,Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson,Linda Vista Neighborhood (late arrival) Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association Dave Constant, Cupertino Swim&Racquet Club Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course(late arrival) Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Task Force Members Absent Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Craig Breon,Santa Clara `Talley Audubon Society Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Staff Members Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director,Parks and Recreation Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Consultant Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner I. Call to Order David Greenstein,Chair,called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. June 26 Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved 10-0-1 (Lowenthal abstaining due to absence at the June meeting). III. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) - None Page 1 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study IV. Old Business Study Area D-Selection of Trail Alignments Jana Sokale gave an overview of the proposed Study Area Trail Alignments, and touched on the Trail Alignment Recommendations and correspondence received. Public Comments Charles Varian stated his private land is incorrectly marked as public property on the maps. Steve Paterson,10106 Crescent Court,questioned the need to have the trail going through neighborhoods,does not like the idea of a traffic light at Phar Lap,has concerns with tunnel,and concerned about level of water during rainy season. Robina Vandersteen,10401 Phar Lap Drive opposed to Varian Spur and brought flood photos from 1955. Lynn Bonnicelli, 10191 Phar Lap Drive opposed to Varian Spur, not in favor of signal at Phar Lap. Paul Metz is in favor of an off-street trail alignment with grade-separations. Max Bokelman opposed to Scenic Circle neighborhood connection that he believes would provide open, direct access and result in Scenic Circle functioning as a staging area. He turned in a declaration by 26 residents against neighborhood access provided by the pedestrian/bicycle bridge. Michael Ludwig, 10472 Scenic Circle is in favor of trail,wants way to get around without a car. Cornelia Woodworth, Linda Vista neighbor in favor of the trail if done correctly. Kevin.Jackson, 1557 Fraser Drive,Sunnyvale is in favor of trails, especially those that are off-street. Ann Ng, 6031 Bollinger Road is an advocate of off-street trails on public land. Art Robert, Phar Lap Drive resident is opposed to Varian Spur. ®, Page 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels 'Trail. Feasibility Study 40 Key Reis, 22065 Clearwood Court is opposed to any trail and wants to change General Plan. Theresa Homg is fearful that trail will bring strangers, transients, trash, increased traffic to Phar Lap neighborhood. She noted that Sunnyvale and Los Altos excluded trail through their. cities. Lyman Black, 10338 Scenic Boulevard is opposed to trail and concerned about trails in backyards. He believes the trail is an incompatible use. Tom Frankum,1613 Montalto Drive, Mountain View spoke of the trail as a community and neighborhood asset in Mountain View. He noted that the Stevens creek trail is now highlighted in real estate ads. Greg Anderson,10022 Scenic Boulevard is the secretary of the Oak Meadows Homeowners Association. He spoke as an individual and representative of HOA mostly in favor of trail and Task Force.He gave some recommendations. Joe Walton, 21721 Columbus Avenue,member of Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Valley Transportation Bicycle Advisory Committee. He is in favor of non-motorized transportation benefits provided by trails. He believes the Task Force needs to work smart to build an effective system. Larry Loo, Scenic Circle is opposed to trail and deferred to Max Bokelman. Steve Moody questioned what type of gate might be installed on the pedestrian/bicycle bridge proposed as the Scenic Circle neighborhood access point. He also asked if the pedestrian/bicycle bridge would preclude use of the existing access gate to Blackberry Farm. Don Bautista asked why the trail couldn't go through the Hanson- Permanente quarry to connect the two county parks. Tim Isbell, 10372 Scenic Circle likes the gate at Scenic Circle and supportive of trail. Timothy Misko, 10332 Scenic Circle is opposed to trail but not the current Scenic Circle access gate. Page 3 City of Cupertino Stevens Creels 'Vail Feasibility Study Skip Shepard, 10010 Scenic Boulevard shared concerns about the tunnel at Stevens Creek, trail near the golf course, habitat and homeowner privacy. Ross Firlayson, 397 Hope St., Mountain View talked about the asset of the trail to Mountain View residents and the increased home values. Patty Ciesla, resident of Los Altos Hills is a supporter of trails for individuals, residents,and the community. Mrs. Middleton, 22044 Creekside Court is concerned about the great blue heron and egrets that currently reside in area,and about u%ers of the trail getting into the creek. Jay Tucker, 10364 Creston Drive is opposed to the trail today and feels it should have been done 40 years ago. Han-id Ghafari,Phar Lap resident has been robbed twice. He is concerned with annual flooding of area,especially near Blue Pheasant and has an additional petition of 130 signatures opposing Varian Park spur. Alex Tsai,21975 San Fernando Avenue opposes trail for family security reasons. John Brazil, Mountain View-resident is in favor of trails. He encouraged Cupertino residents to come and see the many homes along Mountain View's Stevens Creek Trail. He believes the trail has decreased litter and crime along the creek corridor. Steve Beard, 10012 Scenic Boulevard is concerned about trail impacts to the Stocklmeir estate and arboretum, impacts on wildlife and is against the ramp and tunnel beneath Stevens Creek Boulevard. Dan Martin, 22035 Creekside Court is opposed to the Varian Park spur. He asked the Task Force to get the Cupertino Union School District involved in the trail planning process. John Wetzel, 22323 Bahl Street is supportive of the Varian Park spur and the trail in general. He believes his children would use the trail to get to Kennedy Junior High School. lie would like to see a police bike patrol on the trail. Gary Beach,Stocklmeir Court is concerned with privacy issues and trail going through orange orchard. Page 4 e City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study Resl2onses to Public Comments from lana Sokale • Proposed Stocklmeir pedestrian/bicycle bridge is within golf course. • Underpass below Stevens Creek Boulevard was rejected due to engineering infeasibilities such as bridge structure, abutment placement, and curvature of creek,location of the Meadows neighborhood; regular flooding was not an issue. • There are concerns about the Stocklmeir arboretum and estate,which will be addressee. in feasibility report. • Concern over preventing people from walking North once they got to Stevens Creek Blvd. -creek bed site offers a huge drop with tons of trashing offering no way for pedestrian traffic to go. Regarding the herons and egrets,data is being collected to address this sensitive habitat. • Regarding a way to connect Rancho San.Antonio County Park to Stevens Creek County Park, it was not in the Task Forces scope of work to evaluate this trail connection. However, the vast majority of the land is in quarry operations and there is no public ownership of the land. It would be difficult to put a trail through that area even with trail easements. Ms. Sokale is waiting for additional input from the County on this matter. • The proposed Scenic Circle neighborhood access point could be a gated pedestrian/bicycle bridge.There is a possibility this would create open, public access,which would potentially provide a parking problem in that area. A possible solution is a cardkey access or combination lock. • Task Force process is to make recommendations for a written feasibility report and develop an environmental assessment report. These will go forward to the Parks and Recreation Commission,Planning Commission, and eventually the City Council. • The redwoods will not be automatically sacrificed for the alignment through McClellan Ranch. • The Byrne Road alignment option has been reviewed. This would be a street experience and not a creekside experience. Public parkland is a better opportunity for the trail. • Crossing at Stevens Creek Boulevard will be necessary even if the Varian Park spur is eliminated in order to safely position bicyclists in the proper travel lanes on the street. • The Task Force is well aware of the flooding along the Stevens Creek. Any trail underpass would be closed temporarily during flooding. • The property that was stated as being owned by Charles Varian will be investigated. ® • There are ways to build a trail that would allow the trail to flood without expensive repairs, and the Water District will be involved in the process. Page 5 1 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek frail Feasibility Study • Concretingthe creek bed in flood areas will not happen. PP Jana Sokale responded to various clarifying questions by the Task Force. Action: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to: 1. Have a bridge from the golf course across to the Stocklmeir orchard,which would be no closer than 100 feet from the property line of the Meadows of Cupertino 2. That the alignment of the trail move between the orange grove and the creek emerging at the Stocklmeir home 3. That the tunnel option under Stevens Creek Blvd. be eliminated from consideration 4. An alternative to the signal light at Phar Lap be studied Action..: A motion was made,seconded and unanimously passed to table discussions on the Varian Park spur until the property ownership issue is resolved. Action: A motion was made,second,and passed 6 to 5 (no abstentions) in ® favor of eliminating the Scenic Circle neighborhood access pedestrian/bicycle bridge from further discussion. Action Reaffirmation: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to reaffirm the motion.made to pursue the east bank alignment to Blackberry Farm. Jana Sokale did a recap of the actions. V. New Business 1. Trail Funding Report- tabled VI. Next Steps 1. August mailing to Linda Vista neighborhood and SCT Task Force: Jana reported that a Frequently Asked Questions mailing that addresses concerns by the Linda Vista neighborhood will go out in August. 2. On September 19, the Task Force will be meeting with the Linda Vista neighborhood. 3. October 2, the Task Force meets to discuss Area C. 4. October 30, the Task Force will meet to review the trail funding report, the habitat restoration report and the proposed trail maintenance and operations plan. Page 6 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail feasibility Study VII. Announcements- Jana Sokale announced that each Task Force member received a copy of the California Trails and Greenways Conference brochure being held September 8 and 9. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. The next trail meeting will be September 19 with the Linda Vista neighborhood regarding Study Area C. The next Task Force Meeting will be held October.2. Respectfully submitted, Marie Preston,Recording Secretary Approved at the October 2, 2001 meeting Page 7 Approved Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Study Areas C &D - 'frail Alignment Recommendations Tuesday, October 2, 2WI ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (departed early) John Buenz, Meadows Home Owners Association David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson,Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Task Force Members Absent Ann Cleaver, Meadows Home Owners Association Dave Constant, Cupertino Swim &Racquet Club John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement Chuck Noble, Scenic Circle Neighborhood Staff Members Therese Ambrosi Smith,Director,Parks and Recreation Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston,Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Consultants Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner Bruce Hill, Landscape Architect I. Call to Order David Greenstein, Chair,called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Meeting Minutes The minutes of July 24, 2001 were unanimously approved Is III. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) - None City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail 'Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page 2 IV. Old Business The CEQA process was discussed. The draft environmental document is expected sometime in January/February 2002. It will be circulated to the public for a 30-day review period. The Planning Commission and the City Council will need to review the document. All public comments are required to be responded to in a final environmental document, which is accompanied by a mitigation-monitoring plan. The Task Force could disband as planned in November, or they could decide in November to recess until the draft environment document is ready and review it. Parks and Recreation Commission will be receiving the draft feasibility report for their December 6, 2001 meeting. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed that the Task Force would convene one more time,after the November meeting, to provide input to the environmental review process, but not to interfere or slow down the review process with the Planning Commission. The meeting would be scheduled to fit into the process so that the Task Force's comments would still be applicable and could be forwarded on to the Planning Commission. St-ady .area C- Selection of Trail Alignments-Linda Vista Park through McClellan Ranch to Blackberry Farm Jana Sokale and Bruce Hill gave overviews of Study Area C, described the changes to the recommended alignments, and gave details of trail alignment construction aspects. Updated maps and text from the Linda Vista Park neighborhood meetings were made available to attending public. Jana F cokale reported that the Linda Vista Park neighbors,attending two crrnmunity meetings, were 50/50.in support of the trail. There was overwhelming support for a grade-separated undercrossing at McClellan Road. Most neighbors would be more supportive of a single-use trail, although there were some neighbors who wanted a multi-purpose trail through Linda Vista Park. Mary Jo stated that the Linda Vista Park neighbors approved of the trail design solutions used along the haul. She stated that their concerns about security, privacy, and views were addressed very well. There is a general feeling that the recommended alignment through the park is positive and City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page 3 preserves much of the park's character. The surface material still needs to be addressed. Parking issues remain a major concern to the neighbors. The concern is that the trail will bring in more vehicular traffic. She also stated that if there was a walking path over the arroyo at least south of McClellan Ranch that the neighborhood could live with that. Jana Sokale and Bruce Hill answered clarifying questions of the Task Force. Public Comments Barry Feeley, 22043 Baxley Ct., does not support the trail. He believes there is a trail that already connects the bay to the ocean,making this trail unnecessary. He believes most residents will not to use the trail because bicyclists will overwhelm the trail. He supports only a walk-only trail through the Linda Vista Park. Usage of bathrooms will increase;security will have to be developed. Hena Pastorelli,1207 Lisa Ct., Los Altos (Los Altos Bicycle Advisory Committee),spoke of the benefits of the trail to the community and homeowners' property values that live nearby the trail. Paul Metz spoke in favor of grade separations and off-street alignments. He likes the idea of the raised walkway if it means saving trees. The surface traction needs to be considered to prevent slippery surface after rain. He likes the idea of paving Areas C and D. He asked that consideration be given to closing the dirt section south of Linda Vista Park to mountain bicyclists on weekends only - this could help alleviate some parking problems on weekends. Craig Cummings stated that the trail through Linda Vista Park will be walking only to minimize parking and traffic problems. Until these problems are addressed, he does no believe the trail is feasible through this area at this time. He suggested a traffic study be made of possible trail usage in this area. In response to Jeanne Bradford's question, Mr. Cummings agreed that the opinion of the Linda Vista neighborhood is that if tyre trail mere single-use, the parking problem re,ould be considered solved, or at the venj least, it mould be helped a great deal. Fred Stanke, 22873 Longdown Rd., supports multi-use trails. He believes the trail would be a wonderful addition to Cupertino. If bike acc»ss is allowed in both directions, he would not use his car to get to the trail; he and his family City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page 4 would either walk,bike, or roller blade. He suggested including curves to reduce speed on trails Cornelia Woodworth,lives near Linda Vista Park and fully supports a multi- use Stevens Creek Trail. Aaron Grossman, Mountain View resident,stated that his experience of living near the Stevens Creek Trail has been positive. By his observations, undesirables leave the area because of the trail users. Multi-use trails benefit the whole,community. Steven Patt,uses Linda Vista Park and is supportive of multi-trail use alignments. He would like the Task Force to approach the County of Santa Clara to eliminate the park use fee at Stevens Creek County Park. He would like to see a soft trail surface. He would like trail near haul road to be to make it easier to wind around trees. He believes boardwalk might be intrusive to the view of the golfers. Judy Hoglin, 11067 Linda.Vista Dr., promotes a single-use only pathway.This type of path would hold down traffic and parked cars.She doesn't want Linda Vista Park to have a staging area. Virginia Fanelli,Canyon Heights Academy,stated they feel the trail is a wonderful community opportunity and are willing to work with the Linda Vista neighbors to make sure it is a benefit to the neighborhood. To help alleviate some parking concerns,Canyon Heights Academy has offered a staging area on their property. Access to this area would be vigil Stevens Canyon Road. Dana Drysdale, 21767 Terrace Dr.,spoke in favor of a multi-use trail. He has visited all County parks on the west side of Cupertino and discovered that the majority of people are not from any adjoining community. He also found out that at Rancho San Antonio County Park, parking is nearly impossible during the week. Llizabeth Barkley, Linda Vista Park resident, met with a group of six other ho neowners on Linda Vista Drive who feel strongly that they axe opposed to the trail. However, they feel that they have made and are willing to make a compromise by making it a single-use trail. They understand that mountain bikers are an under-represented and under-served community,but from their City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2001 Page $ perspective, it is too difficult for parking and safety issues to have a multi-use trail. m Hall lives in Linda Vista Park area, stated the Linda Vista Park originally was a community park, not a neighborhood park. lie supports a multi-use trail. He likes the idea of the boardwalk design by the haul road. Kevin Jackson, 1557 Fraser Drive,Sunnyvale,fully supports the tail. Believes giving people transportation choices is the way to go,and is supportive of thf. Task Force. Alex Tsui, 21975 San Fernando Ave. (lives next to Blackberry Farm entrance), raised many concerns about a possible alignment going by his home(Study Area D). He would like a neighborhood outreach meeting for his neighborhood. Jana Sokale and Therese addressed clarifying questions by the public and Task Force. ACTION: A motion was made and second and unanimously approved to accept the proposed alignment changes; that the boardwalk option of the trail be accepted; that the decision about the surface and usage of the trail in Study Area C be postponed until we have facts derived from a study;and that we seek an alternative to the underpass to McClellan Road that would avoid the loss of large trees. Study Area D - Blackberry Farm Entrance and Trail Fencing Ja:ia Sokale gave an overview of the Study Area D alignment changes. She reported ti�at the property ownership surrounding Varian Park has been researched and the property and/or easements thought to belong to the city were privately owned. With this information, the Varian Park spur has been eliminated from all maps and further consideration. Bruce Hill described preliminary design options for the Blackberry Farm entrance. He also answered clarifying questions regarding proposed designs. Mr. 'Tsai, neighbor to Blackberry Farm, stated his concerns that the proposed bridge would interfere with his home's view and sense of security. Even though it was City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page 6 explained that the design is such that the bridge is below the home,Mr.Tsai had serious doubts. Jana Sokale summarized the consultants' recommendations about the design options as: • Accept the modifications to the Blackberry Farm entrance-, which includes a new kiosk, trail access out to Byrne, the trestle bridge as a grade separated crossing to preserve both vehicle entries into the park, portions of the boardwalk concept up to the trestle • Accept the idea that we will probably be double fencing, which means fencing along the level portion of the trail very similar to that which is potentially along the haul road with curved fencing,a screen fence with stone columns,and wire screening with vines growing on it. Any height can be specified, probably needs to be approximately 36". • Reiterated the elimination of the Varian Park spur from any further considerations • Recommend that Blackberry Farm be used as a staging area • Additional details can be provided regarding the trestle design and trail screening • Will look at possible alternative crossing of Stevens Creek Blvd. at Mann Drive there is an old road that goes within 50' of Mann Drive intersection. Public Comment Lynn Bonicelli, 10191 Phar Lap Dr., does not believe that a signal light at Phar Lap would be appropriate,as the street crossing would be at the bottom of a steep hill. Many cars are speeding due to the steep grade, and a light would only create traffic problems and would potentially cause accidents. Would prefer that the Task Force look at another alternative to this street crossing location. Also, since the Varian Spur has been eliminated, the street crossing light may not be necessary at that spot. Lyman Black, Scenic Blvd., speaking for a group living near Scenic Blvd., stated the following: • Believes there has been a rush to validate predetermined conclusions without time to look at other alternatives • Believes there has not been much outreach to the Phar Lap, Meadows,Scenic Circle, Scenic Blvd., and San Fernando • Stated that the Task Force has stated it cannot deviate from its predefined alignments. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page 7 • Reported that a petition,of approximately 140 residents asking the city to give authorization and direct the Task Force to look at other alignments was presented to the City Council. • Gave overhead presentation that was given to the City Council the night before • Group is not against the trail many use trails,streets,and parks for recreation • Concerned with safety, privacy, rights of the creek side property owners, and environmental impacts • Offered alternatives, which were on private land and city streets • Stated that when homeowners adjacent to Blackberry purchased pi aperty, there was no mention of this kind of public trail - this raises the potential for Iiability and litigation. • Requested concerns are addressed before any more recommendations are made. Dale Compton, is not supportive of creating a separation of users at Blackberry Farm. Traffic around Blackberry Farm is at slower speeds than on other streets. Recommends there should be another way to address the Blackberry Farm structure/separation. im Hall supportive of trail alignments. Jana Sokale clarified the Task Force's scope of work,which was to look at the feasibility of a trail, essentially within the public open space along the creek corridor, and then to look at streets if an alignment or sections of the alignment within the. corridor were not technically feasible. It didn't mean Cupertino was going to build the trail, but the City Council wanted to know if it was possible to build a trail. In response to the presentation by Mr. Lyman, which he also gave at the October 1 City Council meeting, Richard Lowenthal described t:he course for petitions that are presented to the City Council. fie stated that staff would review the petition. If it were decided to return it for council for action, it would take approximately one month to get it on the city council's agenda and then another month for them to act on it. Therese offered an opportunity to meet with Area D residents to hear their concerns. Action: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to have Therese set up a meeting with the petition signers and explain the history and hear their views. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 2, 2001 Page S Action: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed that there be no further discussion on the Marian Park spur and that it be eliminated and abandoned. V. Announcements Jeanne Bradford reported on the Parks and Recreation Commission walked portions of the Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View, as well as portions of Study Areas C and 13 in Cupertino.Jeanne would like to ask Sgt. Shervington to share his report on trail crime statistics and security issues to the Task Force at a future meeting. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. to the next trail meeting will be held October 30 at 7:00 PWI at he Cupertino Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, y� Marie Preston, Recording Secretary Approved Minutes of Meeting Stevens Creek frail 'Task Force Study Areas C &D - frail Alignment Recommendations Tuesday, October 30,2001 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford, Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (arrived late) John Buenz, Meadows Homeowners Association Ann Cleaver, Meadows Homeowners Association Dave Constant,Linda Vista Park Neighborhood John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Task Force Members Absent Steve Haze, Cupertino Historical Society Staff Members Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Consultants Bruce Hill, Landscape Architect Glenn Lyles,Trail Maintenance and Operations Consultant Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner I. Call to Order David Greenstein, Chair, called the meeting to o der at 7:05 p.m. II. Meeting Minutes The minutes of October 2, 2001 were unanimously approved. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 2 1II. Oral Communications (items not on the agenda) Steven Patt distributed a photo survey he took showing low usage of Linda Vista Park and comparing its use to other city parks. He showed two areas that could be used to increase parking at Linda Vista Park. He does not believe that parking is an issue at Linda Vista Park. Robert Levy,10802 Wilkinson Ave.,supporter of volunteer trails,stated that earlier in the year he proposed an access road from Stevens Creek Blvd. to Blackberry Farm,rather than on Byrne Ave. He does not support the idea of a 20' path from Stevens Creek Blvd. to Blackberry Farm. Old Business- 1. Study Area D-Blackberry Farm Update Jana Sokale briefly sunur_arized the Blackberry Farm neighborhood meeting of October 2, which was outlined in a handout. Ms.Sokale also reported on a meeting with a neighbor who lives in Blackberry Farm that addressed privacy and security concerns-issues are still being discussed. Technical information is being gathered to respond to the concerns about the proposed trestle over- crossing. 2. on Report Blackberry Farm Petitioners Meeting P �3' Therese Smith reported that her interpretation of the October 2 meeting was that the question of the alternative alignments was not going to be addressed to the satisfaction of the petitioners under the current process. Ms. Smith asked the Task Force if they wanted to: • Recommend to the city council that the process be expanded to include the other alignments,which would mean: Adding several months on to the current process ■ Keeping the Task Force together in 2002 ■ Doing additional work on those aiignments as part of the feasibility study • If agree to expand study,return to city council to request additional money for the consultant team and also request additional time be added to the process. 3. Petitioners' Request to Expand the Scope of the Study Area The Summary of Alternative Alignments handout that described the options indicated in the Petition received on October 2, 2001 was reviewed. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail. Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 3 Public Comment: Ron Fairchild, 22047 Clearcreek Court encouraged the Task Force to expand the scope of the study. He is against adding a stoplight at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Phar Lap Drive.lie believes it would be a disaster to traffic and homeowners living nearby. He would like a way to decrease the number of cars at the Blue Pheasant- not increase the number of cars. Tom Maiello, President of Oakdell Ranch Homeowners Association, believes that some comments given at the October 23 meeting were not included in the meeting surrmary.. • As street light at Phar Lap and Stevens Creek can do nothing but have a negative impact on the Oakdell Ranch homeowners. It would increase their commute time when waiting for green light to make a left-hand turn and vice-versa. • Currently, overflow parking on weekends from Blue Pheasant is a big problem that has beer.brought to the attention of the mayor and city staff. The city has not addressed their problems with this issue. As a result, they are currently working with the Sheriff's Office to enforce permit parking. Trail parking would only increase this current problem. Bill Hawkes, stated that the October 23 meeting summary missed some comments: • Consensus of the,group was that the trail is being pushed onto the community • That the Task Force has not been listening to their concerns • Safety hazard at Phar Lap Drive and Stevens Creek Boulevard was not noted -believes common sense is missing regarding this idea Bill Walster, 22116 Dean Court, stated that the board of the Meadows has adopted a position and wanted to state that he supports the position of the board and the two representatives on the Task Force. He suggested that the east side of the golf course be included in the list of alternative alignments to be considered. He is concerned about parking, which he believes will be an issue in his neighborhood. Cornelia Woodworth,lives near Linda `.lista Park, supports the trail on public land and supports expanding the study area. She believes the trail needs to happen. She does not want street alignments and believes parking issues are overblown. City of Cupertir.o Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 4 Lyman Black believes progress is being made. He believes that the minutes from the October 23 meeting misrepresented what was said, i.e.,concerns over hours of operation and concerns about the migration of the type of users were left out. He stated that the meeting opened up some exciting possibilities if the Task Force is willing to expand the study areas. One recommendation was to look at the trail in a staged approach-- perhaps looking at the pedestrian usage first,and then looking at bicycle usage later on. He stated there was more interest from the group when this type of resolution was put forward. He believes that there are spur trail opportundties off of Foothill Blvd. and Stevens Canyon to the creek. He supports expanding study. Steven Pat stated that he does not support Alternate Alignments 1 and 3 because they do not have anything to do with trails,as they are bike lanes on existing.roads. He stated that they are also quite dangerous. These alternatives would not be safe for adults, as well as children. Alternate Alignment 2 is on private land and very hilly,which would exclude children and inexperienced hikers and bikers. The proposed trail along the creek is very mild and conducive to family expeditions. Alex Carlton, board member of the Meadows of Cupertino Housing Association, has found that in general there is a great deal of support for trail access through the open space that would be along the creek. However, there is great concern about maintaining that access in a minimal-impact manner- a walking trail, etc. He believes '.here will be strong opposition from the neighborhood on the issues of a bicycle thoroughfare through that area. He stated that the design of his neighborhood (cul-de-sacs) was purposely designed to not be a thoroughfare, not to have an attraction in its midst. The people chose that neighborhood for that quality. A proposed thoroughfare through and along the creek area would radically change the neighborhood. He would recommend a separation of the bike alignment frorn the foot alignment. Robert Levy,voiced objections to the Phar Lap traffic light due to increase traffic noise from cars stopping and taking off, and the fact that the light would be at the bottom of two slopes. Anne NQ supports the trail along the creek because it is land that is owned by the city. She believes the Task Force has been accommodating to 2001-2002 STEVENS CREEK TRAIL TASK FORCE MINUTES 2 of 2 City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 5 WW neighborhood concerns about privacy. She does not believe parking will be the problem. Rod Brown,Linda Vista Park neighbor, stated his support for the trail alignment along the creek. He urged the Task Force to consider tbQ proposed alignments, and believes the aligrtr ::. is are the best use of public dollars. He believes that the comparisons with Rancho San Antonio Lounty Park are not valid because Stevens Creek would be a single trail vs. a very large trail system at Rancho. The County Park also has other amenities including a petting farm.Saying that the traffic that the Stevens Creek Trail would generate would be similar to Rancho is not a real comparison. He also believes that this trail should be kept open to bicyclists and pedestrians. He envisions this trail as a means of transportation for kids to the Blackberry Fanr,, Eliminating bicyclists may put constraints on the funding possibilities and should be considered when deciding on trail usage. There are plenty of examples of how a multi-use trail can work. Alex Tsai,San Fernando Ave., stated that he has met with Jana Sokale regarding the trail and trestle going close to his home; discussions are still underway. He still has concerns of privacy and security.San Fernando neighbors have not been kept informed of the meetings. He would like to see a neighborhood outreach meeting for San Fernando neighbors. Dick Thompson stated that last Tuesday's meeting was aggressive. He believes that the alternate alignments need to be addressed. He supports the Meadows' position in separating the bike trail from the walking trail. Barry Feeley, 22043 Baxley Court keeps hearing that the haul road is owned by the city and then also hears that the haul road is privately owned.. Who owns this road? Are we thinking about acquiring it? He stated that he has a number of questions regarding the haul road and believes the community would be interested too. He said he has gotten 80 signatures from mainly elderly neighbors who are concerned and fearful about privacy and safety along the haul road. He believes this issue has not been adequately addressed. He also asked if another entry to the haul road is being considered and would it be on private land? He wants to have only locals (taxpayers) use the trail. Footpath is supported, but not a path including bicyclists. Bernie Nashen, lives on Linda Vista Drive, pointed out that betH�een McClellan and Hyannisport, the neighborhood handles a lot of traffic, primarily from the schools. He would like the Task Force to take this situation a City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 6 under advisement when planning the trail. The trail could make the situation worse. Tony Vandersteen, 10401 Phar Lap Drive, believes there is a lot of value in separating the trail into two parts. He also supports phasing the trail, doing the walking portion first, and adding the bicycle portion last. He noted that the idea of putting a trail along the railroad did not get in the October 23 meeting summary. He supports putting a trail along the railroad. He would like this idea put into the feasibility report-that is to find out exactly what the situation is with regard to an existing plan for a railroad trail. Following public comment, the Task Force asked clarifying questions.Jana Sokale answered: • There has been a fair amount of discussion about the placement of the Stevens Creek Blvd,light. After taking a further look, the underpass at this junction has been eliminated,and she would like to come back in November and give more feedback about a traffic light. • Parking at Blue Pheasant has been reconfigured to add more parking. She acknowledged that the community does not believe that the additional spaces are satisfactory. This will be further reviewed during the environmental review process, which may be addressed with this document in February/March 2002. • Regarding usage and surface, there has been good progress on trying to determine where an alignment might be in Areas C and D. It is recommended that a consistent surface and usage be designed throughout that area. The Study Area C use and surfacing decision has been postponed until Study Area D issues are resolved. • She is prepared to come back in November to address the questions that were raised at the October 23 meeting, as weU as the Stevens Creek crossing, etc. • She stated that even if she was given the green light to expand the scope of the study, the Task Force could continue to finish up on the current piece, and then compare that piece against other alternates. Regarding the usage of the railroad land for trails, David Greenstein reported that a feasibility report had been done and it was shown to be feasible, but the cost was too high for the railroad to give up that property or to allow trail usage on it. He a►so reported that anyone using the property for walking etc. is technically trespassing. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 7 • Regarding a light on Stevens Creek Blvd. at Phar Lap, it was asked if the trail were single-use.would a traffic light be needed. Would another alignment be used for bikes?In response,Jana stated that there is a current bike system that has been indicated on all of the maps. If decided to separate the routes, the Task Force would not need to study anything further as the city has made those accommodations. If the trail were designated pedestrian only, a light would probably not be needed at Stevens Creek Blvd. and Phar Lap. Perhaps a traffic study would still need to be done to determine if foot traffic would create some type of need for a crossing.She stated that currently, the location is not a safe place to cross the road. • Regarding taking a phased approach and a natural surface,single-use vs. multi-use, the Task Force should tackle this recommendation at this point. • She also confirmed that a Union Pacific Railroad Feasibility Study was adopted by the City Council on October 15, 2001, and the Courier did write up this story. She noted that the section of proposed rail-with- trail between Stevens Creek Boulevard and Hanson Permanente Cement was deemed infeasible at this time because it did not meet the railroad's criteria of a 25-foot setback from the centerline of the tracks to the nearest edge of the trail. This option may be feasible in 20-25 years when the rail line no longer is needed. The Task Force reviewed the Summary of Alternate Alignments indicated in petition received on October 2, 2001. Therese Smith stated that the Task Force needs to consider whether to recommend the expansion of the study area to the city council. This work is currently outside the project scope. What city council will be asking is, "Does the Task Force want to take on the alternative alignments?" Therese Smith recommended an additional meeting in the form of a work session and to tackle this and other unresolved issues. Councilmember and Task Force Member Richard Lowenthal stated that he is abstaining from both the conversation and the vote, as it will be something he will be voting on in council. Scot Hathaway requested that Jana Sokale give her opinion/insight on the three alternate alignments: • Alternate Alignment#2-These areas are in the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County. The proposed alignment is in the 1995 Santa Clara CounhjUllde Trails Master Plan. It is the purview of the county to e City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 8 continue to study this alignment and potentially make it happen in Cupertino when and if an opportunity presents itself, which she determined to be a long way off. She does not recommend that the city spend any more money on Alternative Alignment#2. • Alternative Alignment#3-This route has been ex'tensively studied by Cupertino. The route is included in the 1998 Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan. This long-range plan called for the improvement of this corridor at great expense to minimally accommodate bicyclists only. That plan has been initiated in phases and bike lanes have been added up to San Juan Road. Construction documents have been developed by the city to widen the road all the way to the county park entrance. The widening of the road provided only a minimum shoulder width as a result of the steep topography and right-of-way constraints. It provided no provisions for pedestrians. She stated that unless the city was to buy substantial right-of-way along Stevens Canyon Road and to blast the hillside, this alternative should not be further studied and no more money spent on this idea. She does support widening of the road in the construction project to make it safer for bicyclists, which the city is pursuing. • Alternative Alignment#1 -This route has the greatest merit. It is an existing bicycle route and is included in the 1998 Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan. The route exists and is used today. If the Task Force recommended not putting the trail along the creek corridor, cyclists and pedestrians could use this existing street alignment as it is today. It would not provide an additional amenity to the community. It would not provide access to the more than 60 acres of public open space adjacent to the creek. • She suggested that if the Task Force wanted to study any of the alternatives, it should be Alternative #1. She suggested the Task Force recommend to city council to continuing pursuing jointly with the county Alternative #2 when and if it becomas available. • She stated that the issues of usage, trail surfacing, parking and safety lie with the Task Force. The work is not done until those issues are resolved for whatever preferred alignment is put forward. • She believes that no more money is needed to develop the recommendations for the feasibility study. In response to the Blackberry Farm Master Plan and how it ties into the Stevens Creek Trail,Therese Smith stated that the project would involve City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 9 McClellan Ranch, Blackberry Farm and Golf Course, and the Simms and Stocklmeir properties. There are approximately 60 acres of city-owned open space that was acquired about 10 years ago. The current business at Blackberry Farm serves mainly nonresidents. As the city looks at upgrading the infrastructure of Blackberry Farm and as they look at upgrading the golf course, the question that will be looked at is, "What is the long term use of this corridor?" She stated that it is going to be a fairly long process because it is going to raise issues of what is missing in our community recreation offerings,and which offerings are appropriate. As part of the plan, parking would be looked at, what uses are going in it,how is the site accessed, how the various parcels tie together,what happens to the resider.tial uses that are currently there,am.: etc. ACTION: A motion was made,seconded and approved 12-0-1 (Lowenthal abstaining) to schedule a work-study session to discuss the three alternative alignments and other unresolved issues (These issues include trail use and surfacing, parking, crossing at Stevens Creek Boulevard and the refinements to the Blackberry Farm entrance.) 4. Trail Operations and Maintenance Program Glenn Lyles, trail consultant who has been in parks and recreation for 40+ years, outlined his report on the potential operations and maintenance of the Stevens Creek Trail. ACTION. A motion was made,seconded and unanimously approved to accept the Operations and Maintenance Report by Glenn Lyles and include it as part of the feasibility report. 5. Trail Funding Report Jana Sokale detailed the Trail Funding Report, presented a Trail Funding Case Study and answered questions. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to accept the Trail Funding Report by Jana Sokale and include it as part of the feasibility report. 6. Next Steps • Items for discussion at the next meeting will include the Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Report and perhaps the Sheriff's report about crime on trails as based on other studies City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of October 30, 2001 Page 10 • Put information on website as soon as possible • Hold study session on Tuesday, December 4 • Study Area D will be discussed at the January Task Force meeting • Feasibility report and subsequent environmental documents will be pushed into the spring • Notice Byrne Avenue and San Fernando Avenues and perhaps develop a neighborhood meeting for this neighborhood 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. to Tuesday, November 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Cupertino Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Marie Pres�on/�, ecording Secretary Approved at the November 27, 2001 meef ig. Approved Minutes City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Tuesday,January 22, 2002 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain,Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubc a Society Ann Cleaver, Meadows Homeowners Association Dave Constant,Linda Vista Park Neighborhood John Giovanola, Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson,Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway,Deep Cliff Golf Course Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry John Buenz, Meadows Homeowners Association Task Force Members Absent Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Societe Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Staff Members Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director,Parks and Recreation Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor, Blackberry Farm Marie Preston, Parks and Recreation Admin. Secretary Consultants Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner Bruce Hill, landscape Architect I. Call to Order David Greenstein,Chair,called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes The minutes of November 27, 2001, were unanimously approved with one correction-Jeanne Bradford did not attend the meeting. III. Oral Communications-None City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page 2 Old Business A. Study Area D-McClellan Ranch through Blackberry Farah to Stevens Creek Boulevard 1. Blackberry Farm Entrance Bruce Hill introduced the revised conceptual drawings. One version had a trestle bridge crossing and the other had a depressed pathway with two short tunnels crossing beneath the entrance roads. Jana Sokale described the construction of each alternative. It was noted that the tunnel may costs less to build than the trestle. Alex Tsai has seen the alternatives and discussions are still ongoing.Jana Sokale answered clarifying questions from the Task Force. Public Comment: Paul Metz spoke in favor of the Stevens Creek Trail. He is in favor of a trestle crossing. He is not in favor of the tunnel plan. ® Margaret Limberatos,20724 Garden Gate Drive spoke in favor of the trail. Barry Feeley, 22043 Baxley Court talked about the Sudden Oak Death Syndrome that may require closing a number of the Bay Area hiking trails according to the State and UC forest pathologists. There is almost 100 percent mortality in oak trees in some of the spots along the Muir Woods and Ocean View trails. Mt. Tamalpais is among the hardest hit and the disease continues to expand in northern California, especially in the Bay Area. Consideration for this problem may need to be incorporated into the design of the trail. Linda Wgyner, 10200 Hill Crest Road affiliated with ROMP, wants access on the trail for cyclists, hikers, etc. to keep people off the road. Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue wanted the Task Forrt., to be aware that the owner of the home in Blackberry Farm has to be happy with what he sees. He raised the concern that the tunnel, though cheaper to build, may be more expensive to maintain. He is concerned about flooding of a tunnel turning heavy.rains. Kevin Jackson, 1557 Fraser Drive,Sunnyvale spoke in support of multi-use trails. Alex Tsai.urged the Task Force to consider an alternate route. He said that the space between the creek and his home, either eastbound or westbound; is very narrow. By his measurement, it is around 50' from the property line to the large, old oak tree. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Traii Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page 3 He stated that he does not know how the trail can fit into the existing road and allow enough of a buffer to his home. He believes that the trestle option will impact the existing view from his home and that trail users will be able to see into his backyard. The depressed tunnel approach raises concerns because he believes it will be too close to his property line. fie believes the trail will increase the number of people who already use Blackberry Farm and he will feel that impact. He would like another trail alignment designed for this area when the Blackberry Farm master plan is developed. He stated that he wants more of a buffer zone between his property line and the trail. He asked for the opportunity to review the final plans. He agreed that he is more accepting of the tunnel alternative because it will have less impact on his existing view. Following discussion and review by the Task Force,the following action was taken: ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to recommend a depressed pathway with two short tunnels under the entrance roads with two provisos: 1) the consultant would continue the dialog with the homeowner in Blackberry Farm to reach a mutually agreeable solution; 2) we recognize that this may be a rather short-term solution given the fact that a master plan of Blackberry Farm has been ri)roposed by the City. This plan may allow the trail to be aligned close to the creek along the eastern bank. 2. Stevens Creek Boulevard Trail Crossing at Phar Lap Drive Jana Sokale described the struggle of developing a trail crossing solution that would be amenable to residents and other users. Previously, a grade-separated tunnel and a fully signalized intersection at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Phar Lap Drive had been considered. She described possible features of a non-signalized intersection that would meet the needs of the neighborhood and trail users, such as: - Lighted crosswalk that is activated when pedestrians cross - Three-legged crosswalk as primary focus - Crosswalks painted brick red - Warning indicator lights at both of the hills that descend - Median islands installed on both approaches City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page 4 Public Comments: John Shalamskas, 139 Ortega Avenue,Mountain View is a member of ROMP and uses the Mountain View portion of the trail to get to work.Spoke in support of multi-use trail. Mike Broman, 10-year Cupertino resident spoke in support of the trail. As a traffic engineer, he strongly recommended lighted crosswalks be activated only when in use by pedestrians or bicyclists because if they are running fulltime, people tend to disregard them. He also recommended installing a traffic signal and painted-on approach speeds for the safest solutions. He said that the in-street pavement lighting works well. He also supports an at-grade crossing at Blackberry Far ,instead of a tunnel. Lynn Bonicelli, 10191 Phar Lap Drive appreciates the Task Force's efforts in working with the neighborhood on this issue. She was pleased that no signal light is now being recommended. She spoke in favor of the in-pavement lighted crosswalk,as well as the triggering signal lights. Dale Compton lives on Phar Lap Drive spoke in support of the solution for the Stevens Creek Boulevard. crossing. He believes it would significantly improve the current traffic situation. He also believes that this solution would work at the Blackberry Farm entrance. LohR Brazil asked for a pedestrian safe harbor in the crosswalk. Following discussion and review by the Task Force, the following action was taken: ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to recommended an at-grade trail crossing at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Phar Lap Drive that includes: - A three-legged crosswalk - All three legs are painted brick red - The crosswalk spanning Stevens Creek Boulevard is lighted - The pavement lighting is activated by pedestrians and bicyclists - Motorists warning indicator lights at both of the hills - Median islands with pedestrian refuges on both approaches 3. Trail Use and Surfacing City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page 5 Jana Sokale defined a multi-use trail and a single-use trail and the benefits and drawbacks of each as outlined in the December 4, 2001 Worksnup Summary.Jana Sokale answered clarifying questions of the Task Force. Public Comment: Paul Metz spoke in favor of multi-use trails and wide shoulders. Ann N Z believes that the trail will not become a major commute route because of 'Where it goes. She does believe that students will use this trail. Supports a multi-use trail. Kevin lackson supports a multi-use trail. Bob Slee,1185 Elmsford Court bikes frequently to Fremont Older and uses the dangerous Stevens Canyon Road to get there. He supports having a trail that he could bike from his neighborhood to Fremont Older. Lloyd Davis also bikes frequently at Fremont Older and supports a multi-use trail. He believes a single-use trail would exclude many people. He stated that there is more funding available for a multi-use trails. PaM Ciesla, 11990 Page Mill Road, Los Altos Hills and Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commissioner representing the Cupertino area- District 5, spoke about keeping the big view in mind. She stated that measures can be taken to minimize multi-use conflicts such as safety features,curves, turns, strategically placed bushes and trees, pull-outs,narrow sections, etc. She briefly discussed the importance of multi-use trails to families and the community. She stated that Santa Clara County has given multi-use trails a high priority in allocating funding. John.Brazil, works for the City of San Jose in the Department of Transportation and is a Board member for the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail, stated that there is more funding available for multi-use trails. The Friends of Stevens Creek Trail has had a vision of a San francisco Bay to Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, and that part of that vision was to include walking and bicyclists. Multi-use trails will reduce the number of vehicles coming to a trail. Encouraging bikes on trails and off the streets reduces the potential of bikes and vehicle collisions. Deborah Jamison supports the founding principles of McClellan Ranch Preserve and supports a soft-surface, single-use trail. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page b Paul Koski, 22030 Regnart Road spoke in favor of a multi-use trail. Rod Brown spoke in favor of a multi-use trail. He believes that that trail will be an amenity for kids, families, and the community. Cornelia Woodworth)Linda Vista Park neighbor spoke in favor of a multi-use trail. Tim Holl spoke in.favor of a single-use trail. Robert Levy spoke in favor of a soft-surfaced trail. Steven Patt spoke in favor of a multi-use trail because of the benefits to the whole community. He stated that the location of the Stevens Creek Trail and its length are not attractive to road cyclists. He believes that mountain bicyclists will use this trail. Following discussion and review by the Task Force, the following actions were take.i: ACTION: A motion was made,seconded,and failed that the Task Force recommend a single-use trail with either the natural or all-weather surface for the two and half miles of Study Areas C and D. Vote: 3 Ayes, 9 Nays,and 0 Abstentions. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and passed that the Task Force recommend a multi-use, hard-surfaced trail throughout Study Areas Cand D. Vote: 9 Ayes,.:j Nays, 0 Abstentions. B. Petitioners' Request to Expao.d the Scope of the Study Area Therese Smith asked the Task Force to review the Summary of Alternative Alignments indicated in a petition received on October 2, 2001. The petition stated that, "We the undersigned citizens of Cupertino request the City to include in the feasibility study of the Stevens Creek Trail additional surface street and alternate routes which will reduce negative impacts on nearby residences. Current proposals to extend a regional hiking, bicycling, and multi-use throughway from Rancho San Antonio Park to Stevens Creek Park envision using land adjacent to the banks of Stevens Creek. Homeowners along the Stevens Creek corridor would face impacts to safety, security and privacy of their homes and.families. While recreational amenities are desirable in a community,routing a trail through the creek corridor also threatens the sensitive and fragile environmental and historical resources of the area. Due to the extent of urban development along similar stretches of the creek, the City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of January 22, 2002 Page 7 cities of Los Altos and Sunnyvale have already determined that the trail should not be constructed adjacent to or on private property,and that the needs of the regional trail system could be satisfied using existing surface streets." Following discussion and review by the Task Force, the following action was taken: ACTION: A motion was made,seconded and passed unanimously that the Task Force discontinue consideration of the petition, as it is not in the mandate of the Task Force, but to refer the petition to the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee(BPAC). V. New Business A. Review Feasibility Study Schedule Jana Sokale reported that the next business item for the Task Force included review of the Draft Feasibility Report and Draft Initial Study.She noted that the additional neighborhood meetings and workshops have slipped the schedule. She recommended that the March meeting be postponed until both documents are available for review.Jana Sokale recommended that the Task Force meet next on May 21. ACTION: The Task Force concurred to hold the next meeting on May 21. B. Minutes David Greenstein raised the concern of getting the minutes out to the public sooner than the May 21 meeting. It was decided that a Task Force action report could be developed and posted on the website to inform the community of the actions of. January 22, 2002. The minutes will be formally reviewed for approval at the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday,May 21 at TOO PM and the Cupertino Senior Center. IV. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m. to Tuesday,January 22, 2002. Respectfully submitted, Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary APPROVER MINUTES City of Cupertino STEVENS CREEK TRAIL, TASK FORCE Regular Meeting of Tuesday, May 21, 2002 ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission(late arrival) Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Craig Breon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society John Buenz,Meadows Homeowners Association Dave Constant,Linda Vista Park Neighborhood David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway,Deep Cliff Golf Course Task Force Members Absent Ann Cleaver, Meadows Homeowners Association John Giovanola,Hanson Permanente Cement Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners ® John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Richard Lowenthal,Cupertino City Council Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Staff Present Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Department Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary Consultant Jana Sokale, Environmental Planner I. Approval of Minutes Minutes of January 22, 2002 were not approved due to lack of a quorum. 11. Communications-None III. New Business IV. Distribution and Overview of Draft Trail Feasibility Report Jana gave an update on events since the Task Force last met: s - City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of May 21, 2002 Page 2 • At the March City Council study session, Ms. Sokale presented the overall trail plan. City Council indicated some of the sentiments of the Task Force with respect to Study Area D and the Blackberry Farm alignment.They were not "too keen' on the depressed pathway option described in the report.. e Jana recommended to staff to not pursue the environmental analysis of Study Areas C and D at this time,and not spend the money evaluating a design that was likely to change through the Blackberry Farm Master Plan. She also suggested that we wait for the Blackberry Farm Master Plan process to take place, then tivrap-up the environmental review, and spend the money and do the review as one whole piece.Jana will proceed with a revised scope for Study Area A,which is underway. Environmental review for Study Area B had always been attached to the proposed Canyon Heights Academy project. This EIR will include the trail through the canyon and the quarry area. ® The feasibility report stands as it was on January 22, 2002. The report and associated recommendations will be presented to the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council. The Task Force recommendations will also inform the master plan process.She noted that by not proceeding with the environmental review of Study Areas C and D,Cupertino could not build these sections of trail until the environmental review is completed in the future. Therese Smith reported that the City Council was happy with the Task Force's work,with the exception of the depressed pathway in Study Area D. She also reported on the progress of the Blackberry Farm Master Plan process: • On February 21, Mike O'Dowd presented the first public input session to the Parks and Recreation Commission. This meeting was webcasted and is available online in the city's archives. • The park is 50 years old and not a lot of money has been invested by the city over the years. • Parks and Recreation is looking for idea.;for what to do with the properties (McClellan Ranch, Blackberry Farm and golf course, Stocklmier and Sininns properties) • The idea of using the creek as the organizing theme may be used. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of May 21, 2002 Page 3 To obtain a broader vision for the Blackberry Farm master plan, the Public Dialogue Consortium(PDC) will hold a meeting to work with focus groups that will be developed from interested neighbors of the park. From this meeting, questions will be developed by Godbe Research for a Cupertino-wide telephone survey asking people how they would like to see this park space developed. Jana Sokale briefly discussed the development of the draft feasibility report and the steps and recommendations that were made by the Task Force over the past few months. Therese Smith reported that since the draft feasibility report was just received and that none of the Task Force members have had a chance to review it, as well as the community,another meeting of the Task Force would need to be scheduled. V. Public Comments Deborah Jamison,21346 Rumford Drive,asked,with her strong interest in McClellan Ranch,what should she do to participate in the focus group process. Therese responded by asking her to respond to the letter sent out and to sign up for the McClellan Ranch focus group. Therese also reported that the focus group is not the only zimy to participate in the Blackbern/Farm master plan process; there it>ill be public meetings and a community-Wide survey that n7ill allo717 people to get involved. The public Was asked to sign up that evening if there u7ere interested in participating in a focus group. Discussion Jana explained that the report implements recommendations from the Task Force, as well as part of the vision set forth in the Cupertino General Plan preserving this corridor. She briefly outlined the four study areas. The first 100 pages document the work of the Task Force over the past 14 months and it details the criteria that were used to select alignments. The back half of the report includes the six subconsultant reports that have been reviewed by the Task Force, with the exception of Dr. Lynne Trulio's Habitat Enhancement Report,which is still yet to be completed.This report will be out in the next draft. There are 12 site maps in the document, as well as a full-sized map of City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of May 21, 2002 Page 4 the entire project located in the back pocket of the report.She reported that the Task Force recommended about seven miles of trail. Jana Sokale reported that a copy of the draft feasibility report would be at the library,city hall, and on the city's website. She encouraged the community to review this report and to send in their comments. Dave Greenstein reported that this was the first time the Task Force had seen the report,but asked for questions. Therese Smith recommended that the Task Force members consider reconvening to another date to review the report. John Buenz requested that the Task Force reconvene in order to be able to give an informed response to the feasibility report and that a message be sent to each of the Task Force members informing them of the importance of&eir participation in the next meeting. The Task Force agreed with the recommendation. A meeting will be scheduled for June 18, 2002.Task Force members will be asked to forward their comments for inclusion in this meeting by Friday,June 7. Public Comrn�;.Lts: loan Meehan,21082 Northcove Square,congratulated the Task Force on their hard work. She is an equestrian and wants to be involved as a volunteer in trail/equestrian issues. Robert Levy,10802 Wilkinson Ave., acknowledged that the Task Force has sometimes worked under heavv criticism from the community. He does not support a ten-foot-wide trail through McClellan Ranch. May Koski, 22030 Regnart Rd.,congratulated the Task Force's on their hard work. She is looking forward to the Stevens Creek Trail. She believes that Cupertino has wonderful resources that should be shared with more of the community. She also believes that the Linda Vista neighbors should not hold on to their fears about strangers coming into their neighborhood. She lives near a trail and has come to discover that her initial fears are unfounded as many neighbors and not strangers use the trail next to her home. She is glad the Task Force recommended a multi-use trail. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Foice Minutes of May 21, 2002 Page 5 Gerald Gras,655 S. Fair Oaks#H211,Sunnyvale, is a supporter and users of trails in general. He believes the trail its a good addition to the city. He would like to see the City of Sunnyvale construct the Stevens '-reek Trail in their city and have it connect to the City of Cupertino. Deborah Jamison, 21346 Rumford Dr.,spoke in defense of the McClellan Ranch, and supports the Stevens Creek Trail. She does not support a paved roadbed through McClellan Ranch. She believes it is a clear violation of the McClellan Ranch Master Plan and the founding ordinance and the principles and values expressed in the regulations and guidelines. She would support a more tranquil,soft-surfaced trail that could be used by mountain bikers, tricyclists,and other multi-uses. She has noticed that the issue of dogs on the trail has not been addressed at all. Alex Tsai, 21975 San Fernando Ave., is not opposed to the trail,but he is strongly against the current alignment within Blackberry Farm. Major issues he has are the need to separate the paid area from the trail, the depressed pathway near his home, the trail cutting through the existing lawn area that most visitors now enjoy. He does not like the alignment at all through Blackberry Farm. He urges the City Council and staff members reconsider this trail design with the Blackberry Farm Master Plan. Rod Brown reported on the Community Congress that had two relevant sessions, one on open space and parks, another on walkability/bikeability/trails. He asked if the data from the meeting had been put together? He believes this information would be of value to the Task Force. Mike Vroxnan, 10681 Johnson Ave.,reported that he also attended the Community Congress and wanted to know*the same thing. He thanked the members of the Task Force for their recommendations and hard work. He is happy with the recommendation of a hard surfaced trail that will make is more accessible to more people. Task Force Comments Craig Breon asked that at the next meeting the Task Force address the issue of dog access on the trail. He asked that Jana Sokale provide examples on both sides of the issue. He stated that the McClellan Ranch Task Force did not think about this issue when they first looked at the trail. There are 4-H s City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of May 21, 2002 Page 6 animals at McClellan and the animals,as well as their owners, may not handle dogs on or off leash coming by their pens. Regarding getting the data from the Community Congress, Therese Smith reported that the information would be available in draft form in about two weeks. The Community Congress w as well attended. Copies will be made available. Jana Sokale confirmed that dog access is not covered in the feasibility report. III. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday,June 18, 2002. Respectfully submitted, Mane Freston, Administrative Secretary FINAL MINUTES City of Cupertino STEVENS CREEK TRAIL TASK FORCE Regular Meeting of Tuesday, June 18, 2002 ATTENDANCE: Taste Force Members Present Jeanne Bradford,Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission Susie Brain, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail John Buenz, Meadows Homeowners Association Ann Cleaver, Meadows Homeowners Association Dave Constant,Linda Vista Park Neighborhood John Giovanola,Hanson Permanente Cement David Greenstein,Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mary Jo Gunderson, Linda Vista Neighborhood Scott Hathaway, Deep Cliff Golf Course Task Force Members Absent Craig Brecon,Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Steve Haze,Cupertino Historical Society Beez Jones,Stevens Creek Canyon Homeowners John Kolski,Stevens Creek Quarry Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino City Council Chuck Noble,Scenic Circle Neighborhood Staff Present Therese Smith Ambrosi Smith, Director,Parks and Recreation Department Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary Consultant Jana Sokale Sokale, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of January 221 and May 21, 2002 were unanimously approved as written. COMMUNICATIONS: Written: The Task Force received a copy of an email from Alex Tsai. Oral: None City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: Review of Draft Trail Feasibility Report Ms. Sokale reported that the Task Force received the draft feasibility report at the last meeting. She also stated that this report was posted on the Stevens Creek Trail website and it was available at city hall. Jana Sokale consolidated Task Force comments in the meeting's handout entitled Summary of Feasibility report Comments.She broke out the comments by study area,as well as by general and formatting comments. She will incorporate most of these comments in the pre-print final document and then into the final document.She summarized the comments from the handout and answered questions from the Task Force Additional Comments • Study Area C: o Language will be added to the report that says eventually,should trail maps be developed for this area, Linda Vista Park will not be indicated as a staging area. However, though,the site will be as such in the feasibility report and the environmental documents to evaluate this use for potential impacts. o Language to be added to indicate that hikers and mountain bikers might use Linda Vista Park as a way to get to Stevens Creek County Park without paying the County's$4 parking fee. o Language will be added to discuss improving the sidewalk along McCleilan Road to Linda Vista Drive. • Study Area D: o For clarity, more language will be added to the report to indicate that the trail will connect to Stevens Creek Boulevard between the Stocklmier home driveway and the creek. o High resolution, black and white photographs will be included in the document to depict locations being discussed. o The concern of the Meadows Homeowners Association of the potential impact of trail users attempting to park on the Scenic cul-de-sacs, which are private and posted as such,will be highlighted. o Language will be added that indicates the Task Force explored and rejected the petition the trail alignment alternatives in the petition. These reasons for the rejection will be cited. A copy of the petition will be included in the appendix. • Other Content and Format Comments: o Community Congress document will be included. 0 Glossary of terms will be added. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page 3 o Security overheads will be placed in the appendix with text about them in. the body of the report. o A flowchart displaying steps and the public participation process will be added. Flowchart will include the Blackberry Farm master plan process. The recommendations include: Feasibility Report Recommendations ,Jana Sokale reviewed the five recommendations with the Task Force and addressed their questions. After review,one change to a recommendation was made. This included adding language to Recommendation##2 so that it would include the wording "alternative all-weather,multi-use surface." The revised recommendations include: 1) Recommend that the Blackberry Farm master plan process consider changes to the park operation and/or design that would permit the trail alignment in this area to move closer to the creek and be integrated within the park setting as opposed to isolated from the fee use areas. The Task Force was challenged to recommend a design that fit the character of the park under the current operating system. 2) Recommend that alternative ail-weather,multi-use surfaces to a paved asphalt pathway that are just now becoming available on the market such as pine tar resin and others be fully investigated for use in Study Areas C and D between McClellan Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard. 'i he investigation would include environmental consideration, durability of surface and long-term maintenance costs. 3) Recommend that the environmental review for Study Areas B, C and D from Linda Vista Park to Stevens Creek Boulevard be incorporated into the Environmental documentation that will be prepared during the master plan process. 4) Recommend that the environmental review for Study Area B from Linda Vista Park to Stevens Creek County Park continue on course as an element of the environmental review being conducted for Canyon Heights Academy, the private development project proposed on the site. 5) Recommend that the City work with the County to initiate the development cf the trails in Study Area A upon completion of the environmental review process. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page 4 Public Comment Susan Sievert, Byrne Avenue, asked if the comments were going to be in the feasibility report?Jana Sokale answered that the comments ,rill be integrated into tree text and in the appendix of the report. Ms. Sievert felt it was important to include that Byrne and San Fernando residents did not have representation on the Task Force. She stated that she was not noticed. She asked for clarification on McClellan Ranch status as a preserve. She does not want bikes to be allowed into McClellan Ranch. She asked why the trail was not put at the base of the 1-lanson-Permanente Cement property. She also believes that the trail will be harmful to deer. She believes some animals will not cross a trail or railroad track to get food. Deborah Jamison, 21346 Rumford Drive,believes that the McClellan Ranch Master Plan is being ignored and asked the Parks and Recommendation Commission and the Parks and Recreation director to consider the all-ready existing McClellan Ranch Master Plan. She requested that the master plan and the other documents that govern the activities at McClellan Ranch be added to the feasibility report and brought to the attention of the Parks and Recreation Commissioners. She believes that some of the recommendations for the Stevens Creek Trail violate the McClellan Ranch Master Plan. Responses to Public Comments Jana Sokale stated she would integrate public comments into the report. To the concern that the Byrne Avenue neighborhood was not represented,Jana Sokale stated that David Greenstein lives on Byrne Avenue. David stated that he did not do outreach as a Byrne Avenue neighbor, but did do outreach as a member of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force. It was noted that many neighbors, including Byrne Avenue, were included in the initial contact letter. Therese Smith reported that over 800 homeowners were initially contacted. ACTION: A motion was made and seconded that the feasibility report note that the Byrne/San Fernando Avenue community was not included on the Task Force, but it was the belief of the Parks and Recreation staff that they were noticed. The motion failed to pass 2 to 8. ACTION: A motion was made that a note be put in the feasibility study that the Byrne Avenue community was not initially invited to be a part of the Task Force and that they did not think they received regular notices, and that we append the mailing list on the report. A second motion was not made and the motion failed. . r. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page c Note:Ms. Sievert uYas mailed the next day a City Clerk certified copy of the initial mailing list, a%hick shuavd that the Byrne Avenue homeouaners were. included. Ms. Sievert's mother's address was highlighted. Pertaining to the request to highlight the McClellan Ranch Master Plan and bringing it to the attention of the Parks and Recreation Commission,Jana Sokale stated that the policies do indeed support a trail and support bicycle use. It does not specify a trail surface. Other documents that might be included would be the founding ordinance and the policies and guidelines adopted for the preserve. Jana Sokale reported that the Hanson-Permanente Cement property is outside the City of Cupertino's jurisdiction,but it was included in the 1995 Santa Clara Countywide Trail Master Plan as a future route. She also noted that it is not feasible to build a trail through the quarry at this point in time because the quarry is fully functional and operating with heavy equipment. Ms.Sokale will add this to the alternatives that were reviewed and deemed not feasible. Jana Sokale reported that deer often habituate very well to the presence of humans in park settings.She noted that antelope will not cross a fence or railroad track for food or water,but there should be no concern about harming antelope as the area is void of antelope. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded,and unanimously approved for the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force to accept the feasibility report recommendations forwarded the Draft Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Report with the indicated revisions to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The next draft of the report will be the Pre-Print Final Creek Trail Feasibility Report. Review of Dog Policies Jana Sokale reported that the issue of dogs on the Stevens Creek Trail was brought up by the public and Craig Breon,and that this issue had not been addressed in the discussions regarding the feasibility study. She summarized the current dog policies within the study areas. She noted that the vast majority of parks that are along the creek or within the study areas exclude dogs at this point. Those parks are McClellan Ranch, Blackberry Farm,Rancho San Antonio County hark, and Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Dogs are allowed in limited areas at Stevens Creek County Park, Linda Vista Park, and Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. ® Jana Sokale asked the Task Force if they wanted to recommend the inclusion or exclusion of dogs within the draft report. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page 6 Public Comment Deborah Tamison, 21346 Rumford Drive, who is a committed dog owner and seeks out trails to walk with her dogs, believes that dogs on leash,walking through parks, do no more damage than people. Despite this, she believes that McClellan Ranch is not a multi-use park and dogs should not have access to this park. She added that the Union Pacific Railroad corridor would be wonderful when it is made into trails and can be multi-use. Therese Smith recommended that a statement be placed in the draft report that would say that the policies regarding dogs have to be consistent with the adjacent parkland. ACTION: A motion was made,seconded and approved 9 to 1 to include language in the feasibility draft that the Task Force, while they did not fully discuss the issue of dog policies,were supportive of the current policies for the various study areas currently in place. Jana Sokale thanked the Task Force for all their efforts, site visits, ad hoc trips, bringing information to neighborhoods, and reading volumes of information from January 2001 to June 2002. Jeanne Bradford, representing the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission, thanked the Task Force for their hard work and commitment to the process. She acknowledged that the Task Force members took a lot of scrutiny by the community. She also acknowledged the great public participation. David Greenstein thanked the public for coming to the meetings and being a part of the process. He encouraged their continued participation as the Stevens Creek Trail process as it goes to the next phases. Jana Sokale reported that sometime this summer, maybe July, the environmental report for Study Area A will be released. There are tentative hearings with the Cupertino Planning Commission in August, and to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission in September on Study Area A. Everything will be coming back to the Cupertino City Council probably in September or October 2002. City Council will be reviewing the report for acceptance (not adoption) as a completed and comprehensive study. Once they adopt CEQA document for Study Area A, work can proceed to construct this segment of the trail when funds become available. City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Force Minutes of June 18, 2002 Page 7 Adjourrunent Chairman David Greenstein adjourned the final meeting of the Stevens Creek Trail Task Force. Respectfully submitted, Ae Preston, Administrative Secretary