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CC 09-23-02 OF CUPE INO APPROVED MINUTES CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL Regular Adjourned Meeting Monday, September 23, 2002 ROLLCALL At 4:10 p,m. Mayor Lowenthal called the meeting to order at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California, for a van tour of various portions of the Stevens Creek Trail City Council members present: Mayor Richard Lowenthal, Vice-Mayor Michael Chang, and Council members Sandra James, Patrick Kwok, and Dolly Sandoval. Council members absent: None. Staff present: City Manager David Knapp, Parks and Recreation Director Therese Smith, City Clerk Kimberly Smith, and environmental planner/consultant Jana Sokale. Joining the meeting at various tour stops were members of the public, including Deborah Jamison, Bob Levy, Susan Seifert, David Scionti, Don Bumett, Jeannie Bradford, and Alex Carlton. Tour the alignment of Stevens Creek Trail. A. Rancho San Antonio Park · Trail head · De Anza Knoll · Views of the PG&E substation and Hammond house B. Linda Vista Park · Haul road C. McClellan Ranch Park D. Blackberry Farm · Proposed depressed tunnel · Back parking lot · Simm's Property Stocklmeir Property · Phar Lap crossing · Blue PheasanffBlackberry Farm Golf Course parking September 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 2 RECESS Council recessed from 6:50 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Lowenthal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL City Council members present: Mayor Richard Lowenthal, Vice-Mayor Michael Chang, and Council members Sandra James, Patrick Kwok, and Dolly Sandoval. Council members absent: None. Staff present: City Manager David Knapp, Parks and Recreation Director Therese Smith, Public Information Officer Rick Kitson, Recreation Supervisors Christine Hanel and Michael O'Dowd, City Clerk Kimberly Smith, and environmental planner/consultant Jana Sokale. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS David Scionti reported that he had been concerned about the proposal to allow DACA swim classes at Blackberry Farm. However, it was going smoothly, and they were using portable light stands that direct the light away from his home. Although traffic has been heavier than he had expected because cars arrive in 30-minute intervals, there have been no problems with noise from the swim classes. NEW BUSINESS Review and approve the Draft Feasibility Report for the Stevens Creek Trail Adopt the mitigated negative declaration. Adopt Resolution No. 02-176 authorizing a grant application under the Recreational Trails Program. Therese Smith and Jana Sokale reviewed a PowerPoint slide show titled Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Report and Study Area A Environmental Review, and distributed copies to Council. The slides included the following: location of the studyareas the goals of the feasibility study, the trail planning process · the work products, including a trail feasibility report, Study Area A Initial Study, biological and geotechnical reports, operations and maintenance report, trail funding report, and ecological restoration report. September 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 3 There were additional slides specific to proposed improvements for each of the specific study areas. The summary of major issues included: Providing adequate parking Appropriate surfacing material Crossing at McClellan Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard · Alignment through McClellan Ranch Alignment along the haul road · Fee use vs. free trail use · Property values · Safety and security All proposed trail alignmems would total approximately 6.45 miles of trails, approximately 1.25 miles of bicycle lanes, one new crosswalk at Stevens Creek Boulevard, and either a new crosswalk or a new bridge and trail underpass at McClellan Road. · The slides also referenced mitigation measures for the following: · biological resources · transportation/traffic · public services · cultural impacts · hydrology/water quality · noise · air quality Consultant Jana Sokale explained that the staging at the Hammond House is for trail users. The Historical Society will need a parking lot in the future when it develops, but they have asked that parking not be allowed right by the house except to address the needs of the disabled. She explained that at this time dogs would be prohibited because the property is attached to the Mid- Peninsula Regional Open Space District preserve and Santa Clara County Park lands which both have a no-dog policy for those areas adjacent to the trail. Dogs will be allowed at the stables because that is private property that is leased to Whispering Creek Stables by PG&E. Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson, said he is a trail user, and has high hopes that the Stevens Creek Trail will someday be completed, but not under the current situation. He said the feasibility study, although it is a good idea, is not yet complete or correct. He felt that many items in the negative declaration were only the author's opinion, and on that basis the request for grant funds is to some extent fraud. David Greenstein, a residem of Byme Avenue, was in favor of the proposed action. This is not a design document, but only a feasibility study. There are actually three parts to the project, and is not just restricted to the Stevens Creek Trail. David Scionti, 22079 San Fernando Court, referred Council to a web site at fobbf, org regarding the Friends of Blackberry Farm, and said there was a lot of historical information on that site. He September 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 4 pointed out that some of the more difficult areas to address would be the haul road, especially if the trail would be on piers, and the crossing over Stevens Creek Boulevard. He said that the trail must be kept close to the creek through Blackberry Farm. There is already erosion at the creek caused by ground squirrels. He noted that the new Astoria development is already advertising direct access to the trail, which will bring more traffic. He asked that the entrance to Blackberry Farm be moved to a better location. Mary Jo Gunderson, 22074 Baxley Ct., said she appreciated all the work and outreach that had taken place with the residents of the Linda Vista neighborhood. Ifa trail is to be accepted by the neighborhood, a cost/benefit solution will be needed. She asked that counsel be careful with any future changes and to keep the neighborhood involved and supportive. Cornelia Woodworth, La Paloma Drive, said she was very much in favor of the trail and asked that it be available for multiple users including bicyclists, skaters, hikers, etc. Barry Feeley, 22043 Baxley Court, said there were 100 people who had signed the petition about Area C, the haul road. They are concerned about privacy and safety issues, and it is important to provide good security. There are already problems in their backyards with the homeless. He said that Council should consider all sections of the trail together. He felt this project needs more consideration, and that the committee reviewing the project should include more opponents. Mike Vroman, 10681 Johnson Avenue, was in favor of all the actions and as well as a multiuse trail. He said that the fears raised during plans for the Mountain View trail had proved to be groundless. May Koski 22030 Regnart Road, spoke in favor of the project and that as much of it as possible be designed for multiple uses. Deborah Jamison, 21346 Rumford Drive, said that she has been a proponent of this project in many ways. She has been critical of the feasibility report and there are good alternatives other than what was proposed. She said that Areas C and D were her main areas of concern and she was glad that more study was being down. She asked that the Council please honor the nature preserve of McClellan Ranch. She read an excerpt from the planning commission minutes regarding alignments and said a more detailed analysis of the master plan process must be completed. Alex Carlton, 10062 Scenic, said he was president of the homeowners association in that area. He said that the trail and the Stocklmeir orchard is an important topic in his neighborhood. There is confusion over the purpose and the use of the trail and how it will tie into other city trails. He feared the problems would not be well addressed, and asked that Council listened carefully to the immediate neighbors. Alex Tsai, 21975 San Fernando Ave., said he agreed with the previous speaker. More clarification is needed on the C and D areas, and he did not think the project was feasible as presented. He said the neighbors and the task force had rejected it and that they should continue studying and identifying issues. September 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 5 Anne Ng, 6031 Bollinger Road, said she was in favor of the proposed action on Area A. She said she is a member of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and her bicycle is her primary vehicle. She preferred a multi-use trail, and did not think it would be a transportation route for serious cyclists except for one part where it is level, and probably not by Blackberry Farm. She asked that all portions be kept open for bicycle access. Don Burnett, 729 Stendhal Lane, said he agreed with Anne Ng that most cyclists will only use the level parts of the trail, and McClellan Avenue is the best route. He said it was important to avoid Stevens Canyon Road. Jeanne Bradford, Vice Chairperson of the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission, said she also served on the task force. She said this had been a huge effort with many meetings and a lot of public input, and no one was neutral. In most places the diverging points of view helped the task force to find solutions to many issues. The scope of the assignment was not to resolve the details of every alignment, but it gave them a good understanding of neighborhood issues. Linda Wegner, 10200 Hillcrest Road, said she was a cyclist and a jogger and is in favor of a multi-use trail. Patty Ciesla, Los Altos Hills County Parks Commissioner representing District 5 was in favor of the proposed action on item A. She said the County Parks Commission is interested in the potential of more recreation facilities in this area of the County, and perhaps they will be able to collaborate on some portion of the Blackberry Farm solution. She said this trail will be an amenity for the whole County, and she asked that the trail access designations be consistent so that bicycles are not fomed onto streets, and that it is a family friendly trail system throughout. She opposed allowing bicycles and equestrians onto the De Anza Knoll, and suggested a multi- use trail location where bicycles could be locked up while people climbed to the top of the Knoll. Joan Meehan, 20182 Northcove Square, said she was a big supporter of this project, especially area A, and 38 of the equestrians at the Whispering Creek Stables signed a petition in favor of it. They will be able to ride their horses to Rancho San Antonio in 10 minutes instead of taking a half-hour to trailer the horses over. She also supported the other trail areas, and was in favor of multi-use trails. Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, said he agreed that Area A will be a big bonus for cyclists, but most will remain on McClellan Road. Off-road bikers will enjoy the trail into the quarry, where it is more challenging. He said that if Council waits until the Canyon Heights Academy issue is decided, a different solution is needed. The public testimony portion of the hearing was closed. geptember 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 6 Dolly Sandoval asked staff to explore revenue generation options and to identify ways of separating free-use areas from fee-for-use areas at Blackberry Farm. She asked if it would be possible to incorporate state trail park monies and grants into this project to help offset the costs of running Blackberry Farm. She wondered how many trail users would be Cupertino residents, who are already paying for Blackberry Farm use through the utility users tax. Patrick Kwok said that this is not a perfect solution, but it is something that can still be worked on. It will benefit hikers, bike riders, and equestrians, and restore the natural vegetation. He was concerned about areas B and C in particular, but tonight those areas are not being adopted and there is still more time to work on those. Sandra James said she agreed with the requests for a multi-use trail, and that the money spent on the project should benefit as many kinds of recreational users as possible. She did not think there should be a hard surface in the nature preserve area. She questioned whether Blackberry Farm was being used to the utmost since it was closed 6 months of each year, and asked staff to look into the feasibility of alternative revenue sources, perhaps from the County. Michael Chang said that there can be a successful balance between trail users and residents. For many people who have houses nearby there is some fear about future impacts, and that fear should be weighed against people's actual experiences. He felt those fears can be allayed with some education. Areas B-D do need more work, and there needs to be more consideration of fee options. Richard Lowenthal said the major concems of the residents appear to have been mitigated. They deserve to be heard more loudly than the general public because they are the most impacted, and their concerns should be met if possible. In particular, one of the goals of the trail should be to enhance security and privacy. He said that Areas B-D seem to require that any wheeled recreational gear be slow moving, and asked what technical solutions there may be to control the speed of bicycles, skateboards, etc. He agreed that alternative revenue solutions for Blackberry Farm should be considered. Lowenthal said one of the most important points of this project is that it will leave the creek will be in better condition that it is today, and it is important to fund the ecological restoration of the corridor. James/Sandoval moved to accept the Draft Feasibility Report for the Stevens Creek Trail. Vote: Ayes: Chang, James, Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval. Noes: None. James/Sandoval moved to adopt the mitigated negative declaration for Study Area A. Vote: Ayes: Chang, James, Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval. Noes: None. James/Sandoval moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-176 authorizing a grant application under the Recreational Trails Program. Vote: Ayes: Chang, James, Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval. Noes: None. §eptember 23, 2002 Cupertino City Council Page 7 ADJOURNMENT At 9:$0 p.m. thc meeting was adjourncd. Ki~ity Clerk For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are available for review at the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223. Televised Council meetings may be viewed live on Cable Channel 26, and may also be viewed live or on demand at www.cupertino.om. Videotapes of the televised meetings are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.