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15. Scenic Cir. Gate background info. txl '6 d Background Information for 10/17/06 City Council Meeting New Business - Item 15 Re: Request from the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission to encourage reopening Scenic Circle Gate Attached: . 12/1/05 Director's Report to the Parks and Recreation Commission . 12/1/05 Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Parks and Recreation Department DIRECTOR'S REPORT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Agenda Date: December 1, 2005 Item 6.B.: Consider Scenic Circle access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park and July 7, 2005 recommendation Pursuant to Council direction, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered ways that automobile traffic into Stevens Creek Corridor Park might be reduced. One suggestion forwarded was levying a parking fee. The Commission considered this alternative and determined it would drive parking onto residential streets. The Commission instead recommended making pedestrian and bicycle access as convenient as possible, to lessen automobile traffic to the park. Historically, access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park from Scenic Circle has been through a hole cut into the chain link fence that the Nelson's erected around Blackberry Farm to keep non-paying customers out. The break in the fence was a problem for neighbors because it let after-hours trespassers into the park. Five years ago, a gate was installed that enabled the neighborhood to close the gate at night after opening it in the morning to walkers and children using the park as a shortcut to Monta Vista, Kennedy and Lincoln schools. The neighbors closed it at dark to keep illegal users out of the park. This pattern continued until January 2005 when the neighbors took unilateral action to chain the entrance. Staff has not taken action to open the gate pending Council resolution of the issue. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the access point in a public meeting on July 7, 2005. The issue was whether to provide pedestrian and bicycle access from the neighborhood (Note: at this time it was proposed that the gate be opened after the park is renovated). After hearing the residents' concerns, the Commission made recommendations regarding control of the access point for safety and security. The recommendation of the Commission regarding this access point was: (Copied from the approved minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission's July 7,2005 regular meeting) Staffing (for the park) is seven days a week with a ranger position that affords both light maintenance work and enforcement capability; 84 hours a week on average: Back-up from the Sheriff's Office December 1, 2005 Page 2 of9 Gates at both pedestrian accesses; open at 7 a.m., closed by 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier Close operations in 2007; reopen in 2008 by reservation only on weekends with controlled parking (closure is for reconstruction of Blackberry Farm) Shuttled parking during times we expect overflow parking problems For the first two years of (picnic ground) operation, reservation only All customers will be notified of the change in park operation Parking spaces will be controlled Marketing of the facility will be as an environmental center Strictly a non-motorized access at Scenic Should summer weekends be a problem, the (Scenic) gate can be closed during that time Chairman Jelinch asked if opening the gate did not work out and crime statistics proved otherwise during a certain period of time, could they review it again. Director Smith said this stipulation could be added in. She asked the Commission if they would like to pick a trial period length. Commissioner Brown also stated that this would include the stipulation that the gate be closed at night and include the security patrol as presented, and at the end of a . one-year period, data would be presented to the Commission and then forwarded to the City Council as appropriate. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to have the gate access open (as stated above) on a one-year probation period and that the Commission will receive a report at the end of that time. This access would open after the park is improved and re-opened. Recently neighbors in the Scenic Circle neighborhood have circulated a petition regarding access to the park. December 1,2005 Page 3 of9 The petition reads (scanned from original): Petition July 2005 To the Cupertino City Council Members We, the undersigned. arc appealing to the Cupertino City Council to not place an entrance at Scenic Circle to Blackberry Farm or the planned Steven's Canyon Trail. Our legitimate opposition to such an entry point is based on serious concerns such as the following: I. Such an entry point would bring an endless parade of cars irl:to the neighborhood. 2. Scenic Circle would become a trailhead parking lot. 3. The congestion of trail users mixed with cars driving in and out of the neighborhood and cars competing for parking would negate safety and security for our families. 4. The recurrence of disturbances and crime that existed~ur neighborhood. 5. The serene setting and pri vacy of the neighborhood would be compromised. 6. Property values would significantly decline. Over two hundred residents signed the petition. On October 6, the Scenic residents asked that Parks and Recreation Commission reconsider their recommendation to the City Council. The Commission agreed to do so on December 1,2005. Now additional residents, including parents of school children, have come forward in support of the gate, which provides a safe route to school in children living west of the park. One parent, who believes that the gate should be opened immediately, submitted the attached photos. All of the photos were taken on the morning of November 16. All residents in the area were notified of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and advised that the Council would be making a decision on December 6. RECOMMENDATION Consider testimony and determine whether or not to amend the recommendation to the City Council made on July 7,2005. Respectfully submitted: Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Department December 1,2005 Page 4 of9 Students waiting for a break in the steady stream of traffic at McClellan and Mira Vista December 1, 2005 Page 5 of9 Biker with mechanical problems near McClellan Ranch Park. No bike lane, no sidewalk. Biker in traffic on McClellan near Linda Vista Rd. December 1,2005 Page 60f9 Mixed Traffic. Some cars try to avoid bikers by crossing the yellow lines. Or crowd bicycle riders if there is oncoming traffic. ~. December 1, 2005 Page 70f9 No bike lane or paved shoulder. Student bicycle rider rides on gravel. Traffic approaching curve with bicycle rider. December 1,2005 Page 8 of9 Bicycle riders approaching sharp curve with traffic. APPROVED P ARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, December 1, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Chien called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Staff present: Jeanne Bradford, Rod Brown, Roger Peng, Cary Chien Frank Jelinch Therese Smith, Director; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant 4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular meeting of November 10,2005 - Commissioner Brown reported that his comments about a memorial should read, "He would like all veterans who have lost their lives in the service of their country, who are residents of Cupertino, be recognized whether they died during a major conflict or a minor conflict." ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 6, 2005, as amended. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ralph Otte, presented a list of contacts that may be of assistance with the Veterans Memorial project. He agreed to assist the City in any way he can. Director Smith reported that she would be addressing this project with City Council during their goal setting session in January to see what they wanted to contribute besides the location in Memorial Park. She also stated that the goal setting session is a public meeting set for January 31. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS B. Consider Scenic Circle access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park and July 7, 2005, recommendation (presented out of order) - Director Smith reported that the purpose of revisiting this item was to reconsider their recommendation to City Council to provide an access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park from Scenic Circle. She gave a PowerPoint presentation that showed the traffic issues students riding bikes to school come up against on McClellan Road. Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of December 1, 2005 Page 2 of3 Commission Comments Commission Brown stated he was expecting to receive a design update along with the issue of the Scenic Circle access. Director Smith stated that at this time there is nothing to report on the park design because the Water District has not yet approved the creek re- alignment; however, the creek re-alignment does not affect the Scenic Circle access. Public Comments The following people spoke in favor of a pedestrianlbike access on Scenic Circle: Jim Bodwin, resident; Paul Oleas, resident; Michael Stanek, resident; Carol Stanek, resident The following people spoke in support of not having a pedestrian/bike access on Scenic Circle: Stewart Kelly, resident; Don Bautista, resident; Max Bokelman, resident; Larry Loo, resident; Alan Taniguchi, resident; Steve Moody, resident Director's Comments Director Smith commented that the City did not lock the gate on Scenic and that the City should look at visibility distances on Scenic for traffic safety concerns. She reviewed the recommendations that the Commission made on July 7. Commission Comments Commissioner Brown stated that based on research, opening up areas does reduce crime - when there are people present, people who look for isolated areas no longer have an isolated and, therefore, crime is reduced. He believes that there are enough people who are interested in the access and that the City should open it on a one-year basis, as proposed. He believes that the access would be a benefit to the community. Commissioner Peng is willing to recommend that the access be opened on a trial basis, and he would like the community to give the City the chance to open the Scenic Circle access to pedestrians and bikers. Commissioner Bradford reported that she had received a great many emails over the last months on this topic and thanked the community for their interest. She said she had heard the neighbors' concerns over the potential for an increase in the number of cars. She would consider amending the original recommendation to City Council to put restricted parking on Scenic. Director Smith said that there is a process to initiate residential restricted parking via the Public Works Department. She agrees with the notion that when a trail opens up, crime is reduced. She asked what the design of the access would be and if there was signage. Director Smith said the plan is to not identify the access on any map. Commission Bradford would also support restricted weekend parking on Scenic near the access. Vice Chairman Chien recognized that safety is a big concern and asked if it was feasible to open the gate 7 a.m. to 10 am., reopen at 3 p.m. and close again at 6 p.m. Director Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of December 1, 2005 Page 3 of3 Smith said this is doable, but that the problem was not people using the access during the day, but people getting into the park at night. Commissioner Chien said his main concern was the safety of the neighborhood and, therefore, could not support opening an access on Scenic Circle. Director Smith stated that the Commission does not need to take action unless they are going to change their original recommendation made on July 7, 2005. Commissioner Chien asked for a motion to amend their original recommendation. Seeing none, he closed the item. A. Stevens Creek Corridor Park - design update: Director Smith reported that she will provide a design update for the January meeting. She did report that the project has received approval on a grant application for $250,000 toward the environmental classroom. The creek realignment, which will have a sequence of nine pools and riffles, is about to be approved by the Water District. When this happens, further refinement of the park layout can occur. The 4-H Club has made a lot of progress toward their new facility. They have partnered with the Water District to remove lumbar from an old redwood barn that was on Water District property; they salvaged about $15,000 worth of lumbar that will go into the reconstruction of a 4-H area, which the city architect is designing for them. 7. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written Communications: None B. Staff Reports: a. Director Smith said there is a potential new lessee for the Sports Center pool. DACA has entered into a lease agreement in San Jose for their own facility. C. Community Contacts: None 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 7?fz?c: C. )~-?~~., Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved at the January 5, 2006, meeting. EXHIBITS BEGIN HERE eXHIBIT :it /5 cL-IIO - 1"1 - O~ Dear Cupertino City Council, My name is Stewart Kelly, my wife, son and I live on Scenic Circle. We are strongly opposed to reopening the gate from Scenic Circle to Blackberry Farm. We are very concerned about car traffic in our neighborhood if the gate is reopened and connects to the Stevens Creek Trail extension that is coming to our section of the creek. Weare happy to have the community walk and bike in our neighborhood, but we draw the line at it becoming a trailhead parking lot. That is not the environment we want to raise our son in, nor is it the way our neighborhood was when we bought our home. We are also disappointed that this issue has been raised yet again. We have attended Parks and Rec Commision and City Council meetings on the Scenic Circle gate and Stevens Creek Corridor issues over the years, including what seemed like the final Council action on the gate at the end of last year. Now we are revisiting this yet again for no apparent reason. In addition, the Scenic Circle neighborhood has been left on its own to discover that a major issue for us is before the Council tonight. Weare left with the impression that this is intended to bias the decision against us. Thank you. Stewart Kelly 10452 Scenic Circle October 16, 2006 C C J D I,) /0 b *~ EXHlclT Dear City Council Members, Given the ongoing traffic safety issues on the routes to Monta Vista, Kennedy and Lincoln schools, we urge the City Council to investigate and facilitate every possible option to develop alternative pedestrian and bicycle routes to the schools. Any and all routes, including one proposed through Blackberry Farm, should be given serious consideration. We cannot afford to close off or overlook any opportunity. Please support our community and our schools in our efforts to encourage our students to safely walk and ride to our schools. S2~ ;'?~.-b ~~}I.s: /%;'~ / ~ ~ I (:-,h('fC'.() IZ~"I\.Jy flrJ../re Sekoo\ , # C/' ~ / rri/Ufr,J/ WIU/-Wu tU11tH'vlM7J J#utl fB)lEiGlEHWIEIm Inl OCT I 7 2006 ~ - CUPERTINO CITY CLERK