SCTF 02-27-01 City of Cupertino
Stevens Creek Trail 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, February 27, 2001
MEETING TIME: 4:00 PM
ATTENDANCE:
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.
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City of Cupertino
Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study
Welcome
The meeting was called to order by Richard Lowenthal.
II.
III.
IV.
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.
Approval of the January Minutes
The January Minutes were unanimously approved.
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. It was suggested that these walks
be held in the late afternoon. Ms. 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 public 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
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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.
Mo
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 trail alignment alternatives. She noted that it was important to
determine feasibility in these areas prior to developing 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 alignments 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
bring any additional ideas to the February meeting. This item was tabled due to
lack of time and will be reagendized in the future.
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VII.
VIII.
IX.
City of Cupertino
Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study
Feasibility Study Mapping
Jana Sokale distributed a base map 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 that the additional
information could be represented on future work products.
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 Anza 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.
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.
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