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SCTF 05-21-02 APPROVED 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. II. 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: City of Cupertino Stevens Creek Trail Task Minutes of May 21, 2002 Force 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. 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 wrap-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 ideas for what to do with the properties (McClellan Ranch, Blackberry Farm and golf course, Stocklmier and Simms 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 Iamison, 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 way to participate in the Blackberry Farm master plan process; there will be public meetings and a community-wide survey that will allow people to get involved. The public was asked to sign up that evening if there were 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. Lyrme 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 Minutes of May 21, 2002 Force Page 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 their 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 Comments: 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 heavy 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 Force 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 is a good addition to the city. He would like to see the City of Sunnyvale construct the Stevens Creek Trail in their city and have it connect to the City of Cupertino. Deborah lamison, 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 Vroman, 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 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 was well attended. Copies will be made available. Jana Sokale confirmed that dog access is not covered in the feasibility report. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, June 18, 2002. Respectfully submitted, Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary