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Published on 11/10/1997 All articles from this issue

LAH to revisit pathways process

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

Following nearly three hours of input from residents who packed council chambers, the Los Altos Hills City Council agreed Nov. 5 to revisit the off-road pathways process before implementing any proposed off-road pathways.

The focus of the Nov. 5 public hearing before council was a master path plan for the southwest section of town, roughly bordered by Moody Road, the Palo Alto city line, Matadero Creek Road and Mountain Road. Comments revealed strong feelings both for and against off-road pathways, and about the current process for selecting pathway locations.

"Paths should be for the benefit of people in the neighborhood. They should get to vote on it," said resident Kate Gordon.

Several speakers said that the Pathway Committee should talk with neighbors about terrain, local need and potential drawbacks before recommending off-road pathways. Others expressed concern that proposed pathways would destroy native plants and animal habitat.

"The town has changed in 20 years," said resident Mike Elliott. He told of people hunting deer on his property and off-road paths that looked into people's back windows.

"As much as we'd like to think the world is the same as it was two decades ago when the off-road pathways were planned, we know it isn't a safe place because of the large population growth and its resulting problems," Elliott said, reading from a letter to council written by his neighbors, Gregg and Sandy Carse.

Council agreed with Mayor Toni Casey's proposal to "start from ground zero" on the complete off-road pathway plan. Casey's proposal calls for the Pathway Committee to work with affected residents, for notification to affected residents of proposed pathway changes, and opportunity for council members to visit proposed pathways prior to finalizing a pathway or pathway easement.

In other action, council gave planning department staff the go-ahead to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for update of the town's general plan. With the exception of the pathways element, updated in 1996, and the housing element currently under review, the General Plan has not been revised since 1973.

Council asked that the RFP clarify that the update process might include mailings to residents and resident surveys.

A discussion of the Housing Element is on the council's agenda for Nov. 19.