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Published on 01/05/1998 All articles from this issue

Los Altos Hills off-road pathways plan draws mixed reaction

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

Consideration of a new off-road pathway plan process led to an informal public hearing on the subject at the Jan. 7 Los Altos Hills Town Council meeting. Comments from both residents and council members reflected how conditions have changed in the community since the pathways plan was first envisioned.

The proposed five-point plan process, drafted by City Manager Jeff Peterson and Mayor Toni Casey, follows criticism of the current process by residents who attended a Nov. 5, 1997, council meeting.

That criticism centered on issues of notification and due process in implementing pathways where easements existed, and concerns for safety and privacy along existing and proposed off-road pathways.

Desirability of the off-road pathway system was also debated at the November meeting.

Peterson and Casey's proposal directed the city manager to prepare a new map showing the off-road pathways on the 1981 master pathway plan where the town had acquired all or a portion of the necessary easements for the pathway.

A second step in the process called for the deletion of all other proposed off-road paths shown on the 1981 plan for which the town had no easements.

Unconstructed off-road pathways with incomplete easements would be reviewed by council at public hearings to determine whether they should be completed or deleted from the plan, according to step three in the Jan. 7 proposal.

Steps two and three sparked opposition from Councilman Sid Hubbard.

"I don't want to delete any options from the master plan," Hubbard said. "It takes away all the planning, vision and dreams. We need to provide those options for the future."

Several other residents expressed their support for the pathways plan, calling it shortsighted to give up what future residents might find desirable in response to opposition of some current residents.

Other longtime residents said things had changed since they had moved to the town, with more crowding creating concerns for safety and privacy.

"I want the public to say whether they want a path or not," said Taaffe Road resident Greg Haas. He said 100 percent of his neighbors opposed paths proposed in his neighborhood.

Councilwoman Elayne Dauber said an update of the 1981 map was essential before making further decisions. She called for establishing criteria for when an off-road path would be desirable.

"I feel the town is up to its neck in its ability to maintain what it has," said Councilman Bill Siegel, who supported updating the 1981 map. He said he thought most residents with pathway easements would want them removed if it were possible.

"If we have an easement, we shouldn't abandon it," said Councilman Bob Johnson, while Casey emphasized the need for public notification about both the plan process and specific pathway development plans.

The council unanimously agreed to pursue preparation of a new off-road pathway map indicating pathways with all or part of the necessary easements acquired.

Their agreement included a process for recommending desired off-road pathways not shown on the map, and for public hearings in cases where the council determined to proceed with a proposed off-road pathway proposal.