October 11, 2022
The Hetch Hetchy Trail is a bike and pedestrian multi-use path that traverses a small portion of Los Altos City beginning at Los Altos Avenue and connecting to Palo Alto on Arastradero Road. The trail is San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) right-of-way and provides SFPUC and the City access for maintenance vehicles. The City Council approved an updated License Agreement with SFPUC for the segment of the Hetch Hetchy Trail in Los Altos. The license agreement amended the Vegetation Management policy.
The initial work to bring the vegetation up to the standards of the amended policy will be done by the SFPUC. A city-employed arborist will work with their crew to determine trees targeted for removal. From then on, the City will bear the cost for maintenance duties. Of public comments, first is to look at other city sites that have well-managed upkeep for portions of the pipeline and second is to ask the community to be involved with the upkeep plans. Before the agreement is ratified, language to negotiate alternatives to tree removal will be included. The added language can be accepted or not by SFPUC.
City Council voted to approve transitioning from virtual Council meetings to a hybrid format. Beginning at the first November session, Council meetings will take place at the Los Altos Community Center until remodeling of Council Chambers is completed in January 2023. For those attending meetings virtually, links and phone numbers to participate continue to be available on all City Council agendas.
October 25, 2022
City Council adopted a resolution for the Complete Streets Master Plan: An Active Transportation Framework (CSMP). The CSMP is a community-supported, long-term vision to design and operate city streets. The vision prioritizes safety and access to destinations for all modes of transportation in Los Altos.
A public comment at the meeting stated that possible barriers for bicycle lanes identified in the plan can hinder places where cars can pull over for ambulances or fire trucks. Those who work on the Streets plan should be taking those controversial items into account. Other public comments, however, endorsed the CSMP.
Council members noted that the CSMP is aspirational for development. The plan tries to balance passenger and transit vehicle needs with a comprehensive bicycling and walking network to access transit, school, and downtown areas. It includes support facilities like traffic calming devices and educational programs like Safe Routes to School. It doesn’t designate specific projects to be pursued. The term ‘active transportation’ was clarified to speak to self-propelled transportation.
City staff and the consultant team from Alta Planning + Design solicited feedback from City Council, the Complete Streets Commission, the Climate Action Planning Commission, and community members to help shape the recommendations.
The City Manager confirmed that the in-person City Council meetings segment of its hybrid format will begin November 15 in the Community Center’s Sequoia Room. The room holds up to 83 people.
Claire Noonan,Observer