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high-quality habitat. He indicated that while it is difficult to estimate staff time and <br />mitigation costs, staff feels the estimate would be reasonable. <br /> <br />Chair Blank noted that if the Commission did not impose the bond and the <br />applicants, for whatever reason, indicated that they cannot deal with the Department <br />of Fish and Game, the three lots would remain as open space, and the City would <br />end up with more natural land. He indicated that he does not understand the <br />necessity of having the bond. <br /> <br />Mr. Dolan agreed with Chair Blank’s statement, but indicated that this would result in <br />the City not having the bike lane, and the City would have the burden of doing it on <br />its own. Chair Blank commented that the City was trading a lot of open space for <br />50 feet of bike lane. Mr. Dolan stated that he recognizes that the situation is not <br />perfect but that the City wants to be sure the applicants ensure obtaining the <br />permits. <br /> <br />Commissioner O’Connor inquired whether or not, in the event that another developer <br />years from now secured those permits and installed the bike lane, the applicants <br />would be back in the hole for the three lots. Mr. Dolan replied that if the City had the <br />bond and the work was done, it would be fine. He noted, however, that if the City <br />relaxed this and ends up doing it as part of another project, he would have to <br />research the answer to that question. <br /> <br />Commissioner Narum noted that to widen the road, a significant tree will need to be <br />removed, which is very visual and will change the character of the road to be less <br />rural. She inquired if the street could be widened on the east side rather than on the <br />west direction at this section, take out the strip next to sidewalk at some point as part <br />of Merritt project, and save the little creek as well as the big tree. Mr. Dolan replied <br />that staff has discussed various alternatives and did not come up with a good one. <br /> <br />Mr. Jost indicated that staff has looked at this intersection many times and has <br />considered moving cars farther to the east. He noted that there is a very small <br />distance on the outside of the curb and a sound wall which already pinch <br />pedestrians the way it is. <br /> <br />Commissioner O’Connor stated that he agrees with staff that it is not a valuable <br />wetland or habitat area. Commissioner Narum indicated that she also agreed but <br />was thinking of it more in terms of losing the tree. Commissioner O’Connor noted <br />that it would be a valuable trade-off as the bike lane would be just as valuable. <br /> <br />Commissioner Pearce stated that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Advisory <br />Committee has received numerous testimony regarding the importance of having <br />continuous bike lane on Foothill Road. She indicated that she was in favor of saving <br />as many trees as possible but that it was imperative to construct a bike lane for <br />public safety. Chair Blank noted that the question was whether or not a bond was <br />required to accomplish this. He stated that he believed it imposes additional costs <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 13, 2008 Page 18 of 26 <br /> <br /> <br />