SR 05:069A - Laserfiche WebLink

ciently serve the existing neighborhoods. Without this sidewalk, the San Carlos Way/San Juan Way/San Luis Court/Sonoma Drive neighbors would have to find other routes to reach the Sycamore Creek trail. Staff recommends the Planning Commission discuss the issue of this sidewalk connection with its review of the proposed project. If the Planning Commission believes that the sidewalk should be deleted from the Specific Plan and from the proposed project, the Planning Commis- sion should then recommend approval of PSP-08, the amendment to the North Sycamore Spe- cific Plan. If, however, the Planning Commission believes that the sidewalk connection should remain, it should then recommend denial of the amendment. As previously stated, staff recom- mends that the amendment be denied thereby retaining the proposed sidewalk for public use. James Wolfe, Director of Parks and Community Services, concurs with the staff analysis and recommendation. Mr. Wolfe did not consider it necessary to have the proposed sidewalk re- viewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission given that, unlike a public trail in a natural set- ting, the proposed sidewalk would function much like any other City sidewalk providing pedes- trian circulation between neighborhoods. Construction Timing The applicant requested staff consider timing the sidewalk's construction before issuance of the first building permit for Parcels' Two through Four. Regarding construction timing for the sidewalk, staff believes the sidewalk is a subdivision improvement desired by what appears to be a consensus of neighborhood opinion, and, therefore, should be constructed with the first im- provement phase. The staffrecommendation is reflected as a draft condition of approval. ADA Standards The existing site grade on the north side of the subject property is approximately five to six feet higher than the grade elevation of San Carlos Way, resulting in a series of steps and landings re- quired to connect the public sidewalk to the street. With stairs and landings, the proposed side- walk would not meet ADA standards. To bring the sidewalk closer to ADA standards, the sidewalk would have to be constructed in a below-grade trench, with retaining walls on both sides, for a significant portion of its length. Staff considered options to achieve compliance for the public sidewalk and concludes that such compliance is not feasible. Placing the sidewalk in a depressed trench would close-in the side- walk creating, in staff's opinion, an inhospitable pedestrian environment - as discussed further, the applicant would place an open fence along Parcel Four's side of the sidewalk - and would be difficult to monitor. There is less than available space on San Carlos Way to construct an ADA- acceptable ramp without having to condemn private property. The relatively steep, existing grades on San Carlos Way and on Sycamore Terrace, where the portion of the public sidewalk is located, does not meet ADA standards for slope grades. Other ADA accessible routes are avail- able on Sunol Boulevard and from San Antonia Street to Sunset Creek Lane to Sycamore Creek lte~n 6. a, PUD-42 and PSP-08 Page 7 of 18 February 9, 2005