Friday, August 05, 2016

MISSION TRAIL NATURE PRESERVE Mountain View Avenue Entrance Project


Mission Trail Nature Preserve Mountain View Avenue Entrance


Mission Trail Nature Preserve Mountain View Avenue Entrance, View to the East across a Bridge


Mission Trail Nature Preserve Mountain View Avenue Entrance, View to the West, Towards Mountain View Avenue

ABSTRACT: At the Special Meeting of the City Council on May 2, 2016, the City Council moved to adopt a resolution to award a Contract for re-construction of the Mountain View Avenue Entrance to Mission Trail Nature Preserve to Staples Construction Company in the amount of $95,476.00 and authorization of a budget transfer for an amount not to exceed $45,378.00 from Measure D funds with the amendment that the pathway be 4 feet across. Adopted Resolution 2016-026, 3:1 (Council Member Richards opposed). According to the Staff Analysis, Planning Commission Report, February 11, 2015, “The purpose of the Mountain View Entrance project is to improve pedestrian safety and enhance the existing entrance in a more attractive manner that is still appropriate for the rustic Preserve setting. It is also the goal of staff to identify materials that could be used in future capital projects within the Preserve, such as the Rio Road Entrance. This would allow for a continuity of materials to create a consistent look and feel to all entrances to the Preserve and within the Preserve itself.”
“For the Mountain View Entrance Project, the existing path of travel consists of portions of degraded timber steps, and a combination of asphalt, gravel, and dirt surfaces. Staff proposes to improve this path of travel by constructing new timber steps with powder coated handrails with decomposed granite dispersed between the stairs; a parallel non-stepped surface using colored brushed concrete; a storm water drainage swale; landscape planting; and two benches, a trash receptacle, and a "mutt mitt" station using the same styles that exist elsewhere in the City (Attachment B). A draft cost estimate has been provided by the landscape architect.”
“Having two routes down the steep slope serves the various users of this entrance. The stairs provide a gentle low stress way of going up and down the slope. The heavily tooled concrete pathway will serve bicycles and people with strollers, the City motorcycle police officer, and address the manhole service requirements of the Carmel Area Wastewater District (there are two sewer manholes at the bottom of the slope.”
“Other benefits of this proposal are collection of water flowing down the slope, reduction of soil erosion onto the footbridge, and significant safety improvement over the existing situation. Also proposed is the placement of another bench near the top of the entry that would be installed at a later time as a possible donor opportunity or work project for the FOMTNP.”
“This project was reviewed and approved by the Forest and Beach Commission during their regular meeting on December 11, 2014. Since the Mountain View Trailhead area is within the appeals jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission, City staff have conferred with Coastal Commission staff and  obtained their input of the project.”
Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, August 8, 2016. Consequently, the Mountain View entrance will be closed for approximately two months during construction.
MISSION TRAIL NATURE PRESERVE
Mission Trail Nature Preserve was designated as a city park in 1976. The park boundaries encompass 35 acres of unspoiled native vegetation. Entrances are at Mountain View & Crespi, 11th Ave. west of Torres St., Rio Rd. across from the Carmel Mission, at the end of Martin Rd., and at 25800 Hatton Rd. (also the location of the Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden and the Flanders Mansion).
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Refuerzo, Chairperson
Members of the Forest and Beach Commission
FROM: Mike Branson, City Forester
DATE: 8 December 2014
SUBJECT: Review of the design for the Mission Trail Nature Preserve entrance at Mt. View Ave. and provide recommendations to the Planning Commission.
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Planning Commission Report
February 11, 2015
To: Chair Reimers and Planning Commissioners
From: Rob Mullane, AICP, Community Planning and Building Director
Submitted by: Michael Branson, City Forester
Subject: Consideration of a Municipal Project (MP 15-033) and associated Coastal Development Permit for alterations to the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Mt. View Ave entry for the purpose of improving public safety

REFERENCES:
DRAFT City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
SPECIAL COUNICL MEETING
Monday, May 2, 2016


CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were pulled by members of the public or by a Council Member and taken up 
separately

Item 6: AB 1117 Consideration of a Resolution to Award a Contract for Re-Construction of the Mountain View Avenue Entrance to Mission Trail Nature Preserve to Staples Construction Company in the amount of $95,476.00 and Authorization of a Budget Transfer for an Amount Not to Exceed $45,378.00 from Measure D funds.

Rob Mullane provided the staff report and responded to Council questions.

Public Comments – None

Council discussion followed.

Action: Upon a motion made by Council Member Theis, seconded by Council Member Reimers, Council moved to adopt a resolution to award a Contract for re-construction of the Mountain View Avenue Entrance to Mission Trail Nature Preserve to Staples Construction Company in the amount of $95,476.00 and authorization of a budget transfer for an amount not to exceed $45,378.00 from Measure D funds with the amendment that the pathway be 4 feet across. Adopted Resolution 2016-026, 3:1 (Council Member Richards opposed)

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
PLANNING COMMISSION-MINUTES
February 11, 2015

I. PUBLIC HEARINGS

4. MP 15-033 (City of Carmel)
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Mission Trail Nature Preserve
Southeast comer of Mountain View Ave. and Forest Road
APN: 010-061-006

Consideration of a Municipal Project (MP 15-033) and associated Coastal Development Permit for alterations to the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Mt. View Ave entry for the purpose of improving public safety

Mr. Branson presented the staff report. He noted that this is a Council-approved project within the City's Capital Improvement Project program and went over the specifics of the project.

Beth Max, landscape architect with BFS and consultant to the City, went over proposed design. She discussed the proposed concrete pathway for maintenance vehicles, the proposed steps, handrail, and pathway, and the proposed bio-swale.

Chair Goodhue opened the public hearing.

Speaker 1: Skip Lloyd, noted support for the project and how it would improve public safety.

Speaker 2: Barbara Livingston, stated her approval for the project.

Speaker 3: Cindy Lloyd, spoke in favor of the project.

Seeing no other speakers, Chair Goodhue closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Reimers asked for some clarity on the materials that were proposed and noted concerns with Attachment A (the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Management Plan) being outdated as it conflicts with wording on the City website.

Mr. Branson addressed the questions from the Commission and noted that the General Plan version that is online is the correct version. He also noted that the blue book provided is not an official City document and only meant to be used as a guide. He noted that the report is available at Copies-by-the-Sea.

Commissioner Reimers had some concerns with the concrete path due to skateboarders. She also noted concerns with the process not involving more input from the community.

In response to Commissioner questions, Beth Max offered clarity on the type of concrete proposed and noted it will be bumpy to discourage skateboarders.

Commissioner Reimers moved to continue the application. Motion died due to lack of second.

Commissioner Martin moved to accept the application. Motion seconded by Commissioner Paterson and carried on a 3-1-1 vote as follows:


AYES: COMMISSIONERS: MARTIN, GOODHUE & PATERSON
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: REIMERS
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: LEPAGE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, December 11, 2014


ORDERS OF BUSINESS

4. Review of the design for the Mission Trail Nature Preserve entrance at Mt. View Ave. and provide recommendations to the Planning Commission.

Branson outlined the proposal and the role of the Commission in the approval process.

Beth Matz from Bellinger, Foster, Steinmetz Landscape Architects, presented the materials to be used, reviewed the scope of work, and discussed how the existing site issues have been addressed by the new plan.

Commissioner Bang asked about police access at this entry to Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

Branson answered that the police motorcycle officer occasionally uses the Mt. View entrance for quick access into the Preserve.

Commissioner Baron asked if the Commission decided whether to have stairs and a ramp.

Branson noted that people pushing strollers, bicycles, and runners may prefer a ramp rather than stairs.

Commissioner Baron asked if the concrete surface will have enough texture to limit slipping.

Branson answered that staff and the landscape architect looked at alternative surfaces for the ramp before deciding on the colored concrete with heavy tooling.

Commissioner Bang asked if the Friends of Mission Trail Nature Preserve (FOMTNP) were supportive of the proposed plan.

Beth Metz told the Commission that she has met with the FOMTNP board and has included some of their comments into the proposed design.

Public comment opened at 5:35 p.m.

Skip Lloyd, FOMTNP President, reviewed the role of the FOMTNP and outlined their input into the design of the entry project. He hoped that there will be sufficient funding to complete the project. He also noted that the FOMTNP may be able help with fundraising and that Bill Doolittle, who donated much of the Preserve property, is supportive of the entry project.

Greg D'Ambrosio noted that this project is a critical project for the success of the FOMTNP efforts in the Preserve. He pointed out that having two routes at the entry will solve the problem of sediment eroding onto the bridge. Attention needs to be paid to the grade break at the top of the slope to prevent as much water as possible from going down slope. He thought a cupped ramp could be considered to help divert any water away from the bridge. He liked the brushed finish on the concrete to help direct water and provide traction. He also noted that he has spoken about the drainage issues with the Public Works Superintendant and the use of a larger diameter pipe coming out of the bioswale is recommended. He asked the landscape architect to also contact the Public Works Supervisor about the drainage issues.

Commissioner Baron asked how wide the concrete pad is.

Beth Matz answered that the path is 5 feet long and 100 feet long.

Skip Lloyd noted that getting this project to the Planning Commission for their approval is important to having this project completed in the current fiscal year.

Public comment closed at 5:45p.m.

It was moved by BANG to approve the minutes design for the Mt. View entrance to MTNP, to have the Public Works Superintendant discuss he drainage issues with the landscape architect, and forward the project to the Planning Commission; seconded by FERLITO.

Commissioner Baron expressed some concerns about the multiple materials being introduced into a small area of the Preserve with the proposed design. He likes the simple, peaceful entrance feel that is there now and thought the new elements may ruin the simple feel.

Branson pointed out that many of the materials are found currently at the existing entrance and elsewhere within the Preserve.

Commissioner Ferlito thought the FOMTNP would not support the project if the materials were not fully considered for effectiveness and aesthetics.

Public comment reopened at 6:07p.m.

Greg D'Ambrosio pointed out that concrete is found elsewhere in the Preserve and safety is a key issue.

Public comment closed at 6:08 p.m.

Chairperson Refuerzo agreed with Commissioner Ferlito that this is not an attractive or effective entry now and the Planning commission can make the final decision on the material used.

The motion carried by the following vote:

AYES: Ferlito, Refuerzo, Carter, Bang, Baron
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN : None

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