Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District in the Coal Creek Preserve for the Alpine Road Trail
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of San Mateo and the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District (District) for the repair and future negotiations to transfer ownership and management of the Alpine Road Trail in Los Trancos Woods to the District, in the unincorporated area of Portola Valley.
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BACKGROUND:
Alpine Road Trail is an existing dirt road which was maintained by the County of San Mateo until the mid-1990’s when a mudslide damaged the road and permanently closed the road to vehicles. The road extends approximately 2.3 miles through the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve and is a popular trail for hikers and cyclists.
In the winter of 2011-2012, the trail suffered a major failure when a creek running perpendicularly across the trail overflowed onto the road and severely damaged a portion of the road. The Department of Public Works (Department) applied for FEMA funding and was approved for the repairs but subsequent rains in 2016-2017 destroyed the entire road at the time that FEMA funding was received to begin road repairs.
The District had discussions with the Department regarding the District taking over the maintenance of the trail at a future date. On March 14, 2018, the Open Space District’s Board approved the Upper Alpine Road Trail Repair Project to develop a six-foot trail to restore access.
DISCUSSION:
The Department and the District are mutually interested in entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would establish terms of a working relationship between the County of San Mateo and the District. The MOU would allow the District to move forward with additional site analysis that would improve the trail for future use and management by the District.
The terms of the MOU include the following:
1) District and County will cooperate on the assessment and design of long-term repairs to Alpine Road Trail as a public trail.
2) The County will apply a County grading permit exemption, allow other County permit waivers and streamline County required permits for the project, and support the District in obtaining required State regulatory permits.
3) The County will retain ownership of Alpine Road Trail until the long-term repairs and improvements are complete and approved by regulatory agencies.
4) The County will issue the District a right of entry for District work to improve Alpine Road Trail.
5) Upon completion of Alpine Road Trail work, the County will negotiate with the District to transfer easement or fee interest rights to the District for the Alpine Road/Trail, which may include the entire length of the road from Page Mill Road to the end of unpaved Alpine Road above Portola Valley.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and MOU as to form.
Approval of this action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Livable Community by enabling planning and the construction of improvements that will provide long-term recreational access to County residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time to attend meetings, review plans, and agreements will be absorbed by the Road Fund. There is no impact to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
Mid-Peninsula Open Space District - Alpine Road Trail Memorandum of Understanding with the County of San Mateo, Coal Creek Open Space Reserve.