HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2012 B1 NealGoodwin, Heather
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APR 03 2012
Subject: FW: Bishop Peak Trailhead AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date�.ltem #—�L_
From: Felicia Cashin
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 11:10 AM
To: Marx, Jan; Carpenter, Dan; Carter, Andrew; Smith, Kathy; Ashbaugh, John; Carol Hall
Subject: Bishop Peak Trailhead
San Luis Obispo City Council
RE: Bishop Peak Trailhead
hEad CO :
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I understand that you might be bringing up the subject of the Bishop Peak Highland Drive Trailhead at tonight's
meeting. Since I will be unable to attend, I wanted to take a moment to pass my thoughts on to you.
1. I have read and approve of all the points listed on Carol Hall's email of April 2, 2012 to you. See below.
2. Our efforts to enact change is driven by a safety need, not a need to stop the hikers. Unfortunately, cutting back on the traffic
going up Highland might be the only way to ensure safety. Again, a temporary closing of the trail head might be a way to
redirect people to use other entrances.
3. Someone is going to get hurt. Either a hiker or an individual in a vehicle. It is only a matter of time and when they do the
city will be responsible. Being a resident at One Highland, I drive down the entire street and know that the top is seriously
dangerous. Visibility is at a minimum. It is impossible to stay completely on your side of the road. Hikers dart across the
street or stop to chit chat oblivious of any danger. Dogs and children wander from their parents or owners. Yesterday as I
came around the curve there in front of me was a lady pushing a baby carriage. If I had been daydreaming or distracted
disaster would have happened.
4. Another concern I have is fire danger. Thanks to the efforts of Bob Neil he keeps the dry grass and debris near the curbs
cleaned up. Many of the hikers may be nature lovers, but that does not keep them from being smokers. I cringe every time I
see someone get out of their car with a cigarette in hand. Where is that cigarette going to end up? Should a fire start on a
windy day every house in the neighborhood would be in immediate danger.
5. It's wonderful being young, but it is also pretty predictable that individuals deciding to "hike" the hill at midnight are more
than likely inebriated. Again, I fear the cigarettes and I fear for their safety. Something must be done to lock that trail after
dark.
I trust that the council will realize that they have ignored this problem long enough and it is now time to take
actipn to ensure the safety of the hikers and the comfort of the homeowners.
Regards,
James A. (Jack) & Felicia Cashin
The following email was sent to members of the City Council on April 2, 2012 by Highland Drive
resident Carol Hall:
The opinion of most involved is that the City has significantly contributed to this problem at
uRper Highland Drive, Oakridge, and Fel Mar, and /or directly caused it.
1. by not planning for safe access
2. by not providing trash and safety services
3. Highly advertising this "open space" as a maior tourist attraction.
4. Creating this access in a very high fire hazard zone with limited access.
5. By not enforcing their own posted rules, but in fact advertising with a video,
on slocity.org that you should be on the top of bishop peak to see the sunset, which requires
the hikers to hike back down in the dark.
6. Disrespecting the owner occupied homes (many over 3U years of ownership) on the street
and in the neighborhood. Which is in direct conflict with the "General Plan" which states "that
public access to open space resources, with interpretive information, should be provided when
doing so is consistent with protection of the resources, and with the security and privacy of the
affected landowners and occupants ."
7. By not poles or protecting the natural habitat /resources as stated in the " General Plan"
regarding "open space"