CITY COUNCIL: Report & Policy Direction on Proposed Project to Construct Pedestrian Pathway between Pebble Beach Gate & 4th Av.

Meeting Date: 1 December 2009
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng & Bldg Services Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Receive report and provide direction on a proposed project to construct a pedestrian pathway between the Pebble Beach Gate and 4th Avenue and a beach access staircase at the north end of Carmel Beach.
Description: The proposed project implements a portion of the Del Mar Master Plan and includes a pedestrian pathway on the west side of San Antonio Avenue from the Pebble Beach Gate to 4th Avenue. The pathway will link with proposed improvements to the Pebble Beach trail system north of the City line. A new beach staircase will provide improved access opportunities at the north end of Carmel Beach.

City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Provide direction on the project.

Important Considerations: A principal objective of both the California Coastal Act and the Del Mar Master Plan is to provide public access to and along the coast. Pedestrian access along San Antonio Avenue from Ocean Avenue to the Pebble Beach Gate is extremely limited and hazardous. The proposed project will greatly improve access and safety along this corridor.

Decision Record: N/A

Reviewed by:

Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND BUILDING
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR MCCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: CITY ADMINISTRATOR RICH GUILLEN
FROM: SEAN CONROY, PLNG & BLDG SERVICES MANAGER
DATE: 1 DECEMBER 2009
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON A PROPOSED PROJECT TO CONSTRUCT A PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY BETWEEN THE PEBBLE BEACH GATE AND 4TH AVENUE AND A BEACH ACCESS STAIRCASE AT THE NORTH END OF CARMEL BEACH

BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION
The City Council approved the Del Mar Master Plan earlier this year. The plan addressed issues related to parking, circulation, public access, aesthetics and environmental resources in the Del Mar and North Dunes areas. The plan included a pedestrian pathway from the Pebble Beach Gate to Ocean Avenue and a new beach access staircase near the north end of the beach.

The proposed project implements a portion of the Del Mar Master Plan and includes a pedestrian pathway on the west side of San Antonio Avenue from the Pebble Beach Gate to Fourth Avenue. The pathway will link with proposed improvements to the Pebble Beach trail system north of the City line. The Pebble Beach Company has paid for the preparation of the plans has offered to pay a portion of the construction cost for this project. The pathway will include:

A new curb on the west side of San Antonio.

A decomposed granite pathway (similar to 4th Avenue Pathway).

A wood retaining wall on the west side of the pathway to address the changes in grade along the path.

A 3'6" wood fencelrail above the retaining wall along the west side of the path.

The pathway will also connect to the existing Fourth Avenue beach access pathway that runs along the north side of the Sand and Sea Development. A boardwalk is proposed where the existing path meets the north dunes that will lead to the proposed beach access staircase at the north end of the beach.

PROCESS
The final decision-making body for this project will be the California Coastal Commission. Since the project includes improvements in both Camel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, the City will submit a Consolidated Coastal Development Permit with the Pebble Beach Company once all the appropriate City bodies have reviewed the project.

The Forest and Beach Commission reviewed this project on 1 December 2009. An oral report will be given regarding the Commission's recommendations.

The Planning Commission will review this project on 9 December 2009.

The City held a public workshop on 18 November 2009 to discuss the plans with the neighboring property owners. While most of the attendees were very supportive of the project, the primary concerns raised were related to the aesthetics of the pathway and privacy screening for the neighbors to the west.

EVALUATION
Access & Safety: A principal objective of both the California Coastal Act and the Del Mar Master Plan is providing public access to and along the coast. Pedestrian access along San Antonio Avenue from Ocean Avenue to the Pebble Beach Gate is extremely limited and hazardous. The rights-of-way along the street are narrow, leaving little room for pedestrians. The proposed pathway will significantly improve pedestrian access along this corridor. The proposed boardwalk and staircase will provide a new access point for the beach.

The pathway also will provide a link with the Jane Powers Walkway that runs east to west through several City blocks. The current plans do not include a crosswalk for this location. Staff recommends that a crosswalk be included in the project at the Jane Powers Walkway.

Future implementation of the Del Mar Master Plan includes a proposal to extend this pedestrian pathway to Ocean Avenue. This will include addressing the existing safety hazards at the Fourth AvenueISan Antonio intersection. The Council, however, may want Traffic and Safety Commission to review this intersection to determine if a shortterm solution is appropriate.

RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction on the San Antonio Pathway Project.