10 Staff Report - Final Report on the Vasona Loop Trail Feasibility Study
'J /'\ DATE: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JULy 27,2004 MEETING DATE: 8/2/04 ITEM NO. to TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGE RECEIVE AND
FINAL REPORT ON THE VASONA LOOP STUDY . RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file final report on the Vasona Loop Trail Feasibility Study. BACKGROUND: A study concerning
the feasibility ofconstructing a Vasona Loop Trail was approved by Council at the regular meeting on April 15, 2002. Council appropriated up to $25,000 for this feasibility study. /'\
This proposal originated from the Trails andBikeways Committee and was recommendedto Council by the Pla:i:ming Commission. The study was conducted by LandPeople and Jakaby Engineering,
who submitted their findings in January, 2004. The purpose of this feasibility study was to review possible solutions to link the existing trails at Vasona Lake Park from the trail that
ends on the west side ofthe lake to the trail immediately east of the dam, and the assoCiated costs and impacts. This report will discuss the feasibility study's report and outcome.
This report was received and filed by the Parks Commission at their May 4, 2004 meeting, without comment. DISCUSSION: The feasibility study determined it is possible to construct a trail
to link to the existing trail system but there are several considerations: geological issues dueto the 1093,1 fJpodplain and embankment; protecting local indigenous trees; protecting
the integrity of the adjacent roadway on University Avenue; and access and flow considerations for the dam structure. How to construct a trail with as minimal impact to these items was
reviewed by the consultants. /.I "'---,' PREPARED BY: Reformatted: 5/30/02 J hn E. Curtis irector, Parks and Public Works N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\8-2-04 Vasona loop trail
feasibility report.wpd
PAGE 2 SUBJECT: ACCEPT FINAL REPORT ON THE VASONA LOOP July 27, 2004 The report reviewed these constraints and offered several options and engineering
solutions to construct a trail. Overall, it is possible to construct an extension trail, however it is perhaps more complicated that originally conceived mainly due to geological issues.
There are two basic trail construction areas: alongside University Avenue (Site A) and to cross the water and connect to an existing trail(Site B). The following summarizes the two sites
and their issues. Site A, alongside University Avenue, is steep and narrow with native and non-native trees. A major engineering issue is the steepness ofthe trail area and its relation
to the adj acent roadway, where surcharge load occurs due to vehicles traveling onUniversity creating impact to the downward slope where the proposed trail is located. To address the
slope and surcharge load issues, four sidehill bridges will be necessary to ensure stability ofthe trail and adj acent roadway. There is one location in particular where additional geological
study is needed to determine if a retaining wall, rather than a sidehill bridge, will be necessary. The cost to conduct the additional geological study and construct a retaining wall
are not included in the Consultant's cost estimate, however the Town Engineer estimates it could cost between $75,000 to $150,000, depending upon the outcome ofthe geological report.
Site B is across the waterway at the north end of Vasona Lake. Two possible crossing locations exist. One location is north of the dam, across Los Gatos Creek and the flood plain. This
option could place a prefabricated, 10-foot wide pedestrian bridge over Los Gatos Creek, connecting to the existing creek trail on the eastside and adding a short trail to connect it
to the westside, Site A trail. Several issues exist concerning this site: flood control, unknown biological impacts and impacts to ad]acent residents. This location is in a designated
designated flood plain, which requires significant review by Department ofFish and Game, biological studies and review bythe Division ofSafety ofDams, for which these costs are also
not included in the report. Additionally, placing a bridge over the flood plain will require a 21 0-foot long bridge that needs to be quite high to be built above the storm water levels.
During winter storms, a IS-foot rooster tail can develop when the dam overflows and the creek channel extends the full width downstream from the dam. The height of a bridge at this location
could impact the privacy ofnearby residents. The other location for Site B is to place a pedestrian bridge directly over the existing dam catwalk. This site would connect a prefabriCl:lted
6-fQot wide catwalk bridge to the existing smaller catwalk on the dam face. Discussions with the Santa Clara Valley Water District(SCVWD) who owns and manages the dam, indicate this
location may be feasible as long as their access and operations are not impacted. Staffbelieve a bridge/catwalk design could be created to meet the SCVWD's needs. This is the less expensive
and more practical location to cross the waterway. Considering the optional locations to cross the waterway and their potential impacts, constructing a bridge over the existing dam catwalk
is the most practical ofthe two. Additional considerations include estimated costs to construct the trail and bridge, and related funding sources.
PAGE 3 (r-'j SUBJECT: ACCEPT FINAL REPORT ON THEVASONA LOOP TRAIL July 27, 2004 The following summarizes the site locations, options and estimated
construction costs: SITE A-Trail Alongside University Avenue .Site Details Options Construction Cost Location is steep section currently Four sidehill bridges, $372,472 used as a "volunteer"
trail between and trail improvements roadway and lake. One section oftrail along roadway Geological studies and .Cost not included in report. appears to be unstable. possible retaining
wall Town Engineer's estimate is from $75,000 to $150,000 SUB-TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR SITE A $447,472 -$522,472 SITE B -Pedestn'an Bn'd1ge Crossmg Dam Site Details Options Construction
Cost Bridge over existing dam Attach bridge over dam $129,464 Bridge north of dam, crossing Separate 10' wide bridge $260,024 creek and flood plain SUB-TOTAL ESTIMATED $129,464 -$260,024
COST FOR SITE B IESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST I$576,936 -$782,496 Cost]ssues: .. ';<'!' {',;"".,;. Cost estimates to construct the trail and bridge are for construction only and do not
include geological studies, biological studies, permits and mitigation fees that could arise depending upon which direction is chosen. The estimated costs are broad largely due to the
unknown geological issues at Site A (geological study and possible retaining wall). The total project is the sum of Site A and Site B costs. " ". Funding Issues: At this time,
funding is not designated to construct this trail. SCVWD has indicated they may allocate some funding and County has not indicated they would help fund. Possible state and local grants
include the State Local Water ConservationFund and State Recreational Trails Progra..rn, both offer competitive annual grants for trails or parks improvements. It is possible this trail
extension would not be considered a priority by the grant review board.
PAGE 4 SUBJECT: ACCEPT FINAL REPORT ON THE VASONA LOOP July 27,2004 Additionally, Prop.12 or 40 funding might be available, however only for
the portion ofthe trail that is owned and maintained by the Town, which isthe portion adjacent to University Avenue. Land issues: Santa Clara Valley Water District owns a portion ofthe
area at &near the dam where the trail would cross, other trail area alongside University Avenue is right-of-way owned by the Town. The trail itselfwould become part ofVasona Lake Park,
which is owned & maintained by the County. Issues of ongoing maintenance need to be discussed and will impact possible grant fund opportunities. CONCLUSION: The feasibility report for
constructing an extension trail and bridge indicates it is possible, with constraints and some unlmown future issues (geological and biological). Funding is not designated at this time.
Councilmaychoose to direct staffto pursue obtaining grant funding, and advise Council when that grant application occurs. At this time, staffrecommends waiting to determine funding sources
before advancing on this large project. Its priority relative to other projects in the 5 year Capital Improvement Program can be considered during the preparation of the 2005-10 Capital
Improvement Program. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This study is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact at this time,
because no funding is designated to pursue constructing an extension trail and bridge at the northwest comer ofVasona Lake.