Res 83-006RESOLUTION NO 83-006
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA
ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 83-01
INTERIM MASTER PLAN OF TRAILS
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to provide safe
passage of the hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts throughout the
City; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to establish
policy direction for the development and acquisition of hiking and
horseback riding trails.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Poway does hereby adopt the Interim Master Plan of Trails and technical
appendix as a subelement of the Circulation Element as part of the General
Plan for the City of Poway as attached Exhibit "A" and issue a Negative
Declaration.
PASSED, ADOPTED, and APPROVED by the City Council of the City
of Poway, California, at a regular meeting thereof this 22nd day of
February, 1983.
ATTEST:
Marjorie~'~.Wahlsten, City Clerk
i
INTERIM
MASTER PLAN OF TRAILS
CITY OF PONAY, CALIFORNIA
Carl Kruse
Councilmember
Mary Shepardson
Mayor
Linda Oravec
Deputy Mayor
Robert Emery
Councilmember
James L. Bowersox
City Manaqer
Bruce Tarzy
Councilmember
Barry K. Hogan
Director of Planning Services
February, 1983
PROJECT STAFF
James H. Lyon
Project Manager
Stephen G. McCutchan
Associate Planner
Sara Francella
Administrative Clerk II
TRAILS ELEMENT
The popularity of hiking and horseback ridng has increased significantly in
recent years. This trend is especially evident in Poway due to the extensive
areas of surrounding open space and its year-round pleasant climate.
Opportunities exist within Poway for provisions of trails for transportation and
recreation use. Horseback riding, hiking, jogging, running, and walking,
can all be accomodated in some way within the City.
In many portions of the City, residential development has provided for
equestrian use. However, there were no consistent design standards employed
resulting in instances of inadequate trail systems, and a fragmented collection
of easements within various tract developments; the majority of which lack
standard trail widths, uniform design and development. Presently, trail
enthusiasts riding in the outlying areas of the City rely on informal,
undesignated trails which traverse private, public and government lands.
This element addresses three areas:
1. The resolution of existing trail problems within developed residential
areas
2. a consistent trail policy for new residential developments
3. guidelines for trail development in open space areas.
The objective of the trail system is to delineate an overall uniform network of
interconnecting trails which are integrated with recreation areas, parks, open
spaces, schools, residential and commercial areas, and equestrian centers. The
overall trail concept is based upon three components: ..
- Regional Trails
- Community Trails
- Local Feeder Trails
POLICIES
The City should promote programs for improving existing trails such as removing
existing barriers on trails systems to make the trails safer, more functional,
and accessible to adjacent trails. The City shall establish a master trail
system which provides for:
Regional Trails which connect to regional recreation areas, residential
and commercial areas.
- Community Trails which connect residential areas, local activity
centers, and the Regional Trail System.
Local Feeder Trails which connect individual residential lots to the
Community and Regional Trail System.
The City shall facilitate the development of a Regional Trail System. All
segments of the Regional Trail System, shall be available for use as equistrian,
and pedestrian trails where feasible.
The City shall establish an agreement with public and private utilities
for the use and maintenance of utility corriodors and rights-of-way for
trail purposes.
Ail new development shall be developed in accordance with the Master Plan of
Trails Element and adopted City Design Standards.
Trails shall be maintained on natural surfaces and located along natural,
physical features wherever possible.
The City shall establish a liason committee including members from local riding
club, the City Council, the City staff, and other members at large to review all
residential projects in the City for trail usage.
Any new development should consider prior existing pedestrian and equestrian
trail access, and traditional travel routes through the property.
Nonresidential development should consider use of amenities, for equestrian and
pedestrian, activities such as hitching posts, benches, rest areas and drinking
fountains.
Whenever possible, along community trails, street trees and landscaping should
be included into the design adjoining the trails.
The pallet of trees should conform to street tree standards but be nonpoisonous
to livestock, maintenance and drouqht tolerant.
The City shall consider a program for the maintenance, and where necessary,
construction and rehabilitation, of community trails.
Whenever possible and feasible, the City shall require that all residential lots
in the equestrian rural area have Local Feeder Trails on the rear of the lot.
The City shall pursue funding sources to offset the cost of acquistion,
development, operation, and maintenance of trails. Sources of such funds could
come from a Head-tax on pleasure horses, parkland dedication fees, land and
water conservation fund, grants, City General Fund. Volunteer labor parties
will be encouraged annd can assist in providinq trail maintenance and
improvements.
Support facilities for riding and hiking trails including staging areas and
primitive campgrounds shall be encouraged and provided wherever physically and
financially feasible.
Increased trail safety can be achieved by conforming to standards governing
design construction and management of trails (see Technical Appendix).
SECTION: SAFETY
Highway crossings present a particularly serious safety problem. Hiker and
equestrian safety can be increased by constructing grade separated crossings or
by providing warning signs and signals at level areas with adequate visibility.
When possible the trail should take advantage of natural or existing features to
afford an easy and quick crossing without breaking the continuity of the trail.
The number of switchbacks should be limited and designed to minimize the amount
of excavation and cutback. If necessary, they should utilize topographic
features as a turning point or be vegetatively screened.
Hiking and riding trails should avoid areas of heavy congestion and hazardous
topographic conditions.
SECTION: TRAIL WIDT~
Maximum right-of-way (in feet)
Regional Trails
20
Community Trails
15
Local Feeder Trails
10o
Clearance: 10 feet overhead with brush and weeds, debris an rocks removed from
trail tread.
In instances where topography, right-of-way configuration grading or existing
vegetation make it in feasible to construct full width trails as listed above,
the City Planner may grant relief and reduce said requirements.
The regional trails are the backbone of the system. They are reserved,
extended, long distance corridors and serve as the main connectors to
regional parks, scenic canyons, the national forest, both within and beyond the Pow
Poway City Limits.
The community trails provide the user with access to the regional trails and
community facilities such as Lake Poway, Rancho Arbolitos Park, Garden Road
Park, local equestrian centers, elementary, junior and senior high schools, and
shopping centers. Community trails extend through the community along
waterways, utility corridors, public rights-of-way, easements, and along the
sides of local streets.
These trails form loops of varying length and act as the initial link of
unifying the existing disjointed local feeder trails.
Local feeder trails, not identified on the map, are contained within local
developments and subdivisions and enable the user access from their residential
lot to the community or regional trails, residential neighborhoods, schools, and
parks. Emphasis should be placed on establishing appropriate local feeder
trails at the time of subdivision approval or development review.
GOAL
To provide a comprehensive trails system for hiking and riding within Poway and
as a part of the regional park network.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives below, and subsequent policies in conjunction with those
expressed in the Circulation Element, shall be used to develop the Trail
System.
To provide safe, scenic, and accessible trails through Poway's rural areas
and between major destination points. These destination points are
identified at present as:
1. Lake Hodges/Rancho Bernardo interconnect
2. Lake Poway/Rexrode Wilderness Area
3. PVRA Arena Area
4. Penasquitos Canyon Regional Park/Rattlesnake interconnect
5. Sycamore Canyon Area
To connect the community trail network to residential feeder trails.
To provide access to various locations within the City including schools,
parks and recreational areas, and appropriate commercial facilities.
To provide for acquisition, development, and management methods for trails
which will utilize a maximum of user funding and community-contributed
services.
The development of trails may serve both public purposes in addition to
recreational activities. These trails can be located to provide necessary fire
breaks or access for fire fighting equipment in back country areas.
SECTION: REQULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT
Trail rules are established to restrict activities which can be harmful to the
trail, its environs, and/or to the riders and hikers. Rules prohibit littering,
the harrassment of livestock, uncontrolled use of fire, ORV's, and the
destruction of public and private property of special concern are the off-road
recreational vehicles (ORV's) would have introduced problems such as noise,
dust, fire risks, and the increased risk of injury when sharing the trail with
hikers and riders. Trail signs and instructional pamphlets are important means
of communicating trail regulations to the public. Professional law enforcement
personnel can investigate violations on a complaint basis.
SECTION: TRAIL ENTRANCE
Trail entrances shall be designed to provide for equestrian and hiking use and
discourage motor vehicle access (see Exhibit B), except Local Feeder Trails may
provide one means of unobstracted vehicular access for service vehicles.
SECTION: FENCING
For the protection of the equestrian rider and the rights of the private land
owner fencing shall be required when a trail bisects or borders private
property or concrete drainage channels.
Where fencing is desirable or mandatory, the minimum distance between fences
shall be fifteen (15) feet.
Fencing styles and materials shall be consistant. Cement fencing is preferred
because of its durability and ease of maintenance. Peeler pole, rail and
plastic coated rail fencing are acceptable.
The development of trails may serve both public purposes in addition to
recreational activities. These trails can be located to provide necessary fire
breaks or access for fire fighting equipment in back country areas.
SECTION: REQULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT
Trail rules are established to restrict activities which can be harmful to the
trail, its environs, and/or to the riders and hikers. Rules prohibit littering,
the harrassment of livestock, uncontrolled use of fire, ORV's, and the
destruction of public and private property of special concern are the off-road
recreational vehicles (ORV's) would have introduced problems such as noise,
dust, fire risks, and the increased risk of injury when sharing the trail with
hikers and riders. Trail signs and instructional pamphlets are important means
of communicating trail regulations to the public. Professional law enforcement
personnel can investigate violations on a complaint basis.
SECTION: TRAIL ENTRANCE
Trail entrances shall be designed to provide for equestrian and hiking use and
discourage motor vehicle access (see Exhibit B), except Local Feeder Trails may
provide one means of unobstracted vehicular access for service vehicles.
SECTION: FENCING
For the protection of the equestrian rider and the rights of the private land
owner fencing shall be required when a trail bisects or borders private
property or concrete drainage channels.
Where fencing is desirable or mandatory, the minimum distance between fences
shall be fifteen (15) feet.
Fencing styles and materials shall be consistant. Cement fencing is preferred
because of its durability and ease of maintenance. Peeler pole, rail and
plastic coated rail fencing are acceptable.
SECTION: IMPLEMENTATION
In order to attain the trails sought by this plan, the City shall continue to
actively explore varied methods of creative financing. These methods include,
but are not limited to a head tax on horses, grants, land dedications and the
City General Fund.
The construction of the trails will take place in several phases. Each phase
will include an increasing larger trail loop. The first loop, the Twin Peaks
loop, will orginate at the Poway Valley Riders Association arena and travel
north along Twin Peaks Road into the Rancho Arbolitos Development. The Trail
will return from Pomerado Road along Camino Del Notre. Phase II will provide a
loop that will travel the length of the City's eastern boundary from Espola to
Camino Del Norte to Poway Road and back along Espola to Lake Poway and the City
Boundary. Phase III calls for the construction of trails that traverse the
eastern most part of the City.
SECTION: FLOOD AND DRAINAGE CHANNEL CROSSINGS
Where community trails cross existing or proposed drainage channels the
continuity of the trail shall be maintained by built-up areas or rampways
for fording or by bridges for major crossings.
SECTION: SIGNING
Signing is required to let the user and the public know where the trails are.
Signs at staging areas and at the intersection of two or more trails shall
identify the name and number of each trail, trail destination, and mileage to
the destination. To ensure that rail users do not stray from the designated
path, signs denoting the trail number shall be placed periodically along the
trail.
Insofar as possible, signs should be standard along the entire length of the
trail. They should be constructed of materials, such as redwood, which minimize
maintenance and which blend into the surrounding natural environment.
SECTION: STREET CROSSINGS
Street crossings shall be at grade with appropriate street striping and
signing. In cases of equestrian usage, texturized paving is desirable.
SECTION: WAIVERS
The City Council may grant a waiver from the requirements of this
Resolution when:
a®
The strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the
specified regulation would result in practical difficulty or
unnecessary physical hardship inconsistent with the objectives of
this Resolution.
There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or
conditions applicable to the property involved that do not apply
generally to other properties.
The strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the
specified regulation would deprive the applicant of privileges
enjoyed by the owners of other properties in the same zone.
de
The granting of the waiver will not constitute a grant of special
privilege inconsistent with the limitations on other properties
classified in the same zone.
ee
The granting of the waiver will not be detrimental to the public
health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties
or improvements in the vicinity.
Any request for wavier shall be presented in writing and be made as part
of the development application for the project which involves the trail.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POWAY.
, 1983, BY THE CITY