COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

DATE:

March 7, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 28, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Authorization to Quitclaim to the Fee Owners of 496 Raymundo Drive (APN 072-010-050) (Fitches) a County-Owned Riding and Hiking Easement, Conditioned Upon the Grant of a Like Easement by Such Owners to the Town of Woodside.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the County to quitclaim its interest in a riding and hiking easement across 496 Raymundo Drive to the holders of the fee interest in the property (Alan D. Fitch and Melinda B. Fitch), on the condition that the Fitches grant a like easement to the Town of Woodside.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

The County’s quitclaim of an existing easement for this segment of trail contributes to goal 15 in that the Town of Woodside will obtain an equestrian/pedestrian easement from the Fitches and will reopen and maintain this public trail segment in the future.

BACKGROUND:

The Crystal Springs Trail enters Huddart Park via a longstanding trail easement at the end of Raymundo Drive. This trail segment is a very popular, scenic, and convenient means for accessing the park from the east. The existing easement encumbers the property of Alan and Melinda Fitch (Fitches) at 496 Raymundo Drive. In recent months, the neighboring property owners at 475 Raymundo Drive (Esteps) have surveyed their property to document the fact that portions of the trail actually intrude onto their land, against which no easement is recorded. The Fitch easement was granted to the County of San Mateo in 1982. This particular trail segment is called out for eventual closure in the draft Huddart/Wunderlich Parks Master Plan because of erosion problems.

DISCUSSION:

Equestrians and hikers alike view the Raymundo Drive segment of the Crystal Springs Trail as a major asset and open space resource. The Woodside Town Council has taken a position opposing the closure of the trail by the County in its formal statement about the draft Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan. The Town Engineer and Town Manager have examined the condition of the trail, as have members of the Town’s Trails Committee. The Town’s view of the trail is that the erosion problems can be readily addressed, given the Town of Woodside’s commitment of adequate resources.

On or about January 20, 2006, the Esteps fenced off those portions of the trail that meander onto their property. They took this action because in the absence of a formal easement agreement with the County, they were concerned about liability issues. During the past number of weeks, County and Woodside Town staff have been working with both the Esteps and the Fitches to develop a positive solution to the existing situation and to ultimately reopen the trail. The Esteps have granted an easement to the Town of Woodside in order to formalize the trail as it currently traverses their property. The Esteps are very supportive of the Town holding the easement and having the responsibility for the trail’s maintenance.

The Fitches have requested that the County relinquish its interest in the trail easement across their property in favor of an identical agreement between the Fitches and the Town of Woodside. The Town Manager and the County’s Parks Director are in agreement on transferring responsibility for the easement and trail to the Town of Woodside. The Division recommends the County relinquish its easement in favor of the Town’s acceptance of an identical easement between the property owner and the Town of Woodside.

The County Parks and Recreation Commission at its meeting of March 2, 2006 recommended unanimously that the County quitclaim the equestrian/pedestrian easement across the Fitch property at 496 Raymundo Drive to the property owners so the Fitches and the Town of Woodside may formalize the easement to the Town of Woodside. This action is supported by the Woodside Town Council and will ensure public access and trail maintenance for the benefit of future generations.

A quitclaim has been prepared by the staff of the Real Property Division of the County Manager’s Office and reviewed by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact on the County’s net costs.