Planning for recreational trails will move forward, but the
Morgan Hill Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee has made it clear
that woodsy Jackson Oaks should be excluded.
Morgan Hill – Planning for recreational trails will move forward, but the Morgan Hill Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee has made it clear that woodsy Jackson Oaks should be excluded.
The committee voted 4-0 Thursday night to approve a recommendation to send the Trails and Natural Resource Study to the Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation Commission. The recommendation includes removing two-to-three miles of proposed Jackson Oaks trails from the plan after residents complained.
Fire dangers, parking problems and a neighborhood protest influenced the decision, said committee chair Carl McCann.
“There were a lot of emotions on both sides of this issue,” McCann said on Friday. “Probably, our biggest concerns were narrow streets and fire danger.”
Proponents of Jackson Oaks trails feel Morgan Hill residents deserve access to public foothills. Committee members Norma Rome and Lisa Aragon originally favored the concept of building Jackson Oaks trails, but as the discussion ensued they came around to the other point of view as residents voiced their concerns.
Similarly, Morgan Hill Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft announced at a committee meeting in May that his staff no longer supports the contested trails.
The trails study outlines a a 20-mile-plus network of trails for the entire city. After the parks and recreation commission reviews the plan, the Morgan Hill City Council could adopt it in February 2008. The document will serve as a planning guide for future trails linking neighborhoods, parks, public facilities and open areas.
The study encompasses eight separate maps. In their June workshop, the bicycle and trails committee discussed each map and recommended slight changes as to the placement of proposed routes. Additionally, the committee suggested adding five new trails to the plan in different neighborhoods to provide better access to schools and recreational services.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tb*******@*************es.com.
The committee voted 4-0 Thursday night to approve a recommendation to send the Trails and Natural Resource Study to the Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation Commission. The recommendation includes removing two-to-three miles of proposed Jackson Oaks trails from the plan after residents complained.
Fire dangers, parking problems and a neighborhood protest influenced the decision, said committee chair Carl McCann.
“There were a lot of emotions on both sides of this issue,” McCann said on Friday. “Probably, our biggest concerns were narrow streets and fire danger.”
Proponents of Jackson Oaks trails feel Morgan Hill residents deserve access to public foothills. Committee members Norma Rome and Lisa Aragon originally favored the concept of building Jackson Oaks trails, but as the discussion ensued they came around to the other point of view as residents voiced their concerns.
Similarly, Morgan Hill Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft announced at a committee meeting in May that his staff no longer supports the contested trails.
The trails study outlines a a 20-mile-plus network of trails for the entire city. After the parks and recreation commission reviews the plan, the Morgan Hill City Council could adopt it in February 2008. The document will serve as a planning guide for future trails linking neighborhoods, parks, public facilities and open areas.
The study encompasses eight separate maps. In their June workshop, the bicycle and trails committee discussed each map and recommended slight changes as to the placement of proposed routes. Additionally, the committee suggested adding five new trails to the plan in different neighborhoods to provide better access to schools and recreational services.
