In the name of safety, the Morgan Hill School Board followed
recommendations from its engineers and architects and the City of
Morgan Hill to change improvements mandated by the supplemental
environmental impact report on the new Sobrato High.
In the name of safety, the Morgan Hill School Board followed recommendations from its engineers and architects and the City of Morgan Hill to change improvements mandated by the supplemental environmental impact report on the new Sobrato High.
The trustees voted 5-1 to adopt a resolution finding that the sidewalks along the south side of Burnett Avenue to serve the high school should end at the west entrance to Madrone Mobile Home Estates east of Monterey Road.
The supplemental environmental impact report required sidewalks on both sides of Burnett from Monterey Road to the new school as a migigation measure.
The school, which is scheduled to open in August 2004 for 9th and 10th graders, will be located on two parcels of land on Burnett Avenue.
Trustee Shellé Thomas voted against the resolution; Trustee Amina Khemici was absent.
Thomas said she did not believe stopping the sidewalk would increase student safety.
“My number one concern is student safety,” Thomas said. “I see students out there at Live Oak on both sides of the road, and that is a major thoroughfare … I do not believe we have adequate information to made this decision. I wish I had more time to study this, but I don’t. I still believe this is being pushed along so we can open the school by August of next year.”
DKS Associates, the district’s engineer, takes the position that student safety is the reason for stopping the sidewalk at the estates. According to the district, the City of Morgan Hill raised concerns about the safety of a mid-block intersection in front of the high school, so the lack of sidewalks on the opposite side of the road is seen as a deterrent to students crossing Burnett Avenue at mid-block without a crosswalk.
Mark Spencer of DKS Associates writes in a letter that, “based on data provided by the school district, the number of students (2) that would potentially cross Burnett Avenue does not warrant a flashing yellow beacon, crosswalk installation or sidewalk installation.”
Thomas pointed out that the number of students expected to attend Sobrato could change with the new boundaries being discussed by the boundary committee.
Ken Logan, an attorney for the district, said that the city accepts the recommendation of DKS Associates.
“The city is opposed to doing that sidewalk and clearly opposed to the crosswalk,” he said.
A letter from Public Works Director Jim Ashecraft confirms that city staff agree regarding the extension of the sidewalk:
“The City of Morgan Hill agrees with the findings of DKS that from a pedestrian safety point of view, it would be better not to extend the sidewalk on the south side of Burnett Avenue easterly from the Madrone Mobile Home Park.”
Thomas said she has watched the students at Live Oak High, on East Main Avenue for many years and does not beleive that the students always follow the safety rules, particularly if they are in a hurry.
“I do not believe that by saying no to a crosswalk that students will not cross (mid-block in front of the school),” she said.
Trustee Del Foster said he could understand Thomas’ statements because he had some of the same concerns.
“However, number one, this (Burnett Avenue) is not a major thoroughfare, and two, when the area (east of the high school) is developed, someday the sidewalk will go all the way,” he said. “I would rather go with the recommendation of the city.”
Trustee George Panos questioned what the lack of city support would mean to the district.
“If the board voted not to stop the sidewalk, then the city still has to approve it, correct?” he asked.
Logan told him he was correct.
“Hypothetically, if the board wanted a crosswalk, the district would be expected to pick up that tab,” Panos asked.
Board President Tom Kinoshita agreed, and added that he had spoken with Ashcraft, who stood by his letter to the district’s engineers.
