RANCHO MURIETA , CA (MPG) - The debate over whether to pave or maintain a natural surface for a section of trail cutting through a wooded area intensified during the May 2 Rancho Murieta Parks Committee's first meeting in three years. 

This contested stretch is a segment of a pedestrian and bike trail aimed at linking Puerto Drive to Stonehouse Park through the Residences East subdivision, which Bob Keil and his partners are developing.

Keil said that the subdivision plan, approved by Sacramento County in 2007, originally specified a decomposed granite (DG) surface for the trail. However, following warnings from the Murieta Trail Stewardship about the potential dangers of decomposed granite, Keil began seeking approval from the Rancho Murieta Association Board to construct a natural surface trail as far back as three years ago.

Rancho Murieta Association Board President Scott Adams reported that Keil was informed from the outset, and reiterated during recent negotiations, that the board would only approve a Class 1 trail with a 12-foot wide paved surface and designated shoulders, as outlined in a 2003 Parks Agreement.

The Parks Committee, responsible for final decisions regarding parks and trails within the community, comprises five members. Two represent the Rancho Murieta Association Board, Adams and director John Van Doren; two represent the development community, Keil and Tony Velez, who is affiliated with the investment firm developing the proposed Rancho North subdivision; and one serves as a tie-breaker representing the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Board, director Linda Butler. The Parks Committee has not convened since Feb. 18, 2021. Keil requested the latest meeting after a previous attempt was halted by Rancho Murieta Association.

Over the past year, Keil has met about six times with Adams, Rancho Murieta Association General Manager Ron Hart and an occasional Rancho Murieta Association director, which culminated with a partial compromise discussed at the April 16 board meeting. 

Keil presented two maps during the April meeting. One depicted Unit 1, comprising 68 lots, which is not wooded. The second map illustrated Unit 2, consisting of 130 lots, with a wooded area within the green open space.

Both Keil and Adams reported reaching a compromise for a paved trail in Unit 1, prompted by separate planning by the Community Services District. 

This agreement arose after the district advised that a road was necessary to access sewers within the subdivision. Keil agreed to relocate his proposed natural surface trail to the access road, and Rancho Murieta Association consented to this arrangement, despite the Community Services District's paved road being only 10 feet wide.

However in Unit 2, the sewer road could provide only a partial compromise. Keil’s Unit 2 showed a shortening of the trail because it would be connected to that paved road. 

However, this left a wooded section of the trail accessed off Tierra Drive in dispute, with Keil arguing that paving it would cause significant damage to numerous trees. One of Adams' counterarguments was that a paved trail accessible to all would offer an alternative to the heavily traveled Puerto Drive, which would only become more congested with further development.

Ultimately, Adams postponed the discussion regarding the Unit 2 trail during the board meeting. 

However, at Keil's request, the matter was added to the agenda for the upcoming Parks Committee meeting.

The exchanges during the May 2 parks meeting grew tense as both sides elaborated on their arguments and countered claims regarding the wooded section of the trail. By the meeting's end, they appeared to be even further apart than at the outset. 

Adams initiated the meeting by delineating early governing documents mandating developers to construct pedestrian and bike trails. 

Following completion, these trails must be deeded to Rancho Murieta Association for community-wide use, irrespective of whether the association annexes the subdivision.

When the Unit 2 trail came up on the agenda, Hart emphasized the board's fiduciary duty to adhere to the parameters set forth in the governing documents. He also noted that the Parks Committee had previously voted on a Rancho Murieta Association conceptual map in 2018, which depicted a traditional asphalt trail within the subdivision. Additionally, Hart said that negotiations with Keil regarding the trail had been ongoing for a year.

Keil explained that any departure from the trail layout specified in the 2007 environmental impact report necessitates undergoing an amendment process at the county level, which is both costly and time-consuming. 

To facilitate this process, they enlisted the expertise of an arborist and gathered data on the impacts of paving. Keil argued that the proposed "golf cart super highway" advocated by Rancho Murieta Association would cause significant harm to the trees and landscape.

Keil said the natural trail was strategically positioned to avoid the need for tree removal and largely kept away from existing residences. 

However, he clarified that if the committee approves the trail, adjustments could be made within certain parameters, ensuring that rock outcroppings, cultural features and trees remain undisturbed.

Adams dismissed Keil's concern about golf carts as a "red herring," asserting that once the trail is approved, the board will deliberate on whether to permit golf cart usage or to restrict access, as was the case with the Chesbro Trail.

Contrary to past practices of avoiding dialogue with developers, Adams said that he insisted this board should engage in discussions with them.

 He also noted that the previous owner of Keil's property had agreed to the terms of the 2003 Parks Agreement, which included provisions for a paved trail in the Residences subdivision. Adams reiterated that Keil had been informed about this agreement from the outset.

Adams directed photos of natural trails submitted by Keil to be shown on an overhead monitor. After highlighting the hazards posed by the rocks, Adams said the board was the only thing standing between “garbage” and a proper trail consistent with ones built over the past 20 years.

Keil later requested that his sample pictures showcasing a visually appealing trail be projected. "Which ones are those?" Adams inquired.

The board president highlighted that Rancho Murieta Association has its own trail expert who emphasized, "This is one of the most, if not the most important trail in Rancho Murieta." This assertion stems from the belief that paving the trail would offer a safe alternative to Puerto Drive for all users, including residents pushing strollers.

Shifting focus, Adams mentioned a note handed to him by Keil during a Community Services District meeting, which contradicted Keil's assertions regarding wildlife and tree conservation. "Would you consider accepting an easement for the trail and a payment? Then you could get approval from the county.”

Keil expressed no qualms about the note and saw it as a compelling argument, considering Rancho Murieta Association’s greater environmental latitude compared to his own constraints. He argued that Rancho Murieta Association holds the power to impede his development.

Keil emphasized the need for Rancho Murieta Association approval of the trail to facilitate the submission of a transportation management plan, a prerequisite for obtaining building permits by November. When Adams inquired about the expected approval timeframe, Keil estimated it would take approximately 60 days.

Adams also questioned Keil about the feasibility of a six-foot trail accommodating a fire truck. Keil asserted that he wasn't accountable for fire truck access, adding, "I don't believe any of the trails are."

Hart expressed his offense at some of Keil's assertions, noting that there were multiple methods available to mitigate the impact of paving the trail. He also mentioned Keil's failure to comply with their reasonable request for a topographic map during negotiations.

“You would have people believe that we weren’t willing to work with you and that’s not true,” Hart added.

In reference to the private discussions, Keil said he had requested a Parks Committee meeting much earlier to ensure that the trail discussion took place in a public forum rather than being deliberated behind closed doors.

“Do you hear all the hyperbole here?” Adams responded.

Seven audience members provided comments, including Mary Jane Ison and John Randolph, both expressing a preference for a natural-surface trail. Ison noted that her residence backs up to the subdivision.

Carol Anderson Ward, the majority investor in the proposed Rancho North development comprising 697 lots, advocated for natural trails. Ward suggested that Rancho Murieta Association should take responsibility for ensuring the safety of children traveling to the ballpark, rather than placing the burden solely on the developer.

“We need help getting houses built here so we can support our golf courses, so we can bring in a pool and a clubhouse and other amenities so there are things for kids to do,” Ward said. 

John Merchant, who described himself as a poster child for natural trails, said he favors paving the trail, citing safety concerns as his primary reason.

Roger Formanek also appeared to lean toward supporting paving. "When a developer purchases property, they are acquiring an opportunity for development, not a guarantee," he remarked. 

Formanek emphasized that it wasn't his responsibility if a developer chose to forego a paved path due to cost considerations.

In other business, the committee voted 5:0 to approve the compromise regarding Unit 1 trail. They also voted unanimously to pay $13,900 for a topographical survey at the Escuela park site and to reimburse Rancho Murieta Association $8,500 for a study for a community center that has since been put on hold. 

The Parks Fund balance stood at $301,000 before the meeting.