CC SR 20190115 03 - Rattlesnake Trailhead Security
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 01/15/2019
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
Consideration and possible action to implement certain measures to minimize
unauthorized uses and activities in the general area of the Rattlesnake Trail.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Approve the implementation of certain measures to minimize unauthorized uses
and activities in the general area of the Rattlesnake Trail.
FISCAL IMPACT: Staff estimates the Rattlesnake Trail fencing and gate cost to be
$44,000. If the City Council approves the fencing and gate recommendations for
Rattlesnake Trail, then Staff will follow the City’s established purchasing procedures and
obtain bids for the fence and gate at Rattlesnake Trail, as well as the City Council-
approved Burma Road gate for City Council consideration. City Staff will also conduct a
property survey in the area to discern between City property and private property along
the proposed fence line at Crenshaw Blvd. for an approximate cost of $1,500. These
expenditures will be brought to the City Council for consideration at a later date.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Katie Lozano, Administrative Analyst/Open Space Manager
REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Recreation and Parks Director
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Aerial Image of Rattlesnake Trailhead with proposed fence location (page
A-1)
B. Crenshaw Blvd. Fence Design and Material Plan (page B-1)
C. Email Authorizing City to Install Fence on Island View HOA Property (page
C-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
At the July 31, 2018 meeting, as part of the City Council’s discussion to improve access
and parking for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve), the City Council directed
Staff to identify measures to secure and improve unauthorized public access at the
Rattlesnake Trail and to address illicit activities in the general area. In response to the
Council’s directive, Staff believes there are three core measures that can be
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implemented to address unauthorized public access and illicit activities in this area as
described below.
1. Curtailing Nighttime Access into the Preserve from the Rattlesnake Trail
Pursuant to §12.16.030 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, the Preserve is
closed to the public between one hour after sundown and one hour before sunrise,
unless City-authorized access is obtained. During this time period, access to the
Preserve, via the Rattlesnake Trailhead, remains readily attainable which has resulted
in afterhours use which impacts the Preserve. The City has also received reports from
neighboring Island View HOA that nighttime use is negatively impacting their
neighborhood.
To curtail nighttime use of Filiorum Reserve, Staff in collaboration with the Island View
Homeowner Association (HOA) recommends extending the existing fence by 200’ along
Crenshaw Blvd. to secure the Reserve border, moving the trailhead up to the road, and
installing a gate that can be closed afterhours and during rain closures (Attachment A-
1). Staff also recommends constructing a 50 ft. return extending the existing HOA fence
downslope on the east by 50’, perpendicular to the existing fence. The fence and return
design and material will be consistent with the existing wrought iron Island View
perimeter fencing with a height of 5 feet. The fencing along Crenshaw Blvd. will include
decorative brick pilasters for uniformity purposes (Attachment B-1).
The proposed fence, gate and trailhead are situated on Island View HOA property, over
which the City holds a public use easement. Island View HOA has been working with
City Staff to solve security and unauthorized activity in this general area, and has
approved the City installing these improvements on their property. The City would also
assume maintenance responsibilities for the fence and gate. Staff would conduct a
property survey along the proposed fence line to discern the boundaries of public and
private property.
A gate at the Burma Road entrance to the Portuguese Bend Reserve was approved by
City Council on July 31, 2018, and Staff anticipates grouping the design and installation
into one project. Please see attached diagram of proposed fencing (Attachment A-1).
2. Prevent Spur Trails off the Rattlesnake Trail
There exists a 275’ staircase on the Island View HOA’s property (with easements to the
City and Los Angeles County Public Works Department) adjacent to the Filiorum
Reserve. This staircase exists so that the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works can access the existing storm water retention infrastructure for maintenance, and
was not engineered or intended for public use. These stairs are frequently used by the
public for fitness training. These stairs are accessed by the public via unauthorized
spur trails off the Rattlesnake Trail and require traversing the Island View HOA’s
property (there is no permitted public trail access to the stairs). The creation and use of
unauthorized spur trails is known to impact the protected habitat located in the Preserve
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which is in conflict with the City’s Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat
Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP).
To reduce the creation of unauthorized spur trails, Staff proposes to implement the
following measures:
• Install post and cable at strategic locations along the Rattlesnake Trail;
• Install signage;
• Implement an enforcement campaign; and,
• Receive assistance from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the
City’s Habitat Manager, to close the unauthorized spur trails and educate trail
users of the permitted trail routes.
3. Public Education and Enforcement Campaign
To change public use and behavior in this area, Staff will conduct a short and thorough
public education campaign utilizing Preserve Deputies, Open Space Management Staff,
and assistance from the PVPLC volunteers. Focused strict enforcement of Preserve
hours and trail use will immediately follow the educational campaign. Staff believes this
combination will effectively change long-established unauthorized use of this area.
After the public education and enforcement campaign, Staff will continue to spot check
the area for compliance with the City’s rules and regulations.
Additional Information:
Install Fencing at the top of the Island View Common Open Space Lot
Residents within the Island View neighborhood have consistently reported over the past
few years an array of negative experiences stemming from adjacency to the Preserve
(Filiorum Reserve) and the location of LA County’s stormwater facility on their property.
Their complaints include after-hours use of the Preserve, public use of the HOA’s
adjacent open space lot, the use of drugs and drinking, littering, and noise. They have
also reported an excess of trespassing onto their HOA property for the public’s use of
the County’s stairs. Access to the unfenced County stairs is achieved via the HOA’s
property and through unauthorized spur trails off the Rattlesnake Trail in the Filiorum
Reserve.
City Staff has been working with the Island View HOA President to address their
concerns. The HOA proposes to install a fence across their property at the top of the
slope adjacent to the staircase, and to work with the Los Angeles County Public Works
Department to secure access to their stormwater infrastructure. As the proposed fence
will be located over private property, the HOA will work with the City’s Planning Division
on a fence that meets the design standards for their tract, as well to obtain the
necessary permits to construct the fence. In addition, the HOA will finance the
installation and maintenance of this section of the fence.
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Staff anticipates that the suggested combination of solutions will work together to
address Preserve security, rules violations, habitat degradation, and impacts to
Preserve neighbors.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to take alternative actions to secure the Rattlesnake Trail area.
2. Direct Staff to take no action.
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RaƩlesnake Trail Overview And Proposed Fences/Gates A-1
Specs for Proposed fence extension (to match exisƟng Fence along Crenshaw Blvd.) 5’ high green wrought iron using 1 ¼”x ½” x 1/8” channel top and boƩom frame, 5/8” square pickets (16ga) on 4” center spacing. 2” square posts (14ga) spaced 8’ or less apart. Brick and concrete pilasters to match exiƟng pilasters. ExisƟng Fence Fence Specs. B-1
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Katie Lozano
Subject:FW: Rattlesnake Trail Entrance and Fence
From: dddrpv@verizon.net [mailto:dddrpv@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2019 11:02 AM
To: Katie Lozano <KatieL@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Re: Rattlesnake Trail Entrance and Fence
Cory and Katie,
Please accept this as Island View Homeowners Association’s approval to install: 1. A green
wrought iron fence with brick pilasters along Crenshaw north from the existing ungated
entrance along Crenshaw connecting to the Island View wall along the asphalt path with a
lockable gate for HOA and landscaper access. ; and 2. A 50 ft. return on the east end of same
existing HOA fence along Crenshaw at Rattlesnake Trail. Both the fence and return will be
green wrought iron consistent in quality, color, design and spacing as the existing HOA
fencing. The fencing along Crenshaw Blvd. will include decorative brick pilasters consistent in
quality, color, design, and spacing as the exiting HOA fencing. The cost of the installation and
maintenance is to be borne by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Sincerely,
Don Douthwright
President
The Island View Homeowners Association
C-1