Residents Wary About Mt. Sutro Trail

By Jonathan Farrell

Stanyan Street residents expressed concerns with a planned Interior Greenbelt Historic Trail Restoration Project at a community meeting held Feb. 8 at Grattan School.

Craig Dawson, an Inner Sunset District merchant who has spearheaded the effort, has faced many obstacles, especially since a portion of the trail is owned by the University of California and another is owned by the City and governed by the SF Recreation and Park Department.

Dawson and his volunteer crew of Mt. Sutro Stewards have been diligently working over the past several years to re-open the century-old trail, which leads to the top of Mount Sutro.

Part of the restoration project is to renovate the beginning of the trail, or trailhead, at Stanyan near 17th Street, where a wooden staircase entrance to the trail is located in a quaint area of Cole Valley, not far from the UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Avenue.

Supporters believe the restoration would create more open spaces for the public to enjoy and increase safety by reducing crime associated with homeless encampments because of increased patrolling of the area.

But, some residents worry that the potential for a fire hazard is present since the forestation is dense and their homes are located near the trail.

More than 50 people showed up for the public meeting to listen to a presentation provided by the Rec. and Park Department. Daniel Iacofano, an urban planner, introduced the presentation and moderated questions and comments from the audience.

Several residents wanted to focus on concerns that have surfaced since the plan was initially brought before the public at the first community meeting, held in June 2009.

Most of the concerns were about potential fire hazards and the actual cost of the project. Some noted that at the first community meeting the cost estimate was placed between $150,000 to $250,000.

But officials at the Feb. 8 meeting insisted the proposed funding request for the project is $52,000.

"Estimated costs have not changed from the previous meeting," said Marvin Yee, of Rec. and Park's Capital Improvement Division.

He said the initial estimate at the first community meeting in June was for potential construction of a new and improved trailhead.

"That (previous estimate) figure contained no costs for the restoration of the half mile trail," said Dawson. This $56,000 is for the trail restoration, tree hazard assessment and removal. Also included would be an environmental review and repairs to the current trailhead stairs, not the re-construction of a new trailhead.

Some residents wanted more precise data. They also wondered why SF Fire Department officials were not present to reassure the public that the proposed project had a minimal fire risk.

Ray Mortiz, an arborist and agricultural consultant, told the audience that the fire risk assessment of the forest area along the historic trail is minimal. But some residents still question the figures and want a complete Environmental Impact Report completed for the project.

Lisa Wayne, director of the Natural Areas Program for Rec. and Park, said the proposed work is on an existing trail so an EIR is not needed and the removal of dead trees and brush would only enhance the area and improve its safety.

Several residents, like Robert Laws, who lives on Stanyan not far from the trailhead, disagreed. He, like other residents, said that an EIR is needed and should have been done before the meeting and posted as soon as possible.

Other residents pointed out there are at least 15 dead trees or more along the trail. To attend to them would far exceed the current cost estimate, they said.

Laws praised the efforts of Dawson and his crew, but implored the public officials to come up with answers to their concerns.

Alicia Noyola agreed and questioned the cost of the project.

"I am frustrated that our questions are not fully answered," she said. "Why has this project taken priority over concerns about fire risks?"

Angie Gieger, a Stanyan resident, said visitors who currently brave the dilapidated trail often become lost and need help. She asked what the hours of access to the trail area would be if it is officially restored and reopened.

Wayne said trail hours would be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and dogs would be required to be on leashes. The attention the trail will get as a result of the restoration will only bring about more good to a long neglected area. The area would significantly improve and enhance safety concerns regarding vandalism, illegal encampments and fire dangers, he added.

Dawson sees the majority of the concerns as having nothing to do with the trail itself. He insists that the concerns residents have will be mitigated as much as possible, including privacy issues for homeowners.

The SF Recreation and Park Commission was scheduled to conduct a review of the Interior Greenbelt Historic Trail Restoration and Stanyan Street Trailhead Project at its March 4 meeting.