City OKs final $4 million for golf course City OKs final $4 million for golf course (February 13, 2004)

Council gets update on bypass road

The City Council approved the last $4 million for the Callippe Preserve Golf Course last week after Public Works Director Rob Wilson explained unforeseen conditions and revised designs that resulted in 34 change orders.

"More than half were related to the location of the clubhouse," he said, noting that the clubhouse was not put in the original golf course design.

"The scope of a project changes," explained City Manager Deborah McKeehan. "Our projects are works in progress. There were changes in the course itself, how it was going to be designed." Plus, she added, no one envisioned the lengthy process to obtain environmental permits for the land.

The City Council also received a report on the status of the bypass road to access the Spotorno property and the golf course. Staff members had studied an option of temporarily using a portion of the private Dale Way. They decided that although its owners were open to discussions, the lane would need to be widened, which was not a good use of public funds.

The golf course is anticipated to open in November. Scott Baker, assistant director of Public Works, said the 3-mile trail system in the hills will cost in the range of $50,000, including necessary bridges. The city already has the permits, he said, and the trails should open with the golf course.

A bypass road to access the new golf course and open space is part of the Happy Valley Specific Plan. It will allow traffic to bypass the Happy Valley loop roads - Happy Valley Road, Alisal Street and Sycamore Road.

Four of the five bypass road segments are either completed or under construction. The remaining portion must pass over land owned by the Spotorno family.

Staff members have been meeting with the family and its engineers and consultants over the last year to come up with a route, taking into consideration grading, excess soil, landslide areas, creek and tree protection, and wetlands issues. The Spotorno family has also been working on plans to develop its land.

Staff reported that it had been told that a plan for the Spotorno land may be submitted by next month, and review of the plan would take from one year to 18 months. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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