In a unanimous decision Thursday night, the Capitola City Council rejected the proposal from the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to reroute its bike path, which was originally proposed to follow the same route as the train, to Park Avenue.
The council followed the guidelines set by 2018’s Measure L, which backed the original proposal and demanded a path stay off city streets for safety reasons.
The off-rail trail proposal was suggested by the RTC to save money, avoid project complications and create a more efficient path. It offered four different “interpretations” to the trail design, highlighting the Park Avenue detour. Otherwise the RTC would have to fund a new trestle or an addition to the current one that would have room for both train and trail.
Many in the audience appeared surprised by the newly proposed designs, including council member Gerry Jensen.
“Usually we have this information given to us before the meeting,” Jensen said. “To have all these options in front of us tonight is alarming.”
He went on to criticize the lack of information proposed for the project: “We have to be better than that.”
Ordinance 8.72 (formerly known as 2018’s Measure L) mandates the city take “all steps necessary to preserve and utilize the Corridor and Trestle for active transportation and recreation.”
“We’re not here to rewrite the rules,” Jensen said. “We are here to uphold them. Capitola deserves nothing less.”
A roar of applause followed his statement.
“I feel like as a council you’re bound by the law,” Theresa Maguire, a Capitola daycare worker, said during public testimony.
“I don’t get to interpret the law how I want,” Maguire said. “As a council you’re bound by the law as well.”
A line formed around the block to get inside the meeting, which was contentious as many from out of the city argued to continue to build the rail trail, even if it put bicycles and pedestrians into heavily trafficked streets away from the sheltered rail.
Most Capitola residents who spoke expressed concern over breaking public law. Some expressed frustration for the RTC deeming Park Avenue “not a street,” suggesting that people do live there, and raised the risk of aligning a bike path near busy public roads.
Despite voting against Park expansion, a few council members expressed optimism in the project.
Councilmember Melinda Orbach was in favor of routing the trail to Park Avenue, believing it was “superior” for children’s safety.
Orbach also took the time to mention the harassment she has endured in supporting the idea previously. She said one person went to the extent of finding her neighborhood, calling the taunter out by name. “I believe that debating is the bedrock of democracy,” Orbach said.
Vice Mayor Alexander Pedersen expressed his desire for alternate bike lane proposals. He claimed the project has created “a cultural war” in the community.
“I believe the takeaway should be that we are on the verge of getting these amazing protected bike lanes [in the community],” Pederson said.
Because the proposal was rejected, the RTC will now have to move forward with the original Coastal Alignment plan. Furthermore, the alignment with the corridor will require erosion control, retaining structures, property encroachments and an overall setback.
City staff warned that rejecting the proposal could drop the entire .7-mile stretch of rail through Capitola, including a risk of losing state funding on the project overall.
