Sign Hill
Master Plan
John Baas (WRA)
Robin Graham (WRA)
JUNE 2023
Daniel Shafir-Schorr
(Gates + Associates)
2 Overview
• Recap
• Expanded Outreach
• Key Results
• Priority Recommendations
3 Previously on Sign Hill
Master Plan…
• Cultural - low likelihood of buried
resources
• Biological – High potential for special
status species
• Trail Condition - erosion and visitor
created trails
• Trail Use – Local visitors hiking and dog
walking
4 Previously on Sign Hill
Master Plan…
• Community Outreach (Round 1) –
• Preferences for opportunities for exercise,
native plants and animals
• Desired trail improvements, interpretive
signage, and seating
5 Updates
• Refined trail reroute concepts
• Hosted an in-person Town Hall event and
online survey for feedback
•Identified priority locations for restoration
• Prepared final Open Space Master Plan
6 Expanded Community Outreach Round 2
Promotion
• Social Media posts to City channels
• Email to Round 1 respondents
• Table at farmers’ market
7 In-person Town Hall (July 12)
• Approx. 13 participants
Online Survey (July 12-27)
• Survey received 43 responses
English and Spanish Language Materials
8 Community Outreach
Town Hall and Survey
Results
Furnishings and Engagement
Preferences
•Preferred volunteer program: native
habitat restoration
•Preferred interpretive topics: native plants
and animals
•Preferred materials: wood (reclaimed)
•Preferred style: modern
• Volunteer opportunities
• Interpretive signage topics
• Signage and seating
styles/materials
9 Community Outreach
Town Hall and Survey
Results
Trail Concepts Preferences
•Trail Option 3 (66%)
•Trail Option 2 (17%)
•Trail Option 1 (7%)
• 3 trail concepts
• Which option do you prefer
• What do you like/don’t like
10 Results and Findings Community Outreach
TRAIL CONCEPT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Trail Option 1 Trail Option 2 Trail Option 3
Most Liked (Pro)
• Minimally disruptive to the natural
habitat
• Good preservation of open space
• Reduction of grades
• Switchbacks
• More accessible trails, easier to
walk/hike
• Less features, easier to maintain
• Eucalyptus Trail
Least Liked (Con)
• Not enough improvement of site
accessibility
• Doesn’t add much to site
• Not much variety or enhancement of
features
• Letters trail still too steep
Most Liked (Pro)
• Steps are a great addition
• Combination of stairs and switchbacks
improves accessibility
• Minimal impact on natural environment
Least Liked (Con)
• Stairs are not needed
• Stairs are harder to maintain
• Stairs could be a tripping hazard
Most Liked (Pro)
• Expanded trail options allows more
exploration
• Trail variety
• Improved access
• Seubert/Iris extension
• Liberty Trail
• Stairs and switchbacks make trails
easier and safer
Least Liked (Con)
• Too many trails, too complicated
• Trail configuration too invasive, will
negatively impact the natural
environment
• Stairs
• Impact on neighborhood
Priority Recommendations
• Conduct protocol-level surveys for special-status
species.
• Stabilize letters with guidance from architectural
historian.
• Repair trail erosion in current alignments.
• Remove regrowing acacia and eucalyptus.
• Realign and construct new trails.
• Habitat restoration and fire fuels management.
12 Priorities for Habitat
Restoration
• Target rock outcroppings and less disturbed areas
for expansion of golden violet.
• Plant native nectar plants around existing larval
host plant populations.
• Continue invasive plant removal in grasslands.
• Remove previously cut down acacia and eucalyptus
that are regrowing.
13 15
Next Steps
• Plan approval and adoption • Some recommended actions may require permits and/or CEQA review
Thank You!
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS?