Belvedere committee plans lane-by-lane survey and readies repairs for stairs and lanes

The committee heard a multi-part update on lane maintenance and a proposed lanes-survey study aimed at cataloging the town’s lanes, staircases and access routes.

Tony told the committee that recent repair work on Cedar Lane included cutting back asphalt and adding a concrete lip at the top landing, and that a topographic survey and geotechnical review are underway for the Harry B. Allen stairs. Staff said donated funds from last year are available and that permits and coastal/agency approvals could determine whether work begins in summer 2025.

Committee members reviewed a lanes-survey template derived from Exhibit 6 of the Belvedere General Plan. The proposed survey captures whether a lane is developed or accessible, stairs and railing condition, water-access status, assets (benches, signs), frequency of public use, photographic documentation and a column for the responsible managing party. Members emphasized evacuation-route potential—several speakers said many lanes function as means of egress in emergencies—and discussed how to record both recreational use and hazard/evacuation value.

The committee agreed the subcommittee would begin the study in January with an aim to complete recommendations by the end of Q1; members suggested a combination of inspector ratings and photos to limit subjectivity and proposed a 1–5 condition scale. Staff will add a managing-party column and work with the subcommittee on a public-use metric.

Next steps: the lanes subcommittee will begin fieldwork in January, the committee will consider community-engagement efforts (including a potential broom/kickoff event), and staff will return with prioritized lane-specific requests for council consideration.