Residents urge council to reroute proposed walkway behind homes near New Brighton Middle School

Two residents who live on Orchid Avenue told the Capitola City Council they oppose a proposed public walkway that would be created after a land exchange tied to a school athletic field.

Tiffany Shue told the council the existing historic walkway was controlled school access and not a general public path; the new path, she said, "would directly affect my privacy, safety, and property value," and that buyers are often deterred by a public path behind a home. Shue said the school acquired city park land for a new athletic field and the exchange placed a strip of public walkway behind her and a neighbor’s homes.

Shue said the neighborhood already has public access to the park via Monterey Avenue and its parking lot and asked the council to consider rerouting the walkway or preserving the area as green space. She requested mitigation measures if the path proceeds, including higher, more secure fencing, motion-sensor lighting, security cameras and a lockable gate open only during daylight hours.

Lynn Shu followed and clarified the properties border New Brighton Middle School and the park, reiterating that an access route behind private yards would not serve the public at large and would adversely affect neighbors. Both residents asked the council and staff to consider alternatives or to add meaningful mitigation prior to installation.

The council acknowledged the public comments and did not take formal action on the walkway at this meeting; staff will consider the input as project design or permitting proceeds.