Montclair residents object to San Antonio Creek trail easement offers, cite safety and compensation worries
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Summary
Neighbors told the council that the San Antonio Creek Trail project threatens property and that $1,500 offers for substantial easement areas are insufficient; city staff said the city seeks overlay easement rights rather than fee ownership and will meet with affected residents.
Residents from neighborhoods along the San Antonio Creek Channel told the council they oppose parts of the proposed linear-park project or that the city's proposed easement compensation is inadequate.
Several speakers described receiving notices that the city sought to acquire easements and said the compensation figures were vague and low. "So due to this project...I'm in place to lose approximately 800 square feet of my property...So the ridiculous offer of $1,500 for 800 square feet of my property. That's ridiculous," a resident said.
City Manager Ed responded that the city is seeking overlay easement rights on top of existing Army Corps of Engineers easements and that the city would not own the land. He said acquiring easements would allow staff to access the channel for park use and help address homeless-related issues along the creek, but added that it is "very unlikely" the trail will extend south of Holt Boulevard because of traffic constraints.
Staff invited affected residents to meet with interim public works staff for detailed, parcel-specific explanations of the proposal and offered to clarify compensation methodology. The council did not approve a change to the project at this meeting and staff said they will continue outreach and follow-up with individual property owners.
