Council directs staff to finish sidewalks, delay in-ground trees after gas main found under sidewalks

Saint Helena — City staff told the council that a gas main runs beneath several planned tree wells on Main Street, forcing a rethink of a federally funded sidewalk and streetscape project.

Eric Jansen, assistant director of public works, said consultant mapping initially placed the line in the street but potholing confirmed the line actually “runs right through the sidewalk and right through each of the existing tree wells” and is “buried one and a half to two and a half feet below the surface,” a depth staff said prevents construction to the original plan.

Council members and dozens of residents spent more than an hour hearing technical details, design options and funding constraints. Jansen advised the council that reducing scope now would not reduce contracted costs, and that the project has an award of about $1.2 million of OAG/OBAG funds with a total project estimate near $1.8 million; the city’s required match is roughly $300,000–$400,000. He said the OAG 3 funds are at risk if the project slips past the federal fiscal deadline: “OAG 3 funding is available in the current federal fiscal year and that ends on September 30th, 2026,” Jansen said.

Because the gas main is shallow, Jansen presented a mitigation that would shift new tree wells slightly, cut the old stumps flush to subgrade, expand adjacent planters and reuse the planned irrigation: those new planters would allow the sidewalk to remain ADA‑compliant with a five‑foot minimum clear width. He cautioned that the mitigation reduces the number of new street trees by three and likely triggers a contractor change order; it also would require reverting from the 48‑inch box trees the council had directed earlier back to the landscape architect’s recommended 24‑inch boxes on one side unless the council opts to match both sides.

Residents urged alternatives. Oliver Calwell Crane, who identified himself as a downtown property owner, warned that above‑ground boxed trees “is just not going to work” long term and urged staff to explore rerouting the pipe when feasible. Other commenters proposed moving trees into Lyman Park, installing pergolas or benches to add shade, or using high‑quality temporary planters so the streetscape would remain attractive if the trees must be deferred.

Council members expressed concern about the long‑term risks of planting directly over the pipe and about potential federal clawbacks if the city fails to meet its NEPA‑related commitments. Mayor Dorne said the council’s priority is pedestrian safety: “My inclination is to move forward with the construction of a sidewalk that’s safe for pedestrians,” he said, while also suggesting temporary boxes or creative alternatives for Lyman Park as staff and designers return with options.

By a consensus direction at the meeting, the council instructed staff to proceed with sidewalk construction to preserve funding and public access, delay permanent in‑ground tree plantings over the shallow gas main, pursue above‑ground or recessed planters (or other temporary treatments) and return with specific plan details and cost estimates after further coordination with PG&E and the grant administrator.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with PG&E, the contractor and the grant manager about the planter approach, refine tree‑size recommendations and come back to council with options and estimated costs before orders are finalized.