HomeMy WebLinkAboutMcIntosh email - Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Santa Rosa Avery Cabin CommentsFrom:John A McIntosh
To:Planning
Subject:Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Santa Rosa Avery Cabin Comments
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 5:30:33 PM
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John McIntosh
West Linda Vista Drive
We live one street over from Santa Rosa and are very familiar with the property. We
submitted numerous comments on the development of this parcel when it was proposed that 2
lots be created. I understand that this meeting is for the historical component so I will not
restate my other concerns at this time but would like to reserve the right to do so. Among
our comments was that the Avery ruins were on the property and their preservation should be
considered. Subsequently the ruins were designated historic, I am assuming with the
cooperation of the previous owner.
The current owners appear to have made a good faith effort to implement some of the
concerns we pointed out and are likely to face a myriad of additional requirements and
scrutiny for this sensitive and difficult site.
My comments here are directed toward the Avery Cabin and the so-called 'Barista Wash Trail',
which is more aptly described as 'Trespasser's Trail'. One cannot possibly use this corridor
without having the distinct impression that you are trespassing and invading someone's
personal space. You are well aware you are crossing private property and dare I say, feel
unwelcome.
The Ruins are not on public property they are on private property. Designating them as
Historic does not designate them as public. Rather it designates them as subject to protection.
Violating the trust that you are preserving, not relinquishing possession, discourages voluntary
historical protection.
The parcel that the ruins are on and the hillside lands around it are a magnet frequented by late
night partiers and homeless. This is not hyperbole or a baseless complaint. Until a recent
clean-up of the property there were numerous signs of debris, camping, bedding, cooking,
drug use, smoking and an uncontrolled blaze. A shopping cart was a fixture at the entrance
recently. Unfettered access to this parcel and particularly declaring it 'public' subjects
adjoining property owner's to even greater nuisance. I concur with the owner that the greatest
protection of the historical ruins is to control access.
Despite its large size the parcel itself is appropriate for one low lying single-story estate home,
taking into consideration the numerous constraints and requirements. Among them are the
overall elevation, extraneous lighting, impact on adjoining improvements, the sensitive
hillside esthetics, the topography, the drainage, and now the historical preservation
requirements.
The parcel itself is encumbered by a rear entry driveway easement for a single-family home
that faces Linda Vista Drive. The rear garage access is via a private driveway easement on the
property. This is NOT a public right of way. The applicant owner has deemed it appropriate to
protect this sizable parcel from trespass and curtail unfettered and unsupervised access to his
private property and to the historic ruins by placing a gate at the entrance to his property at the
end of Santa Rosa Drive. Gating the entry in some fashion is a perfectly sensible solution and
well within his right to do so as long as he respects the rights of the private driveway
easement.
Far beyond the scope of this meeting is the declaration that there is a public trail extending
from the Ramon Trailhead to the property in question, then down this private driveway to the
terminus of Santa Rosa Drive. Doing so has numerous ramifications that require careful
consideration, legally, environmentally, and practically. An environmental impact statement
should be required if this is to be acknowledged and provided.
The current access to the heavily used Lykken Trail is at the top of Ramon and near O'Donnell
Golf Club. Hikers can park at either end and if they wish can hike all the way to the far
trailhead then via Ramon/Cahuilla to their vehicle or residence in a loop. Hikers can also do
out and back trips from the hotels and Inns and from the Historic Tennis Club at Ramon or the
Museum. The Ramon trailhead has resulted in a good deal of congestion and neighborhood
issues. At the Ramon trailhead the adjoining streets are wide, with turnarounds, and signage.
The parking spills out into neighboring streets much to the chagrin of the neighbors. Hopefully
the issues can be worked through eventually. Perhaps neighbors will just have to accept the
impact. Indicating that there is somehow a public trailhead at the end of tiny Santa Rosa Drive
will promote a new convenient cutoff to the Ramon trailhead. Hotels and Inns, websites, and
social media could point out the newly designated Baristo Wash Trail providing a scenic
corridor directly through the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood. Travel down tranquil and
narrow Santa Rosa Drive by vehicle or on foot, to a private entry and along a personal
driveway, wander by neighborhood backyards, and with a quick visit to the Avery historical
ruins on private property. This is a far more interesting shortcut than using a broad
thoroughfare like Ramon with its ADA compliant sidewalks to the official trailhead. At night
the party goers that park or walk up Ramon can now meander through the Historic Tennis
Club and make use of much more private entry and hangout at the Avery ruins or wander
cross country up the hillside to a convenient perch.
It is not right that this owner or our neighbors be subjected to this burden. Suggesting this trail
and or ruins be made public is in effect creating a de facto public park in our backyard. It is
unfair to say the least. Ask the owner's abutting the hillside at Skye if a trail should be
extended across their backyards to serve another entry point.
I understand the desire of some of my neighbors in Skye and some of my neighbors in The
Historic Tennis Club to conveniently (and boldly) hike cross-country to and from Ramon,
rather than using Ramon. I am among them with my beloved pooch. Hiking or walking the
dog in unregulated privacy with a couple of extra baggies (or a garbage bag) for those who
really don't comprehend trespass. That said I have to acknowledge the rights of the owner and
those locally impacted.
As far as the ruins are concerned a courtesy gesture might be to allow periodic docent led
tours. As far as walking access perhaps a gate at each end of the 'path' could be provided with
code that rotates periodically. The owner could for a period of time, on a trial basis, provide
local residents wishing to use the path, the code, by providing their name and address and
contact information. Under no circumstance should a public trail be acknowledged or
considered.
Thank you for your consideration,
John McIntosh