Climate plan approved

City officials soft-pedaled the elimination of bicycle paths from the Climate Protection Action Plan with a promise to establish a task force to study safe cycling on Laguna Streets.

The City Council voted 4-0, with Councilwoman Verna Rollinger absent, to adopt the modified version of the plan proposed in January by the Environmental Committee, to implement five initial measures and directed City Manager Ken Frank to prepare budget recommendations for the implementation. The council also voted unanimously to delete bike paths from the plan, citing safety, logistical and liability concerns.

“We should not encourage people to ride bikes in Laguna until it is safe,” Councilwoman Jane Egly said. “We need to provide safe routes before we include the language.”

However, in light of overwhelming support for the paths, the council approved a proposal by Environmental Committee member Lisa Marks to create a task force to review how other cities deal with bicyclists and how those methods could be tailored to Laguna.

“It doesn’t commit you to bike paths, but it keeps the door open,” Marks said.

The plan aims to provide a blueprint for the reduction of man-made greenhouse gas emissions to 7% below 1990 levels no later than 2012.

Environmental Committee Chairman Chris Prelitz said the sub-committee that included himself, Egly, Frank and Planning Commissioner Norm Grossman reviewed the original plan and agreed on every issue.

Prelitz recommended the council approve that version, not the one on the agenda, proposed by Frank after further consideration, which deleted a measure to study and implement bicycle paths where feasible.

“Now, you are going to hear arguments for reasons that Laguna cannot be made safe for pedestrians and bicyclists,” Prelitz said. “Well, if San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Dana Point and Santa Ana can do it, so can Laguna Beach.

Prelitz said issues raised by opponents of bicycle paths through Laguna might include the cost of re-striping streets, not enough interest in commuting by bicycle, and liability.

“This isn’t about liability; it’s about responsibility,” Councilwoman Toni Iseman said. “Other cities do it because they can. If Laguna could, it would.”