Councilwoman Jane Egly had proposed sending Frank to gauge the willingness of the gated community residents to participate in providing public access to the fire road.
"Over the last few months, the Complete Streets Task Force has been working to encourage people to walk or bike," Egly said.
It's healthier for them and it reduces carbon emissions from vehicles that make trips down one hill and up the other and back again, she said.
Egly was praised for promoting the connector.
"Thank you, Jane, for bringing this forward as an agenda item and thank you, Complete Streets Task Force, and everyone here for coming to encourage Sommet du Monde homeowners to allow walkers and bicyclists to pass through their street," said Oak Street resident Charlotte Masarik, a leader of a hiking group.
"When we walk from Alta Laguna to Moulton Meadows, we scramble up and down the public access on the north side of Sommet du Monde — it's like an obstacle course," Masarik said. "Certainly we would like to walk through the private, paved road instead.
"We believe that Laguna is more than ever committed to public access into the open space and hope the city can come to an agreement with the property owners for us to walk through their road."
That hope was dashed Tuesday.
"I came from India, where property can be taken," Vijay Bhansali said. "In America, property can only be taken for a massive reason. I am hearing tonight taking property because it makes life easier."
Frank said the city could acquire the property through legal means, but at too high a cost — in time as well as money.
"You may not be assured of a legal win," said property attorney and Sommet du Monde resident Rebekah Bhansali. "The neighborhood has resources."
