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Revision # 1
01-01-95
OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
Introduction
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This element focuses on Open Space and how its use meets the
goals of our Gen e,1, i a as set forth by the State of
California. The ,once' - *� +h. th-/Open Spac Element as wed- as-
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omen L are used by the other ld t s-e-
elementsf--Pathways , Recreation, Land Use, Scenic Roadwaysfrand-
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Circulation--to achieve their goals .
The use of the land within the- Town' s boundaries affects both
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the Town and the entire Santa Clara�as-3-n.. The Town' s geographic
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location and rugged terrain �� the Town' s residential
growth patternf a ,d development and 3$ vistas . Its wooded
mountains as well as rolling oak-studded, grass covered hills
provide a tranquil backdrop for the densely urbanized Santa
Clara._t,a iii.
Definition69L
• Open space is defined as_a11_nf th-e-three imensiona space-ab e
t-h-e—sur aec o-f the e$r Y_which i s not__o.ccup-i-ed—by--s-t-rUctuTes S .
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th n th-ir-s-b- o-ad-de_f-in-ition "
open pace can take many forms
ranging from large units of lands to area within a unit of land.
The State of California defines Open Space lands under state law
(Sections 655560 of the California Government Code) as' being land '
or water which is .essentially unimproved and devoted to open_
space . . . .and fits into the following categories : .
1 . Preservation of Natural Resources : Includes but not
limited to the preservation of plant life, including
habitat for fish and wildlife species ; areas required
for ecologic and other scientific studies . . . .
2 . Managed Production of Resources : Includes, but not
e.1)
limited to forest, range, agricultural lands, and areas
required for recharge of groundwater basin. . . .
3 . Outdoor Recreation: Includes , but not limited to,
areas of outstanding scenic , historical , and cultural
value ; area suited for park and recreation
purposes . . . , and areas which serve as links between
major recreation and open space preserves , including .
utility easements , banks of all water ways , trails,
and scenic highway corridors .
4 . Public Health & Safety: Includes , but not limited to,
areas which require special management or regulation
due to earthquake zones , unstable soil area , flood
planes, swale and creek channels, watersheds, high fire
risks and watershed areas , and areas for protection of
air quality.
Within Los Altos Hills and its sphere of influence, open space
is divided into three categories; o large scalc ,
intermediate,?and small bre
Large Scale Open Space : Land that ranges in size from 31 acres
upwards and fits into one or more of the state categories ,
6tbpp
Intermediate Open Space : Land that ranges in size from 5 to 30
acres and ranges in character from totally open areas of natural
vegetation to planted agricultural or grazing areas . The - latter
may contain appropriate structures related to the land use while
visually still providing a sense of openness .
Small Open Space : Lands which encompassed areas driaer. five acres
--CF-77171-17E-6.7-Th and which maintain a sense of openness when
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viewed from off site It also preserve g of
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significant value such as heritage oaks and steep banke .
These units can either be owned publicly or privately (3.,m_100=--
_a,n-o-t d while fulfilling their open space
purpose .
Goals
1 . Maintain the rural openness of the Tolthrgut the use
of Open Space and "t<'s pe 3c<
development and enhance community-identity.
2 . To preserve and protect Open Space in f own andis/
.adjoining areas as development occurs .
3 . To provide outdoor recreation facilities and to protect
natural resources and vistas within the Town and its
sphere of influence.
4 . Connect to adjoining regional and county open space.
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Policies :
To retain the natural character of the Town and adjoining
areas i-n by adhering to the following la(14 '
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1 . Preserve the visual character of the planning area as the
x( \
n) land is developed by linking open spaces together both
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kvisually and physically to .form_ a , �
system of open space &
it / y—k,i_A 6z--ue
�j G>>_ , h as the path system and scenic roadways .
2 . Subordinate all land use and structures in the planning
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area to the general open space quality of the
planning area. �
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3 . Situ; scale , design , and � materials t t , -e-
harmonious with the natural setting when building
structures .
4 . Keep drainage courses in a natural condition as -f-a.r as
possible.
5 . Encourage agricultural pursuits and the maintenance of
adequate ground water supplies .
6 . Keep unstable terrain, active fault traces , water
channels , flood plains and any other areas determined
hazardous to public safety in open space unless
corrective measures can assure public safety and meet ,
public needs . ` I
7 . Provide recreational uses by linking open space lands ,Q06"
and o en easements to form a path system.
8 . Preserve historical landmarks which have open space value .
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Description •
Almost all lands within Los Altos Hills have some open space
significance although some may not necessarily meet state
guidelines . These lands or portions of these lands may need
preservation.
•
To catalogue the significant—open space—in the Town' s Planning
area as well as adjoining area the three types will be identified
within each category : Open Space Preserve , Open—S-p-a-e-e-
Conservation Easements , and Open Space Lands . l
1 . Open Space Preserve : I�p. .ge7iadreas of lands which preserve
natural resources , have outstanding scenic qualities,
and provide less active forms of outdoor recreation.
Y2 . Open Space C5Aservation Areas : Areas within a larger
land unit which need to be protected such as steep
di(j canyons associated with major creeks or their
tributaries and- heavily vegetated areas which because
of the public welfare and visual amenities should be
'
_ 1f�'"\,�N VIsr limited to low intensity recreati al uses . 4-r4_19
h ar primarily Open Space Lands : Lands .4)d p Y used for some
form of act-ive recreation. They can either be public or
private and are described in detail in the Recreational
Element of the General Plan.
• Large Areas of Open Space:
1 . Open Space Preserves :
A: Town Owned:
1 . Emily questions the use of this •category Any ideas?
.. 1 . Byrne Preserve and adjacent lands make
up an open rolling grassy area of over 50 acres
c41'\\
studded with Oaks Trees with a stream running through
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the lower end. It provides paths for hikers and
equestrians and links Hidden Villa to Westwind Barn
\ Ar
'4)\): \ � and points north.
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2 . Lands above Muriette Lane : Oak studded hillside
which borders the Lands of Mid-Peninsula Open Space
District to the South and connects to the east with
a large open space and conservation easements of
similar terrain on two„different properties .
B . Privately Held: Lands of Sister of Charity, Altamont;
and the Packard Foundation, Taffee.
C . Adjacent Lands : Privately Held : Ri Ps—an VallJV eys
leading--up`to grinc-l-u
d d.i-n-g— e_i
thonte Bello and Kaiser
/ Ridges to the southwest ; Hidden Villa , Lands of
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Stanford and the . low= 14 . : - - area .- Publicly
0)..
\a\ Held: Foothill Park and the Open Preserve , both
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owned by the City of Palo Alto . -Other Governmental
Y1 Agencies : The Mid-Peninsula Open Space D. strict, from
Santa Antonio Preserve to Hidden Villa.
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2 Open Space Conservation Areas :
a . Matadero , Purissima, Adobe ; Hale , and Permanents.
Creeks and its tributaries
3 . 7
Open Space Lands :
a . The Town ' s pathway system and right- —way
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c7.• } easements . (See The Pathway element and Scenic
.
Roadway Element . These two systemy linked by
easementSheld on individual parcels of land
provide continuous open space as they wind their
way through the hills and link us to our adjoining
neighbors .
Intermediate Areas of Open Space :
1 . Open Space Preserve :
A. Town Owned: Juan Prado Mesa Preserve , a sixteen
acres area, located between Stonebrook and Dawson
Drive ; Rhus Ridge area between Francmont , Moody ,
and Summit . Lands of O'Keefe, eight acres between
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280 and O'Keefe ; and Town Hall , Fremont .
B. ' Privately Owned: Lands of Poor Clairs
C. Adjacent: Publicity Owned- Esther Clark Park, Palo
Alto; Shoup and Lincoln Parks, Los Altos .
2 . Open Space Conservation Areas :
A. Numerous areas spread throughout our Town.
3 . Open Space Lands :
"A: Town Owned: : Little League Field, Town Ring, and
Westwind Barn. (See Recreational Element)
B. Privately Owned: Fremont Hills and Full House Farms
C. Publicly Held by Another Governing Unit: Bullis and
Pinewood schools .
Small Open Spaces
1 . Open Space Preserve
A. Town Owned: Bicentennial Park, at Edith and Fremont;
Saddle Mountain, Page Mill , etc .
2 . Open Space Conservation Areas :
A. Usually on individual parcels for view, vegetation and
slope protection and pathway use.
3 . Open Space Land: Private recreation within a lot unit .
4 . Historical Sites : Sites where preservation or
recognition will enhance the character and sense of
openness associated with the community. The following
has historical designations : (See Addendum II for listing . )
(Emily thinks Historical should have its own subheading .
I am not sure . Up for discussion as is everything else . )
Implementation
,��`` Open Space can be achieved by either public or private
' restricted ownership or through the use of open space and
pathway , roadway , and slope easements and
c1conservation ,
dedications , and set backs from lot lines for structures, set
Vacks from stream beds , and geotechnical hazards .
‘`r Ordinances are in place to provide for the provisions associated .
with this chapter and strict adherence to these ordinances at the
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time of site development and subdivision is crucial to
maintaining the feeling of openness .
In the future, the Town might study the adoption of the County \/
zoning regarding hillside development.
) Al)
Undeveloped Lands of Special Interest j____,
A. Lower Neary Quarry: For its visual and ground w ter
impact as well as its hazardous geotechnical 'areas 0%1
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slope areas and its pathway connections within e own YY
as well as to the regional system.
B . Land of Packard Foundation : For its visual impact,
its watershed and wildlife protection clu-acer , its
apricot orchards ;as__14-a-1-1 it_s hazardous geotechnical
,a-r-e-a-s,and major pathway connections .
Adjacent areas : Work with governing authorities to
maintain existing open space and assist in the
purchase of additional open space to protect the
valley' s rim and foothills .
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