HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 12 Minutes - Special Meeting
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
July 12, 2004
Present: Ray Collins, Nancy Couperus, Elaine Nelson, Duffy Price, Roger Spreen,
Jean Struthers
Regrets: Patty Ciesla, Mary Davey, Barbara Mordo
RE: Conservation Easement – Lands of Horton
After a site visit by the above Committee Members, as well as Councilperson,
Emily Cheng, to the Lands of Horton, a meeting of the LAH Open Space Committee was
held at 11:30 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room at Bullis Elementary School.
The Committee supports overall compliance with the General Plan Sub Element
for the Lands of Chaparral for a conservation easement.
The Committee feels that the following criteria for a conservation easement are
exhibited by this property:
(1) Highly sloped land
(2) Water channels and drainage swales
(3) Mature vegetation, including blue oak woodland
(4) Habitat rich in wildlife
(5) Visible viewsheds
(6) High susceptibility to erosion
Additionally, the LAH Open Space Committee has serious concerns about the
proposed road. Cut and fill will block waterways and animal traffic. Because of the
impacts on natural drainage channels, the Committee recommends bridges rather than
fill.
In general, the Open Space Committee has no objection to the development of the
four residential home sites. However, it has serious concerns about the surrounding land
and how development will impact land stability, drainage, vegetation, views, and wild-
life. A conservation easement over those portions of the land described by the Sub
Element of the General Plan as appropriate conservation easement would eliminate any
ambiguity about future development on this land.
Ray Collins was asked to present the Committee’s recommendation for a
conservation easement on the Lands of Horton at the next regularly scheduled meeting
of the Town Council on Thursday, July 15, 2004. The meeting was adjourned at 12 PM.
Nancy Couperus, Co-Chair/Secretary