HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 16Minutes - Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
July 16, 2004
Present: Patty Ciesla, Nancy Couperus, Ray Collins, Mary Davey, Barbara Mordo, Elaine
Nelson, Duffy Price, Roger Spreen, Susan Welch
Regrets: Jean Struthers
Guests: Jack Davey, Commissioner Jean Mordo
Meeting convened at 3:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room at Bullis School
OLD BUSINESS
Edith Park
Roger Spreen and Ray Collins visited the site and concluded that it has no pressing needs but
could benefit from landscaping. Suggestions for landscaping included a design that reflects the
agricultural history of the town, a community garden, and a California native plant exhibit. Pros
and cons of a partial fence to block traffic noise were discussed. Suggestions for landscape
designs were 1) soliciting designs from horticulture students at Foothill College; 2) interviewing
Tom Cloakes for a possible contract. Need to determine if the site has irrigation water available.
Need to clarify whether Edith Park falls under the jurisdiction of Parks and Recreation or Open
Space.
Joint Meeting with Portola Valley
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee will hold a joint meeting with the Open Space Committee
of Portola Valley and Woodside from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Thursday 26 August 2004 at
Independence Hall in Woodside. Roger or Nancy will contact them about the agenda, which has
not been set yet. Los Altos Hills attendees will meet at Bullis School and carpool to Woodside.
Collaboration with Pathways Committee
Both Patty and Duffy recommended a combined meeting with the Pathways Committee because
there is much overlap between the Committees. This will be arranged when the Pathways
Committee has time to schedule. They are currently very busy preparing for presentation of their
pathways map to the Town Council.
Conservation Easement, Lands of Horton
Horton subdivision requested a one-year extension of their tentative map. According to Town
Ordinance Sec. 9-1.519 (e) In granting the extension, new conditions may be imposed and existing
conditions may be revised by the City Council.
Members of the Open Space Committee assessed the site on 12 July 2004 and concluded that it
meets criteria for a conservation easement. The Committee has serious concerns about how
development will affect the land surrounding the four proposed residential sites and the future
of this land if it is not placed in a conservation easement There is also great concern about the
impact of the road.
Ray Collins presented the Committee’s recommendations to the Los Altos Hills Town Council on
15 July 2004. The Council deferred action on the request for an extension and will address the
issue again in 60 days.
The issue of whether it is legal to add the requirement for a conservation easement at this time in
order to make the proposed plans consistent with the updated General Plan was raised at the
Council meeting. The Town Attorney, Dave Warner, said that it could not be done at this time,
citing that our code is not valid because it is not consistent with state law.
Because this is an important issue and the Horton case will set a precedent, a motion was made to
clarify the legalities of the case, including whether state code or local code prevails. A motion was
made that the Open Space Committee write a memo to Dean Warshawsky, its Council liaison,
asking that he “request written clarification of the legal opinion for why conditions (of open
space) could not be imposed at the time of the extension request in the Horton subdivision.” The
committee is seeking clarification of the standard to judge future cases.
Nancy Couperus will attend the meeting on Monday 19 July 2004 with the Town Planner and the
Hortons to discuss the issue and will bring information about voluntary conservation easements
and an outline of potential tax benefits.
Memorial Bench
The bench has been contracted for and will be delivered to the Westwind Barn in eight to ten
weeks. The bench will be moved to the site with a tractor and installed on a level bed of crushed
rock.
Byrne Open Space
Picnic tables have been moved under the oaks on the hill at the Preserve. It was suggested that a
communication system be established to keep the committee informed about what is happening
at the Preserve. The issue will be discussed at a future meeting.
Adobe Creek Watershed Meeting
Five families have not yet granted easements and are requesting concessions in exchange for the
easements. The Adobe Creek Watershed Steering Committee is working though them.
Supporters of Westwind Community Barn
Supporters of Westwind Community Barn will meet with Town officials on Monday 19 July 2004.
The group will be providing a $20,000 grant to the Town for the purpose of replacing the exterior
doors of the Barn to make them more watertight.
Habitat Restoration
Patty Ciesla has placed a trash bin along the Artemes Ginzton Trail to store seed pods clipped
from Scotch broom and teasel. She reports that areas treated last year have sparse growth. She
will continue clipping teasel and broom. There are no plans for volunteer work party at this time.
The Open Space budget has $10,000 that could be used for work in the Preserve. Two bridges in
the Preserve may need work. Need to assess the structures and discuss with the Pathways
Committee and possibly the City Engineer to make decisions for repair and/or replacement.
Pathways may also have sufficient funds to make the repairs.
Water District Grants
The Santa Clara County Water District offers trail grants that can be used for habitat and trail
restoration. A motion was made to begin efforts to identify projects appropriate for such grants
and to send a memo to the Town Council informing them that the Committee is exploring these
grants as a source of funding for improving the Town’s open spaces. The grants will be included
in the agenda for the proposed joint meeting with the Pathways Committee. Other potential
funding agencies were also identified.
Rhus Ridge Walk
On Friday 30 July 2004 the Committee will meet at 9:30 AM to walk Rhus Ridge. The walk will be
followed by lunch at Barbara Mordo’s.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed Pinewood School
Construction of a high school has been proposed on the Winbigler property, recently sold to the
Riches, owners of Pinewood School. The land is comprised of four lots and can accommodate a
total of 50,000 square feet of development based on current code. The proposed development,
however, includes a 70,000 square foot building. Hence the building plus associated structures
will greatly exceed the allowed square footage. The development will require a number of
variances and neighbors have expressed concerns. It is recommended that the Committee
examine the proposal in detail and make recommendations to the Town regarding it.
Illegal Dumping at Byrne Preserve
Yard waste and manure have been illegally dumped adjacent to Adobe Creek on Moody Court.
Homeowners have been requested to stop this activity.
Over-Grazing for Fuel Break at Byrne Preserve
Goats brought into Byrne Preserve earlier in the summer to graze a proposed forty-foot wide
strip of vegetation as a fire break were allowed to graze a strip about 150 feet wide. As a result
resident wood rats have been chewing the bark off trees because of lack of forage. Although the
committee appreciates the need for a fire-break to protect homes adjacent to the preserve, they
are concerned that this excessive grazing is stressing wildlife and degrading the open space. It is
recommended that the agreement with the Fire District re this grazing activity be reviewed and
efforts be made to assure that future fuel break grazing be limited to the designated forty feet.
Open Space Conservation Easements
Nancy Couperus presented materials describing proposed criteria for Open Space Conservation
Easements for the Town. The Committee reviewed these materials and discussed the issue of
specific slope requirements and the possibility of developing more objective criteria for the
easements. Materials will be circulated to resident and past Commissioner Art Lachenbruch for
comment. Art was one of the designers of the slope density formula.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM