HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 13Next meeting: February 10. 2006
2 PM Town Hall
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Minutes of January 13, 2006
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Patty Ciesla, Nancy Couperus, Mary Davey, Karen
Lemes, Barbara Mordo, Alice Sakamoto, Jean Struthers, Susan Welch
Regrets: None
Guests: Ray Collins, Planning Commissioner
Staff: Carl Cahill, Town Planner
1. Call to Order:
Nancy Couperus called the meeting to order at 2 PM. The minutes of the
December 9, 2005 meeting were approved as amended.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Carl Cahill, Town Planner, attended the OSC
meeting to review some of the recent projects that impact open space. His
comments follow.
3. Old Business:
Monthly Planning Project Reviews:
27500 La Vida Real – The Malivalli pathway has become an issue because of
the steep terrain in the easement where a pathway has been proposed. Carl Cahill
reported that the owner had agreed to a two-foot native path – not wishing to
appeal so that the project could move forward. Carl explained that since there
seems to be opposition to a pathway in the conservation easement, the easiest way
to handle this is for the applicant to request a permit modification at the time of
submission of a landscape plan. The applicant could then ask to defer construc-
tion of the pathway and pay in-lieu fees to the Town. The Open Space Committee
might want to consider offering an advisory opinion on the proposed path but
should probably coordinate with the Pathway Committee. Carl said that he would
discuss the path with the Malivalli’s architect and suggested that Roger send
him (Carl) an e-mail in a month or so to find out the results of the discussion.
26411 Eschner Court & 26300 Silent Hills Lane – According to Carl, at the
time of subdivision of the Perrell property two conservation easements were
dedicated at the rear of the property. Unfortunately, the staff could not prevent
the owner from extending the fence along Silent Hills over to the side fence
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cutting off the conservation easement at the front of the property. A compromise
was brokered by staff which would keep a small part of that conservation
easement open to wildlife. When the adjacent property on the other side of the
Perrell’s is developed, the Town will require a split-rail fence that will extend
from that property up to and into the Perrell’s conservation easement at the back.
Fencing Ordinance: Carl reviewed the key provisions for the Committee.
These provisions include (a) noticing adjacent neighbors and (b) hearings under
certain circumstances. Such circumstances are: elimination of landscaping, solid
fencing that obstruct views, very long fences. If wildlife corridors are designated
on private property, the fencing will have to allow for permeability. Non-conform
ing fences which are to be replaced will now have to comply with today’s codes.
4. New Business:
“Island easements and wildlife access” - Carl explained that there are a
number of easements in Town that are “island easements” – that is, they do
not connect open space areas which would allow for the passage of wildlife.
However, members of the Committee agreed that such easements have value
for birds and other small animals.
Wildlife Corridor Study - Carl reported that Live Oak Associates was sent $1300
by the Town for the work that they have done to date on the Corridor Study.
Ray Collins shared an article with the Committee entitled “Uncorking the Wild”
which appeared in California Wild – a magazine of the National Academy of
Sciences. The article can be accessed online. Several vintners are now using
natural ways to grow grapes – without pesticides, replacing chemical controls
with biological ones. They believe that the quality of wine is enhanced as a
result of using these techniques. The article points out that “vineyards that are
hostile to wildlife have major negative impacts.” Preston, Clos Du Bois, and
Benziger are now using more wildlife-friendly ways to control pests, and it is
hoped that more vintners will adopt these sustainable practices.
Ray Collins also announced that she would be leading hikes in spring –
Apricots to Mountain Tops – which were so successful last year. In the fall
Ray also plans to lead hikes to some of our local wineries.
5. Follow-up actions from previous meeting:
Wildlife Survey:
Roger made a brief presentation on the wildlife survey at the last Council
meeting. He showed the Council members the map that Susan had prepared
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2 PM Town Hall
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which showed the frequency of deer sightings throughout the Town. He also
read some of the respondent comments and emphasized that most of the
comments were favorable.
Sue passed out a summary of the results of the survey. Everyone thought
that the summary was outstanding and that members of the Council should
receive copies. There was general agreement that the number of comments
ought to be cut down to make the report shorter. Sue said that she would
work on cutting it down but would welcome member suggestions. Roger
offered to work with Sue. Roger will request that this be placed on the
Council agenda in four weeks.
It was also noted that the survey results depend as much on the observers as they
do on the wildlife. Nancy suggested that some informational meetings be held
to explain the results of the wildlife study and survey. It was suggested that the
Audubon Society be approached to see if they would be willing to bring owl
boxes to Earth Day. Nancy agreed to contact Audubon to see if this would be
possible. Roger noted that the increase in the number of rodents that residents are
reporting might suggest the absence of predators and that we should perhaps be
educating residents on ways to encourage owls, for example.
Sue will contact Michele Korpos of Live Oak Associates to see how best to get
the maps and survey information into her hands.
Herbicide Recommendation
Roger presented the herbicide resolution at the last Council meeting.
Surprisingly, the staff was opposed. However, Council members did back the
Open Space Committee and encouraged the Committee to move forward. We
are expected now to come back to the staff with a proposal. Karen suggested
that we bring Santa Clara County IPM people in to meet with the staff. There
was agreement that we should focus on protecting our portion of Adobe Creek,
since Foothill College, Hidden Villa and the County are already protecting theirs.
Karen is taking the lead on this, but she would also appreciate input from other
members. We need to find out the current instructions the Town has given to
Clark Pest Control. Jean pointed out that there are two problems – the spraying
and the Town’s maintenance crew.
Byrne Preserve
Patty reported that she had met with people at Acterra. She is working to get
them involved in a proposal to do habitat restoration for us. Patty would like
to include in our next agenda “A Byrne Preserve Master Plan.” Roger agreed to
do this.
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Meeting with Council Members
Mary Davey encouraged the Committee to meet with members of the Council
to keep them apprised of what the Open Space Committee is working on. There
was agreement that we should invite Mayor Breene Kerr to our next Open Space
meeting. In order to meet with Breene before the Council meeting which
normally falls the day before the regularly scheduled OSC meeting, we would
need to meet one week earlier. Roger will see if this is possible.
Open Discussion: Roger pointed out that the issue of protecting steep slopes
with easements (via our proposed easement ordinance) could produce more
instances of "island easements", i.e. open space easements that do not naturally
connect to other open spaces, which create a conflict with the fencing ordinance
which assumes all open space easements must be kept open for wildlife access.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM.
Recorded by: Nancy Couperus