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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 17Next meeting: April 14, 2006 2 PM Town Hall Page 1 of 4 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Minutes of March 17, 2006 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Patty Ciesla, Nancy Couperus, Barbara Mordo, Sue Welch Regrets: Mary Davey, Alice Sakamoto, Jean Struthers Guests: Adam Askari, Bob Lefkowits, Councilman Jean Mordo Staff: None 1. Call to Order: Roger Spreen called the meeting to order at 2:05 PM. Roger informed the Committee that Karen Lemes had resigned. Roger expressed his disappointment but also his appreciation for Karen’s efforts. 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Bob Lefkowits introduced himself to the group. Bob has been concerned about the violations on the conservation/open space easement on Matadero Creek Lane. Bob was invited to sit in on the OSC meeting, as he is seriously considering putting his name forward to become a member of the Committee. Members of the OSC expressed their hope that he would decide to apply. 3. New Business: Monthly Planning Project Reviews: 27861 Natoma Road – Roger reviewed the issues associated with this property for the Committee members. The property is close to the intersection of Natoma and Black Mountain Road and is V-shaped. A tributary of Matadero Creek flows through the back of the property. Roger explained that the original open space conservation area map drawing of the property does not accurately portray the creek area that needs to be protected. Deputy Planner, Brian Froelich, wants to adjust the line on the map to match reality. The new property owner has agreed to have the canopy line of the trees along the creek determine the area of the open space easement. The advantage to the owner of the property is that the map change will allow the driveway he is proposing. It appears that the driveway will not have an adverse impact on the environment. One other issue is the swale and oak trees in the swale area. The OSC recom- mended that the grove of large oak trees in this swale be incorporated into the open space easement – i.e. a “finger” that would encompass the grove of trees and connect to the open space easement – avoiding an “island easement”. The owner was agreeable to this proposal. Next meeting: April 14, 2006 2 PM Town Hall Page 2 of 4 28500 Matadero Creek Lane Easement – Roger reported on a meeting that had taken place on March 2nd regarding the violations on the open space easement at 28500 Matadero Creek Lane. The participants were: Bandel Carano, home- owner; Eric Clow, Planning Commissioner; Brian Froelich, Assistant Town Planner; Steve Garcia, Public Safety Officer; Open Space Committee members Roger Spreen and Nancy Couperus. A Notice of Code Violations was presented to Mr. Carano by Steve Garcia. According to this notice “the stop-work order remains in effect . . . All work on site must halt until the identified violations are corrected.” Planning Commissioner Eric Clow defended the property owner’s actions by stating that the Town was being heavy-handed and had not properly informed the property owner. Roger countered explaining that the Town had acted properly, that neighbors had the right to complain, and that the process was carried out as it is supposed to be. Nancy presented copies of the CC&R’s that had been given to her by neighbor Bob Lefkowits. The homeowner and Commissioner Clow claimed not to have seen the CC&R’s which clearly stated that grading was not allowed nor the planting of non-natives. There was no resolution of the issue as a result of the meeting. The owner did not indicate what he planned to do. Councilman Jean Mordo stated that he was concerned about code enforcement and that he wanted Council to consider hiring a consultant who could make concrete recommendations on fines and enforcement tools. Bob Lefkowits said that if he became a Committee member, he would like to look into working with realtors to make sure they are informing residents about property restrictions, easements, etc. 4. Follow-up actions from previous meeting:  Herbicide Study: Roger reported that the subcommittee on herbicide reduction had met the previous week. There were three participants: Councilman Jean Mordo, Roger Spreen, and Susan Mandle. Roger expressed his disappointment that Karen did not want to continue working with the subcommittee. Karen had decided that the process was too slow for her and that adding residents to the “no spray” list was a better way to go. She thought that she could be more effective off the OSC. Roger stated that he would like to move forward, regardless, and will get back to the IPM expert from Santa Clara County for assistance. Mowing instead of spraying might be one approach. Sue Welch said that she is very interested in this topic and might be able to join the subcommittee in four months. Next meeting: April 14, 2006 2 PM Town Hall Page 3 of 4  Wildlife Corridor Project Alice and Sue are planning to make a presentation of the survey results at the next Council meeting on March 23rd. Roger passed out copies of a “draft proposal” by Michele Korpos of Live Oak Associates. Roger asked committee members to look it over and send any comments to Alice. If Alice agrees, she will compile the comments and send them on to Michele.  Earth Day Celebration Nancy passed out flyers for the Earth Day Celebration at Westwind Barn. She also gave a short report on Earth Day planning and listed over 15 groups that have already agreed to participate. She explained that she needed help on the day itself – especially at the beginning of the event when the exhibitors arrive.  Next Year’s Budget Roger informed the OSC that it needs to come up with a budget (July 1, 2006- June 30, 2007). Last year the OSC requested $15K. The Council ended up revising the budget up to $25,800 in order to include $10,800, reserved for the wildlife consultant. The OSC passed a motion to spend $1,000 out of the current budget for Earth Day expenses. Patty suggested that we purchase books (resource materials) for the Town. Patty will also request from Acterra an accounting of the amount of the expenses they have incurred for the plantings for the Byrne Preserve gully and try to determine what the expenses associated with the planting will be. We could also ask Acterra to start propagating the next round. There was also discussion about obtaining an Environmental Planning Consultant. Mid Peninsula Open Space District was suggested as a possible source for recommendations. Other suggested items for the current budget – a few thousand dollars additional for our wildlife consultant; conference sponsorship funding; seed money for a pilot project for herbicide reduction; renewal of our membership in LTA (Land Trust Alliance). Roger recommended that we ask again for $15K for the upcoming budget. The budget will be discussed again at the next OSC meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM. Next meeting: April 14, 2006 2 PM Town Hall Page 4 of 4