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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 14Next meeting: September 18, 2007 9:00 am – Kitchen Conference Room Page 1 of 3 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Special Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2007 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Nancy Couperus, Patty Ciesla, Mary Davey, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sue Welch Regrets: Jean Struthers Guests: none Staff: none 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am. The minutes of the July 17th meeting were approved as written. 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None. 3. Current Business:  Wildlife Corridor Project No new news.  Riparian Corridor Policy Nancy passed out information from the Portola Valley Planning Commission on proposed riparian set-backs. Portola Valley is considering creek setbacks of 45’ from top of bank or 50’ from the ordinary high water mark. Nancy has sent the Staff, Council, and Planning Commission copies of the information she received at the Portola Valley meeting.  General Plan Update The subcommittee on hillside development regulations has not yet met.  O’Keefe Sue will check with the Town on the status of the Shelterbelt proposal. The article on the O’Keefe Open Space Preserve was approved by the OSC for publication in the Hills 2000 Newsletter.  Fencing Issues The OSC discussed the problems with the existing fence ordinance, especially in regards to the Stirling 18 acres. The property is now for sale and fencing remains a concern. Nancy offered to write to the owner Ruth Stirling and suggest that Next meeting: September 18, 2007 9:00 am – Kitchen Conference Room Page 2 of 3 she consider placing some of the property in a conservation easement. Roger will work with Nancy on the letter. Alice has gathered some information from other communities on fencing. The OSC thought that a survey of fencing regulations (what other communities are doing) might be helpful. We might want to concentrate on the larger properties (greater than one acre). Setbacks could also be considered. Alice will continue to collect information on fencing regulations from similar communities.  Byrne Preserve planning Patty Ciesla would like the OSC to be more aggressive about pushing for a master plan for Byrne Preserve. A plan would probably cost between $50,000 and $60,000. One of the issues is finding a qualified consultant.  Water Conservation Update No news to report.  Herbicide Reduction (stinkweed) Sue Welch is working with Town staff on an eradication program for stinkweed, Dittrichia graveolens, which is a highly invasive weed that has been recently introduced – mostly found at construction sites and being brought in on construction vehicles. Sue has put together a map for Town Staff showing the areas of infestation. Karen Lemes recommended that the OSC also write a letter to Foothill College explaining the importance of their participating in the eradication program. Karen and Sue will put a letter together. Sue has submitted information and an article on Dittrichia to Duffy Price for the Town newsletter.  Educational meetings Sudden Oak Death – Ten to twelve oak trees have been identified in Byrne Preserve as probable victims of the pathogen Phytophora ramorum. Although not 100% confirmed the symptoms are consistent with SOD. Bay trees and coffee berry appear affected; pitch coming out of the bark of the oaks was reported by Patty Ciesla. The Town sent out an arborist who recommended cutting down the dead trees as a public safety measure. The OSC will be sponsoring an informational meeting for residents on SOD on Wednesday, September 12th. Nancy will publicize the event. According to Mary Davey, the MPROSD is taking part in a research project on SOD with the State of California.  Morrison subdivision No new news. Next meeting: September 18, 2007 9:00 am – Kitchen Conference Room Page 3 of 3  NEW BUSINESS – Channelization of Matadero Creek Roger provided a history and summary of the channelization along Matadero Creek at Chrisophers Lane. Sue Welch has taken the lead on this – following up with the agencies that would be involved and researching the background. The title and maps are inconsistent regarding easement ownership. However, it appears that the creek modifications are all on the Bhaskar’s property at 28150 Christophers Lane. On two occasions, according to the affected neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, the Town was advised about the project. Had the agencies (in particular Fish & Game) been called in at the outset, the project might have been stopped, as no permits had been issued. Because of the channelization, the down- stream property has suffered increased erosion to the creek bank. Sue and Roger met briefly with Debbie Pedro during the OSC meeting to give her background. Debbie promised to report back to the OSC. OPEN DISCUSSION: Town Engineer – After discussing issues that involve the Town engineer and the difficulties experienced with an engineer who doesn’t understand a rural environment, Mary Davey suggested that the Town might be better off using a local engineering firm, like McCandless. This apparently had been done in the past. Members of the OSC thought this was an excellent idea. Mary will talk to Carl Cahill about this. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am. Submitted by: Nancy Couperus The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 18th at 9:00 am.