HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Minutes of September 18, 2007
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair; Nancy Couperus; Alice Sakamoto
Absent: Patty Ciesla, Mary Davey, Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers, Sue Welch
Guests: Richard Partridge
Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planner
As a quorum was not present, the August minutes could not be approved.
Open Space Easements
Roger reviewed some of the latest projects before the Town that involved open space
easements. On the proposed open space easement at 27355 Sherlock Road, Roger
explained the recommendation of the planning staff, showing the contour lines of the
proposed open space easement, for reasons of slope, oak trees, and connectivity for
wildlife to adjacent open space areas. The meeting did not have a quorum present;
nevertheless, all three attending members were in agreement to support the Staff
recommendations.
Report by Planning Director, Debbie Pedro
Debbie Pedro provided an update on the Matadero Creek channelization on Christophers
Lane. According to Debbie, who met with the owner responsible for the channelization,
the work was done without authorization or permits. The owner acknowledged responsi-
bility. He had contacted Fish & Game and the Santa Clara Valley Water District in 1995
and discovered that working through the agencies would cost thousands of dollars. The
owner decided to do the work himself, which was completed in 1998.
The Town has informed the owner that this is an ongoing code violation and has given
him forty-five days to have an engineer come up with a restoration plan. The Town
wants to get a plan in place before the rainy season begins. The SCVWD has said that it
cannot be involved because it has no easement on the property.
Debbie also informed the Open Space Committee that Foothill College is installing two
bridges and creating a path around the College. The “bumping out” of the road is
affecting neighbors on Duval and Josefa. The Town has concerns also about Purissima
Creek and the riparian habitat, as the new pathway comes close to these areas. An EIR is
being required. Foothill is holding a “scoping meeting” at which the public can comment
on Tuesday, September 18th at Appreciation Hall – 7 pm. Both Debbie and
Town Manager Carl Cahill plan to attend.
Debbie also informed the OSC that the Town has notified Shelterbelt to go ahead with
the preparation of the O’Keefe Plan.
Mayor’s Meeting with Committee Chairs
Roger reported on his meeting with the Mayor. The chairs of all the committees were
invited to meet with the Mayor and provide information about the priorities of their
respective committees. Roger emphasized the importance of creeks and riparian areas.
Mayor Craig Jones said that he was primarily interested in existing Parks & Recreation
facilities – Westwind Barn, the Little League Fields, the Bullis upper field. The Mayor
also is advocating a multi-year Parks & Recreation budget. Roger commented that as
Westwind is linked to Byrne Preserve that the OSC feels that a Master Plan for Byrne
Preserve/Westwind Barn is needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am.
Submitted by: Nancy Couperus
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.