HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 20Next meeting: June 17, 2008
9:00 am – Parks & Recreation Building
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of May 20, 2008
Present: Roger Spreen, Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers, Richard Partridge, Mary Davey
Regrets: Patty Ciesla, Alice Sakamoto, Nancy Couperus, Sue Welch
Guests: Susan Mandle, Associate Member
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am. The minutes of the April meeting were
approved.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. Current Business:
General Plan Update
Roger reported about the Town Council meeting where the Land Use Element of
the General Plan was approved, including a small modification to the Open Space
Element (as approved by the OSC) to maintain consistency. All Elements should
be posted on the town’s website.
Planning Dept Update
Roger reported on a site visit to 12400 Melody Lane (new house construction),
which is bordered by creeks. The question was where to place easements to
protect the creek. In looking at the plans, Richard Partridge pointed out that the
owner had calculated their MFA/MDA using a reduced portion of the property
(discounting the highly sloped areas along the creeks), and that the Town’s
ordinance requires all such area that is excluded from the MFA/MDA calculation
to be incorporated into an easement. This makes the easement border very
objective, and should offer excellent protection.
O’Keefe
Roger needs to put together a meeting with Richard Chen to discuss plans for
O’Keefe and the Shelterbelt proposal.
Sudden Oak Death
Nothing new to report.
Next meeting: June 17, 2008
9:00 am – Parks & Recreation Building
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Byrne Preserve
Nothing new to report.
Riparian/Water/Creek Projects and Issues
Susan reported on the current state of the Adobe Creek Project. Construction has
officially broken ground, but the project is on hold while they wait for the nesting
birds to leave! They have a weekly biologist checking the site to approve
construction.
Wildlife Corridor Issues
Mary reported that MROSD has a new General Manager, Steve Abbors
(http://www.openspace.org/about_us/gm.asp)
She also reported that the Coyote Valley development is on hold, due to an
insufficient EIR, including the fact that it inadequately addressed wildlife
corridors. It was thought that the story of this development might be an
interesting public presentation, as an illustration that wildlife corridors are an
accepted aspect of planning, and an essential part of biodiversity.
It was reported that De Anza College has a new environmental building with a
diverse set of garden environments (redwood, wetland, desert) for study purposes,
and they did a study on Coyote Valley. It might be worth reaching out to this
department to learn of any other valuable educational opportunities.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am. Next meeting – June 17 at 9 am.
Submitted by: Roger Spreen