HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18Next meeting: December 17, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of November 18, 2009
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Jean
Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Regrets: Patty Ciesla, Mary Davey
Guests: none
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am. The minutes of the July and September OSC
meetings were approved as written.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. Ongoing Business:
Sudden Oak Death
Sue reported on the SOD meeting, which was very well attended – upwards of 70
participants. She is working on a write-up for a possible Town-wide postcard
mailing and will send it on to Roger when it’s completed. Nancy said that she
would see about getting the meeting video up on the Hills 2000 website.
Roger will find out whether or not the oak trees in Byrne Preserve have been
sprayed this year.
Spiked Fences
Roger summarized the discussion of the Planning Commission on the issue of
spiked fencing. The PC voted 4-1 to approve the ordinance that would prohibit
spiked fences from being installed for new home construction and replacement
fencing that exceeds more than 50%. This item will be on the Town Council’s
December agenda.
Other Fencing Issues
Discussed under Open Space Properties
Open Space Properties
Stirling – Alice will look for the recommendations that she had put together
previously. Sue noted that there is an easement through the Stirling property for a
pathway. Although the Simon Lane path has been closed off, there is still an
existing pathway easement. Roger proposed that we put together our recom-
mendations so that they can be kept on file and ready for Town staff’s use.
Next meeting: December 17, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Byrne Preserve – Sue sent Richard Chiu a list of grasses to plant in that portion of
the Preserve that was mowed. The OSC would like to have an opportunity in
January or February to assess it. Sue is also concerned about the use of
Milestone, which will kill broad-leafed plants. She recommends mechanical
removal over herbicides. Roger will inform Richard that the OSC wants to be
kept involved.
Riparian/Water/Creek Projects & Issues
Nancy passed out some hand-outs from a local Watershed Conference that she,
Ginger and Jean attended.
Wildlife Habitat and Corridors Nothing to report.
Invasives
Nancy received an e-mail from Duffy Price with a concern about puncture vine.
A resident had written to Duffy and asked about the Town’s policy on invasives,
like puncture vine. Sue said that puncture vine is of limited invasiveness and is
not a threat to open space lands. Bikers often remove this weed from roadside
trails because they can cause tire punctures.
Road reflectors on Purissima
There is a concern that the road reflectors may increase car speeds. However, the
safety issue of helping drivers stay on the road is also a legitimate concern. The
OSC did not take a position on this issue.
Hidden Villa
There was informal discussion of the pros and cons of annexation.
Nicholson subdivision (off Magdalena)
The property is being subdivided into three parcels. There is a large open space
easement, which includes oak and chestnut woodland. The OSC was concerned
that there is adequate access for wildlife and that there is an outlet from the creek,
which will facilitate wildlife access from the creek to the open space area. Roger
will send an e-mail to Cynthia asking for an “open, land-based (i.e. no grade
separation/bridge) connection from the creek’s open space easement (the
west side of Hale Creek) to the pathway easement that leads to the large open
space easement area.”
OPEN DISCUSSION: There was no additional time for discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am. Next meeting is scheduled for December 17th.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: December 17, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: December 17, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
Page 4 of 4