HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 16Next meeting: January 20, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of December 16, 2010
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward
Regrets: Roger Spreen, Chair, Sharen Schoendorf, Sue Welch
Guests: Council member Ginger Summit, Susan Mandle
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the November meeting were
approved .
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. Ongoing Business
Hidden Villa Update
Nothing new to report.
Creek Setbacks
The OSC discussed the possibility of recommending to Council larger creek
setbacks for subdivisions and large properties. While everyone agreed that this
was a good idea, it was recommended that we first determine how many
properties would be affected by a change to the creek setback. Nancy said that
she would bring the list of properties of more than 3 acres to the next
meeting in January.
Fencing Issues
The owner of a 5-acre parcel off Natoma is being allowed to construct perimeter
fencing (5' chain link fence) completely surrounding the property. This action has
prompted questions from members of the OSC and Environmental Design
Committee. Ginger offered to check with the planning staff to see if anything
could be done to prevent this. There was some discussion about the need to have
different fencing requirements for larger properties – perhaps requiring 5 or 10-
foot setbacks.
Next meeting: January 20, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Edith Park
Jean was concerned about the Harding grass (an invasive exotic) being planted in
Edith Park. Jean offered to contact Richard Chiu and recommend that this
grass be removed and replaced with native plants.
Open Space Properties
Nothing new to report
4.. New Business
Lehigh Cement – Quarry Expansion
Ginger provided background information on the Quarry expansion. Lehigh
Cement is the second largest quarry in the U.S. and began operation in 1932 as
the Kaiser Permanente Quarry. The Quarry has been held in violation of air
pollution standards by the EPA. Lehigh’s measurements of air pollution differ
significantly with the EPA’s. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District,
however, supports Lehigh’s contention that the pollutants are within a safe range.
Lehigh wants to open a second open pit mine on 200+ acres adjacent to the
current pit.
Ginger recommended that our committee sign up for a tour of the Lehigh facility.
She is particularly concerned about water pollution resulting from run-off.
The Committee members present supported Council member Jean Mordo’s
proposal for an independent analysis. The Committee also discussed the idea of a
public information meeting in January. Nancy will contact Council member
Gary Waldeck who is the Council-appointed representative to look into this
and to set up a meeting with Ginger.
A meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held in February to determine if the
expansion of the Quarry is a “vested right.”
Open Discussiion There was no time remaining for open discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am. Next meeting is scheduled for January 20th.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: January 20, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: January 20, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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