HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 21Next meeting: May 19, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of April 21, 2011
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Alice Sakamoto,
Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Regrets: Karen Lemes
Guests: Council member Jean Mordo, Residents Kjell Karlsson and Susan Mandle
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the March meeting were
approved .
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. New Business
Open Space Easements – education for homeowners and staff
The OSC discussed the need for a pamphlet on open space easements for both
homeowners and staff. Although the General Plan does provide information on
open space easements, the Committee felt that a separate pamphlet explaining the
history, goals, etc. was needed. It was suggested that a Q&A format be used, as
was done for the brochure on voluntary conservation easements. Sue moved that
the Committee move forward to put such a pamphlet together. The motion
passed unanimously.
4. Current Business
SOD Blitz
Sue gave the Committee an update on the publicity for the 3rd Annual SOD Blitz
scheduled on Saturday, May 28th at Town Hall.
Earth Day Celebration
Nancy reported that the Parks & Recreation Committee-sponsored Earth Day
celebration was a resounding success. She thanked the OSC members, Alice,
George, and Sharen, who helped staff the Open Space Committee table. Sharen
Next meeting: May 19, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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suggested that we ought to have a sheet explaining the goals of the Committee for
next year’s event. There was agreement that this should be done.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail
Nancy passed out a letter that was submitted to the Town by the OSC Chair,
Roger Spreen, on vegetated walls. Sue Welch had researched this possibility and
came up with arguments in favor of such a wall, along with photos of vegetated
walls. The OSC agreed that this was a good solution. Alice thought that there
was a wall on Page Mill Road between Peter Couts and Foothill Expressway
where a vegetated wall existed. Alice offered to look into this, as it would be
helpful to have a nearby example.
A joint meeting of Pathways and Open Space is planned for Monday evening,
May 23rd, at 7 pm to discuss the Stanford/Arastradero Trail.
Perimeter Fencing
Roger was asked by both Council members Mordo and Waldeck to speak at the
April 21st Council meeting about the need to review the fence ordinance,
especially as it concerns perimeter fencing. Roger responded that he would do
this.
Mary Davey Memorial
The Committee discussed the possible location for a tree in Byrne Preserve under
which a rock with a plaque could be placed. Jean Struthers suggested that the
buckeye mid-way up the hill of Byrne Preserve might make an ideal location.
Members agreed with Jean and the area will be investigated.
Wildlife Issues
Nothing new to report
Creek Issues
Nancy reported that an article for the Town newsletter has been submitted about
the newly-formed “Friends of Adobe Creek.”
Lehigh Cement – Quarry Expansion
Nothing new to report..
Next meeting: May 19, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Planning Topics
Planning project – 13456 S. Fork Lane (Stegner property)
Roger provided the background on this property – previously owned by Wallace
and Mary Stegner. The current owners have proposed a new two-story house,
which will be built pretty much within the current footprint. As the issue of
placing an open space easement on the steep sloped area of the property was met
with some resistance, three members of the OSC (Roger, Nancy, and Alice)
agreed to meet with the owners to try to find a solution. After it appeared that
there was an impasse over the issue of the driveway being included in the open
space easement, Roger informed the owners that he would present the issue at the
next OSC meeting at which time the owners would also be invited to attend.
After some discussion, the Committee decided that there were no special
circumstances in its opinion that would permit an exception to standard practice.
The following recommendation was made. Roger will pass this along to Associate
Planner, Brian Froelich.
The OSC does not find any specific conditions on this property that warrant
allowing exceptions to the Town’s standard policies on open space easements.
For this reason, the OSC does not support allowing lights, gates or other
accoutrements in the open space easement on this parcel. Furthermore, the OSC
supports adhering to the complete 30% sloped area to define the open space
easement boundaries, as is standard practice. The OSC also recommends
including a 10-foot connecting corridor to the adjacent property (lands of
Stirling) in the “less than 30% slope” area to assure future connectivity.
A vote was taken and the recommendation passed with 6 votes. Both Roger and
neighbor Sharen Schoendorf abstained.
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on
May 19th.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: May 19, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: May 19, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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