HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15Next meeting: January 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Westwind Barn Meeting Room
Minutes of December 15, 2011
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Nancy Couperus, George Clifford, Karen Lemes, Alice
Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Council liaison
Gary Waldeck
Regrets: None
Guests: Associate Member, Susan Mandle, Eric Biland (KHA), Peter Murray (Thomas
Klope Associates)
Staff: Richard Chiu, Debbie Pedro, Cynthia Richardson
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: Representatives of Dr. Wadhwani – Eric
Biland and Peter Murray – were introduced to the Committee.
3. New Business
Planning Project: Wadhwani/Barron Creek Realignment
Roger briefly summarized what was being proposed for a portion of Barron
Creek, which passes through the Wadhwani property at 28170 Fremont Road.
Eric Biland of Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. outlined the history and plans for a
realignment of the creek. He explained that the Town had concerns about
sediment build-up in the channel, which could create flood control issues. Dr.
Wadhwani offered to help with this effort but also had an interest in moving and
realigning the creek. According to Eric their plan would be an “environmental
solution” that would restore the channel to handle a 100-year event, replace the
rock lining with a plant lining, re-vegetate the banks with natives and add bends
to slow the flow. The existing creek channel is 17’ wide and would be narrowed
to 14’ by removal of rip rap.
Susan Mandle recommended removal of hardscape rock at a couple of bends
where she thought rocks were unnecessary. Karen Lemes said that she would
prefer to see some water allowed to sink into the ground rather than be carried
away. Concern was raised by several OSC members about the Town’s
requirement that there be a 25-foot setback from the top of bank. The concern is
Next meeting: January 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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that if this project is allowed, without complying with the requirement, that it
would be setting a very bad precedent.
Councilman Waldeck asked the Town staff members who were present to look
into this. Planning Director Debbie Pedro said that staff would discuss this with
the Town’s attorney.
The consensus of members of the OSC (and expressed by Susan Mandle) was that
the total easement for the finished project should not be narrower than what
currently exists – that it should be expanded to 25 feet from top of bank. The
Committee did feel that the project otherwise appeared to be excellent and would
definitely be an improvement on what currently exists.
Outreach – Nancy reported that she had made a brief statement at the last
Council meeting about the successful mountain lion forum.
4. Current Business
Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
Gary summarized the survey results and informed the OSC that Nancy had been
added on as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee is making
progress on issues covered in the survey.
Land & Creek Management
Polystyrene foam prohibition – George plans to meet with Debbie Pedro
concerning the proposed ordinance. Gary suggested that it would be a good idea
to come up with actual ordinance wording. George said that he would do this.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail –
Nothing new to report.
Mary Davey Memorial
The memorial plaque/bolder has been put in place beneath the buckeye tree in
Byrne Preserve. A gathering of friends and family is planned for the morning of
Earth Day – Sunday, April 22nd.
Next meeting: January 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Open Space Easements and Conservation Easements
Nancy said that a subcommittee would try to meet after Christmas to go over the
draft document on open space easements and wildlife corridors. Nancy will set
this up.
SOD
Nothing new to report.
Planning Projects – Discussed above.
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on
January 19, 2011.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: January 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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