HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 17Next meeting: December 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Westwind Barn Meeting Room
Minutes of November 17, 2011
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Nancy Couperus, George Clifford, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean
Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Regrets: Karen Lemes, Roger Spreen, Council liaison Gary Waldeck
Guests: None
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the October meeting were
approved .
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. New Business
Mountain Lion Forum – All agreed that the Forum was a success – that the
speakers were all excellent. The Forum was video recorded and can be viewed on
the Town’s website. Nancy will write a brief paragraph on the mountain lion
forum, mentioning the speakers and website address, for the next Town
newsletter.
Outreach – Sue suggested that we invite outside speakers to Council meetings –
individuals who are authorities on subjects, such as creeks, corridors, etc. – to
inform Council about these important issues. For example, Friends of Adobe
Creek founder, Dr. Rick Lanman, environmental lawyer and SCVWD
representative, Brian Schmidt. The OSC thought this was an excellent idea.
4. Current Business
Wildlife Issues
Nancy passed out excerpts from a handbook entitled “Wildlife Crossings” –
published by Metro, Oregon – www.oregonmetro.gov Although the publication
deals primarily with creating wildlife crossings on busy roads in the Portland area,
it contains excellent information about permeability and fragmentation of habitat,
the importance of wildlife corridors. Nancy suggested that the OSC put together a
handbook for staff and new residents that would explain the importance of open
Next meeting: December 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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space easements, wildlife corridors, and creek protection. Sue, Alice, Sharen,
Jean, and Nancy will meet and put something together for consideration.
Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
Although Council member Gary Waldeck was unable to attend the OSC meeting
in person, he did relay the results of the fencing survey. The results were quite
positive with 88% of the respondents agreeing that preservation of the rural
atmosphere and wildlife was important, over 50% agreeing that gridding off of
the Town with property line fences was a concern, 50% willing to consider
limiting the ability to fence to a percentage of the lot (on 2 acres or more), 66%
willing to consider set backs from property lines (on 2 acres or more) and 73%
agreeing that there should be notification of neighbors when a nearby property
owner requests a permit to build a fence.
The fencing committee will meet on Tuesday, November 22nd, to consider
whether or not to move forward on possible amendments to the fencing
ordinance.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail –
Nothing new to report.
Mary Davey Memorial
Richard Chiu informed the Committee via an e-mail to Roger that the proposed
date of November 17th for transporting the boulder and plaque to Byrne Preserve
had been changed. Richard will let the OSC know when this will be rescheduled.
Land & Creek Management
Richard Chiu has written a note regarding a possible meeting with members of the
OSC and arborist Deborah Ellis. The OSC would like to request a meeting to
discuss the management of SOD in Town open space. Nancy will ask Roger to
contact Richard.
SOD
Sue announced the next SOD Blitz, which will occur on May 26, 2012. The
incidence of SOD in Los Altos Hills was 4% in 2010 and 19% in 2011. The
Next meeting: December 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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increase was due to weather conditions that were ideal for the spread of SOD.
Sue will do a short write-up of the SOD results for the March newsletter.
Open Space Easements/Conservation Easements
Nothing new to report.
Polystyrene Pollution
George Clifford asked that an additional paragraph be added to the letter going to
the Town. At the last OSC meeting George presented a draft letter to the City
Council requesting the use of recyclable, non-EPS food and beverage containers
at Town-sponsored or other events held on Town properties. George would like
to add a further recommendation:
“Notifying residents, contractors, schools, clubs, and other institutions that EPS
food and beverage containers are not recyclable, and that the Town discourages
their use.”
The Committee voted unanimously to include this additional statement.
Planning Projects – none discussed
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on
December 15, 2011.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: December 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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