HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 16Next meeting: March 15, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Council Chambers
Minutes of February 16, 2012
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen
Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Sue Welch, Council liaison Gary Waldeck
Regrets: George Clifford, Wendie Ward
Guests: Associate Member, Susan Mandle
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the January meeting were
approved.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. New Business
Planning Projects:
13000 Middle Fork Lane
The OSC reviewed the proposed development at 13000 Middle Fork Lane. The
development appears to be at odds with the principles of the General Plan and
therefore unacceptable as now proposed. Although a 3+ acre lot, it is highly
sloped (over 30%), forested at the steepest point with mature oak trees, some of
which are heritage oaks. It is additionally a significant habitat area for wildlife,
and the property lies within an Open Space Conservation Area.
The Committee unanimously recommended rejection of the current plan, which
conflicts with the Los Altos Hills General Plan and recommends requiring an
open space easement over the existing oak grove on the steep hillside.
Earth Day – Nothing new to report.
4. Current Business
Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
Next meeting: March 15, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Roger provided a status report on the last fencing committee meeting. He
explained that the Town will be notifying adjacent neighbors when a new fence is
going to be constructed to give them an opportunity to react before a fence is
installed. The recommendation from the OSC to place stakes and string to
demarcate the fence location was also discussed and approved.
Gary directed Roger and the OSC to come up with a recommendation for fencing
that would protect wildlife movement. Roger and Nancy are to address this. Eric
Clow and Denise Williams will consider the problem of perimeter fence gridding.
Roger referenced a zoning requirement in Saratoga, which he thought could be a
possible approach:
Wildlife trails. No fence shall unreasonably impede the movement of wildlife
animals utilizing an established trail or migratory route which crosses the site.
Sue pointed out that federal law requires the Town to conserve and manage local
wildlife in the same way that other natural resources are conserved.
Roger agreed to set up a special meeting in advance of the next fence
committee meeting – to come up with some fencing recommendations.
Land & Creek Management
Polystyrene Policy – The new ordinance is on the February 16th Council agenda.
It is expected to pass. Congratulations to George who first brought this to the
Committee and followed through with the Town.
.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail –
Nothing new to report.
Mary Davey Memorial
Nothing new to report.
Open Space Easements and Conservation Easements
Nancy passed out copies of the final document on Open Space Easements. At the
next OSC meeting the document will be presented to OSC members for approval.
Nancy also presented Roger with two versions of the Wildlife Habitat document,
which the subcommittee had worked on. Roger will work on this document so
that it can be presented to the OSC at the next scheduled meeting.
Next meeting: March 15, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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SOD
Nothing new to report.
Planning Projects – Discussed above.
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for open discussion.
The next OSC meeting will be held on March 15, 2012.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: March 15, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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