HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 19Next meeting: February 16, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Council Chambers
Minutes of January 19, 2012
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice
Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Sue Welch, Council liaison Gary Waldeck
Regrets: Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward
Guests: Associate Member, Susan Mandle, resident Gina Lam
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the December meeting were
approved as amended.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Gina Lam - 24100 Hillview Road
3. New Business
Planning Projects:
Glassman Driveway (formerly Crozier-Hogle) – The OSC voted unanimously to
support the proposed permeable driveway on the Glassman property. The
proposal is very much in keeping with the spirit of the conservation easement.
24100 Hillview Road (corner of Hillview and Magdalena) – The owner of this
property, Gina Lam, provided background information on the property and the
fencing. The fence was built originally without a Town permit.
Hale Creek runs across the property and a 7 ½ foot perimeter fence has been
constructed next to the creek – at some points on the creek bank. There is a 60’
wide easement for flood control. Additionally, the creek is in an Open Space
Conservation Area and nearby properties have creek easements.
The current owner recognizes that the fence will have to be removed in order to
conform to Town requirements and asked about plantings to replace the fence.
Susan Mandle offered to show the owner plants that could be used in the riparian
area. Karen mentioned that Acterra could also provide planting advice.
Susan pointed out a potential risk with a foot bridge on a neighboring property.
Should the bridge collapse and wash away, it could create downstream flooding
Next meeting: February 16, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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and erosion. Roger will discuss the bridge with Nicole, as this is a liability issue
for the Town.
A motion was made recommending the standard 25’ easement from top of bank
be upheld, that native plantings be encouraged, along with a request for the Town
code enforcement officer to check the problems that were observed, including the
bridge on the adjacent property. The motion passed unanimously.
26958 DeZahara – Members of the OSC visited the property. This is a sloped lot
with an existing creek. The recommendation by the OSC was the standard 25’
from top of bank open space easement.
Earth Day – Nancy explained the liability concerns of the City with the Live Cat
demonstration at Earth Day. However, the concerns have been addressed and the
cats will again be featured on Sunday, April 22nd – Earth Day at Westwind Barn.
4. Current Business
Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
Roger provided an update. At the last meeting the process for neighbor
notification was amended. Letters will be sent by the Town to neighbors affected
by a proposed fence. Some ambiguities in the fence ordinance were also
addressed. Roger discussed a loophole in “repairing” fences that was revealed in
the Hillview fencing case. The staff will consider how to fix this.
OSC members recommended that stakes and string showing the location of a
proposed fence should be considered by the Ad Hoc Fencing Committee.
Nancy asked Roger to check with Debbie Pedro on the statement that has
appeared from time to time about no fences crossing a creek or riparian area.
Roger will check into this.
Land & Creek Management
Polystyrene Policy – George will make a short presentation at the Council
meeting on this topic – requesting a ban on these non-recyclable containers.
.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail –
Nothing new to report.
Mary Davey Memorial
Next meeting: February 16, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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There will be a gathering of friends and family of Mary Davey in the morning of
April 22nd in Byrne Preserve.
Open Space Easements and Conservation Easements
Nancy passed out copies of the draft document on Open Space Easements. At the
next OSC meeting the final copy will be presented to OSC members for approval.
SOD
Nothing new to report.
Planning Projects – Discussed above.
5. Open Discussion
Gary reported that he had learned that the four proposed bridges on the Wadhwani
property had been “collapsed” to one 5 ft. foot bridge.
The next OSC meeting will be held on February 16, 2011.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: February 16, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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