HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 21Next meeting: July 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Council Chambers
Minutes of June 21, 2012
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice
Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Council liaison
Gary Waldeck
Regrets: None
Guests: Susan Mandle
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the May meeting were
approved as written.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. New Business
Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Fencing – Roger plans to give the Town
Council a status update on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Committee to determine whether
or not there is Council support to move forward. The fencing issue was first
brought to the Council in April of 2011. Roger summarized what has been
accomplished since that time – the Town fence survey, neighbor notification for
new fences, investigation into the fencing rules of neighboring towns, a
recommendation for fence setbacks on larger properties. Roger will ask for
direction from the Council.
Survey of 2+ acre property fencing – Sue Welch has done an informal survey of
fencing on properties of 2 acres and more. She reported that of the properties she
has looked at – only 10% are fully fenced to wildlife. In the majority of cases,
perimeters are not fully fenced. 80% of fenced properties are west of 280.
SCVWD Ballot Measure Proposal – The Santa Clara Valley Water District has
asked the Town of Los Altos Hills to support putting a measure (for water quality
and flood control) on the ballot that would extend its existing parcel tax that is set
to expire in a few years. After some discussion, the OSC agreed that the Water
District’s goals are in sync with those of the Open Space Committee and that it
would be the recommendation of the OSC to support the ballot measure. George
Clifford and Sharen Schoendorf supported the measure going to the ballot but did
not support the measure.
Next meeting: July 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Mount Umunhum Radar Tower - George provided background on this issue.
MROSD has purchased the property as open space and is soliciting input on the
radar tower – whether to preserve it or remove it.
4. Current Business
2012 SOD Blitz – According to Sue, eighteen people returned samples of bay
leaves, which have been sent to the Berkeley lab. Sue presented George Clifford
with an award for turning in the largest number of samples.
Creek/Riparian Document for Planning - Debbie Pedro has promised to
comment on the creek document. It was also suggested that the SCVWD be
asked to comment on the document. The Committee agreed that this was an
excellent idea.
.
Planning Projects –
Ravensbury Avenue Project (near creek). Roger reported that the staff had
agreed with the OSC that the creek on the property is Loyola Creek and requires
the usual creek protections. The OSC still needs to make a determination on
where the open space easement should go. This is a constrained property. A
representative of the property owner has expressed interest in meeting with the
Open Space Committee.
Wadhwani/Barron Creek Alteration. The owner of the property has submitted
a permit modification application to move the approval location of Barron Creek
back towards the main property by about 15 feet. The reason for doing so is to
allow more buildable area on the adjacent lots.
26991 Taaffe Road – The OSC recommends an open space easement on this very
steep creek property beginning at the 630 contour line. Roger was scheduled to
meet with Nicole immediately after the meeting to convey the recommendation in
person.
Creekside Homeowner’s Workshop - There wasn’t time to discuss this.
Rest/Social areas in open space – There wasn’t time to discuss this.
Town Open Space Properties (Byrne Preserve Stewardship) - There wasn’t
time to discuss this.
5. Open Discussion - There was no time for open discussion. The next OSC meeting
will be held on July 19, 2012
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: July 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: July 19, 2012
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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