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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 20Next meeting: July 18, 2013 8:50 am – Council Chambers Page 1 of 5 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Council Chambers Minutes of June 20, 2013 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: Roger Spreen, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Council liaison Gary Waldeck, Planning Commissioner Susan Mandle Regrets: Karen Lemes Guests: Bill Leikam, Chris Taeleman Staff: none 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 8:50 am. The minutes of the April meeting were approved as written. 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: 3. Planning Projects:  25550 Moody Road (Variance for Shed) Chris Taeleman, who resides at 25550 Moody Road, explained the shed situation on her property. Adobe Creek is at the back of her home where there is an open space easement. A 10’x12’ utility shed was constructed in the setback as well as in the open space easement. No structures are allowed in open space easements. The lot is highly constrained, even though the existing house is relatively small by today’s standards. Chris is requesting a variance. As strongly as the OSC wishes to discourage structures within open space easements or riparian easements (which is forbidden by LAH ordinances), the shed in the easement appears to be a unique situation and is not overly impactful to the easement. Due to the constrained nature and configura- tion of the lot, the OSC does not object to granting a variance for the existing shed in the open space/riparian easement on this property. The vote was unanimously in favor. Next meeting: July 18, 2013 8:50 am – Council Chambers Page 2 of 5  Middle Fork Lane Project The issue with the proposed development at 13000 Middle Fork Lane is preservation of the grove of oak trees on a very steep slope. The owner of the property wants to remove 6 trees in this grove, three of which the arborist says are in poor condition. A 10-foot wall in back of the proposed house could compromise the remaining trees. The OSC discussed the open space easement and unanimously agreed that the signature grove of trees should be protected – to protect the trees themselves; to preserve connection of the easement to the existing easement on the adjacent property; and to protect the grove from the signi- ficant grading proposed right up against the grove. If the Town permits removal of oaks in the proposed easement and grove, the OSC recommends requiring a 30-foot extension of the easement to connect with the easement at the southern end. A proposed new septic system ordinance at the County level that reduces the area needed for septic lines was discussed. Although not applicable in Los Altos Hills, it’s possible that the County ordinance might eventually be adopted by Los Altos Hills. Roger will write up the OSC response and forward it to Nicole. 4. Open Space Management  Byrne Preserve Stewardship Proposal Sue reported that the Los Altos County Fire Commission approved a $5,000 contribution to the Stewardship Fund after having made two presentations before the Commission. Sue passed out a flyer on broom, an invasive weed, that is proliferating in Byrne Preserve and which forms highly flammable stands of brush and creates ladders, carrying fire to the canopy. Sue sent the proposal to the Town, which also set aside $50,000 in its budget this year for the Stewardship Fund. A number of residents and organizations sent in letters to the Town expressing support. Sue stressed the importance of community involvement and education. She has researched 4 or 5 different restoration groups and has informed the Town that she is prepared to work on the RFP with Town staff. Roger thanked Sue for her work on this project. Next meeting: July 18, 2013 8:50 am – Council Chambers Page 3 of 5  O’Keefe Open Space Preserve – SCVWD Grant Project The Santa Clara Valley Water District awarded a grant to the Town of Los Altos Hills for the Purissima Creek/O’Keefe Preserve Restoration Project. The project ranked #2 and, if approved at its June 25th meeting, the Town will receive a grant of slightly under $100,000 for the project. The OSC also discussed using the expertise of the organization that ends up doing open space restoration to make recommendations on the time for mowing the star thistle and other invasives in the O’Keefe Preserve. Sue will also ask the Pathways Committee to consider using some of its funding for pathways in this open space preserve. 5. Current Business  Forum Recap: Shooting Wildlife in Los Altos Hills Nancy reported that approximately 35 people attended the Forum. Charles Knowles and Dr. Rodney Jackson were excellent speakers. The Forum was recorded and can be found on the Town’s website. Bill Leikam who attended the forum commented on the new information he learned as a result of attending the meeting. Bill is doing research on the grey fox and offered to make a presentation at a future forum.  Plastic Bag Ordinance Nothing new to report.  Heritage Tree Subcommittee Sharen requested that the OSC identify signature trees when it visits properties.  CEQA Update The Steinberg bill has moved from the Senate to the Assembly and is expected to pass this year. The bill has some good features but could always be amended at the end of the legislative session. The bill that would have required EIR’s to consider the effects of the physical environment of projects (flood plains, earthquake faults, etc.) has become a 2-year bill, meaning that it will not be considered this year. Next meeting: July 18, 2013 8:50 am – Council Chambers Page 4 of 5  Request to Amend OSC Charges Nothing new to report. 6. Open Discussion – There was no time left for open discussion. The next Open Space meeting is scheduled on July 18, 2013. Submitted by Nancy Couperus Next meeting: July 18, 2013 8:50 am – Council Chambers Page 5 of 5