HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 17
OSC FinalMinutes13-1017.doc 1
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Council Chambers
FINAL Minutes of October 17, 2013
Members Present: Roger Spreen, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice
Sakamoto, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Members Absent: Sharen Schoendorf
Associate Members Present: Kit Gordon
City Council Liaison: Gary Waldeck
Planning Commissioner: Susan Mandle
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am. Minutes of the September meeting were approved
with minor amendments. The agenda was approved as written.
2. Presentations from the Floor ---None
3. Old Business
A. Plastic Bag Ordinance. OSC Council liaison Gary Waldeck reported that Town staff will
convey information about the LAH plastic bag ordinance to developers when they apply
for a business license in the Town and will ask mobile food trucks to voluntarily stop
using plastic bags.
B. CEQA Update. Nancy Couperus reported that 28 bills affecting CEQA were introduced
to state legislature, but only three were passed and those were made 2-year bills (AB380,
AB543, AB743). Legislation to expedite building of the new Kings’ stadium in
Sacramento was introduced as AB743 as a “gut and amend” bill in the last four days of
the session. Two days later new rules on how traffic impacts are measured and an
expansion of the types of projects that can be tiered off already certified projects were
also added. AB743 was made a two-year bill and passed both houses. A summary is
available at the Planning and Conservation League web site:
http://www.pcl.org/projects/ceqa.html.
C. Lehigh Quarry Update. Council Liaison Gary Waldeck reported that the Town of LAH
voted to join Los Altos, Atherton, and Breathe California in the amicus brief filed by
MROSD supporting a legal appeal challenging a February 2011 decision by the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors that Lehigh Cement has vested rights to mine on
approximately 13 of 19 parcels at the cement facility and quarry.
D. Open Space Management
1. Open Space Stewardship. Sue Welch reported that Town Public Works Director,
Richard Chiu and staff have not yet made comments on the revised RFP sent to them
last month. She will send a reminder this week.
2. O’Keefe Preserve plans. Work on restoration of Purissima Creek using SCVWD
grant fund will start in the fall
E. Review of Fence Permit Applications. OSC requested to review fence applications
during the 10-day period when courtesy notices are sent to affected neighbors. City
Manager Carl Cahill said Council approval and a change in OSC charter are not needed
and approved this activity. OSC goal is information only (e.g., document fencing
projects to help understand types and styles of fencing being used and potential effects
OSC FinalMinutes13-1017.doc 2
on wildlife and conservation easements). Alice Sakamoto and Sue Welch volunteered to
help review permits.
F Annual Pathways Walk/Run Cleanup. Nancy Couperus spoke with event organizers, who
agreed to clear all streamers from the Preserve after the next race.
G. Seed Collection at Byrne Preserve. David Thomson, Senior Ecologist at the San
Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) collected seed of Hayfield tarweed (a species
of Hemizonia) for several days from Byrne Preserve. The seed will be used in several
restoration sites, including Cooley Landing.
H. Tree Policy for Open Space. Director of Public Works, Richard Chiu, requested that OSC
develop a formal tree policy to help guide tree management in Town OSPs. Karen Lemes
reported the subcommittee met this month. They reviewed policies in other jurisdictions,
discussed specific needs for LAH, and concluded that tree surveys would be valuable in
understanding baseline conditions in the OSPs. LAH resident Heather Knight will be
invited to attend the next meeting on Oct 29.
I. Creek signs in LAH. Kit Gordon showed creek signs that Acterra has placed at several
major creek crossings in Palo Alto. OSC discussed pros and cons of creek-crossing signs
and members were asked to provide a list of possible locations at the next meeting
J. Property at 27755 Central Drive. Kit Gordon will write a letter (as an individual) to the
owners of this property to explore whether they have interest in creating an open space or
conservation easement on this property adjacent to Byrne Preserve.
4. New Business
A. Development Plan Reviews. The following properties were reviewed at request to Town
Planning Staff: 24874 Olive Tree Drive. The reason for pathway review is an addition
and remodel. The homeowner was not present. The property is an irregularly shaped lot
on the south side of Olive Tree Drive that drops steeply down a heavily wooded slope.
Maps show a tributary of Permanente Creek at the bottom of this ravine. A concrete-line
drainage channel runs down the slope. The OSC recommended WHAT? Lower part of
the property should be placed in open space easement?
B. Bluebird house in O’Keefe. OSC discussed pros, cons, and politics of replacing the
bluebird nest box near the picnic area that was destroyed by vandals. It is not clear if
Council approval is needed for such improvements. No decision was made.
C. Committee to Address Water Conservation on Fremont Road Path. Kit Gordon reported
that several members of the LAH Water Conservation Committee have formed an
informal group to explore whether landscaping on the newly installed Fremont “Safe
Routes to School” paths can be modified to use less water and to conform better with
usual Town pathway standards. Sue Welch will inform Pathway Committee about the
group.
D. Leash Law Enforcement. Members report continued complains of off-leash dogs in
Byrne Preserve, including dog-walkers with multiple off-leash dogs. The OSC discussed
possible methods for improving adherence to this Town ordinance.
E. Lyme Disease Informational Materials. Deferred to next meeting
F. Creekside Neighbors Workshop. Kit Gordon is working with Acterra and GreenTown Los
Altos to organize a workshop to educate residents about how to care for creeks. The free
event will be held March 2, 2014 and will cover topics such as the importance of riparian
habitats, storm water management, appropriate planting along creeks, and how actions on
one property affect upstream and downstream properties.
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OSC FinalMinutes13-1017.doc 3
G SCVWD Grants. Kit Gordon reported a new SCVWD grant cycle with submission
deadline in late November. She sent info to Town planning staff and all Town
committees. Feasibility of submitting a proposal was discussed.
H Dog Park in O’Keefe Preserve. A suggestion has been made (outside the OSC) that
O’Keefe be used for a dog park. This use is not allowed for designated Open Space
Preserves. The committee voted unanimously to reject the proposal of a dog park in
O’Keefe Open Space Preserve.
5. Open Discussion
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 AM.
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 14, 2013 (one week earlier than usual)
9:00 AM at Town Hall Council Chambers
Respectfully submitted by Sue Welch (11/11/13)
Approved 11/14/13