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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 20OSC FINAL_Minutes14-0220.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Council Chambers FINAL Minutes of February 20, 2014 Members Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Roger Spreen, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch Members Absent: None Associate Members Present: Kit Gordon City Council Liaison Present: Gary Waldeck LAH Staff Present: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 9:05 am. Minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting were approved with no amendments. The agenda was approved as written. 2. Current Business A. Announcements i) Creek Ecology Seminar. On March 2 (3-5 PM at Town Hall) Rick Lanman and Junko Bryant will speak at a free public forum on historical ecology of streams in LA and LAH. This event is sponsored by Acterra, Friends of Adobe Creek, GreenTown Los Altos, and the LAH OSC. ii) Earth Day. This annual event will be held Sunday April 27 at Westwind Barn and feature the wild cats from Cats, Etc. Volunteers are needed to staff the OSC table. B. Creek setbacks and open space easements. LAH Planning Director, Debbie Pedro, clarified the difference between the LAH Creek Protection ordinance (10-2.702 e) and protections conferred by open space easements. OSEs are required to be free of structures and maintained in their natural state with native vegetation. The creek protection ordinance prohibits any structures within 25 feet of top of bank of all creeks, unless approved by the Planning Commission. Although the ordinance states that, “Safety concerns and preservation of riparian habitat are required to be simultaneously addressed when designing development…” it does not specifically require maintaining the riparian easement in a natural condition and/or using native riparian plants. Director Pedro also reported that they have copies of the conservation easement books for selected parcels that the OSC put together and use them when they include the parcels under review. C. Stirling subdivision. The revised OSC recommendation was sent to the Planning Department last month. D. Other Plan Reviews. None. E. Ticks. In January OSC submitted an informational article on ticks to the Town newsletter. NC moved that no further action be taken at this time. JS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. F. Coyotes in Byrne Preserve. The informational forum on coyotes featuring Dr. Camilla Fox of Project Coyote, was held on Feb 12, 2014 at Town Hall. About 80 residents attended and the program was videotaped and is available on-line at the Town web site. Dr. Fox reviewed coyote biology, ecology, and behavior and discussed evidence-based management methods to reduce potential human-wildlife conflict. She recommended signs and hazing brochures to alert visitors to the presence of coyotes in Byrne Preserve and educate them about appropriate behaviors (e.g., hazing) to reduce encounters. The sheriff will continue patrols for off-leash dogs. Members have received feedback from OSC FINAL_Minutes14-0220.docx 2 residents that the recommended hazing methods are effective and that more dogs are now on-leash. G. CEQA Update. Nothing to report. H. Lehigh Quarry Update. No new information on the amicus brief that LAH and other Towns are supporting. The RWQCB continues to actively monitor water quality violations. MROSD plans to appeal the suit they lost against the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. I. Open Space Stewardship Update. OSC members met with Richard Chiu, LAH Director of Public Works, to discuss the two proposals received in response to the RFP and to make recommendations for selection of a vendor (Acterra or ECI). Both staff and OSC agree that Acterra is more qualified to provide the services specified in the RFP. Council will vote on the decision at the Council meeting tonight. The draft OSC recommendations to Council were sent to members for review this week. KL moved that the OSC accept the OSC recommendation and send it to Council. NC seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor. Communications between the vendor and the Town were briefly discussed. J. Fence Permit Report. No issues for OSC for the two permits that were reviewed. K. O’Keefe Restoration Project. Nothing to report. L. Subcommittee report on Tree Cutting Policy in Byrne Preserve. Nothing to report. M Creek Signs in LAH. Signs at major creek crossings would increase public awareness of local creeks and enhance public safety in the event of floods by assuring residents know locations of nearby creeks. KG provided sample designs and OSC discussed pros and cons. Nine or ten crossings have been identified as potential sites. KG will consult with Richard Chiu about staff preferences and cost estimates. N. Proposed Roadway around Westwind Barn (WWB). This proposal has been abandoned. O. Review “charges and duties” of OSC. Deferred. P. Review “Guide to Standing Committees”. Chair distributed copies of Town guidelines for committees and asked members to read it carefully. 3. New Business A. Proposed Verizon cell tower in O’Keefe Open Space Preserve. Verizon apparently has abandoned this proposal. 4. Open Discussion. A. Conservation/Open Space Easement Database. Several years ago NC started a hard copy database with maps and descriptions from deeds for properties with existing conservation and open space easements and provided it to Town staff. A complete database would useful to the Planning Dept and OSC. B. Brown Act. Council Member Gary Waldeck reminded OSC members to attend a mandatory Town-sponsored seminar on the Brown Act to be held March 13, 2014 at Town Hall. The program will review ethics, potential conflicts of interest, and data retention laws. 5. Presentations from the Floor A. Yoriko Kishimoto (MROSD Board Member) reported that MROSD will place a bond measure on the June ballot to help fund capital improvements on their open space lands. Projects will increase access to open space lands, improve outdoor nature experience, preserve critical lands and habitats, and restore creeks and watersheds. B. Mr. Balson read a statement regarding coyotes in LAH. OSC FINAL_Minutes14-0220.docx 3 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM. Next Meeting: Thursday, March 20, 2014 9:00 AM at Town Hall Council Chambers Final minutes approved at the OSC meeting of March 27, 2014.