HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 13Minutes May 13 1
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building
Minutes of May 13, 2014
Members Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto (arrived
9:06 AM), Roger Spreen, Jean Struthers, Sue Welch
Members Absent: Sharen Schoendorf, Wendie Ward
Associate Members Present: Kit Gordon
City Council Liaison Present: Gary Waldeck
LAH Staff Present: Deborah Padovan, City Clerk
Members of the Public: Mike Wagner, Los Altos Hills Horseman’s Association and
Traffic Safety Committee
Kjell Karlsson, LAH Traffic Safety Committee
Bill Balson (Dori Lane)
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 am. Minutes of the April 10, 2014 meeting were
approved with typos amended (GC, NC, KL, RS, JS approved; SW abstained; AS not
present). The agenda was approved as written.
2. Current Business
A. Rules of decorum for visitors. Visitors are reminded that they must be recognized by the
Chair if they wish to address the committee.
i) Procedure for Site Visits and Plan Reviews. Chair distributed the edited version of the
proposed procedure OSC will follow for assessing properties under development for
which staff requests OSC review. (See attachment.) Deborah Padovan, City Clerk,
presented information about committee reviews required by the Town as part of the
development process and the procedures other committees (e.g., Environmental
Design and Pathways) follow to carry out the required reviews. The Town provides
72-hour notice to developers for site visits. OSC discussed issues (e.g., time required
to notify developers, access to parcel, review of records for existing easements) and
suggested that members doing the reviews work with the planning staff during the
process to facilitate communication and assure all issues are addressed.
ii) 26096 Todd Lane. KL and NC volunteered to lead the review.
iii) Ravensbury project (Lands of Pickett). Staff asked OSC to make recommendations
for riparian setbacks from the creek channels that run through this parcel. No
development plans were provided. OSC reviewed this parcel and discussed it with
staff in 2012 and recommended a standard 25-foot setback from top of bank.
Neighbors reported frequent water problems on the site and water was flowing in the
creek in May 2012. RS moved that OSC strongly recommend that the Town maintain
and enforce its existing guidelines and standards regarding land use near creeks for
lands of Pickett, including the 25-foot setback from top of bank. KL seconded and the
vote was five in favor (GC, KL, JS, AS, RS). (SW and NC left the room at 9:55 AM
at the start of the discussion to attend a Site Development meeting and returned after
the vote had been taken.)
iv) Other outstanding site reviews. None.
C. Announcements.
i) LAH Council endorses MidPeninsula Measure AA. At the Council meeting on June
3, 2014, the LAH City Council endorsed this $300M open space bond measure that
will be on the ballot in June.
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ii) SOD BLITZ. Sixth annual SOD BLITZ, organized by UC Berkeley researchers and
sponsored by the OSC, will be held Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Town Hall.
iii) Nature Walk at Byrne Preserve. An Acterra staff botanist will be leading an easy one-
mile, one-hour nature hike at Byrne on Thursday, May 22 starting at noon.
iv) Greywater Workshop. KG reported that GreenTown Los Altos will hold a seminar at
7 PM on June 4, 2014, at the Los Altos library discussing the water-saving potential
of greywater, as well as types of greywater systems, costs, regulations, and rebates.
D. Appointment of chair for June OSC meeting. RS will sub for GC, who will be absent.
E. Subcommittee report on Tree Cutting Policy in Byrne Preserve. KL distributed a draft
copy of the proposed policy prepared by the subcommittee and will send the document
via email. Members were asked to review it and bring edits to the June meeting.
F. Open Space Stewardship Update. Acterra is working with Richard Chiu, LAH Director of
Public Works, to schedule mowing several sections of the grassland to reduce seed
production from invasive weeds (e.g., mustard and yellow star thistle). A work party with
student volunteers from Pinewood School was held at the end of April. Regular
community workdays open to all volunteers will begin in May or June.
G. Earth Day Update. Deferred.
H. Lehigh Quarry Update. Deferred.
I. Fence Permit Report. No reported issues.
J. Update of Coyote Alert Signs in Byrne Preserve. The Town placed display boxes at
several entrances to Byrne Preserve for signs and informational brochures to alert visitors
to the presence of coyotes and to educate them about appropriate behaviors (e.g., hazing)
to reduce encounters. Because coyote pups are present now, this information should be
made available now. Additional signs are needed at the Moody Road and Byrne Park
Lane entrances Also, someone continues to remove the signs warning dog walkers about
coyotes that are posted at trail entrances at Westwind Barn and Altamont. RS moved that
the OSC ask NC to request staff to place additional coyote alert information at the Moody
Road and Byrne Park Lane entrances. KL seconded and the vote was unanimously in
favor.
K. Creek Signs in LAH. KG reported that Town staff supports the proposal to place signs at
major creek crossings and prefers metal signs rather than wooden signs and signs
attached to existing structures, rather than signs on new posts.
3. New Business.
A. Bicycles and Horses in Byrne Preserve. Mike Wagner, Vice President of the LAH
Horseman’s Association, reported increasing complaints from equestrians using trails in the
preserve about their horses being frightened by speeding trail bikers who do not appear to be
aware of basic trail etiquette and right-of-way rules (i.e., bikes yield to pedestrians and
horses; pedestrians yield to horses). He explained that as prey animals, horses are frightened
by rapidly approaching objects, which they instinctually perceive as a predator, and may bolt,
rear, or kick in response. He noted that this is a serious safety concern, especially on steep,
narrow trails (e.g., Artemis Ginzton trail) and asked OSC for help. In May, OSC received a
letter from a horseman reporting similar complaints about mountain bikes failing to yield and
spooking horses. NC distributed a letter requesting the Town place signs at several locations
in Byrne to inform bikers that horses and hikers may be sharing the trails and to yield the
ROW to them. OSC discussed safety and liability concerns and possible actions to reduce
hazards (e.g., signs to educate bikers about ROW and how to safely approach horses; traffic
calming devices). JS moved that OSC ask the Town to place a set of three logs on the
Artemas Ginzton trail spaced so they are horse and pedestrian permeable but will be difficult
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for bikes to pass over. KL seconded and the vote was 5 in favor (NC, KL, AS, JS, RS) and 2
opposed (GC—questioned feasibility; SW--preferred signs, considered logs dangerous).
4. Open Discussion.
A. KL suggested OSC provide an information table at the LAH Pathway Run next year.
5. Communications from the Floor. None
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM.
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 19, 2014
9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building
Attachments: OSC Proposed Site Visit Check List
Draft Tree Cutting Policy
Letter and Map Regarding Bike on Artemis Ginzton Trail