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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 11OSC Final_Minutes15-0611.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting June 11, 2015 Members Present: Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Roger Spreen, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch Members Absent: George Clifford, Kit Gordon (Associate Member), City Council Liaison Absent: Gary Waldeck Member of Public Present: Kjell Karlsson (10:10 am) 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes A. Roll Call. RS called meeting to order at 9:03 am. B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the May 14, 2014 Regular Meeting were approved without amendments. (NC moved; AS seconded; NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW voted in favor; SW abstained.) 2. Continuing Business A. Byrne Preserve i) Open Space Stewardship Goals for 2015-16. A major goal for the next year is transfer of knowledge to Town staff and work crew and development a long-term maintenance plan for managing the preserves. OSC will work with Acterra to prepare a guidebook for staff that includes information about routine tasks required to maintain the preserves. ii) Conservation Grazing Management. OSC scheduled a visit from Sheila Barry, UC Extension Services, Sheila Barry, UC Cooperative Extension Bay Area Natural Resources/Livestock Manager to look over the Byrne grassland and advise on conservation grazing. Ms. Barry can provide expert advice about the status of the grassland and ideas about how the site can be improved for both horses and natural resources. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Invitees include Acterra staff, Torie Dye and Deborah McCarley from WWB, Sarah Gaultieri from Parks and Rec, Public Works staff, and OSC members. Cost will be Ms. Barry’s transportation (driving from San Jose). iii) SCVWD Grant. Acterra is preparing a grant for the Town to submit to SCVWD for bank stabilization and revegetation of the eroding tributary of Moody Creek that runs through the grassland in Byrne Preserve. KL suggested the project be designed to slow water flow through the area. OSC discussed the possible need for a hydrology study and for a temporary fence or other barrier (e.g., Baccharis hedge) to protect restoration plantings from horse grazing and will seek advice from Acterra, Ms. Barry, and other professionals. iv) Off-Leash Dogs in Byrne. No recent observations. Sheriff’s Deputy continues patrols. v) SOD Prevention and Bay Removal. Deferred. vi) Limiting Biking in Byrne Preserve. OSC discussed the possibility of prohibiting mountain bikes on trails within Byrne Open Space Preserve, except on the fire road connecting Central Drive to Moody Court. The primary rationale is safety for horses and pedestrians. A draft letter to Council was distributed and reviewed (Attachment A). An excerpt from the Bicycle Transportation Design section of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual (Attachment B), which advises against allowing bikes and horses to share multi-use trails, and a list of regulations limiting bicycling in local open space areas and state and county parks were also reviewed (Attachment B, C, D). JS moved that the chair send the OSC draft statement about limiting bike use in Byrne Preserve to Council Liaison, Gary Waldeck for review and advice on submitting it to Council. NC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). D. Creek Signage. Deferred. E. Our Town articles. The file of historical information about Albert Barnitz Byrne will be returned to NC who will seek an author for the article on this interesting LAH resident. OSC Final_Minutes15-0611.docx 2 4. New Topics A. Trail Camera Project. NC recently attended a conference in Denver on urban wildlife and met a Stanford researcher who has done a camera trapping study of coyotes in Portland and may be able to advise on a local project. She also identified lesson plans for middle school students that can be adapted for our area. OSC is still seeking contacts at local schools. B. Creek Setbacks. A suggestion was made at the May OSC meeting that the Planning Department require developers to mark creek setbacks with story poles or wildlife-permeable fencing at the time story poles are erected for a proposed house and/or during construction (as is done to protect heritage oaks). Developers and construction workers are often unaware of creek setbacks. SS and SW volunteered to research policies in LAH and other local jurisdictions. NC moved that the OSC move forward to seek amendment of LAH ordinances to require developers to stake creek setbacks during construction. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). C. On-Line Reporting of Coyote Sightings. OSC discussed initiating an on-line system for reporting coyote sightings in the Town. A draft form was reviewed and edited (Attachment E). This would help identify potential problem animals and educate the public about coyotes. OSC will seek input on this proposal from Council Liaison, Gary Waldeck, and the City Manager. 3. Planning A. Fence Permits. None reported B. Site Plan Reviews. OSC reviewed the following plans as requested by Planning Department: i) 13410 La Cresta Drive. Development plans show a steep slope over the back of the parcel. Numbers on contour lines are not legible. JS moved that OSC recommend placing an OSE over the steep back slope beginning at the contour line that runs through the 22”oak below the retaining wall. NC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). Chair RS will convey the recommendation to Planning Department. ii) 13000 Middle Fork Lane. OSC reviewed plans for development of this parcel in June 2013 and recommended OSE be placed over the grove of mature oaks on the steep upper hillside in the northeast corner. The revised plans do not appear to show all trees slated for removal and still affect the grove of oaks on the step steep slope in the NE corner. Although the new plans are somewhat improved, the developers are still removing the largest mature oaks on the parcel and the remaining trees are so close to the house that they are likely at risk. 5. Communications from the Floor. None. 6. Open Discussion. A. Art in Open Space Preserves. OSC discussed forming a policy to address requests for placement of art objects in Town-owned open space preserves. B. Celebration of Local Artists. KL will host a coffee in August (date TBD) honoring local artists, Meryl Urdang and OSC member Jean Struthers, whose nature-inspired work is featured in the June 2015 Town newsletter. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, July 9, 2015 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: OSC letter to Council Requesting Limited Bike Use in Byrne Preserve Attachment B: Bicycle Transportation Design section of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual Attachment C: Bike Use Regulations in Parks and Open Space Areas in LAH Area Attachment D: Map of Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve Attachment E: Draft Report Form for Coyote Sightings Final minutes approved as amended at the regular meeting of the Open Space Committee July 9, 2015 AttachmentA_BikesinByrne15-0612 10/16/2015 1 At their regular meeting on June 11, 2015, the Open Space Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Town of Los Altos Hills prohibit bicycle use throughout Byrne Open Space Preserve, except on the fire road connecting Central Drive to Moody Court. BACKGROUND After receiving complaints in April 2014 about cyclists in Byrne Preserve spooking horses, the City Council voted to install signage in four different locations within Byrne Preserve notifying cyclists that they need to yield to pedestrians and equestrians. Unfortunately, the signage has not prevented bikers from careening down steep and windy slopes at breakneck speed, imperiling hikers, walkers, and equestrians. These continued incidents lead us to conclude that bicycle use is incompatible with safe management of the Preserve. RATIONALE FOR CLOSING BYRNE PRESERVE TO CYCLISTS Safety is the primary rationale. The Caltrans Highway Design Manual regarding design for mixed-use trails (Chapter 1000 - Bicycle Transportation Design) states that trails not meeting Class 1 standards should not be signed as bicycle trails and warns – for safety reasons – against allowing bicycles and horses to share the same pathway. The Caltrans Design Manual also explains horse behavior on trails (1003.4 – Trails, see attached), underscoring that horses have a flight response that can lead to serious injury to both horse and rider. While you can get a horse “trail ready,” you can never train the flight response out of a horse. Secondly, bikes on narrow, winding trails or on any steep terrain cause significant environmental damage. Unlike walkers or equestrians, bicycles accelerate erosion by creating a continuous tire track, creating a rill into which water flows. Bicycle tires rip the soil when cyclists speed downhill, lock brakes around sharp corners, or dig in for uphill traction. Disturbances to both the vegetation in these protected open spaces and also the wildlife seeking refuge in them are additional environmental concerns. Preserves are intended for quiet, low-impact recreation where people can enjoy peace and quiet in a natural setting without worrying that a speeding bike may be around the next corner. AttachmentA_BikesinByrne15-0612 10/16/2015 2 Limiting bicycle use in the preserve will not significantly reduce recreational opportunities for off-road biking in LAH. The Town has over 90 miles of pathways outside of Byrne that are accessible for bicycle use. In addition, nearby MROSD lands provide 220 miles of trails open for biking. Finally, it should be noted that prohibiting cycling in Byrne Preserve would bring us in line with the policies in state and county parks and MROSD. Most state and county parks in Santa Clara and San Mateo County restrict bicycles to paved roads or fire roads. MROSD has specifically prohibited cycling in all the areas immediately adjacent to Los Altos Hills. In all their Rancho San Antonio preserves (which run contiguous to LAH), they only permit cycling east of Deer Hollow Farm (in Cupertino). AttachmentC_Bike_Regs_on_Trails15-0602 1 Bike Use Regulations in Parks and Open Space Areas in LAH Area Park/Open Space Preserve County Acres Trail Miles Bike Regulations State Parks (all in county) Henry Coe State Park Santa Clara 87,000 250 No bikes allowed in the 23,300 acres that are wilderness area. Bikes allowed on roads and some trails in non-wilderness area Murray Ranch State Park San Mateo 1,300 No bikes allowed Butano State Park San Mateo 4,728 (14) Bikes allowed on fire roads only Portola Redwoods State Park San Mateo 2,800 18 Bikes allowed on paved roads only San Bruno Mtn State Park San Mateo 12 Bikes allowed on paved roads only 12 State Beaches San Mateo No bikes allowed Big Basin State Park Santa Cruz 18,000 80 Bikes allowed on fire roads only Castle Rock State Park Santa Cruz 5,240 32 No bikes on trails County Parks Grant County Park Santa Clara 9,560 52 Bikes allowed on half of trails Stevens Creek County Park Santa Clara 1,077 6 Most trails mixed use Hellyer County Park Santa Clara 354 15 Urban with paved multiuse trails Upper Stevens Creek County Park Santa Clara 1,095 11 Bikes allowed on fire roads and some trails? Calero County Park Santa Clara 4,455 18.6 No bikes on trails Mt. Madonna County Park Santa Clara 3,688 14 No bikes on trails Uvas Canyon County Park Santa Clara 1,133 6 No bikes on trails Sanbourne-Skyline County Park Santa Clara 3,688 15 No bikes on trails Pescadero Creek Park San Mateo 5,700 26 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only Edgewood County Park San Mateo 467 10 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only Huddart Park San Mateo 974 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only Sam MacDonald Park San Mateo 850 No bikes on trails; bikes on service roads only Wunderlich County Park San Mateo 942 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only Juniper Serra County Park San Mateo 108 2.8 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only MROSD Rancho San Antonio County Park and OSP Santa Clara 290 23 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only La Honda Creek OSP San Mateo 5,795 3.7 No bikes on trails Los Trancos OSP San Mateo 274 5.2 No bikes on trails Pichetti Ranch OSP Santa Clara 308 3.7 No bikes on trails Pulgas Ridge OSP San Mateo 366 6 No bikes on trails Monte Bello OSP Santa Clara/ San Mateo 3,436 15.5 Bikes allowed on designated trails MROSD (continued) AttachmentC_Bike_Regs_on_Trails15-0602 2 Fremont Older OSP San Mateo 739 15.7 Bikes allowed on designated trails (11 miles) Long Ridge OSP San Mateo 2,035 13.2 Bikes allowed on designated trails Skyline Ridge OSP San Mateo 2,143 10.9 Bikes allowed on designated trails El Corte Madera Creek OSP San Mateo 2,817 35.9 Most trails mixed use (34 miles) Sierra Azul OSP Santa Clara 18,446 25 Most trials mixed use (25 miles) Palo Alto Parks Arastradero OSP Santa Clara 609 10.3 Bikes allowed on designated trails Foothills Park Santa Clara 1,400 15 No bikes on trails; bikes on paved roads only MROSD Most of the District’s 220 miles of designated trails are unpaved “wildland” trails in steep, rugged terrain. Approximately 65% of these trails are “multiple use” trails and are open to bicyclists, which is the highest ratio of trails open to bikes among parks and open space in the Bay Area. Many of these trails are also single -track trails, providing bicyclists with a more technical experience. Please Note: Activities may not be designated on all trails within the Preserve -- always refer to the map and trail signage for where the activity is permitted. Some trails are subject to se asonal closures, always check trail conditions and refer to signage. The following open space preserves are open to mountain biking: Coal Creek Open Space Preserve - all trails El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve - designated trails only El Sereno Open Space Preserve - all trails Fremont Older Open Space Preserve - all trails (*except Creekside Trail) Long Ridge Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Monte Bello Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Ravenswood Open Space Preserve - all trails Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - all trails Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - designated trails only St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve - all trails Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area - all trails Windy Hill Open Space Preserve - designated trails only Favorite Preserves with Bicycle Access When planning a mountain biking trip, you may want to visit these preserves in particular: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Features 34 miles of multi-use trails, including some steep, technical single-track trails; rugged, heavily forested terrain; redwoods; occasional views to the coast. Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Nearby urban areas affording a quick trip after work; features 11 miles of multi -use trails; woodland, chaparral, rolling hayfields, and former orchard; 900-foot Hunters Point; Maisie’s Peak. Long Ridge, Monte Bello, Russian Ridge, Saratoga Gap, and Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserves These South Skyline Area preserves are interconnected affording bicyclists with miles of multi -use trails to explore; grasslands; oak, madrone, and Douglas-fir forests; views of Big Basin Redwoods, Butano Ridge, and the Monterey Peninsula. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Features approximately twenty-six miles of multi-use trails; rugged, steep terrain; chaparral-covered slopes; dense stands of bay trees; outstanding views of Santa Clara Valley; 2,999-foot Mt. El Sombroso Bench © 12-2013 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Bench Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Los Altos Hills - Coyote Encounter Questionnaire Please fill out the following form and then click on the "Submit" box Month Day Hour ¼ Hr AM/PM .... DATE & TIME OF ENCOUNTER Jan 01 01 00 AM Qty ABOUT HOW MANY ANIMALS WERE SEEN? 1 Location (Nearest Crossroad or Address or...) APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF SIGHTING Coyote behavior? (Passive watching, Travelling, Aggressive protective stance, or...) WHAT WAS THE COYOTE DOING WHEN YOU SAW IT? Contact Info (Tel.# or Email Address or...) HOW MAY WE CONTACT YOU IF NECESSARY? Additional Information ANY ADDITIONAL INFO THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL? Los Altos Hills - Coyote Questionnaire http://www.couperus.org/Coyote/ 1 of 1 7/10/15 12:15 PM