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Home My WebLink AboutApril 14OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0414.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting April 14, 2016 Members and Associates Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Alice Sakamoto (9:08 am), Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Karen Lemes (Associate) Associates Present: None Members and Associates Absent: Sarah Fogarty, Kit Gordon (Members); Richard Contreras, Heather Knight (Associates) Council Liaison Absent: Gary Waldeck Member of Public Present: Peter Carlino (Lee and Braze Engineering, Inc, representing developers of 27500 Bassett Lane) Kjell Karlsson (Traffic Safety Committee, Finance and Investment Committee) 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes A. Roll Call. GC called the meeting to order at 9:05 am. B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the March 10, 2016 regular meeting were approved with minor amendments. NC moved; JS seconded; vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SS, JS, WW, SW). 2. New Business 3. Continuing Business A. Earth Day Celebration. This annual event will be held Sunday April 17, 2016 at Westwind Community barn. NC, AS, and WW volunteered to staff the OSC information table. The wild cat program, a major draw to the event, will require a request from OSC for $600 funding. NC moved that the OSC request the Town to approve $600 to fund two showings of the wild cat program. WW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SS, JS, WW, SW). B. Wildlife Habitat Restoration Projects RFPs. Nothing to report. C. Matadero Creek Restoration. Nothing to report. D. Byrne Preserve i) Bike Ban in Byrne Preserve. OSC discussed the new permanent metal signs posted by Public Works and suggested two additional signs be installed at the Altamont Road parking area and on the horse gate near the Byrne Park Lane entrance. OSC discussed possible options for additional signage, including signs indicating preserve boundaries and/or trail maps. No action was taken. No complaints from the public have been received about the ban. ii) Conservation Grazing. Ford’s final report is available. SW suggested a meeting with Public Works, the barn manger, and the OSC subcommittee to review the report and discuss actions. iii) Creek Erosion SCVWD grants. Nothing to report. iv) SOD BLITZ. The UC Berkeley SOD BLITZ training session to teach LAH residents hwo how to collect bay leaf samples for SOD testing will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 1 pm in Council Chambers. (Attachment D). E. OSC Request for Town Budget. Finance Director Pak Lin presented a review of the budget process at the March 2016 OSC meeting and requested OSC submit a list of budget items. KG and other members of the budget subcommittee (RC, NC, KK) prepared a list of items to submit for funding consideration (Attachment B). Suggestions include funding for Acterra vegetation management in open space preserves; improving paths in O’Keeffe OSP; improving Adobe Creek reach through Foothill College; providing resident education (e.g., postcards several times a year to encourage weed management; info about potential environmental impacts of vineyards and other crops); creek signs; AgriFos spraying and Bay removal to help protect oaks from SOD in Byrne Preserve. NC will send the list to Pak Lin. F. Creek Signage. Nothing to report. This project will be added to the OSC budget. G. Creek Setback Staking. Planning Department is now implementing this policy. H. Town Newsletter Articles. AS volunteered to author an article on Palo Alto Animal Services for a future issue. I. Wildlife Seminar on Snakes. This wildlife program has been deferred. C. Site Visit Data Collection Form. SW will prepare a revised draft for review at the May meeting. OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0414.docx 2 6. Planning A. Fence Permits. No notices were received. B. Site Plan Reviews. i) 27500 Bassett Lane (Lands of Yiu). OSC reviewed this proposed 2-lot subdivision in Nov 2015 with recommendations as shown in Attachment C; and again in March 2016 with recommendations shown in Attachment D and E. OSC has been asked to reconsider their recommendation for open space easements on the parcels. Peter Carlino, Lee and Braze Engineering, Inc. was present representing the developer. He described the revised plan and presented a mock-up of a proposed conceptual new residence on Lot 2. The developers moved the lot lines to increase the area of Lot 2 and moved the conceptual residence approximately 38 feet further up the hill, although part of it still falls within the recommended OSE area. OSC discussed the earlier recommendations and the revised plans. After lengthy discussion, no motion to change the committee recommendation was made. ii) 28628 Matadero Creek Court (APN 182-18-041). Reason for OSC review is a proposed hardscape- landscape project. The parcel is in the Matadero Creek Subdivision and two open space easements (OSE) were created at the time of subdivision. NC and SS made a site visit and prepared the draft review (Attachment F). OSC reviewed and discussed the proposed plans, as well as the subdivision CC&Rs. There was concern about the request to run drainage infrastructure near a large Heritage oak in one of the OSEs. JS moved the OSC approve the recommendation as written in Attachment F. WW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SS, JS, WW, SW). iii) 26810 Ortega. (APN 175-33-022). Reason for OSC review is a new residence. Peter Carlino, Lee and Braze Engineering, Inc was present representing the developer. He reported that the developers are proposing an open space easement 30-feet from top of bank of Barron Creek, which runs along the back (southwest) border of the parcel. Although OSC did not receive the plans in time to make a site visit before today’s meeting, several members are familiar with the area. The 30-foot riparian-OSE is the standard setback required for creeks. The parcel is flat. NC moved that for 26810 Ortega Drive the OSC approve the proposed open space easement 30-feet from top of Baron Creek as shown on the development plans. SW seconded and the vote was 5 in favor (GC, NC, JS, WW, SW) and 2 abstaining (AS, SS). 5. Communications from the Floor. A. CNPS Native Plant Sale. JS reminded OSC members that the CNPS annual spring plant sale will be held Saturday, April 30 at Hidden Villa. 6. Open Discussion. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 12, 2016 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: SOD BLITZ Meeting flyer Attachment B: Budget and project proposals for Budget Attachment C: Nov 2015 OSC Recommendations for 27500 Bassett Lane Subdivision Attachment D: Mar 2016 OSC recommended OSE for 27500 Bassett Lane Subdivision Attachment E: Mar 2016 map showing recommended OSE for 27500 Bassett Lane Subdivision Attachment F: Draft OSC Recommendations for 28628 Matadero Creek Court Final minutes approved as amended (changes in red text) at the Regular OSC meeting of June 6, 2016. .  A$end a mee*ng in your local area to learn more and help with the SOD Blitz.  Download the new SODmap  Mobile app, available free for  iPhone and Android   Scan this QR Code with your smart  phone for more informa*on  With 2016 rain levels the highest they  have been in 4 years in California, sudden  oak death (SOD) spread is expected to be  on the rise. This year’s 10th annual spring  SOD BLITZ (ci*zen scien*st surveys for  SOD) will to be cri*cally important to  document the spread of the disease.     “We’re calling for as many seasoned and  novice SOD Blitzers as we can get to help  collect samples for tes*ng,” said Ma$eo  Garbelo$o, UC Berkeley SOD researcher  who organizes the SOD Blitz project.   Los Altos Hills Area SOD BLITZ  Saturday May 14   1:00 pm  LAH Town Hall at 26379 Fremont Road  Open to all. For more info email sodblitz09@earthlink.net    Attachment B: Open Space Committee 04/14/16  To: Nancy Couperus & George Clifford  cc: Richard Coutreras, Kjell Karlsson, Sue Welch  Re: Budget and project proposals from March 25 Subcommittee meeting  Date: March 28, 2016  From: Kit Gordon    Project Cost Details  Acterra Stewardship  Contract 2016‐2019  $184,310 2016‐2017: $56720+9,000 bridge loan  2017‐2018: $58,420  2018‐2019: $60,170  5 Year plan includes ~$60K for 2019‐2021  Educational programs ~$500 Annual educational forum, topics vary  SOD Blitz $240 + $240 for snacks and educational material  $600 to replace signs every three years??  Creek Signs ask staff Make and install wooden creek signs on all ~13  creeks in town.   Earth Day $600 Live cats educational show  SOD AgriFos Spraying ask staff Spray select Oaks in Byrne Preserve  Mowing of Open Spaces ask staff Firebreaks and invasive pest plant management  Creek Restoration unk Project to be determined, partner with SCVWD  O'Keefe Path  construction  unk Project to be determined. Goal is to increase  resident usage and decrease delinquent  activities  Evaluate crop impacts  on LAH  unk Project to be determined. Goal is to evaluate  vineyard and marijuana crops in LAH  Invasive Pest Plant  Strategy on private land  unk Project to be determined. Possibly partner with  SCVWD to reduce pest plants on private land  Conservation Easement  Campaign  unk Project to be determined. Goal is to increase  awareness and easement acreage   "Green Street" drainage  improvements  unk Project to be determined. Possibly partner with  SCVWD to reduce runoff from roadways  Historical Ecology unk Project to be determined. Goal is to understand  species and hydrology of LAH          Attachment_F_25700BassettPrior Rec.docx Attachment C: OSC Meeting of March 10, 2016 Attachment F: OSC Meeting of March 10, 2016 PWC Recommendation for 25700 Bassett Lane Approved by OSC at the meeting of Nov 12, 2015 Site visited 10/6/15 by Nancy Couperus & George Clifford Comments and recommendations approved by the Open Space Committee 11/12/2015 1. It appears that the existing swale was once a gully that has been filled in with dirt and some concrete debris. Two channels have been cut into the hillside on either side of the swale to divert the water around the bottom of the swale into the culvert at the end of Bassett Lane. (Wouldn’t a permit have been required for these large ditches?) 2. The filled-in swale may have previously been a gully or creek that flowed with water during the winter rains. The size and extent of the ditches cut into the hillside to divert the water away from its natural flow may indicate that a substantial amount of water once flowed in this ditch. 3. Recommendation: The ditches should be removed to allow the natural flow of water downhill to the culvert. 4. Recommendation: The open space easements should include the entire gully area.. 5. Recommendation: The proposed removal of mature oaks should be minimized, and large oaks should be preserved. It appears that an excessive number of oaks have been slated for removal. Oak trees aid in the retention of runoff. 6. Recommendation: The open space easements should include areas of the property where the slope is in excess of 30% as per the Town General Plan. Most of the property below the 536’ contour line of the topographic survey is in excess of 30%, and much of the proposed house is located in this area. From the Land Use Element of the LAH General Plan: Each parcel shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis during the site development review process to determine whether an open space easement should be required, based on the extent of steep slopes generally in excess of 30% slope and the presence of heritage oak trees and/or creek corridors. From the Open Space and Recreation Element of the LAH General Plan Continue to require the dedication of open space easements as a condition of approval for development of parcels in designated Open Space Conservation Areas in order to protect steep slopes, canyons and ravines, generally in excess of 30% slope, as well as areas with Heritage oak trees, or other environmentally sensitive areas such as along creeks and riparian corridors. Attachment D: OSC Meeting 04/14/16 OSC Recommendation for 25700 Bassett Subdivision From Open Space Committee 3/10/16 It is the OSC opinion that the property is not suitable for subdivision because of the constraints on Lot 2, which include an earthquake fault in the most buildable portion of the lot, substantial area with slope greater than 30%; numerous oaks, and a natural drainage swale. Whether the lot is subdivided or not, the OSC recommends that the natural drainage swale be restored to its natural location and condition by removal of the new diversion channels. If the property is subdivided, the OSC recommends placing open space easements on both lots as follows: Parcel 2: The part of the parcel below the 534' contour line has a slope of more than 30% and should be a part of the OS easement as per the town's general plan. The western edge of the property where the drainage swale is located above the 534' contour line should also be included in the OS easement. I recommend creating a 60' border for this (2" in the site plan) from the western property line to include the upper part of the swale up to Rhus Ridge Road. Much, but not all, of this section also has a slope of >30%. The area is marked with a red border on the attachment. Parcel 1: A small section of the lower part of this parcel below the 526'' contour line has a slope of more than 30%. I recommend including this in an OS easement as it would provide a connection with the lot 2 OS easement. The area is marked with a blue border on the attachment.   ht+schrn",^,r.t'f t esc fnednAf oY{ $ru Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee 28628 Matadero Creek Court APN #182-18-041 April L4,2A16 DRAFT OBSERVATIONS: This property is one of a number of properties in the Matadero Creek Subdivision (off Page Mill Road) created in 1982. Conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&R's) were enacted at the time, which included large open space easements on most of these properties. On this property there are two significant open space easements. Project description - Hardscape/Landscape lmprovements Existing concrete pools are located in a "Landscape Easement" and are slated for removal. However, a stone patio is being proposed in the location of the ponds and other hardscape is being proposed. One portion of an existing pond will be converted to a native garden. Drainage under the proposal is being directed around a majestic heritage oak to an area that lies within the open space easement. RECOMMElIIDATIONS: 1. Refer the matter of hardscape * stone patio, etc. - that is located in the Landscape Easement to the Environmental Design & Protection Committee. 2. Recommend moving the drainage dissipators out of the Open Space Easement if possible. However, if the heritage oak tree would be compro- mised by changing the location of the drainage, allow the drainage area to enter a portion of the open space easement.