HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 11OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0211.docx 1
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building
FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting February 11, 2016
Members Present: George Clifford, Sarah Fogarty, Kit Gordon, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf,
Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Associates Present: Richard Contreras, Karen Lemes
Members and Associates Absent: Nancy Couperus (Member), Sunitha Sethi, Heather Knight
(Associates)
City Council Members Present: Gary Waldeck (OSC Council Liaison)
Member of Public Present: Kjell KCarlsson (Traffic Safety Committee; arrived 9:30 am)
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
A. Roll Call. GC called meeting to order at 9:10 am. The agenda was approved as written. GC
moved, AS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.
B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the Jan 14, 2016 regular Meeting were approved
with amendments. JS moved; GC seconded; vote was unanimously in favor (GC, SF, KG,
AS, SS, JS, SW, WW).
2. Announcements
A. Wildlife Seminar on Snakes. Nothing to report.
B. SOD Blitz. The 2016 Blitz will be held Saturday, May 14 at 1:00 pm at Town Hall.
3. Communications from the Floor.
A. 27755 Central Drive. KG, who lives near the property, spoke as a private citizen regarding the
fence that has been installed in two locations across Moody Creek, which runs through the
parcel. Fencing across creeks is prohibited and can impact wildlife movement in the area and
create debris dams and flooding.
4. New Business
A. Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project RFP. KG reported that SCVWD has additional funds for
restoring wildlife habitat and suggested members consider possible future projects. Removal of
invasive arundo in Adobe Creek near FHC was suggested.
B. Revised Checklist for Site Visits. SW suggested developing a form to guide site visits that
incorporates the items on the checklist OSC prepared in June 2014 (Attachment A). The form
could serve as a record for the site visit and OSC recommendation. OSC members are asked to
send suggestions for the form to SW, who will prepare a draft for review at the March meeting.
5. Continuing Business
A. Matadero Creek Restoration. Nothing to report.
B. Byrne Preserve
i) Bike Ban in Byrne Preserve. At the Jan 27, 2016 City Council meeting, Council voted
unanimously to approve the proposed ordinance to prohibit bikes on trails in Byrne for
safety reasons. A total of 21 LAH residents spoke in favor of the ban; 9 persons (including
one LAH resident) spoke against the ban. Speed data from the Strava web site recorded by
mountain bikers using trails in Byrne were also presented. GC distributed photos and
diagrams of design options for “No Bikes” signs” and a map provided by Richard Chiu
showing possible sign locations. (Attachments C, D, and E). OSC discussed pros and cons
of different sign designs (e.g., different sizes, brown or white background, “No Bikes” text
or none) and proposed sign locations. Signs need to be posted at the trail entrance off the
OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0211.docx 2
end of Central Drive and at the trail entrance off Deer Byrne Park Lane. SS moved that
OSC request Richard Chiu to make “No Bikes” signs for Byrne Preserve that have a
brown background with white lettering and the international symbol “No” symbol
(i.e., a circle with a backslash) and include text “No Bikes” below the symbol. Signs
will be placed at locations shown on the map (except the location that is “x-ed out”).
SW seconded and vote was unanimously in favor (GC, SF, AS, SS, JS, SW, WW).
ii) Conservation Grazing. Larry Ford (Rangeland Conservation Sciences) submitted his draft
report on assessment of the Byrne Preserves grassland to Richard Chiu on Jan 11, 2016.
The final report will be made public in February.
iii) Creek Erosion SCVWD grants. Acterra received a grant for $136K from SCVWD in
December to restore the Moody Creek tributary in the Byrne grassland. The Town will be
asked to provide matching funds in the form of the annual contract with Acterra.
iv) SOD Treatment. Bay Removal. Nothing to report.
C. Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (update). Nothing to report.
D. Creek Signage. Nothing to report.
E. Creek setback staking proposal. Creek setback staking proposal. Chairs GC and NC presented
the OSC proposal to Planning Department after the Jan 2016 OSC meeting. The Planning
Department requested the edits below (and in (Attachment B):
“Temporary chain-link fencing shall be installed between the construction area and the riparian
setback at the distance from top of bank specified by the planning staff (generally 25-feet from
top of bank), prior to issuance of building permits. Town staff must inspect and approve the
fencing installation prior to commencement of grading. The property owner shall call for said
inspection at least three days in advance of the start of grading operations. The fencing shall
remain throughout the course of construction. No storage of construction materials, equipment,
vehicles, or debris shall be allowed within the riparian setback at any time.” SW moved that
OSC approve the changes to the creek-staking proposal requested by the Planning
Department. AS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, SF, AS, SS, JS,
WW, SW). (KG left meeting at 9:35 am.)
F. Our Town articles. SF volunteered to write an article on Rex Gardiner for the newsletter.
G. Suggested Site Named for Rex Gardiner. At the Jan 2016 meeting Councilmember Waldeck
summarized Rex Gardiner’s many contributions to the Town and OSC discussed options for
naming a public place to honor Mr. Gardiner. AS, JS, and SS visited the Town-owned open
space at the corner of Moody Road and Old Snakey to assess it (Attachment F). The site is
visible from Moody Road and has a magnificent Valley Oak. Mr. Gardiner’s daughter supports
naming the site in honor of her father. OSC discussed pros and cons of placing a marker or
bench on the site. JS moved that the OSC propose the Town-owned open space parcel at
the corner of Moody Road and Old Snakey to be named the Rex Gardiner Open Space.
SS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, SF, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
4. Planning
A. Fence Permits. No notices received
B. Site Plan Reviews.
i) 27755 Central Drive. GC, NC, and SS conducted the site visit and review of this parcel
adjacent to Byrne Preserve. USGS maps show that Moody Creek, which originates in
Foothills Park, runs through the parcel from east to west. It was reported that several years
ago a number of large oaks were removed and rocks and dirt were dumped into the creek.
The proposed structure appears to extend over the creek. Chain link fence has been placed
across the creek in two locations and can impact wildlife movement and create debris dams
that can cause flooding. WW moved that OSC recommend the following for this parcel:
1) riparian setback 25 feet from top of bank of Moody Creek; 2) an open space
OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0211.docx 3
easement 25 feet from top of bank; 3) relocate proposed garage and driveway away
from the 25-ft riparian-OSE; 4) remove chain link fence across creek; 5) consider
pathway easement connecting to Byrne Preserve; 6) dedicate OSE to connect to OSEs
on adjacent parcels (e.g., the one to the east); 7) dedicate OSE along southern portion
of parcel where slope is ≥30%; 8) determine whether creek has been modified; 9)
replace oak trees removed along Central Drive; 10) pay careful consideration to any
disturbance of Moody Creek. Follow the guidelines for Open Space Conservation
Areas. (see page LU 5 of the Land Use Element.) JS seconded and the vote was
unanimously in favor (GC, SF, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
ii) 12345 Gigli Court (update). Nothing to report.
iii) 24183 Dawnridge. The reason for review is construction of a new residence. JS and WW,
who reviewed plans and made the site visit, presented their recommendations. Development
plans and SCVWD creek map show a tributary of Hale Creek runs through the parcel
(Attachment G). Parcels along Hale Creek to the northeast of 24183 Dawnridge all have
conservation, open space, and/or riparian easements along the creek (Attachment H).
JS moved that the OSC recommend the following for this parcel: 1) a riparian setback
25 feet from top of bank of Hale Creek; 2) an open space easement 25 feet from top of
bank; 3) removal of driveway and retaining wall near the creek; 4) removal of
invasive pampas grass along the creek and revegetation with native plants in
consultation with SCVWD for guidance; 5) inform developers that pool water must
not be drained into the creek. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor
(GC, SF, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
iv) 25616 Moody Road. GC and SF volunteered to make the site visit and draft preliminary
recommendations.
v) 12386 Priscilla Lane. SS and JS volunteered to make the site visit and draft preliminary
recommendations.
vi) 25750 Moody Road (update). OSC discussed removal of vegetation from the site, including
along the banks of Adobe Creek. A recent photo shows bank failure (slumping) just
upstream from the bridge for Rhus Ridge Road and further upstream. (Attachment I).
6. Open Discussion. None
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am.
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 10, 2016
9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building
Attachment A: OSC Checklist for Site Visits
Attachment B: Creek Staking Requirement: Edit from Planning Department
Attachment C: Design options for “No Bikes” signs for Byrne
Attachment D: Photo of “No Bikes” signs at MROSD trailhead
Attachment E: Location options for “No Bikes” signs for Byrne
Attachment F: Photo of Town-owned open space at Moody and Old Snakey
Attachment G: SCVWD map showing Hale Creek on 24183 Dawnridge
Attachment H: Map showing conservation and open space easements along Hale Creek on parcels
adjacent to 24183 Dawnridge
Attachment I: Bank failure along Adobe Creek on 25750 Moody Road parcel
FINAL minutes were approved at the Regular Meeting of the OSC on March 10, 2016.
Attachment A OSC Meeting of 2/11/16
Property Review Site Visits
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
6/19/2014
Pick up site plan at Town Hall and identify assigned Planner.
Contact site planner to discuss project.
o project scope
o site hazards
o accessibility
o adjacent property addresses
Review plan for concerns:
o slope
o creeks
o trees
o wildlife corridors
o existing fencing
o open space or conservation easements on adjacent properties
o existing or potential open space or conservation easements on site
o septic field location, if applicable
o other open space issues.
Visit site.
o Pick a date and time for visit with at least one other committee member,
but less than a committee quorum (no more than 4 members).
o At least one week ahead of time, request the assigned site planner to
contact the owner to make necessary arrangements for the visit.
Discuss questions or concerns after site visit with Planner, if necessary.
Prepare a draft response to the Planning Department for review at next OSC
meeting.
Present review findings and draft response at a regular OSC meeting.
Amend and vote on response to Planning Department.
Submit written response to Planning Department.
Attachment B_OSC_16-0211_Creek_Stake_Edit
Attachment B: Minutes to Feb 11, 2016 Open Space Committee Meeting
Planning Department requested to insert the additional phrase:
Temporary chain-link fencing shall be installed between the construction area and the riparian
setback at the distance from top of bank specified by the planning staff (generally 25 -feet from top
of bank), prior to issuance of building permits. Town staff must inspect and approve the fencing
installation prior to commencement of grading. The property owner shall call for said inspection
at least three days in advance of the start of grading operations. The fencing shall remain
throughout the course of construction. No storage of construction materials, equipment, vehicles,
or debris shall be allowed within the riparian setback at any time.
Planning Department requested to insert the additional phrase:
Temporary chain-link fencing shall be installed between the construction area and the riparian
setback at the distance from top of bank specified by the planning staff (generally 25 -feet from top
of bank), prior to issuance of building permits. Town staff must inspect and approve the fencing
installation prior to commencement of grading. The property owner shall call for said inspection
at least three days in advance of the start of grading operations. The fencing shall remain
throughout the course of construction. No storage of construction materials, equipment, vehicles,
or debris shall be allowed within the riparian setback at any time.
Planning Department requested to insert the additional phrase:
Temporary chain-link fencing shall be installed between the construction area and the riparian
setback at the distance from top of bank specified by the planning staff (generally 25 -feet from top
of bank), prior to issuance of building permits. Town staff must inspect and approve the fencing
installation prior to commencement of grading. The property owner shall call for said inspection
at least three days in advance of the start of grading operations. The fencing shall remain
throughout the course of construction. No storage of construction materials, equipment, vehicles,
or debris shall be allowed within the riparian setback at any time.
Planning Department requested to insert the additional phrase:
Temporary chain-link fencing shall be installed between the construction area and the riparian
setback at the distance from top of bank specified by the planning staff (generally 25 -feet from top
of bank), prior to issuance of building permits. Town staff must inspect and approve the fencing
installation prior to commencement of grading. The property owner shall call for said inspection
at least three days in advance of the start of grading operations. The fencing shall remain
throughout the course of construction. No storage of construction materials, equipment, vehicles,
or debris shall be allowed within the riparian setback at any time.
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