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Home My WebLink AboutMarch 10OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0310.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting March 10, 2016 Members Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Sarah Fogarty, Kit Gordon, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch Associates Present: Richard Contreras, Karen Lemes Members and Associates Absent: Heather Knight (Associates) City Council Members Present: Gary Waldeck (OSC Council Liaison) LAH Staff Present: Suzanne Avila, LAH Planning Director Steve Padovan, Planner (for 27500 Bassett) Member of Public Present: Kjell Karlsson (Traffic Safety Committee, Finance and Investment Committee) 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes A. Roll Call. NC called the meeting to order at 9:04 am. B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the Feb 11, 2016 regular meeting were approved with minor amendments. WW moved; AS seconded; vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SF, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). 2. New Business A. Marijuana Cultivation in LAH. City Council is considering amending the recently approved LAH ordinance on medical marijuana use in Town to allow cultivation of marijuana for personal use. OSC has been asked for an opinion. The amendment would allow cultivation of a 10-ft by 10-ft plot of marijuana plants for personal use. OSC discussed pros and cons, including California state laws, risk of toxins and impurities in commercial marijuana, and potential environmental impacts of growing the plant. GC moved that the OSC not make a formal statement for or against the proposal. SS seconded. The vote was 8 in favor (GC, NC, SF, KG, AS, SS, JS, SW) and one opposed (WW). B. Site Visit Scheduling and Feedback. LAH Planning Director Suzanne Avila described the process staff and other committees (Pathways, Environmental Design) use to notify developers of site visits. PWC generally makes site visits on the 4th Saturday of each month (prior to monthly meetings); EDC makes site visits on two regular dates (Thursdays) each month. OSC receives development plans only for parcels that have open space issues (e.g., creek or natural drainage swale, slopes, trees). Staff sends plans to OSC and requests OSC provide at least one-week notice before a site visit to allow staff time to contact (generally via email) the developer and/or owner to schedule the visit. SA requested the OSC Chair send the final approved OSC recommendations for properties they review to the project planner and to her. SA reported a new permit tracking system for development projects is being implemented to improve the ability to follow progress and find documents. OSC also discussed follow-up on OSC recommendations (i.e., documenting decisions made by Fast Track, Planning Commission, and/or Council regarding OSC recommendations). C. Site Visit Data Collection Form. SW distributed a draft form to guide OSC site visits that incorporates items on the OSC checklist (Attachment A). A data form used by EDC was also distributed (Attachment B). OSC members were asked to send edits for the form to SW, who will prepare a revised draft for review at the April meeting. D. Fiscal Year 2016-17 Budget. OSC Capital Improvement Projects and Acterra Contract Renewal. On 03/08/16, GC, NC, and SW met with LAH Finance and Administrative Services Director, Pak Lin, and LAH Planning Director, Suzanne Avila to discuss the Town budget process and OSC budget requests for FY 2016-17 and future years. Pak Lin will make a presentation to OSC in April. A subcommittee was formed to work on OSC budget issues (NC, RC, KG, JS, and KK). OSC members were asked to bring suggestions for OSC budget items to the April meeting. SW distributed a summary of Acterra’s contract proposal for 2016-2019 (Attachment C). Acterra received a 3-year grant for $137K from SCVWD for a riparian enhancement project in Byrne Preserve (See minutes from Jan OSC meeting). LAH Director of Engineering and Public Works Richard Chiu proposed a 3-year contract (plus two months of bridge funding for May and June 2016) to synchronize the contract with the LAH and Acterra fiscal years, and the start of the SCVWD grant. The Town’s OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0310.docx 2 annual contract with Acterra will meet requirements for matching funds for the grant. The grant, combined with other contributions from Acterra (e.g., volunteer labor and funds from other Acterra grants), will provide at least $212K in funding from sources outside the Town for stewardship in LAH open space preserves. Richard Chiu has requested OSC to 1) write a letter to Council recommending renewal of the Acterra contract; and 2) to make a brief presentation summarizing Acterra’s work at the April Council meeting when he makes his staff report requesting the contract renewal. NC moved that OSC write a letter to Council and LAH Director of Engineering and Public Works Richard Chiu recommending that the town fund the proposed 3-year contract with Acterra. JS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SF, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). Council Member Gary Waldeck reminded OSC that Acterra has an obligation to provide information to the Town crew. This was discussed at the 01/22/16 meeting with Richard Chiu, Acterra, and the OSC subcommittee and Acterra reported they are available to do this. It was suggested that teaching identification and general management of common invasive pest plants should be a priority. 5. Continuing Business A. Byrne Preserve i) Bike Ban in Byrne Preserve. GC reported that paper signs were posted at multiple entrances to Byrne Preserve informing the public that bikes will be prohibited on trails effective March 19, 2016. Several signs apparently were removed. Public Works plans to post permanent metal signs. 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 should be available this month. NC reported the barn manager is open to actions Ford suggested for improving grazing distribution (e.g., moving salt blocks, adding a second water trough at the south end of the grassland). A meeting will be held with Public Works, barn manger, and OSC subcommittee to review the report and decide on actions. iii) Creek Erosion SCVWD grants. KG reported SCVWD has grants available on an ongoing basis and suggested OSC member identify sites for future grant-funded work to add to the OSC budget. Planning Director Suzanne Avila suggested Hale Creek along the Bob Stutz path as a potential site. iv) SOD BLITZ. The UC Berkeley SOD BLITZ for LAH residents to collect bay leaf samples for SOD testing will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 1 pm in Council Chambers. (Attachment D) B. Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project RFP. See SCVWD Creek Erosion grants above. C. Creek Signage. KG distributed a copy of an email to the Public Works Department about making and installing additional creek signs in addition to the one at Deer Creek on Purissima Road (Attachment E). This project will be added to the OSC budget. D. Town Newsletter Articles. NC suggested OSC author an article on Albert Barnitz Byrne, who donated the land that is now Byrne Preserve. SF volunteered to work on this for a future newsletter after the Scott Vanderlip’s article about voluntary conservation easements is published. E. Wildlife Seminar on Snakes. Nothing to report. 4. Planning A. Fence Permits. No notices received. B. Site Plan Reviews. i) 27500 Bassett Lane (Lands of Yiu). OSC reviewed this 2-lot subdivision in Nov 2015 with recommendations as shown in Attachment F. Planning Commission (PC) reviewed the proposed subdivision in Oct 2015 and continued it based on concerns about the limited building site on Lot 2, removal of a large number of trees, and the drainage swale/creek. Planning Dept asked OSC for additional comments before PC reviews it tonight. This 2.6-acre parcel has limited building site on the second lot (constraints include a fault, numerous oaks, slopes, a natural drainage swale, pathway easement, and open space easement). Planner Steve Padovan reported that although the swale is not a creek, the 25-feet setback from TOB still applies. OSC reviewed the plans again and discussed pros and cons of amending the previous recommendation. After lengthy discussion, the following recommendation was made: OSC FINAL_Minutes16-0310.docx 3 It is 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 or not the lot is subdivided, OSC recommends the natural drainage swale be restored to its natural location and condition by removal of the new diversion channels. If the property is subdivided, 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. We 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%. We 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. GC moved to approve the recommendation, JS seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. ii) 25616 Moody Court. GC and SF visited the site and prepared the draft recommendation (Attachment H). OSC reviewed the plans and discussed the recommendation. Adobe Creek runs through the parcel and plans show a setback 25-feet from top of bank. OSC recommended placing OSE over the two small areas adjacent to the lot if and when the developer purchases them (i.e., the narrow strip of land along the western border and the small area in the south east corner marked “Lands of Adriacchi”). WW moved OSC approve the recommendation as amended. SS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, SF, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). iii) 28628 Matadero Creek Court. Landscaping plan for OSC review. NC, SS, JS volunteered to make site visit and draft a recommendation. 5. Communications from the Floor. None. 6. Open Discussion. A. OSC Roster. Contact information for current members and associates was distributed (Attachment I). B. Suggested Site Named for Rex Gardiner. At the Feb 2016 meeting, OSC unanimously recommended naming the Town-owned open space at the corner of Moody Road and Old Snakey Road in honor of Rex Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner’s daughter supports the proposal and Mayor Harpootlian will recommend this site to the EDC and to City Council. C. Changes in Membership. Sunita Sethi has resigned from all Town committees, citing changes in personal circumstances. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 14, 2016 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: OSC Data Form for Site Visits Attachment B: Environmental Design Committee Data Form Attachment C: Summary of Acterra Proposal for Contract 2016-2019 Attachment D: SOD BLITZ Meeting flyer Attachment E: Email Request for Additional Creek Signs Attachment F: Nov 2015 OSC Recommendations for 27500 Bassett Lane Subdivision Attachment G: Mar 2016 map showing recommended OSE for 27500 Bassett Lane Subdivision Attachment H: Draft OSC Recommendations for 25616 Moody Road Attachment I: Updated OSC Roster Final minutes approved as amended (in red) at the OS meeting of April 14, 2016. Attachment_A_OSC16-0310_Review_Form 4/13/17 1 Open Space Committee Property Review Information Property address___________________________________________________________________________________ Lands of _____________________________________________________ APN__________________________________ Planner______________________________________ Project number ______________________________________ Reason for OSC review: _____ New residence ____ Second Unit _____ Addition/major remodel Other (specify)_______________________________________________________________________________________ OSC Reviewers (initials)__________________________ Date of site visit_______________________________ SLOPE: Average slope of lot ___________ Areas with slope ≥30%? CREEKS Creeks or waterways through parcel? Name of creek. Shown on USGS map? SCVWD creek map? LAH Hazard Map? Evidence of bed, banks, OHWM? Condition of banks? Existing riparian or OSE along creek on this property or nearby parcels? Proposed setbacks for structures? TREES Heritage oaks? Groves of significant trees? Trees proposed for removal (Heritage oaks or other; number and species)? WILDLIFE CORRIDORS Check 2006 Live Oak Associates map (not official) Evidence of wildlife (e.g., deer trails, spoor)? EXISTING FENCING: Identify location and type of existing fencing Check that fencing on plans agrees with fencing on the ground Note any fence that does not meet current fencing regualtions Attachment_A_OSC16-0310_Review_Form 4/13/17 2 OPEN SPACE EASEMENTS Check Town records for existing CE or OSE on this property or adjacent and nearby parcels Identify areas where OSE may be appropriate (slope ≥30%, significant trees, creeks, drainage swales) SEPTIC FIELD LOCATION Note location if applicable Septic fields, sewer and approved drainage installations are generally allowed in OSE OSC RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PROPERTY Draft recommendation (from reviewer) Final recommendation (after formal OSC review) FOLLOW-UP Date Development Plans approved: __________________ Fast Track meeting __________________ Planning Commission meeting __________________ City Council meeting Conditions of approval related to open space Note changes from OSC recommendation At+^r0^ttney+ U : Ofzn gpau- brwrr,t'dbn- nrtrcrtr11 Ozlrc/tO i/zu/t r, Fiaa (nF ' -r ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN and PROTECTION COMMITTEE Application For: iF*f\a.ntsha 6uu'f@Applicant Name: GOMMEi{TS ,L /, / -4zfVLt'/1 'Site lmpact I inhtinn Existinq Veqitation Attachment_C_OSC_16‐0310_Acterra_Contract.docx     4/16/16  Acterra Proposal for Contract Renewal (2016‐2019)  For discussion at OSC meeting 03/09/16    • Acterra received $137K grant from SCVWD for Byrne Preserve Riparian  Enhancement Project   — Bank stabilization and revegetation of Moody Creek tributary in Byrne  grassland  — Severely degraded creek known to Town for decades and continuing to erode   — Study contracted by Town in 2003 (Mark Thomas & Co) recommended  restoration as best option  — $137K over three years ($45K annually) with Acterra as lead and managing  all accounting, invoicing, and reporting to SCVWD  — Requires matching funds from Town; annual contract fulfills this     • LAH Director of Engineering and Public Works, Richard Chiu, suggested a 3‐year  contract with Acterra with 2 months bridge funding to synchronize the start of  the 3‐year contract with LAH and Acterra fiscal years and start of SCVWD grant  funding. He will present budget request to Council in April. OSC will also present  a summary update of Acterra’s work to date.    • Scope of Contract  — Invasive plant removal: continue with Vegetation Mgmt Plan; target 12  species; 90% of work in Byrne Preserve, 10% in JPM and O’Keefe  — Native plant revegetation: maintain existing site; most of effort in grant  project, plus one additional new site  — Community Engagement: continue volunteer work groups, educational  events, and nature programs with local schools  — Monitoring and documentation: quarterly photomonitoring, tracking  volunteer work sessions    • Deliverables by contract year (pg 3‐4)  — Invasive plant removal (each year):     revised vegetation management plan;     mowing recommendations to Town;     ≥12 pest plant species targeted  — Native plant revegetation (each year):     X linear feet of creek maintained, planted with native grass seed, or staked   with local willows; X plants installed  — Community Engagement (each year):     ≥24 workdays with ≥350 volunteers;    ≥1,000 hours volunteer work     ≥10 educational events for local residents    ≥150 students from local schools engaged in nature programs  — Monitoring and documentation: quarterly photomonitoring, tracking  volunteer work sessions  .  A$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    h1+^&rne,o,f Below is an email sent Jan 29,2016. A motion was passed unanimously by the Open Space Committee on April 9,2015 requesting signage on our creeks. Documentation was sent to Richard Chiu on June 10,2015. Approximately July 13,2015 the first sample sign was installed, as shown below. Recommended locations are shown on attached maps Hello Richard, The Open Space Committee would like to see more creek signs installed, similar to the one installed on Deer Creek. The Creek Sign sub-committee (Jean Struthers & myself) has this recommendation for creek sign locations.. Moody Creek where it passes under Moody Road on Hidden Villa side of Moody Rd. Adobe Creek at Foothill College/Moody Rd. Purisima (note spelling) Creek on Elena near Josefa. Matadero Creek where it passes under Page Mill Road, near Baleri Ranch Rd. Matadero Creek where it passes under Three Forks Ln. Barron Creek at Fremont Road near Alexander Pl. Dry Creek at Fremont Road near Donelson Pl. Robleda Creek along Robleda Road. Magdalena Creek at Magdalena & Ravensbury. Hale Creek where it passes under Dawson Drive. Loyola Creek at Eastbrook Drive and Loyola. Summerhill Creek at Valley View Dr near SummerhillAve )SC fneeln5 o?lLCIfiv Please let us know the KEG 2/It/t6 Attachment_F_25700BassettPrior Rec.docx 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. Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Site Evaluation and Recommendation Address: 25616 Moody Road Owner: Good Moodys LLC APN: APN 336-31-001 Reason for OSC Review: Construction of a new residence OSC Site visit: 3/4/2016 (GC, SF) Observations The lot is located on Adobe Creek with portions of the creek flowing within the south-east property boundary. The south-east side of the property along the creek borders the Town’s Rhus Ridge Open Space Preserve. A narrow, 10’ strip of land identified as “Lands of Adriacchi” extends along the entire western edge of the property from Moody Road to the creek. The owner is reportedly trying to purchase and add the strip of land to the west of the parcel between the parcel and Preserve land. The existing house and garage/apartment are slated to be removed for a new house. Two structures that appear to house derelict wells are located next to Adobe Creek. The plans do not address the future of these structures. Several eucalyptus and walnut trees are marked to be removed. The lot is fairly flat and does not contain any steep slope other than the creek bank. The plans clearly mark the creek’s top of bank and a setback 25 feet from the top of bank. Recommendations 1. Dedicate open space and riparian easements in the two areas denoted as “proposed open space easement” on sheet C-2.1 of the plans. a. The first area is the section at the south corner of the site, detached from the main parcel and located adjacent to the Preserve. See area marked in blue in the addendum. b. The second area extends from the southeast property line (adjacent to the Rhus Ridge Open Space Preserve) to 25’ beyond the top of bank on the north side of the creek. 2. Remove the structure and well located within the creek’s 25’ top of bank riparian setback. 3. If the strip of land along the west side of the property adjacent to the Town’s Rhus Ridge Open Space Preserve (marked “lands of Adriacchi”) is acquired by the owner, create an open space easement covering the entire strip and an open space and riparian easement within the 25’ setback from Adobe Creek. Remove the structure and well located within the creek’s 25’ top of bank riparian setback. See area marked in red in the addendum. At the March 10, 2016 OSC meeting, members discussed open space issues on the parcel and voted unanimously in favor of the above recommendation. George Clifford Nancy Couperus Co-Chairs Addendum from Sheet C1.1 3/10/2016