HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 8OSC FINAL_MinutesFIX THESE16-0908.docx 1
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building
FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting September 8, 2016
Members and Associates Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Kit Gordon, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen
Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Sue Welch (Members), Richard Contreras (Associate)
Members and Associates Absent: Sarah Fogarty, Wendie Ward, (Members); Heather Knight, Karen Lemes
(Associates)
Council Liaison Present: Gary Waldeck
Member of Public Present: Peter Brown (LAH resident)
Kjell Karlsson (LAH 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. AS moved to accept with minor amendments the minutes of the
July14, 2016 meeting. KG seconded and vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS,
SW).
2. New Business
A. Election of Officers. GC nominated KG to serve as OSC Chair; SW seconded and the vote was
unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, SW).
B. Property Review Information. OSC discussed the process of OSC property reviews, including how
Planning Department decides which plans to forward for review, how reviews should be conducted and
recorded, and how OSC members can obtain property records for properties under review and adjacent
parcels. Criteria for OSC review (e.g., slopes, creek, significant oaks) were discussed. A draft version of
an OSC property review sheet was discussed and amended (Attachment A). The sheet is expected to
evolve over time.
3. Continuing Business
A. Byrne Preserve.
i) August and September are slow months for invasive weed work because nearly all remaining weeds
have already gone to seed. Work will resume again in October and continue through the winter and
spring. OSC members were reminded that Grassroots Ecology has an ongoing funding campaign.
ii) Tree stumps/rounds pilot program. The Town work crew placed two Eucalyptus stumps beside the
trail up the main hillside in Byrne Preserve. OSC members report that they have observed these
being used as rest seating and to aid equestrians in mounting their horses. City Manager Carl Cahill
is ordering more stumps from McClanahan to place along other Town pathways.
iii) Bike Ban. Equestrians have reported they no longer have to worry about bike-horse encounters. The
bike ban is especially important since Westwind Barn now has an increased number of equestrians
using Byrne Preserve trails. Additional equestrians from Page Mill Pastures are also using the trails
since Stanford required a reduction in the number of horses pastured there. Some equestrians
apparently are bringing their horses to Byrne in trailers to ride the trails.
B. Stirling Subdivision Update. SW recused herself. The developers presented an update of the project at a
Planning Commission Study Session held Sep 1, 2016. OSC members complained that Planning
Commissioners had only one week to review the large number of documents and not all documents
were included in the meeting packet or on the Town web site. OSC, EDC, and Pathways Committee, as
well as neighbors and other interested parties spoke during the public comment period. The Town
apparently did not post the public comments received during the formal public comment period for the
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) on the Town web site (Oct 2015). A letter from an attorney
representing “Friends of Upper Matadero Creek” was posted on the web site outlining shortcomings of
the MND, and the attorney outlined the deficiencies of the MND at the Sept 1 meeting. The developers
proposed several changes to the project, but did not provide copies of the materials they showed at the
meeting. They still want 9 lots, including a row of 4 along the top of the property. The developers
proposed 1) a 15-ft wide easement along the eastern border for wildlife movement (with cross-fencing
to mark property lines); 2) removing the wildlife impermeable perimeter fence; and 3) establishing an
“oak conservation easement” (not an open space easement) to protect some oaks on Lot 1. More
OSC FINAL_MinutesFIX THESE16-0908.docx 2
information is needed to clarify what this easement actually protects. Stormwater drainage appears to be
a major issue with the PC; most of the stormwater from all 9 lots will run down a pipe into Matadero
Creek, which is already impaired. A review of the drainage plans by EOA Associates (contracted by the
Town) reported many missing details in the plan. PCs also had concerns about the stability of the soils
on Lot 7 and the state of Matadero Creek. The next meeting with the Planning Commission will be Nov
3, 2016. OSC needs to make formal comments on the updated proposal at the October meeting or at a
special meeting. A meeting with John Chau, Suzanne Avila, and the EOA consultant to review the
stormwater plan was suggested. OSC will request that additional documents be posted on the Town web
site (e.g., Romig Engineering report, committee recommendations, missing comment letters from
neighbors).
C. Creek Signage. KG reported that LAH Director of Public Works, Richard Chiu posted a new sign for
Adobe Creek at the Edith Road bridge crossing.
D. Town Newsletter Articles. KG’s informative article on Lawns to Meadows (KG) was published in the
August issue. Two articles from OSC are planned for future issues on Palo Alto Animal Services (AS),
and Dr. Albert Barnitz Byrne (SF). An article on invasive plants (e.g., identification and management)
was also suggested.
E. Wildlife Seminar on Snakes. Tentative date is set for next spring.
6. Planning
A. Fence Permit Reviews. None received.
B. Site Plan Reviews.
i) 10800 and 10888 Magdalena. PWC discussed this project at the June OSC meeting and GC sent an
email to the Planner, Steve Padovan, confirming the OSC recommendation for the Town to request
dedication of an open space easement in areas with slope of 30% or greater.
ii) 13816 Page Mill Road (Lands of Bavor; APN 182-08-034; file#229-16-ZP-SD-GD). The reason for
OSC review is construction of a new house. GC and KG made a site visit and wrote a draft review
(Attachment B). This is a relatively flat 3-acre parcel at the corner of Page Mill Road and Moon
Lane, with access from Moon Lane. Matadero Creek runs through the parcel and the developers
propose an open space easement 25 feet from top of bank. SCVWD owns the adjacent parcel to the
west, which is also protected by an open space easement.
iii) 24990 La Loma Drive. The developers have requested a re-review. Since this is not on the agenda,
OSC did not discuss it.
5. Communications from the Floor. None.
6. Open Discussion.
A. Coyote Sightings. The City of Los Altos is apparently hiring a trapper to capture and remove coyotes
that are perceived as problem animals. According to Camilla Fox, Director of Project Coyote, this
strategy is ineffective. It was suggested that OSC send info from the Project Coyote web site to
appropriate individuals in Los Altos.
B. Rex Gardiner Open Space Dedication. Ceremony will be held at the site on Tues Sept 20 at 2 pm.
C. Hills 2000 Forum for LAH Council Candidates will be held Sept 19 7-8:30 pm at Town Hall.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 am.
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 13, 2016
9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building
Attachment A: DRAFT OSC Property Review Form
Attachment B: DRAFT OSC Review for 13816 Page Mill Road
Final minutes approved at the Regular OSC meeting of Oct 12, 2016. Edits in red.
AttachmentA_OSC_16‐00908Review_Form.docx 4/11/17 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_______________________________
Consider leaving copies of Town Open Space Easement and Wildlife Management brochures
for developers/owners.
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 regulations
NEARBY OPEN SPACE EASEMENTS
Check previous OSC reviews and Town records for existing CE or OSE on this property and on
adjacent and nearby parcels
Identify areas where OSE may be appropriate (slope ≥30%, significant trees, creeks, drainage
swales)
Attachment A: OSC Meeting 09/08/16
AttachmentA_OSC_16‐00908Review_Form.docx 4/11/17 2
SEPTIC FIELD LOCATION
Note location if applicable (parcel may be on sewer)
Septic fields, sewer and approved drainage installations are generally allowed in OSE
SUPPLEMENTARY INFO
Photos of site and/or features that meet criteria for OSE
Scan or take photo of relevant map(s) from development plans for future reference
OSC RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PROPERTY
Draft recommendation (Prepared by reviewer and brought to OSC to formal review)
Include LAH ordinance and/or General Plan policies supporting the recommendation.
Final recommendation (after formal OSC review and approval)
FOLLOWUP
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
Check that fencing on plans agrees with fencing on the ground
Note any fence that does not meet current fencing regulations \Q\(1
OPEN SPACE EASEMENTS
Check Town records for existing CE or OSE on this property or adjacent and nearby parcels
Identiff areas where OSE may be appropriate (slop e >30o/o, significant trees, creeks, drainage
swales)
KG:Not sure how to do this.
SEPTIC FIELD LOCATION
Nofe location if applicable: N/A
Septic fields, sewer and approved drainage installations are generally allowed in OSE
OSC RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PROPERTY
Draft recommendation (from reviewer)
KG: Approve as proposed
Final recommendation (after formal OSC review)
FOtLOW.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
Site Review Form -13816 Page Mill.docx 9 /B/t6