HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 9OSC FINAL_Minutes17-0209.docx 1
Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL
Minutes of Regular Meeting February 9, 2017
Members and Associates Present: George Clifford, Richard Contreras, Nancy Couperus, Kit Gordon, Alice
Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch (Members);
Karen Lemes (Associate)
Members and Associates Absent: Sarah Fogarty Fogharty (Associate)
Council Liaison Present: Roger Spreen
LAH Mayor Present: Gary Waldeck
Member of Public Present: Peter Brown (LAH resident)
Kjell Karlsson (LAH Finance and Investment Committee)
Rosy Ko (Stirling/Top Elegant Investment, LLC subdivision)
Jeff Peterson (Project Engineer for Top Elegant Investment, LLC subdivision)
Steve Atkinson (Attorney for Top Elegant Investment, LLC)
Tim Tosta (Attorney for Top Elegant Investment, LLC)
1.Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
A. Roll Call. KG called the meeting to order at 9:05 am.
B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. NC moved to accept with minor amendments the minutes of the
Jan 12, 2017 meeting. WW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, RC, NC, KG,
AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
2.New Business
A. OSC Charter Review. KG distributed a draft with suggested revisions to the OSC charter (Attachment
A). OSC discussed and made further revisions. NC moved that the OSC accept the OSC charter as
revised. Mayor Waldeck noted that the revised charter should be reviewed for consistency with the
General Plan; members will review the GP and discuss again at the Mar 2017 meeting.
B. Associate Member request. Peter Brown, who has a PhD in ecology from UC Santa Cruz and
longstanding interest in environmental issues, asked to join OSC as an associate member. KG moved
that OSC invite Peter Brown to become an associate member. SS seconded and the vote was
unanimously in favor (GC, RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
C. Earth Day 2017 Request for Funds. The annual Earth Day event will be held on April 23, 2017 (1-4 pm
at Westwind Community Barn). Each year OSC funds the wild cat educational program, which is a
major draw to the event. OSC will also host a committee information booth. KG moved OSC request
from the Town $600 to fund the Wild Cats Educational Program for Earth Day 2017. GC
seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW).
D. Materials from the Wildlife Corridor Seminar. KG attended an informative seminar on wildlife corridors
sponsored by the Bay Area Open Space Council. This was an opportunity to network with a number of
local and regional environmental organizations interested in wildlife. A packet of materials is available
for OSC members to review; the web site bayarealands.org includes a large database on Bay Area
ecology and natural resources.
3.Continuing Business
A. Byrne Preserve Grassroots Ecology Update. GrE continues invasive plant removal and native plantings
at Byrne. A number of special group volunteer workdays were held and Byrne Brigade workdays will
be held every Monday in Feb, except Feb 20, Presidents’ Day. Work has focused on removal of teasel,
poison hemlock, milk thistle, and purple star thistle. Bioengineered willow dams installed in December
performed well in recent storms.
GC circulated a photo (Attachment B) of the lower paddocks at Westwind Community Barn, which
were installed about 10-12 feet from the top of bank of Moody Creek (i.e., within the standard riparian
setback of 25 feet required by LAH ordinances). Also, manure is being piled along the creek. OSC
discussed the possibility of recommending a review process for Town projects near creeks and will add
this to the agenda for the March meeting.
B. Stirling (Top Elegant Investment, LLC) Subdivision. AS, SS, and SW recused themselves for
proximity. KG noted that revised drainage plan, revised LUF calculations and supporting documents
are still being evaluated therefore KG recommends removing this item from the agenda until completed
OSC FINAL_Minutes17-0209.docx 2
submission is on file with the Town. Ms. Ko requested to keep the item on the committee's agenda until
the committee submits final recommendations. Council Liaison Spreen informed the applicant that
Town Committees control their agenda and that submittal of recommendations is at committee
discretion. Final recommendations are dependent on a completed project submission. Ms. Ko expressed
frustration at not participating in the committee’s October meeting when the Oct 18, 2016 Stirling
Subdivision Recommendation memo was edited. However, the standard protocol for Town Committees
is to submit recommendations then host presentation from applicant as explained by Council Liaison
Spreen.
C. Our Town Articles. OSC discussed proposed articles for the town newsletter:
i) Dr Albert Byrne. Pending.
ii) Snakes. NC distributed an excellent article by Tay Vanderlip published last year in Our Town
(Attachment C).
iii) Animal Services. AS will author in future
iv) Invasive plants. Planned for future; no author identified.
D. Subdivision Ordinance Update. OSC briefly discussed status of the update. The administrative draft is
posted on the Town web site. Members should review for discussion at next meeting: existing
subdivision ordinance and revised draft; General Plan and ordinances related to open space. KG will ask
Planning Director Suzanne Avila to email to her notices of actions and updates on this project and KG
will forward these to OSC members.
E. Nextdoor postings on rodent exclusion and invasive pest plants. In response to inappropriate advice
about managing rodent problems that has been posted on Nextdoor, KG drafted a short article to post
about legal and environmentally responsible management of rodents (Attachment D). She also prepared
a draft article on management of three common invasive pest plants, Italian thistle, oxalis, and French
and Scotch brooms. OSC suggested revisions and links to additional information sources. KG will seek
approval from the Town to post these articles on Nextdoor.
6. Planning
A. Fence Permit Reviews. AS reviewed fence plans for 25691 Vinedo Lane and 13350 Burke Road. No
open space issues were identified.
B. OSC site reviews and recommendations for development projects.
i) 12815 Deer Creek Lane (Lands of Chan; APN 175-43-047; subdivision). OSC reviewed this 2-lot
subdivision at Jan 2017 meeting. GC will submit OSC recommendations to KG to send to planner.
ii) 26096 Todd Lane (no info). OSC does not have plans. Barron Creek runs through a corner of the
parcel. KG will follow up with staff.
iii) 14414 Saddle Mountain Road (Lands of Prakash and Nisha; APN 182-07-014; #242-16-ZP-SD).
Development plans do not include a topo map of the entire lot. OSC needs to review the large open
slope on the lower (north) portion. KG will request maps.
iv) 13389 Robleda Road (formerly 13341 Robleda; Lands of Leone; APN 175-36-036, # file). RC
presented findings from his site visit and a draft review for OSC discussion. The parcel is on the
west side of Robleda Road between Quail Lane and Chapin Road. Robleda Creek flows along the
Robleda frontage. A conservation easement (CE) was dedicated along the creek in 2003 as a
condition of approval for a new bridge and driveway (CR 49-03; Attachment E), In some locations,
top of bank is outside the property within the road ROW, so the extent of the CE on the property
itself is less than the standard 25 feet from top of bank required by LAH ordinances (Attachments
F). The fence along the creek also appears to be within the riparian easement.
OSC recommendations were unanimously approved: 1) retain the existing CE along Robleda Creek.
Confirm that the existing CE extends 25 feet from top of bank and if it does not, increase the width
to the standard 25 feet from top of bank. In some locations, top of bank is outside the property
within the road ROW; 2) Confirm that the existing fence along the creek is located at least 25 feet
from top of bank (i.e., outside the CE); if it is not, ask developers to relocate it outside the CE; 3)
Consider requesting open space easement over the steep slopes (some areas of which are in excess
of 40% slope) with the proviso that the existing vineyards are permissible within this easement; 4)
replace heritage oaks that will be removed.
v) 27800 Via Feliz (Lands of Duan; Siempre Trust; APN 182-09-034; 182-09-035; and 182-03-031).
This project is a merger of three lots (27800 Via Feliz, 27820 Via Feliz, and 13120 Avila Court) to
OSC FINAL_Minutes17-0209.docx 3
form a 6-acre parcel. Open space easements (OSE) were dedicated on 27800 Via Feliz (Parcel 4;
PM520 M 8); 27820 Via Feliz; and 27830 Via Feliz at time of subdivision (Attachment G). These
OSEs protect steep wooded slopes, including mature redwoods. No OSE was found on 13210 Avila
Court. Pathway and utility easements run along the northern border. All three lots have perimeter
fencing with metal spikes and some fencing is within the dedicated OSE. LAH fence ordinance
prohibits this type of fencing, which should be modified to remove spikes. Retaining wall and rip-
rap within CE may not be allowed per CE agreement. No creeks run through the parcels per SF Bay
EcoAtlas. GC moved that the OSC recommend the following for this project: OSC applauds
the merger of lots to create larger parcels and recommends that the Town ask the developer to
1) remove fence from existing open space easement; 2) modify the perimeter fence to remove
spiked top; and 3) remove retaining wall along gravel pathway from OSE. OSC questions the
purpose of rip-rap in the open space easement (i.e., for drainage?). Landscape & Hardscape
plans were not included in OSC packet; if staff would like OSC recommendations, they should
provide the plans. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.
vi) 26140 Robb Road (Lands of Five Seasons Partners; APN 175-23-049; #15-17-ZP-SD-GD). New
residence, second unit, guesthouse and pool. This flag lot is adjacent to Esther Clark Park and the
northern Town border and is accessed via Robb Road, which is in Palo Alto. The site has perimeter
fencing. Slopes along the eastern and western parts of the parcel do not exceed about 27% slope. No
OSC recommendations were submitted for this project.
vi) 27201 W. Fremont Road (Lands of X, APN, file #). Barron Creek tributary runs through part of
parcel. KG volunteered to do site visit and prepare draft OSC recommendations.
4. Communications from the Floor.
A. Update on fence obstructing swale. KL reported last month an unpermitted fence illegally installed
across a drainage swale and diverting run-off onto her property. The fence is still in place and similar
inappropriate fences exist elsewhere in Town. OSC will add to March agenda discussion of
recommendations to the Town about fences across creeks and swales.
5. Open Discussion.
A. Riparian vegetation along Moody Court. KG reported that a Sherlock resident requested the riparian
vegetation along Moody Creek adjacent to Moody Court (and adjacent to Byrne Preserve land) be
trimmed back where it is encroaching on the roadway. KG will send a note to Public Works Director
Allen Chen requesting the Town crew to minimally trim back the vegetation, keeping in mind that this
riparian vegetation is critical to maintain stability of the creek banks and prevent erosion.
B. Educational Program on Snakes. JS reported this seminar is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 at 2pm at
Town Hall. Families will be invited. JS and NC will send a list of suggested topics to Ken McCloud,
including benefits of snakes, pets and snakes, children and snakes, info for gardeners and what to do if
you see a snake in the road.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 am.
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 7 9, 2017
9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building
Attachment A: Draft of Revisions to Open Space Committee Charter
Attachment B: Photo of Paddocks along Moody Creek on Westwind Community Barn land
Attachment C: Tay Vanderlip Article on Snakes from Our Town
Attachment D: Draft on Rodent Management and Invasive Pest Plan Management to Post on Nextdoor
Attachment E: Existing Conservation Easement on 13389 Robleda Road
Attachment F: Map showing location of creek and Conservation easement on 13389 Robleda Road
Attachment G: Open Space Easements on 27800 and 27820 Via Feliz and 13210 Avila Court (Lot Merger)
Final minutes approved at the Special Open Space Committee meeting of Mar 7, 2017.
Open Space Charter RevisedFeb 2017.docx 3/6/17
Committee Overview
The membership of this Committee shall consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9
members. The Open Space Committee currently has 9 members. Five members are required
for a quorum.
Responsibilities
The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be to:
• Advise and assist the Town Council, Planning Commission and staff in implementing the
policies and goals of the General Plan, specifically with respect to acquisition, maintenance
and protection of conservation easements, open space easements and open space
• Make recommendations at subdivision, site development, Planning Commission and Town
Council meetings regarding the acquisition, maintenance and protection of conservation
easements, open space easements and open space
• Advise and assist the work for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of the
environment and natural resources within the Town
• Study and recommend ordinances and resolutions relating to the acquisition, restoration,
maintenance and use of conservation easements, open space easements and open space
within the Town, including the identification of properties for which preservation is
recommended
• Communicate Town policies and procedures regarding conservation easements, open
space easements and open space
• Provide educational material and informational forums and programs to the public regarding
natural resources (e. g. wildlife, creeks, native plants and wildlife habitat)
• Develop relationships with other Town Committees, neighboring municipalities, and regional
entities to collaborate on environmental issues
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The ranlesnalce is a pit viper which
kills ir prcy by bitingand i"joti"g
vcnom while thc others arc colubrid
snakcs, which kill rhcir prcy by
consuiction. The rardcsnakc poscs
a &nger to humans, but thc other
snakes do not.
Gophcr snakcs arc often misrakcn
for ratdesnakcs, and are killed
unneccssarily. This ardde
orplains thc diffcrcnces so that
hopcfirllywe dl makc informcd
dccisione around our 6nakcs, cspc-
cially sincc natural gopher consol is a
major bcncffr for rhc town.
Paclfic Gopher Snake
Thc Paciffc gophcr snakc (Pfnophis
cannfu caanfu\" This snale rangcs
kom 2,5 to 7 fcct long, and is buff
by consaiction. It can climb tecs to
hunt bird ncsts, and it can dig loose
soil. It oftcn rcmainc rnotionlcss
when approached, and blcndc into
thc surrounding. It can move quickly
when it fcclc thrcatcnc4 andwhcn
corncrcd it will act liftc a ratdeenakc,
which is probably a bchavior that
wCI positivcly sclccecd for through
evolution, bur is not as bcncffciel
now. lt will coil, draw bad<, sprcadir hcad, ffll ia lunp, thcn lungc and
hiss at thc intrudcr, h will vibratc
ie tail, which may sound lilc ratdcs
in dry lcavcs or gfi$s. It rnay bitc a
ffngcr or cmit an odor, but othcrwise
this snakc is harmlcss. It is a prcdamr
that is uscful in the gardcn becausc
ofthc rodcnt conrol it providcs,
although a single rodcnt maysatisfy a
snakc for a $/cclr
Gopher snakce marc in spring or
carly summcr, lay bctween 3 and 12
cgs in sandy soil or uodcr rod<s, and
hatchlinp (up to 16 inchcs long)
emerge 2 to 2.5 months latcr. As a
result, you mey s€e these snakes in
*futklan naX dn mcwaw garter nala, which an
not &agrmo. Tbct will bc cowrd in afi*n artich,
colordwidr brownor
black markings. It has
a slender hcad, body,
.f
and tail, and is
oftcn mistakcn as
a ratdcsnake duc
m is colorings
and behavior.
gopher
occurs tn
and ffnds
undcr rocks,
boards, and in
burron's, It hunts
micc, rats, squirrels, pockct
gophcrs, rabbits, birrdr (to thc sizc
ofqrrrll), and [zards. It kills its prcy
. F $$$*,"**%e€&
your yard in mid- to latc-summer.
Scarch for "gophcr snakc" on
YouTirbe to watch a gopher snake
defcnd irsclf.
Western Rattlesnake
There arc sevcn diffcrcnt species of
rattlesnalccs found in Cdifornia, and
just onc - thc Nonhcrn Paciffc
(ttr?'esrern) rardesnake (Cronlu
of?gttnil.t oreganru) - is found in our
region. This snakc grows up to 5 fcet
long, with a girth ro 5 inches. Ir is a
heavy-bodied snake wirh a distincdy
diamond -shapcd hced and ratdes on
its tail (cven when very small). It is
yellowish or greyish brown with dark
brovrn or black blotchcs along its
back that have a sorncwhat diamond
shape. It is found in grasslan4 brush,
rock outcrops, and woodpiles. Rede-
snakes rarcly strikc unless harasscd,
handle4 or stepped on, bur arc quick
to wem intrudcrs, Ranlesnakcs are
livc-bcaring and givc binh to 3-16
young in July and Augusr. R"rdi"g
sounds can bc heard ar: hnp://bit.
lyllPWvCY. Thc best acrion is to
stcp eway, Icavc rhc snake alonc, and
call a professiond for rcmoval, if
nccessary,
Klng $nake
Thc kingsnake (Lampmpdtit gcnlx)
is srildngly beaudful, and groun up
to 3.5 fect long. It is brownish black
with ycllow, cr€amy, and somedmcs
rcd rinp dong rhe body. The king
snake punues and caprues othcr
snakcs, including rattlesnakcs, since
it is immunc to the vcnom. Like the
othcr snakes ir dso eats lizaxds, bfuds
and their eggs, ruice, and pockcr
gophen; although ir is mainly rerro-
trial, it can dimb trces to hunt bird
ncsts. It kills its prey by constriction.
Thc king snalce is active during rhe
day and at dusk hlrysGl2eggs in
sununer, which hatch after about 2.5
montlu. Ir is more rare than thc other
snakes.
Avoldlng $nakes'\07hcn mwing wood or rock piles,
wcar gloves and move pieccs slowly,
allowing any snakcs that might bc
lrid]ng to slither away. Vhen hiking,
look ar rhe trail carefully, especially-
in dry chapanal or scrub vcgetatiorl
and pause to lcr a snake pass ifit is
on the reil. If it docsnt move it may
be digesting prey. In rhar case you
may bc ablc to carefi.rlly srep over the
snakc. Ifyou hcar a ranlesnakc shake
its tail, idcntifr its locarion quickly
and move away. It will nor strike
unless it is swercly thrcatcncd by
being stepped on.
Ifyou encounrer a non-vcnomous
snakc and would likc ro move ic to
a safcr pan ofrhc yard, usc a golf
club, or similar shapcd sdck, io pick
up the snake and gendy placc it into
a pillowcase. They arc calmer in a
pillowcasc rhan in a buckct Gcndy
rclcase rhcm to natural habitat in
your nd or ncarby. Unfomrnatcly,
rattlcsnakcs arc territorial and arc
nor easily moved. Ifpu encountcr
a ratdesnake and want it rcmoved,
VENOMOUS SNAKES
contec Santa Clara CountyAnimal
Conrrol.
Snakebites
A ratdcsnakc birc will havc one rq
two puncnrr€ wounds with intcnse
burning pain. In rhar went, imme-
diatdy dial 91f and describc the
approximatc size of the snake. Stay
calm and sdll (do not run) ifpossible,
keeping the affected part ofyour
body bclow thc lcvcl ofyour heart.
Snakebite kits arc not rccommended
bccause ,hay on cause morc harm.
If the snakc bitc shows a mark but
thcre is no pain, rnost likely it is not a
rattlesnakc; however scek immediate
mcdicd attention,
'faybr Vandcrlip is a n enuiro nrnenral
nnsaltant specinlizing in bialogiml isntes.
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le Thlck dull, routh body
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NOIII.YEISOgOUS SNAKES
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Posting on Nextdoor and Open Space Website
Rodent Management
Winter is the season when rodents seek shelter in built structures. The best response is
employing rodent exclusion techniques, not rodenticide. Wildlife are being poisoned at
alarming rates in California from rodent poisons. These poisons are often placed inside
and around residential and commercial properties by property owners or pest control
companies. Although rodents are the intended targets, they are not the only victims.
When rodents eat the poisons, they become weakened, and become easy prey for
owls, hawks, foxes, fishers, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and other wildlife, which
then become the unintended secondary victims. Poisons are also a danger if found by
pets or small children.
Healthy predators are crucial for ecosystem balance and efficient, effective rodent
control. An owl family can consume thousands of rodents a year.
The preferred solution to keeping rodents out of our homes is by excluding these
bothersome pests or trapping them if they are already inside. All pest control companies
can provide rodent proofing/exclusion services or trapping if needed.
http://www. raptorsarethesol ution. org/
https://www. sccgov. org/sites/vector/pests/Pag es/rats. aspx
Pest Plant Alert
lnvasive weeds degrade habitat and are a costly expense for neighbors and the Town.
Please help reduce pest plant populations on your property. Weed seeds know no
property lines.
Now is the time to tackle fhese pesf weed plants.
Italian Thistle (pictures with & without blossom)
Recommended Tgchnique: Hand pull and leave in place if flower head is not present.
The immature plant without flower head holds valuable soil nutrition. lf flower head is
emerging, place weed in greenwaste bin.
Oxalis (pictures with & without blossom)
Recommended Technique: Hand pull and place in greenwaste bin. Best to pull before
yellow flowers have emerged. Try to extract small white bulbs in soil. Herbicide (specify
which) is also effective.
Scotch & French Broom (pictures with & without blossoms, different variety)
Recommended Technique. Hand pull and leave in place if flower head is not present. lf
flower head is emerging, place weed in greenwaste bin.
http://www. cal-ipc. org/
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