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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 11OSC Draft_Minutes17-0511.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting May 11, 2017 Members and Associates Present: Richard Contreras, Nancy Couperus, Kit Gordon, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch (Members); Peter Brown, Karen Lemes (Associates) Members and Associates Absent: George Clifford (Member) Council Liaison Absent: Roger Spreen LAH Staff present: Erin Horan, Assistant Planner Member of Public Present: Pat Lange (LAH resident) Kjell Karlsson (LAH Finance and Investment Committee) 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes A. Roll Call. NC 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 April 6, 2017 meeting. AS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, SW). C. Announcements A. The Bay Area Open Space Conference will be held May 16, 2017. B. LAH Green Infrastructure. KG attended a SCVURPP workshop on Green Infrastructure for municipalities on April 19, 2017. She will send a memo to Planning Director Suzanne Avila noting that LAH open space easements make an important contribution to the Town’s Green Infrastructure. C. New Assistant Planner. Erin Horan introduced herself and summarized her experience and interests. OSC members did the same. 2. New Business A. Weed Abatement for Westwind Community Barn Property. The Town work crew and a contractor did an emergent cutting (weed-whacker) of some of the worst of the Italian thistle and milk thistle infestations on barn property. OSC provided a Quick Weed Assessment for WWCB to Dept Public Works and City Manager, but this survey highlights only pest plants that should be cut immediately (Attachment A). This cutting will help reduce seed dispersal, but will not be effective in reducing the infestations, which have expanded exponentially in the past three years. Long-term remediation and weed maintenance by a firm that knows the most efficient methods to reduce invasive pest plants while allowing native plants to thrive is a necessary expense to manage this Town property. Go Native, Shelterbelt Builders, and Central Coast Wilds were suggested. KG moved OSC make a formal recommendation to the City Manager, Public Works Director, and Parks and Rec Director to hire a professional firm (e.g., Go Native, Shelterbelt, or Central Coast Wilds) to start weed management at the WWB property. SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). B. Open Space Designation on Lower Westwind Community Barn Property. OSC discussed pros and cons of asking the Town to designate the lower WWCB property as OSE and possibly adding this creek and wetland area to Byrne Preserve. KG and SW will consult with Planning Director Suzanne Avila. C. Review of OSC Activities. Earth Day (April 23) was well attended and a good opportunity for OSC to distribute materials and make contact with public. OSC received one complaint about the bike ban in Byrne Preserve and AS took photos. Coyote Seminar (May 27) had 55 attendees, about half non-LAH residents. Wildlife Ecologist, Cindy Ashley Laupe and representatives of SCC Vector Control and PA Animal Services spoke and answered questions. The Los Altos Town Crier May 3, 2017 edition published a balanced, informative article about the event that included a summary of steps to minimize human-coyote conflicts (Attachment B.) Snake Talk. This event featuring wildlife biologist and snake expert, Ken McCloud, was well attended and included non-LAH residents and as well as many children. OSC will talk to Parks and Rec about planning future wildlife programs for children. OSC Draft_Minutes17-0511.docx 2 D. Naming Local Creeks. KG reported that USGS and Bay Area EcoAtlas maps show Moody Creek, but do not include the name. KG moved that OSC approve sending the appropriate form to USGS requesting that the name of Moody Creek be added to USGS maps. NC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). E. Bay Area Aquatic Resource Inventory (BAARI) Memo to Staff. KG distributed a draft memo to Planning Director Suzanne Avila, City Manager Carl Cahill, and LAH Planning Commissioners informing them of the BAARI and the Bay Area Atlas (Attachment C). This resource, which is used by local and state agencies, identifies creeks and tributaries and should help clarify which local waterways meet the definition of creeks. KG will edit and send to OSC members for review at the June meeting. KG also reported that SCVWD has a web site “Access Valley Water” where citizens can report problems (e.g., dumping, flooding, pollution, removal of riparian vegetation) along local creeks. 3. Continuing Business A. Byrne Preserve Grassroots Ecology Update. Grassroots continues invasive plant removal in Byrne OSP. Special group volunteer workdays were held and Byrne Brigade workdays will be held every Monday in May. Public Works Director has requested $16,205 from the FY 2017-18 base budget for GRE maintenance in Byrne and an additional $42,167 to cover a year of matching funds for SCVWD grant. B. Tree Ordinance Proposed by EDC. At the April 20, 2017 Council meeting, Council discussed proposed modifications to the tree ordinance prepared by Environmental Design and Protection Committee and OSC. The purpose of the revised ordinance is to protect significant trees other than Heritage oaks and other legally designated heritage trees, which are the only trees protected by LAH ordinances. The proposal includes hiring a Town arborist to review projects and represent the Town’s interests. Council opted to form a subcommittee (one Planning Commissioner and EDC and OSC member) to review the LAH proposal as well as tree ordinances in other towns. Commissioner Susan Mandle volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. Some Council members were concerned about additional fees associated with the modified ordinance. C. Subdivision Ordinance Update. Some changes suggested by OSC were incorporated, but the revised doc needs a careful OSC review. KG is seeking a copy that can be edited directly. The storm water section needs updating. OSC will review how LUF calculations are calculated for lots with slopes over 55%. D. Pest Plant Posting on Nextdoor. Still need short info pieces on management of the major pest plants for posting on Nextdoor to encourage residents to removes these invasives. E. Fence Guidelines Near Waterways. KG will draft a recommendation for the specific site on Sherlock where a fence was recently installed across a waterway. NC will consult with Planning Commissioner Susan Mandle, who has expertise in this area. F. Site Development & Fast Track Review Meetings. OSC members are encouraged to attend these meetings (Tuesdays 10 am) to provide input on potential impact of proposed developments on creeks, trees, and other conservation resources. G. Arundo Removal in Adobe and Deer Creeks. KG obtained info from SCVWD and will bring a letter to send to owners of properties where arundo is growing to the June OSC meeting for approval. 4. Planning A. Fence Permit Reviews. AS reviewed fence plans for the following parcel: i) 26280 Elena Road. No open space issues identified. B. OSC Site Reviews and Recommendations for Development Projects. i) 10501 West Loyola Drive (Lands of Hamid and Saghafi Nooshin; APN 331-06-084; #112-17-ZP-SD- GD). Reason for OSC review is attached second unit. KG and WW made a site visit and reported a tributary of Loyola Creek that has a defined bed and bank, slopes ≥30%, and many mature oak trees. The homeowner said that water periodically flows in the creek. After OSC review and discussion, KG moved that OSC recommend the Town request the developers of 10501 West Loyola to dedicate an open space easement as indicated by the red line drawn on the plan map. The basis for the open space easement is a creek tributary, slopes ≥30%, and mature oaks. NC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (RC, NC, KG, AS, SS, JS, WW, SW). 5. Open Discussion. OSC Draft_Minutes17-0511.docx 3 6. Communications from the Floor. 7. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 11:04 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 6, 2017 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: OSC Quick Weed Assessment for Westwind Community Barn Attachment B: Los Altos Town Crier May 3, 2017 article about OSC Coyote Seminar Attachment C: Bay Area Aquatic Resource Inventory (BAARI) Memo to Staff Final minutes were approved as amended (red text) at the Regular Open Space Committee meeting of June 8, 2017. !"#$%&’(()&*++(++,(-.&’’/012345467)8$9&&&&&&&&&&&&:;2;12&1& !"#$%&’(()&*++(++,(-.&’(+.<#-)&=8,,"-#.>&/?@-&A@8B(@.>& *B@#C&6D&E412&& F*G&HB(-&IB?$(&=8,,#..((&J8C"-.((@+&& & !"#$%&"’()$*"+(,-.%(,/$’%.(0&.%+&12%&"’(&’(34&.(!"#$%&"’(5-#"66-’7$%&"’( 17&&IC8B(&K(C8<&B?))8$%&/8?@)&1& ?-)&L"@-8".&2&?K8M(&5G& B?+."@(& 53N.&.?CC&O.?C#?-&.P#+.C(D&,#C%& .P#+.C(D&K"CC&.P#+.C(& Q(-+(&#-N(+.?.#8-&8N&53R&N88.&.?CC& BC?-.+&8-&,8+.&8N&P#CC+#)(7& S?.#M(&$8>8.(&K@"+P&+P@"K+&?@(& +.?K#C#T#-U&P#CC+#)(7& V?W8@&.P#+.C(&#-N(+.?.#8-&+B@(?)#-U&@?B#)C>&8-&.P(& +C8B(&?-)&.8&8.P(@&?@(?+7&O-$C")#-U&B@(+(@M(7&& ’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’(()&*++(++,(-.&’’/012345467)8$9&&&&&&&&&&&&:;2;12&E& & !"#$%&"’()$*"+(,-.%(,/$’%.(0&.%+&12%&"’(&’(34&.(!"#$%&"’(5-#"66-’7$%&"’( :7&’(.C?-)&?.&K8..8,&8N&P#CC&A8#+8-&P(,C8$%&*C8-U&N(-$(&C#-(&?-)&$@((%&K?-%+&HI=&M8C"-.((@+&<#CC&@(,8M(&B8#+8-&P(,C8$%& &\(?+.&+#)(&8N&.@?#C]&O.?C#?-&.P#+.C(D&,#C%&.P#+.C(D& K"CC&.P#+.C(& A?.$P(+&?-)&#-)#M#)"?C&BC?-.+& .P@8"UP8".&& G?-)&B"CC&8@&)#U&8".&.P#+.C(+7&=C#B&+(()&P(?)+&?-)&K?U& N8@&)#+B8+?C&K(N8@(&$"..#-U&.P#+.C(&#N&B8++#KC(7& &V"+.?@)&A?.$P(+&.P@8"UP8".&G#+.8@#$?CC>&P?)&P(?M>&+.#-%<8@.&#-N(+.?.#8-& &X@8)#",&A?.$P(+&.P@8"UP8".&& &I.#-%<8@.&G#+.8@#$?CC>&B@(+(-.&& 27&’(.C?-)&?.&K8..8,&8N&P#CC&A8#+8-&P(,C8$%&O-N(+.?.#8-&HI=&M8C"-.((@+&<#CC&@(,8M(&B8#+8-&P(,C8$%& &\<(+.&+#)(&8N&.@?#C&.8&$@((%& $@8++#-U]& O.?C#?-&.P#+.C(D&,#C%&.P#+.C(D& K"CC&.P#+.C(& A?.$P(+&?-)&#-)#M#)"?C&BC?-.+& .P@8"UP8".&& G?-)&B"CC&8@&)#U&8".&.P#+.C(+7&=C#B&+(()&P(?)+&?-)&K?U& N8@&)#+B8+?C&K(N8@(&@(,8M#-U&8@&$"..#-U&.P#+.C(&#N& B8++#KC(7& &V"+.?@)&A?.$P(+&.P@8"UP8".&& &X@8)#",&A?.$P(+&.P@8"UP8".&Q8(+&^8(&,8<&.P#+&?@(?_& &I.#-%<8@.&G(?M>&#-N(+.?.#8-&#-&B?+.&&& ‘7&&A?.P&)8<-&P#CC&N@8,&5G&K?@-&.8& B?+."@(&\?C8-U&(?+.(@-&N(-$(&C#-(]& O.?C#?-&.P#+.C(D&,#C%&.P#+.C(D& K"CC&.P#+.C(& E353N88.&.?CC&#-N(+.?.#8-&?C8-U& N(-$(&C#-(& 5G&?-)&HI=&M8C"-.((@+&<#CC&@(,8M(&.P#+.C(&?-)&<(()3 <P?$%& &V"+.?@)&A?.$P(+&?-)&#-)#M#)"?C&BC?-.+& .P@8"UP8".& & &X@8)#",&A?.$P(+&?-)&#-)#M#)"?C&BC?-.+& .P@8"UP8".& & 67&&5G&A?+."@(&O.?C#?-&.P#+.C(D&,#C%&.P#+.C(D& K"CC&.P#+.C(&& A?.$P>&#-N(+.?.#8-&?C8-U&N(-$(&C#-(& +,?CC(@&#-N(+.?.#8-&#-&+B@#-U3N()& ?@(?& 5G&?-)&HI=&M8C"-.((@+&<#CC&@(,8M(&.P#+.C(_& &X@8)#",&LP@8"UP8".&B?+."@(&& &aIL&LP@8"UP8".&B?+."@(&& &=P?,8,#C(&LP@8"UP8".&B?+."@(&& &V"+.?@)&IB?@+(b&,8+.C>&?C8-U&()U(+&& & & ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "#$%!&’!()%*!+$,)-!.$$*/01!2%345#$! "#$%!6’!7,)2$!+$,)-!2%**)893’!:;<:=7>!?(;@(;>A! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "#$%!&’!()*$#!#)%+! "#$%!,’!-%./0*$./!1$+$./#2%3!1%/4! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "#$%&!&#’(!’)(!$%*+!$%+,’)(! -%+,’)(!%’*+!#.!!,#$%&!’&%)’! Coyote talk generates affirmation, aggravation By Megan V. Winslow Staff Writer/meganw@latc.com To wildlife ecologist Ashley DeLaup of Denver, a coyote is a majestic and intel-' ligent creature deserving of respect but not necessarily fear. To former veterinarian Dr. Carol Meschter, who lost a cat to a coyote in her Los Altos yard, the canids are invasive pests dangerous to both domestic animals and humans. The accuracy of either characterization is based on perspective, but both viewpoints gar- nered affirmation Thursday evening during De- Laup's "Co-existing with Coyotes" presentation at Los Altos Hills Town Hall. "I thought she was excellent," said Nancy Couperus, co-chairwoman of the town's Open Space Committee, which invited DeLaup. "To me, she covered so many different areas - you know, things that people have experienced and how to deal with them. So I just thought it was very informative." Meschter, who classified DeLaup's presen- tation as a "talk by (a) radical animal rights group" in a Facebook promotion published days before, vehemently disagreed. "I think it's really misleading to convince Visiting wildlife ecol- ogist Ashley DeLaup of Denver describes how a "fence roller" can deter wild animals dur- ing a "Co- existing with Coyotes" informa- tional session at Los Altos Hills town hall April 27. MEGAN V. WINSLOW/ TOWN CRIER people that it's OK to have these predatory ani- mals, these carnivores ... in our neighborhoods, jumping in our yards, killing our pets, frighten- ing our children and making our lives unpleas- ant here in California," she said during the pre- sentation's question-and-answer session. "And I think a lot of what you said, it sounds really nice, it's all 'rah rah,' Half of it is wrong, and I'm very disturbed by this talk," DeLaup's talk was the culmination of resi- dents' concerns voiced in the aftermath of recent coyote attacks on local dogs and cats. Spring is coyote birthing season, and officials urge resi- dents to keep their cats indoors and dogs leashed to avoid conflict with protective coyote mothers. Hazing techniques Thursday, DeLaup and representatives from Santa Clara County Vector Control and Palo Alto Animal Services also encouraged engaging in "hazing," techniques that re-establish coy- otes' natural fear of humans. Methods include yelling, waving arms, blowing whistles, sound- ing air horns and shaking a water bottle contain- ing coins when encountering the animals. "Hazing isn't just something one person See COYOTE, Page 7 May 3, 2017 &lto£ Coton Crier • May 3,2017 COYOTE From Page 4 does," said Peter Gotcher, Vec- tor Control wildlife specialist. "It tends to work better when it's a community effort." Although incidents involving coyote bites on humans are ex- tremely rare - only 142 were re- corded in the U.S. between 1960 and 2006 - attacks on domestic animals do occur, as coyotes may view dogs and cats as prey or competition, DeLaup said. "I know probably some of you have lost pets, and I'm so sorry," she said. "But I want to make sure that I do what I can to help you not ever lose anoth- er one. And one of the things I always hope comes out of this presentation is you go to some- one who didn't come and say, 'You know what you should do to protect your dog or to protect your cat?' Or, 'Did you know this about coyotes?' Because that will help your whole com- munity." Following are tips and infor- mation for keeping four-legged loved ones safe, courtesy of De- Laup, Santa Clara County Vec- tor Control and Palo Alto Ani- mal Services: • Never intentionally feed coyotes. • Keep unattended pets in- doors - especially at night. • Promptly clean up spilled birdseed and fallen fruit and se- cure garbage and compost. Coy- otes are omnivores and their diet is highly adaptable. They are attracted to the smell of rotting fruit and the rodents that feast on garbage. • Always keep dogs leashed, preferably with a short lead and a secure harness, which, in an emergency, can be used to hoist a small dog off the ground. Do not use retractable leashes, as they allow dogs to venture too far afield. • Consider "fence rollers" or other fence modifications to de- ter predators. Prevent digging by reinforcing fences with hard- ware cloth. • Remove thick vegetation, where coyotes like to hunker down, near homes. • Invest in motion-activated lights. • Accustom domestic pets to hazing techniques so they don't panic during coyote encounters. To: Suzanne Avila, Planning Commissioners cc: Carl Cahill Date: May 2017 Subject: Bay Area Aquatic Resource Inventory, EcoAtlas Summary The Open Space Committee would like to inform Town planning staff and Planning Commissioners of a resource for indentifying creeks and their tributaries. Collectively known as the Bay Area Aquatic Resource Inventory (BAARI), local waterways can be viewed online through the website, EcoAtlas.org. The Open Space Committee is willing to help navigate this resource as needed. Although Moody Creek is not shown on Santa Clara Valley Water District's (SCVWD) major creeks map it is nonetheless a valuable resource and a recognized waterway. For example, the Town of Los Altos Hills in partnership with Grassroots Ecology has received a grant for restoration on a small tributary of Moody Creek from SCVWD. Major creeks as well as feeder tributaries are shown on EcoAltas. There has been some confusion regarding creek definition and which waterways are worthy of protection. Here are some quotes from agency employees to help clarify this question. Creeks on EcoAtlas almost certainly meet federal (US Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act) and state (SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, CDFW) regulatory definitions, in addition to wetland areas bordering the channels. CDFW has jurisdiction over riparian habitat. EcoAtlas creeks (CARI or BAARI here) are informational only and should be used for planning. Jurisdiction is defined by various federal, state, and local regulations. Employee of Santa Clara Valley Water District There is a body of research that calls out the importance of headwater channels for water quality and argues that the small headwater streams have greater water quality "treatment" value than the larger ones because the greater channel surface- water contact has more water quality treatment function. Employee of Regional Water Quality Control Board There are many benefits to homeowners and Town staff with proper identification of recognized waterways. Here are three examples of how this resource could have helped property owners along Moody Creek. - A homeowner on what is now known as 27755 Central Drive removed riparian vegetation and modified the creek bank. The owner was subsequently cited by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and was ordered to resource the creek bank. If the Town had notified the homeowner about creek regulations, the fine and damage may have been avoided. - A homeowner on a tributary of Moody Creek, upstream from the new development at 27985 Central Drive, sustains water damage and reduced usage to their arena and barn in wet winters. The EcoAtlas shows that a tributary exists through the developed area. Careful barn placement with respect to aquatic resources could have avoided this recurring problem. - Years ago, the Town installed paddocks in the lower property of Westwind Community Barn, however, the paddocks became unusable in most winters. EcoAtlas shows this area as a wetland and SCVWD fined the Town for improper manure management near a natural waterway.