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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 8Page 1 of 5 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Parks and Recreation Meeting Room Minutes of November 8, 2018 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: George Clifford, Richard Contreras, Nancy Couperus, Kit Gordon, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Associate Member Karen Lemes Council Liaison: Roger Spreen Regrets: Peter Brown, Sue Welch, Associate Member Alice Sakamoto Guests: Cheryl and Eric Evans – owners at 11641 Buena Vista and Noel Cross, architect Kjell Karlsson Staff: Jeremy Loh 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9 am. 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh was introduced. Jeremy brought a spreadsheet comparing Tree Protection Regulations from nearby towns for Committee members to study. The OSC was asked to consider which species it would like protected, their size, and whether replacement measures should be put in place. It was agreed that members should review the material presented and bring their ideas to the next meeting. 3. Planning Projects: a. 11641 Buena Vista – Request to modify open space conservation easement The owners, Cheryl and Eric Evans, have requested a lot line adjustment on an approximate 10+ acre property, the purpose of which is to enlarge one of two lots to accommodate a future home that will provide an improved placement of the home on the property. As the existing open space conservation easement will be impacted, the OSC has been requested by staff to comment. George and Richard visited the property and reviewed the plans. . Page 2 of 5 There was agreement of the Committee that Option B (while it would impact the existing open space easement) was the preferred option. It was pointed out, however, that the swale should be included in the easement, as structures are not allowed in a swale. Another recommendation by the Committee was to keep an open space easement in the 40-foot setback from Central Drive. The plans the OSC reviewed for Option B do not identify slopes greater than 30%. Such areas are recommended to be included in an OSE. Additionally, the plans do not show the oaks on the property – reflecting their location and size. The owners are requesting modification of the existing open space conservation easement that will occur if the preferred Option B is approved as a result of a lot-line adjustment. In Option B the OSE would not be extended as far as in Option A. Although an easement is proposed where there is now a road on the west side of the property, it was pointed out that this is a pathway easement and not an open space easement. The owners were also apprised of the goals of the OSE to have contiguous open space with no fencing in order to allow free wildlife movement. Members of the OSC were in agreement with the Committee’s recommendation. George Clifford made the motion to approve the recommendation with corrections to the background information and Richard Contreras seconded the motion. The motion passed with 5 votes (GC, RC, NC, JS, WW). Kit Gordon abstained as she is a nearby neighbor. b. 12698 La Cresta Drive – Parking Variance The OSC recommended an open space easement along the edge on the northeast corner of the property. There is a 40-inch oak that should be included in the easement. Removal of an infestation of stinkwort is recommended. A motion to approve the Committee’s recommendation passed unanimously. (GC, RC, NC, KG, JS, WW) c. 26379 Fremont Road Town Hall Expansion Nancy provided additional historic information on the Heritage House, which she recommends for preservation. The Heritage House was the first house built in the downtown in 1908 and was moved to Los Altos Hills in 1985. When the house was first moved to Los Altos Hills it housed a collection of historic scrapbooks and other important Town historical documents. These documents currently are scattered in different Town locations and no longer reside in the Heritage House. Preservation of the Page 3 of 5 Heritage House – now slated for removal – could provide space for historical documents and also provide a location for important open space documents. The Open Space Committee found no issues with the proposed building plans. The OSC recommended against removal of the Heritage House. Nancy made a motion to inform the Town that it wishes to preserve the Heritage House. Wendie Ward seconded and the motion passed unanimously. (GC, RC, NC, KG, JS, WW) 4. New Business a. Proposal to inform property owner at 27755 Central Drive of possible tax advantages of donating a portion of the property (a substandard lot) as a conservation easement to the Town). After discussion a motion was made by Nancy to inform the resident at 27755 Central Drive of the possibility of dedicating a portion of the property as a conservation easement that benefits the Town’s trail access with possible tax benefits to the owners. Wendie seconded the motion. The vote was in favor (GC, RC, NC, JS, WW) with Kit Gordon abstaining due to proximity of her home. b. Form a subcommittee on Fast Track Guidelines Following discussion of the need to review the Fast Track Guidelines Council Liaison Roger Spreen offered to speak with Carl Cahill and Planning Commissioner Susan Mandle for their input on how best to proceed. Committee members agreed that projects are getting through Fast Track that ought to be going to the Planning Commission. Karen Lemes suggested that a list from the past year of projects that in retrospect should have gone to Planning Commission would be helpful. Kit Gordon offered to work with Carol Gottlieb of the EDPC on this. 5. Continuing Business q Town weed management - Dittrichia Dittrichia is pretty well controlled except for the large undeveloped lots that have big infestations. q Green Stormwater Infrastructure Kit Gordon is evaluating potential Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects and solicited additional help from the Committee. Wendie Ward & Kjell Karlsson offered to help Kit. Page 4 of 5 q Wildlife Forum Nothing new to report q Updates from Town meetings - briefly discussed q Sign up for Fast Track/Site Development Hearings November 13 – Nancy November 20, 27 – Kit December 4, 11 - Kit 6. Open Discussion – There was no time left for open discussion. The next Open Space meeting is scheduled on December 13, 2018. Submitted by Nancy Couperus Page 5 of 5