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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 11OSC FINAL_Minutes18-1011 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting October 11, 2018 Members and Associates Present: Peter Brown, George Clifford, Richard Contreras, Nancy Couperus, Kit Gordon, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch (Members); Kjell Karlsson, Karen Lemes (Associates) Members and Associates Absent: Jean Struthers (Member; Sharen Schoendorf, Alice Sakamoto (Associates) Council Liaison Present: Roger Spreen LAH Staff Present: Nichol Bowersox (LAH Director of Engineering and Public Works) Kristen Williams (Habitat Restoration Director, Grassroots Ecology) Member of Public Present: None 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. None to approve. C. Announcements. i. SOD BLITZ. Dr. Garbelotto will results of the 2018 SOD BLITZ and an update of treatment recommendations at a seminar on Oct 16, 2018 at Portola Valley Town Hall (7–9 pm). 2. Planning A. Fence encroachment at 26880 Ortega Drive (KG, SW). KG presented photos and maps (Attachment A). Although the major tributary of Barron Creek runs along the east property line and a smaller tributary runs along the southern property line, the Town did not require either an open space easement or a riparian setback at the time development plans were approved (at Fast Track review) for a major remodel on this lot. An existing fence runs along the top-of-bank of the main tributary and a vineyard has been installed on the slope just above the fence. Significant erosion down the steep creek banks is evident along this fence line, which may cause the fence to fall into the creek. Since the plans have already been approved, a town planner suggested requesting an OSC, but not removal of the fence at the time of landscape review. Following discussion, OSC proposed to ask the planner to add the OSC recommendation to the Trakit report for the project and OSC will make a presentation at the landscape review meeting to request the following 1) dedicate the standard 25-ft riparian setback from top-of bank of tributary along the eastern border (to be free of all structures including fencing); 2) dedicate an OSE over this area 25-ft from TOB; and 3) require replanting of riparian vegetation to reduce erosion into the creek. OSC also has the option to take this to the Planning Commission if necessary. B. Planning Site reviews. i. 13861 La Paloma Road. Landscape Screening (RC, WW). RC presented information and recommendations (Attachment B). Plan is a solid perimeter fence to replace and extend an existing fence. No open space issues were identified (flat lot with no evidence of wildlife corridors). NC moved that OSC approve the recommendation as written and send them to Planning Department. RC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (PB, GC, RC, NC, KG, WW, SW). C. Fence Permit reviews. i. 26475 Anacapa Drive (RC; ZP-18-0028). Lot owner said there is an existing OSE running along the 340-ft contour line (Attachment C). Proposed fence will run along 348-ft contour line (above the OSE). No documentation available to confirm location of OSE. PB moved that OSC accept the report and recommendation as written and send to Planning Department. RC seconded and the vote was 6 in favor (PB, RC, NC, KG, WW, SW) with GC abstaining. ii. 11655 Jessica Lane. RC and KG sent comments (Attachment E) to Planning Dept on 9/18/18 to meet deadline. Lot has frontage on Jessica and Magdalena. Fence design not harmful to wildlife and fence will be 10 feet from the southern property line, which will allow for some wildlife movement through the area. 3. New Business OSC FINAL_Minutes18-1011 2 A. Introduction, Nichol Bowersox (new LAH Director of Engineering and Public Works). Nichol introduced herself and spoke briefly about work on the Town sewer system. She will return at a later date to review other activities in her department. B. Grassrooots Ecology Annual Update from Kristen Williams. Kristen Williams (Habitat Restoration Director, Grassroots Ecology has been working on stewardship and grant projects in LAH open space preserves since April 2014 and updated OSC on progress and new activities (Attachment D). The earlier work removing invasive pest plant has had a huge front-end impact improving the health and aesthetics of the preserves, and in some areas (grasslands) work is moving into the maintenance phase. Most of the dense stands of teasel and yellow and purple star thistle (YST, PST) have been removed, and follow-up work is focusing on reducing the seed bank. Mowing is now being done by the Town crew. Earlier mows were successful in reducing YST seed production and will continue annually The regular “Byrne Brigade” volunteer workdays on Monday mornings continue and Grassroots plans to schedule additional workdays on Saturdays and after school to provide more opportunities for teens. Work includes: ongoing invasive pest plant removal and planting and maintaining natives on the western hill (below the natural spring); restoration work along the Moody Creek tributary in the main grassland and in the flood plain adjacent to the creek at the bottom of the hill. This work is partly supported by a 3-yr grant from the SCVWD. Grassroots also was awarded a pollution prevention grant from SCVWD to restore and modify the seasonal wetland below the Westwind Community Barn (where paddocks were removed). They will install berms and native plants to slow and filter storm-water run-off from the barn areas before it enters Moody Creek. In response to a query about what Town could do to help Grassroots in their work, KW suggested installing signs at all three preserves and providing running water at their tool shed in Byrne. C. OSC Quarterly Report to Council. OSC discussed scheduling (Jan or Feb 2019) and content of the next OSC report to Council. Suggested topics include Grassroots Ecology’s success in the OSPs, illustrated with before and after photos; report on outside funding acquired for the new pollution prevention grant. D. Groundwater Recharge Zone in LAH. KG reported that SCVWD has new procedures for monitoring and regulating wells located within the local groundwater recharge area. KG will submit the LAH Town geologist’s (Ted Sayres) updated geology map to SCVWD to replace the 1924 map. 3. Continuing Business A. Town weed management. The vendor hired by the Town sprayed selected roadside stinkwort infestations (mapped by OSC) during the first week of October. Some owners of lots with large infestations have cleared the weeds, but many infestations remain. SW will re-send the stinkwort map and the County Weed Abatement site for reporting infestations to OSC members. B. Understanding Wildfire, Seminar Oct 30, 7:00–9:00 pm (KG). KG updated the committee on the upcoming seminar. She has invited a number of knowledgeable speakers, including: — Diane Renshaw (Ecologist). Fire as a natural process and habitat recovery after fire — Patty Ciesla (Santa Clara Fire Safe Council). Vegetation management, fire prevention, and habitat protection in LAH — Coty Sifuentes-Winter (MROSD Wildland Fire Management Director). MROSD Wildland Fire Management program — Bill Murphy (Fire Captain, Santa Clara County Fire Department). Community Wildfire Protection Plan for LAH: How to Prepare, Prevent, and Respond. — CalFire and McClenahan will be on hand to answer questions C. Wildlife Panel. Not discussed. D. Updates for City Council and Planning Commission meetings, Site Development meetings, Committee meetings. OSC discussed how to cover these important meeting and assure that OSC has an opportunity to review all development projects with open space issues. KG will request all projects be sent to OSC for review. OSC members will try to attend these meetings. E. Sign-ups for FastTrack/Site Development meetings. OSC discussed the importance of attending these meetings to provide input on landscape, fencing, creek, and other open space issues. Meetings OSC FINAL_Minutes18-1011 3 are held most Tuesdays from 10 to 11 am. OSC members volunteered to attend Fast Track meetings: Oct 23 (RC); Oct 30 (KG); Nov 6 (NC); December TBD (GC). 5. Open Discussion and Communications from the Floor. None. 6. Adjournment. Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, November 8, 2018 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: 26880 Ortega Fence Encroachment Attachment B: 13861 La Paloma Road OSC Fence Permit Review Attachment C: 26475 Anacapa Drive OSC Fence Permit Review Attachment D: Grassroots Ecology Memo to OSC and Annual Report for 2017-2018 Attachment E OSC comments on fence plan at 11655 Jessica Ln FINAL minutes were approved at the Special Open Space Committee meeting of December 12, 2018. To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: October 11, 2018 Property Address: 26880 Ortega Drive Consideration: Fence and Vineyard within 25 feet of top of bank Summary The property 26880 Ortega Drive borders Barron Creek on the east and a tributary to Barron Creek on the south. The property was not sent to the Open Space Committee for review, however, during a Fast Track/Site Development Hearing the issue was raised that an Open Space Easement should be required 25 feet from top of bank of Barron Creek. The Open Space Committee makes these recommendations: 1. Create an open space easement and riparian setback 25 feet from top of bank on both the eastern border with Barron Creek and the southern border with its tributary. 2. Remove the existing fence at top of bank and within proposed open space easement. The existing fence is currently on the top of the bank of Barron Creek with erosion under the fence. The collapse of this fence into the creek would create a safety hazard for this and adjacent properties and a water pollution (sedimentation) violation for the Town. 3. Remove vines from 25 feet of top of bank. A white powder was noted on the soil in the vineyard and within the proposed open space easement. The vineyard slopes downward toward the creek and vineyard chemicals will flow into and pollute the creek. A riparian vegetation buffer between vineyards and creeks is recommended. 4. Recommend during review of landscape design, replant riparian vegetation within proposed open space easement to improve water quality, increase groundwater recharge, reduced flood risk and improve habitat. Supporting Regulations Municipal Code 10-2.702 Siting. (e) Creek Protection. Structures shall be set back a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the top of bank of all creeks. Greater setbacks may be required along major creeks in the Town; however, lesser setbacks may be allowed where approved by the Planning Commission. Improvements required to all creeks shall be accomplished to appear natural and to maintain the natural meandering course of the existing creek. Creeks and banks shall be protected so as to remain in their natural state as much as possible. They should not be disturbed by the building or grading process. No grading shall be allowed in creeks or within the required setbacks from top of bank. Siting of structures shall be done with safety as a primary concern. Safety concerns and preservation of riparian habitat are required to be simultaneously addressed when designing development and required improvements to creeks. (§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985; §§ 6, 7, Ord. 370, eff. May 20, 1994; § 1, Ord. 504, eff. October 28, 2006) Safety Policy 3.1: Leave natural channels and flood plains in a natural state, unencumbered by development to the maximum extent feasible. Safety Policy 1.1 Open space easements, zoning and other land use regulations shall be used to limit and, in some cases, prohibit development in areas of unstable terrain, active fault traces, water channels, flood plains, excessively steep slopes and other areas determined to be hazardous to public welfare and safety. Conservation Policy 5.1: Keep or restore major drainage courses in their natural condition insofar as possible because of their importance in supplying major vegetation, land forms and wildlife habitat, and storm drainage. Conservation Policy 1.3: Preserve the integrity of riparian corridors as unique and environmentally sensitive resources. Conservation Policy 3.1: Maintain and protect creeks and riparian corridors for wildlife that use this resource for food, shelter, migration and breeding. Conservation Policy 11.5: Ensure that development projects are designed to conserve the natural slope, preserve existing native vegetation, limit invasive species, and conserve natural drainage channels and swales. Land Use Policy 2.5 Steep slopes, canyons and ravines generally in excess of 30% slope, as well as natural swales and drainage channels, and geologic hazard areas within areas designated for residential development shall be left undisturbed and preserved in their natural condition to the maximum extent feasible. Vineyard slopes down toward creek. Fence is on top of bank. White powder on ground. Erosion under fence, which is positioned at top of creek bank. View of outlet of tributary from Barron Creek on southern boundary of property. 13861_La_Paloma_Road.docx 10/10/18 1 To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: 11 October 2018 Property address: 13861 La Paloma Road Date of Site Visit: 3rd October 2018 Lands of Moore APN Town Planner Dylan Parker Project Number SD18-0048 Reason for review (check one) New Residence Second Unit Addition/Major Remodel Fence Permit OSC RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PROPERTY Date of OSC review:11 October 2018 Preliminary recommendation: Landscaping Plans given to OSC- only thing I could find that is within our purview is the fencing. New fence replaces and extends similar old fence (see photo). As such I can see no problems (It is a very flat lot with no evidence of wildlife corridors) - RC Voting of review: Final OSC recommendation (after formal OSC review) 13861_La_Paloma_Road.docx 10/10/18 2 SUPPORTING INFORMATION SLOPE AND SOIL Average slope of lot _0 Areas with slope ≥30%? Check slope/LUF worksheet on subdivisions If applicable, Review Geologic Hazard Report, (For more information see Slope and Soil in Appendix) CREEKS Creeks or waterways or swale on parcel? Name of creek/tributary of: Shown on USGS map? SCVWD creek map? LAH Hazard Map? EcoAtlas? Condition of banks? Existing riparian or OSE or SCVWD easement along creek on this property or nearby parcels? Does SCVWD want to expand their easement? Proposed setbacks for structures? Evidence of bed, banks, or Original High Water Mark (OHWM)? Identify any structures including fences within 25 feet of top of bank? Within OHWM? (For more information see Creeks in Appendix) TREES, NATIVE VEGETATION & INVASIVE PLANTS Heritage oaks? Significant trees? Groves of significant trees? Trees proposed for removal (number and species)? Significant native vegetation? Significant invasive pest plant vegetation? (For more information see Trees, Native Vegetation & Invasive Plants in Appendix) WILDLIFE CORRIDORS & FENCING Check 2006 Live Oak Associates map (not official) Evidence of wildlife (e.g., deer trails, spoor)?None Identify location and type of existing fencing see photo Check that fencing on plans agrees with fencing on the ground 13861_La_Paloma_Road.docx 10/10/18 3 Note any fence that does not meet current fencing regulations (For more information see Wildlife Corridors and Fencing in Appendix) OPEN SPACE EASEMENTS (OSE)/CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (CE) Check Town records for existing CE or OSE on this property and adjacent and nearby parcels. Identify on plans and attach copy (photo) of areas where OSE are recommended (slope ≥30%, significant trees, wildlife corridor, creeks, drainage swales) (For more information see Open Space/Conservation Easements, in Appendix) PATHWAY EASEMENTS (PE) Check Town records for existing or newly proposed PE on this property or adjacent and nearby parcels. Attachments: - Photos from site - Easement history and research - Photo of site plan with marked OSE FOLLOW-UP Send final copy to OSC Chair & Secretary Upload to TraKit ? Add address to list of easements to track on OSC agenda 13861_La_Paloma_Road.docx 10/10/18 4 26475_Anacapa_Drive_Fence.docx 10/10/18 1 To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: 10 October 2018 Property address: 26475 Anacapa Drive Date of Site Visit: 2 October 2018 Lands of KANTAK APN Town Planner CODY EINFALT Project Number ZP18-0028 Reason for review (check one) New Residence Second Unit Addition/Major Remodel Fence Permit OSC RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PROPERTY Date of OSC review:11 October 2018 Preliminary Review: RC- As I understand it the OSE runs along the 340' contour and the fence runs along about the 348' contour so it should be fine. (see photo) Voting of review: Final OSC recommendation (after formal OSC review) 26475_Anacapa_Drive_Fence.docx 10/10/18 2 SUPPORTING INFORMATION SLOPE AND SOIL Average slope of lot _ Areas with slope ≥30%? x Check slope/LUF worksheet on subdivisions If applicable, Review Geologic Hazard Report, (For more information see Slope and Soil in Appendix) CREEKS Creeks or waterways or swale on parcel? Name of creek/tributary of: Shown on USGS map? SCVWD creek map? LAH Hazard Map? EcoAtlas? Condition of banks? Existing riparian or OSE or SCVWD easement along creek on this property or nearby parcels? Does SCVWD want to expand their easement? Proposed setbacks for structures? Evidence of bed, banks, or Original High Water Mark (OHWM)? Identify any structures including fences within 25 feet of top of bank? Within OHWM? (For more information see Creeks in Appendix) TREES, NATIVE VEGETATION & INVASIVE PLANTS Heritage oaks? Significant trees? Groves of significant trees? Trees proposed for removal (number and species)? Significant native vegetation? Significant invasive pest plant vegetation? (For more information see Trees, Native Vegetation & Invasive Plants in Appendix) WILDLIFE CORRIDORS & FENCING Check 2006 Live Oak Associates map (not official) Evidence of wildlife (e.g., deer trails, spoor)? Identify location and type of existing fencing none Check that fencing on plans agrees with fencing on the ground 26475_Anacapa_Drive_Fence.docx 10/10/18 3 Note any fence that does not meet current fencing regulations (For more information see Wildlife Corridors and Fencing in Appendix) OPEN SPACE EASEMENTS (OSE)/CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (CE) Check Town records for existing CE or OSE on this property and adjacent and nearby parcels. As per planner Open space easement follows 340’ contour Identify on plans and attach copy (photo) of areas where OSE are recommended (slope ≥30%, significant trees, wildlife corridor, creeks, drainage swales) (For more information see Open Space/Conservation Easements, in Appendix) PATHWAY EASEMENTS (PE) Check Town records for existing or newly proposed PE on this property or adjacent and nearby parcels. Attachments: - Photos from site - Easement history and research - Photo of site plan with marked OSE FOLLOW-UP Send final copy to OSC Chair & Secretary Upload to TraKit ? Add address to list of easements to track on OSC agenda 26475_Anacapa_Drive_Fence.docx 10/10/18 4 26475_Anacapa_Drive_Fence.docx 10/10/18 5 Looking at edge of steep area and approximate location of fence. To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Richard Contreras and Kit Gordon of the Open Space Committee Date: September 18, 2018 Property Address: 11655 Jessica Lane, Consideration: Fence Review Summary The Open Space Committee was asked to review a proposed new fence at 11655 Jessica Lane. The 10 day response required for fence review did not allow for committee discussion. This opinion is from Richard Contreras and Kit Gordon who reviewed the property and fence proposal. We do not recommend changes to the proposed fence. The proposed fence location is shown in Figure 1. The ten-foot spacing from fence to property line on the southwest border will provide for some wildlife movement. A neighboring fence exists at the northeast property border. The design of the fence is shown in Figure 2. This design is consistent with minimal risk to wildlife. The height of the fence is 6 feet. A large clump of pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) was noted on the property. We recommend removal. Below is an excerpt from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Figure 1: Fence Proposal Figure 2: Fence Design