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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 8 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Regular Meeting Minutes 9:00 AM, January 8, 2020 Los Altos Hills Town Hall, Heritage House Committee Members and Associates Present: Richard Contreras (Chair), George Clifford (Vice Chair), Nancy Couperus (Founder), Peter Brown (left at 10:00am), Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Kit Gordon, Karen Lemes (Associate), Sharen Schoendorf (Associate) Committee Members Absent: Alice Sakamoto (Associate) Council Liaison Present: George Tyson Community Guest: Jonathan Buck, ENGeo 1. Call to Order and Acceptance of Minutes a. Roll Call. RC called the meeting to order at 9:06 am b. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. RC moved to accept the minutes from December 12 with minor edit. PB seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor of approval (RC, GC, PB, WW, KG, JS, SW). c. Announcements. None. 2. Planning a. 24269 Dawnridge Drive (RC, WW). The developer applied for a permit for a major renovation and addition (2099 sqft). The property is a flag lot off Magdalena with a slope of 5.4%. Hale Creek is just north of the property line. RC moved and GC seconded the acceptance of the report and these Open Space Committee recommendations. The vote was unanimously in favor (RC, GC, PB, WW, KG, JS, SW). i. Remove fence and invasive ivy from creek side. Any replacement fence should be placed 25 feet from top of bank. ii. Remove wood stack from the base of the Valley oak tree. iii. Remove rodenticide from riparian habitat zone. iv. Require the developer to dedicate an open space easement, and enforce a riparian setback, 25 feet of top of bank. v. Request the developer to evaluate the removal of the retaining wall at the creek. This would allow a more natural creek environment. b. 13940 La Paloma Rd (KG, GC). The developer applied for a permit for a new 2-story residence with basement, garage, pool, sports court and ADU. The 1.518-acre property has an average slope of 7.05%. No creeks are on the property. The plan calls for the removal of 29 trees including 7 oak trees and 10 redwood trees. KG moved and GC seconded the acceptance of the report and these Open Space Committee recommendations. The vote was unanimously in favor (RC, GC, PB, WW, KG, JS, SW). i. The Open Space Committee recommends saving as many oaks as possible, especially the large 28” oak. ii. The Open Space Committee recommends 3:1 oak tree replacement for the lost heritage oak trees. If oaks are not possible, then replace with other trees native to Los Altos Hills. iii. The Open Space Committee recommends not to plant oleanders but instead to plant native shrubs and trees. Oleanders are toxic and provide no habitat value for our region. There are many shrubs and small trees native to Los Altos Hills including toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp), California lilac (Ceanothus spp), coffeeberry (Frangula californica spp), buckwheat (Egiogonum spp), California wax myrtle (Morella californica), California cherry (Prunus spp), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), buckeye (Aesculus californica), big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and many others. See calscape.org for complete list of plants native to Los Altos Hills. c. 14210 Baleri Ranch Road (GC, KG). The developer applied for a landscape permit that includes an outdoor kitchen, pergola, fire pit, soaking tub, paving, planting and new fencing. The proposed fencing at the southern border is along a pathway easement and wildlife movement corridor. Matadero Creek borders the property to the west. SCVWD has an easement along the creek. GC moved and WW seconded the acceptance of the report and these Open Space Committee recommendations. The vote was unanimously in favor (RC, GC, PB, WW, KG, JS, SW). i. The Open Space Committee recommends the developer dedicate an open space easement at the southern border overlaying the existing pathway easement to allow wildlife movement along this corridor. ii. The Open Space Committee recommends the developer dedicate an open space easement 25 feet from top of bank of Matadero Creek. d. Fence Permit Reviews: None requested other than projects listed above. 3. New & Continuing Business a. Fence Ordinance Amendment. PB lead a lively discussion of the proposed fence ordinance amendment. Modifications were discussed. The committee thanked PB for his work and supports the intent of the proposal. JS moved and KG seconded the motion to approve the Proposed Amendment to the Fence Ordinance with minor language modifications. The vote was unanimously in favor (RC, GC, PB, WW, KG, JS, SW). b. Presentation from Jonathan Buck from Engeo. The Town has hired Engeo to facilitate permits from resource agencies (RWQCB, CDFW, USACE, USFWS) for Town projects along creeks. Jon presented the status of four Town projects: Matadero Creek Bank Stabilization, Barron Creek Restoration, Page Mill Rd/Moon Land Pedestrian Bridge and cattail maintenance in Matadero Creek. Mitigation location for the Matadero Creek Bank Stabilization Project has delayed the permitting. The Open Space Committee has been asked to help find a suitable location for mitigation near the site, possibly creating a project with private home owner and Grassroots Ecology or other environmental restoration organization. c. Native Plants for Landscaping Screening – no action taken. d. Vote on Nancy Couperus for position as associate member. RC moved and GC seconded the motion to approve Nancy Couperus as associate member. The vote was unanimously in favor (RC, GC, WW, KG, JS, SW). e. Article on fencing for Our Town. KL will contact Our Town editor Alex Atkins to determine if he would publish an article on this topic. KL will ask Tay Vanderlip and AS if they could write an article. f. Fast Track/Site Dev Hearing: NC attended a Fast Track and met a resident that may be interested in joining a town committee. All members and associate members were encouraged to attend the hearings. The hearings are most Tuesdays at 10am. g. Nesting Bird Box Speaker. KG wrote a memo to council requesting permission to use Council Chambers and to advertise the talk. The date is Oct 4, 3:00-5:00 pm. Meeting adjourned at 11:04 am Attachment A OSC Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Attachment B OSC Review 13940 La Paloma Road Attachment C OSC Review 14210 Baleri Ranch Road Attachment D Proposed Amendment to the Fence Ordinance Attachment E Presentation from Jonathan Buck, Engeo Minutes submitted by Kit Gordon To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: 8th January 2020 Property address: 24269 Dawnridge Drive Date of Site Visit: 6th January 2020 Reason for review : Major Remodel and Addition Background: Property is a flat lot off Magdalena, North East of 280 (Apple Map below:) Lands of Lim APN 33618019 Town Planner Jeremy Loh Project Number SD19-0089 1 OSC Site Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Attachment A Hale Creek runs close to the NE boarder (Los Altos Hills Interactive GIS map): Plans (next page) call for a remodel of a 3,859 sq foot single family residence with a 2099 sq foot addition. Two accessory structures are to be removed. The average slope is 5.4%. No evidence of wildlife trails was noted. Two large (>40”) Valley Oaks are planned to be retained. No significant trees are designated for removal. From an Open Space perspective the only issue appears to be the close proximity, albeit on neighboring property, of Hale Creek. Currently there is a retaining wall with a fence on top within 25 feet of top of bank (disallowed under LAH Resolution 26-07)
 2 OSC Site Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Plans (Hale Creek on neighboring property to the RHS)
 3 OSC Site Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Above: One of Valley Oaks. Note wood stacked at base. Below: Fence, with ivy, believed to be on property line (not shown on plans). Also visible is Hale creek and indication of retaining wall. 
 4 OSC Site Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Retaining wall OSC Preliminary Recommendation for this Property Remove fence and ivy from creekside. Any replacement fence needs to be 25’ from top of bank. Consider removing stacked wood from base of Valley Oak. Consider removing rodenticide. Final OSC recommendation A.Remove fence and invasive ivy from creek side. Any replacement fence should be placed 25 feet from top of bank. B.Remove wood stack from the base of the Valley oak tree. C.Remove rodenticide from riparian habitat zone. D.Require the developer to dedicate an open space easement, and enforce a riparian setback, 25 feet of top of bank of Hale creek. E.Request the developer to evaluate the removal of the retaining wall at the creek. This would allow a more natural creek environment. 5 OSC Site Review 24269 Dawnridge Drive Wednesday, January 8, 2020 To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: Jan 8, 2019 Property address: 13490 La Paloma Road Date of Site Visit: Jan 7, 2020 Lands of Jeff & Fay Wang APN 175-23-070 Town Planner Steve Padovan Project Number SD19-0090 Lot Size Slope LUF DA (sqft) FA (sqft) Earthworks (CY) 1.518 7.05% 1.514 20,571 8,048 2530 Reason for review: New Residence w/Basement, Garage, ADU, Pool, Sports Court, etc. PROPERTY SUMMARY A new 2-story home with basement, garage, pool, sports court and ADU is proposed. The existing 1-story, ranch-style home, pool and stable are proposed for demolition. The plan re-grades the property into wide level areas for the larger home site and for the sports court and pool area. The landscape plan removes 29 trees. All seven existing oak trees, the largest measuring 28”, are slated to be killed. Only three new oaks are proposed in the landscape plan. Ten redwood trees are to be killed. The new landscaping proposes shrubs and trees around the perimeter of the property and a perimeter fence. The design of the fence is unknown. Conservation Policy 2.2: Minimize disturbance of the natural terrain and vegetation. Preserve and protect native and naturalized plants, with special attention to preservation of unique, rare or endangered species and plant communities such as oak woodlands. Conservation Policy 2.3: Preserve and protect Heritage Trees, including native oaks and other significant trees, on public and private property. 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. Open Space Policy 1.2: Protect and maintain those areas necessary to the integrity of natural resources and processes, with special emphasis on, but not limited to, the groundwater recharge and drainage system, open spaces vital for wildlife habitat, open spaces suitable for agriculture, and other areas of major or unique ecological significance. Land Use Program 2.3 Encourage the preservation of existing trees, rock outcroppings, ridgelines and other significant natural features Municipal Code 10-2.702 Siting. (f)Tree Preservation. Every feasible attempt should be made to preserve existing trees except those trees identified in the Los Altos Hills Landscape Guidelines invasive plant Attachment B OSC FINAL RECOMMENDATION 1. The Open Space Committee recommends saving as many oaks as possible, especially the large 28” oak. 2. The Open Space Committee recommends 3:1 oak tree replacement for the lost heritage oak trees. If oaks are not possible, then replace with other trees native to Los Altos Hills. 3. The Open Space Committee recommends not to plant oleanders but instead to plant native shrubs and trees. Oleanders are toxic and provide no habitat value for our region. There are many shrubs and small trees native to Los Altos Hills including toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp), California lilac (Ceanothus spp), coffeeberry (Frangula californica spp), buckwheat (Egiogonum spp), California wax myrtle (Morella californica), California cherry (Prunus spp), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), buckeye (Aesculus californica), big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and many others. See calscape.org for complete list of plants native to Los Altos Hills. Date of OSC review: Jan 8, 2020 Voting of review: Unanimously in favor (WW, RC, JS, SW, GC, PB, KG) Existing home, proposed for removal Largest oak on property (28”), proposed for removal Back of house: field and stable, proposed for removal Regrading plan Landscape plan 1 To: Los Altos Hills Planning Department From: Open Space Committee Date: 1/8/2020 Property address: 14210 Baleri Ranch Rd. Date of Site Visit: 1/7/2020 Lands of Huber APN 18207049 Town Planner Jeremy Loh Project Number SD19-0093 Reason for review (check one) New Residence Second Unit Addition/Major Remodel Fence Permit Other landscaping X BACKGROUND •Project scope: Outdoor kitchen, pergola, paving, fire pit, soaking tub, planting, new fencing. •The site includes a portion of Matadero Creek. •There is a 10’ wide pedestrian and equestrian easement along southern edge of the property. This pathway is shown on the official Town’s Pathways Map and the original Baleri Ranch Road preliminary development plan (see below). •The preliminary development plan also indicates a possible SCVWD easement along creek on the western edge of the property. •It’s not clear if the plan calls for the removal of an existing plastic/wire fence located within the pedestrian/equestrian easement. •The plan indicates a 10’ public utility easement and an adjacent 10’ drainage easement along the south edge of the property. •The plan does not show the pedestrian/equestrian or SCVWD easements. •The plan does not show the location of Matadero Creek. Attachment C 2 PROPERTY FROM GOOGLE SATELLITE PROPERTY SHOWN OF LAH PATHWAYS MAP 3 PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR BALERI RANCH ROAD DEVELOPMENT 4 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY 5 CONCEPTUAL PLAN 6 VIEW WEST OF DRAINAGE, PUC, AND PEDESTRIAN/EQUESTRIAN EASEMENTS 7 OSC RECOMMENDATIONS – approved by vote at the 1/8/2020 OSC meeting There do not appear to be any issues with the proposed project. However, the following recommendations have been made by the Open Space Committee. • Notify the Pathways Committee that this project could impact the existing pedestrian/equestrian easement. • Request the developer dedicate an Open Space Easement on the entire width of the pedestrian/equestrian easement along the south side of the property to insure access for wildlife to Matadero Creek. • Request the developer dedicate an Open Space Easement along Matadero Creek extending 25’ from top-of-bank. • Verify that fencing does not impede the pathway easement or proposed open space easements. • Verify that there is a SCVWD easement as indicated on the Baleri Ranch preliminary development plan. Attachment D Attachment E