HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 13Los Altos Hills
Open Space Committee & Environmental Design and Protection Committee
Meeting Minutes (Approved 10/13/20)
Date: August 31, 2020 at 10 am
Location: by Zoom Video Conference
Committee Members OSC: Kit, Sue, Peter, Richard, George, Wendie
Committee Members EDPC: Vijay, Nancy, Carol, Haj, Peter
Council Liaison: George Tyson
Guests: Birgitta, Jay Sutaria
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
2.Presentations from the Floor
3.Discussion of the Town’s Proposed Tree Protection Ordinance
a.Discussed history. Presentation by EDPC/OSC to April 20, 2017 City Council. Got
approval for planning staff to hire arborist to review tree ordinance.
i.Concerned that Native trees are not protected but play an important role
for local eco system.
ii.Most of the native trees added to protected list are rare to find in LAH.
iii.Discussed that previously LAH may have had historically different
landscape with fewer oaks.
iv.Discussed how the tree ordinance can be made compatible with wildfire
protection.
v.Identification of species and trees for removal – staff arborist needed to
provide professional expertise and consistent approach to tree issues.
Residents can also fairly easily identify species (apps available). Stumps
are hard to identify.
vi.We do see rules getting violated.
a.Reviewed prelim presentation for Thursday’s Planning Commission
b.Discussed whether or not a permit is needed for removal of protected trees for
defensible space.
c.Discussed purpose of tree ordinance
i.Maintain semi-rural ambience
ii.Protect the many ecological functions of trees for habitat, property value,
beauty, screening, shade, groundwater recharge, storm water
management, reduced runoff, water quality, flood protection, slope
stability, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, climate resilience.
iii.Requires balance between ecological functions and fire safety.
d.Details: The existing ordinance defines a Heritage oak as any oak with diameter
≥12 inches. Other Protected Trees will have a new threshold for protection of
≥30 inches in diameter.
e.We do need to address fire safety. Request a representative from LAHCFD or
other fire org to attend the PC meeting to speak to fire danger? Comparison to
ordinances in other towns. (Comparison chart shared – Attachment 1)
i.More detailed suggestions:
1.Permit for tree removal – have standardized form with clear rules
as is done in other towns.
2.Field inspection for tree removals (Saratoga/Woodside send out
arborist for site visit).
3.Neighbor notice for removals should be expanded to 500 feet
radius (ie. Include parcels across the street).
4.Community education is important; consider also informing tree
companies of revised ordinance
5.Make tree removal within defensible space easier.
f.Tree ordinances should be based on science. Natural hazards in LAH include both
fire and flooding.
g.More detailed suggestions:
i.Detail: Arborist hired by town. Woodside and Portola Valley have
arborists, and we can model.
ii.Separate and clear rule for tree removal in defensible zone.
iii.Planning director to approve tree removal permit
h.More details: Committee discussed management of bay laurels, given they are
the primary vector for infecting oaks with Sudden Oak Death. Follow UC Berkeley
recommendations for when it is good to cut vs not. Discourage planting of bay
laurels near oaks. Remove small bays near oaks; leave large bays and bays on
slopes and riparian areas in place.
i.Next steps: Edit the presentation further.
j.Motion: EDPC and OSC will make a joint presentation to Planning Commission,
with edits as noted with input from EDPC and OSC on the tree ordinance.
i.Passed. Yeas: Kit, Sue, Peter, Richard, George C, Vijay, Nancy, Carol, Haj.
Nos: none.
4.Meeting adjournment.
Attachment 1: Tree regulations by town
*Document NOT created by EDPC or OSC.