HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 14Los Altos Hills
Environmental Design and Protection Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: December 14, 2021 at 5:45 p.m.
Location: by Zoom Video Conference
Committee Members: Vijay Chawla (chair), Peter Brown (vice-chair), Buvana Dayanandan (secretary),
Carol Gottlieb, Hajime Murakami, Nancy Couperus, Elizabeth Loinaz
Associate Members: Kjell Karlsson
City Council Liaison: Mayor Kavita Tankha
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
Attending Members: Vijay Chawla, Peter Brown, Carol Gottlieb, Hajime Murakami, Elizabeth
Loinaz
Attending Associate members: Kjell Karlsson
Attending Council Liaison: Kavita Tankha
Guests: Sofia Mangalam (Planning Director)
2.Presentations from the Floor
a.Vijay: End of year reception after City Council on December 16.
b.Carol: Rededication of plaque by History Committee December 17 at 2 pm.
c.Peter: New procedure on tree removal process. Four notifications already received, no
issues.
d.Peter: Wildfire seminar series has restarted. See Peter for more info.
e.Peter: OSC sponsored a talk on native plants last week.
3.Future Committee Dates of Interest & Assignments
a.EDPC Committee: January 11, 2022 @ 5:45 p.m.
b.City Council: December 16, 2021, 6:00 pm
c.Planning Commission: January 6, 2022, 6:00 pm
d.Field Trips: Friday mornings, Carol to coordinate
e.Fast Track/Site Development Meetings: Tuesday mornings, 10:00 am
4.Old Business
a.Water Conservation – Elizabeth attended talk with Cal Water. Likely additional water
restrictions will be implemented.
b.Goals and Priorities for 2022 – List discussed to be sent to City Manager.
Motion to approve the points and Vijay to do minor edits off-line. Peter moved,
Carol seconded. Ayes – Vijay, Peter, Carol, Haj, Elizabeth. Nos – None.
2021 EDPC Accomplishments List:
1.EDPC's exterior lighting policy updates were sent from staff to Planning Commission for approval.
2.EDPC conducted the most field trips and reports from recent years: 72.
3.EDPC was represented 100% of the time at Site Development hearings and Planning Commission as the
voice and protectors of our neighborhoods.
4.EDPC incorporated fire awareness into each of our reports. EDPC published Landscaping Guide 2.1 with
enhanced fire safety.
5.EDPC incorporated OSC official fencing recommendations into EDPC reports.
6.EDPC recommended 100+ year old junipers and 2 oak trees at Byrne Preserve for heritage designation.
2022 Priorities:
1.Continue our work to update existing policies and ordinances regarding Fences, Trees, and Lighting.
2.Recommend policies to integrate new practices while protecting our semi-rural environment. New
practices include development trends related to SB9, ADUs, and new construction trends.
3.Develop an updated checklist that planning staff provides at the Pre-Application meeting. The goal is to
educate homeowners, architects, and landscapers of our neighborhood and design expectations from
EDPC, OSC, and pathway committees to avoid surprises at Site Development.
4.Update the native plant garden at Town Hall.
c.Wildlife Corridors – Peter: Kit Gordon to propose hiring of an ecologist for developing
wildlife corridor definition and map at Dec 16 City Council.
5.New Business
a.November 9, 2021 Minutes approval
Peter moved to approve. Vijay seconded. Ayes: Vijay, Peter, Carol, Haj, Elizabeth
6.Review of Field Trip Reports
a.November 19, 2021
13940 La Paloma Road
12187 Kate Drive
28010 Natoma Road
b.December 3, 2021
24752 Olive Tree Lane
13830 Page Mill Road
c.December 10, 2021
11640 Buena Vista Drive
26405 Ascension Drive
12874 Viscaino Road
7.Review of Site Development and Fast Tracks
a.November 16, 2021
CANCELLED
b.November 23, 2021
CANCELLED
c.November 30, 2021
CANCELLED
d.December 7, 2021
CANCELLED
8.Planning Commission Meeting Report – December 9, 2021
9.City Council Meeting Report – November 18, 2021
10.Adjournment - Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Brown