HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 14DR
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TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
Open Space Committee Meeting Minutes
(Via ZOOM)
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
1.Call to Order 9.05am
a.Roll Call:
i.Members: Kit Gordon, Peter Brown, George Clifford, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Jean Struthers;
Richard Contreras.
ii.Associates: Nancy Couperus, Kjell Karlsson, Karen Lemes
iii.Council Liaison: George Tyson
iv.Others: Birgitta Indaco, Carol Gottlieb
b.Acceptance of Meeting Minutes from October 14, 2020: Moved by WW, JS 2nd, GC, KG, PB
approve, SW abstain
c.Acceptance of minutes from joint meeting with EDPC on tree ordinance, Aug 31, 2020: Moved by
SW, KG 2nd. PB, WW, GC, JS approve
d.Announcements
i.GC announced Foothills Park opening; NC worried about traffic, deer.
ii.SOD blitz results announced Thursday, November 12, 6:00pm.
iii.Bird Box Lecture November 12, 2020, 6:00 pm.
iv.JS: Lecture on Mt. Umunum restoration
v.KG, KL: county's IPM program was intended to be cut due to expenses, but that might be
reversed
vi.GT: EDPC fire discussion November 11: There was a discussion with members from the
Planning Commission and LAHCFD, Planning Director Zach Dahl, and others. The Fire Safe
Council provides info on defensible space; emphasis on emergency egress and life safety;
strong interest in fire prevention; KG: what can homeowners do? Home hardening, property
hygiene; talk with neighbors; be aware of exit routes; use Nixle. The Fire Science Seminar was
mentioned - reduce intensity of heat; wind-blown embers more likely to ignite homes; fire-
resistant roof vents: O'Hagen Fire and Ice Vents. Creation of LEAD-type classification for fire
safety - egress, fire resistance. Saddle Mountain neighborhood is an example. Hazard zone
rebate?
2.Planning
a.Planning site reviews
i.27408 Deer Springs: teardown; they built a fire road through center; made a large cut by
bulldozers for a large ADU in a recommended open space easement; owners plan to move into
ADU, tear down house. Kit reached out to planning to get rules on ADU's planned in open
space easements, slopes greater than 30%. ADU rules are out of our hands, but not on steep
slopes. Birgitta and Carol attended fast track; new property showed ADU on plans, but not the
open space easement. Pathways representative was there also; attempt to abandon pathway.
Shouldn't an open space easement be first before ADU? grey zone might have given up 1200
sq ft limit; putting OSE around ADU? The ADU is nested into hillside. There are no story poles.
No notification is given to neighbors about ADU's. Bird safe windows?
b.Fence permit reviews
i.GC: 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge Road - recommending wildlife-friendly fence, i.e. split rail two
row fence rather than full metal fence.
ii.JS: 13725 Robleda Road: up on hill where pathway exists; fence made of plastic netting, not
wood, 6-7 feet high all around property; perimeter fence. No action recommended.
3.New Business
a.KG: code of conduct policy meeting with Mayor Wu; council members should have a code of
conduct first; members can make statements as individuals, but not use committee name, unless
formally approved by committee and council. Carol: if a committee sponsors a speaker, they
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should advertise through the Town, asking for publicity from council. George: council should have
at least as strict code of conduct.
4.Continuing Business
a.EDPC Landscaping Guide to be updated, PB asking for help (KG, JS volunteered). Current guide
here: https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2169/Landscaping-Guide-EDPC-
PDF In works. Want input from committee. WW: Grassroots Ecology has a native plants book for
sale. Grassroots ecology sell native plants at their nursery in Foothills park; order in advance.
b.OSC report database: Planners will post committee reports on Trackit on the Town's website: go
to https://trakit.losaltoshills.ca.gov/etrakit/; find "Planning Projects" and search for address. Other
public reports, e.g., geotech, arborists present a copyright problem: if there is a seal, might be
copyrighted. One can always still go to the Town office.
c.Stinkwort/thistle/oxalis management update 2020 (GC)
i.Construction sites still a problem: Deer springs - 2 lots, covered with stinkwort; Central Drive
construction site covered with stinkwort;
ii.SW: better than last year. JS: the Town's building inspector should be aware of stinkwort.
iii.Use See-Click-Fix to report problem areas.
d.Updates on tree ordinance: no updates; Sue's document good. Planning probably won't act until
next year.
e.Fast Track/Site Development Hearings
f.Updates on fence ordinance and question on allowing white picket fences
i.PB no updates
g.Updates on Accessory Dwelling Units
i.GT notes large interest in ADUs in town (11 approved this year as apposed to 4 last year)
ii.Ask planning to notify committee when ADUs approved in area typically designated as open
space easement.
5.Open Discussion
a.Carol: trees at Byrne Preserve designating historical trees?
b.GC: Trees at Byrne preserve will be sprayed for SOD Thursday and Friday; preserve will be
closed.
c.Monitoring bird nest boxes talk tomorrow
6.Future Topics
a.Email suggestions to Kit. Email agenda topics to George.
7.Meeting Adjourned at 10:30am