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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 10TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS Open Space Committee Meeting Agenda Minutes Wednesday, February 10, 2021 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 1.Call to Order 9.05 a.Roll Call: i.Members: Kit Gordon, Richard Contreras, Peter Brown, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, George Clifford ii.Associates: Kjell Karlsson, Sue Welch iii.Council Liaison: George Tyson (until 10:31) b.Acceptance of January Meeting Minutes: PB motion to accept, WW second. JS, RC, KG, GC in favor c.Announcements: i.Berkeley Fire Science seminars - very worth attending (KG, PB). ii.Presentation on Under grounding available iii.Many members have had vaccine 2.Planning a.Planning site reviews i.12131 Oak Park Court. Motion JS, second PB (RC, WW, GC, KG in favor): 1.Restrict development within drip line of large oak ii.26724 Palo Hills Drive. Moved PB , second WW (RC, JS, GC, KG in favor): 1.Create OSE and riparian setback 25’ from top of bank of creek, including creek and extending to western property line. 2.No fences, or other structures within flood plain. 3.Remove fences and non - native plants from riparian setback. iii.27474 Sunrise Farm Road. Motion Moved KG, second PB. RC WW, JS, GC in favor 1.Create open space easement in area with slope greater than 30%, which would include the oak trees and the portion identified as an Open Space Conservation Area (noted on plans). iv.12255 Menalto Drive (no vote) 1.Suggest more native plants v.12819 Viscaino Road. Motion PB, second JS. (RC, WW, GC, KG in favor): 1.Require an open space easement on the lower elevations with slope > 30% and along southern boarder (shown on plans). 2.Require developer to plant oak trees and other native plants in the open space easement. (Helps stabilize soil) b.Recent ADU applications c.Fence Permit Reviews i.12897 Viscaino Place (repeat discussion from last month): 1.No fencing allowed within 25’ of top of banks, or in flood plain (town code) 2. Fence should be >45’ from center of road ii.12901 Tripoli Court 1.Already discussed, see last months minutes 3.New Business a.Byrne Preserve: increased usage i.Grass roots have not noticed excessive changes in landscape (see addendum) ii.Committee happy that people are enjoying the preserve b.OSC priorities for 2021 i.Recruit more members 4.Continuing Business a.EDPC Landscaping Guide - still in progress i.see https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2169/Landscaping- Guide-EDPC-PDF b.OSC report database or file sharing protocol: no recent progress- EDCP using dropbox c.Fast Track/Site Development Hearings : most postponed d.Updates on fence ordinance: PB will present to council sometime 5.Open Discussion a.Member of public mentioned i.May 14th -16th Sod Blitz ii.Would like OSC to sponsor Fire Talk: https://nature.berkeley.edu/matteolab/? page_id=5563 6.Future Topics a.Bird-safe building design & Dark Sky lighting policy b.Native Plants for Landscape Screening (KG) c.Future presentation on Native Plants for Los Altos Hills (JS) d.Groundwater management on new constructions (KG) e.Arundo Donax removal in creeks f.Wildland Urban Interface 7.Adjournment 10:49am 8.Addendum - report from Grass Roots Ecology on Byrne Preserve usage: Grassroots Ecology staff and volunteers visit the preserve regularly on weekdays. We have not observed any changes or detrimental effects to native plant revegetation areas as a result of increased visitation. Within the grassland area, regular seasonal changes have been observed. For instance, trails across the grassland are more pronounced; we have observed these trails being used by some visitors and by horses that reside at the preserve. Compaction of the main trail from the parking lot to the top of the hill is expected as a result of hiking traffic and a dry winter; concentrating this along the trail lessens effects of compaction in the rest of the preserve. Our staff have not observed increased trash or litter within the grassland. Grassroots Ecology will continue efforts to monitor and remove invasive plants along disturbed areas, like highly trafficked trails. Town staff and Westwind Barn staff will be able to provide additional information, as they have already been working on mitigating increased visitor impacts at Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve.