HomeMy Public PortalAbout19761222 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 76 33
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
December 22 , 1976 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Hanko at 7 :35 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Nonette Hanko, George
Seager, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin.
Members Absent: Barbara Green and Edward Shelley.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Carroll
Harrington, Bradley Clifford, Del Woods , Stan Norton, Jon
Olson and Phyllis Lee.
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 7 :37 P.M. to
discuss land negotiations.
The Board reconvened at 8 :10 P.M. to continue the public
portion of the meeting.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of December 8, 1976
N. Hanko referred to page six, first paragraph, line six,
and pointed out that since the December 8, 1976 meeting
she had learned that there had been one letter in support
of a Los Altos Hills detachment election, sent to LAFCO
from a Los Altos Hills resident, and all the other letters
were in opposition.
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of December
8, 1976 be approved with the above addition.
IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
H. Grench referred the Board to a letter of November 24 ,
1976 from Tim Hall of the Geology Department of Foothill
College, offering to help with geologic research and San
Andreas Fault trails planning. He added that a response
from J. Olson was attached.
Meeting 76-33 Page two
N. Hanko suggested that Mr. Hall be contacted regarding
possible extension of the research and trails planning
to include the Dahl property. J. Olson stated that Mr.
Hall had been advised of this possibility.
H. Grench referred the Board to a letter dated December
20, 1976 from Elizabeth Crowder of the Palo Alto Planning
Department, regarding the Black Mountain Use and Manage-
ment Plan. N. Hanko suggested that this letter be consi-
dered along with presentation of the plan listed on the
agenda as item number 2.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko stated consensus that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Ed Schell, P.O. Box 1345, Los Gatos, invited Board and
staff members to attend a Star Party hosted by the San Jose
Amateur Astronomers, to be held January 22 , 1977 at El Ser-
eno Open Space Preserve.
VII. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Purchase of Tax-Deeded Property as Addition to Fremont
Older Open Space Preserve (2. 5 acre Claitor, Inc. site.)
B. Clifford referred to his memorandum (M-76-195) to the
General Manager dated December 17 , 1976 (attached to M-76-194
dated December 15, 1976 , from the General Manager to the
Board) , regarding the Purchase of Tax-Deeded Property as
an Addition to Fremont Older Open Space Preserve (2. 5 acre
Claitor, Inc. site) . He said that on June 3 , 1976 Mr. James
Claitor, president of Claitor, Inc. signed a gift deed trans-
ferring a 2. 5 acre parcel of land to the MRPD. The Board
subsequently accepted the gift as an addition to Fremont
Older Open Space Preserve, Unit II. This acceptance was
subject to authorization for the General Manager to with-
hold recording of the deed until liens were removed. Since
the liens were not removed, the property was deeded to the
State of California for non-payment of taxes.
In response to the District's request and pursuant to the
Revenue and Taxation Code, the Board of Supervisors of
Santa Clara County has executed an agreement so that the
District can purchase the tax-deeded land for the price
of $2.00.
B. Clifford recommended that the Board authorize the Presi-
dent to execute an agreement to purchase tax-deeded land,
thereby accepting this 2.5 acre parcel as an addition to
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
Meeting 76-33 Page three
Motion: Wendin moved that the Board authorize the Presi-
-ent to execute the agreement to purchase tax deeded
land, accepting the 2 .5 acre parcel as an addition
to the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. G. Seager
seconded the motion.
Discussion: In response to a question from H. Turner
regarding the process of ownership transfer from the
State to the County, S. Norton stated that after
approximately 5 years a county may deed land with
such tax liens against it to the State, at which
time the State may deed it back to the County again
at a later date. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Use and Management Plan for Black Mountain Open Space
Preserve
J. Olson introduced his report (R-76-35) to the General
Manager dated December 15 , 1976 (attached to M-76-194 dated
December 15, 1976 , from the General Manager to the Board) ,
regarding the Use and Management Plan for the Black Mountain
Open Space Preserve. He added that the written communication
received from Elizabeth Crowder of the Planning Department
of the City of Palo Alto should be clarified at this time.
He stated that the letter came about because there had been
consideration of primitive overnight camping on the site,
and since 60% of the site lies within the boundaries of
the City of Palo Alto, a permit for such use might be re-
quired by them. He added that since that time, the City
has reviewed the proposed plan and found it acceptable sub-
ject to later consideration of the composite and therefore
has withdrawn the request contained in the letter.
Fie stated that the property was originally acquired by the
District in December, 1974 and an additional 47 acres was
added in February, 1975 to comprise the present 760-acre
Black Mountain Open Space Preserve. In September, 1975 ,
the Board of Directors adopted an Interim Use and Manage-
ment Plan for the site which called for low intensity
recreational use and for environmental education programs.
Several factors, including the close proximity to other
large public lands that have been retained in their natural
state, limited access and parking, distance from emergency
services, and protection of wildlife habitats were consi-
derations in the adoption of the initial use and management
plan. Up until this time, the site has been used primarily
by organized groups such as the Audubon Society, MRPD docents,
school and environmental organizations. These groups were
required to obtain permits for use from the MRPD. The upper
portion of the site has been open to individuals and groups
without permit restrictions.
He advised the Board that a public meeting was held for
residents in the Montebello Ridge area on December 1.
Meeting 76-33 Page four
All adjacent property owners and residents along Monte
Bello road were informed of the meeting and all comments
from these property owners were supportive of the recomen-
dations in this plan without exception.
He stated that the recommendations contained in the report
were intended to reflect adopted Board policies, environ-
mental constraints and community input regarding the Preserve.
The recommendations in this report are intended to provide
a balance between agricultural uses, recreational uses and
other potential uses of the site. After a brief description
of the site, which included topography, soils, geology,
roads and trails, vegetation and wildlife, J. Olson presen-
ted the following recommendations to the Board:
(a) that no permit be required for individuals and small
groups (under 15 persons) for hiking and equestrian use of
the site when access can be gained via Upper Stevens Creek
County Park or other private entrances where the consent of
the property owner is given; (b) permits should be issued
to all groups (over 15 persons) which request use of the
area providing such uses would not cause specific or cumu-
lative detrimental impacts on the site; (c) docent-led
tours should continue on a regular basis and would likely
average two per week; (d) current use of the site by the
San Jose State University biology department for bird band-
ing projects and the environmental awareness program in pro-
gress on the Preserve by Peterson High School should continue.
(In addition, MRPD staff is working with San Jose State
University to develop a research program for the Upper Stevens
Creek County Park area and the Black Mountain Preserve)
(e) an area designated for overnight camping should be used
as a primitive camping area with no physical development,
subject to normal permit requirements for a use permit. No
open fires would be permitted at the campsite; (f) areas
designated "Natural Areas" should remain undisturbed, for
the purpose of providing for a protected environmental set-
ting for vegetation and wildlife. Horseback riding should
be prohibited on the steep ravines in the lower portion 'of
the site due to the potential damaging effect of such activ-
ity on steep slopes; (g) cattle grazing on the Preserve,
discontinued on the site in 1975 , should not be reintroduced
until further consideration is given to the quality of the
range after the winter rains. The number of animals and the
date of possible cattle grazing in the spring of 1977 ,would
include environna)_-ntal protection and management conditions.
Staff would also work cooperatively with Stanford University
land management department in considering a joint grazing
program for the adjacent lands; (h) vineyards should be re-
introduced on the Preserve, if a lease can be developed,
and planted at a rate of approximately ten acres per year.
The selection process for such a lease and the specific
terms and conditions would be developed at a later date;
Meeting 76-33 Page five
(i) no parking area open to the general public is rec-
commended for the site due to the limited capacity of
Monte Bello Road and unsuitable terrain. A primitive
gated-off parking area currently used by docents and or-
ganized groups who have permits, should be developed
for such uses; (j) fire roads within the site should
be scraped where necessary for agricultural, fire and
patrol use. Fire roads and the old roadbeds located
in Stevens Creek Canyon would provide a link to trails
in the County park and the latter roads would require
reopening. No major signing of the trails is recommen-
ded at this time; (k) due to parking limitations and the
fragile character of the site, signs identifying the Pre-
serve or the District are not recommended at present along
Monte Bello Road. Within the site, adjacent private pro-
perty signs and signs denoting trails or boundaries should
be placed where necessary; (1) any fencing improvements
would be associated with leases for cattle grazing or
vineyard production. Fencing would be an open weave type
and designed so that it would not interfere with trails;
(m) clean-up would be handled on the site as part of a
general clean-up of the lower Canyon area; (n) develop-
ment of a cultural history of the Preserve , by a volunteer,
is recommended; (o) District rangers will patrol the site
on a daily basis and continue to record number of users and
activities observed and the docent coordinator will maintain
a record of docent-led tours; (p) the official name rec-
commended is Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Black Mountain
Area; (q) staff would implement these recommendations after
their adoption by the Board giving priority to the parking
area, trail system development and signing; (r) capital
improvement costs for road maintenance, parking area improve-
ments, trail construction and miscellaneous items should
total about $3,100.
As with all District site plans, these recommendations will
be reviewed about one year from adoption. It is also rec-
commended that the Board approve the Negative Declaration
attached to the report.
J. Olson advised the Board that there were volunteers who
had made significant contributions in the area of gaining
a broader knowledge of natural resources; namely, Judith
Unsicker, Mike Rigney and Douglas Erskine.
In response to a question from D. Wendin regarding access
problems from the Stanford land and the County' s Upper
Stevens Creek Park, J. Olson stated that the Stanford land
is officially closed, but Stanford is not deterring hikers
who wish to use the ridge or the canyon area. The County
park is open to equestrians and hikers.
N. Hanko asked if the roads and trails inside the Preserve
could be used by bicyclists. J. Olson replied that due to
Meeting 76-33 Page six
the type of terrain found on the Preserve and the steepness
of slopes, substantial bicycle use is not expected; but would
not be forbidden, however.
K. Duffy expressed concern over the lack of a public parking
area and signs. J. Olson said that the adjacent Lower Stev-
ens Creek County parking area attracts an extreme amount of
use from disruptive users, and it was his feeling that this
area would have the same problems if signed and improved.
Signing this parking area would probably cause some adverse
impact to residents along Montebello Road and any decision
to do signing would have to be reviewed for its potential
impacts.
N. Hanko recommended that group use be encouraged until
staging areas could be worked out with adjacent property
owners.
In response to a question from G. Seager regarding camping
in the lower portion of the site, J. Olson replied that the
Peterson High School group using the lower portion of the
adjacent Stanford lands recently applied for a permit for
overnight camping from the City of Palo Alto. The request
for the permit was denied, and the probable reason for
denial was the fact that there is no access for fire equip-
ment to that area.
R. Mark, 720 Cowper Street, Palo Alto said that he was
pleased that the permit requirement has been removed but
hoped the District would not place too much emphasis on
group use as opposed to individual use. He stated that
certain roads recommended to be reopened or scraped in
the canyon, had become very good trails due to use by
vehicles and he felt these should be maintained as un
scraped trails. He expressed interest in seeing some
sort of loop trail connecting the County park and the
Preserve.
J. Olson explained that the scraping of the roads would
enable District patrol vehicles to get around the Preserve
in the most efficient manner. He added that scraping would
only be done where necessary. This would depend upon the
trail condition and amount of use.
G. Jennings, 441 E. Meadow, Palo Alto asked S. Norton
whether the regional park district enabling legislation
provided for an override of the decision of a city depart-
ment to deny or approve overnight camping in an area within
city limits but not owned by the city. S. Norton replied
that acquisition proposals have to be sent to the City
Planning Departments before acquisition.
E. Schell, P.O. Box 1345, Los Gatos, said that he felt
individual camping should be encouraged rather than group
Meeting 76-33 Page seven
camping. J. Olson replied that the recommendations con-
tained in the report are not intended to discriminate
against individual use.
Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board adopt the Negative
Declaration for the Use and Management Plan as set
forth in report R-76-35 dated December 15, 1976.
G. Seager seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
Motion: N. Hanko moved the Board adopt the recommendations
contained in the Use and Management Plan report
R-76-35 dated December 15, 1976. H. Turner seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the name Monte
Bello Open Space Preserve, Black Mountain Area as
set forth in the Use and Management Plan report R-
76-35 dated December 15, 1976. D. Wendin seconded
the motion. The motion passed uannimously.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Application for Land and Water Conservation Funds for
Addition to Permanente Creek Park
H. Grench advised the Board that the District' s application
for federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for funds to
purchase an addition to Permanente Creek Park had not been
approved. He said that although this application ranked
very high, the last two years the District had received
approval of its applications for Land and Water Conservation
funds and other agencies had not received funding. He added
that development of the San Mateo County Coyote Point Park,
which is in the same funding area, had been approved for a
$1,000,000 grant.
B. Proposed Meeting to Discuss Distribution of Proposition
2 Funds in San Mateo County
H. Turner stated that the Director of Parks and Recreation
of San Mateo County recommended to his Board that a meeting
be held with representatives of special districts involved
with parks and recreation in San Mateo County to discuss
the expenditure of the $2,000,000 available as the result
of the recent passage of Proposition 2.
X. CLAIMS
Motion: H. Turner moved approval of the revised claims
(C-76-23) dated December 22 , 1976. K. Duffy secon-
ded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
XI . ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :40 P.M.
Phyllis Lee, Recording Secretary
A. Minutes of December 22 , 1976
N. Hanko said she would like to correct the information in para-
graph four on page six of the minutes of December 22 , 1976 , re-
garding the denial of a permit request for overnight camping
by the City of Palo Alto. She said a member of the Palo Alto
Planning Department advised that a permit was approved, with
conditions, and that it was the opinion of Palo Alto legal
counsel that a veto of overnight camping by the City of Palo
Alto could have an impact on activities on District lands.
Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, asked that the words "lack
of" be inserted before the word "use" in the sixth line of the
fifth paragraph on page six of the minutes.
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of December 22 ,
1976 be approved with the above corrections.