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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19860924 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-22 ee MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT OLD MILL OFFICE CENTER,BUILDING C,SUITE 135 201 SAN ANTONIO CIRCLE,MOUNTAIN VIEW,CALIFORNIA 94040 (415)949-5500 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER24 , 1986 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Edward Shelley called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Teena Henshaw, Daniel Wendin, Edward Shelley, Harry Turner, Richard Bishop, and Nonette Hanko, Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton , David Hansen , Mary Hale, Jean Fiddes , Del Woods , James Boland, Carleen Bruins , Stanley Norton, and Doris Smith . II , APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 10 , 1986 Motion : D. Wendin moved the approval of the minutes of September 10 , 1986 . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS D. Smith stated that the Board had received a letter, dated September 10 , 1986 , from Michael B. Allen, 330 Primrose , Suite 400 , Burlingame, re- garding the proposed Dyer property addition to the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve . She noted the letter had been given to the Board at the September 10 , 1986 meeting. E. Shelley stated the Board 's consensus that the verbal response at the September 10 meeting was adequate reply to this letter, and that the letter should be referred to Legal Counsel. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications . V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA E. Shelley stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus . D. Hansen introduced Carleen Bruins , Open Space Management 's new Administrative Assistant, to the Board. VI . BOARD BUSINESS A. Proposed Historic Preservation Grant Application for Picchetti Ranch (Report R-86-82 of September 17 , 1986) D. Hansen provided copies of a computer printout showing revised figures for the restoration of the building complex at Picchetti Ranch. He reviewed the 1985 grant application which was awarded Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Dully,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin Meeting 86-22 Page Two in the amount of $100 ,000 and noted that an architectural firm had been hired to complete the plans and specifications for the elements to be funded by the 1985 grant. He said that the updated estimated costs and grant request had been revised upwards from $112 ,580 to $194 ,157 . He said about $21 ,000 would be matched by a grant from Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission. Ronald Stortz , lessee of the Picchetti Brothers Winery, explained that the increase in the amount of funds requested in the grant application was a result of a greater realization of what actual restoration costs are. He also noted that working with preservation funds has created a higher standard of restoration. He requested that the Board adopt a resolution that would be open-ended to allow for flexibility in the amount requested in the grant application. E. Shelley noted that the resolution does not address a sum to be requested in the application and that the flexibility is available. Motion : R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-54 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application and the Project Agreement for Historic Preservation Grant Funds for the Picchetti Brothers Winery Rehabilitation Project from the California Park and Recreational Facilities Act of 1984 . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . B. Proposed Amendments to the Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plans and Approval of Site Access Improve- ment Design (Report R-86-84 of September 16 , 1986) D. Hansen advised that a planner under contract has been doing design work for the Stage One improvements to be funded from the $300 ,000 grant from the 1984 California Park Facilities Grant Pro- gram awarded to the District in 1985 . D. Woods summarized the problems staff has encountered relating to the planned accessways and parking areas , and he reviewed the three amendments proposed to change the Use and Management Plans for the two preserves to accommodate an access driveway, parking facilities , and a trail to connect the tree farm parking area with the ranch area. N. Hanko said she had noted an outstanding area of buttercups located in approximately the area proposed for the parking area near Alpine Reservoir. D. Woods stated he was unaware of wildflowers in the area, and he said such an area could be identified in the spring. He said flexibility was allowed by the State in the final location of the parking lot, and the parking lot would be in the Stage Two grant. N. Hanko questioned the possibility of a right turn lane into the parking area from Skyline Boulevard, and D. Woods stated that Cal- Trans will not issue a permit for any improvement in their right-of- way at this location. N. Hanko said she does not like the idea of whole-access parking around Alpine Lake because of the impact on the environment; she suggested staff look for another means of access for the physically limited, and she stated she was not willing to support a whole access facility at Alpine Reservoir based on the current parking Meeting Meeting 86-22 Page Three and road proposal near the Reservoir. K. Duffy asked if the minimum whole access driveway proposed by staff could also serve as a utility entrance to the Preserve . D. Woods responded that it could be done , but there would be a tendency on the part of the public to also use the driveway. D. Wendin stated his support of the staff recommendation to keep the utility entrance to the Preserve separate to prevent negative impact from trucks and service vehicles entering the site. R. Bishop stated that a substantial part of the pristine natural look of the lake will be lost if a road is built around it. Ensuing discussion focused on the type of road which could be constructed around the lake and the distance to the visitor center. H. Turner said the proposed 15 minute walk to the visitor center would give the visitor an opportunity to experience the site. The possibilities of alternative access points , such as an underpass across Alpine Road or from the family compound area, were discussed. D. Woods advised that the cost of building an underpass at Alpine Road was estimated to be $250 ,000-$350 ,000 , and there is a long-term possibility that funding could be obtained from CalTrans Bikeways funding. N. Hanko noted that the 1985 grant had already been awarded, based on the original plan, and she asked how a substantial change in the lo- cation of the parking area would impact upon the implementation of the grant. D. Hansen said that some flexibility is permitted in the site plan and that the Master Plan , and not a detailed plan , had been submitted to the State with the grant request. N. Hanko stated the Board should not approve the location of the proposed whole-access parking area as presented by staff just to get a grant. H. Hauessler, 1094 Highland Circle , Los Altos , asked if a kiosk would be located at the tree farm parking area to guide people to the ranch area. D. Woods responded in the affirmative. Bob Fisse , Star Route 2 , Box 402 , La Honda, questioned the possibility of putting arterial stop signs at the Alpine Road-Skyline Boulevard intersection to slow traffic approaching from the north and south. D. Woods noted that arterial stop signs would not sufficiently influ- ence traffic and could create a greater risk. E. Shelley said the noise factor would be increased. Jean Rusmore, 35 Berenda, Portola Valley, asked if the proposed regional trail , which will extend the full length of Skyline Boule- vard frontage , would suffice for whole access trail south from Horseshoe Lake. R. Bishop responded, and D. Woods concurred, that the steepness of the grade would prohibit use of the trail for whole- access purposes . Further discussion centered on using portions of the proposed regional trail for whole-access use . Motion : D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the amend- ments to the Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Pre- serve Use and Management Plans pertaining to access and use of the ranch area, as contained in the staff report, and approve the design plans for site access improvements near the ranch area and tree farm. H. Turner seconded the motion. Meeting 86-22 Page Four Motion to Amend: N. Hanko , referring to item 1 on page 5 of the staff report, moved that this access be further studied by staff instead of being adopted as approved access and parking area. The motion died for lack of a second. Discussion: Discussion centered on how the proposed amend- ments in the staff report would be incorporated into the Master Plan. Also discussed was the impact the proposed changes would have on the proposed historical center at Sky- line Ridge. E. Shelley stated it was the consensus of the Board to consider other proposals submitted by the Skyline Historical Society for a center along Skyline Boulevard, but that it was not the responsibility of staff to locate facilities for the Center. Cindy Miller, of Peninsula Open Space Trust, stated POST 's support for the Use and Management Plan amendments in the staff report and the application for 1984 Bond Act Grant application for project development of Phase I - Stage Two. The motion passed 7 to 0 . C. Proposed 1984 Bond Act Grant Application for Skyline Ridge Open Space Development Project Phase I - Stage Two (Report R-86-85 of Septem- ber 16 , 1986) D. Hansen reviewed the report and stated that staff is recommending a grant application in the amount of $355 ,700 to be used for Phase I - Stage Two improvements of the Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. D. Woods reviewed the major elements contained in the report which would be included in the grant application. K. Duffy questioned whether the trails system from the equestrian parking lot was extensive enough for equestrians, and D. Hansen responded that the lot is also intended to serve adjacent preserves . He said the current equestrian parking lot on the former McNeil property site would probably be closed since it was intended for use only until Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve was developed. Larry Hassett, 22286 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda, stated his concerns about an equestrian staging area at Skyline Ridge , because of the impact it would have on feeder roads , including Page Mill, to the Preserve. He said that equestrian staging areas should be focused on lower properties that access up to the Skyline area. He stated that the District was not adequately reviewing the impact it was having on traffic in the Skyline area. D. Hansen stated that a consultant had done a traffic study as part of the preparation of Skyline Ridge Master Plan, and had concluded that there would be no major impact on the roads created by preserve users . D. Wendin stated that the Board had already approved a 20-year Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and that analysis of traf- fic impacts was to be done on anon-going basis . He noted that the District would be blamed, rightly or wrongly, for any increase in traffic in the Skyline area and said the District had been irrespon- sible in approving the 20 year Master Plan without setting in motion a more detailed study to determine the effect of traffic in the area. E. Shelley stated that traffic to preserves can be monitored by parking lot counters at entrances and said that there is no way of determining the original destination intended by preserve users. Meeting 86-22 Page Five Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-55 of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds Under the Regional Competitive Program of the California Park and Recreational Facilities Act of 1984 for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Development Project (Phase I - Stage Two) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. T. Henshaw left the meeting at this time. D. Disposition of Upper House at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-86 of September 19, 1986) D. Hansen presented the architectural designs for the upper house at Rancho San Antonio Preserve and reviewed the options and cost anal- yses for the structure as stated in the report. Discussion centered on the need for an additional Ranger residence on the Preserve and the financial benefits to the District if the structure were rented as an enterprise unit. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board authorize staff to implement Option A of the report to remodel the existing structure into a duplex as shown on the architectural plans, including landscaping and site restoration. R. Bishop seconded the motion. Motion to Amend: E. Shelley moved that the Board amend the motion and substitute Option C (removal of a portion of the house) of the staff report for Option A. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: E. Shelley stated he wanted to minimize the visual impact of the house on the top of the hill. R. Bishop spoke in favor of the original motion because he said he cannot conclude that the District would have no future need for the entire upper house, and the duplex would gen- erate income for the District. N. Hanko stated she supported retaining the entire house because she considers the house a resource and hopes public use could be considered in the future. K. Duffy stated she felt it was important to have a Ranger residence at the top of the hill, and two Ranger residences at that location were not necessary. She said that the District should not be in the rental business. E. Shelley called the question on the motion to amend. Ayes : K. Duffy, E. Shelley, and H. Turner. Noes : D. Wendin, N. Hanko, and R. Bishop. The motion to amend failed to pass on the three to three vote. The main motion failed to pass on the following vote : Ayes: D. Wendin, N. Hanko, and R. Bishop. Noes : K. Duffy, E. Shelley, and H. Turner. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board at this time approve reroof- ing three-quarters of the house. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board reconsider the defeated motion at the next meeting of the Board when T. Henshaw was present (presumably October 8) . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Meeting 86-22 Page Six Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board table the motion until the next meeting. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. H. Grench stated that staff would not solicit roof bids immediately since the Board would again be considering the house' s disposition in two weeks. E. Proposed California Province of the Society of Jesus Property Addition to Kennedy Road Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-83 of September 17, 1986) C. Britton reviewed the terms of the proposed acquisition of the 160 acre property, which would link the Limekiln Canyon and Kennedy Road Areas of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, noting the purchase price was $320, 000. D. Hansen reviewed the Interim Use and Manage- ment Plan recommendations contained in the staff report. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-56 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Agree- ment to Purchase Real Property, Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appro- priate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of The California Province of the Society of Jesus) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the report, including naming the property an addition to the Kennedy Road Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and that the Board indicate its intention to dedicate the property as open space, reserving the right to allow for the possibility of the transfer of density rights on all or a portion of the property. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. F. Setting of October 18 Special Meeting (Report R-86-81 of Septem- ber 15, 1986) M. Hale presented the brochure advertising the dedication event for Los Gatos Creek Park which will be held in cooperation with the Town of Los Gatos on October 18, 1986 , and briefed the Board on plans for the event. E. Shelley and R. Bishop said they would not be able to attend the event. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board schedule a Special Meeting for Saturday, October 18, 1986 at 11: 00 A.M. at Los Gatos Creek Park for the purpose of dedicating Los Gatos Creek Park. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench called the Board' s attention to two informational items contained in the meeting packet: 1) a memorandum concerning the Action Plan item on a tour of District Preserves for County officials; and 2) a copy of correspondence he had had with David Christy of San Mateo County regarding a potential picnic facility at Hassler. H. Grench also asked the Board to consider possible dates for rescheduling the second Regular Meeting in November, since the Rules of Procedure call for cancelling a meeting the evening before Thanksgiving. The Board was asked to reserve Wednes- day, November 19 and Monday, November 24 as possible dates for the Meeting 86-22 Page Seven meeting with the latter being the preferred date. D. Hansen reported that Santa Clara County had tabled Herb Regnart' s request for a use permit for a stable operation in the Stevens Canyon Road area of Cupertino, and stated that Santa Clara County had advised that the vehicle bridge at Rancho San Antonio County Park will be in- stalled this fall. D. Hansen reported on the recent Monte Bello Road neighborhood meeting, which was also attended by Santa Clara County Supervisor Diane McKenna, pertaining to repair of Monte Bello Road at the Picchetti site. He said that the County is considering various options, and that they will be coming back in the spring with proposed plans for permanent solution to the slide problem. Interim repairs should be completed in five weeks, he noted. N. Hanko asked that when this item comes to the Board for consideration that a report be included from S. Norton pertaining to laws relative to the highest and best use of land. S. Norton advised that the statute on the use of land had not been changed. VIII . CLAIMS Motion : H. Turner moved the approval of Revised Claims 86-18. R. Bishop seconded the motion. N. Hanko stated she would be abstaining from voting on item 9032 on the claims list. The motion passed 6 to 0 . IX. CLOSED SESSION The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 10 :20 P.M. S. Norton stated that two items of existing litigation, the McQueen and Aine lawsuits , would be discussed under the authority of Government Code Section 54956. 9 (a) . X. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11 :53 P.M. Doris Smith Recording Secretary