HomeMy Public PortalAbout19860924 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-22
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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