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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19890920 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT OLD MILL OFFICE CENTER,BUILDING C,SUITE 135 201 SAN ANTONIO CIRCLE,MOUNTAIN VIEW,CALIFORNIA 94040 (415)949-5500 Meeting 89-24 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 20 , 1989 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Gerry Andeen called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P .M. Members Present: Gerry Andeen, Richard Bishop, Nonette Hanko, Teena Henshaw, and Edward Shelley. Members Absent: Katherine Duffy and Robert McKibbin . Personnel Present : Herbert Grench, David Hansen, Mary Hale , Del Woods , John Escobar , Mary Gundert , Dennis Danielson, Priscilla Meyers . II . BOARD BUSINESS A. Review of Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Monte Bello Open _Space_Preserve (Report R-89-138 dated Septe_mber_12_ 1985Q_ D. Hansen reported that the last Use and Management Plan review for this preserve was presented in 1986 . He also noted that no new property had been added to the preserve since that time and that the focus of the review was the central portion of the preserve , which covers approximately 2 , 600 acres and did not include the Picchetti Ranch area . D. Woods briefly explained the District ' s planning process , noting that each preserve has a Use and Management Plan that is reviewed on a regular basis , always within a three-year period, and that the reviews cover current activities and those expected to happen within the next few years . D. Woods reviewed the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan report activities and recommendations in conjunction with a slide presentation of the impacted preserve areas . He also noted a change in the report on the second line of the first paragraph on page four that should be corrected to read: "Staff is continuing to investigate potential parking areas at the northeast and southeast boundaries of the preserve . " Herbert Grench,General Manager,-Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Edward Shelley,Nonette Hanko,Gerry Andean,Richard Bishop David Villasen-or , 17450 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino, asked why bicyclists were not allowed to ride on the Monte Bello Preserve at night . He commented that they should be allowed to ride on the trails at night and did not feel they were doing any harm. D. Woods explained that the ordinance prohibiting night bicycle riding on preserves is necessary because there is not good visibility nor artificial lighting that would be required to allow such use in a safe manner . Larry Hassett , 2286 Skyline Boulevard , La Honda , voiced his concern about formalizing "volunteer-social" trails , noting that he did not feel it was sound public planning. F. Shelley responded that, in some cases , it is excellent planning to take advantage of "volunteer-social" trails , noting that they may not be harmful to the resources , because often if it ' s not done they are going to be there anyway. He further noted that by doing so , it minimizes the negative impact on the public when trying to eliminate a trail that is causing severe damage or violating buffer zones . T. Henshaw asked if the increase in the use of the Black Mountain campsite was due to improvements that had been made , and what the most common size of groups was for campsite users . D. Woods commented that he felt that word of mouth was the primary reason for increased usage of the campsite and that it is equally distributed between small and large groups . There was discussion regarding possible amendments to the revised Comprehensive Use and Management Plan. The Board agreed to adopt the report tentatively and add amendments as needed following open discussion. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board tentatively adopt the revised Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve as presented by staff . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Janet Schwind, 11825 Skyline Boulevard, Los Gatos , asked if there were any planned additions to the preserve. D. Hansen said that staff is investigating connections between adjacent preserves and is seeking to improve parking on the southern end of the preserve . Steve Wolf , 2228 Skyline Boulevard, Los Gatos , questioned whether there are plans to connect the fire road and trail at Grizzly Flat. D . Woods explained that the trail and fire road are connected, but it is necessary to cross Stevens Creek. He noted that it is impossible to cross the creek at times during the winter due to the high water flow, and that there are no plans to install a bridge because the cost of a major engineering project of this kind would be prohibitive . He added that trail users are directed to use the trails closer to Page Mill Road when the creek cannot be crossed . Janet Schwind commented that she was glad to see the expansion for group site camping at Black Mountain and asked what the, capacity was for the group site , when it will open, and the cost for use . D. Woods responded that the new group site accommodates approximately 12 to 15 people and that it will be available for use in a few months . He added that the entire camp area can and has been reserved by large groups , accommodating approximately 30 campers and that the use cost is still $2 . 00 per person per night . D .Hansen expressed his concern about bathroom facility overload by large group usage . Janet Schwind asked about the use of Monte Bello Road as an emergency fire escape route. D. Hansen explained that it will always be considered as an emergency fire escape route and that there were no plans to develop or change it . He added that field staff would more than likely be available to unlock the gate on the road in emergency situations or that the locks could be cut , if necessary. N. Hanko distributed handouts of her recommendations concerning the preserve (see attachment) , which included improved signing, trail use , additional parking, and brochures . N. Hanko expressed her desire to keep the planning task for the layout of a Monte Bello geology trail from being dropped frorn the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan. D . Woods reported that numerous geological study groups had been contacted over the years , that they have indicated that they use the site for educational purposes as an informal classroom, study area , and that they prefer to have the preserve left the way it is . He noted that the area was not closed and that people could investigate -Lt on their own . Motion: N. Hanko moved to amend the Use and Management Plan for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by retaining the geology trail . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion failed to pass on the following votes : Ayes : N. Hanko and R. Bishop. Noes : G. Andean, T. Henshaw, and F. Shelley. N. Hanko requested that staff improve signing on the trails , including what types of users are or are not allowed, mileage , and strategic positioning. N. Hanko said that she wished to amend the report to provide for a parking lot at the south-end of the Monte Bello Road entrance . E. Shelley noted that since the report already states that staff is investigating the issue and that their findings should be presented before committing to the inclusion of a parking lot . Mot-i.on: N. Hanky moved to direct staff to report back to the Board by October 11 , 1989 with their findings and recommendations concerning the installation of a parking lot. at the south end of the Monte Bello entrance . R. Bishop seconded the motion . The motion passed 5 to 0 . N. Hanky expressed her dissatisfaction with the proposed wheelchair access fence between the parking area and vista point , noting that it detracted from the beauty of the view. Motion: N. Hanky moved to amend the Use and Management Plan for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by eliminating the whole access nature of the trail and deleting the proposed post and cable fence between the parking area and vista point . R. Bishop seconded the motion . The motion failed to pass on the following vote : Ayes : G. Andeen, R. Bishop, and N. Hanky . Noes : T. Heenshaw and F. Shelley. There was discussion regarding the legal and governmental requirements of whole access trails and alternatives that could be utilized rather than a fence . Motion: E. Shelley moved to amend the Use and Management Plan for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by directing staff to return to the Board with specific plans for implementing safe wheelchair access on the trail segment between the parking area and vista point before taking action to upgrade that trail segment . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . N. Hanky abstained from the vote . D. Villasen-or expressed his concern about the gate installed by Santa Clara County, at Stevens Canyon Road. He felt that the District should build a parking lot on the preserve to eliminate the "mile" walk trail users must travel through private property in order to reach the preserve trail . There was discussion about the reasons why the neighbors had the gate was installed , which included discouraging its use as a teenagers ' hangout for nighttime drinking parties . Motion.: E. Shelley moved to amend the Use and Management Plan for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve to direct staff to come back to the Board, not necessarily by the next meeting unless prepared to do so , to revisit the question of encouraged public access from Stevens Creek Canyon. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Steve Wolf asked what is to be expected during the next six to nine months with all the construction underway at the tree farm on Skyline Boulevard . M. Gundert explained that the project involves the installation of preserve parking lots and the widening of Skyline Boulevard to provide a left hand turn lane into the parking lots . D. Hansen added that there will be extensive revegetation before winter . Bryan C. Osborne, Box 329 C Star Route #2 , La Honda, asked what specific plants and grasses will be used. M. Gundert reported that the seed mix and plants used will all be endemic to this area and said she will forward him a list of all revegetation to be used . Larry Hassett expressed his concern that the District is changing the whole character of the ridge . There was discussion regarding the changes . G. Andeen pointed out that the area was changed by the tree farm and that the District is now restoring it . Janet Schwind asked if it would be possible to do a study on the traffic impact . D. Woods noted that the San Mateo County comes out with a new report every three to five years . D. Hansen commented that a comparison study could be done with these reports . Steve Wolf expressed his concern about the left turn lane requiring a speed reduction zone and double lining for no passing, which he said would remove one of the few passing lanes still remaining on Skyline Boulevard. He also commented that he feels the parking lot invites more traffic . M. Gundert reported that the plans for the left turn lane were prepared by civil engineers and were approved by Caltrans . She added that the left turn lane was designed to allow drivers ample time to slow down to make the turn without slowing down other traffic . X. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 9 - 20 P .M. Priscilla L. Meyers Recording Secretary