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