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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19850327 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 85-06 Meeting 85-06 or MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA W22 (415)965-4717 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7 : 30 P.M. Mountain View Adobe Building Wednesday 157 Moffett Boulevard March 27 , 1985 Mountain View, California A G E N D A (7 : 30) ROLL CALL I . Draft Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve A. POST Committee Introduction - C. Holloway B. Plan Presentation - 2M Associates C. Staff Report - D. Hansen D. Public Hearing E. Consideration of Negative Declaration - D. Hansen F. Possible Preliminary Adoption of Plan - D. Hansen (9 : 30) 11 . CLAIMS III . CLOSED SESSION (Litigation) IV. ADJOURNMENT (0 n MT. VIEW DEPT. rn MT. VIEW OF SOCIAL SERV, ADOBE BLDG. PARKING < 157 MOFFETT BLVD. CENTRAL EXPY + 4--1- f- -4 -4- M z > EVELYN AVE. Cn 0 0 0 > EL CAMINO REAL Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katharine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teens Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Meeting 85-06 March 27, 1985 Board of Directors M.R.O.S .D. 375 Distel Circle,Suite D-1 Los Altos, CA. 94022 3-18-85 Dear Board of Directors, I would like to convey our organization 's support for a specific segment of the "Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan" . We strongly believe in the use of the preserve as an educational setting. The proposed use of the A-frame structure, as a headquarters for a non-profit conservation program, would be ideal in promoting the educational values and relationships of this unique land mass with its surrounding communities. With the ability to store materials "on site" , an extensive program of environmental education outings could be developed. With an organization on site, the capability of increasing security on the preserve would be an added benefit to the district. Thank you for time in reading this letter, with the district's willingness to open-up the plan for community support it must be overwhelming to consider everyone 's input. With/Respq I K n Ha.n e Conservation Ear h i WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Meeting 85-06 March 27, 1985 t Vhole Access Pro3ec,. 517 Lincoln avenue Redwood City , CA 94051 (V) 415-363-2547 (TDD) 415-363-2648 March 25 , 19S5 The Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Sra :.--a District 375 Di stel Circle Suite D-1 Los Altos , Ca . 94022 Dear Board Members , Last week we received a xerox copy of the Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve as rrepared by 2m Associates . Without knowing in detail wh-t a ' l the listings will mean , it was our impression none the leis that the ovea all plan is a balanced and sensible use for this extensive open space property . We were happy to note what appeared to be three whole access loop trails interspersed throughout the preserve . We assu-me that whole access will be provided at any appropriate facilities as well , such as toilet , shower ( if there is any) , parking , and interpretive ( for instance , large print , Braille , sensory , no-glare glass if glass is used , and simple language and pictures when applicable ) . We understand that this is a Master Plan and not a detailed design specification . We look forward to seeing this property as dreams turn into reality . This Plan as a land use approach to Skyline Ridge O . S . P . seems to have been done with a keen sensitivity to the natural and human environment of this area . We hope that the Board deems it appropriate to approve the Skyline Ridge O. S . P . :faster Plan as prepared by 211 Associates . Yours truly , Phyllis Cangerr,i Acting Director PC/dw VRITTEN COMMUNICATION Meetina 85-06 March 27, 1985 31570 P:-ge Mill Rd. Los Altos Mills, CA. 94022 March 23, 1985 Midreninsula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA. 94022 Dear friends, Some months ago I attended the first public discussion of the draft master plan for the Skyline Ridge Oren Space Preserve. At that time I exnressed some skepticism based on rast ex-nerienae with the District' s way of dealing with public input. But after the meeting I told a renorter that I was willing to withold my opinion, in large part because Nonette Hanko had assured me that some of the nearby residents would be put on the committee to advise 2M Assoc- iates in planning the development of the old. Skyline Ranch. So fax as I can determine none of the people ti,,,,ho live near the area or on the heavily impacted Page Mill Rd. were ever -put on the body-. And as far as I can judge from my notes of that meeting, the final scheme suggested by 2M varies little or not at all from the ideas they,- r)resented at that meeting. There was an outpouring of objection to those ideas at that meeting, and friends �,,jho attended other subsequent public meetings say that a great deal of comment on the absurdity of an intensive development of that area was forthcoming at tho,-,e meetings as well. And yet we are faced with what ap-pears to be certain acceptance of a dubious nroposal that will have the most unfortunate and long lasting, effect on this whole area. This is vl�at I like to think of as a democratic -ailroad: the Y)ub).ic is invited to 7et on board the train, 17hich then -oes �ahead full sree,,9 for the aJ.zeady chosen destination. Since I rim presently v,!orkin evenings, I will be unable to attend the M rch 27th meeting, called to vote on the proposal. So I a,sk that this letter be read It the m-eting and that the short list of questions at the end be answered at t'f,,e meeting and then in ,�,,,riting directly- to me. It seems to me that the entire process is fatally flawed because the 'District unilaterally without rublic hearings decided that its first large scale development of its extensive new properties in the foothills be done at thc' end of Page Mill Rd. , a dangerous, twisting, crowded, two lane road that cannot beax the greatly increased traffic that the District keeps inviting to use it enroute to an ever P-ro,,.,in.,- list of hillside attractions. Widening Page Mill is unthinkable to me. So is the terrible traffic that will result if this plan is adope'ted. 2. I will not reneat the publicly stated objections to the various features of this rrandiose T)lan: its excessive catering to the automobile with extra nar,kinz slots, its helinad for emergency medical service made in part by the much increased vehicle travel lured by the Preserve itself, its ridiculously laced over- ni,-ht camp grounds, and its highly attractive museum. I'm sure others will sneak on these issues, and they were discussed at length in the rublic he,�r� ngs without an anparent affect on the planners. I do want to point out the basic inconsistency of a rrocess which chosen to develop one certain area without consideration of whether it is suitable for any but the most minimal development, and then hires a firm to come up with a plan to develop that area. It seems clear that ~iven the best will in the world, 2DI Associates could hardly h,rve done otherwise than come up with some close variant of p the plans Patently favored by the District staff in the first dace. Given this the whole 'process becomes a dangerous sham. I especially want clear answers to these questions: 1) Was a detailed survey made of weekend traffic on Page Neill Rd. and, Skyline Blvd. , with snecial attention to the increase in the tr,,iffic since the new r,:..rking, lot on Page Mill was opened? 2) Was notice taken of the high accident rates along those roads and the nature of the traffic there , i.e. great numbers of motor- cyclists, often traveling at high speeds and of bicyclists as well? 3) Was an Envirnomental Impact Report prepared for the plan'? Did it take into account the affect the development will have on the environment of the real, narrow roads leading to the Preserve? i 4) If such a report was prepared, would not the combination of deleterious affects on various aspects of the environment preclude this extensive development? 5) If none %vas Prepared, why not? I urge the members of the board to vote only for the most minimal development of the properties at the end of Page Mill Rd. , and to use any Toney saved to study in a genuinely democratic way just which of the many District prorerties should be developed and how. In Peace, gurus ha. Obluda i Department of Envirol ental M anagernent BOARD OF SUPERVISORS f lanntn�r , and Ik•vc•Ic>I)nu•nt t)ivitiicttl ANNAG. ESHOO ARLEN GREGORIO K.JAC M J.S E SPEIEHER K.JACOUELtNE SPEIER JOHN M.WARD DAVI,ems COUNTY OF SAN MATEO PPLANNNGC. HALE DIRECTOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA94063 (415)363-4161 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION March 26, 1985 Meeting 85-06 March 27, 1985 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle, Suite D-1 Los Altos, CA 94022 Dear Mr. Hansen: RE: Initial Study Skyline Ride Open Space Preserve Master Flan The San Mateo County Planning Division has reviewed both the Master Plan and Initial Study for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan. Al- though a Negative Declaration appears to be the appropriate environmental document for the Master Plan, the following ad-'=Lions are recommended to the analysis provided in the initial study. First, there should be some overall discussion of total development within the preserve related to grading, coverage, increased runo=f, etc. Although impacts either individually or incrementally are not significant, they should be identified. I Second, projects within the Resource Management District will require Re- source Management District Permits and where applicable Building Permits and Grading Permits. Third, by operation of law, those MROSD lands previously in Timber Preserve Zone are presently not zoned at all. Former TPZ lands will need to be re- zoned to Resource Management (RM) . Because the County is a Responsible Agency for approval of future projects related to implementation of the Master Plan, these comments are recommended for inclusion in the record and in the District's consideration of the Neg- ative Declaration. Thank you. Sincerely, Deborah S. Nelson Senior Planner DSN/1h WRITTEN CO MMU CATION Meeting March 27, March 25, 1985 Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle Loa Altos CA 94022 Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the Board of directors of the South Skyline Association I would like to call to your attention a problem that has developed in our area in the last year or so. That is the difficulty of landing the Life Flight helicopter in the area near Page Mill Rd in order to evacuate victims of accidents. The problem arose again on the afternoon of Sunday, March 17 When two people had to be airlifted out. Under the beat of circumstances it is difficult to arrange for the closing of the four roads that form the intersection but on weekends it is more complicated as well as quite dangerous to both emergency personel and to the public. Additionally the site is very dangerous from a flying standpoint due to the maze of power lines. As you are no doubt aware there is in the draft plan for Skyline Ridge Ranch a proposal to construct an emergency heliped adjacent to the highway about a mile south of the Page Mill intersection. In view of the frequent use of the helicopter in this general area we would ask that construction of this facility be given the highest priority possible. The proposed sight is vastly superior to the intersection in that it is well off the road yet easily accessible to emergency crews. Additionally it is clear of utility lines which the junction is not. Use of this site would improve safety as well as helicopter response time as there would be no need to hover while the road is closed and cleared, a process that can take up to ten minutes. It is also safer in marginal weather. As the increased use of the Ranch and surrounding areas will no doubt require more use of the services of Life Flight (which can also be used in non-accident situations) the landing site will become more important. Anything you can do to expedite the construction of this facility would be very much appreciated by the local community for whom the Life Flight service has become an important resource. In closing may I also comment that a large number of the local residents have been very impressed with the attention given their concerns by the 2M planning group. The genuine attention to these concerns has gone a long way toward alleviating many misgivings. Since ��� N Sherrill Member, Board of Directors South Skyline Association 1185 Skyline Blvd. PO Box 620050 Woodside CA, 94062 aUetf Oanlxallon T X• .tars(ryAIIarMb SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE *— Alpineant TrailMASTER PLAN '•{\� •,t.l �\` t 1`�_ '� I EnyNOnlMntal EAuc•tlon Cant oullAln \ ` ' En•Ironmental Educatlon/Ranck Area id R pan sr Residence y� 11 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Parkin (,0 a au• Plant Pro.atlenAr.. Development Plan Vista Loop Trail Skyline T ail •�`.{1- ��1tFt �i�,�,t ; it �'��t L _ -rrop Parkin (35s aa) +2,V*y I r 1 1 1 '�� .,_��. 1 i zu Noule Loo aTrsll 7�1;.I 9 L '�•`. ��. Parking(25•aG.a) �,t rt t✓y ! ( t r ). �~ /`•f,� \�`� feltor Information Center sp` Parkin 43 a aces aCe• It l 4tti k \�Itl Z[.�� r ♦ `\`•�. .lam �l Xors.ako.Loop Trail Lan Emu anc XeOco ter din Also Legend ', 1 4 11U1r�`,yyr�""• r �z ri i .' .� } ♦ t `� t - .1 't. r� Parkin (20 troller lip seas Gravel Roadway ) l - i�` fI\�\,� �1�y! • ll� ` F� lt. It 1;1 r'• E —trlan Cantor Altin—to Mu1tFUN Troll •f ;:�;:• t 1t ':;`. \ (�r \.'• Group C. .11 Whole-Acces's Trail �y i.�, _—�~ ,�4 •a• I ''` �r !!. ?i `7 y� �`. Hiking and Er♦ue.iris.Trail \ Where Hiking Trek ti I\\ �� C,4 �� t \ \'�; 1 \ _ � r r_ �•.. � kPselal Use Area Old'► •►tart wd , I t t J t q k atruetws `.ti \ v*- ; �•� / �'�. ` / J ' Wks i� �l y _ `�, H1 Signs"iWalter Contact Point �. Control oats t Picnic Arse tl - Ai4onomy I 9•nck 1- Lambert CrH Tr Sanitary (All•rnale \ ` Water$uPply PPly P Point bra _ ll 1• 1 1 t - �� '� �'- •� \��`�11��,.�\•.� ` ':mil 1 .1 tom '--- � Prepared by; 2M Associates EDAW inc. Frahm Edler 8 As H Harvey 3 Stanleyley Associates c \\ '<< t ~ SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Q215 `; MASTER PLAN +{ � � `�✓� B Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District r;P\� Management Plan Legend �.\ \ t �.F'1' 1�1♦ 'YF y'. M\ �(� IMF, IN p i . •� ,. j ��`\ C3 ,� ` (f (see text for explanation) Kz D2 T ,, �; + w" C , r\ l l...��— � � ,jar � \•�r ' =��� )}� � •�,, 11 _ _ �� ;,, r..< a. I I 1 a r f l eoo Prepared by: Associates ED EDAW inc. �~"' 1 Y��=-•*mil �P 1 �� ��� "-\ \� Frahm Edler&Cannis 41 �I Harvey d Stanley Associates Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan WORK PROGRAM & SCHEDULE O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ¢N //}; J W Yrlr Fu+r+uKM4S TMTY/ [r«na[. wFlrlwnY o[r�arn �I*�.�swr W ro..G rn[�Tlw anT.Rury cw•RI[rt w�lor. r w},To} aCt�}Rti� O=W rfl iCK. .WILYSH ur}rSRr uu[rLi 4MLYflf IICCLM�iIW K204 pj<¢ =U IRFY♦R( NO Wiv pfC m A OfvELO�fOEr11K J Y} GOLLfC ( 0[Y!L rCM [vKW1E •ST[R� [f!6 i 3 KhNr�AhvES � 41ER1MTrvCf KIFRMT 2 6 I I.}.i I.}.1 I.}.1 I C •iTR [� O W nvilr }❑ `� I111 Mr }(nY R�PoRST luO O[KlO'r[M R1NS�COfif RIIORT W Q9 � .ia�ISnnK 0.u15 rEM 0.u+ii COSTS og k = i LI W fv5(M(nY6 nu �uMCYrEM }C uMU KM uW�rFM IrPeCT RFCOrrf}O�IKb W: uo vlYtKU�w fNROST u�YSLv51f �� oirLOFrFM <f0 t�3 �J W <j Q2W N<¢ • pISTRICT STAFF < • ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Q • PERMT GRANTING u AGENCIES O • SPECIAL INTEREST GROIPS Z • EXISTING AND POTENTIAL LEASE HOLDERS O O • OTHER AGENCIES V • GENERAL PISLIC • PEINSLEI'TFIt/UPDATE i i March 25, 1985 Board of Directors Midpeninaula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle Loa Altos CA 94022 Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the Board of directors of the South Skyline Association I would like to call to your attention a problem that has developed in our area in the last year or so. That is the difficulty of landing the Life Flight helicopter in the area near Page Mill Rd in order to evacuate victims of accidents. The problem arose again on the afternoon of Sunday, March 17 When two people had to be airlifted out. Under the beat of circumstances it is difficult to arrange for the closing of the four roads that form the intersection but on weekends it is more complicated as well as quite dangerous to both emergency personel and to the public. Additionally the site is very dangerous from a flying standpoint due to the maze of power lines. As you are no doubt aware there is in the draft plan for Skyline Ridge Ranch a proposal to construct an emergency helipad adjacent to the highway about a mile south of the Page Mill intersection. In view of the frequent use of the helicopter in this general area we would ask that construction of this facility be given the highest priority possible. The proposed sight is vastly superior to the intersection in that it is well off the road yet easily accessible to emergency crews. Additionally it is clear of utility lines which the junction is not. Use of this site would improve safety as well as helicopter response time as there would be no need to hover while the road is closed and cleared, a process that can take up to ten minutes. It is also safer in marginal weather. As the increased use of the Ranch and surrounding areas will no doubt require more use of the services of Life Flight (which can also be used in non-accident situations) the landing site will become more important. Anything you can do to expedite the construction of this facility would be very much appreciated by the local community for whom the Life Flight service has become an important resource. In closing may I also comment that a large number of the local residents have been very impressed with the attention given their concerns by the 2M planning group. The genuine attention to these concerns has gone a long way toward alleviating many misgivings. Since N Sherrill Member, Board of Directors South Skyline Association 1185 Skyline Blvd. PO Box 620050 Woodside CA, 94062 SOUTiff SCYL INE A SSOCIA TION PEOPLE CONCERNED WITH THE BEAUTY AND THOUGHTFUL PLANNING OF THE SOUTH SKYLINE March 27, 1985 Ms. Tuna Henshaw, President Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle, D-I Los Altos, CA 94022 Re: Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and Negative Declaration Dear Ms. Henshaw, The members of the South Skyline Association would like to express their appreciation to the District, P.O.S.T., and 2M Associates for structuring the Skyline Ridge study so as to include citizen input, particularly that of the Skyline neighbors. Some of our concerns regarding fire safety, ranger presence, and respect for private property have already been addressed. The plan as presented, with multiple trails, represents a good effort to disperse users throughout the site. However, care whould be taken not to route trails or publish maps with trails leading into private property until rights-of-way have been acquired. The construction of an emergency helicopter landing area is a vital part of the plan and should receive high priority. The adjacent section of Skyline Boulevard is the site of frequent vehicle accidents. Recently, the roads were closed as the Life Flight helicopter attempted to make a hazardous landing between the power lines at the junction of Skyline and Page Mill Road. A helipad at Skyline Ridge, of course, would also serve a wider area. As you enter the final stages in the planning process,we think it is appropriate to review the total concept, its purpose and its impact. There are some basic questions which should be considered. The first question is: Why is it desireable for an open space district to have a "most emphasized site?" This idea would seem to serve political rather then open space purposes. • • page 2 The other questions concern impact. What is the anticipated number of visitor days per year to this site under the proposed plan? How does this 1 number compare with the desired carrying capacity of the site and of the surrounding area including feeder roads? We feel that these questions have not been adequately addressed. Existing data (from the San Mateo County Santa Cruz Mtns. Area Study, 1 July 1982) indicates that traffic at peak recreational hours already equals or exceeds capacity on Highways 84 and 92. In light of this and similar data, it might seem wise to minimize the automobile related attractions of the Skyline Ridge site. Equestrian parking, for instance, might better be located at a trailhead in the Valley with through access to Skyline by trail. It has been estimated that one truck with trailer is equal to 4 or 5 cars on the roadway. The presence of additional buildings would serve to promote increased use not necessarily related to open space. The South Skyline Association, therefore, recommends that before the parking lots or buildings such as the environmental education center and equestrian center are constructed, a study be completed. It could be in the form of an Environmental Impact Report or a traffic study. The purpose of such a study would be to establish the level of exisiting use in the area and to assess the added impact of each of the major attractions proposed for the Skyline Ridge Preserve. With this data, an orderly, phased development could occur which would not get out of hand. In summary, the South Skyline Association urges the Board of Directors to take time to re-evaluate its purpose in developing the Skyline Ridge site, and to proceed with the knowledge of the capacity of both this site and of the surrounding area. We feel that the District should be part of the solution rather than part of the problem of recreational impact. 1 I I Sincerely yours, 1 Janet Schwind president i O it rt-t - The Midpeninsula Trails council is an organization of indi- viduals and groups interested in trail usage and trail develop- ment for hikers, horsemen, runners, backpackers and bicyclists. A committee of three members of the MTC reviewed the Skyline Ridge Draft Master Plan and respectfully offers the following statement to your board. 1 . We support the plan and its effort to provide accessibi- lity to all for a variety of open space purposes, while keeping the low-keyed, rural character which is expected in an 'open- space' environment. 2. We thank POST for funding the master plan process. It has been a rewarding and fruitful effort by many individuals and groups. Following are some suggestions and comments from the Midpeninsula Trails Council: 1 . Trails--We are pleased that 17 miles of trails are planned in the three phases of the preserve's development. Since it is through knowing the land that people come to appreciate it, we encourage you to implement these trails as early as possible, consistent with the high-quality development characteristic of other District sites. 2. The Skyline Trail may need to be wider than the proposed 121 width. If carriages or horse-drawn buckboards, wheelchairs, horses, hikers, bicycles and service vehicles use the trail simultaneously, it will probably need extra width and some pass- ing areas along the route. In fact, it seems best to restrict all motor vehicles from this trail on weekends. � | � ^ _ � ]. By developing trails, and especially those distant from the park entrance, you can spread the impact of users over the � site. We support including the East and West Lambert Creek � � . traila�extensioo for eventual connection to parks west of the | � ------ | � 3hyIlma Ridge Preserve. / � | 4. Wherever possible, we encourage you to develop loop | aAxA,����__ trails. For example, a connection between the eot ranger resi- dence and the 2000' level on the Old Page Mill Road Trail could � � make a abort loop trip. Also, in the southeast corner of the � preserve a trail heads down to the creek from the Iocerpi property. At the last switchback o short loop route could return to the Skyline Trail. 5, Many of our members have explored Skyline Ridge exten- sively. We would be happy to offer further input when the trails � � are laid out. � � 6. Education of trail users--We suggest that you carefully � � consider the kinds of use each trail will get to avoid conflicts � / � � between trail users. This site is a good place to evaluate each | trail and designate its usage according to the specific standards | you are currently developing. | ?. Camping--We support the concept of a hiker's campsite. | ------ We also support the group camping idea, with the initial use being offered to volunteers who work on the site. | ' 8. Parking We suggest that the areas reserved for group campers' cars include parking spaces for overnight hikers' who would use Skyline Ridge Preserve as a traiIhead for extensive 2 ' 9. We support the concept of "covered" housing, such as a hostel or hikers' hut, at least by the third phase of the pro- gram. If the A-frame were used for this purpose, we suggest that those who arrive in cars should park at the group camp parking area and walk to the site . This would solve the unwanted problem of auto traffic within the preserve . 10.Picnic tables--Even though most of members would picnic along the trails in the preserve, we recognize that there may be a need for picnic tables on this site. Perhaps the tables should be screened by vegetation and placed farther than planned from the parking areas . This might eliminate some policing and main- tenance problems. 11 . Interpretive Center--We propose that modest displays at the reserve entrance can educate the visitor d pto the site an to the MROSD. Further interpretation can be done at the environmental education facility. We think that the projected costs and space required for the center are inconsistent with the site. i CarolOn Lekberg, Prr Gre Schafer i Jean Rusmore 3 Meeting 85-05 9 (Continued) oeo, Nil, MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 CONTINUED REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 13 , 1985 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 20 , 1985 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Teena Henshaw called the Continued Regular Meeting of March 13, 1985 to order at 7: 38 P .M. on Wednesday, March 20 , 1985 at the District office, 375 Distel Circle, Suite D-1, Los Altos, California, Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw, Harry Turner, and Richard Bishop. Members Absent: Edward Shelley and Nonette Hanko. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench , Craig Britton, David Hansen, Charlotte MacDonald, jean Fiddes , Del Woods , and Stanley Norton. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. j III . OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Preliminary Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy for FiscalYear 1985-1986 (Memorandum M-85-43 of March 1 , 1985 and Report R-85-16 of February 16 , 1985) H. Grench introduced the staff report, and C. Britton, D. Hansen, and C. MacDonald provided a brief overview of their respective pro- grams. D. Hansen referred the Board to the new 1985-1986 Key Project and Activity in the Operations, Maintenance and Volunteer Subprogram concerning the experimental dog program. H. Grench reviewed the material for the General Management and Program Support Section. The Board concurred on the following changes in the proposed Action Plan during the discussion: 1) Nego- tiations Subprogram - Fourth Other Typical Projects and Activity - include the words "in accordance with Board policy" at the end of the sentence concerning eminent domain proceedings; and 2) Public Participation and Education Subprogram - Fifth Key Project and Activity - change the word "try" to "initiate" . Discussion points during the review of the preliminary Action Plan included the revision of the District's Master Plan, a request from K. Duffy for periodic reports on the activities of the Trail Information and Volunteer Center, and the scope of the "handout stations" pilot program in the Public Communications Program. Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Action Plan for the 1985-1986 fiscal year as contained in the staff reports and modified during the meeting. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonelte G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin III Meeting 85-05 (Cc inued) Page 2 B . Interim Report on Search for Permanent District Office Space Headquarters (Report R-85-21 of March 8 , 1985) C. Britton reviewed the previous action taken by the Board relative to the question of purchasing rather than leasing a permanent Dis- trict office site. He noted that he had attached the minutes from the April 11 , 1984 Board meeting and added that staff was proposing a modification in the recommendations that had been presented to the Board at the February 8 Board meeting. He stated that, on a first priority basis , staff was recommending that they pursue the purchase of the City of Mountain View site, noting staff would re- turn to the Board with progress reports and necessary hiring of con- sultants if any contract were to exceed $10 ,000. He said that staff was also proposing to negotiate a lease with option to purchase for ., the Imperial. Savings location which staff was hoping to secure as an interim office location. R. Bishop stated that the Board had not yet made a decision on whether the District should continue to rent or buy a piece of land and con- struct a building. He stated this was an important policy decision for the Board to make because of the costs involved, both in terms of dollars and staff time. Discussion focused on the Board's prior action regarding the question of buying versus leasing, and there was Board consensus that no decision to buy land and build an office facility had been made. D. Wendin stated that he felt staff should proceed with having an appraisal done for the Mountain View site and with the hiring of a consultant to prepare a plan and estimate costs for constructing a building on the site, noting that, with this information, the Board would have some concrete cost information with which to address the question of buying versus leasing. In response to a question from H . Grench, the Board indicated that cost estimates could be provided by experts in the field as opposed to having detailed studies and appraisals done. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board continue items one, two, and four in report R-85-21 and ask staff to return at an early date with a financial analysis of construction of facility on the Mountain View site, including financing alternatives . R. Bishop seconded the motion. Discussion: H. Turner requested that staff also address the question of staff time involved and how this use of staff time would impact the District' s programs . R. Bishop noted cost estimates should include the costs of a staff person who would be responsible for inspection during the con- struction of a building. In response to a question from C. Britton, D. Wendin stated that he was expecting staff to return with an updated version of the alternatives con- tained in the April 5, 1984 report, specific to the Mountain View site and including the alternative of leasing. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Motion: D. Wendin moved approval Of item three of the staff report concerning the Imperial Savings site as a rental with an attempt to obtain an option to purchase. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. meeting 85-05 (ContinL Page 3 C. Use and Management Plan for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Report R-85-19 of March 5 , 1985) D. Hansen introduced the staff report and noted that the acquisition date for the former Martin property should be changed to December 28 , 1984 . D. Woods showed a series of slides to illustrate the report's major points. He noted that because of the popularity of the Preserve, there is an increasing traffic problem associated with the spread-out parking patterns along Skyline Boulevard. Discussion centered on the trail that was to utilize the former Bachtold property, soaring activities on the Preserve, and the limited amount of parking currently available on Alpine Road. Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board tentatively adopt the revised Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the staff report for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. D. Los Trancos Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan (Report R-85-18 , of March 7 , 1985) D. Woods showed slides to illustrate various points made in the staff report. He noted that an existing Use and Management recommendation concerning the Preserve ' s brochure should be included on Page Three of the report, adding that the recommendation stated that the site brochure should be updated to reflect the connecting trails when they are complete. K. Duffy stated that the trail leading from the parking area to Station One was rough and meandering and questioned whether staff had any plans to improve it and/or better define it with logs. D. Woods stated he would review this portion of the trail . lie also stated that staff planned to define better the portion of the trail near the knoll that had been reseeded. Motion : H. Turner moved that the Board tentatively adopt the revised Use and Management Plan for the Los Trancos Open Space Pre- serve as contained in the staff report. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . IV. OLD BUSINESS WITH NO ACTION REQUESTED A. Special District Management Institute Report T. Henshaw reported on the Special District Management Institute she had recently attended and urged other Board members to attend future institutes. She stated that the three directors from the East Bay Regional Park District had extended an invitation for a social get-together in the future. D. Wendin requested that staff look into the telephone cable on the ground on the former Stallings property. S. Norton stated that the litigation matters to be discussed during Closed Session were Hassler and some items covered under Government Code Section 54956 . 9 , Subdivision b-1 . V. CLOSED SESSION The Board recessed to Closed Session at 9 :05 P.M. VI . ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to public session at 10 : 43 P.M. to announce that a Closed Session for the purpose of discussing litigation matters would be held at the conclusion of the March 27 Special Meeting . The Board then adjourned the Continued Regular Meeting of March 13 , 1985. Jean H. Fiddes District Clerk Meeting 85-05 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 13, 1985 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Harry Turner called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Nonette Hanko and Harry Turner. Richard Bishop arrived at 7:40 P.M. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes, Stanley Norton, Charlotte MacDonald, William Tannenbaum, James Boland, Del Woods and Emma Johnson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 23 , 1985 Motion: E. Shelley moved the approval of the minutes of January 23 1985. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 5 to 0 with N. Hanko abstaining because she was absent from the meeting. B. Februar,=r 13 , 1985 Motion; E. Shelley moved the approval of the minutes of February 13, 1985. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. 4 Discussion: Tom Kavanaugh, 1726 Spring Street, Mountain View noted that the minutes did not reflect under what rules and regulations the Board went into Closed Session and what the litigation matters were. H. Grench responded that the Code Section under which the litigation can be discussed has to be noted before Closed Session and that had been announced as the Hassler litiga- tion. He added that it may be appropriate to add the infor- mation to all minutes. E. Shelley and H. Turner agreed that the procedure would have merit. H. Turner stated the Board' s consensus that the minutes were amended to include the following information : The Board went into Closed Session to discuss the Hassler litigation. The amended minutes of February 13 were approved by a vote of 5 to 0, with D. Wendin abstaining because he was absent from the meeting . C. February 20, 1985 Motion: E. Shelley moved the approval of the minutes of February 20, 1985. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. Discussion: H. Turner noted that the minutes would require the same addition as did the minutes of February 13, and stated the Board' s consensus that the minutes were amended to include the sentence , "The Board went into Closed Session to discuss the Hassler litigation. " . The minutes were approved as amended by a vote of 6 to 0. Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop.Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin 'I I ; Meeting 85-05 Page two D. February 27 , 1985 N. Hanko asked that the minutes be amended to change the words "could not" to "would not" (grant Mr. Boyden ' s request) in the last line of Paragraph 6 on Page 4 . 11. Turner confirmed that the change was appro- priate. Motion: E. Shelley moved the approval of the minutes of February 27 , 1985. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. II. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS E. .Johnson stated t ted the Board a had received the following communications. a) a letter dated Mar ch 5 from George Norton, o, Attorney in Palo Al to, urgingthe District to withdraw the list of landowners that accompanies the master plan map overaly and to publish only names of property owners wit h whom the District intends to or has started to negotiate. He stated he would be happy to have his name on the list since nego- tiations had begun and that the Peters property should be on the list. He suggested that the District write to each person on the present list explaining that the District has no present intention to condemn any occupied home; b) a letter dated March 11 from Richard Bullis of La Honda, endorsing Mr. Norton ' s letter, including leaving the Norton and Peters/Bullis properties on the list since negotiations have been on-going. He expressed confusion about the District ' s choice for the route of the Skyline Trail; and c) a letter dated March 5 from Carlo Fowler of the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe issuing a final opinion on the District' s issuance of Promissory Notes. H. Turner stated that response to the first two letters would be held in abeyance until the agenda item was discussed. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Turner stated that the agenda was adopted as presented by Board con- sensus IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS James Warren, 345 Swett Road, Woodside, argued against eminent domain proceedings and urged a joint committee of directors and citizens to draft a policy concerning condemnation. Artemis Ginzton, 28014 Natoma Road, Los Altos Hills, urged the Board to buy land only from willing sellers. June Janis, La Honda Road, told the Board that the use of eminent domain proceedings does not show concern and that the property owners feel uncertain about "what' s going to happen" to them. Leonard Korinec of Portola Park Heights; Sandra Touchatt, 3600 Longridge Road, La Honda; James. Warren; William Obermeyer, Portola Heights; David Leason, Sunnyvale; and Carol Doose, 22400 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda each spoke to the Board about their concerns regarding the preserve users trespassing onto private property and using their access roads. Mrs. Touchatt stated her concern for hikers ' safety, and, requested that the topic be on a future agenda so the problem could be addressed. H. Turner stated he would like to see the conflict resolved and referred the matter to staff. Richard Bullis , Quinta Ranch, Star Route 2 , La Honda stated he had been unsuccessful in getting APN numbers and full names of the owners of the Meeting 35-05 Page three parcels on the Master Plan Map Overlay from District staff. District Counsel stated that the information is available from the County Assessors' offices and that he had been researching the question of whether the Dis- trict equipment must be made available to the public . He said he didn' t understand why Mr. Bullis couldn' t use the assessors ' public facilities. T. Kavanaugh told the Board that he wants to be notified if his property is duscussed in Closed Session, and he asked that his name be removed from "the list" . Bill Sorich who lives near Devils Canyon said District ownership of Devils Canyon would be a liability to the District. VI. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Award o--" Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve Development Grant (Memorandum M-85-44 of March 6 , 1985) H. Grench announced that the State Department of Parks and Recreation had recommended to the Legislature that the District be awarded a $150, 000 grant for the development of Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The project will provide two parking areas, improved trails, trails for the physically limited, and signing. H. Turner added that the project will be a cooperative effort with POST and San Mateo County. VII . OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED 1. Election of New Board President and Possibly Other Officers (Memorandum M-85-36 of March 6, 1985) H. Turner stated his previously announced resignation as Board Presi- dent would be effective at the present meeting. He noted that balloting would be by secret ballot. J. Fiddes counted the ballots for president that each Director submitted and announced that T. Ren- shaw had received 6 votes, and E. Shelley had received 1 vote. H. Turner said that the commitments that precluded him from carrying out the duties of president would not interfere with the duties of being vice president if he were elected to that office. After the Board voted for vice president, J. Fiddes announced that H. Turner had received 5 votes, R. Bishop had received 1 vote , and one member of the Board had abstained from voting. 2. Scheduling and Process for Future Discussion of Procedures Pursuant to SB 2216 and Policies Regarding Use of Eminent Domain (Memorandum M-85-47 of March 7 , 1985) T. Henshaw noted that the Board was responding to public interest in . the District' s procedures pursuant to SB 2216 and in policies regarding use of eminent domain. Discussion centered on whether staff or the Board should establish the agenda for a future meeting to discuss the issues. N. Hanko stated that the Board should establish an agenda that clearly outlines the issues that should be discussed. R. Bishop said he felt the consensus of the Board was that it should try to formulate a set of policies to adopt for when power of eminent domain would be used and when it would not be used. He suggested a Board committee to propose a set of policies to be discussed at the , meeting. D. Wendin suggested staff could gather materials for discussion so that it is a basis for a beginning. Meeting ;85-05 page four Motion: D. Wendin moved that staff prepare an agenda for discussion and that Board members be encouraged to provide input to staff within seven days. Discussion : N . Hanko stated her support of the motion if it included the question of annexations and use of lands outside District boundaries. D. Wendin concurred with N. Hanko' s suggestion. Robert Fisse, Star Route 2, La Honda, suggested a workshop to allow for public participation. C. Touchatt, Jim Warren, and Janet Schwind supported the suggestion. E. Shelley and R. Bishop stated their agreement, and R. Bishop added that it should take place prior to a formal meeting where policies would be adopted. The Board concurred that March 30 would be the best date for a workshop. After discussing meeting in the Skyline area, the Board and public agreed that a meeting place in Portola Valley or Woodside would best serve all concerned. Motion: D. Wendin withdrew his previous motion and moved that the Board schedule a workshop on March 30 in Portola Valley or central Woodside with an agenda prepared by staff to discuss eminent domain, Brown Act procedures, annexation, and acqui- sition of land outside District boundaries, with public input invited. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . 3 . Determination of Public Necessity for Proposed Dooley Property Addition to Coal Creek Open Space Preserve (Report R-85-22 of March 8 , 1985) D. Hansen noted that the Board had tabled a motion at its February 27 meeting to adopt a resolution of public necessity for acquiring the Dooley property until after staff had prepared more detailed maps and a more specific case for why the District should acquire the property. He defined on a large wall map the present and potential trail routes and the location of the property in relation to District lands. He noted that if a major trail corridor is not provided through the site, trail users would be required to follow the narrow, winding Page Mill Road in the area or take longer alternatives. Rosemary Dooley, 290 Leland Avenue, Palo Alto expressed her opinion that bicyclists would not have a better trail if it went through her property. Tom Dott, Page Mill Road agreed that bicyclists do not need a special trail through the property. Other members of the public echoed the same negative response to use of eminent domain to acquire the property. D. Wendin asked if any member of the public in attendance were in favor of the determination of public necessity. No one spoke in favor of the condemnation. He added that he did not favor this partic- ular eminent domain proceeding and stated his belief that an alternate way can be found to accommodate the public need without taking the property. Several Board members asked Ms. Dooley if some agreement could be reached to have an easement or a compromise on the trail route. Her response was negative. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board vote on the motion on the floor. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 1 . Meeting 85-05 Page five Discussion: Ms. Dooley asked if the Board could vote for condemnation in the future if it now voted not to condemn. S. Norton stated that the present Board could act for itself, but not for future Boards. J. Fiddes read the motion on the floor, a motion that the Board adopt Resolution 85-20, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Finding and Determining That the Public Interest and Necessity Require the Acquisition of Certain Properties for Public Use, to Wit, for Public Park, Recreation and Open Space Pur- poses Describing the Properties Necessary Therefore and Authorizing and Directing its Retained Legal Counsel to do Everything Necessary to Acquire All Interest Therein (Coal Creek Open Space Preserve - Dooley Property) . President Henshaw called for a roll call vote. The motion to adopt Resolution 85-20 failed on the following vote: AYES: E. Shelley and R. Bishop. NOES: K. Duffy, H. Turner, T. Henshaw, D. Wendin and N. Hanko. T. Henshaw called a recess at 10: 35 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 10 : 50 P.M. 4. Final Adontion of the Use and Management Plan for the Peninsula Open Space Trust, Lohr , Jenkins, and Guenther Property Additions to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (Memorandum M-85-45 of March 6, 1985) D. Hansen noted that the Board had delayed its final adoption of the Interim Use and Management Plan because of the length of time since the presentation of the original Interim Use and Management Plan. He stated there had been no additional public comments. Charles Touchatt and Carol Doose expressed concern about the road becoming a public trail. C. Britton stated that the road would be used for patrol and maintenance only, that it was not intended as a public trail . K. Duffy and E. Shelley assured the concerned homeowners of the area that the recommended Interim Use and Mangement Plan would merely maintain the status quo, that if there were any changes to the Use and Managemetn Plans, two public hearings would be required. E. Shelley noted there are no proposed trails or development for the property nor any intention to invite the public on the road. Sandra Touchatt stated that the public is given maps of the Preserve that shows an access through private property and asked what can be done to keep the public from trespassing on her property. K. Duffy stated that the District does install boundary signs. N. Hanko suggested delaying final approval until Board members had a chance to visit the property to see what the situation is and whether signs are properly placed. D. Wendin noted the property is part of the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, not Long Ridge, and public access will be a question dis- cussed at the Skyline Ridge Master Plan hearing in two weeks. He suggested the issues be addressed as part of the Skyline Ridge Plan even though they are technically not part of the study area. R. Bishop suggested citizens concerned with signing and private property attend the Master Plan hearing and speak at that time. Meeting 85-05 Page six D. Hansen noted the three items on the Use and Management Plan: 1) place boundary signs to identify the property; 2) allow public access by either obtaining adjacent property owners ' permission or through current District property; and 3) become a part of the road agreement, contributing to the annual maintenance of the road. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan for the Peninsula Open Space Trust, Lohr, Jenkins, and Guenther property additions to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve as contained in report R-84-24 and M-85-32 and to dedicate the District ' s interests in the property as public open space. E. Shelley seconded the motion: Discussion: C. Doose asked if the property now includes hiking and equestrian trails in the Use and Management Plan. D. Wendin clarified that for new acquisitions an interim use and management plan is established that maintains the status quo, except for safety issues. He continued that every property has trails -- informal deer trails, footpaths, logging roads, etc. and that an indication of trails does not mean the District will build or maintain them as hiking trails. D. Wendin suggested that road use and how notice is given to keep people off the road are issues that need to be addressed at a later date. Motion: D. Wendin moved to continue the motion on the floor so that it can be considered as part of the Skyline Ridge Master Plan process. H. Turner seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin confirmed that while the public access question would be considered at the same time as the 2M Associates ' plan, it would not be considered by the consultants and that staff will have to address the issue of the linkage and, if possible, recommend what should be done. The motion to continue failed by a vote of 4 to 3 . Discussion: C. Doose asked for the meaning of dedication, asking whether it meant the District is unable to sell , trade or do something else with the property. D. Wendin confirmed her understanding with the exception that the District can trade up to 10 acres of dedicated land per year for other land The motion on the floor passed by a vote of 5 to 2. 5. 'lExperimental Dog Program - Second Reading (Memorandum M-85-48 of March 7, 1985 D. Hansen noted that the Board had approved allowing additional dog tracking events at Fremont' Older and Russian Ridge Open Space Pre- serves and had agreed to continue the experiment on three sites for one more year, with the program at Fremont Older contingent upon there being a decline in off-leash problems. He added that the Board had approved opening a portion of Long Ridge for one year and that staff will meet with the neighbors to discuss cooperation in the pro- gram. He anticipated the program at Long Ridge would begin in approximately two months. Motion: H. Turner moved to continue the dog experiment on three current sites and the one additional site for one year, directing staff to start the Long Ridge program only after adequate signing, noticing and preparation of the baseline Meeting 85-05 Page seven data is accomplished, and to allow dog tracking activities continued at Fremont Older and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves as outlined in the motion of February 17 . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. 6. District Lease of Portion of San Mateo County Baylands Reserve from State Lands Commission (Memorandum M-85-46 of March 7 , 1985) C. Britton explained that the District can lease at no cost for 49 years approximately 99 acres south of Dumbarton Bridge. He reviewed the Interim Use and Management Plan for the site and added that the area would be named an addition to the San Mateo County Baylands Reserve. Motion: H. Turner moved to adopt Resolution 85-21, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Lease, Authorizing Officer to Execute Lease on Behalf of District, and Authorizinc. General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary to Closing of the Transaction (San Mateo County Baylands Reserve - Lands of the State of California, State Lands Commission) . He continued his motion for tentative adoption of the Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the staff report, including naming the property an addition to the San Mateo County Baylands Reserve, and stating the Board ' s intention to dedicate the leasehold interest in the property as public open space. D. Wendin seconded the motion. Discussion: T. Kavanaugh stated his understanding that the parcel is in Menlo Park, not in San Mateo County. He also asked if Leslie Salt had done the work on the levee. C. Britton stated that CalTrans had done the work. To Mr. Kavanaugh' s question regarding whether District would allow fishing from the levee, H. Grench said staff will look into it as part of the regular Use and Management Plan. The motion passed 7 to 0. President T. Henshaw stated the Board' s concurrence to continue agenda items 8 through 11 (Preliminary Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy for Fiscal Year 1985-1986; Interim Report on Search for Permanent Office Headquarters; Use and Management Plan Review for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve; Los Trancos Use and Management Plan Review; and Special District Management Institute Report) . VIII . NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED 1. Proposed Nolte Property Addition to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Report R-85-20 of March 5, 1985) C. Britton stated the District had been offered the 160 acre parcel adjacent to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. He said access is along a private road off Alpine Road. He stated the purchase price will be $450, 000 and would be the first purchase made from the pro- ceeds of the District's 1985 note issue. D. Hansen reviewed the use and management recommendations which included continuing the grazing lease, opening the site to hikers and equestrains, installing preserve boundary signs, discing and seeding, removing hazardous remnants of an old barn, and restoring the site to a natural area. R. Bullis asked if the road would become a trial . C. Britton responded that the District' s rights on the road are not known at this time and the question would have to be researched to determine if the Distrit has rights for a trail on the road. Meeting 85-05 Page eight R. Bullis stated he had a letter to the District dated March 3 , acquainting the Board with the fact of an unrecorded easement. He asked that C . Britton meet with his engineer to resolve the issue. C. Britton noted that when the property purchase was being negotiated, he had talked with Mr. Nolte about the verbal agreement that had been made and stated that it would be in the District ' s best interest to have a road that would be minimally disturbing to the landscape, but an agreeable alignment might not be the ideal alignment from the owners point of view. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-22, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Agreement to Purchase Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary to Closing of the Transaction (Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve - Nolte Property) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the interim use and manauement plan recommendations contained in report R-85-20, name the property as an addition to the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. N. Hanko seconde(, the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. 2 . Proposed Annexation of Nolte Property Addition to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Memorandum M-85-37 dated March 4 , --1-985 H. Grench noted the property is within the District' s Sphere of Influence and contiguous to, but just outside, the District' s boundary, He said annexation to the District would obviate potential challenge to the enforceability of District ordinances and would place District- owned land within District boundaries. He added that the annexation would be with the consent of the Noltes, and that, if LAFCO approves the annexation, the matter will be before the Board for a hearing and a final decision. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-23, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Requesting Initiation of Annexa- tion Procedures by the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission (Russian Ridge Addition - 1985) . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. 3. Revision of Authorized Signatories for District Accounts and Safe Deposit Boxes (Memorandum M-85-31 dated March 4 , 1985 J. Fiddes explained that it is necessary to revise the signatories on District accounts following the election of new Board officers. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-24 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Establishing Financial Instru- ment Signatories of the District for Santa Clara County Accounts. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-25 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving Certificate of Authority of Officers (First Interstate Bank of California) . Meeting 85-05 Page nine T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-26, a Reso- lution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Signing and Endorsing Checks and Other Instruments for Savings Account (First Interstate Bank of California - Los Altos) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-27 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing -Signing and Endorsing Checks and Other Instruments for Checking Account (First Interstate Bank of California - Los Altos) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-28, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Establishing Signatories for Entering Safe Deposit Boxes (First Interstate Bank of Cali- fornia - Los Altos) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. 4 . Location of March 27 Regular Meeting (Memorandum M-85-41 of March 4 , 1984) H. Grench recommended that the March 27 Board Meeting be limited to presentation of the Skyline Ridge Master Plan as prepared by 2M Asso- ciates. He said that a large public attendance is anticipated. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board cancel its Regular Meeting of March 27 , 1985 and schedule a Special Meeting at 7 : 30 P.M. at the Mountain View Adobe Building at 157 Moffett Boulevard for the purpose of reviewing the draft Master Plan for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and consideration of the claims list. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. 5. Scheduling of Special Meeting (Memorandum M-85-40 of March 4 , 1985) H. Grench explained the present meeting could be finished in one of several ways : it could be continued to another date, a special meeting could be scheduled, or the agenda items could be put-off until April 10. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board continue meeting 85-05 to 7 : 30 P.M. March 20 to consider agenda items 8 , 9, 10, and 11 along with Oral Communications and any other agenda items that may be added. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS D. Hansen reported the demolition at the former Bachtold property had been completed, a contract had been signed to remove material from Coal Creek Open Space Preserve in April, and the Los Altos Fire Department would conduct a practice burn using the small structure at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. X. CLAIMS D. Wendin asked for an explanation on Claims No. 8098 . C. Britton responded that Legal Counsel had stated that, since the amount was a contractual obligation, payment only required Board approval of the claim. Motion: D. Wendin moved the approval of revised claims 85-05. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Meeting 85-05 Page ten XI . CLOSED SESSION S. Norton announced that the discussion in closed session would be on the Hassler law suit and one or two items covered under Government Code Section 54956. 9, subdivision b-1 . The Board convened to Closed Session at 12 : 01 P.M. XII . ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to Public Session to announce that the Closed Session would be continued to Wednesday, March 20, 1985. The Board adjourned at 1 : 15 A.M. Thursday, March 14 , 1985. Emma Johnson Secretary (ff MM5 10. 2SJ-US Pleeting 85-05 rIIUI'E�?Ii:SUL. .LG?O;vr,L Oi)I:ti SYACF DISTR� ,:T Date: March 13, 193` REVISED cLTz PIs t•pun Name •� Description 8016 12.40 Amerigas Tank Rental 8017 C =1.48 A T & T Telephone Service �801 8 286.32 James Bol n,q Reimbursement--Professional Conferee 8019 350.00 Louis Bor;L Cc,tractor Road Repairs '8020 278.00 L. Craig Br==_cn Reimbursement-Seminar Registration 8021 75.44 Bullard S=fe-_y test Field Equipment 8022 110.00 U. C. Berkeley Extension Tuition Fee--Alice Ctmrmings I8023 50.00 State Treasurer of California Fee for note Review 3024 63.09 California Water Service Co. Dater Service 8025 386.00 Caen Rental Co. Machine Rental 8026 51.82 David Carp Reimbursement--Private Vehicle 8027 135.00 Carelillo Travel Systems T Y T. Henshat•. Travel Expense S028 54,657.00 Central Fence Co an �' Y Fence--Los Gatos Creek Park 8029 213.00 Coammications Research Co. Radio Maintenance 8030 57/2.38 Creegan & D'Angelo Fence Plans--Los Gatos Creek Park 8-031 51.30 Crest Copies Blueprints '8032 139.29 Alice Curmi n s g ReiMburserrent--Private Vehicle and Supplies 8033 239.83 Discount Office Supply Office Supplies 8034 586.08 Pete Ellis Dodge Truck Repairs 8035 49.70 Evans Sharp-All Shop Sharpening Service and Tools 8036 166.00 First Ar.�rican Title Guaranty Co. Preliminary Title :Report 8037 324.42 First Interstate Bank Paying aY�g Agent Fees 500.00 Foss & Associates February Consulting•Fee 8039 77.30 Sandra Gimbal Reimbursenent--Private Vehicle and Drafting Supplies '8 `0 o 335.47 The Graphic Source Silk Screened Pups 8041 179.27 Herbert Grench Reimbursement--Professional Conferen+l and Subscription 8 2. 57.89 Mary Gundert Reimbursenent--Private Vehicle and l Drafting Supplies 8043 288.72 Ernestine Henshzaw Reimbursement--Conference Expense 8044 636.14 Honeywell Protection Services Alarm Installation and Service 3045 25.93 Hubbard 6: Johnson Field Supplies 3046 161.02 The Hub Schneider's Ranger Unifor%s i - Meeting 85- 11 ' Date: Ibrch I 7 Name REVISED Description 80147 212.18 Kelly Ser%rices Tenporary Office Help 8M 24.00 Landscape Architecture Subscription 8049 480.00 Los Altos Garbage Co. Dl�rTster Service 8050 12.58 Los Altos S-al-ioners Office Supplies 8051 28.65 Lund Equi.--=_-_ Co. Key 'Inventory and Storage System 8052 63.90 Chiarlotte Reimbursement--Color Enlargement 8053 284.36 M2redith ' Advertisement and Subscription 8054 83.57 Minton's L=be.- & Supply Field Supplies 8055 19.09 Mobil Oil Co. Fuel for District Vehicles 8056 45.00 National' Recreation Park Assc. Subscription 8057 13.10 Nbrney's Office Supplies 8058 45.00 Stanley Norton Telephone. and Meal Conference F-xp 8059 1 .� On Line Business Systems �87.'N Computer Processing 8,060 50=51 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 8061 329.83 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Utilities 8062 160.92 Pacific Hardware Field Supplies 8063 3.05 City Of Palo Alto Utilities Utilities 8064 120.00 Palo Alto V,'eekly Advertisement 8%5 Peninsula oil co. Fuel for District Vehicles Bork 80.22 Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Rental and Supplies 0067 68.82 Rancho Ehrdh�are Field Supplies 8068 4,700.00 Kurt L. Reitman & Assc. Appraisal Services 8069 35.00 Eric Remington Honorarium for Docent Training 8070 8.25 San Francisco Examiner Subscription 8071 326.40 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Advertisement 8072 101.08. San Francisco Water Dept. Water Service 8073 506.76 San Jose 1.1--rcur_y News Advertisement from claims Burin cT March 13, 1985 Board meeting. 8075 80.00 Santa Clara County Health Dept, Storage Permit Fee 8076 103.84 Scribner Graphics Printing � 8077 318.25 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Tools and Repairs 8078 10,025.00 S.G.S. 0 Inc. Bachtold Demolition 8079 276.02 Shell Oil Co. Fbel and Repairs for District Veh-i 8080 15.52 Skyline Co. Water District Water Service 8081 69.00 Skyline Ranch Utilities CLAIMS No. 85-05 Meting 85-05 Date: March 13, 198 REVISED v mount Name Description 8082 5,000.00 Standard & Poor's Corporation Bond Rating Services � d 8083 480.00 State Board of EGaalization Annexation Fee 8084 2.66 S & W Equip-mEinlE Co. Field Supplies $085 195.00 William S. '±aTenbaum Reimbursement--Seminar Registration � 8086 35.00 Mary Lou Taylor Honorarium for Docent Trams 8087 481.40 Times Trib,,me Advertisements 8088 38.42 Tools-R-Us Field Supplies 8089 26.61 David Tapley :4eisrbursement--Uniform II8090 108.80 The Travel Place Out of Town Meeting--Herbert Grench I18091 130.97 Union Oil Co.: any Fuel for District Vehicles 8092 900.00 U. S. Postmaster Meter Postage and Newsletter Returns 8093 275.98 Uno Graphics Brochures ' 8094 -;.73 Lisa Varney Reimbursement--Uniform 8095 59.25 Sandra Voorhees Reimbursement--Private Vehicle 8096 248.83 Ellis Wallace Reir.bursement--Private Vehicle and Training Classes - 1 45.00 Western Interpreters Assc. Subscription 8098 25,000.00 Western Title Insurance Co. Purchase of Lease--Quinn-McEwen 8099 102.24 West Publishing Co. Resource Documents 8100 83.65 West Tek Supply, Inc. . Fuel Storage Pipe 8101 58.58 ZZZ Sanitation Equipment Rental 8102 500.00%',- U. S. Postmaster Postage for Meter 8103 150.00-* Swan Graphics, Inc. Typesetting 8104 175.86 Petty Cash Private Vehicle, Meal Conferences, Film Processing, and Field Supplies 8105 450,000.00 Ticor Title Insurance Co. Land Purchase--Nolte Issued as an emergency check on March 11, 1985 -•-Issued as an emergency check on March 12, 1985 R-85-23 (Meeting 85-06 March 27 , 1985) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REPORT March 21 , 1985 TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manager RESPONSIBILITY AND PREPARATION: D. Hansen, Land Manager; D. Woods , Open Space Planner; A. Cummings, Environmental Analyst SUBJECT: Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Draft Master Plan Introduction: On April 25 , 1984 you approved entering into a contract with the landscape architecture firm of 2M Associates of Berkeley to com- plete a master plan for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (see memo- randum M-84-42 dated April 16, 1984) . The contract was entered into after the generous $46 ,000 contribution from the Peninsula Open Space Trust to fund this project for the District' s most highly emphasized site. The Trust also played a cooperative role in the extensive consultant selection process , following your approval to proceed with planning for this site on an outside-contract basis . Over the past year, POST and District staff , extensive public workshops , and detailed assistance from a special POST advisory committee have guided the planners to complete a draft 20 Year Master Plan for the Skyline Ridge Preserve. This is now being presented for your review and approval . Discussion: This fourth and final major public workshop is focused on the draft Master Plan document which you received earlier this month, along with addendum #1 which was sent with that document and with addendum #2 , which is attached to this report. Copies of the draft Master Plan are available for public inspection at the District office. Public comments from the workshops are also attached for your review as are the goals of the POST advisory committee and other key supportive materials . is a ch ronological ical summary of the planning process to date as Followingg y P g carried out by 2M (see also the work program and schedule attached) . A) MAY, JUNE & JULY 1984 : The goals , tasks and schedule for the Master Plan were delineated, and a site inventory was completed by 2M and their subcontractors (see the Existing Conditions document previously forwarded to you and available at the District office for public in- spection) . The first meeting of the POST advisory committee was held on May 29 , and a second meeting was held on site on two separate days : July 8 and July 12. On July 18 the first public workshop was held at the Mountain View Community Center (see memorandum M-84-68 dated July 24 , 1984 attached) . B) AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1984 : An options analysis and Master Plan concept with three alternative plans was completed. This material was pre- sented on two occasions: at the third meeting of the POST advisory R-85-23 Page 2 committee on September 17 and at the second public workshop on October 3 , held at Los Altos High School . C) OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1984 : The schematic plan was developed, and ideal alternatives and management options were also pursued. 2M made a presentation to the Board on November 28 . The preliminary plan with phasing, annual and longterm costs , and schematic drawings was developed at this time. D) JANUARY, FEBRUARY 1985 : On January 17, the fourth POST advisory commit- tee meeting was held. The third public workshop was held on January 16 at the Los Altos Youth Center. The initial study was developed for the California Environmental Quality Act and the final draft Master Plan was completed. On February 25 , the fifth POST committee meeting was held. Plan implementation sources and responsibilities were drafted and are part of addendum #2 attached. The fourth public workshop for review of the draft plan is scheduled for March 27 , 1985. Throughout this period, g numerous discussions and meetings have been held by 2M with local and affected neighbors and agencies. In addition, several "team" meetings have been held, including 2M and their subcontractors , Dis- trict Open Space Management staff and POST staff. These meetings were keyed to discussions and evaluations of specific 'hot' and ' lukewarm' development and management alternatives and aided in answering questions 2M had on unde- cided issues or proposed facilities in the Master Plan. Press coverage of the public workshops has been extensive and staff has attempted to go 'over- board' in soliciting input to these forums . Several District Board members have attended various POST advisory committee meetings and public workshops. Usual Planning Procedures If the Master Plan had not been done on a large scale contract basis , Sky- line Ridge Open Space Preserve, being the most highly emphasized of District sites, would normally have had a substantial review and implementation pro- cess over the next few years. The shortened planning schedule and acceler- ated timing, intensity of site review and analysis , extensive public review and independent design ideas would probably not have been generated to the extent they have been. In addition, the proposed elements of a draft plan by staff alone would not be the result of an extensive study of existing site conditions. The re- sults might, therefore, not have been as responsive to environmental factors and would most likely not have included resource management elements such as reforestation, habitat enhancement and fire protection in the detail pre- sented by 2M. Specific uses which perhaps would not have emerged because of their intense development nature beyond Board policy guidelines are 1) equestrian center, 2) fishing piers , 3) interpretive center, 4) visitor center, and 5) drive- in campground. The following is the planning procedure we would probably have have followed if the Contract Master Plan process had not been pursued with POST' s assis- tance: 1) Public workshop for soliciting input for site use a. purpose - to solicit input for potential use b. notification - adjacent neighbors, mailing list and newspapers R-85-23 Page 3 2) Solicit proposals for use of the Buildings a. Board/staff development parameters b. advertise in local papers, contact known interest groups C. evaluate proposals 3) Prepare draft Use and Management Plan a. Elements would most likely have included: 1 . trail system providing loops and access for physically limited 2 . restrooms at parking areas 3. environmental education program at barn location 4 . AYH hike-in hostel at A-frame 5. equestrian staging facility 6 . hike-in camp area at former Incerpi property 7 . ranger residence at former Incerpi property and ranch house 8 . water system upgrade b. Contract with engineers to conduct feasibility study and cost analysis for construction C. Develop phasing of plan 4 . Public workshop for comments on draft plan a. incorporate comments from public and revise where necessary 5. Board review of Use and Management Plan CEQA Requirements You received earlier a copy of the Initial Study checklist (available at the District office for public inspection) which was prepared by 2M along with supporting documentation and a summary table explaining all "yes" and "maybe" answers in the Initial Study. The proposed Negative Declaration is attached to this report, and I am recommending that it be approved by you. Staff has checked with the State Office of Planning and Research which confirmed that a Negative Declaration should be used on a conceptual master plan if the Initial Study warrants it. When later specific plans are developed which have the potential to significantly affect the environment, another Initial Study should be done to decide if a Negative Declaration is still appropriate or if a focused Environmental Impact Re- port is necessary at that time. Major items of potential concern on the nitial tudy checklist which staff feels have been adequately researched and mitigated by the consultant in this plan include the potential for increased wild fire danger to the Preserve and surroundings, and the potential significant increase of traffic to the roads in the Preserve vicinity. Packets consisting of the Draft Master Plan, Initial Study and draft Negative Declaration were sent to the four responsible agencies on March 1 , 1985 asking for comments: CalTrans, San Mateo County Planning Department, Santa Clara County Planning Department, and the City of Palo Alto. A smaller packet without the complete draft plan, but with the other materials and maps showing the development and management plans for the site, was sent to 23 persons and agencies either with property adjacent to the Preserve or who are directly affected in some way by the Plan. Copies of the proposed Negative Declaration were posted at the District office and on site. To date, staff has received no comments on the proposed Negative Declaration. R-85-23 Page 4 Recommendations on the Master Plan Because staff has played a major role in the Master Plan process in pro- viding guidance and input, I feel that the Plan is ready to be adopted almost as presented. However, there are certain specific elements which staff feels should be changed: A) The development alternatives section #3 . 2. 4. (see pages 25 and 26) should be eliminated from the Plan as alternatives. The individual elements listed should be either included in the Plan itself or elimi- nated totally at this time. The following elements should be included in the timeframe noted: 1) Signage, Phase III . Highway signs for the Skyline Open Space Preserve should be considered but only in connection with potential signing for the other adjacent highly emphasized District sites. 2) Hiking Trail down Lambert Creek, Phase III. The hiking trail should be considered in conjunction with District properties added recently to this Preserve that open up the possibilities for future trail connections in Devils Canyon and to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. You decided at your March 13 Board of Director' s meeting to include the former Jenkins , Lohr, Guenther, and POST parcels in the plan. As of now, the status quo Interim Use and Management Plan would be used contained in report M-85-45 , dated March 6 , 1985 . Future Use and Management Plan reviews , however, should reflect the potential for trails in Phase III down Lambert and up the Peters Creek corridors over these and any future District lands. The reviews would include the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve area included in the 2M Plan and new additions. 3) Organization Building, Phase I . The proposed organizational building in the A-frame should be considered for use by groups and organizations as a substitute or trial facility before the multi- purpose environmental education center is constructed in Phase III. 4) Emergency Water Supply System, Phase I . The feasibility of using the Palo Alto water tank as an emergency supply system should be considered now, in Phase I , as part of the overall water system update and cost benefit review. It would be considered along with the proposed other uses of existing springs on the site or adjacent Preserves , drawing from Alpine Pond, or drilling new wells on the site. I would recommend that the following other proposals not be included with- in the 20 year timeframe of this master plan for this site as it now ex- ists. Those items include: 1) YOUTH HOSTEL: Staff feels that while the site is ideal , the need to convert or add to the buildings on-site which are currently pro- posed for other necessary and desirable uses makes it not attractive in the 20 year planning timeframe. The ideal location could be the family compound area; however, this cluster of buildings is under lease and will not revert to the District for another 47 years . 2) HIKERS ' HUT: The ideal location for a hikers ' but needs to be much more remote than any area offered in this Preserve. In addition, R-85-23 Page 5 all existing buildings are currently occupied or have some other use planned. 3) EQUESTRIAN CENTER: While the plan offers a distinct and separate equestrian parking lot and staging area, staff feels that this Preserve does not lend itself to a large scale equestrian center and that other nearby areas would be much more appropriate. 4 VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: Staff feels that because of the pro- posed visitor information center to be constructed at Saratoga Gap by the Sempervirens Fund this new building is not necessary on the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The Environmental Education Center in the ranch complex and visitor contact points near the parking facilities can adequately serve as docent or ranger contact points to distribute visitor information. B) Staff feels the potential use conflicts on the new Skyline Trail where it connects the parking facilities in the Christmas tree farm area with the ranch complex will be immense, especially on weekends and other heavy public use days . The prospect of controlling foot, horse and bicycle traffic , ranger trucks , buckboards and carriages plus others in cars and buses exiting from the permit lot on a single trail to and from the ranch area is overwhelming. The permit lot and trails should not be utilized by vehicles on heavy use days. The buckboard (or carriage) rides should be infrequent, and all other recreational traffic should be dispersed on multiple trails connecting the parking areas with the ranch complex. C) Horse carriages (see page 17) should be excluded from the site, unless they are used as substitutes for the buckboard transportation system between the parking areas and the ranch complex. D) It is suggested in the draft plan on page 27 , section 3 . 3 .1 , Staffing, that eventually three full-time Rangers be assigned specifically to the Preserve. Staff feels that two Rangers should become resident Rangers as proposed in the Incerpi and former ranch manager ' s houses , but that Rangers should not be specifically assigned to the Preserve. District Ranger Aides, docents, and other volunteers , although not mentioned in the plan, are potential substitutes for site protection, interpretation and public contact assistance and could aid the Skyline Ranger patrol group on this site. E) You should review the Implementation Responsibilities chart attached as addendum #2 to the Draft Master Plan. Much of the input to the chart has come from the POST Committee or 2M. You may wish to fill in the blank chart in the Master Plan with your own thoughts. Once the Master Plan has been adopted by the Board, the annual Use and Management Plan review for the Preserve should be scheduled at a regular Board meeting to be held when the first-phase items to be implemented in the following year have been decided upon. Ideally, this would be decided as a joint POST/District decision, say in March, before the District budget for the following fiscal year had been compiled. For the 1985-1986 fiscal year budget preparation it will probably be necessary to establish a contin- gency fund and later amend the budget if next year 's priority implemen- tation items are not established before final budget adoption. The POST Advisory Committee is interested in continuing on as an implemen- tation Advisory Committee willing to work with the District Board or a Board committee and District staff in setting the priorities for funding R-85-23 Page 6 and implementation for the year following. I would encourage continued cooperative efforts with the POST Committee in proceeding in this manner to implement the Plan. Public input should also be solicited, once fa- cilities proposed for funding are suggested and presented at the Board 's regular use and management approval process . F) Finally, several items are included in the Plan which may trigger policy questions because they are facilities which have not been built or installed on District sites in the past. I recommend that they should, however, stay in this Plan. They include such items as trash cans and picnic tables , and building a new building such as the environ- mental education center. Recommendation: I recommend that you solicit public input to the Draft Master Plan after 2M, staff , and POST presentations are made on the Plan and the proposed Negative Declaration. I further recommend that you adopt the Negative Declaration as submitted and/or amended at your meeting. I also recommend that you approve and adopt the Draft Master Plan of the Sky- line Ridge Open Space Preserve with the proposed changes as outlined in this report and after consideration of the public comments made at your meeting. Finally, upon adoption of the Master Plan I would encourage you to endorse and support the proposed POST Implementation Advisory Committee to aid the District in the funding and development of the Plan. ( 4 a February 25 , 1985 SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE DRAFT MASTER PLAN ADDENDUM #1 As a supplement to the Draft Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, attached please find reduced copies of the maps on pages 2, 3, 12, and 28 of the report. Having these maps as a separate item will make it easier to reference them while reading the plan. Also, please note that Table 5-1 on pages 49-50 is not completed. The appropriate 'X' and 'o' designations will be filled in following the POST Advisory Committee meeting on February 25 , 1985 and distributed as Addendum #2. • Y ga»o�t k Fram•X°°,• SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Rldtte — ns Pr.aerr. MASTER PLAN ll.l y r.l -�� Pa a Mdl Road �l \t •n+ al Ine Reserroir Tli"•Ranch 11Na """°h"'"'•r'X0u•• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District _r \ '� fi 1 ♦, \ •Viet° _ antl Tres Farm Mdnt.B.IleO.nB.c.Pr...rr. The Existing Site 1Jr1� i tl 1 Y L t S' Foothill Woodland >,, 11 4 i r ).A �� '�•• Ill T1 , Horseshoe Reservoir \ll I.�'4 �l.'I,v'�.r 1`;1•1�� �`-, Vk1 r,,' '..r ,.,,.I Sk ne Boulerartl Willow Thicket i FreshwstIl ar Marsh si .;� {Iq+r'y �`�-i r/ # + 1'. •; i' , `, - \ Monte Bello O en Space Preserve PTree Farm r East Fork Lambert Creak falaed Ever .reen Forest chaP'rrM �+ Trea .Q=' � .r' 1 �t 1��,.:, 1 1 , '�. �, S I i i) F• des ..­ _ Vz 4 \ \ �1 . .(' ---i li,r�' • j' -i/tom' •;.; c t r:••1 1. �, �' {,;�'�, r r.„•r" t 4YEY;�yd�'��'li�' t,Y'1 k:T a � 4 :. yr I _ ry•r 1 —� t / 1 IncerPl XOYe' scat• �� ';" 1/1�1 \ t - l �� ^+�- ��� ✓.�� -- ,1 �,t S( �` 1 r(estnat orcnera Prepared c z..� 2M Associates r'�'3c-JfII1 EDAW inc. Frahm Edler&Cannis •` ` ��„1 __ I `� Harvey 8 Stanley Associates ��� ����. � Ir •'V✓.- (� I �=. �.1� �� is��� ��'��' �IC � ;/j�� � I �� uri �;'b t % Bret t* t rnapn PACE PRESERVE "'° °`""'"'°`° SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN S ae ask • ncel *. Ai In Trail MASTER PLAN Environmental Education Center lar Bufldln Entilromn.ntal Education/Ranch Aran -.. Ranger Reldanea { eg Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District �� Parkin (10 a aena /T Pitet Pro p ation Are t /1•�� Vista Loop Trail _ _ Bk.im.Tnii Development Plan �`�` zr�•,'�1�,,. H I . i - 1r — Parkin cxs a ace Mosaic Loa Trail Parkfn9 lzs n ace) { J«� A�; fA!`y10.1 r` 1 'aI �" w `�ri: '"•x �/ - f or internist ion Center / r I y� Horseshoe Loop Trail Einar ane alloo tar Lending Also H Legend yfN 1 1 y / Parkin 120 t Gravel Roadway f r Cy 1�✓«11, •; 1 i f' ♦ , 1 �j'�'~ l 'r JJ railer a °ea°I f ��! 1 �(' / •, ! A` .t[t ` - _ y \ t. .. ••.� r-Use E estrlan Cents,(Alternate) Mul Trail .,•. 777 tl. .•�, ^\� f�'• .� �:;:� \ lAo Cam _ Whole-Access Trae 0 r A _ }+}.�.},'�� •` ■ Hiking a nd Equestrian Trail f ` Itlk 1. an _ '� y 1; R �r \`. Hlking Trail ` ✓. :.� V"P�T;'Fct...; /' Special Use Area \ o Pate t -f'• `- IIjlid � Roae ly `? r". �-- / / ` strccwre _, , 1\\,t •(` '. / I I ! \� • Signag° Visitor Contact Point eonnol Gaee _ �`�\1\ - r� ! .F. ,]i• - ` Picnic Area if._ A \ \ �', .�f__r y •1,fr I p� >,J'� r b X t '�` �� '� Bench water S Sa uPply P El PI Point r ata►art Tr \ > *' \ r J,� t- ( h l /1'� ,*. �-4,r+ y.�� .... J \\ J .....� ,�_i � �/ a•, --.; C� ����� i�r �-- -_ ��h ,� 11 +Lit '! ��\-\� - •�' � i �/- Ji I — -- � , 1. a, r;- Tlh 'Ranoer RelaancPrilpared by: � � •�������� � ��:� r�� '��`, � �� �(� 1,1' 1�� '. � ,� �-�, � ( 1� ,;' � '��. `` � T �� �-,_°tee /- \ _ .� .. Associates W EDAW inc. i ED Frahm Edler 6 Cannis Harvey S Stanley Associates SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE A2b e. MASTER PLAN Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ` Management Plan l ` c Legend (see text for explanation) t S Pr*pared by: J rf///`�1� � .00 f.�� ��.`�--' -~„i- t. �� • `^ 1. 2M Associates EDAW inc. Frahm Edler 8 Cannis Harvey d Stanley Associates March 11, 1985 SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE DRAFT MASTER PLAN ADDENDUM #2 IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES: The attached table replaces the un- completed Table 5-1 on pages 49-50 of your copy of the Draft Master Plan. WATER SUPPLY: On ,page 19 of the Draft Master Plan it states that the former bathhouse on Alpine Reservoir will be reconstructed as an Ob- servation Blind and pumphouse. It is likely that a noise conflict would arise between the use of the structure for wildlife observation and pumping water. A preferred location for the pumphouse would be on the opposite side and downhill from the Old Page Mill Road Trail and the Alpine Reservoir dam. S TABLE 5-1: IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES The table which follows outlines a program for partnership and cooperation between the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and other sources which could be involved in the finance, construction, operations or maintenance of the Sky- line Ridge Open Space Preserve. For the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District a 'X' indicates that the District should take the lead role in initiating the program item. An 10' indicates that the DDistrict whould assist others in realizing the item, but should not commit the majority of capitol improvement, operations or maintenance funding for it. For the possible public or private partners of the District, a 'X' indicates the strong potential for the sharing of a major implementation responsibility for a given program item. An 101 indicates some potential for involvement may ex- ist, but probably only in a minor way. No marking indicates no involvement. PHASE PROGRAM ITEM MROSD FEDERAL, PRIVATE PRIVATE PRIVATE/ GENERAL STATE, OR SOURCE CONCESSION SPECIAL VOLUNTEER LOCAL DONATIONS INTEREST GROUPS GRANTS GROUPS ACCESSIBILITY USE CONSIDERATIONS 1 Vehicular Entrance X X 1,2,3 Parking X X 1,2,3 Signage X X 2,3 Trail Entrance/Exit Points X 0 Trails - not including interpretive and whole-access trails listed below. 1,2 - All-purpose trail X 0 1,2,3 - Hiking and equestrian trails 0 0 X X X 1,2,3 - Trail control gates X 0 1 Sanitary facilities X X Picnic Facilities 2,3 - benches X X 1,2,3 - tables and trash cans X X 1,2,3 - minimal identification of X X picnic locations Camping Facilities 3 - hiker's camp X X X 2 - volunteer camp (initial) X X X X X 3 - hiking and equestrian group camp X X X X X ALT Youth Hostel O X ALT Hiker's Hut 0 X ALT Equestrian Center 0 X i I PHASE PROGRAM ITEM MROSD FEDERAL, PRIVATE PRIVATE PRIVATE/ GENERAL STATE, OR SOURCE CONCESSION SPECIAL VOLUNTEER LOCAL DONATIONS INTEREST GROUPS GRANTS GROUPS EDUCATIONAL USE CONSIDERATIONS 1,2,3 Interpretive Trails X X X X X Environmental Education Center 1 - convert existing upper barn X X X 1 - renovate lower barn X X X 1 - renovate ranch-hand house X X X 2 - construct new Environmental X X X X X Education Center building ALT Visitor Information Center X X ALT Convert A-frame house for use by X 0 X conservation organizations 1 Astronomy observation area 0 X RESOURCE MANAGEMENT USE CONSIDERATIONS 1,2 Ranger Residence X 0 1 Maintenance Facilities X 0 2 Plant Propogation Area X 0 X X X 1,2,3 Fire Supression X X 2 Water Supply X X 1 Emergency Service Facilities/ X X Revegetation / Habitat Enhancement 1,2,3 - Enhance Alpine Reservoir X 0 0 1,3 - Enhance and rehabilitate Horseshoe X 0 01 Reservoir drainage ALT - Maintain majority of large tree 0 X 0 farm unit 3 - Convert remainder of major tree X 0 0 farm unit to grasslands/oak woodland 1,3 - Revegetate small tree farm units to X 0 0 grassland/ oak woodland 1,2,3 - Prescription burning X 1,2,3 - Grazing 0 X PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST February 21 , 1984 TO: Herb Grench Bob AUgsburger David Hansen FROM: Christy Holloway SUBJECT: POST Skyline Ridge Advisory Committee Goals for the committee: 1. To serve as a resource for the consultants to insure community members and potential user groups are aware of and involved in the planning process for the preserve. 2. By promoting community involvement to build a constituency of potential users as well as community support to provide a funding base for bringing the plan to fruition. How it would work: 1. The consultants selection to do the plan should be prepared to make meaningful use of this group to promote community involvement in and support for the plan. 2. The committee will have no more than 8 members (some will represent more than one interest group) . The chairman will be a POST board member. 3. POST and District Boards will be made aware of the existence, purpose and function of the committee. 4. The chairman will invite members to the committee making clear its purpose, goals, and timeline. 5. A first meeting will be held at the site conducted by District and POST staff. 6. A second phase would include meeting with consultants , clarification of operating proceedures (David Hansen will serve as liason between the consultants and the committee) as well as general overview questions and answers . IF Memo to: H.Grench, B.Augsburger, and D.Hansen February 21 , 1984 Page 2 7. Prior to public workshops or meetings the consultants will expose the plan to the committee at two (2) stages of development making trade offs and constraints between user needs, site considerations, budget, and other factors clear . 8. The committee will actively encourage broad participation in public meetings . 9. before the final plan is approved by the District Board it will be commiinicats�d to the committee. Potential user groups and the community will be informed through POST' s newsletter, District' s Openspace publication, press releases and user group meetings. Communication by advisory committee members to the community will be encouraged throughout the planning process. 10. The committee will assess the fundraising potential for the plan and make recommendations to the POST Board. 11. By 1985 the development staff of POST will have in place a phased program for raising funds for the plan. Including solicitation of: 1 . A broad consituency base 2 . Potential big donors 3. Foundations and government sources. cc: Rosemary Young MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL .OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Title of Project Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Draft Master Plan Description of Project The Draft Master Plan outlines the long range development and management of public uses for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Proposed development includes: a new vehicular entrance off Skyline Blvd. at tree farm, 4 small parking lots in tree farm to replace shoulder parking along Skyline, parking for handicapped off Alpine. Road, trails, picnic tables, toilets, camping facilities, and converting the existing barn into an Environmental Education Center Managementproposals in elude. fire suppression facilities, emergency medical service, and revegetation and habitat enhancement. The undersigned member of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District finds that the above project has no significant impact on the environment. March 8, 1985 (CC LG E�1t�itt 1 •-� Date Staff Member —�— '. ' Reasons for Finding No significant, unavoidable adverse impacts would result from the proposed Master Plan. The minor adverse impacts indicated in the Initial Study can be miti- gated by implementation of the suggested mitigations attached to the study. The positive as- pects of developing this Preserve for low intensity public use far outweigh the minor adverse impacts. Individual plan specific items will be subject to fulfilling CEQA requirements at the point detailed plans and specifications are forthcoming when those projects are to be implemented. Preparation of Study or Environmental Assessment by 2M Associates (Patrick Miller) , Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Alice Cummings) A copy of the Study or Environmental Assessment is available at the offices of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 375 Distel Circle, D-1, Los Altos California. A copy of this Negative Declaration shall be posted at the District office on the following dates: March ll-27, 1985 i March 11, 1985 Date istract Clerk M-84-68 (Meeting 84-17 July 25, 1984) 00eet 2001.1m=011N MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MEMORANDUM July 24, 1984 TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manaaer PREPARED BY: D. Hansen, Land Manager SUBJECT: Skyline Ridge Planning - Public Meeting The first major Public Meeting on the Skyline Ridge Master Plan was held at the Mountain View Community Center last Wednesday. Minutes of that meeting are attached for your infor- mation. The meeting was well attended and lively as the newspaper comments and Board members present will attest (see also clippings attached) . The second scheduled public meeting will be in September to consider development alternatives . Around that time you may wish to consider a special presentation from 2M Associates for an informational update as well . Attachments cc: 2M Associates POST January 12, 1985 Portola Heights Association 22400 Skyline Blvd. Box 16, (Star Route 2) La Honda, CA 94020 RE: PRELIMINARY PLAN, SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE I Dear Portola Heights Association Members, I Thank you for your letter of November 15, 1984. The issues you have voiced are good ones and have been very instrumental in determining the thrust of the Preliminary Plan. Now that we are beginning to focus on a program for the Preserve, although there remain a number of 'Alternates' which deserve additional public debate, we thought it appropriate to answer your letter and briefly explain how the issues you wrote about have affected the plan. I believe each item you mentioned is discussed below, although not necessarily in the same order. Entrance Safety: Traffic entrance has proven to be one of the single most important factors in shaping the site planning for the Preserve. The planning team has spent considerable time in discussingand eva luating ac - cessing va riety f o alternatives g y for ac cessin the site. B far, the safest 1 g y , location for public entrance i i s along h P the g 1/2 mile straight stretch on the north side of the property. The preferred solution of enteringthe Preserve from 'k Skyline near Hors eshoe seshoe Reservoir, separated from the ranch area, was chosen as the only practical way to meet a number of planning goals, including traffic safety. Among these are: - safety for all types of vehicles, including vehicles with horse trailers and school vans - ability to disperse use over a large portion of the Preserve, hence assist- ing in maintaining a 'low key' open space experience. - use of already managed (disturbed) land now occupied by the tree farm. - gets people out of the car to enjoy the developed ranch area by requiring a walk to get there and reinforcing a 'low key' ambience in ranch area. - assists in the resource protection of Alpine Reservoir. It should be recognized, however, that no entrance point is without some chal- lenge. We are proposing a left turn lane for entrance and egress for northbound visitors. We are also proposing the entrance location to be south of the Sherrill property, and the vegetative screening be immediately planted, to maintain the Sherrill's privacy and to ensure no parking areas are blatantly exposed to the views from Skyline Boulevard or Monte Bello Ridge Open Space Preserve. Fire Safety: We recognize that fire safety is your primary concern. We believe we have continually stressed this ever since our first contact with you and the South Skyline Association. First, it should be clear that one of the main purposes of prescription burns is to lessen the potential for uncontrollable wildfire by lessening the buildup of combustible material. Along with other benefits to flora and fauna, that is just why we are including prescription burns in the management program of the Preserve. The term 'prescription' means that burning would take place only when and if a number of safety conditions were first met. We have heard from many individuals about their perceptions that the California Division of Forestry is limited in its resources. Your suggestion that District Rangers receive fire suppression training and become active members of the South Skyline Volunteer Fire Department is an excellent one, and is being pursued. We are proposing that eventually there be three MROSD Rangers assigned full-time to the Preserve. On site fire equipment has also been included in the budget for the preliminary Plan, as has emergency access to both Horseshoe and Alpine Reservoirs. Please also note that we are not proposing open fires at the hiker's or group camping areas. However, we do not disagree with you that simply increased pres- ence of the public may result in increased risk of wildfire. A match from a cigarette is just as dangerous as an unattended campfire. We will attempt to research the actual facts of fire on managed public lands in the nearby area prior to the preparation of the Draft Master Plan, the next step in the planning pro- cess. Sanitation and Ecology: Selected parking areas will have drinking water, vault toilets, and emergency telephones. Refuse bins will be placed away from the park- ing areas, along the proposed all-purpose trail and nearer the indicated picnic areas. The purpose for this placement is to discourage the public from simply us- ing the facilities for general garbage disposal. We are not proposing that any new trails be constructed within 1001 of any creeks on the Preserve. If a trail must cross a drainage, it should do so at right an- gles. We have also included a gating system such that the East Fork Lambert Creek drainage could be closed, for example, during deer fawning season. We agree that the trail included in the Plan Alternatives down to Lambert Creek on the south side of the Preserve would be a difficult and costly one to construct and may have, due to the slope conditions, only limited usefulness. We have in- cluded that trail in the Preliminary Plan as an be considered until the third phase of development. 'As you have pointed out, there are better alternatives. Unfortunately, these involve private lands, which are not included in this Master Plan. ... which leads directly to your next point. Nuisance Factors: The trail system has been carefully chosen to minimize potential nuisance to privacy property and the privacy of the Preserve's neighbors. If you will recall, prior to generating the Alternatives we prepared an 'Environmental Sensitivity' map which, among other things, included a buffer zone around all private property adjacent to the Preserve in order to avoid just the points you mentioned. Your comments regarding camping may be true, but it should be pointed out that any group camping would be permitted only by reservation and with adult supervision. The proposed hiker's camp, also used through a reservation basis, would be near the ranger residence. We hope that you would view this camping as differentiated from the 'general' automobile camping typical in the nearby State Parks. Corporation Yard: The planning team has concluded that the Preserve, given its role as the District's most emphasized site, cannot support the scale of the Cor- poration yard and also provide the quality of the open space experience desired. The site across the street appears to be a good one, but other sites along Skyline may also exist, and we are not evaluating this. we have passed your comments about the 'need' for such a facility along to the District staff. a Y We hope that these explanations, be they brief, demonstrate that your suggestions have had an impact on the plan. For this, again, we thank you. If there are oth- er items you would like to discuss, please feel free to do so. We look forward to seeing you at this week's public meeting. Sincerely, Patrick T. Miller, Project Director xc: David Hansen, MROSD Robert Augsburger, POST Lawrence Silva, Harvey & Stanley Associates Ted Cannis, Frahm, Bdler & Cannis Avvem!iert /rj, /90lf ivn;�ola �Ieiq�i4 A44ociat.ion I 2'700 S�;yli.ne G.lvd. Box /6, (St" :;vote 2� La .�onda, ('., of 0 ,Oeaz 2.M 14eoci.atPA Sevezal o? vu/7 neiaV)o�4 ofterse l Ae Cc-Wea mee.tinr� o! the Shflz_ne arch l nen Sr7CS 7%?4e/iVP,,, (SRGSi') t74 ,,U]e/z4 of ,,"o,,ge/zj e4 a-!�tceni Sf CS? land4, !ze- have di4cua4Pd ;&e a' Ltel?naiivea and .ideate pze4en,4-ed in z/oua Cut. i_ne at .6at nreeli.n,, and &nd A.at 4eve�al .cA4rze4 w2 :e roi be.i.n(-z adequatelz! 7ke4e .inc t-le, lint a.,ze not luu ed io, con4.ideratior,4 of �,uze 4rz!e;bz, 4.Zni,taiion, and ecolv,�ical concern. (cacA ,tom uP,,q e44ed .inu ividua.11q below: ✓ /. r. 4e Sa!etz�: Fi/ze .i4 our ,rAimanu/ concelzn. T e faLi,!irn,i.a L9e1wA.&ent r o! Foe4.tlz; S#�z.on al Salmaloga SunynU, 4u,n,��ted 6z� ire j&.iion a;t Shzglvnda, 4eem io be uAaz� I:id-Penin4tda %eiional Oren Space di.4.takct .t4 neZW�ng upon to/t fi.)ze mo ec;&Eon. 7l e4e 4,4at:orw 4envice large aaea4 and provide excellent fi/ze paoiecUon- .in n unia.inou4 Terrain over na",iw, zuindinj anal o;�ien un,azved noad4. 74e ze4oulzce4 of Ae4e izzuza. fiAe 4.tativn: un.lojibtnateb1 alze liin #ed. liven with. Ae 4urxnl,�men&t 4e/zvice v! 11'0Lunfeea Fire )epa,?-&entA, .it .tom un/zea.LiA;tic .to exoeect Aem to a44ume !ize .ze4non4ib.i-laq ?o.,z A.U.S. . lhe i4olated nature of i.ke azea MQz e4 !'.uze proiect_ion cooPemat.i.on exlremelq .im,!)aatartt. 4'?CS-- i j open.i.nq it e ,Cared to public u4e. l ke p z.i7an cau4e o �vU(IAznd fiAe4 i,4 .tire DmW ic. %�. , coml),ined tvi tti. I -S9 nJ l.iczt o! u4.i.na controlled burn rlaeatlu inclzeaje4 ;.ire !an ze z .in .tie a z.ea. 7f eae have a.lreadzf Been inc,i.,denf4 .involving contnolleal -urn4 on ;GSJ and Aeae .ze tw- have aood amjon ooa concern . loverW el, /S /9854 2)' .-14,dvc&ziej llnadclAe4.jed Ijauej ,j The 1zejidend 2angen jAouc d 6ecv-ne a men-Zez v,tt�e Sour Shq ine VoLvz leez Fuze Jerja,anent and uv1zh clv4e.lr� uu:t�t the r and SSVF> in Fine pnevenJ-ion p.lanninq aj imGU a4 &1ze conirrv. Z. I f"S"GSP .z.} ;to 6e develv,oed tw!,4-'out .irdependcznd fi,ze owieu4ion, ;&en 1'JF 4'hvu.d be paid fvn .i t4 jezvtcs4, . Sanilativn and -Cevlzzgq: Sanitntivn .cA a mp/z cvnc"n u/ ck 4eenw to be .ianoized bq on�the uAo�e and vn�,r deemed nece44anr/ .in, con junction wiA vvennigki camrhi.nq bq gourz p� an4. rie nej.idenI4 auw a/ze �mi liaa UIUh - Ae lvrra derive tv and fizom Ae 4zurrzvundina urzban anew, we can, attejt taut 4anitativn faci,li,tie,4 ane necejjan,� ai a� Aouzj of- tz.e dar/, a4peciaVtl,, at t.�e end v,' .that d4ive. It .i�1 k"al ;to unde2ltand �otv ;rxm� .landj can be made ava.i.lab.le tv Ae PAA,Lc wU-horzt pavvil�cno, dnin�in(z urzte/c, lavait)1ziej, 1zefu4e b.inj anal ffv ii .r.m- rv2tant;y, accej,4 to an emenaencrl te.lep,wne. " e a,e velzq cvncenned about /zefenence4 tv a Lza,i. chin Lar6ent Thy c/zeeh ij a f-/raai e iz.ipvr.ian env lzonment and i4 an inaprvzoryz.ia.te .location )o./z eithe., a ' ' a hv�ae t� 'ac..l �v u .tn n a.c1 of .the ' cent na rt e7 uvuld � a adyrl nc-d4 e 6etterr. .lvcati_vn !04 auc� a tna.i�. ? trail alvna L.amlien.t Lneeh cvu.ld eneate a ,j,i,hta-&,,n o! rx). Zzied and non-PotaUe uate2 atom Lan6e-41 and Peielz4 rreeh. _3. d4ance-,7aci-o4: r`"nq and a.0 bza.iLi �jlwuld be deve.Lvped .in 'Juch a l'aj i,,n Tk7,-i .t�req do not exrx»e the .lvca.l 2p-4.!enter to .the .incvn4 derrate and abu4.ive acii.vne tzrat often ,zeju.Ct ?zvm pz6. is u4c of pubic .land4. :Ue �eeL .that camrwznq ,i4 ,inaprno!x7.i.afe in the .t"1�=�OS�� &nd.4 .in .tie SUS? and 4h.vu-d 6e ?vn dart-uae on4/. The nean6r/ State %244,j przvvide faci"ea /'vrz vvennic�t ev e. Tenmi.tt-i.na nir'4t u4e nrz 4en� a jelz.iotL4 nui4ance Y,la.t i4 dif4cuU and nealzCq inrx��ei61e tc� tlzvl. Ywdz u4ua�lr/ .tend .#v be Leja .i_nh.ibiteal in fie ruild.lan!7.'-j aaean wiAoui the ',nvzUledae shut therze r.aq 6e neaibr, ,zeji enta. the &4je im- pae�,ji.vn that �A.a_rre rm,j not 6e of r ens around tv eit2e/z hPa4 I2om o z jee tSem, lea4i fo (o,t, and l-)Arzvio t. -'e4identi.al ?o!)e,'Zic,I, aZzeadr/ a ,97oblen too? arl oin.in,2 ',�rvt-u4e ' ,,rzrrh {and4, lrvuld undvubte�,z� in.cnerz�e uu h nian i ru4e. - arse T �lvvembplt /5, %n {' 21" 1144vci.a.�e4 Unaddae-44e,-1 I44uej I Gbvcvu44 Aefze .ti an .inchea4ed fiAe a.e�� ruit� night eve. Lven �o r camp &Ae4 a/ze nvil pe.,mi.tted, .the �icer{uenc f uu th ui 'ci -tfuj Lcuu 44 viv Gcted .tom tul�e•lu ,�nvrcrz. R Wz4 merLttvned Al a 'Co,pv,ajivn Yard l u,2,j undelz cvrv�idena vn ,ova the Shr Cine �cv t�� v c acnv�� toe �tlteet. Thi4 4eegwd & u4 tv 6e an exce44,ve and unn.ecejAanry expenje. T hene a,e exv��in7 &ci&--tje4 a� Sfzq, on-,Cz fvic fueC and a Qcua2e, ov,ne�a ve anuranaemenJ�j cou,�Y be m fed mzi, 2. TAan4 vn vAeA exiA;tiaq jact1i ti e4. T�e?e .i4 no oaac, iZcaL and cafe entrrance ,azorv4ed fva h,e devA.�lv,a�rent. ve mi4l?, io .have alL .t�eae .i.4au.4 arts cvncerrn4 r r dc.zeGtL_s S.c.nncea e Z% !! SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MASTER PLAN SUMMARY: PUBLIC MEETING #2, 10/3/84 Attendance: approximately 45; 30 public participants with the remainder staff members of MROSD and POST A total of 11 people made individual comments. Generally, 2 people spoke positive- ly for particular items (hiking trails and access for astronomy groups), 2 people presented thoughts which were either neutral or characterized by a variety of viewpoints and 7 individuals spoke against a variety of development items. Most discussion and comments focused on the negative aspects of development and the en- couragement of use. Key individual comments are summated below. Dick Bullis - The District made a mistake emphasising one site - The site should revert to a natural state - A Nursery would be 'wiped out' by the public if they knew of its existence - Wildflower display is 'really puny' - District can not be burdened with a high level of development - Many items shown should be delayed for many years . take one step at a time I J.W. Smith - State Parks and County Parks are better funded and equipped to manage development like that being considered - Keep hikers and equestrians separate - Money for management of Preserve will detract from the District's funds 'for acquisition W.J. Sorich - Safety on Skyline a problem - Why show an equestrian center when District put one out of business (closed down) nearby - Roads shown are on slopes too steep (clarification made that what he perceived as roads were trails) Charlie Touchatt - need to include sanitation facilities on plans - need a fire truck, other equipment and manpower capability to serve the site Sandra Touchatt - development will bring too many people and drive off wildlife - traffic will increase (would like to have tow-truck concession) - traffic will increase pollution - more people means more fires Robert Shelton (President, Peninsula Astronomical Society) - requested the program include use of the burned Christmas tree farm area for club use (by reservation; average use 2 to 5 nights/month) - letter request submitted Ed Basart - consider the 'do nothinb' option with no development - the District should not 'civilize' its Preserves Larry Hassett - the plan should consider an undererossing beneath Skyline from Montebello to Skyline OSP - the Preserve should be for day-use only (no camping or hostel). District is overstepping its purpo•se. Most use of hostels are by people outside the District. - equestrian use should be limited to less than that shown on plans - fire protection critical Hildegarde MacKay - equestrians need staging facilities, but not boarding or stable facilities Leonard Korinek - developing the Preserve would aggravate problems at nearby Devil's Canyon ('who can I sue when, in five years there are bullets bouncing off my doors) Ellen ? - tonight, most people have spoken about 'fringe' groups who misbehave. Speaking for the 'silent majority' of hikers and docents, trails and other education facilities are desirable Individuals were informed that the graphics relating to the plan alternatives would be available for viewing at the District's offices for the next few weeks and that written comments are encouraged. 2 SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MASTER PLAN Public Meeting #3 Kathy Blackburn I feel that the Planning Team has 20975 Valley Green Dr. , #200 successfully met the diverse needs of Cupertino, 95014 those who will visit the Preserve. (408) 738-5425 A close-to-home open space experience is essential to this area and this one promises to offer educational and aes- thetic opportunities. I would advocate that in finalizing the plan, every attempt be made to keep the area as natural as possible, focusing on the theme of low key use and self-reliance. No catering trucks, BBQs, or other accouterments . Trails, campsites, educational display areas and other aspects of the plan do allow an open space experience without getting too civilized. Keep the planners for planting oaks! Lou Cartalano This is my first meeting. I support a 750 Sunshine Dr. continuation of the type of development/ Los Altos, Ca 94022 use policy (minimal) as at Los Trancos (415) 964-5603 and Monte Bello. I think there's too much emphasis on horses. Betsy Clebsch Equestrian trails are my great concern. Rt. 2, Box 435 Horses and horse trails take a heavy La Honda 94020 851-4492 toll of the -land and if there are trails in other parks nearby I believe we should not have trails here. I particu larly am opposed to this park being used as a staging area for equestrians. Esther Ellis N/C 236 Alicia Way Los Altos 948-1019 Jody Fork I don't like heavy equestrian use. I 30 Summit Dr. think the staging for horses should be Woodside 94062 851-7649 some other place besides Skyline. Clay Saunders No wide "highway trails. " 2670 La Salle Dr. No picnic tables or barbecues. Mtn. View 94040 969-0477 No double trails (hiking vs. horse) . SKYLIi.- RIDGE - PUBLIC MEETING M/M Andrew Fischer Hiking trails and wild life, at least 5464 Cribara Green one picnic area this year (1985) . SJ 95135 (408) 274-0643 Shirley Hanan I am interested mainly in hiking trails. 8448 Traminer Ct. I belong to a senior citizen hiking club SJ 95135 from the Villages in San Jose. We hike (408) 274-8247 twice a week and have hiked on this Preserve. Dave Bishop That this development plan will no cause any 2882 Kipling St. undue stress on the area, whether caused by PA 94306 people or changes themselves. Also, that 326-7375 the feedback given in the past, present and future is really taken into consideration. John McBirney That park trails be kept open to responsible 1543 Todd Ave bicylists . MV 94040 969-5131 Kevin Worley Responsible bicylists have very minor impact 268 Cherry Ave on both trails and dirt roads. It's impor- Los Altos 94022 tant that the preserves be open to human 941-4052 powered bikes. I would be more than happy to be consulted at a later date on this subject, or speak on bicylists ' behalf in the future. Lorraine Nickell The local horsemen want places to ride but 13940 Blossom Hill Rd. we need access to the trails with places to LG 95030 park truck & trailers. We also tell hikers (408) 264-8352 and others of these trails to encourage them to visit and use them. Denise Walker Phase I in your planning does include eques- 10190 N. Foothill Blvd. , F10 trian trails but only 3 miles. To drive and Cup. 95014 446-5492 trailer your horse only to be able to ride for 15 minutes or so isn't worth the trip. I hope that in the final plans that more can be offered to us. Clem Carroll For use of 12 to 15 mile loop of equestrian 1040 Canada Rd use. We would like to also ride around the Woodside 94062 lake and hill tops, which should propose no 851-077? problem. Remember it was a ranch with cattle & horses . Kitty & Ron Haddix Equestrian use - Park my horse trailer & Star Rt. Box 75 ride for 12 to 15 miles which would take Woodside 94062 851-0243 2� to 3 hours. Virginia & Bob McKim Equestrian use - Not Skyline Ridge, Not 864 Cedro Way Laurie 's* Prefer— I north on Skyline Blvd. Stanford 94305 857-0780 *Laurie ' s stable was torn down partly because it was in view of many parts of Montebello Ridge, the road (and our place) and Skyline Blvd.. & Skyline Ridge. Corporation yard - Caltrans sounds good. Please not on Skyline Ridge or the corner across . Parking lots - When we discussed the parking lots on Page Mill we were told they 'd be screened from the road by plantings. That did not work - they look ugly from the road. I hope the Skyline parking lots will be less visible and more esthetic. Also is there any way to protect Sherrill 's view? Xmas trees - I 'd like to see them stay. Lindsay Wasserman Please don 't tear down the ornamentals Rt. 2 , Box 312 They 're almost like natives being as how they La Honda 94020 948-8942 don 't need maintenance. It would be a shame to kill the 2 liquid ambers, flowering haw- thorne & multi-colored broom. There is no reason to do it! Jim Elliot Less horse staging. Lorrie's sounds good. Box 321 , Star Rt 2 Why concentrate so much development in one La Honda 94020 941-7437 preserve? Leave things more as they are. Buckboard rides? Artemas Ginzton Comments from the South County Planning for 28014 Natome Rd. equestrian use at Almaden Quicksilver Park LAH 94022 948-5362 Mockingbird Hill entrance. Larry Hassett Too extensive equestrian use. This area 22286 Skyline Blvd. should not include equestrian staging area. La Honda 94020 851-0285 Anne Harrington Minimal impact - Don't rebuild the dam 4343 Cesano Ct. like the idea of replacing the maintenance PA 94306 area with re-vegetative nursery. Large picture windows do not equal a birding ,blind birds react to movement. Let' s NOT turn this into an equestrian center, Eliminate Christmas trees, reduce cattle grazing as much as possible - put horse staging area somewhere else if possible - Why are you trying to put everything in one site? John Rieger/Lynn Thompson We are interested in preserving open space, 16494 Harwood Rd. and like the ideas presented here tonight to LG 94030 (408) 354-6588 (W) be incorporated into a master plan. We are (408) 267-5791 (H) horsemen (and women) and see the need for a "staging area" to give access to this Skyline: Ridge area as well as adjacent trails and areas to ride. (I understand one can ride clear to the ocean - the Pacific! - from Sky- line Ridge without crossing private land. ) What a wonderful opportunity! Charles Touchatt 949-1990 N/C (verbal comments) Ernie Ramires 1 . Don ' t use extended development on Skyline 525 E Meadow Dr Preserve and not develop other preserves. PA 94306 494-2287 Not another horse trailer lot near MonteBello lot. Parking & access already exist. Don 't concentrate preserve usage in one area. 2 . Develop each preserve for its unique advantage. Monte Bello has over 3,000 acres for horse riders and large parking. Develop water recreation on Skyline - it has water not normally on all sites. Use more visible from public roads. Anon. 1) Please comment in detail on conflicts between MROSD and private property ownership, decreased property values and increased diffi- culty of private development. 2) What is authority for "absolute closure to public" of areas of this public preserve? 3) Please explain a "potential for a major implementa- tion responsibility" Karl Merrill 1 . To close trail to horses suring wet 2424 Patricia Dr. , #2 weather. 2. How about a show of hands, those Santa Clara 95050 243-5283 who want equestrian trails and those who want ' only hiking trails? Ellie Huggins N/C (verbal comments) 824 San Francisco Ct. Stanford 94305 858-1565 Jeanette Hansen That there be at least 15 miles minimum of 1225 Portola Rd. equestrian trails with adequate parking for Portola Valley 94025 851-2508 horse trailers. Water for horses and an overnight camping site for horses with a placE to tie . That equestrian trail be provided around the lake and on hill tops. I feel hikers & equestrians can utilize the same trails as in Sam McDonald & Windy Hill . Eric Thompson Horse access 20007 Skyline Blvd. La Honda 747-0372 Stephanie Anise At least 15 miles of equestrian trails to 934 Oak Lane, #2 justify hauling. Parking for at least 6 Menlo Park 94025 326-4630 trailers and not subject to long range plan- ning or reservation. Water at trailer parking area. Horse camp facilities. Some of these appear to have been addressed. Marilynn Woodcock Equestrian access, adequate equestrian 19533 Almaden Rd. parking. Water troughs . Santa Clara County SJ 95120 268-2768 uses drunken driving offenders on weekend trail maintenance and building crews in SCC Parks. A possibility for trail development here? Contact the North American Trail Ride Conference and the American Endurance Ride Conference about their standards for eques- trian parking. Sandra Touchatt N/C (verbal comments) . PO Box 254 Redwood City 94064 322-1256 Marsha Jo Hannah Availability and usability of horseman's PO Box 620561 facilities - staging area & trails. Access Woodside 94062 859-4598 (gam-4pm) to wide trails (roads) for carriage drivinc Frances Spangle Trails - & walk-in camping 104 N. Balsamina Way PV 94025 854-4147 Jennifer Jennings Equestrian parking, trails, watering stops (Los Gatos Horseman 's Assoc . ) for horses . Would be interested in overnight 5295 Romford Dr. camping & grazing for overnight horses. SJ 95124 265-2798 Bill Dunckel I want to preserve the privilege of bicyclist 971 Seena Ave. to use the trails in this area. I recommend LA 94022 968-6229 that bicycles can be "controlled" with a permit process rather than banishment. Very few areas remain for off-road bicycling. Bicycling does not require any modification of roads or pathways so no expense is incurred. Finally, only serious cyclers will ' be motivated to venture so far - these are the type who want to protect their privilege with respectful use of the facility. I am avail- able to volunteer my time to accomodate bicycles in open spaces. Tom Taber Encouraging public access while maintaining 1643 Fillmore Ave. and restoring natural conditions. I like SM 94403 341-2991 walk-in camping. Remove Christmas trees. Lewis C. Reed Horse parking - horse trails. 225 Lindenbrook How soon? Woodside 94062 851-1714 Harry Haeussler BBQs for day use and campers - immediate 1094 Highland parking, trash cans and tables. Group LA 94022 961-4307 camping facilities sooner than scheduled. (Added note: Dave, if Lauries area were made presentable [water, trees, outhouse, etc. ] it would suffice for a horse staging and camping area. ) 11 Sorich r, N/C (verbal) Rt 2 - 22330 Skyline ia Honda 94020 949-0762 Wm. Obermayer Polution from parking areas automotive, 3200 Long Ridge Rd, horses, human; into lake & or drainage areas. La Honda 94020 Large horse trailers may cause a hazard to other campers , bicyclists, handicapped. Carol Norton Involving the community in the trail St Rt 2, Box 404 building process . -La Honda 94020 851-1329 Joel Hawk N/C (verbal) 1069 Belvedere Ln. SJ 95129 252-1769 Jack Barinka Horse camp, my impression from tonight' s 16602 Marchmont Dr, talk was not enough emphasis on equestrian LG 95030 354-7464 use specifically horse camping and trails (at least 25 miles) Robert E. Stutz Los Altos Hills Horseman's Assn. - Multiple 25310 Elena Rd. trail use. ?returning to natural conditions- LAH 94022 Hilltops burned for grazing Climax forest mainly - redwood and Doug Fir selectively removal of tree farm plantings Robert W. Krensky 1) horsetrailer parking areas appear to be 700 Glencrag Way too small . 2) What portion of trails are Woodside 94062 368-8200 designated for equestrian use? 3) Planning appears to be too intense especially in phase 2&3 . 4) Horse camp area appears too small 5) Need to have advisory group from horse owners to assist in planning 6) Need connection to Monte Bello C. Lekberg Percentage of trails on preserve closed to 1509 Mallard equestrians - Is equestrian only trail Slvle 94087 737-2763 realistic? Need for group equestrian parking (photos) happy to see it in plan - trail to interpretive center Whole Access Ron Emerson Why make such an impact on only one of the Rt 2, Box 312 Skyline Ranch District's land holdings, Monte Bello Pre- La Honda 94020 948-8942 serve already has a parking lot and could be a site for more public use. It seems that the use could be spread more evenly. I would think that Monte Bello (Lauries stable) would be a better site for equestrian use. Horace & Mary Bethel 1) outstanding wildflower areas should be 1681 Jolly Ct. identified by consultation with botanists LA 94022 968-6817 and Calif. Native Plant Society and a trail to an important site moved up to phase 1. 2) Group campsites only is too restrictive a policy for a public area. 3) Please drop the idea of "dual trails" - separate for equestrians & hikers . I feel this is destruc- tive to the terrain. 4) put off the fancy wooden fences for 20 years or never. Ken Hanley Education is the key! Small groups are more (Conservation Earth) effective in passing on stewardship. It will PO Box 391 be a shame to "sell out the preserve" to Cup. 95014 948-2665 (415) please everyone. Limit the parking if at all possible. Carol Druse Question water resource - use plans. Alpine 22400 Skyline Bl . Bx 21 Resivor is limited. If re-vegetation nursery La Honda 94020 949-2207 happens will require lots of water - not low use. Question practicality of removal of broom - it readily reseeds & there is a large population for a seed source in the area. . . could result in high maintenance cost to fight a'no-win situation. I 'm assuming that removal would in no case involve the use of herbacides, which would be unacceptable. Would like to see trash cans & picnic facil- ities moved to phase I . Question why these needs are left to private/volunteer funds w/out state or fed. or local grants. Questior why hiking/equestrian camps is listed for grant money when hiking/equestrian trails aren 't. Wonder if there are any old trails within 100 ' of any creeks on the preserve which will be used, realizing no new ones are to be created. Feel theory of perscriptive burning is good am truely frightened by MPROS practice of such burning. Lastly - still feel it 's all together wrong to emphasize Skyline Ranch as prime develop- ment. Would strongly prefer to see minimal development of all MROSD properties w/no single site emphasis. MINUTES A public meeting was held July 18, 1984 at the Mountain View Community Center for the purpose of permitting the public to become familiarized with the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan and to give them the opportunity to incorporate their ideas into the planning process . Approximately 90 people were in attendance. District Land Manager David Hansen introduced the Consultant, District and POST staff and gave background history on the Preserve and District planning process . Patrick Miller of 2M Associates showed slides of the Preserve. The calendar for this project is as follows : May, June and July - Goals and Site Inventory with Existing Conditions Report to MROSD at the end of July; August and September - Options Analysis; October and November - Schematic Plan, Options; December and January - draft plan; February - final plan. He indicated that the site could provide specific recreational uses, i.e. , picnicking, hikina, and that it is a part of a greater system of recreational opportunities. Members of the audience were invited to give their views . Ben Weaver - 26878 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills : Director of the American Youth Ho8tel at Hidden Villa Ranch. "We feel more hostels closer together are needed to encourage hostels generally. " They are interested in a hostel within walking distance of theirs which would act as an intermediate site for overnighting on the way to the coast hostels. "Enjoy foot power and enjoy hosteling along with us . " Charlie and Sandy Touchatt - P.O. Box 254, Redwood City: They live near Long Ridge Preserve and their concern is with fire protection, which they feel is inadequate now; additional traffic in the area; security; illegal users . It would increase "trashing" on Skyline Boulevard. Perusha Obluda - 31570 Page Mill Road, Los Altos Hills: He does not feel that neighbors of the Preserve are being represented. He asked that some of the people who live around there be on an advisory committee. He, too, is concerned with the fire danger. Also traffic is getting worse on Page Mill Road. Speeding has caused concern for children and animals. Patrick Miller replied that he has talked with CDF and their goals are to 1) restrict cars from parking on Skyline Boulevard; 2) access to major water supply for firefighting; 3) medical evacuation (pad for helicopter) site. Bill Sondgren - Long Ridge: His concerns are with fires that could get out of control and a breakdown in communication between the District and neighbors . Larry Hassett - 22286 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda: President of the South Skyline Association. Page 2 The Preserve is ideal for day use, hiking and picnicking, but not for overnight use. He would like the development to be low key with not much development, no large parking lot. There is a proliferation of parks in the area which are better equipped for overnight camping. He is concerned with fire danger. CDF is often called out for other fires and feels CDF facilities are inadequate. Local volunteers cover when CDF is called out. They are also concerned with trespassing, protection of private property, intrusion to adjacent owners and District Ranger response to neighbors who have trespassers. Also, he has concerns with trail extensions to Portola Park and Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Phyllis— angemi - 1331 American Way, Menlo Park: She would like to see property used with respect for non-human environment; access- for people with disabilities; a walk-in camp to cross over the mountains . She suggested small group campsites regulated by reservations made with the District. Jeanne Mueller - 3795 Redwood Circle, Palo Alto: She would like to see handicap accessibility; also limited use for preservation of land and wildlife. Tom Taber - 1643 Fillmore Avenue, San Mateo: Author and Docent with Midneninsula Open Space District. He would like to see the Christmas tree farm returned to a more natural condition. Patrick Miller replied that thought is being given to that. John Wild - 115 Shawnee Pass, Portola Valley: He would like to see a horsecamp that would accommodate 12 people and animals . The location is too far away for a big equestrian facility. Nort Benner - 1 Baywood, San Mateo: He wonders why the District is planning development of this particular spot and not some other area. Some feel the Open Space District is guilty of land grabbing again, taking too much land. John and Mary Jo Chambers - Box 332, Star Route 2, La Honda: They have made the observation that patroling and site supervision is far from what it could be. Day use of the site would be good but not intensive use. Patrick Miller replied that plan dictates management responsibility for fire and complaints . The plan calls for management, not physical development. .4 Page 3 Lou Conrad - Palo Alto: She is a dog owner and would like to see permission for dogs on leash on some of the roads . Unidentified Woman in the audience: Why cut down Christmas trees? Leave trees to grow into forest. Reply by Nancy Hardesty was that the trees are not native to the area. The last drought provided an example. Jim Galbreath said it would be a jungle, not a forest. Larry Hassett - (address above) : He gave the following reasons against further development of the site: - Easy access to a lot of people would have detrimental affect on an area the District is trying to preserve. - Problems with firewood/camping would be detrimental. It is not the function of MROSD Rangers to stockpile fuel . - Policing. Rangers are understaffed. Resident Ranger could negate some of the concern. - Fire protection. Volunteers are at work during the week leaving no one other than CDF and their protection is inadequate. The volunteers are overworked, taxing the community. - Highway 35 has become a race track. The District needs to address the safety of crossing between Preserves on Skyline. Esther Ellis - (address unknown) : She works with Scouts and is a teacher. "Youth can be served in this property. " They would have an opportunity to make use of land close to an urban area. It could serve to educate youth in how to handle sites and take care of natural property. Ken March - Mountain View: He is concerned about trails conflicts over use of property, i.e. , dogs, horses, joggers . All three should not be on the same trail . Overnight camping destroys natural environment. Gloria Savin - 1344 Stambaugh Street, Redwood City: She wants proper stewardship of the land. Be sure to look at preservation vs . conservation. Create balance between land and people. Perhaps County Transit could give better access. Patrick Miller ended the evening with a summation of people's concerns and assurance that their concerns would be given full attention. r' rtluay,Ju1y tu, iy04 a ban Jose Mercury News f # p Iskyll. . e resi t 1 ear park "Aans , i�'f 14 f�a`� 1 , By Paul Engstrom ideas for a master plan that will Staff wrier guide the development, use and management of Skyline Ridge Pre- —" i Parusha Obluda doesn't see him . serve for the next 15 to 20 years self as a wealthy recluse, the kind Located southeast of the years. whinter- o might label asintruders the section of Highway 35 and Page .many visitors to Skyline Ridge Mill and Alpine roads,the 911-acre ' pear his home on Page Mill Road. preserve is an outdoors nan's para- dise.But like other residents arounddise. The property — purchased in the Skyline Ridge Open Space Pre- January 1982 for $2.5 million — ' erve, most Of which is in San offers stunning views and encom- Mateo County,Obluda worries that passes two lakes, , freshwater developing the preserve too eaten- marshes,grassland, pine-and oak- troublvely as a park will only invite ,wooded hills tree Christmas .. trouble. .. _�, � . _. .,, creeks, Traffic on Page Mill Road . ..tree farms, an old chestnut heady is a nightmare, and a park orchard and 3 display area for spring w..dflowem. with campgrounds and other facili- ties will draw even more cars, he Officials witli the open space told a group of 75 people that gath- district say Skyline P_idgn Prc- ered Wednesday night in Mountain serve is destinei to became the View to discuss the preserve's agency's most heavily used a qui-- r future. sition,serving as an important link -."The public is being told that the in the ,000-acre, publicly owned Fight decision is to develop this sceni 10c corridor atop the coastal property," said Obluda, who man- , range. To the north and west, ages a Mountain View plumbing ` respectively, are the Monte Bello company. "We're in a state of ter- ;-Open Space Preserve and the Rus- ior because people use that road so sian Ridge Open Space Preserve. iextremely." The master plan for Skyline * Larry Hassett, president ofIthe Ridge will be the first such blue- 'South Skyline Association, a home pit for the open space district.. Owners group, said residents are Directors of the district, which worried about trespassers from the ` oversees 18,500 acres of pristine preserve, especially if camping - countryside,will adopt a final plan ;ather than only hiking. Picnicking in February. - - and other day uses are permitted Nearly all those who spoke at there. the meeting Wednesday urged "A 150-s t parking lot at S David Hansen, land manager of 1 ► it p° pa g ,kY- the open space district, and Pat- ;�t 3 t line Ridge)scares me to death,"he ' rick Miller, project manager for said. I think the people who are 2M Associates, to draft a master going to lose out are the private- p plan calling for modest rather than '. _• property owners, quite honestly." extensive use of Skylirke.Ridge • Wednesdays session was the Preserve. first of four meetings that the Mid- Skyline Ridge Preserve war- peninsula Open Space District and rants thorough planning, Miller 2M Associates, a Berkeley consult- said, because it is"one of the clos- ing firm, will hold in the next est remote areas to the greatest geven months. 2M is soliciting number of bayside communities." y t Af I ht �,r a , PRESERk� c 4aX� k `T':fR' s�,"• 7�W", 43.*e`"2' s ,!! 4 _ .. ..r Continued from B-� to, I p-�.jA homeowner whose property borkee fb� 'F E dens Page M1I1 Road said the pre serve would attract too many pea r t IKF � I ple up the narrow road, which he reserve _ # S 4Y said is dangerous even under pres t R ent conditions. k <ZF Ed Weaver, a resident in the Residents against plan area wondered whether the dis _� �� 4 trlet would enforce trespassfn to-open Skyline Ridge cif $ A laws on property next to the site. "Is the district going to do anything B'.Sfc' hen Jones sY,, = Y >��r� a+ ter ►�, _ s y p to stop people from crossing over TIm09 Tflbun0 staff a n s ).sF ,�1 P " f s ,t�. : 10,k, into our land? he asked. "t "� ' Some Peninsulans at the meeting 'Several Peninsula residents have t + < y $ tOf HST 3 { t expressed support for the -ea protested plans to develop the Sky tlonal area, saying them Ins line Ridge Open Space Preserve near Skyline Ridge should uc en for recreational use, t ` t' ��r4f2aY3a � =s0 ed b "urbanites."Many homeowners near Skyline > , t ;rkF j Y Y Ridge said opening the preserve to the general public would damage the natural beauty of the area and #F , �:<' is x t increase the risk of fires at the 944• acre site. I , a The preserve is near Skyline Boulevard at the Intersection of Page Mill and Alpine roads in San F ;:�,x :r. sa�* • '° �' �t t .: ` ; Mateo County. The land was ; bought in January 1982 by the Mid- peninsula Regional Open Space District, which has acquired about `` 18,000 acres of foothill and bayland z � property for public use since 1972. t Some Penlnsuians are angered, because the district is developing a a � } .�; =,':.P: ,.��� "master plan" for long term re- ,. r �, � ".7' •� creational uses of the preserve. is = , ry ': ` • . ,xt' t The district contracted the land- �' s ; '',� r � '' ., A � �"A. ^'�.>,�# aL'T.. Y�� ;z �>7j'�;<S `j�; r4�> � y.� ,� ' ._; -� s, .;:4M r ,c ``9'" , 7"ro•:N.y�.scape architecture firm of 2M As- F4'+ a I_Ul °a:. ,=s� r.�M��iG,6wt, axe R• r.;' :. ;..adw.�x.., s� id+» e sociales in May 1983 to decide how � f »- the area could be developed best Times Tribune staff photo by Victor Volk the general public. People who live In the area near Skyline Ridge are against a proposal to open the 944-acre land preserve to the public. Some changes suggested by the t firm include picnic and overnight vironmental education center that. tential for linkage to other public public use would increase the po. owner, who said the presen camping areas,a 20-bed youth hog- would provide "hands-on involve- lands, management possibilities tential for fire in an area that is amount of trash already is a prob tel and a community retreat center ment with the resources of the pre- and accessibility. :, , - " relatively Isolated from fire pro- lem. that would accommodate 30 to 50 serve." The Skyline preserve Is "viewed tection agencies. Another concern was whethe people at a time..Also recommend- Patrick Miller, project manager by the district as becoming one of t Miller Indicated the district may existing thoroughfares such a ed Is a series of small parking lots for the development, said officials its most heavily used and highly consider,building a fire station at Page Mill and Alpine roads coul( off Skyline Boulevard for 50 to 150 selected the Skyline preserve to be visible units," according to a state- the preserve. withstand the Increased traffi nuiomobiles: the location most "emphasized for meat released by the district. An increase in litter from more 'brought on by a recreational aree The district also is considering public use because of its geogra• Several residents At a district' people traveling on roads Into the esti'blishing 'an Interpretive/en- phical location, attractiveness, po- meeting Wednesday said intensive •area, was predicted by one home- PIease see PRESERVE, B-, SKYLINE RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MASTER PLAN Public Meeting # 1 Thank you for attending this public meeting. Your involvement in the planning process will help insure a workable and realistic product. Please take a few moments and fill out this form, so we may have a record of your attendance. If you wish to speak tonight, please check the appropriate box. If you simply wish to make a written comment you may do so in the space provided. Name: Address: Phone: ( ) City: Zip: Do Y k ea you wish to s tonight? es no Y P 9 What cre your immediate concerns? (please continue on reverse if necessary) I i I I MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: H. Grench, General Manager SUBJECT: F.Y.I. DATE: March 22, 1935 CI.A.INLS No. 85-05 Meeting 85-05 Date: March 13, 1985 REVISED n Amount Name Description 8082 5,000.00 Standard & Poor's Corporation Bond Rating Services 8083 480.00 State Board of Equalization Annexation Fee 8084 2.66 S & W Equipment Co. Field Supplies 8085 195.00 Willi-n S. Tannenbaum Reimbursement--Seminar Registration 8086 35.00 Mary Lou Taylor Honorarium for Docent Trafift 8087 481.40 Times Tribune Advertisements 8088 38.42 Tools-R-Us Field Supplies . 8089 26.61 David Topley Reimbursement--Uniform 8090 108.80 The Travel Place Out of Town Meeting--Herbert Grench 8091 130.97 Union Oil Company Fuel for District Vehicles 8092 900.00 U. S. Postmaster Meter Postage and Newsletter Returns 8093 275.98 Uno Graphics Brochures 8094 44.73 Lisa Varney Reimbursement--Uniform 8095 59.25 Sandra Voorhees Reimbursement--Private Vehicle 8096 248.83 Ellis Wallace Reimbursement--Private Vehicle and Training Classes 8097 45.00 Western Interpreters Assc. Subscription 8098 25,000.00 Western Title Insurance Co. Purchase of Lease--Quinn-McEwen 8099 102.24 West Publishing Co. Resource Documents 8100 83.65 West Tek Supply, Inc. , Fuel Storage Pipe 8101 58.58 ZZZ Sanitation Equipment Rental 8102 500.00�ir U. S. Postmaster Postage for Meter 8103 150.00*'* Swan Graphics, Inc. Typesetting 8104 175.86 Petty Cash Private Vehicle, Meal Conferences, Film Processing, and Field Supplies Issued as an emerg ency check on March 11, 1985 -"Issued as an emergency check on March 12, 1985 Letter to the editor For immediate release. Re: PENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE IIIISTRICT Dear Editor, Thanks to the efforts of the many landowners in the sphere of influence of the MISPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT that attended the March 13th meeting of the District, the Board of Directors scheduled an open public workshop. This Saturday, March 30th, workshop will cover the whole :range of the District's land acquisition and annexation policies, and their controv- ercial implementation of the new provisions of the Brown Act. The location and time of this workshop A may be obtained by calling the Districts offices in Los Altos. I believe that the Board of Directors of the District has finally come to grips with the negative public sentiment regarding their use of condemnation to obtain land. The Directors responce to the publics imput at this coming workshop will go a long way to eleviate some of the fears that many have of the District. Will the Board of Directors acceptthe public imput when they formulate an ad- justed policy on land acquisitions and public notification of acquisitions or will they do as many believe and pay only "lip service" to the publics imput? This March 30th public workshop, that I suggested to the Board of Directors and they embraced, will be your opportunity to help reset the course that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will follow in the future. Don' t miss your opportunity to be heard. Robert Fisse Bob Fisse, 20225 Skyline Blvd. , Woodside, CA 94062 Woodside (415) 851 2365 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 March 20, 1985 Mr. Ralph Heim California Advocates, Inc. 925 L Street, Suite 380 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Ralph: Rosemary Cameron has informed me that Donn Black, their Legal Counsel, has suggested an alternative way (attached) of amending Public Resources Code Section 5540 than we had proposed. Stan Norton and I feel that the alternative is somewhat less explicit than our proposal . However, it is a "lower key" way of accomplishing the same thing . Please check with your East Bay counterpart and see if Donn ' s version is important to them. If so, please accommo- date the change if it would not interfere with our schedule for the bill or cause you other problems. Sincerely yours, Herbert Grench General Manager HG:ej Enc. cc:/MROSD Board of Directors S . Norton R. Cameron G. Tate D. Dimitratos Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin 2/5/85 Propose.. H3- se keeping Change to the Public Re-sources Code Affecting Regional Park and Open Space Districts Clarification o£ Park Dedication Rules . A. Discussion The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District owns both trail and open space easements and would like assurance that they can be as securely dedicated as fee interests in land. Public Resources Code Section 5540 states that a district may acquire " . . .rights in real and personal property. . .necessary to the full exercise of its powers. " Section 5541 lists these powers and allows, for example, acquisition of trail easements. Section 5540 goes on to state that "a district may not validly convey any interest in any real property actually dedicated and used for park or open-space, or both, purposes without the con- sent of a majority oY the voters of the district. . . . " . This language is somewhat ambiguous as to whether less-than-fee interests such as trail and open space easements are included in the dedica- tion language. B. Proposed Amendment 55,10. Acgizisit;on'. use, ant EIHS-Mal of property A dzstrict may take by'grant, appropriation, k purchase, gift, devise, condemnation, or lease, and may hold,use, enjoy, and lease or dispose of real and personal property of every kind, and rights in rLal and personal property, within or without the district, necessary to the full exercise of its powers. . Lands subject to the grant of an open-space easement executed and accepted by the district in accordance with this article shall be deemed enforceably restricted within the meaning of Section 8 of Article XIII of the California Constitution. . A district may n_ot vat lidl conve an i1� ' Y Y Y interest in any real property'actually dedicatecT"arid used for 1, parl; or open-space, or both; purposes without the consent of a '''' :��' majority of the voters of the district voting at a specialrc�ri election called by the board and held for that purpose. ti Consent need not first be obtained for a lease of any real r L .� , �'= property for a period not exceeding 25 years;and consent need not first be obtained for a conveyance of any real property if the Legislature by concurrent resolution authorizes a conveyance after a resolutionl of intention 3 has been adopted by at least a twO-thirds vote of the board of directors of the district, specifically describing the property to be conveyed. Additional An easement or other interest in raaZ property d for park inaj be dedicate I an�uage: or open-space, or both, pu2poses bf rasolution or adopted motion. of the board of director ., and cozy interest so dedicated may not be conveyed or otherwise alienated except as provided in the foregoing subparagraph. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-11,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 March 20 , 1985 Ms. Rosemary Cameron East Bay Regional Park District 11500 Skyline Boulevard Oakland, CA 94619 Dear Rosemary: Today I talked with Stan Norton, our Legal Counsel , who has com- pleted his review of SB 360, as introduced. Here are my comments : (1) The back-up method of filling vacancies by the board of supervisors looks fine. (2) We note that the new appointee would hold office until the next district general election rather than fill the remainder of the unexpired term. I gather that this is the usual pro- cedure for public agencies these days. When by board reviews this change, they may potentially have some comment. (3) We are puzzled as to why the wording about creation of new wards was deleted. We sponsored this language in 1975 to handle creation of two new wards . Although the language wouldn' t affect us or East Bay now, it could cover some other district, perhaps yet unborn, as it expanded its board. From my own viewpoint, comments (2) and (3) are not important enough to us to rock your legislative boat, but if there is occasion for change, I hope you will consider these points and contact us. I again respectfully urge you to send us the proposed language of bills before you submit them so that we might be able to make our comments before the bill is in print and the train has started down the track. Sincerely yours, Herbert Grench General Manager HG:ej cc: VMROSD Board of Directors Gary Tate D. Dimitratos R. Heim S. Norton Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin 1 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-IM-M REGULAR SESSION AB 1563 -2-- � r-• ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1563 11 1 liabilities for the last preceding year. Introduced by Assembly Member Bates March 6, 1985 An act to amend Section 5554 of the Public Resources Code, relating to regional park, park and open-space, and open-space districts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1563, as introduced, Bates. Regional park, open-space districts: audit. Under existing law, the board of directors of a regional park district, regional park and open-space district, or regional open-space district is required, no later than 90 days after the O board's first meeting following the end of its fiscal year, to render an audit of the financial condition of the district. This bill would allow the audit to be rendered up to 120 days after that meeting. Vote: majority, Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 5554 of the Public Resources 2 Code is amended to read: i-, 3 5554. The board,at its first meeting following the end 4 of its fiscal year, shall cause to be rendered no later than 5 90120 days after&ueh the meeting and to be published at 6 least once, in a newspaper of general circulation printed 7 and published in the district, a verified certified public 8 accountant's or verified public accountant's p ountant s audit of the 9 financial condition of the district, showing particularly 10 the receipts and disbursements and balance of assets and CLALIS No. 85-06 Meeting 35-06 Date March 27, 1985 MLD0iINKLA REGION. OPEN SPACE. DIS iRICr it Amount Nam Description 8106 218.31 Amerigas Tank Rental and Field Supplies 8107 40.90 Bruce Barton Pump Service, Inc. Pump Repair 8108 62.11 Mona C. Bechard Reimbursement--Private Vehicle 8109 225.00 James Boland Reimbursement--Conference Registration 8110 1,192.60 Boone Cook & Associates Plans for Rancho San Antonio Water System 8111 900.00 California Advocates, Inc. Legislative Consultant Fee for March 8112 495.00 California State Lhiversity Registration for David Topley I18113 133.07 California Water Service Rancho San Antonio Water Service 8114 275.00 Galen Chaney Reimbursement--Chain Saw 18115 6.97 Communications Research Co. Radio Repairs 8116 339.44 Ross Conti, Tax Collector Property Taxes 8117 10.25 The Country Almanac Rental Advertisement '8118 300.00 Susan Cretekos Patrol Service for Windmill Pasture 8119 126.40 Alice Cummings Reimbursement--Film and Processing 8120 210.00 Dennis Danielson Reimbursement--Conference Registration 8121 76.15 The Dark Room Photo Processing $122 34.00. Federal Express Special Delivery Services 8123 50.20 Jean H. Fiddes Reimbursement--Rental of Folding Chairs 8124 397.94 First American Title Guaranty Co. Title Insurance for Barlow Property 125 12.43 General Telephone Company Telephone Book Listing 8126 19.30 Graphistat, Inc. Meeting Brochure 127 46.21 Herbert Grench Meal Conference 8128 29.40 Harbinger Comrnmications Computer Service for Newsletter 8129 37.19 Hubbard & Johnson Field Supplies 8130 51.76 IBM Corporation Office Supplies 8131 56.02 Image Technology, Inc. Artwork Enlargement for Dooley Property 8132 11.72 Keeble & Shuchat Photography Supplies for Portable Exhibit 8133 3,855.00 M.B.W. Construction Company Coal Creek Building Demolition 8134 250.00 Michigan State University Tuition Fee for Jams Boland 8135 72.71 Mobil Oil Company Fuel for District Vehicles 8136 1,263.16 William P. 1- irphy, Tax Collector Property Taxes 8137 645.06 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 8138 5,304.60 Orrick, Herrington & Lutcliffe Bond Counsel Fee for 1935 Nate Issue and Miscellaneous Fxpenses i Claims No. 85-06 "Wrtine 85-06 ch 27, 1985 # Amount Name Description 8139 82.97 Pacific Gas & Electric Company Utilities 8140 6.50 Peninsula Blueprint Service Drafting Supplies 8141 30.00 Peninsula Proflame Propane Tank Rental 8142 6,230.91 Pinkerton`s, Inc. Hassler Patrol Services- February 8143 253.12 San Mateo Times Advertisement 8144 63.90 Scribner Graphic Press, Inc. Typesetting for Traveling Display 8145 16.24 Skyline County Water District dater Service 8146 1,000.00 John H. Tallett Legal Fees for February 8147 42 968.75 IM Associates Skyline N,aster Plan 8148 787.82 Xerox Corporation Maintenance Fee for February and Supplies ' 8149 158.58 ZZZ Sanitation Company Equipment Rental and Maintenance WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Meeting 85-06 March 27, 1985 � f AA� Uhoie Access Project _�- � `� (� % • 517 Li ncol n ;avenue Redwood City , C l r ( V ) 415-36?-2547 ( TD:' ) 415-363-2648 March 25 , 19S5 The Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 375 Distel Circle Suite D-1 Los Altos , Ca . 94022 Dear Board Members , Last week we received a xerox copy of the Master Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve as prepared by 2^i Associates . Without knowing in detail what all the listings will mean , it was our impression none the less that the overall plan is a balanced and sensible use for this extensive open space property . We were happy to note what appeared to be three whole access loop trails interspersed throughout the preserve . We assume that whole access will be provided at any appropriate facilities as well , such as toilet , shower ( if there is any ) , parking , and interpretive ( for instance , large print , 10raille , sensory , no-glare glass if glass is used , and simple language and pictures when applicable ) . We understand that this is a ,`taster Plan and not a detailed design specification . We look forward to seeing this property as dreams turn into reality . This Plan as a land use approach to Skyline Ridge O . S . P . seems to have been done with a keen sensitivity to the natural and human environment of this area . ''vie hope that the Board deems it appropriate to approve the Skyline Ridge J . S . P . ?taster Plan as prepared by 2t1 Associates . Yours truly , Phyllis Can gem i Acting Director PC/dw r CLkD1S 1,b. 85-06 Meeting 85-06 Date March 27, 1985 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REVISED Aunt Name Description 106 218.31 Amerigas Tank Rental and Field Supplies 8107 40.90 Bruce Barton Pump Service, Inc. Pump Repair 8108 62.11 Mona C. Bechard Reimbursement--Private Vehicle 8109 225.00 James Boland Reimbursement--Conference Registration 8110 1,192.60 Boone Cook & Associates Plans for Rancho San Antonio Water System 8111 900.00 California Advocates, Inc. Legislative Consultant Fee for March 8112 4669g5.90g0 California State Diversity Registration for David Topley 8113 ALM California Water Service Rancho San Antonio Water Service 8114 275.00 Galen Chaney Reimbursement--Chain Saw 8115 6.97 Cormnmications Research Co. Radio Repairs 8116 339.44 Ross Conti, Tax Collector Property Taxes 8117 10.25 The Country Almanac Rental Advertisement 8118 300.00 Susan Cretekos Patrol Service for Windmill Pasture '8119 126.40 Alice Crurmings Reimbursement--Film and Processing 8120 210.00 Dennis Danielson Reimburse-imnt--Conference Registration 8121 76.15 The Dark Room Photo Processing 122 ' 34.00 Federal Express Special Delivery Services 8123 50.20 Jean H. Fiddes Reinburseznent--Rental of Folding Chairs 8124 397.94 First American Title Guaranty Co. Title Insurance for Barlow Property 8125 12.43 General Telephone Company Telephone Book Listing 8126 19.30 Graphistat, Inc, meeting Brochure 8127 46.21 Herbert Grench Meal Conference 8128 29.40 Harbinger Communications Computer Service for Newsletter 8129 37.19 Hubbard & Johnson Field Supplies 8130 51.76 IBM Corporation Office Supplies 8131 56.02 Image Technology, Inc. Artwork Enlargement for Dooley Property 8132 11.72 Keeble & Shuchat Photography Supplies for Portable Exhibit 8133 3,355.00 M.B.W. Construction Company Coal Creek Building Demolition 8134 250.00 Michigan State University Tuition Fee for James Boland 8135 72.71 Mobil Oil Company Fuel for District Vehicles 8136 1,263.16 William P. Murphy, Tax Collector Property Taxes 8137 645.06 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 8138 5,304.60 Orrick, Herrington & Lutcliffe Bond Counsel Fee for 1935 rdot.e-Issue and Miscellaneous Fxpenses t rlaims No. 85-06 eting 85-06 riarch 27, 1985 �� Amount Name REMED. scription 8139 82.97 Pacific Gas & Electric Company Utilities 8140 6.50 Peninsula Blueprint Service Drafting Supplies 8141 30.00 Peninsula Proflame Propane Tank Rental 8142 6,230.91 Pinkerton's, Inc. Hassler Patrol Services- February 8143 253.12 San Mateo Times Advertisement 8144 63.90 Scribner Graphic Press, Inc. Typesetting for Traveling Display 8145 16.24 Skyline County Water District {later Service 8146 1,000.00 John H. Tallett Legal Fees for February 8147 49963.75 2M Associates Skyline Master Plan 8148 787.82 Xerox Corporation Maintenance Fee for February and Supplies 8149 158.58 ZZZ Sanitation Company Equipment Rental and Maintenance 8150 136.58 Petty Cash Office Supplies, meal Conferences, Delivery Service and Private Vehicle Expenses