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Open Space Committee flags Via Feliz plans for OSCA, liquefaction and walkway concerns; approves sending limited comments
Summary
Reviewers asked planners to note that portions of the Via Feliz project fall inside the Open Space Conservation Area and near liquefaction/flood hazard areas, requested that plantings within 25 feet of top of bank be native, and recommended that shown walkways/hardscape within setbacks be called out as not allowed; the committee approved sending a brief comment paragraph and updated photos to planning staff.
The Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee reviewed the Via Feliz project during its meeting Wednesday and instructed staff to forward a short comment to planning staff calling attention to open-space setbacks, hazard mapping and required planting standards.
Committee members examined GIS maps and site photos, noting that the project parcel intersects the Open Space Conservation Area (OSCA) and lies adjacent to Matadero Creek. Members asked that flood and liquefaction hazard layers be shown more clearly in the materials: “If you turn on the flood data as well, you’ll see that goes nearby,” one member said during the review.
Members emphasized that plantings within 25 feet of the top of bank should be native species and that pathways or non-permeable hardscape within the OSCA setback are not consistent with the town’s guidance; one member said the plan shows a walkway and closely spaced lighting that appear to fall inside the setback and that some of those features may be disallowed. The committee recommended calling attention to those features in the comment letter and asked staff to clean up and re-send photos so planning staff can see the top-of-bank, proposed plantings and any walkways.
After editing recommendations and collecting clearer photos, the committee agreed to send a concise paragraph noting these concerns to planning staff. A committee member noted that some EDPC comments had already asked that hardscape be reduced and lighting modified; the transcript shows members expecting some items could be corrected but no final enforcement or permit outcome was decided in the meeting.
Next steps: staff will prepare the final paragraph and updated images and forward them to planning staff (Tim McBurney and Jonathan were named in discussion). The committee did not record a detailed vote tally in the transcript.
