By Elizabeth Cloutman

Most of the Los Altos Hills City Council members recently expressed interest in selling the town-owned Westwind Barn property, confirming rumors that have circulated among residents since mid-January.

While several council members said they would consider selling the land only if the landmark Altamont Road horse stables could be moved to adjacent Byrne Preserve, some Westwind supporters fear the property might be sold even if the barn can’t be moved legally.

“Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve are our most vital assets, where we hold both our horse and nature camps each summer,” said Rebecca Hickman, co-chairwoman of the parks and recreation committee.

The council met jointly April 18 with two town committees, finance and investment, and parks and recreation, to discuss the future of more than 168 acres of unused or underutilized property owned by the town.

However, the group made no firm decisions about the future of the nearly 15-acre property for two reasons. First, the property cannot change hands until March 2004, when the town’s lease with Friends of Westwind Barn expires. Also, the Nature Conservancy deeded Byrne Preserve to the town with the restriction that it be used as open space. Mayor Toni Casey requested Councilman Mike O’Malley to confer with the Nature Conservancy to determine the deed’s restrictions.

City Attorney Sandy Sloan noted the Byrne Preserve deed limits land use to a public park, allowing fund-raisers, concession stands and easements. The Nature Conservancy has permitted horses stabled at Westwind to graze on the preserve.

While several of those present at the meeting, including O’Malley, noted that the 50-year-old barn is in poor repair, others suggested it might have historic significance.

While there was some discussion of using the property for the town’s recreation program if the barn could be relocated, Patty Radlo, parks and recreation co-chairwoman, said, “We don’t currently have the finances to do that.”

Mayor Toni Casey suggested further consideration of the development of the Westwind property be deferred until Friends of Westwind Barn’s lease expires in two years.