By Seth Freedland
Town Crier Intern
The Los Altos Hills Planning Commission nudged the city council back from its proposal to sell the Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve property last Thursday. However, Los Altos Hills Open Space, a group backing the preservation of the property, said the steps taken were not decisive enough.
The Planning Commission unanimously agreed to recommend the city council take “immediate and definitive action to prevent the sale or change of use designation of any town-owned property without the support of the majority of residents.”
“We wanted to send a clear message to the council,” said Commissioner Janet Vitu, who made last Thursday’s motion. “I believe it was the council’s intent to explore (the city’s) options and put it out to the public. But there has been so much concern, I believe the council needs to clarify its intent and assure the public no town-owned property will be sold without support.”
The council’s interest in selling the Westwind Barn property began months ago with a council member’s suggestion and Finance Committee discussions that Westwind Barn be moved onto nearby Byrne Preserve and that some land be sold to bolster the town’s budget. This development drew ire from local residents who saw the land as more than just a means to a financial end.
“Open space is important,” said Val Metcalfe, a leader of LAH Open Space. “It’s important for Los Altos Hills residents, as well as the community on the whole Peninsula, because of the incredibly high density in the valley.”
LAH Open Space decided even if the present city council decides not to sell the property, a future council might someday have the same notion, Metcalfe said. Thus, the group hopes to bring an initiative before the voters next spring that would lock in approximately 70 acres of prime Los Altos Hills real estate as permanent open space. To validate the initiative, the group needs to get at least 800-900 signatures, or 10 to 15 percent of the town’s 5,500 registered voters.
“We were very encouraged when (the planning commission) said they wouldn’t pursue this,” Metcalfe said. “Still, we’re going to get the signatures to bind future councils. We think it’s wonderful that these people care, but we plan to create a legal initiative.”
Another leader of LAH Open Space, Nancy Couperus, agreed that the group is looking into the future.
“The lack of a permanent decision to save the open space is inadequate for the long term,” she said.
Though the preserve is restricted as open space under the conditions of a 1975 deed by Dr. Albert Byrne and the Nature Conservancy, Couperus said the restrictions are not town restrictions. The town turned over management of Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve to Friends of Westwind, Inc., for community use. Since 1978, Westwind Barn has operated a therapeutic horse riding program for disabled children.
“This is too important for five city council members to decide on a whim,” Metcalfe said. “Sure, it is tempting to get all the money for selling the property (at once), but then it’s gone forever.”
- Linda Taafe contributed to this report.
