October/November/December 2014 Newsletter

MONTE NIDO VALLEY
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
A Dark Sky Community
E-NEWSLETTER
Oct/Nov/Dec 2014
WHAT’‛S IN THIS ISSUE
Thanks to planning team for a terrific Monte Nido October BBQ
and Square Dance
Local land development on Piuma—updates and legal fund to oppose
2015 MNVCA Board of Directors election results
Thanks to Monte Nido Fire Council
Minutes of Oct. and Nov. 2014 Board meetings
Thanks for reviving the Monte Nido
Dinner and Square Dance
tradition
Many thanks to Ilda Jacobsen who headed
up an outstanding planning committee for
the Square Dance and BBQ dinner event
October 11. It got great reviews from all
who were able to attend. It was a big deal
for the Community to have the event
revived after a lapse of the tradition last
year.
Congratulations to Mark Mehner 2014
winner of the Golden Spur Award
announced at the BBQ Event. Mark won
the voting from a field of super stars all
including
Carrie Baltin
Mark Mehner
Jo Powe
Suze Randall
Jill Reiss
Joan Slimocosky
Don Wallace
Ilda’s “Nextdoor Monte Nido” summary and her
thanks to many of those who helped with the BBQ
Dinner and Square Dance is reprinted below
“The community brought the house down with their
energy and enthusiasm and pies. Big group hug.
Special thanks to our friends at Saddle Peak who
donated all the lovely chairs that allowed us to rest
our weary legs after some raucous promenading.
Our local Calabasas Starbucks was kind to donate
the coffee and all of the fixins'.
Doug Rosen was a gem for contributing his dumpster
for collection.
The Hardie family comes through each year, allowing
us the power from their home to light the meadow and
ensure no toes are stepped upon while we do-si-do.
And, of course, thank you to the Fleeman's for sharing
the meadow with everyone in the hood who
contributed their time, effort, ideas, muscle, and funds
to make it all come together.
Until the next big thing in Monte Nido!”
Vintage Properties
Development on Piuma Rd
The long saga of development of lots on
Piuma near the first hairpin turn continues
with the developer getting an initial approval
from the County Planning group. The
MNVCA Board has voted to oppose the plans
as they currently exist. A legal fund has been
established to enable our voices to be heard
in the County Planning and permitting
processes that are to come. Email was sent
out Dec. 3, 2014 to the Monte Nido
Community from MNVCA to provide
background info and solicit donations to the
newly established legal fund to oppose this
development. The Addendum to this
Newsletter reprints that email
communication. Please review the
information there and consider donating to
this fund. Send email or call one of the Board
members if you have questions.
Thanks for Monte Nido Fire Safe
Council
We cannot thank enough the leaders and
supporters of the local efforts by the Monte
Nido Fire Safe Council to educate our
residents on how to prepare for fire season and
how to keep ourselves, and our homes,
animals, and property as safe as possible.
Mark Mehner’s reminders and tips on Nextdoor Monte Nido are memorable and
invaluable. Jo Powe and others have worked
tirelessly to organize fire safety seminars by
fire fighting professionals and to sponsor
hands-on demonstrations of safe/best practices
at local residences. Suze Randall has checked
out horse owners in the area to make sure that
trailer space is available for evacuations and
worked to match horses that would need space
to trailers that had space so that all could be
accommodated. As you will read in the
Minutes from the Nov. meeting plans were set
for Les Hardie, Tracie Bunetta, Jo Powe, and
Rodger Reiss to attend a Fire Risk Assessor
Workshop to be certified to do local assessments for
local homes. Thanks and thanks again to all of you.
2015 MNVCA Board Members Elected at
the November meeting
The following roster of Board members was elected
to MNVCA at the November meeting.
Carrie Baltin…President
Home: 818 224-4696
825 Crater Oak Drive
[email protected]
Joan Slimocosky
Home: 818-591-1082
Vice President
25632 Buckhorn Dr.
[email protected]
Judy Goldin Treasurer
Cell 818-983-1910
1101 Cold Canyon Road
Mailing Address:
PO Box 2765, Malibu, 90265
[email protected]
Jill Reiss Secretary
Home: 818-222-1995
1066 Meadows End Drive
Fax: 818-222-1675
[email protected]
Cell: 818-653-7279
Gary Wooller
805-375-6599
949 Crater Oak Drive
[email protected]
Mary-Helen Young
818-222-6762
550 Live Oak Circle Drive
[email protected]
Ann Monahan
Home: 818-222-7239
505 Live Oak Circle Drive
Cell: 818 421 5159
[email protected]
Dana Chidekel
[email protected]
Ilda Jacobsen
[email protected]
818-223-8055 home
212-991-8998 cell
Maria & Radu Ioan
25659 Whittemore Dr.
[email protected]
(310) 699-1190 cell
(818) 914-6014 home
Sally Livingston
890 Camino Colibri
[email protected]
818-222-2666
310-993-5777
Alicia Gonzalez
25736 Dark Creek Road
[email protected]
818 222 5826
Megan Wolflick
681 Cold Canyon Road
818-512-9943
[email protected]
Minutes of the Oct 2014 Board Meeting
Note on Local Trail Use
Community members are encouraged to
make use of local trails like the Lost Canyon
Loop and Cold Canyon Trail for hiking and
horseback riding. To help ensure we keep
access as well as to share your fun, you might
want to document your hikes and rides with
photos and posts on social media.
Thank you
MNVCA Members
Board members and community volunteers
organize annual events such as July 4
celebrations, October Square Dance, and
Holiday Pot Lucks as well as the Adopt-AHighway cleanup, Fire Safe Council, the
Bulletin Board and this Newsletter. They
represent our interests at Las Virgenes
Homeowners Federation and at County
Supervisor and Coastal Commission meetings
to protect our rural character and our trails.
There will be a membership drive starting
soon to encourage all our local residents to
join MNVCA in 2015. In anticipation of
some increased costs, the annual membership
fee will be raised from $50 to $75 starting in
2015 ($25 for first time members). You can
send in your membership (checks made out to
MNVCA) addressed to MNVCA at P.O. Box
8054, Calabasas 91372.
Judy Goldin, Treasurer
MNVCA board meeting 10/14/14 at the home of
Suze Randall and Humphrey Knight
Called to order at 7:09 PM
Present from the Board: Carrie Baltin, Judy Goldin,
Joan Slimocosky, Gary Wooller, Maria Ioan, Jill
Reiss, Ann Monahan, (arrived later: Ilda Jacobsen,
Dana Chidekel, Alicia Gonzalez)
Present from the community: About 40 residents
First Presentation was from Osgood/Vintage
Properties:
Matt Osgood with Brian Blain, Bill McKiven,
David Ko, Amy Weltmer (last names possibly not
spelled correctly)
Lots for this sub-development were approved for
Quaker/Ross around 1983/84. The tract map was
finalized in 1986. Q/R got approval to develop in
’83, ran into difficulty developing the 5 lots around
Randall’s property, but he didn’t want to abandon his plans to develop them. But then Quaker/Ross
filed for bankruptcy and the lots were foreclosed in
2007.
There were 22 original lots. One sold privately and
has been developed. Vintage acquired the remainder
from the foreclosing bank. From the time of
purchase, Osgood/Vintage were not planning to
develop those 5 difficult lots. Vintage subsequently
met with LA County, MNVCA, and Coastal to
share their development vision. Vintage discussed
the possibility of dedicating the 5 problematic lots
to open space, contingent on getting 15 lots
approved. Vintage presented elevations in the
Wallace Neff and Cliff May styles of architecture,
along with square footages they thought would be
appropriate for those 15 lots, and rolled that into
their settlement agreement with LA County.
The lots are a minimum of 1 acre. Vintage asserts
that the square footages of the current plans are
within 1 percent of the original sq. foot proposals he
brought to MNVCA in 2011. All oak trees will be
preserved and the setbacks are “generous”. Elevations and drawings were presented by David
and Brian. At the first meeting with MNVCA in
2011, David shared his vision as an “antimcmansion” architect. He started designing homes in Rolling Hills that are sensitive to the land. David
Ko provided some background on his architectural
inspirations: Cliff May was a 1930s architect with
whom David worked before he died. David feels he
understands May’s philosophy. Many of these lots have oak trees. In sensitivity to the land, his plans
avoid oak trees. David developed and shared a map
which indicates locations on the parcels where there
are trees and seepage pits for septic – locations
where development must be avoided. He designed
footprints to negotiate between them, so homes will
have angles and wings to take advantage of views
and avoid trees and pits. No two floor plans have
identical footprints (each home has a unique
footprint to negotiate the limits of that lot). Steps
have also been incorporated in homes so contours of
the land are incorporated into house, (the house
hugs the land rather than creating a flat pad for
house).
Ko shared several images and books to illustrate his
philosophy, including Sunset Ranch Houses, a book
from 1940s and 50s. Designs of Wallace Neff, the
architect of Gillette Ranch and other adobe ranches
in Ojai, and Frank Lloyd Wright were also imitated.
Will Rogers State Park house is among designs he
likes. Another is William Hart, who was a celebrity
and cowboy and whose homes were casual, simple,
and rustic in nature home. These projects became
state landmarks and add character to beautiful
locations.
Rather than stately mansions in MN, they want
homes that are organic in nature. Ko wants to “take stiffness out of homes”. The plans for MN have limited second floor square footages, for more
organic, ground-hugging architecture, to avoid a
boxy structure. Homes will have a low silhouette
with 9-foot ceilings and no raised, 2-story interior
volumes. No more than 33 percent of each home
will be above ground floor. (However, garage
square footages of about 1600 square feet are not
included in this ratio. So each home actually has
greater single story square footage when garages are
factored in). Many Cliff May houses have limited
roof spans, 38 – 40 feet maximum roof span. This
will keep the rooflines down. And they will keep
the pitch relatively shallow. Because this is a high
fire zone location they want to use materials
sensitive to that. And they are trying to pick
materials that achieve an aesthetic from bygone
eras. Possibly they will use treated heavy lumber
and shake light roof material to be fire and termite
resistant.
All building must be on existing pads – they cannot
spread the house outside the existing buildable
pad/zone. They “did the best they can” to spread houses apart. On 2 lots the pads are close, about 20
feet apart, but they inherited them and can’t change those. Most other homes are “really far apart”. Because the grade climbs, the garages will be 4 feet
lower than the house, so garage level is stepped
down. The average home size = 4500 sq. ft.
(exclusive of garage square footages).
Lots 1 and 17 will have Wallace Neff style designs,
complementary to nature and setting, with a tower
element like Gillette ranch, in board and batten,
working ranch equestrian style. Third floor towers
with cantilever decks were redesigned for the
towers to be about 4 feet lower than originally
planned. The lots are sunken, where ground level is
below the street. To compensate for that negative
feng shui (it’s difficult to sell sunken houses), the towers give those houses a territorial view. The
designs have limited second floors and then travel
up to a loft.
Osgood/Vintage feel they have developed exactly
what they originally presented at the first two
meetings with this group. They have progressed
from hand drawing to computer with 1 percent
discrepancy in average footage.
Q & A session followed, moderated by Jo Powe.
Q - Powe asked Osgood to summarize the status on
all 15 lots
A - Submitting applications to build in a 3-phase
program. The LCP has been certified and the
likelihood is it will have jurisdiction as building
proceeds.
Q - Shari Pevsner re: EIR – was there concern about
watershed?
A - Powe suggested that with the limited time we
should focus our questions on the specific plot plans
rather than getting into any discussion about the
environmental documentation. She told Pevsner she
was happy to talk with her about that directly.
Q – What is the total number of lots?
A – It was originally a 22-lot tract. Osgood has 15 +
1 from a private party. Lot 5 was previously built. 5
lots are being dedicated to open space so it will be
possible to build 16 lots.
Q – What are the red dots on map?
A - Borings for septic leach fields
Q – What land value/property value price points are
being planned?
A - They want to make money and believe they will
get higher prices with thoughtful floor plans and
elevations. There is no firm commitment at this
time, but they hope for “mid 2s plus”. Ko believes that aesthetic of architecture helps hold value. They
don’t like Rasmussen styles. They believe their product will enhance property values.
Q – Joan Slimocosky - Had they driven around
MN’s old sections before they designed homes? Does this vision correspond to that?
A – There’s a mixture of home styles here in MN. This aesthetic is consistent with topography here.
Ko believes these designs match the character of
MN. To sell a home today the floor plan has to meet
today’s demand. That’s why people buy newer homes, rather than older homes. Need big closet
and modern master bath to sell home in today’s lifestyle.
Q – Did Osgood reach out to MN on his own, or
because Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s office directed you to?
A - Does it matter if they initiated it if they felt it
was important? Osgood says they really reached out
to community.
Q – Apart from layouts on individual lots, how do
they crossover and impact on backbone trail?
A - Lots 8-12 are dedicated to open space
Q - What about impact on lower backbone as it rises
behind the homes?
A – To extent there are pads, there will be homes.
Q – Brent Baltin – Distance across the living room
where the meeting was held = 16 feet. So 30-foot
setbacks will be right on the road. How will this
impact housing values?
A - ???
Comment: Kim Lamorie – Under the new LCP,
these are not preserving the characteristic of MN
neighborhood. We never had 15 houses like this in
mind when we fought to preserve character of
Monte Nido. There are very specific guidelines in
the LCP, which are not met by these plans.
Q – Are the plans that have been submitted to
County here tonight? Yehuda Netanel wants to see
them.
A – They were not among the papers that were
presented.
Comments from Yehuda Netanel - The recollection
of this community and committee re: the size of this
project, reflected in our minutes, is that square
footages were much smaller. We knew Osgood
acquired the lots during the recession at value
pricing. We were told the houses would be modest.
Market forces have now changed, allowing for
houses that can sell at greater prices. And, the
community does not like the way 5 lots for open
space are being held hostage to approval of the rest
of project. This community helped Osgood get the
lots for free or at value from the bank. Osgood’s letter to Les Hardie is evidence of agreement that
those 5 lots will not be developed.
A - Osgood says those lots are developable and
have value.
Brian, from CA Pacific Homes offered an apology.
He believes they should and could have met
periodically with MNVCA as development
progressed. They probably erred after they met
with us the first 2 times. If they had shown us
through progression that they stuck with their word
there wouldn’t be misunderstandings tonight. Brian says these are the same documents they originally
presented to us – same square footages and designs.
He admits developers don’t have great credibility and believability about their word. Their reputation
is everything – he asserts his company had been
ranked #1 in CA for customer service and other
categories until the ranking companies disappeared
during the recession. His perspective is that they
have not misrepresented anything.
any additional setback on that size lot. The smallest
house will go on that lot.
Carrie Baltin read from Sept 2011 letter written by
Osgood to Les Hardie, indicating questions of size
and setbacks would be further discussed and agreed
to as planning proceeded. This never happened.
Q – follow up (Jo Powe) - County setbacks don’t necessarily agree with the character of this
community. Just because it’s county rules or resembles Pasadena or San Marino doesn’t impress us. That’s not who we are. People come to MN
because they love the mountains and fall in love
with the place. Residents here don’t see San Marino as desirable compared to MN. Osgood
can’t change our mind about what’s in character with this community. Randall’s house for example,
at about the same square footage as Osgood’s plans, sits on 17 acres, not 1 acre.
A – Reference to other communities is for context.
The content of these designs are intended to be in
character with MN.
The community feels that we were used by Vintage
for their purposes and then ignored. Brian stated
they have not walked away, and they believe that
the product that David Ko is designing is classic,
timeless, and valuable. They are staking the future
of their companies on these beliefs and designs.
Brian and David love what they do and it’s not only about the money. It doesn’t help them if they build “crap” in the first phase. Q - Seven homes are very close to Piuma (35 feet
from the street) so residents will want to put up
walls for privacy and sound control.
A- Kim Lamorie says LCP will prohibit walls.
Brian says there will be no walls. Brian contends
they are not very close to the street. Ko says they
have no choice about where to site the homes; they
cannot push them back on the lots.
Q – Slimocosky – Make sure developers are aware
of and disclose to potential buyers how much traffic
is on Piuma, especially on weekends. The noise
from motorcycles, sports cars etc. will be very
irritating to homeowners.
Q – Stephanie Abronson asks if developer is aware
of noise in middle of night.
Q – Concern about our dark sky community. Will
there be disclosure about dark skies to buyers?
A - Osgood will abide by dark sky policy. They are
“Totally Good” with that, and will landscape for it.
Q – Osgood et al stated they believe their homes
will resemble Pasadena and San Marino styles of
communities. But those communities have homes
with large front setbacks, which equates with valued
property. Structures 20 feet from street equate with
urban blight. What is County required setback?
A - Total setback on closest lot = 30 – 35 feet from
street (From edge of asphalt). One small lot is only
90 feet deep. It is not possible to build a house with
Q – The character of this community is not 4500 sq.
feet homes all in a row close to property lines, even
if county says its ok. These designs may make
sense to develop in another suburban community
but don’t make sense to us.
A – Every aspect of these designs is purposeful for
each individual lot – none of the floor plans repeat.
Q – We don’t object to this architecture. We object to too much sq. footage too close to the road, which
will look like a suburban sub-division.
Q – Vintage says they are building to market place
demand. So who is the target audience?
A – Multi-million dollar buyers. Later-in-life
business professional, in late 50s.
Q - Ilda Jacobsen knows many younger people who
are moving here and are looking for smaller homes,
more artisanal and craftsman. From her
perspective, trying to get younger families to move
in - seeing that all these homes are for older people
without horses, with no children - how will the new
buyers fit in?
Q – People here don’t think builders are listening to what we are saying. We moved here because of the
community – not just hoping to double our
investment. People come here because you find
what Powe said earlier. The discussion wouldn’t be this way with people who are looking for homes in
the style of the homes on the “Triangle”. There’s no trust.
Q – Gary Bardovi – Attended second meeting with
Vintage at Yehuda’s home. This architecture is well crafted, an adept job, beautifully done. He
appreciates the inspiration and feels it works well
with contours. The feeling at the second meeting
was that we were pleased with what we saw. The
outcome of that meeting was the letter to Hardie
asserting that Vintage would continue to work with
us on several parameters. We are disappointed that
that didn’t happen. And sad to realize we have no leverage left.
A – They had no idea we had any objections. They
believe they have executed exactly what they
originally promised.
Q - Scale drawings were provided by MN resident,
David Coronella, a graphic artist, to illustrate the
overpowering appearance the homes will have in
the view from his own home.
A - Ko does not believe they are accurate or include
trees.
Q - Site plans presented here today, and ostensibly
presented at the second meeting with MN at
Yehuda’s house, are dated several months after that
meeting. So how could they have been shown to us
at that meeting?
Q - In 1930s there was a condition called small lots
subdivision that was permitted in MN, so smaller
lots were developed. Then parameters changed and
those small lots are no longer permitted.
Osgood et al left meeting at 8:53PM.
Old Business
Cold Canyon street repair – Update from Lee
Renger – The water board voted this evening to
agree with LA County and pay County to take care
of the road. Water district will fix the pipe (when?
is still a question). Still unanswered is what came
first? The water break or the landslide and which
caused which? In any case there has been an
agreement to repair it.
Water Tanks on Piuma - Someone still needs to post
on Nextdoor about people stealing water from
hydrants. A red device between hydrant and hose
should be there to meter the water. If it’s not there, they are stealing water. Renger says the devices are
big enough to notice. Reiss will post on next door.
Road repair - Repaving has begun in Edenwild.
New Business:
Fire preparedness meeting this Sat, Oct 18 9AM –
1PM. Meet at the end of Camino Calibri. Everyone
please come! Even seasoned residents can learn
something new. Lots of vendors will be there.
Powe updated the red emergency preparedness
brochure from Abronson. MRT paid to print 200
copies. Must attend to get one. CERT rep will be
there Sat too.
Les Hardie, Mark Mehner, Tracy Bunetta, and Jo
Powe will be trained to be risk assessors and can
then come to your home and assess wildfire risk.
There is still room for one more person to be
trained. There is no cost for training.
BBQ Square Dance – Fantastic job! Thank you Ilda
and her committee! Receipts have been submitted.
She had previously been given a $600 advance. She
is owed $296.34, and 3 other people are owed total
of about $250. 40% bought tickets on Eventbrite.
Event was in the black. Motion to pay Ilda and
other 4 checks passed.
MNVCA Board Nominations and Elections – A
nominating committee of board and non-board
members is needed for Board elections in Nov.
Gary Wooller will be the board member rep on
committee. Ilda has some new people to nominate.
Up for re-election this year: Jill Reiss, Carrie Baltin,
Gary Wooller, Heidi Stompe, Judy Goldin, and
Mary Helen Young.
Osgood/Vintage Appeal - Powe: Frank Angel’s law firm was engaged to file an appeal prior to County
Planning director approving development. 13 of 16
lots have been approved. Towers’ heights were reduced for two of the lots that did not receive
approval since they violated county height
restrictions but as far as we know the County has
not yet approved those two plot plans. LA County
made 2 sets of decisions: each plot was voted yes or
no - and a mitigated negative declaration (MND)
was adopted for all of the lots. To appeal all those
decisions would cost $735/lot plus $735 for MND.
It’s too costly. So we decided to only appeal the mitigated negative declaration, which will apply to
every lot. If we win it means LA County says
Osgood has to either redo the MND with better
disclosure about impacts and/or more stringent
mitigation or go to a full EIR and the development
would have to await that process. Or we could lose.
The Planning Commission appeal hearing will not
happen until Jan 2015, which gives us plenty of
time to develop strong arguments. Developer
cannot do anything until planning commission hears
this. We want support from Federation – Lamorie
will make a presentation in support of this. Also we
are looking for support from Heal the Bay and SOS.
If we lose the appeal, and file a lawsuit, the
defendant will be the county. (We will be opposing
the county). Powe said we need community support
at the hearing and a letter writing campaign. Frank
Angel is the lawyer who won the Soka case – he is
excellent at what he does.
Angel and Powe both believe there’s a strong case to be made for our appeal. The State Department of
Fish and Wildlife letter opposing the development
is very strong in our favor. Questions were asked
about why this development was approved when it
seems so clearly in violation of the new LCP. Powe
explained some of the arguments that can be made
under CEQA.
Lamorie added that Osgood has another project in
the county near Saratoga Hills, which is also in
unincorporated county but not LCP territory.
Perhaps we can work a united opposition front with
them.
Approval for this project was granted by a single
individual, Bruckner, who is the appointed planning
director, rather than by the entire planning
commission. We will appeal to the whole planning
commission.
The first step is to get an initiative going in Monte
Nido to raise funds. Lamorie suggests a fund-raiser
with all of the Federation. Powe suggests MNVCA
volunteers work with Lamorie to develop a plan for
joint fund raising. Another group should post signs
around MN to raise awareness. Joan Slimocosky
will work with Kim to get this started. Also we
have a large road sign that we can adapt to bring
awareness.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Reiss
Minutes of Nov. 2014 Board Meeting
MNVCA Board Meeting of Nov 11, 2014 was
called to order at 7:10 PM at the home of Judy
Goldin
Present from the board: Judy Goldin, Carrie Baltin,
Jill Reiss, Dana Chidekel, Ann Monahan, Mary
Helen Young, Sally Livingston, Alicia Gonzalez,
Joan Slimocosky, Gary Wooller, Ilda Jacobsen
Present from the community: Yehuda Netanel,
Tamara Wasserman, Megan Wolflick, Beatrice
Kerti, Sheila Rosenthal, Jo Powe, Brent Baltin,
Chuck Abronson, Gary Bardovi
Agenda Changes - none
Minutes of September meeting: Approved – Reiss
is requested to send the latest version to Mary Helen
Young for the newsletter
Treasurer’s Report – Judy Goldin reported there are
no real changes in our financial status. Some money
may need to be moved to the checking account.
She has engaged a new accounting firm, Weiss
Accounting, in Van Nuys, which was recommended
by Malibou Lake homeowners association and they
are terrific. They knew exactly what to do to
reinstate our tax-exempt status (which was first
established in 1966 but revoked because we haven’t filled out the correct papers over the years). Judy
filled out long forms for the IRS and Franchise Tax
Board. Joan Slimocosky asked Jerry Duryea for the
MNVCA articles of incorporation, but he didn’t have them. Joan filled in some history of Monte
Nido: It used to be a small private water district in
1950s. Then, in 1965 when LVMWD was formed,
it bought the MN district and built up the
infrastructure. MNVCA started when the original
water district board knew they still needed a
community association after LVMWD bought it
out. Judy Goldin has mailed a request to CA
Secretary of State for MNVCA Articles of
Incorporation, which will hopefully arrive soon.
For 501c4 status, some fees will be required. If the
990 Form is onerous to fill out, Sally Livingston
knows an accountant who can help at reasonable
fee. Motion to authorize funds for IRS, and
Franchise Tax Board passed.
No correspondence –
No Federation report – There was no meeting last
month.
The Board went into Executive Section to discuss
Osgood/Vintage Pacific matter at 7:28.
The open meeting resumed at 8:06 – A committee
has prepared a letter to encourage fund raising for
legal efforts against Osgood/Vintage development.
The letter highlights concerns with the environment,
flooding along Piuma, community safety, (i.e.
development on such a major ingress/egress street
as Piuma creates traffic backups in event of
emergency fire evacuation), and perhaps most
importantly, is the changes to the character of
Monte Nido. O/V expands what happened on the
Triangle. The letter contains calls to action.
Executive session resumed at 8:14PM
Open meeting resumed at 8:20 – Motion to approve
a marketing budget of $500 to begin building
neighborhood awareness for fund raising passed.
Motion to reimburse Gary Bardovi for printing
costs passed. Beatrice can prepare and print a
brochure with graphic representations of the
proposed tract and the prior O/V developments in
Agoura and Cornell Rd. We mail 350 annual
membership requests. The committee will meet
again in next few weeks to get a mailing of this size
out to community. Newsletter in December can
also contain information. There was a question as to
whether we should print and snail mail a newsletter
or two at this time to get people’s attention. Sheila Rosenthal volunteers to bring mailings to post
office.
Motion to raise annual dues to $75 passed.
Fire Council neighborhood meeting: Jo Powe
reported it was successful. About 60 people showed
up, along with several vendors. Horse owners got
lots of good information. Jo Powe distributed the
Resident Stickers for cars and extra copies of the
Red Emergency Booklets, What to do in Fire etc.
You can also get your driver’s license changed to
say Monte Nido address to prove residency so the
Police and Fire Department may allow you to enter
the neighborhood during an emergency. Suze
Randall went door to door to horse owners to put
together people who have no trailer with people
who have empty space so all horses are now
matched with a trailer to get them out in an
emergency. This Friday and Saturday, Les Hardie,
Tracie Bunetta, Jo Powe, and Rodger Reiss are
going to a Fire Risk Assessor Workshop to be
certified to do local assessments for local homes.
New Business: Board Elections: Carrie Baltin,
Gary Wooller, Jill Reiss, Mary Helen Young, Heidi
Stompe, and Judy Goldin all have terms ending this
year. All of them consented to remain on the board.
Heidi Stompe and Jill Reiss declared willingness to
step aside if there’s a replacement nominee. Nominations: Megan Wolflick was nominated by
Ilda Jacobsen. By declaration, the vacancy from
Heidi Stompe will be filled by Megan Wolflick.
Ads – Motion to discontinue the Bulletin Board due
to lack of advertisements passed.
Welcome package for new neighbors – Carrie
Baltin will follow up with Cathy Sieling about the
updated Directory to include in a welcome package.
Broken Water Valve – Judy Goldin will follow up
with Lee Renger.
Road Re-paving has been completed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02PM
The Next Meeting will be on: Jan 13, 2015 at the
home of Mary Helen Young. There will be an
emergency meeting in December 2014 only if
necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Reiss
The Next MNVCA Board Meeting will be on January 13, 2015 at the home
of Mary Helen and Steve Young at 550 Live Oak Circle Dr. at 7:00 PM.
Members of the Community are invited and encouraged to attend.
How to reach us:
Send your email address to Jill Reiss, the MNVCA secretary, at
[email protected], to receive announcements of meetings, community
activities, and the time and location of our Board meetings.
President: Carrie Baltin 818-224-4696
Vice Pres: Joan Slimocosky 818-591-1082
Treasurer: Judy Goldin 818-983-1910
Secretary: Jill Reiss 818-222-1995
Contributions to the newsletter can be sent to the editor Mary Helen Young at
[email protected]
Addendum—Reprint of Message sent out by MNVCA to local community
Dec. 3 in case you missed it
Development of 15 tract homes coming our way!
Does this sound like the Monte Nido you know?
Large, suburban tract homes boasting manicured lawns and pseudo classic architecture. Fearfully bright night lighting that drowns out
the stars. Structured fencing obstructing nature trails to segregate all that pesky wildlife lurking in the mountain nest.
This is Monte Nido's future
Matt Osgood's Vintage at Hidden Hills in Agoura Hills is the vision for Monte Nido
There is a 15-home tract development currently in the works for both sides of Piuma between Cold Canyon and the first hairpin curve.
These new tract homes come to us from developer Matt Osgood of Vintage Communities, a well-known Orange County residential
property development company.
Lots currently planned for development along Piuma Road.
WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS TRACT DEVELOPMENT? CONSIDER IMPACTS ON:
Environment
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Reduced open space: 15 homes averaging 4500 sq. ft, not including garages (up to 1600 sq. ft),
pools and other hardscape on proportionally small lots of approximately 1 acre along a half-mile stretch
of both sides of Piuma -- with some homes 30ft. from the edge of Piuma.
Effects on wildlife habitat and passage: fencing, night lighting, noise
Impediments to Backbone Trail and views
Community Safety
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Flooding: despite the drought, there is an historical flooding problem along Piuma (recall 1980, 1995,
and 2005) exacerbated by recent build-out on the triangle. Fifteen new tract homes and their
hardscape could create a rush of floodwaters to the homes below.
Wild fires and exiting traffic back-ups: with Piuma as the main thoroughfare for evacuations and fire
vehicle transport, an overrun of development can obstruct fighting efforts.
Community Character
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Large tract homes on proportionally small lots in proximity to each other doesn't support the
aesthetic originality of our "rural village."
Dark skies are threatened.
Is this the genesis of the Oaks or Simi Valley in our mountain nest - aren't there enough of those?
What you can do:
1) See it. Drive up Piuma, take in the view (possibly for the last time), witness
the cleared out lots, and envision the impact this large subdivision will have as
you enter Monte Nido.
2) Read the history of this development.
3) Google "Matt Osgood Vintage Properties" and pull up articles like:
http://www.edcnet.org/news/PressReleases/12-07-24.pdf
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/jul/29/new-owners-naples/
4) Check out Matt Osgood's Vintage at Hidden Park Estates in Agoura Hills to see his vision for
Monte Nido.
5) Learn how the Naples community in Santa Barbara united and won against Matt Osgood's planned
development along their pristine coastline.
6) Attend small group information meetings hosted by your neighbors to galvanize our community efforts
and preserve the Monte Nido we love.
For five decades, the Monte Nido Valley Community Association, a respected and heeded voice of the Santa
Monica Mountains, has held the line on inappropriate development in the Las Virgenes Valley. Working with
county and state agencies, and sometimes through litigation, we have fought to defend this beautiful "mountain
nest" that some would like to exploit for their own gain.
Support our efforts with a donation to the legal fund to fight this tract
development. We need your help.
Thank you,
Your Neighbors
MNVCA
Together, we can preserve our rural community character.
Send payment to: MNVCA at P.O. Box 8054, Calabasas, CA 91372.