Monte Sereno is considering an open space commission

First task will be locating good sites

By Nathan R. Huff

If Monte Sereno follows the recommendation of its Open Space Advisory Committee, a permanent open-space commission may be established at the council's Jan. 4 meeting.

The commission would be an extension of the temporary advisory committee formed in 1998 to identify possible open-space sites within the city limits and to research funding sources for future open-space purchases.

The commission was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Suzanne Jackson, who said that during her 1998 campaign many people expressed their concern over the continual decline of open space in Monte Sereno.

"I decided that we'd try to look for volunteers and put together a task force to identify possible open spaces, trails and pathways," Jackson said.

The committee, which submitted its report to council in September, comprised up to eight community members. Karl Sprick, interim chairman for the Advisory Committee, said the idea behind the committee and proposed commission was to preserve the open, green and rural character of Monte Sereno. "Open space is a difficult subject matter because it involves people's property, public versus private property issues, and the varying definitions of 'public benefit,'" Sprick said.

The committee looked at many proposed open-space preservation sites and evaluated each according to criteria ranging from cost and wildlife habitat value to the feasibility of acquiring public ownership. Its final report listed recommendations, including amending the General Plan to include a pathway element and creating a permanent commission charged with conducting a public-awareness campaign, among other things.

"There is work to be done, and the staff doesn't have the size and resources to do the work of locating possible areas and planning for them," Sprick said.

Jackson said that if the council votes to establish a permanent commission, each council member will appoint one member. The commissioners would be volunteers and have no legal authority, but could present recommendations to the council.

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