County Reduces Proposed Sewer Fee Increases!

- Emerald Hills Zone 2: (remaining EH Heights): from current fee of $353 to $428 (instead of $683, a savings of $255)

- Oak Knoll: unchanged from current fee of $412 (instead of $695, a savings of $283)

 

While no one is ever happy about increases in fees, Supervisor Gordon's proposal for smaller increases will save homeowners from $221 to $283 next year. If you want to thank him, e-mail: rgordon(at)co.sanmateo.ca.us. This deferment of larger fee increases will be for one year only, while the county studies how to address the requirements of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Ann Stillman and Neil Cullen from the County Department of Public Works were kind enough to come to our last EHHA board meeting on 7/25 to go over the proposed changes in quite a bit of detail. So if you have questions about the sewer fees, please e-mail board(at)emeraldhills.org, and we'll try to answer them.

 

 

Where Do We Stand with the Zoning Proposals?

The EHHA Board has been waiting to get a better understanding of how the County expects to move forward with the Zoning proposals voted on last summer. At this point, the County would like to initiate an open process for explaining the current zoning regulations and design standards, their background and their merits. The process will include county-sponsored community forums on the existing standards, on the EHHA proposals that were voted on last summer, and on possible alternatives.

 

In the spirit of cooperation, we would love to see more property owners involved in these discussions. The EHHA will support these forum meetings in hopes that the outcome is a fully democratic process in which everyone may speak freely and no one is intimidated by the loudest voices. It will be essential that we all respect the rights of others while listening and speaking during these open sessions. It is vital that everyone has an opportunity to better understand our zoning regulations and design standards, because they help keep Emerald Hills beautiful and semi-rural in character. Without our current regulations, Emerald Hills would be significantly more densely developed than it is today.

 

It is expected that these meetings will begin in the Fall. Please watch for information from the County and from the EHHA regarding when and where they will take place.

 

 

Design Review Committee Update

The current Design Review Committee consists of 2 Architects, 1 Community Representative and a Community Alternate. The three-year terms of Architect Peter Baltay and Alternate Sallie Martin have expired. Those members have the opportunity to reapply, because they have not reached term limits as yet. Community Representative Nancy Mangini has been asked by the Board of Supervisors to resign from her position mid-term. This will be a discussion item at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on August 15, 2006.

 

 

 

Emerald Lake Country Club on the Lower Lake

Emerald Hills is very lucky to have its own lake for summer fun. Most people on the peninsula have never heard of it, so in that sense, it is our own special place to be a kid for a few months of the year.

The lake began as a watering hole for cattle and the stagecoach horses that traveled between Pescadero and Redwood City in the late 19^th century. Then in 1920, it was bought for $10 and became the Emerald Lake Country Club. Soon the lake was in use by cabin owners and renters fleeing the fog of San Francisco summers. The lake is now owned by 50 Active Member families who pay initiation fees and annual dues, contribute work hours, and have benefits associated with membership. Summer Members pay a one-time fee, and do not contribute work hours. Summer Memberships for next year's season open up in February 2007 and normally sell out before the warm weather hits.

 

Member families can enjoy the sun, the sand beach, the water slide, and the high dives. Also there are social events for members and some that are open to the community. For a great way to meet your neighbors and have a laugh or two, come to the Comedy Night at the Lake:

August 19^th, Doors open at 6:30.

$30 Advance at the Lake, $35 at the door
Taco Bar by Sancho's Taqueria; No Host Bar

For more information call 650-922-5256 or info(at)emeraldlakecountryclub.com or visit: http://www.emeraldlakecountryclub.com

Oak Trees--Our Community's Living Assets

Hills covered with the canopy of thousands of Oaks--that's what makes this "Emerald Hills". Our native oak trees such as Valley Oak, Blue Oak, Coast Live Oak and Tanoak are truly an asset: to our community at large and to each person's property. These beautiful trees offer shade and shelter, increase property values, and provide beautiful, carefree landscaping. Here are some important tips for the proper care for these natives.

- Mature oaks should not be watered during the dry months. Watering under the canopy and especially near the base can kill a mature oak by encouraging growth of root fungus. Plants that need watering should not be planted under the oak canopy.

- Avoid compaction of soil underneath the tree canopy. Do not store heavy equipment, etc. under the tree canopy. Do not cover the soil with impervious material such as asphalt or concrete. Where it is necessary to pave near an oak, keep open much of the area under the canopy open and use water-permeable pavers when possible.

- Avoid grade change or "filling" areas under the canopy. Grading can destroy important roots; changing the grade can alter water drainage channels. Filling with soil can "smother" the root zone as it reduces the amount of oxygen available to the roots.

- Contact an arborist at the sign of these infestations: Mistletoe, Spanish Moss, emergence of honey colored mushrooms, fanÐlike fungus, abnormally yellowish leaves, insect infestations, wounds in the bark that ooze rusty looking fluid, or drooping of branches.

- Prune dead and dying branches, or others needed to maintain a safe canopy structure, in the dry summer months (June - September) when the activity of both fungus and insects are at a minimum.

Sudden Oak Death, caused by a fungus-like organism, may be spread through infected wood, soil and rainwater, particularly during the rainy season. The leaves of host plants such as bays, madrones and rhododendrons contain large amounts of spores, which may be dispersed through the air under moist and windy conditions. Humans may spread the pathogen around by moving infected plants and plant parts. When visiting areas where sudden oak death may be found (for example, Skyline areas of San Mateo County) do not collect wood, plants (acorns, leaves) or soil. Clean soil and mud off of shoes, mountain bikes, horse's hooves, pet's paws, tires, wheel wells and the undercarriage of your car. There is no treatment yet available to save infected trees, so let's do our best not to bring the pathogen home! For more information, see http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/index2.html

 

 

Ouch! Was that a honey bee or a yellow jacket?

Yellowjackets are wasps, identifiable by their bright black and yellow colors, size slightly larger than a bee, seemingly hairless bodies, and entirely black antennae. Sometimes they are called meat bees, for obvious reasons if you've ever had them take over your BBQ. Yellowjackets bite and they can sting repeatedly and without apparent provocation (especially in response to nest disturbance), and so can be major pests. They do not die after stinging, as honeybees do. Our local species usually build concealed underground nests or occasionally paper nests in trees. If you must destroy a nest because it is presenting a danger, contact San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District at 344-8592 http://www.smcmad.org/service_requests.htm for free help.

Honeybees can be distinguished from yellowjackets by their fuzzy bodies and warm golden yellow stripes. They live in social hives, collect pollen and nectar from flowers, and produce honey, beeswax, and propolis. Honey and propolis have healing characteristics; for example, honey is an antibacterial that prevents infection if placed on a wound. Honeybees are important pollinators; without them we would lose our almonds and other crops that rely on them for pollination. They live in large colonies, and are often "kept" by beekeepers; luckily, we have several beekeepers in Emerald Hills to keep our gardens healthy. Honeybees have complex social behavior and are fascinating to watch. In the spring, a large dark cluster of buzzing insects may appear hanging from a tree branch in your yard. These are swarming honeybees, which are very gentle (bees sting to protect their brood and not when in swarm-state). To remove a swarm, contact the San Mateo Beekeepers at http://www.sanmateobee.org/swarms.html.

The gentle bumblebee is a relative of the honey bee, and it also feeds on nectar and pollen. These creatures are beneficial to humans and the plant world alike, and tend to be larger and furrier than other members of the bee family, usually black with golden yellow stripes. Bumblebees are important pollinators of both crops and wildflowers, but are in danger due to habitat destruction and collateral pesticide damage. To help bumblebees and honeybees, avoid using pesticide sprays during the daytime, when bees are foraging.