HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2018.02.01BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Minutes February 1, 2018
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm by
Commissioner Hinckle.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Hinckle, Kearney, Hunt, Kirchner and Dinuri
Absent: None
Staff. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Disco, and
Recording Secretary Borba
Others: None
MINUTES
Commissioner Kearney made a motion to approve the December 7, 2017 minutes as read. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Kirchner and unanimously approved.
CORRESPONDENCE
Secretary Borba reported the City has a new website and the Business Landscape Award nomination form
is posted on the website with a link to the form. She also reported there is an ad in the Parks and
Recreation Spring brochure regarding the Business Landscape Award.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Appeal to the Approved Redwood Removal at 315 Occidental Avenue
Director Glomstad read the staff report.
Commissioner Discussion
Commissioner Dinuri inquired about co -dominant stems. Arborist Disco stated the issue with the tree
is there are two separate trunks that are growing together. In between the trunks the bark grows which
is referred to as included bark. The trucks and included bark push against each other and can
eventually split from their own force. This tree is fairly young and is going to continue to grow; it
also has co -dominant leaders at 15 feet up that will continue to grow. Arborist Disco also stated the
tree is growing close to the neighbor's garage and the roots may lift the garage. Commissioner
Hinckle inquired how old the tree is. Arborist Disco stated approximately 25 to 30 years old.
Commissioner Hinckle noted that the job of the Commission and Arborist is to save and protect the
trees and when the Arborist approves or denies a tree she takes it seriously. Arborist Disco explained
that he looks at the health and structure of the tree based on the criteria in the ordinance and has
determined that the tree is healthy but structurally unsound. Commissioner Dinuri inquired if there
was a way to provide additional support to the tree. Arborist Disco responded that additional support
can be done with cable ties however it is not a recommended practice and it has to be monitored
often. Commissioner Hinckle commented that she thought the tree looked stressed and unheathy.
Commissioner Kirchner asked if there was any root pruning done during the construction of the new
garage. Arborist Disco stated that he did not know if there was any root pruning done.
Public Comments
Tina Ashamalle, a resident on Occidental, spoke on behalf of the neighborhood and she stated that
they are concerned that a healthy Redwood tree had been approved for removal. She is aware that the
former property owners did not care for the tree but she thought it might be possible that the new
property owners will. She stated the surrounding neighbors are not concerned about the Redwood
tree and its close proximity to their property. She said that she loves the trees in the neighborhood
and appreciates every tree that is there. She stated that she didn't feel that this Redwood tree is
hazard and requested that it remain.
Commissioner Kearney inquired if the tree provides privacy to Ms. Ashamalle. Ms. Ashamalle
responded the tree does not provide any privacy to her property because she lives two houses down.
Commissioner Discussion
Commissioner Kirchner stated that the Redwood only needs to fail once and that this tree is in an
unsafe condition and can't ignore it. Commissioner Dinuri researched co -dominant stems, included
bark and cabling and it is the same as Arborist Disco has stated. Commissioner Kearney moved to
deny the appeal for the removal of the Redwood tree at 315 Occidental Avenue because the tree has
co -dominant leaders, poor form and structure, is growing close to an existing structure and meets the
requirements for removal in Chapter 11.06 of the Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection Ordinance
of the Municipal Code. Motion passed 5-0.
2. Business Landscape and Residential Sustainable Landscape Award Draft Timeline and
Nomination Forms
Secretary Borba distributed a nomination form for the RSLA. Commissioner Kearney prepared a
timeline for the BLA and the RSLA. The Commission discussed the timeline and agreed to extend
the date to vote on the winners until the August 2nd meeting. The Commissioners also decided to
award both the awards at the same Council meeting in October.
3. Draft Letter from BBC to be included in Protect Tree Removal Permits
Commissioner Dinuri inquired if the letter would be on Parks and Recreation letter head. Director
Glomstad stated it can be. The Commissioners discussed the letter, made a few grammatical changes
and felt overall it was a strong letter.
4. Arbor Day — Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 10:30am at Pershing Park
Commissioner Hinckle and Dinuri will not be able to attend Arbor Day. Commissioners Kearney,
Hunt and Kirchner will be in attendance. Commissioner Kirchner will speak on behalf of the
Commission. The City will be planting 4 — 24" Box Acer Rubrum `Frank Jr.' trees. One of the trees
planted will be in honor of the Residential Sustainable Landscape Award winner for 2017 and two
trees will be planted in honor of the Green Business Award winners.
REPORTS
1. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist
Arborist Disco reported the City is in the middle of removing 5 Council approved Eucalyptus trees on
Burlingame Avenue and 4 Eucalyptus trees on Easton Drive. The contractor, Bay Area Tree
Specialist, is removing all but one of the trees that PG&E will remove due to it being attached to
wires.
El Camino Real at Highway Road there is a large dead Eucalyptus tree. The tree died from the
Eucalyptus Longhorn beetle. Arborist Disco showed the Commissioners a branch from the tree.
Arborist Disco also stated that he has been getting more requests for tree trimming for solar panels.
He has also received requests to remove private trees for solar panel installation. The City does not
have an ordinance or policy to address solar panels and Arborist Disco and Director Glomstad will be
looking into it further.
2. Director Glomstad
None
3. Commissioner Hunt
None
4. Commissioner Hinckle
Commissioner Hinckle expressed her appreciation for the City tree removal and replacement process.
5. Commissioner Kirchner
Commissioner Kirchner reported the El Camino Real Task force had its last meeting. The Committee
met once a month to formulate a policy to retain the ambience of El Camino and to enhance the
safety. The policy will be presented to Council.
6. Commissioner Kearney
None
7. Commissioner Dinuri
None
The next Beautification Commission meeting is March 1, 2018. There being no further business, the
meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gina Borba
Administrative Staff