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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2014.02.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION February 6, 2014 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairperson Hinckle. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hinckle, Commissioners Hunt, Dittman, McQuaide and Kirchner. Staff: Park & Rec Director Glomstad, Parks Supervisor/Arborist Disco and Parks Secretary Borba. MINUTES - Minutes of the December 5, 2013 meeting were approved. CORRESPONDENCE Arbor Day is Friday, March 7, 2014 at 10:30am at Bayside Fields Community Garden. PUBLIC COMMENT None OLD BUSINESS 1. 2014 Business Landscape Award Timeline Commissioner Kirchner updated the timeline. The deadline for Commissioner's and public nominations is May 1, 2014. Commissioners McQuaide and Hunt are the chairs this year. The nomination form is posted in the Recreation Brochure, Chamber of Commerce newsletter and Burlingame a -news. 2. Commission Procedures Commission had no more comments or questions about the process. 3. Adopt -A -Tree Program Director Glomstad updated the Commission on the Adopt -A -Tree program. The City along with the CEC (Citizens Environmental Council) is planning on rolling out the Adopt -A -Tree program at Arbor Day on March 7t1i. Volunteers can adopt a newly planted tree and water it with 5 gallons of water once a week for 2 years. Commissioner Hunt moved to go forward with the Adopt -A -Tree Program as outline by Director Glomstad. Commissioner McQuaide seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed, motion passed 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1. Appeal at 1321 Paloma Avenue, Removal of Five Redwoods Denied Arborist Disco read the staff report. The Commissioners inquired about the age of the trees and root pruning possibilities. Public Comment — None Appellant Patrick Gilson was ill and sent his Father Bob Gilson to represent him. Mr. Gilson presented the Commissioners with a letter from the neighbor at 1325 Paloma Ave. Mr. Gilson stated that the Redwoods were planted 11 years ago by the previous owner. The Appellant purchased the house 6 months ago and in the last 4 weeks the trees have caused the door not to be able to open. He also stated that the left side tree is impeding on the driveway and the Redwoods are only 5ft away from the city sewer easement. The trees are cracking the foundation of the house on the left side and the resident on the right is the one who wrote the letter. The Appellant is not opposed to planting new trees, but these Redwoods are causing a lot of damage. Commissioner McQuaide asked if things can change within the time Mr. Gilson had purchased the property and now and wouldn't there be some indication that there was a problem prior to purchasing the property? Commissioner Kirchner noted that Mr. Gilson adored the ten trees in an email to Arborist Disco and now he wants them all removed. He asked if there was a property inspection before he purchased the property. Arborist Disco reported that initially Mr. Gilson was going to do a remodel but now he is doing a tear down of the existing house structure. Commissioner Hinckle suggested that we postpone the appeal until next month when the appellant Patrick Gilson could attend and answer all the questions the Commissioners have. Commissioner Dittman felt that the Appellant's father represented him fairly well and she had 1 enough information to make a decision. Commissioner Dittman suggested the new construction can be built around the trees. Commissioner Kirchner suggested that they look at each tree individually. Commissioner McQuaide moved to deny the removal Redwood tree #2, 3, and 4 on the property because they are in good health and there is no impact on existing garage or future structures. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dittman and all were in favor; none opposed, motion passed (5-0). Commissioner Kirchner moved to deny the removal of Redwood #7 since the tree is still healthy and does not meet the requirements for the Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection Ordinance for removal. Commissioner McQuaide seconded the motion and all were in favor; none opposed, motion passed (5-0). Commissioner Dittman moved to deny the removal of Redwood #9 as any potential damage to the neighbor's driveway has already been mitigated and the tree is in good health. Commissioner McQuaide seconded the motion and all were in favor; none opposed, motion passed (5-0). 2. Discussion of Commission's Emphasis Commissioner McQuaide voiced her concern regarding the direction that the Beautification Commission was taking. She stated that in the past there were more appeals, they worked on the view policy and worked with Caltrans regarding Easton Drive. Now there are not as many appeals but they are more involved with the Business Landscape award. Looking into adding Public Art dilutes the emphasis which should be on trees. The Commission should represent the community for the preservation of the trees to protect the value for the Homeowner. 3. Floribunda/El Camino Real Potential Eucalyptus Removal Chair Hinckle read the response to the letter that was sent to Caltrans by the Beautification Commission. 4. Arbor Day Arbor Day invitations were sent out to the Council, Beautification and Park & Recreation Commissions, CalFire, Burlingame Schools and City staff. The Burlingame School District has an in service day and will not be able to participate in the Arbor Day Celebration this year. REPORTS 1. Parks Supervisor/City Arborist Disco City contracted Bay Area Tree Specialists has completed trimming the Eucalyptus trees on Burlingame Avenue and will now move to the Eucalyptus Skyline Boulevard. The Tree Crew has completed the January planting of 74 new trees. The Fuel Reduction Program is completed for the year with CalFire crews removing weeds and brush in Mills Canyon and Sanchez Creek. 2. Commissioner Hinckle None 3. Commissioner Kirchner Made an observation that there are 3 open seats on the Planning Commission 4. Commissioner McQuaide None 5. Commissioner Hunt None 6. Commissioner Dittman Comment on an article stating the Eucalyptus trees are an invasive species belonging here as part of our landscape. The next Beautification Commission meeting is March 6, 2014. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18pm. Respectfully submitted, gittac Xamt6a Gina Borba Recording Secretary