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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2012.02.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION February 2, 2012 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm. by Chairperson Hunt. Chairperson Hunt introduced the new Parks & Recreation Director, Margaret Glomstad. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hunt, Commissioners Dittman and Hinkle Absent: Commissioner McQuaide Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Supervisor/Arborist Disco, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Richard Kirchner, Kristine Cannon, and Ernie Peterson MINUTES Minutes of the December 1, 2011 meeting were approved as corrected under "Reports" to read: Chairperson Hunt Chairperson Hunt and Commissioner Dittman both reported that complaints had been received regarding ivy growing up the trunks of some City trees. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that ivy is routinely cleared from upper trunks and canopy during routine grid pruning every 4-5 years. Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman reported that private trees approved for removal at 2200 Poppy Drive were removed prior to the effective date of the permit, that property owners need to be better educated about the permit process and timing. Commissioner Dittman asked when the street tree would be planted on the 1800 block of Easton Drive and asked if a permit had been granted for private tree removal on Cabrillo Avenue. Park Supervisor Disco responded that a City tree would be planted at 1815 Easton Drive within the next month, and that there had been no permit issued for protected sized tree removals) at 1272 Cabrillo Avenue; but that, the property owners had .since been notified with regard to the required permit application and process, the fee, and the tree replacement requirements for illegal removals. CORRESPONDENCE Staff Report from Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco, letter from appellant Mr. and Mrs. F. Realyvasquez of 1411 Vancouver Avenue, and related documentation regarding the appeal of the approved removal of a Black Acacia in the rear easement behind 1408 Desoto Avenue. PUBLIC COMMENT Kris Cannon, 1304 Bernal Avenue, introduced her husband Jim, and thanked the staff and commission for placing the removal of 5 Magnolia trees at 1900 Broadway on the agenda. She asked that the item be moved to the beginning of the agenda because she would need to leave by 7:30 pm. It was a consensus of the Commission that the agenda item be moved to accommodate Ms. Cannon. NEW BUSINESS Removal & Replacement of City -Owned Magnolia Trees on Broadway Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco stated that an established process (found in the Urban Forest Management Plan and based on the Street Tree Ordinance) is used when City trees are involved during substantial remodels and when sidewalk and curb replacement are required by the Public Works Department. The City Magnolia trees fronting 1900 Broadway would have required root pruning on both sides, were under primary wires, had deadwood, and showed signs of decay. It was determined that removal and replacement to be the best course of action and that, replacement with 5 — 24" box size trees be required by the property owner. To date, 5 — 24" box size Gingko trees have been planted. Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco concluded his comments by reviewing the Staff Report, including documents and information used for building projects involving substantial remodels which require sidewalk removal and replacement. Items provided for review were: Planning Staff Project Comments form, Public Works Planning Review Comments form, City Arborist Tree Evaluation form, the Criteria for City Street Tree Removal form, related excerpts from the Urban Forest Management Plan, and the Street Tree Ordinance. NEW BUSINESS - Removal & Replacement of City -Owned Magnolia Trees on Broadway (Contd.l Chairperson Hunt then opened the hearing to the public. Kris Cannon, 1304 Bernal, stated that she respects the City ordinances but wanted to express her concern about the removal of these Magnolia trees because this had been the third time in the last year that a developer had been allowed to remove trees. She continued that tree removals for building projects should not be handled in this way, and that developers just want the trees down. Ms. Cannon then demonstrated with ribbon the trunk size of the mature Magnolias that were removed, compared to the size of the 24" box size replacement trees. She stated Commissions and staff need to remember that Burlingame is the "City of Trees" and trees need to be maintained, not cut down. If sidewalk replacement is required, put in "curvitures" to enlarge the planting area and perhaps require a second opinion before allowing tree removals, that it seems developers are able to do whatever they wish, and that, the City of Burlingame is losing more and more mature trees when properties are redeveloped - Ms. Cannon concluded that she really cares about the City of Burlingame and the status of the City's trees. She looks to the City leaders to protect the trees, adding she only came to the Beautification Commission because she did not know where else to address her concerns, or what else she might be able to do. There being no further comments from the floor, Chairperson Hunt closed the public hearing. Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco thanked Ms. Cannon for her comments and stated he understood her concern. He clarified that preservation and protection of City and private trees are a primary consideration with regard to building projects or developments, but that, a trees health, structure, and location on the property also must be a consideration when properties are being developed. He concluded that whenever possible, redesign of building plans and/or curving sidewalks, are required to preserve trees. Administrative Secretary Harvey stated to Ms. Cannon that her comments and concerns would appear in the Beautification Commission meeting minutes, but she could consider expressing her concerns and suggestions in the form of a letter to the Planning Commission and/or the City Council. Chairperson Hunt then returned the meeting to the order of the agenda. OLD BUSINESS 33'd Annual Arbor Day Celebration — Wednesday, March 7, 2012 (a),10:00 am Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco reported that the Arbor Day ceremony will be held at Cuernavaca Park and that 4 Crape Myrtle trees would be planted near the ball field. Administrative Secretary Harvey added that schools, Council, and the public would be invited to participate in the event. 2012 Landscape Award Commissioners Hinckle and Dittman are serving as this year's Business Landscape Award Committee. Commissioners divided up the following sections for distribution of the nomination forms to the businesses: Commissioner Quaide/Broadway; Commissioner Hunt/side streets off Burlingame Avenue; Commissioner Dittman/both sides of Burlingame Avenue; Commissioner Hinckle/eastside of the freeway. Appeal Regarding the Approved Removal of One Black Acacia Tree (In the Easement Behind)1408 De Soto Avenue Parks Supervisor/Arborist Disco noted that due to an unexpected absence of Commissioner McQuaide, and the need for Chairperson Hunt to recues from hearing this item, the item would be tabled and placed on the March 1, 2012 agenda. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that both the applicant and the appellant were notified of this change prior to the meeting, and they, and all adjacent property owners would be notified in writing of this change. 2 REPORTS — Staff 1) Several illegal private tree removals have occurred over the last several months; most of which have included fines and all requiring replacement trees. 2) Removal of large Eucalyptus tree behind 1534/1536 Albemarle Way has been completed. 3) The tree crew is continuing the Sycamore pruning and will be planting 51 trees during the January/February street tree planting. 4) Bobbie Benson conducted two Rose pruning workshops; one at the Park Road Rose Garden and the other, at the Washington Park Rose Garden. 5) Application deadline to apply for Beautification Commission deadline is February I Oh. To date there have been no applications received in the City Managers office. Encourage friends and neighbors to apply! 6) Burlingame Streetscape Workshop No. 3 has been postponed and will be rescheduled. 7) At the January 16, 2012 Council meeting, Mayor Deal suggested changing the name of the "Beautification Commission" to more accurately reflect the scope of the commission. Because the discussion led to a "modifying" the scope of the Commission, the Council agreed to agendize this item for a future meeting. The Commission will be notified of when this item is placed on the Council agenda. 8) Annual Commissioners Dinner will be Friday, March 9, 2012 at the Hilton San Francisco Airport Hotel; RSVP to the City Manager's office by March 5ffi. Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman asked if the City tree had been planted on the 1800 block of Easton Drive. Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco confirmed that the tree was in January. Commissioner Dittman asked how long before tree replacement requirements must be met on projects. Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco stated that for private tree removals, the property owner has 6 months to comply with replacement requirements and can receive one 6 month extension if necessary; for building projects, replacement or required tree plantings are required at the time the project is "finaled". Commissioner Hinkle Commissioner Hinckle asked if tree companies know of the tree ordinances in the City. Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco stated that most reputable companies are aware of the ordinances, that usually when illegal removals occur, it is a new property owner that has hired the work to be done by a gardener or by an outside tree company. Commissioner Dittman commented that, in the past, the Commission provided information regarding the City's tree policies to realtors and the public and asked that the Commission consider doing this again. After a brief discussion, the Commission agreed that this item be placed on the March I" agenda. The Commission welcomed and thanked Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad for attending the Commission meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Recording Secretary