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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2011.09.01OR BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION September 1, 2011 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm. by Chairperson McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson McQuaide, Dittman, Lahey, and Hunt > and k I e- Absent: Commissioners Carney, and Wright StaMSupervisor Disco and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guest: Denise and Charles Rundle (1534 Albemarle Way); Miriam Finder (Burlingame Patch) MINUTES Minutes of the August 4, 2011 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE • Correspondence and documents related to the Recommendation for Removal of a City -owned Eucalyptus tree on El Camino Real Behind 1534-A Albemarle Way PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. With permission from the Commission, Chairperson McQuaide changed the order of business to accommodate those in attendance for the public hearing regarding request for tree removal behind 1534 Albemarle Way. NEW BUSINESS — Public Hearine Recommendation for Removal of a City -Owned Eucalyptus Tree on El Camino Real Behind 1534-A Albemarle Way (located behind 1536 Albemarle Way) Supervisor Disco submitted pictures of the damage caused by the city owned Eucalyptus tree on El Camino noting that this issue was brought to the attention of Parks staff by the property owner. Referring to his staff report, dated September 1, 2011, Supervisor Disco noted that 1) The city -owned Eucalyptus tree is located between the path adjacent to El Camino Real and the back fence of 1534 Albemarle Way 2) The tree is 90' tall with a 61" diameter trunk 3) The root flare of the tree is growing under the foundation and damage has occurred to the eaves of the roof. Supervisor Disco stated that based on his findings and confirmation from an independent arborist report he is recommending removal of the tree at City expense because: Trimming the roots would compromise the stability of the tree and as stated in the Burlingame Municipal Code Chapter 11.06: "removal of public or private protected tree(s) shall be determined by (1) The condition of the trees) with respect to ... proximity to existing... structures ... (2) The necessity to remove the tree(s) in order to construct any proposed improvements to allow economic enjoyment of the property and,... (3) The economic consequences and obligations of requiring a tree to remain. " Commissioner Lahey asked if a replacement tree would be planted. Supervisor Disco noted that the 9 to 11 Elm trees that were planted as part of the grant tree planting last spring, were planted near or close to where this tree is coming out, so there would be no other trees planted. Commissioner Dittman asked about removing the roots near the structure. Supervisor Disco stated that the tree will be removed to ground level and that any roots on the property owners side can be removed or cut as part of the repair to the foundation or structure. Chairperson McQuaide asked if the structure so close to the property lines was a legal unit. Supervisor Disco stated according to the records the structure became a legal unit in 1954. Commissioner Hunt asked who would be responsible for the repairs to the foundation and structure. Supervisor Disco stated that any claims would be referred to the City Attorney's office. There being no further questions of staff, Chairperson McQuaide opened the public hearing to the floor. NEW BUSINESS — Public Hearing — (Contd.) Recommendation for Removal of a City -Owned Eucalyptus Tree on El Camino Real Behind 1534-A -� Albemarle Way (located behind 1536 Albemarle Way) Denise Rundle stated she is the daughter of Elio and Dino Bernardini and would be representing her 91 year old parents who are owners of the property. Ms. Rundle stated that her parents have owned the property for 25 years and have dealt with past problems with drainage from the tree, by rerouting the drainage, to work around the tree. She added that the damage has rendered the rental uninhabitable and dangerous, and it would be helpful if the tree were removed so they could make necessary repair to the damaged foundation and wall. Commissioner Hinckle asked Ms. Rundle why this was not addressed earlier before so much damage had occurred. Ms. Rundle replied that the tenant who had lived in the unit for 5 years only reported the damage as he was moving out, stating that there was a bump in the wall he had not noticed until he removed his book shelf. Chairperson McQuaide asked if there would be anything creative that could be done to build around the tree or could the foundation be raised so the roots could go underneath the structure. Supervisor Disco stated that any construction around or that close to the roots could lead to consequences later on and pose a high potential of risk because of the size of the 90' tree. Ms. Rundle responded that the additional cost to rebuild around the tree would be astronomical and that she would not want the roots removed and the tree compromised. There being no further comments during the public hearing, Chairperson McQuaide closed the public hearing. Chairperson McQuaide stated the tree is healthy and Burlingame is the City of Trees and even though there is definite structural damage this is a difficult decision. Commissioner Lahey stated that unfortunately this large tree is in the wrong spot and causing damage to a structure, not just damage to a sidewalk or a street. She asked if a replacement tree would be required. Supervisor Disco ..� stated that since this is a City tree, and Elms have been planted in the same general area, a replacement tree would not be planted. Commissioner Hinckle stated that this tree is the biggest Eucalyptus tree in that area and is healthy, but it is causing signification damage to a structure. Commissioner Hinckle then moved to approve the recommendation for removal of the tree based on Supervisor Disco's findings that the 1) tree is damaging the foundation, the wall and the eave to the roof, 2) the tree's buttress root is impeding on the foundation and pruning or cutting the roots would compromise the stability of the tree; seconded, Hunt Motion carried 5 — 0 — 2 Absent (Carney and Wright). OLD BUSINESS 2011 Landscape Award Update Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that she had been in contact with artist, Dale Perkins; he is nearing completion of the rendering, and that John McQuaide had submitted photos of the Il Fornaio Restaurant for publicity on the E-News and would also take pictures during the Council presentation on September 19''. Secretary Harvey added that Karen Dittman, as Chair of the Landscape Award Committee, would be making the presentation at the City Council meeting on September 19'h. REPORTS — Staff Parks Supervisor Disco 1) Commissioner Lahey has indicated she would not reapply to serve on the Commission due to time restraints and Commissioner Carney graciously agreed to serve this past year because there were no other applications received to fill the position. Both terms will expire on October 7th. We are thankful for their years of service on the Commission and both Susie and Jeanne will be missed. 2) At the upcoming City Council meeting on September 6f', the Council would be considering a resolution to reduce the number of Beautification Commissioners to 5, versus 7, due to past difficulty of recruitment to this commission and other commissions are able to function with 5 members without difficulty. 2 REPORTS — Staff — (Contd.) Parks Supervisor Disco 3) Trees have been planted at the Safeway project; Red Maples on Howard Avenue and Trident Maples on Primrose Road side. Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman asked if the tree at 1800 Easton Drive had been planted. Supervisor Disco responded that the replacement tree had not yet been planted. Commissioner Dittman then asked for an update on the progress of the Community Garden. Chairperson McQuaide Chairperson McQuaide stated that another location for the garden, though smaller, is under currently under consideration and is located behind the Doubletree Hotel, adjacent to the entrance to the Golf Center. She added this site would only support 25 small garden plots. Commissioner Lahev Commissioner Lahey stated that she is torn, that is was a difficult decision not to reapply to the Commission as it serves a very important function in the City that has made great strides in the last few years, notably, resurrecting the business landscape award and developing a new street tree list that has larger canopied trees. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, 9Cwr&W .pia we* Recording Secretary