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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2010.10.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 7, 2010 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Benson. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chairperson Benson, Lahey (arrived @ 6:05 pm), and McQuaide (left @ 6:45 pm) Absent: Commissioners Carney, Dittman, and Hunt Staff: Parks Supervisor Disco & Administrative Secretary Harvey Order ofAgenda was changed in order to maintain a quorum for the appeal. PUBLIC COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS Auueal of the Auuroval to Trim a Citv Owned Liquidambar Tree (a, 1820 Ashton Avenue in Order to Restore a Pre -Existing Bay View Q 1830 Castenada Drive Administrative Harvey noted for the record, that the appeal was submitted by the property owners at 1820 Ashton Avenue not 1826 Ashton Avenue as noted in the staff report. Parks Supervisor Disco reviewed with the Commission his staff report noting that the request from the property owner at 1830 Castenada Drive for permission to trim the City trees fronting 1820, 1821, 1825, and 1826 Ashton was approved because it met the criteria as stated in the Bay View Policy: 1) The owner had owned the property since 1996 and had purchased the property with a Bay View, 2) The trees had grown to a height that blocked the pre-existing view, and 3) Trimming to reduce the height of the trees would provide the desired effect without impacting the overall health and structure of the trees. Supervisor Disco noted that the property owner of 1820 Ashton Avenue appealed the decision and requested the City tree fronting their property not be trimmed/reduced because 1) the tree(s) had been "at its current maturity for decades" 2) that there were a line of pines that were removed on Millbrae property which also obstructed the view of the bay, and 3) that "it is unfair to possibly lessen the value and or beauty of four properties for the benefit of one property". Supervisor Disco stated the following options available to the Commission: 1) Deny the appeal and grant the homeowner at 1830 Castenada Drive permission to have all four liquidambar trees reduced to a predetermined height, at their expense, by the City's contracted tree pruning company or, 2) Uphold the appeal and deny the homeowner at 1830 Castenada Drive permission to trim the liquidambar tree at 1820 Ashton Avenue. Commissioner McQuaide asked Supervisor Disco if Liquidambars had a tendency to break at certain heights. Supervisor Disco stated not if the trees were properly maintained, and that reducing the crown would reduce such an occurrence. Commissioner Lahey asked if reducing the height would harm the trees and if the trees would keep growing. Supervisor Disco submitted pictures of the trees and showed where the height of the trees would be reduced to, stating no harm would come to the trees and that the Liquidambar trees would continue to grow to heights of approximately 50-60 feet. Commissioner Carney noted that the tree at 1825 Ashton Avenue looked taller and thinner and if instead of topping, it could be trimmed to open up the bay view. Supervisor Disco responded that thinning the tree at 1820 Ashton would be a possibility but that, "topping" would not be an acceptable pruning technique; that "crown reduction" is the proposed technique to be used. Commissioner Benson confirmed that the "central leader" would not be cut and asked if many Liquidambar trees in the City needed to be removed because they had died. Supervisor Disco responded "no" that decline of Liquidambar trees and removals were due to excessive root pruning and/or structural hazards. NEW BUSINESS - Appeal of the Approval to Trim a City Owned Liguidambar Tree 64 1820 Ashton Avenue in Order to Restore a Pre -Existing Bav View Q) 1830 Castenada Drive — (Contd.) Following the Commissions review of the staff report, Vice Chairperson Benson opened the meeting to the floor. Man Na Hui of 1830 Castenada Drive (applicant) spoke and introduced Jian Zhang who had agreed to translate for Ms. Hui. Ms. Hui explained that when she moved into her home, the tree(s) was not that tall. She stated that she had only recently found out that a policy was in place to help her regain her bay view. She concluded that she hoped the Commission would allow her to trim the tree at 1820 Ashton Avenue. Commissioner McQuaide asked if, at the time she bought her home, did she know the tree would grow and block her bay view and, what she would do if it were a private tree and there had been no "policy" in place. Ms. Hui responded she thought the tree would grow "laterally" and that if it had been a private tree and there had been no "policy" in place, she would talk to the neighbor about trimming the tree. Vice Chairperson Benson noted that staff had approved the trimming of all 4 trees but asked Ms. Hui if she felt trimming only 3 trees would be enough to regain most of the bay view. Ms. Hui responded that she would prefer permission to tree all 4 trees and would like the property owner to understand the kind of trimming that would be done, stating she does not know if the property owner really understands. There being no further comments, Vice Chairperson Benson closed the comments from the floor. Commissioner Lahey noted that some of the trees tops do look "scraggly" and that trimming might help to even out the look. Vice Chairperson Benson stated she would not be in favor of reducing the tree at 1820 Ashton Avenue because 1) this particular tree is denser and shorter than the other trees 2) this one tree is situated to the very right of the bay view and does not significantly impact the bay view and, 3) in the spirit of "neighborliness and keeping harmony" this tree should not be approved for trimming. Following the discussion, Commissioner McQuaide moved that the appeal of the property owner at 1820 Ashton Avenue be upheld because the trimming/reducing of the 3 other trees at 1821, 1825, and 1826 Ashton Avenue would substantially regain the bay view for the property owner at 1830 Castenada Drive; seconded (Benson). Motion carried 4 — 0 — 3 (absent/Dittman, Hunt, and Wright). The Commission thanked the applicant. Administrative Secretary Harvey advised of appeal procedures and that the applicant/appellant and all the other property owners would be notified in the mail of the Commission's decision. MINUTES — Minutes were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Commissioner Carney informing that she would not be reapplying to serve an additional term on the Beautification Commission. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award 2010 — Committee Update Commissioner McQuaide reported that the presentation went well and serves as good publicity adding that now a business on Howard Avenue, a business on Broadway, and a business on Rollins Road had received recognition for excellence in landscaping. She commented that the new art rendering of the business by artist Dale Perkins had been hung in the Main library and the other rendering would be hung in the City Hall lobby. kEPORTS — Staff 1) Bids were received for the 2010-2011 Tree Pruning Contract. The apparent low bidder was West Coast Arborist for trimming of Eucalyptus trees at Bayside Park and on the \.. north side of Oak Grove Avenue. Vice Chairperson Benson — Vice Chairperson Benson reported she continues to water and clean up the Burlingame Avenue planters and that, she would soon be planting Poppy seeds in the planters. Commissioner Carney Commissioner Carney reported that a chain is still hanging on the City tree on the 700 block of Winchester Drive. Supervisor Disco stated he would further investigate. There being no finther business, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene arvey Recording Secretary