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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2010.12.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION December 2, 2010 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson McQuaide, Benson, Carney, Dittman, Hunt, and Wright Absent: Commissioner Lahey Staff: Supervisor Disco, Administrative Secretary Harvey, Office Assistant Borba Guests: William Farac (Burlingame resident) and Katie Treu (Burlingame resident) MINUTES Minutes of the November 4, 2010 meeting were approved as submitted. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. Order of agenda was changed to accommodate those in attendance for the public hearing regarding request for tree removal at 732 Neuchatel Avenue. NEW BUSINESS Request for Removal of City Owned Sycamore Tree 6732 Neuchatel Avenue Supervisor Disco reviewed the Staff Report with the Commission the request for removal of a large, healthy City - owned Sycamore tree in the 2' wide planter strip stating he is recommending removal based on the following reasons: ■ The mature tree has outgrown the small planting area and is growing over the curb and sidewalk. • Sidewalk repair/replacement has been required several times at the cost of the homeowner. • Root pruning is not an option because roots would need to be severed at root buttress. ■ Ongoing future cost to homeowner is an unreasonable financial burden. • The large tree is growing in a small 2' wide planter strip which is an inappropriate size for this tree. Supervisor Disco further explained that the sidewalk was partially meandered during a previous sidewalk repair project but that removal of the sidewalk portion that sits under the root buttress in order to create a larger planting area could cause instability of the tree. He continued that removal of this tree would not set precedent because Neuchatel Avenue is unique, having a very narrow 2' planter strip, and is well forested with smaller stature trees. He concluded his comments that the property owner has agreed to pay for the planting of 2 — 15 gallon sized trees from the appropriate Street Tree list. The Commission asked Supervisor Disco for further clarification on the replacement tree specie and size selection, past sidewalk repair, enlarging planter strip and potential stability issues. Chairperson McQuaide then opened the hearing to the floor. William Farac, 732 Neuchatel Avenue, spoke stating when he first moved in 4 years ago he repaired the sidewalk at the cost of $1000, that the sidewalk is lifting and cracking again, that it is the only large tree on this very narrow street and a small 2' planter strip, and presents a tripping hazard to children and senior citizens. He added that if approved, he would pay for the planting of 2 purple leaf plums to match other trees in the neighborhood. Katie Treu, 745 Neuchatel Avenue, stated she is favor of removal of this tree and the planting of 2 purple leaf plums because the trunks stay small and would prevent uprising of the sidewalk. NEW BUSINESS - Request for Removal of City Owned Sycamore Tree (4),732 Neuchatel Avenue (Contd.) Chairperson McQuaide asked Supervisor Disco about setting precedent and the longevity of purple leaf plums. Supervisor Disco clarified that this situation is unique because this very large tree is growing in a uniquely small 2' planter strip and there are none other on the block. Chairperson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Benson stated that the property owner has spent enough time and money trying to work around the tree, that he has agreed to pay for 2 trees to be planted, and that this tree should be approved for removal. Chairperson McQuaide was concerned about setting precedent by approving removal of this tall, healthy tree. Commissioner Carney stated that the Commission also needs to think about where trees are planted. Commissioner Benson added that there are times when the Commission needs to correct a problem. Following the Commissions discussion regarding alternative options to removal, Commissioner Benson moved that because this is a unique situation, and based on the stated findings, removal of the Sycamore as recommended by the Arborist, Parks .Supervisor Disco, be upheld with the condition that 2 —1 S gallon size trees be planted at the cost of the property owner; seconded, Wright. Motion carried 4 — 2 — I/absent, Lahey. Administrative Secretary Harvey thanked the applicants and informed them that they would be notified by mail of the Commission's decision. OLD BUSINESS Landscaae Award 2011— Consideration of Presentation of Two Separate Awards Chairperson McQuaide stated this item was placed on the agenda for discussion because it had been mentioned that an award should be presented to a small business and a large business. Commissioner Hunt stated that it would be fair to have 2 separate awards because small businesses could not compete with a larger business. The Commission discussed the pros and the cons of giving out 2 separate awards each year. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Carney moved that the Commission continue presenting only one award each year because small and large businesses have the same opportunity; seconded, Benson. Motion carried 4 — 2 —1 (absen tlLah ey). NEW BUSINESS Bid/Merchants Potted Planters on Broadway — (Update from Commissioner Wrijzht) Commissioner Wright reported that she spoke with BID President, Ross Bruce regarding the merchant pots on Broadway who provided her the following information: 1) New retrofitted irrigation to secure the pots is under consideration so that irrigation breakage doesn't keep occurring when the pots are bumped; responsibility for cost of new replacement equipment has yet to be determined. 2) BID contracts with Community GatePath to do some planting and some cleaning based on a retroactive schedule; monies are then collected from the merchants to pay Community GatePath. Commissioner Wright noted that Ross Bruce told her the BID collects $25,000/year from the merchants but those monies only pay for bulbs and lights in the trees, the shuttle, and underwriting the pet parade. Commissioner Benson stated that Community GatePath was hired to plant, but has not been maintained the pots so Ross Bruce asked her to put faux poinsettias in the pots. NEW BUSINESS - Bid/Merchants Potted Planters on Broadway — (Update from Commissioner Wright) — Contd. Supervisor Disco stated that the "pots" are the merchant's responsibility; city crews maintain the irrigation but the irrigation keeps breaking as pots are moved or bumped. Flexible tubing could be installed by the City Parks Division, and the holes could be drilled by the Public Works Department, but someone would need to be responsible for cost of the equipment. Commissioner Dittman responded that the BID should evaluate with Community GatePath the maintenance issues with the pots. Commissioner Carney agreed, but stated that the Commission has no real authority to tell the BID what to do. REPORTS — Staff 1) Landscaping of the medians on El Camino Real in front of Peninsula Hospital and just north would be part of the hospital project; Supervisor Disco will be asking for a proposal to include the medians as far north as Murchison Drive. 2) A successful volunteer project has been completed at the corner of Burlingame Avenue and El Camino. The planting of colorful flowers in the garden fronting the sign was planted by volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church in Burlingame. 3) Tree Crew has completed the tree decorations for the Holiday Tree Lighting event on Friday, December 3'd and has also completed the hanging of the Peace banners for the Downtown Business District on Burlingame Avenue. 4) Park Staff removed shrubs in the parking lot behind the new farmers market on Broadway, new plants and irrigation will be added soon. 5) Grid tree pruning continues from Sanchez Avenue to Adeline Drive and El Camino and Vancouver Avenue. 6) Grid pruning on the Broadway business district trees will begin in January after the holidays. 7) Thanked Commissioners Benson and Carney for all their good work serving on the Commission; that they would be missed. Chairperson McOuaide Chairperson McQuaide asked that the Commission watch for and respond to the "survey monkey" regarding the community's interest and feed back for having a Community Garden in Burlingame. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported that at the request of building owner Steven Karp, she trimmed and renovated the large aggregate planter fronting Sephora's on Burlingame Avenue. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kcu-lev &Hct"ey Recording Secretary