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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2010.10.07AGENDA B URLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 7, 2010 @ 6: 00 PM CITY HALL 501 PRIMROSE ROAD — Conference Room A . Burlingame, CA I. ROLL CALL H. MINUTES III. CORRESPONDENCE IV. FROM THE FLOOR (At this time, persons in the audience may speak on any item on the agenda or any other matter. The Ralph M. Brown Act prohibits the Commission from acting on a matter which is not on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.) V. OLD BUSINESS 1. 2011 Landscape Award Committee Appointment �-- VI. NEW BUSINESS 1. Appeal of the Approval to Trim a City Owned Liquidambar Tree @ 1826 Ashton Avenue In Order To Restore a Pre -Existing Bay View @ 1830 Castenada Drive VII. REPORTS 1. Staff 2. Chairperson 3. Commissioners VIH. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, November 4, 2010 - City Hall NOTICE: Any attendees wishing accommodations for disabilities should contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. at (650) 558-7323 at least 24 hours before the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is available for review at the Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue, during normal office hours. The agendas and minutes are also available on the City's website: www.burlin ag me.org. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Beautification Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at 850 Burlingame Ave during normal business hours. CITY OF BURLINGAME BURUNGAME PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT 850 Burlingame Avenue Burlingame, California 94010 Telephone: (650) 558-7300 • Parks/Trees (650) 558-7330 Fax: (650) 696-7216 - Email: recreation@burlingame.org October 15, 2010 Manna Hui 1830 Castenada Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 RE: APPEAL OF THE APPROVAL TO TRIM THE CITY -OWNED LIQUIDAMBER TREE @ 1820 ASHTON AVENUE - BURLINGAME At its meeting of October 7, 2010, the Beautification Commission voted 4 - 0 - 3 (absent) to uphold the appeal and deny the trimming of the City -owned Liquidambar tree at the above address. The decision was based on the following facts: 1) the tree in question is situated on the far right of the Bay View and, 2) because the other 3 Liquidamber trees would be trimmed, the pre-existing Bay View would be substantially regained for the uphill property owner. Anyone may appeal the Commission's decision to the City Council in writing by November 8, 2010. Such letters of appeal must be accompanied with a $255 fee (made payable to the City of Burlingame) and delivered to the Parks & Recreation Department, 850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, CA, 94010. If there are no appeals by November 8, 2010, our office will make arrangements for you to obtain a no fee permit to have the City contractor trim the other 3 trees as per agreement. Please contact the Parks Divison at (650) 558-7330, if you have any questions regarding this matter. Sin erely, , -Oat-0 Bob Disco Parks Supervisor bd/kh CC: Burlingame Beautification Commission Jim Skeels, Parks & Recreation Director Gregory & Janet Cacharelis 1820 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Jeannie Kuo 1825 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Amervi & Ted Pascual 1821 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Walter & Jane Hsu 1826 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 a ., CITY STAFF REPORT �iRLINGAME Am �r JIIK � To: Beautification Commission DATE: October 7, 2010 FROM: Bob Disco, Park Supervisor sui3jEcr: APPEAL OF THE REQUEST TO TRIM THE CITY OWNED LIQUIDAMBAR TREE nu,182CASHTONAVE. FOR PRE-EXISTING BAY VIEW(a--) 1830 CASTENADA DR. BACKGROUND: The homeowners at 1830 Castenada Drive have requested that the four City owned liquidambars on Ashton Ave. be reduced and trimmed in order to regain their bay view. The four trees are growing in front of 1820, 1821, 1825, 182(o Ashton. Based on information and the criteria of the Bay View Policy, I approved the request to have the trees reduced, at their cost by a licensed, certified tree company, to a height that would provide the desired effect without impacting the overall health and structure of the tree. The homeowners at each address above were notified by mail on August 11, 2010 and given 15 business days to appeal the decision to have the trees reduced. The City received one letter from the property owner at 1820 Ashton Ave. appealing the approval to reduce the tree in order to regain the pre-existing bay view. The letter states that the tree at 1820 Ashton has been "at its current maturity for decades" it also questions the height of the trees at the time 1830 Castenada was purchased, and that there were a line of pines that were removed which also obstructed the view of the bay. The letter also states that "it is unfair to possibly lessen the value and or beauty of four property owners for the benefit of one property owner". The property owners at 1820 Ashton Ave. have owned the home since 1996. It must be assumed that this healthy tree has continued to grow and mature over the past 14 years. No picture of the view was obtained from the time the home was purchased. RECOMMENDATION: Options that are available to the Commission of which either can be appealed to the City Council are: Deny the appeal and grant the homeowner at 1830 Castenada Dr. permission to have all four liquidambar trees reduced to a predetermined height, at their expense, by the City's contracted tree pruning company. 2. Uphold the appeal and deny the homeowner at 1830 Castenada Dr. permission to trim the liquidambar tree at 1820 Ashton Ave. 10"N ",*N 4CITY OF BURLINGAME PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT GAME 850 Burlingame Avenue Burlingame, California 94010 Telephone: (650) 558-7300 - Parks/Trees (650) 558-7330 Fax: (650) 696-7216 - Email: recreation@burlingame.org September 10, 2010 Manna Hui 1830 Castenada Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 RE. APPEAL OF THE REQUEST TO TRIM THE CITY OWNED LIQUIDAMBAR TREE @ 1820 ASHTON AVENUE FOR PRE-EXISTING BAY VIEW @ 1830 CASTENADA DR - B URLING"E We are in receipt of a letter from the property owner at 1820 Ashton. Avenue appealing the approval to reduce the crown of the City owned tree in order to regain the pre-existing view from your home. The appeal with all the related documentation will be forwarded to the Burlingame Beautification Commission and a hearing will be scheduled for the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 7, 2010. The Commission meets at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, (Conference Room A) should you wish to attend and address the Commission regarding this matter. All property owners previously notified of the proposed work on the City trees are also being sent copies of this letter and the related documentation, so they may attend the Commission meeting and make any comments if they wish to do so. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (650) 558-7330. Sincerely, Ge Bob Disco Parks Supervisor CC: Burlingame Beautification Commission Jim Skeels, Parks & Recreation Director Gregory & Janet Cacharelis Amervi & Ted Pascual 1820 Ashton Avenue 1821 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010 Jeannie Kuo 1825 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Walter & Jane Hsu 1826 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Mr. Disco, 8-29-2010 I am opposed to any trimming of my Liquidamber tree at 1820 Ashton Ave as to facilitate an unobstructive view for the occupants at 1830 Castenada Dr. Please use my letter I wrote previously in regards to the same actions requested by the residents at 1826 Castenada Dr. A request that was ultimately denied. Please apply the same arguements I made in the original letter, a copy of which I have provided in this correspondence. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Greg Cacharelis Dear Mr. Disco, In regards to the letter dated April 19, 2010 concerning the topping of city owned Liquidamber trees growing on four separate properties at 1820,1821,1825 and 1826 Ashton Ave, I Greg Cacharelis residing at 1820 Ashton Ave vehemently oppose such action. The trees on my property has been at its current maturity for decades. The view at 1826 Castenada Dr. has not changed in that time. The current owners have never had an unobstructed view. I'm sure if the current owners looked to the north or south they still would have a commanding view of the bay. The house at 1826 Castenada Dr. sits mainly south of all four properties and from my perspective their view is unobstructed directly from their large window to the south. I have no idea how long they have owned their home but I would hazard to guess the current height of the trees was present when they purchased their home. Of further note, there was a line of pine trees that ran the length of my property and that of 1826 Ashton Ave. These pines were every bit as tall as the single Liquidamber on my property. Recently theses trees were removed by the owner who resides in Millbrae. The property on Castenada again never had an unobstructed view of the bay until recently. It is unfair to possibly lessen the value and or beauty of four property owners for the benefit of one property owner. The facts are that the owner at 1826 Castenada Dr. still has a bay view although apparently not to their satisfaction. I am not so sure their motives aren't financial in order to some day sell their property with an unobstructed view rather then their desire to view the bay unimpeded. Furthermore, some years ago the city decided to "lift the skirt" on my Liquidamber and took it up to a point which left the tree resembling a giant stock of Broccoli. I complained which is of record in your department. I am concerned that if the tree were topped it would greatly change the look of the Liquidamber. When the city forefathers decided to beautify Burlingame with the planting of these majestic trees they knew fully well the heights they would reach. It seems the so called Bay view policy was only recently adopted and the the policy to beautify the city precedes the Bay view policy. At this time Mr. Disco I would also like to bring to your attention a gripe I was going to ignore until I received your letter. A few weeks ago your crews showed up at my property to trim two trees that border Pinon Ave. With out any pre -warning they began their operation by starting up their chain saws and tree mulcher around 8:00 in the morning.The trees did need trimming but a little notification would have been appreciated. Not only did they disturb my day off but they trampled about my property leaving a mess of branches strewn across my property and the street. There are still half cut branches in the trees. To reiterate my position, I am not in favor of having my Liquidamber tree topped �. to facilitate the whim of a neighbor whose motives I suspect are financial rather then a desire to enjoy an unobstructed bay view. Sincerely, Greg Cacharelis CITY OF BURLINGAME - PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT 850 Burlingame Avenue Burlingame, California 94010 Telephone: (650) 558-7300 • Parks/Trees (650) 558-7330 Fax: (650) 696-7216 • Email: recreation@burlingame.org August 11, 2010 Manna Hui 1830 Castenada Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 RE: REQUEST FOR TRIMMING OF 4 CITY OWNED LIQUIDAMBAR TREES @ 1820,1821,1825, & 1826 ASHTONA VENUE FOR PRE-EXISTING BAY VIEW @ 1830 CASTENADA DR. - BURLINGAME I. have reviewed the request -for Permission to trim the City owned Liquidambar,trees at 1820, 1821, 1825,-&:1-826 -' Ashton Avenue in order -.to restore the: previously. existing Bay View at 1830 Castenada Drive. Based on•infor nation, - _ and the criteria obtained during a recent:mspection ofthe I agree that this request meets the criteria of the City's -�- - Bay. View policy: Included<in that -criteria are.the facts that: I ) The Liquidambar trees have grown to a height that has blocked the Bay. View that existed when the home was purchased by the property owner. 2) Trimming or reducing the crown of the existing trees by 6 feet will provide the desired affect without impacting the overall health and/or structure of the trees. Consistent with the process of trimming a tree in order to regain a Bay View, the property owners listed below are also receiving notification of this decision. Per the City's tree ordinances, this decision may be appealed to the Beautification Commission. Appeals to this decision or any of its conditions or fmdings, must be filed in writing to our office by the property owner(s) no later than August 30, 2010. If no appeals have been received in our office by August 30, 2010, the property owner at 1830 Castenada Drive will be issued a permit to have the trees trammed at their cost by a licensed, certified tree care company. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (650) 558-7330. Sincerely, Bob Disco Parks Supervisor Me CC: Burlingame Beautification Commission Jim Skeels, Parks & Recreation Director Gregory & Janet Cacharelis Amervi & Ted Pascual Jeannie Kuo Walter & Jane Hsu 1820 Ashton Avenue 1821 Ashton Avenue 1825 Ashton Avenue 1826 Ashton Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010 Manna Hui 1830 Castenada Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 July 11, 2010 Bob Disco Park Supervisor City of Burlingame Park & Recreation Department 850 Burlingame Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Mr. Disco, We have been the homeowner and resident of the above listed address for more than 15 years. Over the past 15 years, the four city -owned trees at 1820, 1821, 1825 & 1826 Ashton Avenue have grown so tall that they are blocking our existing bay view. Please kindly consider trimming the four trees so we can regain our bay view. Your consideration and cooperation will be greatly appreciated and we are looking forward to hearing from you. Yours truly, Manna Hui Homeowner Sub-Zero/Wolf Winner of Third Annual Burlingame Business Landscape Award! The Burlingame Beautification Commission has selected Sub -Zero Wolf at 1755 Rollins Road as winner of the 2010 Business Landscape Award. Sub Zero Wolf is located in Burlingame's industrial section of town. This large property is beautifully landscaped on all sides using maple, magnolia and palm trees, native shrubbery, flowers, grass and a statue. Not only is the lawn area landscaped, but also the stepped entrance to the building. Sub Zero Wolf is a showcase for the rest of Rollins Road. L- The Award was presented to the owners of Sub Zero Wolf at the Burlingame City Council meeting on September 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Receiving the Award on behalf of the company was Katie Post, daughter of Robert P. Riggs of Riggs Distributing. She was presented with a plaque from the City as well as an original watercolor created by local artist, Dale Perkins, of the outside landscaping of the business. Pictured below during the award presentation (from left to right) Leslie McQuaide (Beautification Commission), Mayor Cathy Baylock, Katie Post, and Dale Perkins. Anyone wishing to nominate a local business for this Award for the coming year is encouraged to contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 650-558-7330. The deadline for applications is April 1, 2011. 001 1 :, e:l �-,..f'... '• 4.:k. + a, - �:aRr r ..SSi4 ._. -1.._ ! .. tr.s _- .. i, •`{? fir:; `. ..-.._ - ' 3 I September 26, 2010 727 Winchester Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame City Council, City Hall, 50 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA 94010 Attn.: Ana Maria Silva, Executive Assistant Dear Honorable Members of the City Council, I regretfully resign my position as Commissioner on the Beautification Commission when my present term expires on October 7th, 2010. 1 understand that I must continue to serve until the Council appoints my successor. It has been a pleasure to serve almost nine years on the Commission and it is only due to some recent health issues that I believe I can not continue to fully serve the Commission. Through the years, the staff of the Parks Department, notably Karlene Harvey, Tim Richmond and recently Bob Disco have been invaluable assets to the Commission. I found that their knowledge and dedication were exceptional. In particular, I commend the current members of the Commission for their expertise in many areas and their dedication and willingness to work to assure that Burlingame remains the Beautiful Tree City for which it is known. Sincerely, Jeanne P. Carney cc: Bob Disco Karlene Harvey Donna Wright e') "I Own Q 160"; A�j w1w; Rvas CON OW Sn"WY, 11A, ?in svomv lot nK, A Vail in, J ;'J e"1