Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2008.08.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AUGUST 7, 2008 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Chair McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chair McQuaide, Benson, Ellis, and Wright Absent: Chairperson Carney, Commissioners Grandcolas and Lahey Staff: Interim Parks Superintendent Foell and Admin. Secretary Harvey Guests: Jennifer Pfaff (615 Bayswater) and Pat Giorni (1445 Balboa) MINUTES — The minutes of the June 5, 2008 Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Susan and Larry Raffo, 1309 Castillo Avenue, informing them of the Commission's decision to deny their appeal for the removal of a private Redwood tree in the back yard of 2504 Easton Drive. Letter to property owners at 17 Clarendon Rd., 18 Clarendon Rd., 749 Sequoia Avenue (SM), 14 Bloomfield Rd., 18 Bloomfield Rd., 10 Bloomfield Rd., and 15 Clarendon Rd., informing them of the Commission's decision to uphold the City Arborist's denial to remove the private Live Oak tree at 15 Clarendon Road. Letter to Elizabeth Moore and Oger Owner from the Burlingame Beautification Commission, congratulating them for the landscape design of their business, Solo Bambini, and for winning the 2008 Business Landscape Award. Staff Report dated August 7, 2008 from Superintendent Foell and Supervisor Disco regarding: Consideration of Commission and ' Council recommendations for Street Tree policy changes: Official Street Tree Lists, Establishment ofThemed Streets and Corresponding Policies, with attached lists. FROM THE FLOOR There was no business from the floor. OLD BUSINESS Business Landscape Award Update Commissioner Wright noted that 'Solo Bambini' has been notified that they are the recipients of the 2008 Business Landscape Award and will be presented with the award at the September 15t' Council meeting. She and Dale Perkins (local artist) have been meeting since January to discuss the type of sketch or rendering of the winning business as well as other locations to display the art work. She explained that Mr. Perkins first photographed `Solo Bambini' and from the photo created a preliminary water color rendering as well as a note card of the winning business. Commissioner Wright then introduced Dale Perkins to the Commission. Dale Perkins presented the preliminary water color rendering to the Commission and recommended that along with the name of the winning business, acknowledgment of the Commissioners names as well as that of the Council and Staff, be included on a placard at the bottom of the framed art work. Following the Commissions review of the preliminary work and after making some minor suggestions, the Commission thanked Dale for being so kindto have shared his art work with the community. Superintendent Foell also thanked Dale and asked that when the revisions are completed, Director Schwartz have an opportunity to view the art work and acknowledgment placard for final approval. The Commission further discussed providing an article with regard to the Business Landscape Award for the newspapers, a -news, etc. Commissioner McQuaide volunteered to write the article and staff will submit to local `— newspapers and a -news. Commissioner Wright will contact Director Schwartz to discuss protocol for the award presentation at the September 15t' Council meeting as well as other locations to display the art of the winning business i.e., City Hall and City Libraries. OLD BUSINESS — (Contd.) — Consideration of Commission and Council Recommendations for Street Tree Policy Changes ..� Approval of Official Street Tree Lists/Draft List of "Themed" Blocks/Draft of New "Themed" Block Policy Superintendent Foell reviewed the Staff Report with the Commission with regard to the Commissions recommendations to Council for policy changes to the street tree program and submitted the following documents: • Revisions to Official Street Tree lists to provide the largest canopied trees • Themed (same species) blocks listed and identified by staff: 120 "Themed Blocks" throughout City; 92 "Themed Blocks" to be replaced with same existing species; 28 "Themed Blocks" to be replaced with tall, grand, canopied species to be determined and selected by staff, with the intent of keeping the overall theme of the block i.e., when removal is necessary, Liquidambars would be replaced with Red Maples Superintendent Foell noted that the species that will no longer be planted on the 28 "Themed Blocks", are trees that have shown to be troublesome in the urban landscape. The Commission reviewed the changes on the Official Street Tree lists. Commissioner Wright commended staff and stated that the lists are well organized and are easy to understand. Interim Superintendent Foell reviewed the "Themed Streets" list with the Commission and noted that staff clarified the one recommendation changed by the Commission at the June meeting regarding property owners on a block being able to petition to establish their block be a "themed block": • Any homeowner on a block shall gather signatures of at least 2/3 of the homeowners on the block • Forms for the 'Petition' to be provided by Parks & Recreation Department • Petitions shall be forwarded for appeal to the Beautification Commission for the establishment of a new "themed" block • Public hearing will be set by Commission and notification will be sent by staff to all homeowners on block "1 • If approved, staff to determine species theme in collaboration with homeowners • Selected species will replace existing trees only when removal of existing tree is necessary The Commission reviewed the "Themed Streets/Blocks" list and commended staff on the time spent and the good job. Pat Giorni thought the changes captured the essence of the idea of maintaining the infrastructure and aesthetics while providing opportunity for citizens to comment with appropriate appeal procedures in place and will eventually help to restore the urban forest. Jennifer Pfaff asked questions and made some suggested changes to the official street tree lists including providing logo's or notations on the lists to encourage property owners to select "preferred" larger canopied trees. Superintendent Foell requested that the Commission review the "themed" streets/blocks list for approval at the September 4, 2008 meeting; but, asked the Commission to approve the recent changes to the Official Street Tree lists. Commissioner Ellis moved that the changes and revisions to the four Official Street Tree lists be approved, with notations or symbols to be included to identify "preferred" trees; seconded Wright. Motion carried 4 — 0 — 3 absent/Carney, Grandcolas, and Lahey. Commissioner Benson commended staff, and stated that Greg Foell and Bob Disco did a great job. REPORTS — —� Secretary Harvey Secretary Harvey reviewed with the Commission Gifts to an Agency — FPPC Form 801 — Regulation 18944.2 with reference to receiving gifts as an appointed or elected City official. 2 +REPORTS — (Contd.) Interim Superintendent's Report Superintendent Foell reported that the young trees planted by CalTrans on El Camino were stressed due to lack of water by CalTrans crew. He directed the tree crew to water the trees so they would not die. Superintendent Foell noted that staff would continue to work with CalTrans representatives with regard to the watering issues. Commissioner Ellis Commissioner Ellis reported that the statewide Shoreline cleanup will be held on September 20t' at 8:30 AM. The public is encouraged to signup at the Embassy Suites Hotel where donuts and coffee will be served. Following the Shoreline cleanup a raffle will be held and participants will be provided lunch. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported on some of her most recent activities: • Renovated the planter on the south side of Burlingame Avenue at California Drive; the CBB provided the funding • Trimmed and weeded the south side of downtown Burlingame Avenue • Assisted the Friends of Mills Canyon with the elimination of the Acacia in the canyon • Bagged up trash on the 1600 and 1700 blocks of El Camino and on the Westside from Adeline Drive to Peninsula Hospital Commissioner Benson expressed kudos to Bob Disco and Leadworker Jack MacDonald for the Parks crew work on completion of the Washington Park Fragrance Garden and the planting of wonderful fragrant plants. She concluded that the garden renovation has been completed and is now looking much nicer. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. �' Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary