HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2007.11.01L
AGENDA
B URLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 1, 2007
5:30 P.M.
CITYHALL
501 PRIMROSE ROAD — Conference Room A
Burlingame, CA
I. ROLL CALL
H. MINUTES
M. 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. Proposed Landscape Award Proposal Revisions — Action
2. Arbor Day 2008 Planning - Discussion
a) Tree Planting at Elementary and Junior High Schools - Supt. Richmond
b) Centennial Tree Planting at Cannon Island (California Dr. at Bellevue
and Lorton Avenues)
3. Rotation of Chairperson at December 6, 2007 Commission Meeting — Supt. Richmond
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Appeal of the Denial of the Request for Removal and Replacement of City -owned
Liquidambar Tree at 1644 Balboa Avenue —Action Item
2. Fragrance Garden Update — Supervisor Disco
3. El Camino Real Elm Tree Planting Project Update
VII. REPORTS
1. Staff
2. Chairperson
IS- 3. Commissioners
STAFF REPORT
B4iRLINGAh1E
To: Beautification Commission
DATE: Oct. 25, 2007
FROM: Bob Disco, Park Supervisor
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF THE LIQUIDAMBAR AT 1644 BALBOA
BACKGROUND:
The residents at 1644 Balboa Ave. have requested the removal of the City Street Tree, a Liquidambar, in
front of their home. The liquidambar is a healthy, well maintained, and structurally sound tree. I estimate
the tree to be approximately 20-25 years old with a circumference of 58 inches. The tree was root pruned
at one time to repair the sidewalk that is only 2ft away, so root damage and decay must be assumed. The
residents are concerned that the roots are invading their existing landscape and causing their patio,
pathway, and driveway to lift and crack. The sidewalk is also significantly uplifted, causing a tripping
hazard, and is sloped, which could be considered an ADA issue. I met with the residents and explained
several options. Root pruning could be done to protect the hardscape and root barriers could be installed. I
denied the request based only on the health and structure of the tree.
The liquidambar is the 2°d most abundant tree in the City of Burlingame. It is fast growing and has
brilliant fall color. It is also the most common tree to have limb failure throughout the City and about 90%
of all tree claims are because of liquidambars. It tolerates root pruning well, but has shallow, widespread
and invasive roots which are a cause for sidewalk and hardscape replacement. The liquidambar is only
allowed to be planted in large open areas.
RECOMMENDATION:
Several options are available to the Commission.
1. Deny the appeal, since the tree is healthy and sound, and recommend that the resident root prune
and install root barriers throughout landscape.
2. Uphold the appeal because the tree is young and future cost to resident will be significant even if
root barriers were installed. Recommend City remove liquidambar and resident purchase 24 inch
box approved tree for replacement.
3. Uphold the appeal because of future cost to resident and a permit be given to property owner to
remove and replace the tree from the Street Tree list at their expense.
4. Uphold appeal and City removes tree and replaces with standard 15 gallon tree.
MR
OWE
CITY CITY OF BURLINGAME za'ke4,
B� BU RLINGAME PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, California 94010-2899
1�, IWO)
Telephone (650) 558-7300 - Parks / Trees (650) 558-7330
qvo-areo Fax (650) 696-7216 - E-mail: recreation@burlingame.org
October 24, 2007
Kim & Paul Demosthenes
1644 Balboa Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010
RE: APPEAL OF THE DENIAL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE CITY OWNED
LIQUIDAMBAR TREE @ 1644 BALBOA AVENUE - BURLINGAME
We are in receipt of your letter dated October 19, 2007 appealing the decision to deny your request
for the removal and replacement of the City owned Liquidambar tree at the above address. The
appeal will be forwarded to the Beautification Commission for review of this matter and a decision
will be rendered at the November 1, 2007 Commission meeting.
The Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room "A" at City Hall should you wish to attend
and speak to the Commission. Neighboring property owners are also being notified and may address
the Commission as well. Prior to the meeting, any additional supporting documentation, such as an
Arborist Report to assist the Commission in making their decision, can be forwarded to our office at
850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, CA, 94010.
If you have any further questions please call our office at (650) 558-7330.
Sincerely,
Tim Richmond
Parks Superintendent
TR/kh
CC: Resident Resident Resident
1640 Balboa Avenue 1645 Balboa Avenue 1648 Balboa Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010
Resident Resident
1649 Balboa Avenue 1653 Balboa Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010 Burlingame, CA 94010
Tree Location: 1644 Balboa Av
WRUNGAME
Date: August 29, 2007
CITY OF BURLINGAME
TREE EVALUATION
Person Reporting: Bob Disco Title: Park Supervisor
Details of Tree:
Genus: Liquidambar
Species: styraciflua
Common Name: Liquidambar
Approx. Age: 40+yrs. , Height: 40 ft, DBH: ', Cir. ', Crown:'
1. Assignment Issue a report on the health, structure of the Liquidambar at 1644 Balboa.
Homeowner called with concerns of root damage to lawn, pathway, driveway and sewer line.
2. Observations:
Structural Defects: Tree is well maintained and structurally sound. Included bark is evident
in some limbs and may be an issue in the future. No obvious structural problems noticed.
Soil/Root Condition: Roots are invading landscape and lawn area causing soil and turf to
lift. Roots may be causing patio, pathway and driveway it lift and/or crack. Sidewalk was
replaced in past and is now uplifting again. Tripping hazard will need to be addressed in
future.
Injuries: No visible injuries. Tree was root pruned when sidewalk was replaced.
History of tree/site: See affached.
3. Analysis / Testing: All analysis and testing were done visually without any injury to tree.
4. Conclusions and Discussion: I talked with homeowners and discussed options. 1. install root
barriers; 2. root prune; 3. appeal to BBC for removal. Homeowners were uncertain what they
wanted to do at this time. Tree has minimal health issues. Cost to homeowner in future could
be extensive. Sidewalk is sloped and is difficult and could be an ADA issue.
.h
t•.
,n Sxf�ys{. �"^ � _
rF t.��
_
�r
IN
A t � ,� r� �F - 'tea.
i� _
�� � o
a'
s
to t •� i
Ilk
4
..0 lam. :"_r- '��' i �
♦ .
•'n
Kim and Paul Demosthenes
1644 Balboa Way
Burlingame, CA 94010-4616
pauldemosthenes@comcast.net
c: 650 346-4000
h: 650 697-2004
October 19, 2007
Burlingame Beautification Commission
Attention: Karlene
Re: Tree Removal
Dear Beautification Commission:
This letter is a request to remove the Liquid Amber tree located in the front of our home at the above address. We
have lived in our home for over twenty years, and have enjoyed having this mature tree in our front yard. However,
over the last few years we have noticed that the expanding root system of this tree has created extensive damage to
our property and a serious safety issue.
Enclosed please find a number of photographs identifying the areas that this tree has caused, i.e., rising areas in the
sidewalk, front walk concrete slabs, the concrete front porch, driveway and brick retaining walls. Recently, our front
gate does not close due to the shifting of the brick walls that it is connected to in our courtyard. Also, please find
enclosed a copy of the latest invoice for clearing out tree roots that crept into our sewer lateral and caused a huge
mess inside our home. The ironic thing about this, is that the sewer lateral is not clay. We replaced it with an updated
pipe according to city code when we remodeled in 1995.
When we remodeled in 1995, we had the roots cut back, and this provided some relief for a few years. However, the
items mentioned above, have been rapidly occurring over the past year. There is a home on Davis Drive that has
large concrete slabs rising due to the roots of the tree in their front yard, so we know what's coming for our property.
You can imagine the cost that they will incur in repairing this.
We are concerned with Kim's eighty year old mother when visiting from Millbrae, as well as the many guests that we
have, notwithstanding the general public, postman, etc. We would like to go forward with removing the tree and
repairing the problems that we now have before it gets even more costly. We would definitely like to replace that tree
with a different one, perhaps a Robinia. We would not want to leave our front yard treeless like our neighbors seem to
have been able to do. Please consider our request. It is a hazard that seems to have the potential for getting much
worse at a relatively rapid pace. We do not want to experience costly repairs that could have been avoided by taking
care of this situation now. It will be devastating if someone were to get hurt. So please consider the safety factor and
the potential costs incurred not only for us, but to the city due to living in such a litigious society.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter,
Sincerely,
Kim'Demosthenes
enclosures: three photographs and one invoice
l L
Paul Demosthenes
7 �Exi
� f
�
�y+n,
t 6
yr
i
P
�•- � t Y � g �Fn ��d '�'� d�1L }
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT DATE OF SERVICE
.nr .. M D Y ..
QO�v� Roto-Rooter Services Company .i' G 7 MENLO PARK"
A L Remittance Address: fir- :����--^-• '
/100TER 5672 Collections Center Drive RV /5� _• ' ^ f!
® Chicago, IL 60693 � SERVICE TECHNICIAN'S NAME
PLUMBING & For service please call (650) 259-7712
For billing inquiries please call (650) 259-7650 193 ! .5
DRAIN SERVICE Fax (650) 259-7572
., ,... .
Licence #806952 SEWER & DRAINE!�� PLUMBING ❑ PUMPING ❑
1 -800- GET- BOTO See Binding Terms on Reverse and Attached - INDusrRIAL ❑ EXCAVATION DRAIN TILE
CUSTOMER NAME
jA ., 'J`�U =
CUSTOMER NO..
-
ESIDENTIAL - ;-O'COMMERCIAL
81 NG ADDRESS APT. NUMBER
FEDERAL I.D. # `
r1`42-04993003..-,'.,
CITY �f7 STATE/PROVINCE ZIP/POSTAL
CUSTOMER PHONE NO
RO NUMBER/AUTHORIZATION ;(;
JOB ADDRESS (IF DIFFE ENT THAN BILLING ADDRESS)
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIPIPOSI
REPAIR CODE
ESTIMATE AND DESCRIPTION OF:WORKTO BE PERFORMED (The approximate starting date is and the approximate
completion date is Neither date is guaranteed. Unexpected conditions or problems could cause delays.)..! # , 1
6 sr/" ;2c -.. tit sill .: l .�... L
:.. .
WORK ORDER AUTHORIZATION / WAIVER I have asked Roto-Rooter to provide the services above and agree to pay the amounts indicated. I have read and agree to the terms on the
reversefside and attached, including the (units on Roto Rooters responsoil'ity specified in those terms. Under Section 1689.13 of the Cal'Ifomia Civil Code, in order induce RotaRooter to provide
these services: 1)1 initiated this cont 2)1 executed this contract in connection with the making of emergency or immediately necessary repairs for the protection I of persons or real or personal
ssly acknowledge Ad waive the right to cancel this contract within three or seven business days, whichever applies,
property as detailed on this invoice ;$nd 3)10��h
Note`: You have the.righMo-ragolre' to -Rooter Ve a performance angayment bond; however, Roto•Rooter can chargeyou for the cost of procuring a bond. Statutory Notice of dencellation, If
applicable, may sent o , :!!;rLervlc; 'bmpany 1831 •B _ Highway -Burlingame CA 94A10�
w
(SIGNATURE) (DATE) J (PRINT NAME) �t
`E-MAILADDRESS '*;..- ' t *' -Send plumbing tips, product/services
) . .4S l� m n : _ _ >... information and coupons via email.
ADJUSTMENTS/CHANGES IN WORKTO BE PERFORMED AND/OR REPAIR ESTIMATE(S) AS NOTED ON COURTESY PLUMBING INSPECTION
�'�� kr-..-
.y.'`7^. �.. � __, 1• Y; T'•- -_. xi#s.. rl r)-."`i "f'i,Y.:?'r'�i-' \l.:
;h )...2 is TY'
Customer initials for additional charges
RESIDENTIAL GUARANTEE
COMMERCIAL GUARANTEE
PAYMENT
LABOR'
PARTS $
LABOR
LABOR
CASH CHECK NO.
❑ �
Main/Branch Cleaning., 6 months
❑ Main/Branch Cleaning 30 days
CREDIT CARD NO. EXP CATE /
I I I
PRODUCTS $ -
' OTHER $
Toilet Auger , _ = x ]days
❑Toilet Auger 24 hours
Plumbing Repair >:. 6 months
❑Plumbing Repair 90 days
.)
NET 10 DAYS•El ARGE #
` ' TAX $' _ •r,
❑ Plumbing Replacement 1 year
❑ Plumbing Replacement 90days
AVER 30 DAYS = LATE CHARGE OF C 1l%YPER MONTH
In the event he k is returned,, the OMP will charge
CONTRACT PRICE $
❑ Extended Guarantee , 1 year
❑
the CUSTOME a 25.00 rocessm fee.
REASONFOR NO GUARANTEE
E :. '
I . ' 3 'x �p R. r.
Down payment: The down payment may not ..
oi. 3 "`'
exceed $1,000 or 10"jercent of the contract rice'whichever.i's ie'ss.
GUMPLt I IUN I BVKn sage m Iet10 ne aDQ aescriDea worK Wnlcn
nas Deen aone Lo my Complete Satisracuon.
��rr
"AV
(SGNURE)�
(PRINT
NAME):'
NEXT �
"
ISIT_.__....-
VISIT-__
• •INVOICE
Ain`TECHNICIAN SERVICE PLEDGE .
CONCENTRATED POWER!
Put the Roto-Rooter family."of maintenance
` , # ;>.
❑ Introduce myself and' greet you in a friendly manner.
aies'czt your property by wearing booties, lising protective
products to work for yowl bur dram
_maintenance products'are erivironrnerttally°d.
11 mats and Cleaning up my work area(s).
f'
«x
safe and help keep. your drains in top
condition. Available only through Roto-Rooter
U Diagnose and solve -the problem to your satisfaction
r
locations and technicians:
-j,6-iain the benefits`of our preventive maintenance products and
ounces
Two of Roto-Rooters Pipe Shield®in
{" k permission to provide a free inspection of your plumbing system
a
each of your drains eve month Ives drains a' rotective Lo�fin` % revert build
ry 9P 9 P P•
❑`xplairrthe inVOiCI: attachment and service Stickers.
=
Each bottle 0f Roto-Rooters Pipe Shield® contains 64 treatments.r; ,
= t10�s .s..
Zu ork hard to earn all of your future plumbing and drain business.
V
it i' SCt „
Roto-Rooter®Root Destroyer kills tree and shrub roots in your.drain and`sewer, line's
without harming the rest of your plant's root systemd1tf asks
' Customer initials
Roto-Rooter®Septic Tank & Cesspool;Treatment is: an easyao=use liquid that breaks
down the greases, starches, proteins and other organic materials that can clog septic
-t
-:,=
tanks, drain fields and cesspools.