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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.