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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2006.04.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION APRIL 6, 2006 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson McQuaide, Carney, Ellis, Lahey, Lauder, and O'Connor Absent: Commissioner Grandcolas Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey Guests: Mrs. Bilsey (112 Howard) MINUTES — The minutes of the March 2, 2006 Beautification Commission meeting were corrected (typographical error) and approved. Letter from Director Schwartz, to Michael Stallings, 1512 Alturas Drive, (copied to William Dugoni, 1511 La Mesa Drive) informing him that his request for removal of the City -owned Red Oak tree at 1511 La Mesa Drive meets the criteria of the City's Bay View Policy and that, the process would begin to grant permission for removal of the tree; but if the other property owner appeals the decision, mediation between the two property owners would be arranged. Following any removal agreements between the property owners, adjacent property owners would then be notified and have an opportunity to appeal the decision in writing to the Beautification Commission and if no appeals are filed, a permit would be issued. Copy of letter to Council from the Beautification Commission requesting that the Council assign the Beautification Commission the task of investigating and recommending a solution to the current P.G.&E. tree pruning practices on the City's trees. Agenda: Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive Community Meeting/Our Lady of Angels Church/Thursday, April 6, 2006 including neighborhood questionnaire and Some Benefits of Urban Forests handouts. Letter from Thomas Homblower requesting removal of 6 City -owned Pittosporum trees around his property stating he is "acutely allergic to them and my reaction to them has only grown worse over the years as they continue to grow ....' ; adding he requests the 6 trees be replaced with Gingko biloba trees. FROM THE FLOOR - There were no comments from the floor. OLD BUSINESS P.G.&E. Pruning Practices in the City of Burlingame — Superintendent Richmond reported that the P.G.&E. representative, Erin Parks, was present at the last Council meeting on an unrelated topic. Commissioner Grandcolas was also in attendance and spoke to the issue of P.G.&E.'s pruning practices. Following a brief discussion, the Council asked that the P.G.&E. representative and Commission meet to discuss different pruning practices, develop a list where flat topping had occurred, and schedule on site meetings to begin to resolve the issue. OLD BUSINESS — P.G.&E. Pruning Practices in the City of Burlingame — (Contd.) Eleanor Bilsey, 112 Howard Avenue, was recognized by Chairperson McQuaide. Mrs. Bilsey stated that she was satisfied with the tree trimming P.G.&E. had conducted on her City tree. She stated that her tree is beautifully umbrella'd over the street; people park their cars under it for shade, and birds nest in it; on one occasion the tree was not trimmed by P.G.&E. crews because the tree had a bird's nest. She added that the P.G.&E. trimmers have been careful to just cut the middle out of the tree. She stated that she was most recently dissatisfied with the work of the City's tree crew and indicated that the day after P.G.&E. crews had trimmed the City tree, City crews also trimmed and removed the beautiful umbrella shape that it had had for many years; and that now, it is just a trunk with 5 limbs. She stated that she called the Parks Division and reported her dissatisfaction but to her knowledge, no one has come out to look at the tree nor has anyone responded to her complaint. Chairperson McQuaide apologized to Mrs. Bilsey for the lack of response; that staff would check into her original complaint and someone from the Parks Division staff would respond to her. Mrs. Bilsey thanked the Commission and said she really likes the trees in Burlingame and just wanted to report this incident. Following the comments from the audience, the Commission discussed different options of resolving the P.G.&E.s pruning practices and different forms of engaging P.G.&E. into the discussion. The Commission agreed that the Committee first meet with Erin Parks (P.G.&E. Arborist) on site at locations where trees have been "flat topped". Suggested locations for the Commissioners to inspect are Palm and California Drive, Willow and Newhall, and Howard Avenue. Director Schwartz directed Commissioners to email locations to KHarvey@Buringame.org. Director Schwartz stated he would then arrange for a May meeting for the P.G.&E. representative and the Committee to meet on the selected sites. Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive Community Meeting - Chairperson McQuaide explained the process for the Community Meeting. She stated that a slide presentation will show different types of trees, planter strips, etc. The public will receive handouts explaining the Benefits of Urban '\ Forests and a questionnaire to assist in determining the overall desired look the neighborhood is interested in seeing on Easton Drive. She stated that the Commission is very interested in hearing from the neighborhood and receiving their input as to what types of trees might be used over the years to replace the Eucalyptus trees as they are removed. REPORTS — Director 1. The process has begun for the resident on Alturas Drive requesting that a City -owned tree on La Mesa Drive be removed to gain back a once existing Bay View from his home. If no appeals are received over the process of notification and time, a permit will be issued for the Bay View owner to remove and replace the City owned tree (or replacement monies into the City's tree fund for tree planting elsewhere in the City) at his expense. 2. Council has requested the Commission begin considering a tree planting program on City planter strips where no trees exist and to develop strategies in which to approach property owners adjacent to those sites. Superintendent 1. Tree Removals: 3 Locusts on Highland west of Sam's Deli. Owner had requested inspection for possible removal since more people were in the target zone of the trees. Supervisor and City Arborist agreed that given the internal decay of the trees and their overall decline, removal was warranted. Pictures of stumps showing the extent of the internal decay are available for inspection. The trees will be replaced by Accolade Elms, as soon as the plants arrive. 2 Monterey Pines on Pepper: removals requested by property owner and several neighbors; trees were under observation by City Arborist and Parks Supervisor for several years. Dead --� Eucalyptus tree at Hillside/Adeline will be removed. 2 REPORTS — Superintendent — (Contd.) 2. Tree Planting in City planter strips will begin mid April. Director Schwartz noted that over the last 5 years, department records indicate that 320 more trees have been planted in the City of Burlingame than have been removed. 3. Property Owner at 1812 Easton has requested the removal of a Monterey Cypress fronting the property. Tree was ranked a 55 in the Kielty report in fall '04. Kielty will prepare another report on the tree. All of the material will be presented to the Commission before any action is taken. Removal would not occur until the next Fiscal Year if approved. 4. Releaf Grants are available for tree planting, but groups applying cannot be part of the City organization, so the Burlingame Historical Society may consider making application. 5. A new volunteer has most recently started working in the Parks Division. Karl Rothe, a longtime resident and maintenance gardener, will work on some ongoing projects and will currently be focusing on weed control in sidewalk crack on Burlingame Avenue, and around the bases of the Pear trees planted along the West side of California Drive. Lauder — Commissioner Lauder reported that Arbor Day was very nice and that the memorial trees that were planted were beautiful. Lahev — Commissioner Lahey reported that she was pleased to see that the weeds had been removed on the Rollins Road and Broadway island. There being no further business, Chairperson McQuaide adjourned the meeting at 6:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary