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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2006.10.05l BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 5, 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, Grandcolas (late), and Wright Absent: Commissioners Ellis, Lahey (Excused), and O'Connor (Medical) Staff: Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey Guests: Dave Dockter, Managing Arborist, City of Palo Alto, John Faust (1712 Easton Dr.), Donald Huff (2001 Easton Dr.), Stuart Coxhead (2316 Easton Dr.), Betty Jo & Lee Wade (1608 Easton Dr.), Sherri Boismenu (1704 Easton Dr.), Jill Lauder (449 Bloomfield Rd.), Wayne & Susan Walder (1613 Easton Dr.), Helene Landry (1705 Easton Dr.), and Dawn Stefko (2012 Easton Dr.) MINUTES — The Minutes of the September 7, 2006 Beautification Commission Meeting, were approved as submitted. Letter to Ken & Susan Graven, 10 Clarendon Road, informing them that the Commission upheld the appeal for the removal of a City owned Ligustrum tree, because of the noxious fruit complaint, and recommended that a permit be issued to the Property Owners to remove and replace the tree with a tree from the Official Street Tree list at their expense. Flyer announcing the Community Meeting, hand delivered by Commissioners McQuaide and Lauder to the Easton Drive residents. Letter from the Beautification Commission to the Easton Drive Residents, informing them of the upcoming Community Meeting on October 5�h, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic School, to discuss appropriate Eucalyptus varieties for the Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive. Letter from Commissioner Jill Lauder to City Council stating that, after serving 5 terms on the Beautification Commission, she would not be reapplying for another term. Letter from Director Schwartz to the newly appointed Commissioner, Donna Wright, congratulating her on the appointment to the Beautification Commission. FROM THE FLOOR - None COMMUNITY FORUM AND DISCUSSION Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive - Chairperson McQuaide welcomed and thanked those in attendance for coming to this community discussion. She stated that the existing Eucalyptus trees are 100-150 years old and eventually when one of the trees needs removing, it will need replacing. The Council has asked the Beautification Commission to work with the community to develop a Long Range Reforestation Plan before any removals may occur on Easton Drive. Commissioner Grandcolas reiterated that the "plan" is a vision of what might be planted when the existing trees on Easton Drive reach the end of their natural life span and require removal, (on a one to one basis) and that, this "plan" should not be confused with a wholesale removal and replacement plan. Chairperson McQuaide explained that at the April 6'h Community Meeting approximately 35% of the Easton Drive residents (from El Camino to Vancouver) were present. Primary to their concerns were safety and maintaining a uniform look, while keeping the unique, grandeur look, with a somewhat lower canopy, on the street. COMMUNITY FORUM AND DISCUSSION - Lone Rance Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive — (Contd.) Chairperson McQuaide continued that it was also the general consensus of those attending the first meeting that a more suitable Eucalyptus specie (that would meet the criteria discussed), would be the preferred specie for the reforestation plan. She reported that the Committee took the input from that meeting to develop a list of appropriate Eucalyptus species as recommended by Eucalyptus expert and Managing Arborist, Dave Dockter, from the City of Palo Alto. Chairperson McQuaide then provided a list of the different Eucalyptus species to the audience and introduced Dave Dockter to provide information on the trees while Director Schwartz showed a slide presentation of the recommended trees. Mr. Dockter commented that all the trees were selected for hardiness; he remarked on the importance of having at least 2 different varieties to avoid developing a monoculture He provided information on the varying sizes, height, structure, canopy, and characteristics of each of the following Eucalyptus varieties: Citriodora Lemon -Scented Gum; Cladocalyx Sugar Gum; Ficifolia Red Flowering Gum; Microtheca Tiny Capsule; Nicholli Willow - Leafed Peppermint; Saligna Sydney Blue Gum. Mr. Dockter noted that the Eucalyptus specie was introduced in the late 1800's and was primarily used to provide wind breaks and that though it is not native to California, it is considered "naturalized', adapting well to the California climate. Following the presentation, an open forum discussion was held with the Commission, Staff, Dave Dockter, and the audience. Items discussed were: the importance of retaining the ongoing testing and drilling of the existing Eucalyptus trees; continuation of routine maintenance practices; differences between El Camino planting sites and CalTrans maintenance practices on El Camino from those planting sites on Easton Drive and the City of Burlingame's maintenance practices; historical information on the Eucalyptus specie; desired height, trunk size, structure, character, etc., as well as the pros and cons of the different varieties. Following the discussion, Director Schwartz clarified the group's consensus that two of the species be considered for Easton Drive: One being the already existing street trees, the Tazmanian Blue Gum, and second, the Cladocalyx Sugar Gum to be used as the primary replacement street tree. The consensus of the group for the type of accent tree to be used on the corners of the blocks was the Nicholii Willow -Leafed Peppermint; although the Ficifolia Red Flowering Gum was to be considered as a possible replacement for the Eucalyptus tree fronting the Easton Branch Library. Director Schwartz commented that the group's consensus would be discussed at the next Beautification Commission meeting on November 2"d, that photos and descriptions of the recommended trees would be distributed to the residents before the meeting, and that all are encouraged to attend. He concluded that based on the outcome of the November meeting, staff will create an Easton Drive Street Tree list to be presented and adopted by the Council before the end of 2006. Chairperson McQuaide thanked Dave Dockter for sharing his expertise and thanked the audience for the input shared to help establish a consensus for the long range plan. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairperson McQuaide at 9:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary 2