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
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