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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2005.01.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION January 6, 2005 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Hesselgren. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hesselgren, Grandcolas, Lauder, McQuaide, O'Connor, and Webb Absent: Commissioner Carney Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, Arborist Porter, Secretary Harvey Guests: 3 Students from Burlingame High School MINUTES The minutes of the December 2, 2004 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Mr. Balagopal, 1815 Montecito Way, thanking for his attendance at the December 2"d Commission meeting and providing a petition from his neighbors who share his interests with regard to instituting a View Ordinance/Policy in the City of Burlingame. Letter to Vince Falzon, Assistant Superintendent ofPublic Works, informing him that the appeal of the denial for the removal of the large Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive (Easton Branch Library), will be reviewed and considered at the February 3, 2005 Commission meeting and that, property owners have been notified and anyone wishing to address the Commission may do so at the appropriate time. Email from Sam and Susie Dillon Lahey, (1719 Easton Drive) thankful that the request for the removal of the Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive had been denied and requesting to know if there is anything thing she can do. Response to the email from Sam and Susie Dillon Lahey, informing them of the opportunity to speak to the Commission regarding the appeal to the denial of the removal of a Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive. FROM TBE FLOOR - There were no comments from the floor. OLD BUSINESS Tree View Ordinance - Committee Report - Commissioner Grandcolas stated of all the other ordinances studied, the committee believed using the City of Belmont's View policy might to be the policy to use as a model because the City of Belmont has a similar physical topology and bay vista as Burlingame. He added that the policy is a guideline and not a law and would serve is a good mechanism for resolving disputes between property owners. Commissioner Grandcolas stated that the Committee felt a good first step might be to initially begin with establishing a "policy", that could more easily be revised if necessary, and then later the policy could be adopted as an ordinance. Commissioner Grandcolas then summarized the "good points" and the "bad points" of the Belmont view policy and how the policy might be changed to apply to Burlingame. The Commission reviewed the information presented and discussed the option of establishing a policy. Superintendent Richmond stated that the City Attorney indicated that there is no consistency regarding definitions of views. Director Schwartz suggested that the Commission determine the concept and then a draft could be developed at the next Commission meeting. OLD BUSINESS - Tree View Ordinance - Committee Report - (Contd.) Commissioner Grandcolas stated that the policy would need some fine tuning before making the final draft. -IN Commissioner McQuaide noted that the research she conducted on different City ordinances and/or policies revealed that mediation became a very difficult process. She will provide that information to the Commission. After further discussion, the Commission agreed to continue item to the February meeting to consider: 1) the pros and cons of establishing a view ordinance/policy for the City, 2) the definition of "view", and 3) how a policy might fit with existing tree ordinances in the City. Item will be continued to the February Commission meeting. OLD BUSINESS - Street Tree Removal Policy - Superintendent Richmond summarized that the Council requested the Commission to make determination when it might be appropriate for property owners to remove City trees at their cost, due to sidewalk or other tree related damage. At the December meeting the Commission tabled the item to the January meeting. Chairperson Hesselgren stated that the 3 samples submitted at the November Commission meeting will be used to determine criteria and values to help establish a consistent process for granting removals of City trees. Director Schwartz and the Commission discussed and reviewed the suggested criteria and values. Director Schwartz stated he would develop the criteria discussed and would present a draft of the Criteria for City Street Tree Removal, to the Commission, for any changes before making recommendation to the City Council. Arbor Day Ceremonies - Monday, March 7, 2005 - Superintendent Richmond stated that Arbor Day will be held at Bayside Park and Redwood trees will be planted to replace Monterey Pines that will need to be removed in the near future. The Department of Forestry, representatives from the local elementary schools, the City Council, and the public will be invited to attend the ceremonies. Additional Specie Selections to the Official Street Tree List - Superintendent Richmond suggested that that staff first check with the local nurseries for availability of the Elms on the list. Those that are available could be placed on the Official Street Tree Lists if the Commission approves. The Commission agreed that process would be the best approach. NEW BUSINESS - Commissioners Dinner will be Friday, February 4' and will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlingame. REPORTS - Superintendent Richmond - The Tree Crew is currently pruning sycamore trees in the southeast area of City. 2. Division crews re sodded heavily worn areas on the Soccer Center field. Steve Porter and Henry Barone have retired. Steve is continuing on in a part time capacity, working for Parks, Planning, and Building. 4. The next tree planting will be in April; the deadline for receiving tree selections is February 15. Contract tree pruning is occurring on the Eucs in Ray Park; the contractor also removed several pines at Bayside Park. Those trees are being replaced with Redwoods. 2 REPORTS-(Contd.) - Superintendent Richmond 6. Public Works requested removal of the large Eucalyptus on the NW corner of Easton and Cabrillo. The request was denied by Director Schwartz based on the health of the tree, which was confirmed by an independent arborist. The matter will be brought before the Commission at the February meeting. The material will be in your packet. You may wish to view the tree in advance of the meeting. 7. The California Conservation Corps completed trail repairs to the Mills Canyon Trail. The CCC supervisor was able to obtain grant money to double the amount budgeted by Parks. 8. A liquidambar on Concord was removed due to a water line break. A liquidambar on Park at Maple will be removed due to structural and decay issues. 9. The storms since Christmas have not resulted in major tree damage. 10. Parks crew received its required annual pesticide training on this morning. 11. Council approved a fee increase for private tree removal applications, from $25 to $50. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder commented that the flowers in the Burlingame Avenue planters are filling in and are looking very nice. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:07 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary