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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2005.03.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION March 3, 2005 Chairperson Hesselgren called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hesselgren, Commissioners Carney, Grandcolas, Lauder, McQuaide, and Webb Absent: Commissioner O'Connor Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, Planner Monroe, Secretary Harvey Guests: Russ Cohen, Bobbi Benson, Liz Harrelson, and Rosalie McCloud MINUTES The minutes of the February 3, 2005 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Pictures from Public Works presentation on removal of the Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive. Letter to Vincent Falzon, Assistant Superintendent Street & Sewer, from Parks Superintendent Richmond informing him that the Beautification Commission voted to uphold the appeal of the denial to remove the City - owned Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive. Letter to Susie Dillon Lahey, 1719 Easton Drive, informing her that her appeal for the removal of the Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive would be heard at the March 7, 2005 Council meeting. Copy of email from Susie Lahey, 1719 Easton Drive, regarding her appeal for the removal of the Eucalyptus tree at 1800 Easton Drive. Letter from Shari Mayer, 812 Laurel Avenue, to the Beautification Commission, appealing the denial for the removal of a City -owned Liquidambar in front of her address. FROM THE FLOOR - Bobbi Benson reported that she spoke with the Manager of Bank of America and suggested that the landscaper pick up trash in the area; she has noticed an improvement since their discussion. She noted that the public parking lots always have an abundance of trash; she does what she can. She will be requesting from Public Works more trash receptacles on Burlingame Ave.; the existing receptacles are overflowing by 3:00 pm. Bobbi Benson reported that a public planting for the Burlingame Avenue planters will be on Sunday, April 10t' at 7:30 am.; she is hoping to get free compost from the City, but was also reminded of the Free Compost giveaway that will be provided by BFI on Saturday, April 2°d. She added that perennials rather than Primroses would be planted. Bobbi Benson reported that she has written a letter to CalTrans regarding the deplorable condition of the sidewalks on the 400-500 blocks of El Camino. OLD BUSINESS - Tree View Ordinance — Commissioner Grandcolas summarized that at the last Commission meeting, data was presented with regard to difficulties experienced by cities who have enacted View Ordinances as well as information regarding the previous City of Burlingame's attorney's reticence to adopting a View Ordinance. Commissioner Grandcolas stated that since that time there have been significant differences in the court systems with regard to cities rights. OLD BUSINESS -Tree View Ordinance — Contd. — Commissioner Grandcolas stated that current law allows cities to establish View Ordinances and those "1 ordinances can address heights and aesthetics. Citizens also have the right to sue one another over view issues. Cities are not party to these law suits, but the citizens have the right to come to tree commissions. Superintendent Richmond then introduced City Planner Monroe who was invited to discuss existing hillside area ordinance elements to be considered when drafting new ordinances. She explained that when the ordinance "Additions to or Modifications of Residences in Hillside Areas" was drafted for the City of Burlingame, it reflected the community's value that "a view is a property right shared by neighbors" granting neighbors in the area the right to review changes to their environment. Planning staff has also developed a list of appropriate trees that assists developers in meeting the Residential Design Guidelines. The Commission discussed with Planner Monroe defining views, defining who is affected i.e. cost, the differences between establishing a policy or an ordinance; regulations; CEQA; establishing community standards for trees verses views; and the existing Urban Reforestation Ordinance verses a View Ordinance. Following the discussion, Chairperson Hesslgren thanked Planner Monroe for meeting with the Commission. Chairperson Hesselgren stated it would be important to first define views and define the values of the community if the Commission should decide to establish an ordinance or a policy. Commissioner Grandcolas noted that the Cities of Sausalito and Tiburon began their process by establishing a view "policy". Commissioner Lauder responded that it would be very important to have the communities input and support and Commissioner McQuaide added that the Commission and or Council would need to hold public hearings before adopting such an ordinance or policy. Chairperson Hesselgren asked if the Commission was ready to make recommendation to Council as to whether to adopt an ordinance or a policy or if the Commission should recommend to Council that there should be no --� view ordinance established at this time? Commissioner Grandcolas recommended that the Committee which now consists of Commissioners McQuaide, Webb, and himself, meet and review all the current information and make recommendation how to proceed i.e., an ordinance, a policy, or nothing, at the April 7ffi Commission meeting. The Commission agreed and item will be placed on the April 7`" meeting agenda. Street Tree Removal Policy — Superintendent Richmond stated the Commission was asked to review the Criteria for City Street Tree Removal form. He stated that Supervisor Disco noted that there is subjectivity in using this form; however it covers important elements when considering justification for street tree removals. He added that if the Commission agrees that the form is a useful tool, staff would draft and recommend policy to accompany it. The Commission approved the Criteria for City Street Tree Removal form and asked Superintendent Richmond to make recommendation of a policy at the April 7t' meeting. Arbor Day Ceremonies — Monday, March 7, 2005 — Bayside Park — Superintendent Richmond reminded the Commission of this upcoming event. NEW BUSINESS Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive — Chairperson Hesselgren reported that Superintendent Richmond has arranged for Arborist Kevin Kielty, (Mayne Tree Expert Company) to discuss his Arborist report of October 10, 2004, (at the April 7ffi Commission meeting) regarding the Eucalyptus trees on Easton Drive, from El Camino to Vancouver. Superintendent Richmond asked the Commission to review the report, specifically focusing on the scoring and it's meaning with regard to the health of a tree. Chairperson Hesselgren stated if it is determined that the trees have reached their life span, then it might be appropriate for the Commission to consider developing a long range reforestation plan for Easton Drive. 2 REPORTS — Sunerintendent Richmond - 1. A tree was removed at 1566 Cypress —major root wrapped around gas line; very narrow planting strip. 2. The approval to remove the tree at 1800 Easton Drive was appealed by a resident of the area. The hearing of the appeal will be on the agenda of the March 7I' Council meeting. 3. Tree planting will soon be completed, as will the annual Sycamore pruning. 4. Application period for Tree Maintenance Worker will close tomorrow. 5. BFI Compost giveaways April 2nd and May 7 h from 8 a.m. to Noon at the BHS parking lot. 6. Denial of request to remove a City street tree at 812 Laurel was appealed. The hearing will be at the April 7'h Commission meeting. 7. Reminder that the Commission is scheduled to meet with Council before the May 5 h Commission meeting. Hesselgren — Chairperson Hesselgren reported that she will be attending the next Mayor's Meeting and asked if there was anything the Commission would like her bring to the table. She added that she will be asking the Planning Commission to consider a maintenance agreement for Commercial projects that would require a length of time for landscaping, specifically trees, to remain on site following the completion of the project. Commissioner Webb requested that Chairperson Hesselgren ask what had become of the Bayfront Specific Area Plan. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey �Yl Recording Secretary