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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2005.04.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION April 7, 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, and McQuaide Absent: Commissioners O'Connor and Webb Staff: Parks Superintendent Richmond, Supervisor Disco, Secretary Harvey Guests: Shari & Dennis Mayer (812 Laurel), Kevin Kielty (Mayne Tree Expert Co.), Mike Stallings (1512 Alturas) MINUTES The minutes of the March 3, 2005 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Planning Department Tree List for Residential Design Guidelines. City Ordinance 25.61, Additions to or Modifications of Residences in Hillside Areas. Letter to Shari Mayer, 812 Laurel Avenue, informing her that her appeal of the denial to remove a City owned Liquidambar tree in front of her address, would be placed on the agenda of the April 7t' Beautification Commission meeting. FROM THE FLOOR - There were no comments from the floor. Chairperson Hesselgren changed the order of the Agenda to accommodate the appellants requesting the removal of the City owned Liquidambar tree at 812 Laurel Avenue. NEW BUSINESS - Appeal of the Denial to Remove a City -owned Liquidambar Tree (j'a, 812 Laurel Avenue — Park Supervisor Disco submitted the Tree Evaluation for the Liquidambar at 812 Laurel Avenue and stated that the tree is approximately 30 years old and is planted in a 3-4 foot planter strip; the tree suffered some storm damage in 2002; the sidewalk and curb have been damaged by roots and roots extend into the appellants front lawn. He stated that the request for removal was denied because the tree is healthy, trimming can improve the tree's appearance, and root pruning can be done at the time the sidewalk and curb are replaced. Chairperson Hesselgren asked what the life span is of Liquidambar trees and if and where root barriers could be placed. Supervisor Disco stated the Liquidambar's life span is approximately 60 years and root barriers could be placed on the homeowner's side of the sidewalk. Chairperson Hesselgren asked Supervisor Disco to elaborate on the type of pruning that could be done to improve the trees appearance. Supervisor Disco stated that the tree is lopsided and needs to be balanced, lowered, and shaped. Commissioner Lauder stated that she noted that there are no power lines above. Chairperson Hesselgren then asked the appellants for their comments. OM— Appeal of the Denial to Remove a City -owned Liguidambar Tree Q 812 Laurel Avenue — (Contd.) Mr. Mayer stated that during heavy rains, and because the street elevation is higher in front of the house, water -IN floods the gutter causing the water to run through the crack in the expansion gap, subsequently flooding his backyard. He stated that they are planning to relandscape and have discussed the tree and the flooding problem with Public Works. He was informed that the water table is high in this area and that the street needs to be leveled where the roots extend into the street. The sidewalk was replaced in 1991 but needs to be replaced again. Mr. Mayer concluded that if he needs to do all this work at his expense, he does not wish to address these issues again. They requested that the tree be removed so they can begin to address the sidewalk and gutter repairs but Public Works referred them to the Parks & Recreation Department to discuss the tree removal. Chairperson Hesselgren stated that the cost to repair the sidewalk and gutter does not seem extreme and curving the sidewalk around the tree along with the placement of root barriers could resolve future root problems. Commissioner Grandcolas stated that the water and the flooding is the larger problem; is this caused because of the slope of the street or is it caused by the damage caused by the tree roots? He added that something should be done to prevent the flooding that occurs in the front yard and the back yard but he questions as to whether the tree is the main cause of the flooding. Commissioner McQuaide stated that she owns property on Linden Avenue; during heavy rains, flooding occurs all the way up to the back steps of the house. She stated she questions whether removal of the tree would greatly affect the flooding in the area. Following further discussions with regard to flooding in the area, Commissioner Grandcolas moved that the Commission receive further input from Public Works as to whether the tree is causing the flooding or if the street grade is the cause; seconded, Lauder. Motion carried 5 - 0 — 2 (absent). Item will be placed on the April 7t' agenda. Superintendent Richmond will contact Victor Voong of the Public Works Department for further information. OLD BUSINESS — Easton Drive Eucalyptus Trees - Review of Visual Survey (Kevin Kielty, Certified Arborist/Mayne Tree) from El Camino Real to Vancouver Avenue - Chairperson Hesselgren thanked Kevin Kielty for meeting with the Commission to discuss the visual survey. Mr. Kielty stated that he appreciates that the City of Burlingame continues to take care of their trees even in these difficult economic times. He stated that he performed maintenance work on the Eucalyptus trees 25 years ago and has observed over the years how they have been very well cared for. Chairperson Hesselgren noted from the survey that most of the trees condition are listed from 50-69% and asked what that rating meant. Mr. Kielty stated those percentages indicates that those trees are in fair condition. Mr. Kielty stated that no one really knows the life span. The Eucalyptus specie was brought to this country from Australia in the 1700-1800's. The Eucalyptus trees on El Camino exist in smaller planting areas and have been pruned inadequately over the years. This has caused decay and problems with those trees. However, the grove of Eucalyptus trees on Easton Drive have been planted in very large planter areas, have been maintained well, and are in no worse condition than they were 20 years ago; continued quality maintenance on the trees could allow the trees to live another 20-40 years. Chairperson Hesselgren asked Mr. Kielty to explain the cabling on some of the trees and his suggestions for maintenance on the trees. Mr. Kielty stated that cabling has been done on trees that have a poor crotch formation; as the trees get larger those formations can push themselves apart. Cabling has about a 20 year life span and will keep weight off the leverage. Mr. Kielty suggested that the trees have a visual inspection every October. He stated that this can be conducted by City staff, inspections should focus on heavy limbs, heavy sail, etc. and should identify those trees that may need further inspection. --1 2 Easton Drive Eucalyptus Trees - Review of Visual Survey (Kevin Kielty. Certified Arborist/Mayne Tree) from El Camino Real to Vancouver Avenue — (Contd.) Superintendent Richmond asked what an estimated cost of cabling might be. Mr. Kielty stated that with a bucket truck, the cost would be about $300-$400 per cable; those that are not currently cabled should be trimmed and then cabled at the time of trimming. Chairperson Hesselgren asked when drill testing would be recommended. He stated that the Eucalyptus at 1800 Easton Drive was drill tested, but drill testing is typically recommended for trees that have mushrooms growing or suspected root problems. Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive/Discussion - Commissioner Lauder noted that there are only 5 trees that have been identified in the 50% category. Mr. Kielty stated that anything below 50% should be removed and cited conditions for that rating would be thin foliar canopies, cavities in trunks, root issues, and fungi growing on the root crown or trunk; those that are leaning should be removed first. Commissioner Lauder then asked what types of trees could be planted in areas where Eucalyptus trees once existed. Mr. Kielty said planting areas on Easton Drive seem to have little debris and that Redwoods, Deodar Cedars and others could be considered. Redwood trees don't fall down and have low maintenance requirements. He stated shade is not an issue because the existing trees are well spaced but that proper irrigation to initially establish the trees would be important. Chairperson Hesselgren asked if trees can be planted before removal occurs, is there enough room for the new tree roots to grow. Mr. Kielty stated "Yes", because the existing trees are well spaced. Commissioner Carney asked what would be the recommended planting size of the new tree. Mr. Kielty suggested that a 24" box size tree would be appropriate and the easiest to plant. Chairperson Hesselgren asked if there is a risk to planting new trees first before conducting the removals. Mr. Kielty responded that there would be no risk if those identified for removal were removed within the next 5-10 years. `-' Chairperson Hesselgren asked Mr. Kielty what the evaluation does not tell. Mr. Kielty stated that the report is based on a "visual" inspection only; decays could possibly found up in the canopy and what's under the ground is unknown. But, when the trees are trimmed by the contractor, an assessment of the canopies and the overall condition of each tree can be made at that time. He concluded that generally, this stand of Eucalyptus trees look as good as any Eucalyptus trees that size that he has ever worked on. Chairperson Hesselgren thanked Mr. Kielty for reviewing his report with the Commission Commissioner Grandcolas excused himselffrom the meeting and left at 6: 45 pm. Tree View Ordinance — Committee Recommendation — Commissioner McQuaide stated that the Committee met and reviewed the information presented at last months meeting. Although the Committee acknowledges there is not a mechanism in place to protect long views, it is recommending that the Commission not promote an ordinance because there has not been a lot of public response to warrant a tree view ordinance. She added that research of other cities shows that an ordinance can become a burden. Previous attempts have become a "can of worms". The Committee believes the appropriate path for residents seeking view restoration (when the view is being blocked by a City tree) can be appealed to the Beautification Commission if denied by City staff. After a brief discussion, the Commission decided to table the item to the next meeting for further review of the Committee's recommendation. Chairperson Hesselgren then asked Mr. Stallings if he had any comments for the Commission. Tree View Ordinance — Committee Recommendation — (Contd.) '-N, Mr. Stallings asked how many people does it take? He stated that he has been representing his neighbors rather than fill the room with people. A petition was submitted from another applicant with the same concerns, and the point of establishing an ordinance would be for the protection of long views. Chairperson Hesselgren thanked Mr. Stallings for his comments and told him to feel free to "fill the room" with people at the next Commission meeting. OLD BUSINESS Street Tree Removal Policy — Superintendent Richmond stated the Commission was asked to review the Criteria for City Street Tree Removal form and establish policy. He clarified that this policy is only for trees where there are sidewalk repair issues. Supervisor Disco commented that he has begun to use the form and believes it is a good start and changes can be made if necessary. Chairperson Hesselgren stated that she thought the form was very helpful. Commissioner Carney stated the form is concise and to the point and encompasses everything that is needed to determine justifiable removals and moved that the Commission accept the draft for the Criteria for Street Tree Removal policy; seconded, Lauder. Motion carried 4 — 0 — 3 (absent). REPORTS — Superintendent Richmond - l. Parks Division is in the process of hiring a Tree Maintenance Worker. Worker will likely be on duty by mid April. 2. Compost give away occurred last Saturday at the BHS parking lot; next distribution will be on May 7 in the same location. Quality of the compost is improving. 3. Adopt -a -Planter group plants the boxes on Burlingame Ave. this weekend. 4. Commission is scheduled to meet with Council before its May meeting. 5. Newspaper article about Bobbi Benson incorrectly stated that the Parks Division had gone from 21 to 7 workers. In fact, we were reduced by 7 workers, and are currently replacing one of the seven. 6. 25-30 Accolade Elms on Barroilhet between Brewer and Hillsborough Blvd. are beginning to leaf out. This is the variety that Jen Pfaff asked the Commission to consider adding to the planting list. Please look at them before the next meeting. 7. A Red Maple will be planted in the Back Park (WP) by Girl Scouts in honor of Burlingame resident and supporter. 8. Mr. Stallings of Alturas Drive submitted a request to have the City trees on La Mesa, which block his "long view," reduced to restore his view. Lauder — Commissioner Lauder stated she was pleased to see more Redwood trees planted at Bayside Park during Arbor Day ceremonies and she enjoyed the children's original poems. Commissioner Lauder asked why the private Camphor tree at 712 Burlingame Avenue was removed. Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that the tree was multi-trunked, the root mass had significantly damaged the driveway and was very close to a support beam on the balcony of the house. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, I Karlene Harvey I Recording Secretary 4 "*N