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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2005.04.04�. B URLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AUGUST 4, 2005 5:30 P.M. CITY HALL Conference Room A - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD BURLINGAME, CA I. ROLL CALL II. MINUTES OF DUNE 2, 2005 COMMISSION MEETING M. CORRESPONDENCE IV. FROM THE FLOOR (At this time, persons in the audience may speak on any item on the agenda or any other matter. The Ralph M. Brown Act prohibits the Commission from acting on a matter which is not on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.) V. OLD BUSINESS 1. Tree View Policy 2. Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive — Committee Status Report VI. NEW BUSINESS 1. Nominating Committee Report/Election of Officers VII. REPORTS 1. Staff 2. Chairperson 3. Commissioners In considering whether or not to recommend to the commission the adoption of a tree view ordinance for the City of Burlingame, the committee assigned to study the issue has had the benefit of hearing from members of the public who have expressed interest in considering the adoption of a tree view ordinance. We are sympathetic to their plight. We have also had access to many facts related to tree view ordinances, freely available on the Internet, including much research on the economic value of a tree canopy to residential and business property owners. This economic research was done by professors from leading universities around the U.S. In coming to a decision, we believed it would be insufficient if we did not consider all of the relevant facts. We found all of the following facts relevant and compelling: �.. I. A panoramic and sweeping view of the bay can significantly add to a home owner's property value, and it is therefore worthwhile to consider how to protect an existing panoramic and sweeping view of the bay. 2. Tall tree canopies can also add significantly to a home owners property value, and in the following ways: - Studies have shown that a home buyer is willing to pay 5% more for a property with trees than without, and as much as 15% more for a property with mature trees. - Studies have also shown that tall shade trees can reduce utility costs for cooling by as much as 15% to 35%, and can reduce heating costs with windbreak by as much as 10% to 50%. A recent UCLA study on the impact of global warming on California notes that the San Francisco bay area will begin a transition to a climate similar to Sacramento within 12 years from now. Thus the cooling benefit of tall canopy of trees becomes even more significant. Trees protect hillsides from landslides and also mitigate the impact `— of storm water runoff. This is especially beneficial to Burlingame as we have a problem draining our storm water runoff due to over- stressed main sewer pipes that are often undersized, made of clay, and outdated. - Studies have also shown that residential properties within proximate range of wooded parks command a 10% to 20% property value premium compared to those not within proximate range of a wooded park. 3. Studies have also shown that Rental buildings with trees have a 7% higher rental rate than those without trees. 4. Studies of shopping areas have found that people have a clearer preference for tall tree canopy in shopping areas, because it is more inviting and enhances strolling and lingering. These same studies show that the average shopper spends 30 minutes in a shopping area with no trees, 60 minutes in an area with small trees, and 80 minutes in an area with tall canopy trees. The study `.- shows that this translates to merchants able to charge on average 5% to 20% higher product pricing, depending on category of goods provided. 5. The committee noted that all cities should be aware of these facts, and no city should overlook these facts. Burlingame has never had a tree view ordinance, much less a policy, outside of that currently required by our planning commission. Thus introducing a new tree view ordinance should not be considered lightly. 6. The committee also found and takes special note of the fact that some cities (such as El Cerrito and Berkeley) that have tree view ordinances also have had many lawsuits and much acrimony between neighbors as a result. A tree ordinance is an attempt to address competing and often contentious claims for rights and to set a standard to apply to the entire city. 7. Especially noted by the committee is that none of the cities that currently have a tree view ordinance also have the "Tree City �.. USA" distinction that Burlingame has. 8. And finally, the committee believes that putting forth an ordinance is a drastic step, especially in light of the fact that taking the first step of providing a city tree view policy has never been considered or attempted. In consideration of all of the above 8 points, we firmly recommend against a tree view ordinance for the city of Burlingame. Instead, we recommend the creation of a tree view policy as guidance and mechanism to resolve tree view disputes on a case -by -case individual basis for those members of the public who want to protect their panoramic and sweeping views of the bay. We believe it is possible that having a tree view policy could alleviate problems expressed by members of the public. We have already done much research on a tree view policy, and can recommend a draft of such policy if the commission decides to accept the recommendation of the committee.