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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2004.11.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION November 4, 2004 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, Carney, Ellis, Grandcolas, Lauder, McQuaide and Webb Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, Arborist Porter, Secretary Harvey Guests: Bobbi Benson, Mike Stallings (1512 Alturas) MINUTES The minutes of the October 7, 2004 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Criteria for Tree Removal Due to Sidewalk Repair (example/model for Commission consideration) Suggested additions of the Elm species to the Official Street Tree List as submitted by Jennifer Pfaff. FROM THE FLOOR - Bobbi Benson, Master Gardener, stated that 45 volunteers participated in the Community plant on Burlingame Avenue on Sunday, October 24`. She especially thanked the Burlingame Garden Center for delivering the plants to each planter. Groups such as the Citizens for a Better Burlingame, the Burlingame Beautification Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Burlingame Improvement District were well represented. Bobbi Benson stated that the letters that go out informing property owners not to trim City trees, prevent property owners from trimming the suckers at the base of the trees but she stated that the suckers need to be trimmed throughout the City. She asked that this item be placed on the agenda so the Commission could discuss this problem more in depth. OLD BUSINESS Tree View Ordinance - Public Input - Mike Stallings of 1512 Alturas introduced himself to the Commission. He stated that he has been told, after placing annual calls to the Parks Division for the past 14 years, that trimming trees for views is not allowed. He is now asking the Commission to consider establishing an ordinance that would allow the trimming, shaping, and lowering of both City and Private trees to accommodate properties that have long views that are being blocked. An ordinance that would allow for "case by case topping", would provide for a body to mitigate restoration of views between property owners, and would also mitigate disputes if a property owner does not wish to cooperate with "uphill" property owners. OLD BUSINESS — Tree View Ordinance — Public Input — (Contd.) - Mr. Stallings then presented a photo presentation of trees in his area related to blocked views. Pictures included trees that are "topped, about in half' under utilities by P.G.&E. that Mr. Stallings commented "thrive". He also showed a picture of a Pine tree that had the middle cut out "like a saddle" to accommodate the utility lines, "and it is still thriving". Other pictures included were those of City -owned Oak trees on La Mesa Drive that block his "panoramic" view from the West, to Oakland, as well as pictures of a large private tree that the property owner had once allowed to be trimmed for views, but will no longer allow. Mr. Stallings concluded that the neighbors on his block have asked him to speak to the Commission initially with regard to their views. Chairperson Hesselgren opened the meeting for discussion and asked Mr. Stallings if the property owners on La Mesa Drive liked the City owned trees. Mr. Stallings stated that they do not and added that the City trees could be replaced with size appropriate trees and the Private trees could be reduced. Superintendent Richmond clarified that one of the property owners on La Mesa Drive did come before the Commission some years ago to request removal of the City -owned Oak tree due to aphids, but his request was denied. Arborist Porter noted that in the winter the view is better because the Oak trees lose their leaves. Mr. Stallings agreed, but added that the view is still obscured. Commissioner Webb asked Arborist Porter if the Oak trees on La Mesa Drive have been trimmed to open up the view. Arborist Porter responded that the lower portions of the tree have been cleaned out to open up the view while still maintaining the uppermost canopy of the trees. Following the discussion, Chairperson Hesselgren thanked Mr. Stallings for his presentation and noted that all the information presented would be referred to the Commission's Tree View Ordinance Committee for further consideration. Street Tree Removal Policy - Arborist Porter presented to the Commission an example of approved removals of City -owned Liquidambar trees at 2422 Hale Drive using existing criteria. Both Liquidambars (under primary utilities) have been routinely topped causing structural problems. The Liquidambar tree that was presenting substantial hardscape damage and drainage issues would be removed and replaced by the City. A permit will be issued for the property owner to remove and replace the other Liquidambar at their expense. Arborist Porter added that the defining difference between the City conducting the removal and replacement and the property owner being responsible for removal and replacement, was the drainage issues being caused by the one tree that could not be resolved unless removal occurred. Chairperson Hesselgren then explained the model she developed, Criteria for Tree Removal Due to Sidewalk Repair which uses a point system to help determine when removal of a City tree might be warranted. 2 OLD BUSINESS — Street Tree Removal Policy — (Contd.) - Commissioners McQuaide and Ellis researched other cities policies and models (locally and throughout the country), and found that varying policies exist as to sidewalk repair and related costs and tree removal policies and their related costs. Commissioner Ellis submitted a copy of a model from the City of Austin, Texas that uses a value system and 10 different factors to be considered in warranting tree removals. The Commission further discussed the different policies and models and conducted an exercise using the point system with the model presented by Chairperson Hesselgren. Following the exercise, the Commission agreed to review both models submitted, determine which and what factors should be considered, determine the type of point system to be used, and discuss further at the next Commission meeting. NEW BUSINESS Arbor Dav Ceremonies - Monday, March 7, 2005 - Superintendent Richmond stated that Arbor Day will be held at Bayside Park. Redwood trees, along with a Redwood Tree donated by Commissioner Lauder, will be planted to replace Monterey Pines that will need to be removed in the near future. REPORTS - Superintendent Richmond - 1. Tree Pruning and Stump Grinding contract has begun. 2. Approximately 130 trees were planted this planting season. L-- 3. City Hall lawn was renovated by Parks crew. 4. Pruning by City Crew of this year's Sycamore section will begin shortly. 5. Adopt -a -Planter group did initial Burlingame Avenue planting on October 24. Event went very well. 6. PG&E asked to remove private palm at 11 Kenmar. The property owner is supportive. Neighbors noticed as per ordinance. 7. Jennifer Pfaff requested that the Commission consider adding some elms to the official planting list for the larger planting strips. The planting list is given to property owner for selecting new trees after a removal. Her suggestions are included in tonight's packet. Please study the list; item will be placed on the December agenda. 8. Council will meet with the Beautification Commission on May 5 at 5 p.m. The regular meeting of the Commission will start at 6 p.m. rather than the normal 5:30 p.m. 9. The landscape screen at the north end of California Drive has been installed. The maintenance period begins 11/8. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder reported that a draft of the Art In Public Policy is near completion and will be available to appropriate commissions for review. She also stated it was wonderful that several Burlingame High School students volunteered their time at the Community planting on Burlingame Avenue. 3 REPORTS — (Contd.) — Webb - Commissioner Webb reported that he and Commissioner Grandcolas met and reviewed other City's View Ordinances and will be making a report at the December Znd Commission meeting. He also reported that the pipeline work along Oak Grove is looking good; the pathway created by chips along the area looks very nice. McQuaide - Commissioner McQuaide submitted an article from the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department: "Growing an Urban Forest" Benefits of Trees and stated that incorporating reasons for people to keep trees within the information that goes out to the public would help to educate the public of the importance of trees in a community. Carney - Commissioner Carney asked when Rollins Road trash would be cleaned up. Superintendent Richmond stated that Rollins Road has routinely been cleaned several times a year but with fewer staff available it will be more difficult to schedule. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, i�4� a-1107 U� Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary 4