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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2004.12.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION December 2, 2004 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Vice Chair Carney. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chair Carney, Grandcolas, Lauder, O'Connor Staff: Parks Superintendent Richmond, Arborist Porter, Secretary Harvey Guests: Bobbi Benson, Mike Stallings (1512 Alturas), Rajappan Balagopal (1815 Montecito Way) Abe,-r: Mr,0,)4; e i vlfebb Vice Chair Carney welcomed and introduced new Commissioner O'Connor. Commissioner O'Connor stated that she has lived on Eastmoor Road in Burlingame for 11 years, enjoys gardening, is a Legislative District Director for Gene Mullen's office, and is delighted to be serving on the Beautification Commission. MINUTES The minutes of the November 4, 2004 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Suggested additions of the Elm species to the Ofjtcial Street Tree List as submitted by Jennifer Pfaff. Key Indicators for the Parks Division Tree Crew & Maintenance Crew and the Recreation Division submitted by Director Schwartz Draft of City of Burlingame - Art in Public Places Policy and Donation Application submitted by Director Schwartz. �-' Article from the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department "Growing an Urban Forest" The Benefits of Trees, submitted by Commissioner McQuaide. Criteria for Tree Removal due to Sidewalk Repair, submitted by Chairperson Hesselgren. City of Austin's formula for determining the relative value of a tree or group of trees, submitted by Commissioner Ellis. FROM THE FLOOR - Bobbi Benson, Master Gardener, stated she would like to recommend that information sent out every year telling residents not to touch the City trees not be sent out because it makes people afraid to trim the suckers and raise the small branches hanging too low over the sidewalk. When she sees the suckers, she trims them off. She stated that she knew of two warning letters that were sent to a resident warning of fines if they touched the trees. She suggested seminars and/or notices in the newspapers should be considered to inform residents that no heavy pruning is allowed, but that resident's are allowed to trim the suckers and shape the trees. She concluded that with reduced staff and the budget cuts, residents should be given a little more leeway. Rajappan Balagopal, 1815 Montecito Way stated that he had just finished settling a dispute with regard to trimming his downhill neighbors trees for his view and that view of his uphill neighbors. The trees have been regularly trimmed for view every two years with the uphill neighbors paying the cost. Mr. Balagopal submitted a petition with signatures from 13 of his neighbors and information from other tree view ordinances. They are requesting the Commission consider a long view ordinance allowing trees to be trimmed and opened up for the �-- view and one that would also provide a process for the City to facilitate tree view disputes between neighbors. OLD BUSINESS Tree View Ordinance - Committee Report - Commissioner Grandcolas submitted the Progress Report on Tree View Ordinance Consideration from the Tree View Ordinance Committee. Commissioner Grandcolas stated that staff had suggested two options to the Commission: to recommend an ordinance or not to recommend an ordinance. The Committee was formed and has studied and reviewed view ordinances in other cities as well as cities in the bay area, few that have tree view ordinances, but most which do not. They found that the City of Belmont, which has a similar physical topology and bay view as Burlingame, has a "policy" in place with regard to managing tree view disputes. The Committee believed that a third option could be to consider establishing a "policy" rather than an ordinance that is similar to that of the City of Belmont. He stated, since Burlingame currently has no view ordinances, 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 reviewed the report focusing on the "good points" and the "bad points" of the Belmont view policy and how the policy might apply to Burlingame. The Commission reviewed and discussed the report. Commissioner Lauder wondered if hillside views should be considered also, not only bay views. Commissioner Grandcolas commented that the Committee thought the policy could be reviewed and re evaluated at some future point, but that for now, focusing initially only on the bay views will give time to monitor the policy and will avoid any radical deforestation to occur before further implementation. He added that the Committee felt it preferable to take the "walk before we run" approach. Commissioner O'Connor asked at what point the City Attorney would be involved in the process? Superintendent Richmond responded that the City Attorney would be involved at the point of drafting a policy or ordinance but would give direction to the Commission when requested. Commissioner O'Connor commented that the City Attorney could be helpful with regard to defining views. Commissioner Grandcolas agreed that the City Attorney could be very helpful in narrowly defining the view. Arborist Porter suggested �.. defining appropriate tree species for view protection might be something to consider as well. Following the discussion, Vice -Chair Carney recognized Mr. Balagopal. Mr. Balagopal commented that he thought the Committee had done a good job; that other cities are more binding. This policy seemed to be a more reasonable approach. He added that other cities do have policies that limit the types of trees that can be planted with regard to view, for instance Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees cannot be planted because they grow to high. Mr. Balagopal also stated that most ordinances provide a time line in which disputes must happen, i.e., a 30-day, time period. Bobbi Benson stated that anyone appointed as mediator should have a gardening background; someone familiar with what can or can't be done, that trees can be thinned and opened up for the view without destroying the tree. She stated that it should be required that any trimming performed on the trees should be done by a Certified Arborist and a list of approved Certified Arborists could be provided to the property owners. Commission O'Connor added that a consultation could also be arranged with the City's Arborist. Mike Stallings of 1512 Alturas Way stated that he was happy that the process was moving forward, but that some people will be resistant to modifying the canopy in the City. The Commission decided to carry this item over to the next meeting for further discussion. Commissioner Grandcolas and Commissioner Webb will review the information provided by Mr. Balagopal. Commissioner O'Connor asked that the Commission also consider defining how broad the view definition should be. OLD BUSINESS - (Contd.) - Street Tree Removal Policy - Superintendent Richmond summarized that the Council has 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. The Commission is currently trying to create a model or guideline to assist in that decision -making process. Superintendent Richmond stated �-' that previously the City paid 100% of sidewalk repairs for related damage caused by City trees, but with the budget cuts, property owners are now responsible for the cost of repairs to the sidewalks. He explained that each year the City assigns sidewalk repair section by section at which time property owners in any given section are notified of the necessary repairs and are informed of the new policy that requires the sidewalk to be repaired at their cost. It is anticipated that some property owners may request removal of the City street tree due to sidewalk/curb damage caused by the tree. Following a brief discussion, the Commission tabled this item to the next Commission meeting, when more Commission members will be present for comment. 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. Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that, due to budget cuts, a representative from California Department of Forestry may not be available for the flag ceremony. It was suggested that Doug Gettel, Eagle Scout, who updated the Trees of Washington Park map, may be able to participate. Commissioner O'Connor stated she also may be able to find a representative from CDF to attend the ceremonies. NEW BUSINESS - Additional Specie Selections to the Official Street Tree List - Superintendent Richmond noted a list of disease resistant Elms for inclusion on the Official Street Tree List had been submitted by Jennifer Phaff and is being considered. He stated that Jennifer Pfaff from the Historical Society, has been working with CalTrans to replace Eucalyptus trees (needing to be removed on El Camino) with disease resistant Elms in order to restore the historical intent of the highway. Ms. Pfaff has now asked that Elm species also be placed on the City's Official Street Tree list. The Commission briefly discussed the Elm species as an addition to the list and as replacement trees on El Camino Real. The Commission also discussed the disadvantages of planting only one specie of tree in an area; that disease or pest could destroy a complete grove, and that future discussions with regard to monocultures should be discussed and considered. Arborist Porter responded that the Elms are a great choice for El Camino at this time, but over time, further evaluation and discussions regarding alternating species could be considered. Superintendent Richmond commented that Director Schwartz would be making future contacts with CalTrans related to the replanting on El Camino and discussions of monocultures could be discussed at that time. Following the discussion, the Commission tabled this item to the next Commission meeting, when more members of the Commission would be present to comment. REPORTS - Superintendent Richmond - 1. Tree Lighting ceremony will be Friday night at City Hall, starting at around 5 p.m. 2. Tree Crew is pruning all the trees on lower Burlingame Avenue from Rollins to Anita. 3. Steve Porter will retire the end of this month; he will then work part time, handling Planning/Building issues, and Protected Tree Removal applications. 4. The Landscape Screen on north California Drive has been completed. The contractor is now in the 90 day maintenance period, as well as some debris removal responsibilities. 5. There may be an appeal for the removal by permit of a private tree at the January meeting. If the appeal L goes forward the material will be included with the minutes, when they are sent out mid December. 6. Welcomed the new commissioner Geraldine O'Conner. 7. Thanked Jo -Ellen Ellis for her years of service on the Commission. REPORTS - (Contd.) - Carney - Vice Chair Carney reported that there is a swing on a City street tree on Columbus Avenue. Superintendent Richmond responded a warning letter would be sent to the property owner, if Vice Chair Carney would call the address into the Parks Division office. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder thanked Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, Supervisor Disco, Arborist Porter, and Secretary Harvey for the outstanding jobs they do for the City. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm. Respectfully submitted, i Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary \.-