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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2003.06.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2003 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson McGowan, Ellis, Carney, Hesselgren, Lauder, and Locke Absent: Commissioner Webb Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, City Arborist Porter, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: David & Jennifer Harding, Terry Nagle and Barbara Nagata MINUTES - Commissioner Locke reviewed with the Commission corrections to the March 6 h Minutes she previously submitted to the Recording Secretary, and Commissioner Carney noted that the date of the Commissioner's Dinner should be corrected to read March 7"' instead of March 17d . The minutes were then approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Able & Nellie Yu, 2970 Trousdale Drive, informing them that the Commission voted 4-2-1 (absent) to uphold their appeal of the denial to remove a Pine tree in the back yard of 2970 Trousdale Drive, and that,a permit would be issued if no appeal had been received within 10 days. (There were no appeals and the permit was issued.) Letter to Matt Leddy, Director of Horticulture Department (CSM), thanking him for his presentation at the annual Spring Garden Seminar. Letter to the Beautification Commission from the Silva Family, thanking the Commission for the tree planting in memory of Marcus Silva (former Parks Division employee) during the Arbor Day Ceremonies at Bayside Park. Letter to the Beautification Commission from Del and Marilyn Ronal thanking the Commission for the "outstanding" and "informative" presentation by Matt Leddy at the Spring Garden Seminar. Parks Division report submitted by Parks Superintendent Richmond. Letter to Daniel and Jennifer Harding, 1170 Vancouver Avenue, informing them that their appeal of the denial for the removal of a Redwood tree in the backyard had been received and would be placed on the June 5t' Beautification Commission agenda and that, they could attend and address the Commission at that time. Adjacent property owners to the applicants were also informed. FROM THE FLOOR - Terry Nagle introduced herself and Barbara Nagata and stated that they were representing the organization BULB (Burlingamers Unwilling to Live with Blackouts). She stated that their group is hoping to be placed on a future Beautification Commission agenda to discuss PG&E and tree problems with regard to blackouts in the City of Burlingame. Barbara Nagata asked what action the City took against PG&E for the illegal removal of a Canary Island Palm at 1541 Howard Avenue. Arborist Porter responded that the City is requiring PG&E to plant a total of 6 trees in the City's planter strips. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that the plantings will take place during the regular Fall street tree planting. She added that PG&E will provide the labor and cost for the planting of 6 - 15 gallon size trees at residential sites selected by the Parks Division. She said that PG&E will also be required to remove the large stump in the City planter strip at 1541 Howard as a result of the removal. Arborist Porter stated that PG&E had obtained permits for removals in neighboring cities, but inadvertently forgot to get permits from the City of Burlingame. He added the tree company and PG&E have apologized for this error and have assured that it will not happen again. Commissioner Ellis asked what the penalty would be if an illegal removal were to occur again. Arborist Porter stated that the ordinance allows for treble damages in fines to be charged for illegal removals in the City of Burlingame. Terry Nagle commented that the Canary Island Palm tree was probably worth $10,000 and could have been moved to another location. NEW BUSINESS Request for Removal of Private Redwood Tree 6a 1170 Vancouver Avenue - Arborist Porter stated the permit application was received to remove a protected Redwood tree in the backyard at 1170 Vancouver on April 24t', 2003. Applicants cited safety concerns due to instability and that the tree was planted too close to garage as reasons for removal. On April 29t', the application was denied because the tree appeared to be healthy and the inspection revealed no apparent significant damage to the garage structure. Arborist Porter stated in a letter to the applicant that a root excavation should be conducted by an independent arborist to specifically address the stability issue and, if found to be unstable, he would approve the removal. On May 6t' the applicant submitted an arborist report stating if the Redwood tree was not removed there could be possible damage in the future to the garage structure and that the tree was "unbalanced" due to P.G.&E. pruning, but did not specifically address the applicants' concerns of "stability." Arborist Porter again denied the application and the applicants were advised of the appeal procedures to the Beautification Commission. The applicants appealed the denial in a letter to the Commission, dated May 19"' stating: 1) The tree is within 6 feet of the garage. It appeared that the garage floor was previously redone to accommodate the root growth of the tree and it was their belief that the garage would soon be damaged again by the root growth. 2) The upper portion of the tree is unbalanced because PG&E has to constantly prune two sides of the tree to accommodate power lines running across our property and the main line running in the alley behind their yard. Arborist Porter stated that the tree is 40-50 years old, is in good health, and that future problems to the tree could be corrected by simply removing the additional soil that has been placed inside the planter from around the base of the tree. Chairman McGowan asked the Commission if they had questions of Arborist Porter. The Commission `-' discussed with Arborist Porter the age and condition of the tree, as well as the planting site in relation to the existing garage. Commissioner Lauder asked if removing the soil and the planter would solve future problems. Arborist Porter noted that the brick planter and soil was added after the tree had been planted. He stated that the problem is the warm, moist soil that is raised up over the root crown that, over time, could cause decay. Commissioner Carney asked if the soil and the planter were removed to ground level, would the tree then be "O.K.". Arborist Porter said root excavation for an evaluation of the roots would still be advisable. Commissioner Ellis noticed buckling of the bark and noted that there were "mini trees" surrounding the main tree. Arborist Porter stated that the "suckers" are typical of Redwood trees and the "buckling" could be an adventitious root, but that he did not see any apparent health or safety concerns with the tree. Commissioner Hesselgren stated that the cutting near the PG&E lines did not seem significant. Arborist Porter responded that even as the tree grows larger, it would not pose a problem to the primary utility lines. Commissioner Ellis asked if the growth of the tree would now be at a slower rate. Arborist Porter stated that the growth of the tree will be at a slower rate and that the root path will grow more toward the open area as opposed to the area under the garage structure. Commissioner Locke commented that she could understand how the resident would speculate that the Redwood tree's roots may have caused previous damage to the slab floor due to the garage's close proximity to the Redwood tree. However, she noted that, 3 large trees were removed just outside the fence line, and that roots from those trees might have done the damage. She then asked Arborist Porter what instability factor was for Redwood trees. Arborist Porter responded, "Zero, for a healthy Redwood tree". NEW BUSINESS Request for Removal of Private Redwood Tree 641170 Vancouver Avenue - (Contd.) - Chairman McGowan recognized the applicants, Mr. and Mrs. Harding. Mr. Harding stated that someone told him that the planter and soil should be removed and he cannot determine whether or not the garage floor was once replaced due to root damage. Mrs. Harding stated they will soon be replacing the garage roof and have been told by tree companies that, because of the close proximity to the garage, the tree will someday need to be removed because it will get twice as big. She added that the estimates for removal are now at $2,000, and because they are spending so much now to repair and renovate they do not want damage to occur to those same renovations in the future. She added that they loved the tree when they bought the house, but two tree companies and their landscaper have said that the tree was planted in the wrong place, that it grows too close to the PG&E wires, and that it is too close to the garage. Chairman McGowan noted that it is very hard to remove significant trees in the City of Burlingame, because Burlingame has enacted ordinances to protect the trees. He stated that this healthy Redwood tree is 40-50 years old and that the existing P.G.&E. wires are off to the side of the tree. He added that there are many other trees in the City of Burlingame planted in the wrong places, but that's what makes Burlingame the beautiful community that it is. Commissioner Locke then asked the applicant if they would be rebuilding their garage? Both applicants responded "No", that they were intending to re -roof the garage. Commissioner Locke asked if the applicant had noticed any roots from the tree in the lawn? Mrs. Harding stated she had not noticed any roots surfacing, but a new lawn was planted a year ago when they moved in and now need to replace the lawn again because of the roots from the Redwood tree. Chairman McGowan commented that it sounded like the applicants did not want to remove the Redwood tree but had been advised that this Redwood tree will become a "financial terror" in the future. Arborist Porter commented that the growth rate of this 40-50 year old tree will be at an average of no more than 16" diameter in 40 years and, if maintained properly, will not pose a threat to the occupants or the �-- property. He concluded that someday, if the roots begin to cause damage, the roots could be cut and root barriers placed. Mrs. Harding stated that she was told by both of the tree companies that the tree is 12-15 years old. Commissioner Lauder commented that she has a Coast Redwood in her back yard that approximately the same size which is definitely 40-50 years old. Commissioner Locke stated that this Redwood tree is adding value to the applicants' property, rather than detracting from their property. Following the discussion, Commissioner Hesselgren moved to uphold the denial of the appeal to remove the Redwood tree at 1170 Vancouver Avenue because the tree is not unstable and is not causing apparent damage to the garage or surrounding area; seconded (Lauder). Motion carried 6-0-1 (absent/Webb). Chairman McGowan thanked the applicants. The applicants were advised that they would receive the Commission's decision in writing and that they could either appeal the decision to the City Council or make reapplication with a Certified Arborist Report specifically addressing the instability of the tree. Commissioner Locke left the meeting at 6:25 P.M. Appointment of Nominating Committee for August Election of Officers - Chairman McGowan asked if any Commissioners would like to volunteer to serve on the nominating committee. Commissioners Lauder and Carney volunteered. Chairmen McGowan appointed Commissioners Lauder and Carney and asked that they meet and report back to the Commission in August for the election of Beautification Commission officers. Commissioner Hesselgren moved to cancel the July 3''a Commission meeting; seconded (Ellis). Motion carried 5-0-2(absent/Locke & Webb). REPORTS - Director Schwartz Director Schwartz submitted a memo to the Commission regarding the potential merger of Burlingame and Millbrae Parks & Recreation departments. He requested that the Commission review, evaluate, and develop a list of questions they would like answered and goals they feel should be included in the decision to merge the two departments. He stated he would like the Commission's input and comments by June 13t'. Both Burlingame's and Millbrae's Commissions will be participating in this evaluation process and findings and options will be reported back to the Burlingame and Millbrae Councils in September. Superintendent Richmond - (Memo to Commission in Supt. Richmond's absence, dated May 27, 2003) 1) The spring weather conditions have caused a severe outbreak of anthracnose on Sycamore trees. Many of the trees have had premature leaf drop, resulting in thin foliage especially on the twig tips. We expect a second flush of growth, but the disease will be problematic all year. The disease manifests itself to some degree every year. This year it is unusually bad. One group of neighbors has requested a permit to have the Sycamores fronting their properties sprayed with a fungicide. We will approve the request provided the required documentation precedes it. 2) The PG&E contractor removed several protected size palms without first obtaining the required City permit. PG&E did receive property owner permission at each location. Steve Porter has presented PG&E with requirements for the violation. 3) Richard Holtz, one of our Tree Maintenance Workers, completed an update of our City tree inventory Some of the data in the inventory dated from the mid 80s. Karlene Harvey structured the inventory update for Richard, who did the field work of visiting every tree site. Now Karlene Harvey and Gina Borba will update the computerized data, and our inventory will be up to date. Thanks to Richard, who made great use of injury time that prevented full participation on the Tree Crew, and thanks to Karlene for coordinating the work. Their work represents a substantial cost savings over hiring a private company to re -inventory our street trees. Carney - Commissioner Carney noted that PG&E just pruned the Sycamores under primary utility lines on her street; but now the other side is so much taller that it looks very unbalanced. Arborist Porter responded that the unbalanced look will improve when the City's tree crew trims the other side. There being no further business, Chairperson McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary