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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2001.06.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION JUNE 7, 2001 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Locke. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Locke, Commissioners Ellis, Hesselgren, Lauder, McGowan, Rossi, and Webb Staff: Superintendent Richmond, Superintendent Schwartz, City Arborist Porter, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guest: Donald Cory (Alpine Road resident) NO MUTES - Correction to the minutes under ROLL CALL/Absent: Commissioners Hesselgren and Rossi. Correction to the minutes under NEW BUSINESS/Tree Planting on Airport Bouldvard/Page 1/Paragranh 3. first sentence should read: Chairperson Locke noted that the medians on Airport Boulevard have sip overhead street lights and that tree planting could interfere with the lights. Minutes of the June 7, 2001 meeting were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE Information for Commission regarding action or discussion on items not on agendas. Report from Superintendent Richmond regarding informing the Commission of (1) items that would be placed on the June agenda for discussion, (2) features of the Brown Act with regard to non agendized items (3) Eucalyptus tree pruning at Cuernavaca Park ballfield. Flyer of Coastal Cleanup Day - Saturday, September IS, 2001- 9: 00 a.m. to Noon. FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments from the floor. OLD BUSINESS Tree Planting on Airport Boulevard - Chairperson Locke asked if any of the Commissioners had yet evaluated the area. Commissioner McGowan stated that the area has numerous shrubs and some trees but there are many "junky" places and unplanted areas. Superintendent Richmond clarified that only City easement portions could be considered for tree planting and that information could be provided when needed. Commissioner Webb asked questions about the work being done on the bike trail; Superintendent Richmond referred Commissioner Webb to Jane Gomery ofthe Public Works Department. Commissioner Webb stated that Mayor Galligan told him that funds from the airport will be designated for the Shoreline area and that there will also be funds available for designing the "Special Area" from BART to the Shoreline. Commissioner Webb added he would like the Commission to be involved in that process. Superintendent Richmond referred Commissioner Webb to the Director of Public Works, George Bagdon, and Jane Gomery of Public Works. Following the discussion, Commissioner McGowan moved that a 3 person committee be appointed to evaluate and make recommendations for tree planting on Old Bayshore Boulevard seconded Motion carried unanimously. Commissioners Hesselgren, McGowan, and Webb volunteered to serve on the Committee and Chairperson Locke appointed them to the Committee. NEW BUSINESS Nominating Committee Appointment - Chairperson Locke appointed Commissioners Ellis and Rossi to serve on the Committee and asked that they present a slate of nominees for the positions of Chairperson, Vice -Chairperson, and Corresponding Secretary to the Commission at the August meeting. Rector Cadillac Project a, Broadway & Rollins Road - City Arborist Porter reported that the following trees would be planted on this approved project: 6-24" box Melaleuca's on Cadillac Way; 5-24" box Melaleuca's on Broadway; and 1-24" box Sequoia back on the property on the corner of Broadway and Rollins Road. Arborist Porter clarified that the parcel on Carolan Avenue from Cadillac Way to almost Broadway, actually belongs to Mike Harvey and that any future plans of that parcel will also require landscaping and tree planting. Police Department Landscaping Project na, Trousdale & California Drive - Arborist Porter reported that as part of a relandscape project at the Police Department he inspected the Melaleuca trees because of vehicular view issues and tree failure issues. Arborist Porter stated that he determined removal and replacement to be the best option; trees were multi-trunked and had experience limb failure. Arborist Porter added that 'Chanticleer' Pears, Eastern Redbuds, and Gngkos have been planted as replacement trees. Howard Avenue na, Myrtle Road Project - Arborist Porter reported that the 2 City trees on the Howard Avenue side of the project will remain as well as all the City trees on the Myrtle Road side. Approval for the removal of the private Redwood tree on the Myrtle Road side was granted due to the need for driveway access and root pruning would have rendered the tree unstable. Arborist Porter concluded that 7-15 gallon street trees (Gingkos, Melaleucas, Aristocrat Pears, and Peppers) will be planted on the Myrtle Road side as part of the project. Broadway/101 Triangle - Commissioner Lauder stated that she had been in contact with Mike Petersen of CalTrans regarding the damage to the irrigation system. He indicated that the damage had been repaired but, due to the delay, the roses intended for that area had been planted elsewhere. Commissioner Lauder asked that the roses be reordered and informed him that the Commission has waited a long time for this project to be completed. Mr. Petersen indicated that "money is tight", but assured her that the project would move forward. Chairperson Locke thanked Commissioner Lauder for her follow through, diplomacy and persistence. REPORTS Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items: 1) The Coastal Cleanup Day has been scheduled for Saturday, September 15'. This is the third time the City of Burlingame has participated. Donna Allen of the Burlingame Waste Water Treatment plant will be coordinating the event. The Parks & Recreation Department will publicize in the recreation brochure and will be offering other support. The Commission can decide in what way it may wish to participate. 2) Art -in -the Park will be held this weekend, June 9 & 10. 3) Letter to merchants and property owners on California Drive from Broadway to Bellevue will be sent out soon explaining the California Drive Tree Planting project. Any appeals with regard to individual tree planting sites will be referred to the Beautification Commission. 4) Noted that the Brown Act information included in commission packets highlights that reports must not turn into hearings. 5) Eucalyptus trees at Cuernavaca Park were trimmed and reduced to bucket truck heights so they can now be trimmed more safely every four years. Arborist Porter reported that, the City's water tank is in the near vicinity and limb failure had recently occurred. He added that while the --� trimming was severe, the trees will leaf out and will grow 4 - 6 feet within the next year. 2 REPORTS - (Contd.) �-' Locke - Chairperson Locke reported that the singing group that is trying to adopt a section of El Camino Real sent the application to CalTrans 2 months ago, but to date have received no response. Chairperson Locke gave the singing group the name of a person who might act as liaison to CalTrans and help to facilitate the process. Chairperson Locke reported that Tamara Lewis might be considered by the Commission as a possible speaker for the next Spring Garden Seminar. She recently spoke at the Atherton Garden Tour on "Birds, Ladybugs, and Butterflies; Creating a Garden as a Wildlife Habitat ". Chairperson Locke suggested this item be agendized for the Commission's consideration at the next meeting. Chairperson Locke reported that she met with Acting Director Schwartz and Superintendent Richmond. She noted that the work of the Commission has changed with regard to citizen appeals for tree removals. Citizen concerns are often resolved by staff before going forward. She reminded the Commission that the Commission's charter does allow them to make recommendations for projects in the City and that the Commission can act more proactively. She added that the Commission can also organize, promote, and facilitate programs that might involve school children and/ or civic groups. Chairperson Locke asked that this item be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. Hesselgren - Commissioner Hesselgren noted that a private Pine tree was removed on the corner of Bancroft and Bayswater. Arborist Porter responded that no permit application had been applied for but that the tree was under the protected size. Commissioner Hesselgren reported that between California Drive and Howard Avenue (in the business district) there are very few, if no street trees. She particularly noted that the northwest corner of Howard at Highland Avenue looks very stark and asked if there were requirements for landscaping or tree planting on commercial projects. Superintendent Richmond stated that while there are probably some requirements for commercial projects, he was not clear what is required in the business district. Commissioner Hesselgren asked this item be agendized for further discussion. Chairperson Locke asked Commissioner Hesselgren to check with the City's Planning Department to find out what is required with regard to landscaping on commercial projects and commercial projects in business districts. Commissioner Hesselgren reported that she attended a dinner that presented an award for exceptional landscaping for a building her company manages. She thought the Commission might want to consider a landscape award program. Commissioner Lauder stated that the Commission presented awards in the past but there seemed to be little interest on behalf of the businesses and so the Commission decided to stop presenting landscape awards. Commissioner Hesselgren asked that this item be agendized for further consideration of reinstituting the landscape award for commercial or residential properties. Chairperson Locke noted that, if the Commission were to decide to reinstitute a program like this, the Commission would first need to consider 1) the objectives and feasibility, 2) the effort involved in a program like this and, 3) who would be responsible for the program. McGowan - Commissioner McGowan reported that a young tree in the new parking lot at Burlingame Avenue and El Camino (on the El Camino side) needs restaking. REPORTS - (Contd.) —� Rossi - Commissioner Rossi asked if the July Commission meeting would be cancelled because it is so close to the July 4' holiday. After a show of hands to indicate who would not be able to attend, the Commission agreed that the meeting of July 5 h would not be cancelled. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder asked if any trees would be planted at the dog park. Superintendent Richmond responded that because of the clay cap, trees could not be planted in that area. Commissioner Lauder reported that the Burlingame Voice reported that three beautiful trees (2 Eucalyptus and 1 Oak) in the Wells Fargo parking lot on Primrose Road will be removed for the Safeway project. Superintendent Richmond responded that the Planning Department may have plans available for review of that project. Arborist Porter added that, to his knowledge, the plans for that project have not yet been approved. Commissioner Lauder reported that the Burlingame Voice is encouraging citizen involvement in the Teen Center discussions. Acting Director Schwartz reported that the Council has appointed a consensus building committee (Teen Center Committee) of citizen representatives from many local organizations. To date, of the approximately 25 sites initially considered, some consensus has been reached and currently, the committee is focusing on the possibility of three sites: 1) A Teen/Recreation Center Facility at the corner of Burlingame Avenue and Carolan Avenue, opening up over 20,000 square feet of passive park space where the current Recreation Center exists; 2) A Teen Center on the 2 parking lots South of Howard Avenue on Park Road; and 3) A Teen Center on a lot on Marco Polo Way. Acting Director Schwartz commented that when the Committee has completed their work, site selection will go back to the architect for conceptual plans to be drawn and then the Parks and Recreation Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council. The Beautification Commission will have an opportunity to review the plans after the best site option has been selected by the City Council. Chairperson Locke commented that she hoped the Beautification Commission would be included when they may still have some influence. Commissioner Webb added that he would like the Commission to be privy to the site selection itself. Acting Director Schwartz responded that the Parks and Recreation Commission is the body that has been appointed by the City Council to make recommendation to Council regarding this project. Acting Director Schwartz stated that the meetings that are being conducted by the Teen Center Committee are open to the public. The Committee will present a status report to the City Council on June 18`h and to the Parks and Recreation Commission on June 21'. .Locke - Chairperson Locke asked that the Commission review the items to place on the agenda for the next two meetings. The Commission agreed to place the following items on the July P Beautification Commission Agenda: 1) Coastal Cleanup Day, 2) Tree Planting on Bayshore Highway, and 3) Tree Planting on Howard Avenue. The Commission agreed to place the following items on the August 2" d Agenda: 1) Election of Commission Officers, 2) Landscape Requirements for Commercial and Business District Building Projects; 3) Landscape Award Program for Commercial Properties. Acting Director Schwartz advised that cities to contact who have landscape award programs in place are San Carlos and Pacifica. 4 REPORTS - Locke (Contd.) From the audience, Mr. Cory (Alpine Road resident) stated he was late to the meeting and was not able to speak From the Floor. Commissioner McGowan stated that the agenda is posted well in advance, and the Commission had moved well beyond that item. Mr. Cory stated he would only take five minutes of the Commission's time. Commissioner McGowan stated he had another appointment to go to. Commissioner Webb stated he could remain and listen. Chairperson Locke asked the Commission if they were willing to return to that agenda item. Commissioner McGowan stated he needed to leave and excused himself. The other Commissioners indicated that they would remain. Mr. Cory stated he had recently attended a meeting of the Historical Society and learned that the Eucalyptus grove along the railroad tracks between Howard Avenue and Oak Grove was planted to serve as a wind screen in 1872. At the same time,132 Eucalyptus trees were planted along the railroad tracks between Oak Grove and Morrell Avenue. Mr. Cory stated he maintains the area under the trees from Oak Grove to Morrell. He added that CalTrain and the Joint Powers Board had recently done some cleanup in the area. Mr. Cory requests that the Commission consider planting Eucalyptus trees down to the CalTrain parking lot to fill in the gap. Commissioner Locke stated that property ownership in that area is like a patch work quilt. Mr. Cory responded that 25' of the land belongs to the City; he would like to see a dog park in the area where dogs could be walked. Commissioner Hesselgren commented that this item should be agendized for further discussion. The Commission agreed and asked that this item be placed on the September 6`' agenda. There being no further business, Chairperson Locke adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Respe Hy submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary 5