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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2001.10.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 4, 2001 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chairperson Locke. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Locke, Commissioners, Hesselgren, Lauder, McGowan, Rossi, and Webb Staff: Acting Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, City Arborist Porter, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Absent: Commissioner Ellis Guest: Leroy Kloezeman, John Gong, Rick Young, Vincent Cauchi, and Karen Stern MINUTES - Chairperson Locke requested that under REPORTS/Locke, the minutes be corrected to read beginning with the second to last sentence: "Phil Scott told her that those funds cover streetsweeper costs only. Mr. Scott assured Chairperson Locke, that, if asked by CalTrans, he would approve the issuance of a permit for the group to maintain a section of El Camino. Chairperson Locke conveyed those comments to Mr. Peterson." Commissioner Lauder requested that under REPORTS/Lauder. the minutes be corrected to read beginning at the first sentence: "Commissioner Lauder stated she had just visited Lake Oswego in Portland; Oregon; beautiful hanging baskets are hung from the street lights, telephone poles, and stop lights." Minutes were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Richard and Barbara Young, 812 Fairfield Road, informing them that their appeal of the approval to remove two private Black Acacia trees at 809 Paloma Avenue had been received, and that, the Commission would review the matter at the October 4' Commission meeting. Public Notice announcing applications are available for one vacancy on the Burlingame Beautification Commission. Historical summary regarding the necessary removal of the American Elm in the rear of Washington Park. FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments from the floor. OLD BUSINESS Appeal of Denial to Remove One Private Eucalyptus Tree (R� 2748 Summit Drive - Arborist Porter stated the Building Department has indicated that there are no building regulations with regard to line heights. He added that he met with the P.G.&E. Vegetation Program Manager, Peter Beaseley, to discuss relocation of the low hanging utility lines in the center of the back yard at 2748 Summit Drive. Mr. Beaseley indicated to Mr. Porter that moving one or possibly two poles to move the utility lines from the center of the yard to the property line, would necessitate the removal of the said Eucalyptus tree as well as the topping or even the possible removal of other private trees in the vicinity. Mr. Beaseley recommended placing a longer extension on the existing utility pole which would allow the phone and cable lines to be moved up 4' from the existing electrical line. Based on the information received from Mr. Beaseley, Arborist Porter stated that he is reluctant to approve the removal of a healthy Eucalyptus tree until the applicant has submitted a plan from P.G.&E. showing which trees would be impacted by line relocation. Appeal of Denial to Remove One Private Eucalyptus Tree na 2748 Summit Drive - (Cont'd-) Chairperson Locke recognized the applicant, Mr. Kloezeman. Mr. Kloezeman stated he will be meeting with PacBell and Cable representatives next week. He added that one of the poles has already been extended once. He felt the additional extension, raising the lines by 4', is not enough, that, the fines/cables are very unsightly and four of the lines/cables weren't even there when they bought their home. He commented that P.G.&E. informed him that it will cost $20,000 to trench to put the utilities underground plus an additional $20,000 to pull the lines. Mr. Kloezeman requested that this item be continued to the November meeting to allow him time to meet with PacBell and Cable representatives. Chairperson Locke asked the Commission if they were interested in continuing. The Commission agreed, but Commissioner Rossi moved that permission be granted for the applicant to remove the Eucalyptus tree; seconded Commission voted 3 - 3 (opposed) -I (absent). Chairperson Locke advised the applicant of appeal procedures. Appeal of the Denial to Remove One Private Palm Tree a,11 Kenmar Way - Arborist Porter stated that he denied the application based on the following reasons: the damage to a walkway is not considered "significant" damage to justify removal of a healthy tree; and the "safety hazard" of the spikes on the trunk, as cited by the applicant, can be shaved without any undue harm to the tree. Commissioner McGowan asked if the spikes were shaved, would they grow back. Arborist Porter responded "No". Commissioner McGowan asked how much larger the Palm tree may grow. Arborist Porter responded that the tree appears to have reached maturity and should not get much larger. Chairperson Locke asked if the soil erosion near the trunk would affect the tree's health and if the tree was stable. Arborist Porter stated that Palm trees are bulbular, and the existing soil erosion will have no affect on the health or stability of the tree. Commissioner McGowan asked, because the tree is bulbular, if the tree would do more of a lift from the base of the trunk causing more damage to the walkway. Arborist Porter responded that further damage could possible occur to the walkway in the next 5 - 10 years. Commissioner Lauder suggested alternative landscape solutions as well as changing the walkway to redirect the foot traffic away from the spikes. She also suggested that transplanting the Palm tree could be considered. Chairperson Locke recognized the applicant, John Gong. Mr. Gong stated that the tree has grown significantly in the last several years and has caused the walkway to raise. He added that he would like to replace with the tree with Birch, Aspens, or Oaks. Chairperson Locke asked Mr. Gong what he might plant ifthe appeal is denied. Mr. Gong responded that he would plant bushes or shrubs around the base of the trunk. Commissioner McGowan stated that the tree is going to lift at the root crown and has been planted too close to the walkway. He added that the spikes are a hazard and applicant should be allowed to remove the tree and replace with three-15 gallon Birch trees. 2 OR Commissioner Webb stated that the walkway could be easily rerouted, but asked if the Commission is supposed to consider future liability to the City. Commissioner Rossi commented that the Commission should not speculate as to what damage might or might not happen; the Commission is not here to determine landscape design, but is here for tree protection. Commissioner McGowan responded that the Commission should make decisions on trees that have been planted in places they should not have been planted. Commissioner McGowan then moved that the applicant's appeal be upheld because the tree has a hazardous trunk and will become larger causing further damage to the existing walkway. There was no second to support the motion, therefore the appeal was denied. Commissioner Locke commented that since the tree is very close to the house, if it were to grow by even 30 %, there could be additional damage. Arborist Porter responded that the tree is more mature than not. He added that if the pace of damage were to accelerate, the applicant could reapply for further consideration. There were no further comments. Chairperson Locke informed the applicant of the appeal procedures. Appeal of the Approval to to Remove Two Private Black Acacia Trees (a, 809 Paloma Avenue - Arborist Porter stated that he approved the removal of both trees because they have structural defects, heart rot, and I.S.A. has identified this species as having a high incidence of whole tree failure. Commissioner Webb asked if one of the trees could be saved. Arborist Porter responded that one of the reasons both need to be removed is because it is actually one tree with two co -dominant trunks that grew from two suckers. He added that this was the reason for only requiring one replacement tree as part of the condition of the removal. Chairperson Locke recognized the appellent, Rick Young, 812 Fairfield Road. Mr. Young stated the removal of the trees will leave a big void in the neighborhood. He asked if there was anything that could be done to save the trees. Commissioner Lauder asked Arborist Porter if weight reduction pruning would make the trees more safe. Arborist Porter stated there were no pruning techniques he was aware of that would make the trees safer; pruning the crown would cause the tree(s) to be more structurally unsound and would be a continuing maintenance problem. Following further discussion, Commissioner Hesselgren moved that the appeal be denied based on the unsafe nature of the tree(s); seconded Motion carried 5 -1 (abstention/Webb) - I (absent). Appeal of the Denial to Remove One City -owned Pine Tree Q 127 Loma Vista Drive - Arborist Porter reported that in April of 1999, the property owner at 131 Loma Vista Drive requested removal of the Pine tree because of damage to a detached pool house, falling limbs and pine needles. He then reviewed the request with the property owner at 127 Loma Vista Drive (where the tree exists). The property owner was adamant that the tree remain. 3 Avveal of the Denial to Remove One City -owned Pine Tree (a) 127 Loma Vista Drive - ...� Cont'd. Arborist Porter then scheduled pruning maintenance and liquidfertilizing on the tree to increase the tree's vigor. He also instructed the property owner at 131 Loma Vista that he could cut any roots that were encroaching onto his property. Chairperson Locke stated that the property owner at 131 Loma Vista Drive believes the roots from the City tree at 127 Loma Vista Drive have penetrated the existing hardscape around the pool. Arborist Porter responded that he does not believe the roots have caused the damage because the tree is very far away from the area and the roots would be very small. Chairperson Locke recognized the applicant, Mr. Cauchi. Mr. Cauchi stated he is a tree lover and submitted photographs depicting damage to his tile roof and cracks to the hardscape around his pool. He stated that concrete doesn't crack on its own and believes the tree's roots are causing the damage. He noted that he had trimmed the root near the pool house; but that, there is now a crack starting at the hot tub. Commissioner McGowan asked Mr. Cauchi if he was able to find the root near the pool house. Mr. Cauchi responded that he was able to find the root 3' below grade and removed it, but he believes there is a root about 8' down that is causing the damage to the hardscape. Mr. Cauchi added that his Arborist says the tree has about 5 years to live and is in decline. Chairperson Locke then recognized the property owner at 127 Loma Vista Drive, Karen Stern. Ms. Stern stated that the tree is one of a trio, and provides a serene, country look to her property. —IN She is concerned that no one can see the root that is supposedly causing all this damage. She suspects the trees are dropping Pine needles into his pool. She stated that she was not aware of limbs dropping in her yard and that the tree has been trimmed and pulled back from Mr. Cauchi's yard. Ms. Stern concluded that the trees are beautiful; that Mr. Cauchi has already removed a sapling and pyracantha; and that, she would appreciate it if the tree would stay. Commissioner Webb commented that the tree may have 5 - 10 years maximum, and asked Arborist Porter if the roots seek out water. Arborist Porter responded that tree roots will seek out water, but he has never seen a root 8' deep; roots are generally in the first 18-20" of the soil. Commissioner Rossi stated that concrete does have a tendency to crack. Mr. Cauchi responded that roots can crack concrete and his pool is 20 years old. Chairperson Locke asked Ms. Stern if the trees are regularly watered. Ms. Stern responded that she waters daily. Chairperson Locke closed the comments from the audience. Commissioner Hesselgren noted that the trees could live longer than 5 years, but there are many diseases in the area for conifers. Chairperson Locke stated that it is a matter of the tree coming out now or later and asked Arborist Porter if he would recommend replacing the tree with the same species. Arborist Porter responded that he would not because Pine trees have so many inherent problems. 4 Appeal of the Denial to Remove One City -owned Pine Tree Q, 127 Loma Vista Drive - Cont'd. Chairperson Locke asked Arborist Porter who would bear the cost of removal and replacement. Arborist Porter responded that the Commission, as in the past, could decide to pass on cost of removal and replacement to the applicant. Commissioner Rossi asked Arborist Porter how many replacement trees would be required. Arborist Porter stated because of the location and the loss to the experienced by the property owner at 127 Loma Vista Drive, he would recommend replacement with two 24-inch box size trees. Commissioner Hesselgren asked Arborist Porter if he had ever seen a root 8' below grade. Arborist Porter responded "No", that most roots are no more than T below grade. Arborist Porter added that the property owner at 131 Loma Vista Drive was informed that he could cut any roots that encroached on his private property. Following the discussion, Commissioner Lauder moved that the appeal to remove the Pine tree be denied because the tree is still viable; seconded Motion carried 4 - 2 (opposed) -1 (absent). Chairperson Locke informed applicant of the appeal procedures. Tree Planting on Old BUshore Boulevard - Status - Park Superintendent Richmond stated that the meeting between the Planning Commission representatives and the Beautification Commission representatives will occur in late October. He added that Commissioner McGowan and Hesselgren should call the Parks Division will available times in their schedule. Tree Planting Proiect on California Drive (Between Broadway & Bellevue) - Status - Superintendent Richmond reported that the preconstruction meeting has occurred with J.J.R. Construction and that the project will begin within the next two weeks. Landscape Award Program for Commercial Properties - Commissioner Hesselgren most recently received information from the other cities she has contacted, but was unable to review and asked that this item be continued to the November 131 meeting. REPORTS - Richmond 1) The American Elm tree in Washington Park behind the Recreation Center will be removed on October 10' due to Dutch Elm Disease. The disease was detected in the tree in the late 80's. Other than past Elm leaf bark and beetle spraying, the Parks Division has used a recently developed injection method to combat the disease, but recent inspection of the upper canopy of the tree determined the tree now to be in an unsafe condition. Arborist Porter presented a section of preserved wood illustrating the signs of Dutch Elm Disease that led to the initial diagnosis of this 150 year old tree. Superintendent Richmond reported that the companion Elm is in a healthier condition and will continue to received the injection treatments. 2) A Monterey Pine tree in tfie rear of Washington Park will also need removing because it poses a hazard. Arborist Porter noted that the tree has serious structural defects with multiple trunks, and is one sided; replacement of both the Elm and the Pine will occur in the near future. 3) Sycamore pruning will begin in November; the crews will be working South of El Camino. Commissioner Lauder asked if the stump from the Elm tree could be saved. Arborist Porter stated because the tree has Dutch Elm Disease, careful consideration would need to be made so the disease is not spread. Superintendent Richmond noted that a cross section of the trunk will be given to the Historical Society and options for the stump would be considered if containment ofthe disease could be assured. REPORTS (Cont'd.) - Locke - Chairperson Locke thanked the Commission for their support and for electing her to another term as Chairperson. She also thanked Commissioner Rossi for his service on the Beautification '1 Commission and for his support. Chairperson Locke reported that CalTrans has put together a purchase order regarding two issues relating to irrigation on the 101/Broadway Triangle renovation; insect nests have been eradicated and the planting should begin by the end of October. Commissioner Webb asked if the dead Coyote Brush had been removed. Chairperson Locke responded that some dead plant removal has already occurred. Rossi - Commissioner Rossi commented that for future appeals, it would be helpful to the Commission if they were to receive maps with their packets of the area to be inspected by the Commission. Commissioner Hesselgren suggested a map from the intemet could be made available. Ellis - Chairperson Locke reported for Commissioner Ellis in her absence. Commissioner Ellis participated in the Bay Front Cleanup and reported that this year's turn out was better than past cleanups; high school students received community service credit for attending. Many cigarette butts were cleaned up and it was thought the City could provide containers for cigarette butts. McGowan - Commissioner McGowan noted that 4 Carrotwood trees have been planted on the corners of the most recently completed section of streetscape on Broadway. The plan called for 2 Carrotwood trees. Commissioner McGowan added that 4 Carrotwoods on the corners will grow too large for the area. Superintendent Richmond stated he would report the information to Jane Gomery of the Public Works Department. There being no further business, Chairperson Locke adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. "IN Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary FRO