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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2000.03.02BURLMGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MARCH 2.2000 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, Lauder, McGowan, Rossi, and Webb Absent: Commissioner Hesselgren Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, City Arborist Porter, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guest: Donald Cory (Alpine Road resident) MINUTES - The minutes of the February 3, 2000 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Public Works flyer regarding the Broadway Streetscape Improvement Project. Memo to Beautification Commission from Superintendent Richmond regarding jurisidicational issues with regard to the possible cleanup of the Eucalyptus Grove trail, North of Oak Grove and East of California Drive. Memo to the Beautification Commission from Arborist Porter regarding Considerations/Guidelines Used for Protected Tree Removal Permits and additional information regarding Private Property Trees and City Trees. Letter from the Beautification Commission to Herman Ramirez of CalTrans inviting him to attend the March 2nd Commission meeting to discuss available maintenance programs for the triangle at westside Highway 101 at the Broadway offramp. Information submitted by Commissioner Webb regarding Safe Routes to School funds availability for bike lanes and trails. Letter from the Beautification Commission to Betty Ward expressing sympathy in Bill's passing and that a memorial tree planting ceremony at Heritage Park is being planned. FROM THE FLOOR Donald Cory (Alpine Road resident) stated that he spoke to the Parks and Recreation Commission about the Eucalyptus grove area from the Burlingame Train Station to Broadway. He stated that he has performed work in the area to try and beautify the area and stated anything the City can do to help beautify or develop the area would be appreciated. OLD BUSINESS CalTrans 'Adopt -a -Highway' Program/Triangle Area Off Southbound 101 k Broadway - Herman Ramirez introduced himself and stated that he is the Maintenance Manager of the Westbay Region which includes San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara Counties. Mr. Ramirez explained the different maintenance programs available to groups or agencies: OLD BUSINESS - ( ont'd.) - CalTrans 'Adopt -a -Highway' Program/Triangle Area Off Southbound 101 @ Broadway - 1) Groups/agencies can submit a request for CalTrans crews to cleanup a particular area. 2) Groups/agencies can apply for a 'Letter of Consent' authorizing individuals/groups to conduct a one time community event to beautify an area. 3) Groups/agencies can participate in the Adopt -A -Highway program which usually involves a 2 year commitment to perform routine maintenance in a designated area. Mr. Ramirez commented that most of the programs can include some assistance from CalTrans crews, i.e. irrigation repair, punching holes for planting, etc. He added that if a group wants CalTrans crews to cleanup an area, followup calls to return and do the work again would be necessary. If a group performs work in an area and then no longer wants to continue the work, CalTrans crews will be responsible for the maintenance and irrigation of the area. If a total renovation and planting plan is proposed, CalTrans will arrange for a Landscape Specialist to meet with the group and will discuss acceptable plants. He added that CalTrans has sources for plants and trees. He suggested the Commission visit the area on 280 in San Jose between loth and 1 lth and also the off -ramp area in South San Francisco to see examples of work performed by different citizen action groups. Chairperson Locke commented that the Commission has been concerned about the visibility of the triangle area at Broadway and has had limited success with CalTrans. She added that the Commission would need to decide its level of commitment and the scope of the work to be done in the area such as cleanup, pruning, and litter removal. Commissioner McGowan suggested that the Commission revisit the site and discuss possibilities at --� the next Commission meeting. The Commission was in agreement and will continue the discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Ramirez concluded that the Broadway overpass is scheduled to be redone in the next 5-6 years, and that now would be a good time for the City of Burlingame to begin discussing future plans for that area. Mr. Ramirez stated that plans for a project such as this would be referred to Director Harry Yahata, in Oakland. Chairperson Locke thanked Mr. Ramirez for his information and his willingness to speak to the Commission. Chairperson Locke suggested that since John Cahalan was present, Item A& B under New Business be discussed at this time. There were no objections. NEW BUSINESS Landscape Review of California Drive Tree Planting Project - Mr. Cahalan presented the plans for the project and stated that the purpose for the project was to inject life and interest along California Drive from Broadway to Burlingame Avenue. The Aristocrat Pear trees were chosen because of the narrow space between store fronts that most sites provide. This selection would also create some continuity with the Aristocrat Pears used for the Broadway Streetscape project and the BART tailtrack visual screen in the northernmost California Drive area. He explained that approximately 70 trees will be planted and that tree grates will be used on either end of the project. Some trees will be planted in existing planting wells, whereas other sites will need to be saw cut. N NEW BUSINESS ( nt'd) - Landscape Review of California Drive Tree Planting Project Unfortunately, he added, some existing utilities will preclude some tree planting. (From Oak Grove North to Palm Drive and 'h of the block just North of Majilla, trees cannot be planted due to an existing water line just 2 feet under planting area.) The Commission discussed the project and possible alternatives or options for planting where the utilities exist. Commissioner Rossi stated that he would like to see the possibility of trees included =- on the plans for those areas and if monies to move the water line become available at a later date, the trees could then be planted. Mr. Cahalan stated that it could become a "bid alternate". Chairperson Locke recognized Mr. Cory from the audience. Mr. Cory stated he would like to see a tenth of as much interest spent on the eastside of California Drive. He asked if over the water line, could the sidewalk concrete be cut away, and then three-foot raised planter boxes (without bottoms) placed, might that leave enough room for the tree to grow and also miss the water line? John Cahalan said he was not sure but would need to consider the possibility. Commissioner McGowan noted that the Burlingame Avenue Streetscape may incorporate the section on California Drive from Burlingame Avenue to Stacks Restaurant. Mr. Cahalan stated he would check into that further. BART Tailtrack Landscaping - John Cahalan reported that the Aristocrat Pears, chosen mostly for their fall color and that they are conducive with overhead utilities, will be planted in the tailtrack area, eastside of California Drive just slightly North of Dufferin. It was decided to leave the existing Casuarina's from Dufferin, South, because they provide an ample screen for the California Drive residents. Dodonea `Hopseed Bush' and perhaps an alternating evergreen dark green shrub will be planted right underneath the trees to eventually form a type of visual screen. After a brief discussion, Chairperson Locke thanked Mr. Cahalan for his presentation. OLD BUSINESS Cleanup of Trail/Eucalyptus Grove North of Oak Grove and East of California Drive - Superintendent Richmond reported that after discussing with the City Attorney, he would highlight the problems that may be encountered in creating a formal pathway in the area: 1) The area is not an official trail. 2) The area belongs to a number of different jurisdictions. 3) The jurisdictions belonging to the City & County of San Francisco and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers have recently been pruned to reduce liability. Both jurisdictions actively discourange public activity on their properties. 4) Joint Powers Board requires anyone working in the area to have 'Safety' training. Superintendent Richmond added that if the City and County of San Francisco were to sell their section, (area closest to California Drive), a path of some kind along there might be a possibility. Commissioner Ellis asked whose property the current trail was on? Superintendent Richmond stated that the current trail is mostly on the Joint Powers Board property. OLD BUSINESS - ( ont'd )- Cleanup of Trail/Eucalyptus Grove North of Oak Grove and East of California Drive - Chairperson Locke asked if the City had entered into any negotiations for the sale of the property ..� near California Drive? Superintendent Richmond stated he would check further. Commissioner Webb commented that soon, the trains in that corridor will be electrified. He wondered if any funds were going to be available for landscaping. He added that funds from the Safe Routes to Schools might be available to create a path. Commissioner Lauder stated that it might be best if less attention were drawn to the area. She added that she has walked her dog there and that it is beautiful, but a problem with "liabilities" do come to mind. If more attention were drawn to the area, it might be dangerous and the Joint Powers Board and the other agencies might decide to close off the area. She concluded that it might be best to leave well enough alone. Chairperson Locke recognized Mr. Cory from the audience. Mr. Cory stated that he would like to see the asphalt on eastside of California Drive from Oak Grove be continued down to Broadway. He added that the City crews dumped dredging near the trees, and suggested that they could have dumped the dredging near the built up tie embankment. He then asked for clarification of the jurisdications involved. Chairperson Locke presented Mr. Cory with a map of the area. Commissioner Webb stated that he agreed with Commissioner Lauder that it might be best to leave well enough alone. But he added, that he would like to see the piles of "crud" taken out of the drainage creek hauled away. He asked Superintendent Richmond about the project South of Oak Grove and stated that there are piles of gravel and rocks. He noted that there are also shopping carts in the water channel; that the channel should be kept free and clear of debris. He asked if the City and County of San Francisco can sell their jurisdiction to a private developer or if the City could purchase it? Superintendent Richmond stated he would contact the Public Works Department and the City Attorney for further information regarding the issues in the area and report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Memorial Tree Planting in Memory of William Ward - The Commission discussed possible dates for the memorial tree planting at Heritage Park. Commissioner Lauder commented that the Commission should choose a day that Betty Ward's family and friends would be able to attend. Following the discussion, the Commission decided to have the ceremony on Saturday, April 29th at 10:00 a.m. Arbor Day - March 7/Spring Garden Seminar - March 11 - Superintendent Richmond stated the Arbor Day ceremony at Laguna Park will begin at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Rossi stated that he has invited the 'Mother's Club' to attend the event. Superintendent Richmond reported the seminar will begin at 9:30 a.m. Chairperson Locke stated she has spoken with John Chiapelone and will introduce him to the audience. The Commission will bring cookies and Parks staff will provide the beverage. 4 ,-1*N --IN REPORTS Richmond - 1) Street tree planting of approximately 70 trees will begin soon. The Parks Division will plant again in July and October. 2) The tree crew is currently pruning the Sycamores from Mills Avenue, South. 3) The Golf Range will officially open on Saturday, March 4th at 7:00 a.m. and the adjacent Soccer field will open on April 14th. 4) The Broadway Streetscape, including the removal of the Magnolias, will begin next week. 5) The newsracks on Broadway have been removed. After placement of the new newsracks, Superintendent Schwartz will be redrafting a "new" newsrack ordinance. 6) The Beautification Commission is scheduled to meet with the Council on March 20th to discuss this year's goals and objectives. The Commission discussed various items they may want to discuss with the Council. Commissioner McGowan would like to discuss the possibility of an ordinance to require tree planting and landscaping for new commercial developments. Commissioner Webb suggested discussing a cleanup of the Bayfront using mitigation funds from the Airport expansion. Chairperson Locke suggested a cleanup of creeks, such as along the Easton creek where there appears to be a lot of litter and trash. McGowan - Commissioner McGowan reported that the placement of the newsracks in front of La Pinata on Burlingame Avenue forces the disabled to walk out into traffic in order to access the sidewalk. Superintendent Richmond stated he would inspect the site and if necessary the newsrack would be posted for violation. Commissioner McGowan commented that the ornamental plums are blooming and are now showing their value. Locke - Chairperson Locke commented that the City's tree crew is doing a great job on the Sycamore pruning. There being no further business, Chairperson Locke adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, IK*arlenee Harvey Recording Secretary