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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1999.02.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 4, 1999 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman McGowan, Commissioners Ellis, Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, Locke, Rossi and Ward Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Administrative Secretary Harvey, and Parks & Recreation Director Williams Guests: Barbara Vogt, Ken Castle, Andrew Soss, and Jack Friend MINUTES - Commissioner Ellis noted that: "Dice -Chair Locke" should actually read "Acting Chair Locke" throughout the January 7 Commission minutes and that under ROLL CALL, "Commissioner Root" should be removed and "Commissioner Rossi" added Commissioner Lauder stated that the correction under MINUTES should read: "Juanita" Heinemann. Minutes were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE Staff Report from Parks & Recreation Director Williams to Beautification Commission regarding Broadway Streetscape Plan. Letter to Richard Rossi, 2411 Easton Drive, informing him that the Commission voted to grant an `-- extension on his tree removal permit to June 3, 1999, in order to meet the planting requirement of one 24-inch box size tree. Letter and Spring Garden Seminar flyer from Superintendent Richmond to Elga Perez Rubio, thanking her for consenting to be the featured speaker at the March 6th Spring Garden Seminar. Letter from Administrative Secretary Harvey to TCI Cablevision regarding televideoing the Arbor Day Ceremonies on March 5th at Pershing Park. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Mayor Janney inviting her to the Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremonies on March 5th at Pershing Park. Letter(s) from Superintendent Richmond to residents at 1388 and 1400 Hillside Circle informing them of the plans to cleanup and improve the right-of-way/Bus stop behind their properties. OLD BUSINESS Public Information Regarding City Trees - Superintendent Richmond stated that the public information is half finished and will consist of two different documents which will be available for Commission review at the next meeting. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved to postpone this item to the next meeting; seconded (Locke). Motion carried unanimously. Arbor Day - March 5th - Superintendent Richmond stated Arbor Day ceremonies will be held at -� Pershing Park on March 5th at 10:00 a.m. Children from the local elementary schools as well as City Officials will be invited to participate. Spring Garden Seminar - March 6th - Superintendent Richmond stated that Commissioner McGowan would be confirming with Elga Perez (City of San Mateo Landscaping Division) the topic and title of her presentation at the seminar. Commissioner Lauder stated she has arranged for the banner to be displayed from February 22nd to March 8th. Chairman McGowan reminded the Commission that they are responsible for providing cookies or sweets and the Parks staff will provide the coffee/beverage. NEW BUSINESS Beautification Commission Ordinance (3.28)- Chairman McGowan stated that Commissioner Locke raised this item for discussion at the January meeting. Commissioner Locke stated that some of the "duties" stated in the ordinance may not be relevant in how the Commission currently operates or there may be "duties" that need to be added addressing policy issues. Superintendent Richmond stated that the existing ordinance gives a broad list of responsibilities so as not to be too confining. Commissioner Rossi noted that the statement "Subject to the Council" seems to allow options for the Council to pick and chose the areas they may want to designate to the Commission. Commissioner Locke stated that she reads that statement the other way around in that the Commission has the option to pick and chose areas to be involved in but then is "Subject to the Council". Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated it was her understanding that the Commissions serve as an adjunct to the departments. Following the discussion, Commissioner Ward moved that a committee be formed to review the Beautification Commission Ordinance for revision considerations; seconded (Gilmore -Friend). Motion carried unanimously. Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, and Locke agreed to serve on the committee. Renovation of City Property at Westside Alvarado and Hillside Drive - Superintendent Richmond stated that correspondence has been sent to the property owners who back up to the area to be renovated; to date there has been no response. Parks Supervisor Bob Disco obtained a picture from the Burlingame Historical Society showing what the area looked like when it was the destination for the trolley turn around. Area provided a place for people to picnic and, since there were not many buildings in the area, also provided a view. Superintendent Richmond reported that Supervisor Disco had the crews remove old shrubs and small trees and is in the process of planning the relandscape. To date, plans include retaining the brick trellis; planting vines, perennials, and low growing shrubs. Park Superintendent Richmond stated that he would report back to the Commission as the work progresses. Commissioner Locke added that just cleaning up the area may deter juveniles from hanging out in the area. Chairman McGowan suggested that some nice plants to consider as part of the renovation are ligustrum and Laurus nobiles. Removal of City Magnolia Trees on Broadway - Chairman McGowan stated that the Commission moved to agendize this item at the January Commission meeting after hearing Comments from the Floor. He added that this was not a hearing, but at the appropriate time the Commission would listen to audience comments. 14 New Business - Removal of City Magnolia Trees on Broadway - (Contd.) - Director Williams reviewed his staff report to the Commission regarding the Broadway Masterplan. He noted that the issue of removing all the Magnolia trees only arose after Engineering began design work for the project. The Parks & Recreation Department staff recommended that the Magnolia `-' trees be preserved wherever possible. As Engineering began to design the extended sidewalks, bulb - outs, and the accompanying drainage, however, it was determined that major root pruning would need to be done on the Magnolia trees. The City Arborist determined that the extent of the proposed root pruning would cause a rapid decline of the Magnolias and that it would be impossible to proceed with the Streetscape Improvement Plan and still save the Magnolias. Commissioner Rossi asked how long it would take for the Australian Willows at Wells Fargo Bank to grow. Director Williams stated that it will require many years for the trees to mature and that the time to maturity depends on the species chosen. He added that planting with larger trees initially has an immediate effect, but those trees do not grow as quickly because the root system takes longer to establish. Superintendent Richmond added that a lot also depends on the size of the root zone provided for the trees. The tree wells at Wells Fargo Bank are small. Commissioner Locke read the three goals stated under "Urban Concept Design" on page 5 of the Broadway Streetscape Plan. Create a distinct image for Broadway which builds upon the historic and eclectic ambiance of the area. Create a pedestrian -friendly atmosphere. Develop a streetscape system which enhances the retail vitality of the area. Locke stated that she believed that implementing the Council approved plan may conflict with the overall goal, i.e., do the trees add more to the area than do wider sidewalks? Chairman McGowan stated that the Commission has never been asked to comment on this project; Magnolias are very sensitive to root pruning and proposed improvements involving trenching and drainage will lead to the demise of the trees. Commissioner Rossi commented that the existing sidewalks are "tight" and are not pedestrian friendly. Commissioner Lauder asked what species could be planted that would do well in the proposed 4' planter area? Chairman McGowan stated that one of the plans called for a mix of Aristocrat Pears, Geijeras, and Chinese Pistache. At this point of the meeting, Chairman McGowan asked if there were any comments from the audience. Dr. Andrew Soss, 1159 Broadway, stated he serves on the Broadway Improvement District (B.I.D.) and that he was familiar with the Streetscape Masterplan which called for bulb -outs along the sidewalk. He believes that bulb -outs at the intersections are important, but he does not agree that bulb -outs for trees mid -block are appropriate. He stated that the alternative plan proposed by the B.I.D. to the City Council in January did not include mid -block bulb -outs and thus would have less drainage issues and a reduced cost to build. The B.I.D. proposed plan did not require the removal of the Magnolia trees mid -block. 3 NEW BUSINESS - Removal of City Magnolia Trees on Broadway - (Contd.) Commissioner Gilmore -Friend asked Dr. Soss if the B.I.D. had been notified that the alternate plan had not been approved by Council. Dr. Soss stated the B.I.D. had not been notified. Dr. Soss added that he does not believe that the gain of three feet of sidewalk width intermittently at the areas where trees are now located adequately makes up for the loss of the trees. He feels that the loss of the trees offsets the pedestrian -friendly goals that the Broadway Masterplan was trying to achieve. Ken Castle, 1411 Drake, stated that he does not feel due process was followed before the current plan was adopted; feels there needs to be more discussion and alternatives to wholesale removal; believes that the trees provide a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere. He continued by saying that the City of Mountain View damaged its Castro Street business district when the City removed all the street trees to improve the area. Mr. Castle commented that Burlingame is one of the only Cities in the area that still has lush business districts. Mr. Castle stated the bulb -outs make no sense; feels that more study is needed with public input; would like a tree by tree evaluation conducted; and a smaller drainage system considered. Mr. Castle concluded that the Council should revisit this item and not make a wholesale indictment of the Magnolia trees. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend asked Director Williams if the contract had been let; he replied that it would be several weeks before that would occur. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated she would like to request that the Council discuss this item further with community involvement. She added that when an issue arouses this much concern, people should be willing to listen. Commissioner Rossi stated that he likes the approved plan but would be interested in further discussion and input from the community. Following the discussion, Commissioner Ward moved that the Beautification Commission urge the Council to reconsider its decision to remove the Magnolia trees on Broadway because the trees, collectively, represent a significant grove of trees; and that, any intent to remove them should be subject to a public hearing; seconded (Commissioner Rossi). Motion carried unanimously. Newsrack Update - Director Williams reported two banks of modular newracks will be placed at the Capuchino Post Office and at The Luggage Rack on Lorton Avenue within the next month or so. The Chronicle has agreed to install the racks for free and the newspapers will individually purchase their boxes. After ample time for input from merchants, community, and newspapers, the Newsrack Ordinance will be revised. Street Tree Planting Westside California Drive/Broadway to Burlingame Avenue - Chairman McGowan stated that due to the time, he would be willing to entertain a motion to table this item to the next meeting. Commissioner Ward moved to table Item E to the March 4 meeting; seconded (Gilmore -Friend). Motion carried unanimously. 2 REPORTS Richmond - 1) The City's tree contractor, Timberline, is currently working on the Eucalyptus trees, Westside of �-- the railroad tracks between North Lane and Oak Grove Avenue. 2) A Sycamore tree will be planted in memory of Tree Trimmer, Kesomi Maka at Washington Park (Carolan Avenue side) on March 1 at 10:00 a.m. His family has been notified. 3) Nineteen city trees have been removed by P.G.& E. as part of the ongoing program to remove declining trees under primary utility lines. City tree crews will plant replacement trees in April. Locke - Commissioner Locke reported a City tree under primary utilities at 1385 Hillside Circle appears to be a hazard. Superintendent Richmond stated he would have the City Arborist inspect. McGowan - Chairman McGowan commented that the flowering plums are beginning to bud and was glad that they were still on the revised street tree list. FROM THE FLOOR - Director Williams reported that City staff will soon be meeting with BART to discuss the screening landscape proposed by BART and approved by Council. Williams will keep the Commission informed as discussions with BART continue. There being no further business and no further comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kar e Harvey Recording Secretary