Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1999.03.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MARCH 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, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, and City Arborist Porter Guests: Carolyn Abate and Jack Friend MINUTES - Minutes of the February 4, 1999 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Public information flyers sent to new residents from the Parks & Recreation Department: Important Information About Your City Parks and Trees and Rules You Should Know About Ci_ Street Trees. Letter from Mrs. William L. Beshore, 1234 Vancouver, requesting the Council reconsider its decision to proceed with the Broadway street improvement plan as currently formulated, and give the Beautification Commission's resolution strong consideration. San Mateo County Times article of February 13, 1999, regarding City workers cleaning up Burlingame's old trolley site (Hillside Drive and Alvarado Avenue). Memo from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri requesting the Commission's direction on a permit application to remove a large private Sequoia tree that is causing damage to the property at 1435 Alvarado. Letter from Nelson E. Jones, 1548-50 Albemarle Way, requesting that the permit issued to remove a large private Pine tree be extended, due to difficulties in obtaining a crane necessary for the removal of the tree. OLD BUSINESS Public Information Regarding City Trees - Director Williams stated the Commission's recommended revisions have been included in this latest draft; the flyers will routinely be sent to new Burlingame residents. Commissioner Rossi asked if the flyers could be sent to tree companies as well. Director Williams stated that mailing to tree companies could be considered. Commissioner Gilmore - Friend commented that the information on the flyers is clear and easily understood. Arbor Dav - March 5th - Superintendent Richmond stated Arbor Day ceremonies will be held at Pershing Park on March 5th at 10:00 a.m. Children from four local elementary schools will be participating and will be planting four weeping willow trees. 4 Spring Garden Seminar - March 6th - Superintendent Richmond stated Elga Perez Rubio from the City of San Mateo Landscaping Division will be speaking on a variety of topics and that 37 people have registered. Chairman McGowan reminded the Commission to bring cookies or finger foods. Beautification Commission Ordinance (3.28)- Committee Repo - Commissioner Locke reported that the committee (Commissioners Gilmore Friend, Lauder and Locke) met with Superintendent Richmond to review the current Beautification Commission Ordinance and submitted to the Commission a recap of recommendations for their consideration. Commissioner Locke explained that the Powers and Duties section was the committee's primary focus. The committee suggests deleting 7 out of the 10 duties listed. She stated that when the ordinance was first drafted in 1968 it was during development of the City of Burlingame and many of the duties listed are actually being accomplished by the Parks Division. Commissioner Locke reported that the City Attorney has been considering possible revisions to Section 3 of the municipal code and has agreed to meet with the Committee to discuss possible revisions to the Beautification Commission ordinance. Commissioner Rossi stated that the commission may want to retain some of the powers rather than delete them. Commissioner Locke responded that wording could be added so that the duties would include promoting responsibilities to trees and that Commissions in the past have done projects such as the 'Trees of Burlingame' photo book. Superintendent Richmond added that duties assigned to the Commission with regard to the Street Tree Ordinance may need to be looked at as well. Chairman McGowan asked that the Commission review the committee's recommendations and that the committee explain the reasons for each item eliminated at the next Commission meeting. Item -IN will be placed on the April agenda. Renovation of City Property at Westside Alvarado and Hillside Drive - Superintendent Richmond stated that Parks Supervisor Disco has had some contact with the property owners regarding screening behind their properties. Currently, area has been cleaned up and some repair work has been completed on the brick; some type of ornamental fencing placed on top the existing fence is being considered. Commission Locke stated that she has noticed that one of the two new trellises had already been vandalized. Superintendent Richmond stated he will report future work and plans at the next meeting. The Commission asked that this item be kept on the agenda. Council's Reception of Beautification Commission's Request to Have Public Hearing on the Broadway Magnolia Trees - Chairman McGowan stated that the Council was not pleased with the Commission's request for a public hearing to discuss the removal of all of the Magnolias on Broadway. He added that the Council took exception to the Commission taking up this item when they (the Council) had already made their decision. Commissioner Ward stated that the Council implied that the Commission was setting policy but he did not believe the Commission's request was "setting policy". Commissioner Locke stated she was stunned by the Council's comments and felt that the Commission had only given advice ... that, it was a recommendation, and that in a democratic society it is allright to disagree. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend read a prepared statement and asked that it be entered into the minutes as follows: 14 OLD BUSINESS Council's Reception of Beautification Commission's Request to Have Public Hearing on the Broadway Magnolia Trees - (ConW - "For my part, I want to express sadness that the City Council felt the Beautification Commission was challenging them in regard to our unanimous decision to forward to you the concerns of citizens who appeared before our Commission, regarding the removal of all 44 Magnolia trees on Broadway. No one had prepared us that action was to be taken to eventually eliminate the only shade and environmentally - friendly greenery, in preparation for the streetscape improvement plan. Therefore, we had no choice but to act as a conduit to send our concerns on to you for your consideration. There was no attempt at setting policy. That is not one of our responsibilities. We acted in good faith. It is my hope that the long standing spirit of cooperation will again exist between the City Council and the Beautification Commission." Chairman McGowan stated he was proud to have been part of this Commission's unanimous recommendation. Commissioner Locke added that she doesn't believe that the citizens of Burlingame have yet to lay down this crusade. Street Tree Planting Westside California DriveBroadwav to Burlingame Avenue - Chairman McGowan reported that this was brought to his attention by Councilpersons O'Mahony and Spinelli when, during his interview for the Beautification Commission, he was asked why the Commission had not pursued the planting of trees along California Drive (Westside) from Broadway to Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Locke asked if that was to say that the Commission had fallen down on their job? Superintendent Richmond stated, no, that there are a few open planting wells on California Drive that could have trees planted in them but that anything large scale would require funding. He added that cooperation with the property owners for care of the tree, and coordination with the Public Works Department would also need to be a part of a large scale project. Superintendent Richmond stated that when a property owner is interested in tree planting where only concrete exists in the City's right-of-way, the property owner is first referred to the Public Works Department to obtain an encroachment permit. If permission is granted, the property owner then must hire a concrete contractor to remove a 3x4 or 4x4 section of concrete in order to establish a tree well. Once the work is completed, the Parks Division will plant one tree (selected by the property owner from the street tree list) at no charge. If additional trees are requested, the property owner would be required to pay $50.00 for each additional tree. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend asked if small planting boxes could be placed in those areas instead. Superintendent Richmond stated that the Parks Division would not provide small planting boxes or plants but an encroachment permit may be obtained from the Public Works Department for the property owner to place contained plants/trees. Chairman McGowan asked if new business developments are required to plant trees. Superintendent Richmond stated that business areas, at this time, are not required to have trees or landscaping. Commissioner Rossi requested that a site map of the area showing the existing vacant plant sites be provided for the Commission's review at the next meeting. Chairman McGowan agreed, and asked that this item be continued to the next meeting for further discussion. NEW BUSINESS Staff Report Regarding Selection of Replacement Trees on Broad wax - Director Williams introduced City Arborist Porter to the new commissioners. Director Williams reported that the Public "1 Works Director has requested that the Parks & Recreation Department select the replacement trees for the Broadway Streetscape. Director Williams added that he would like to invite the Commission to be part of that decision making process, if they so choose. Director Williams stated that the next block scheduled for improvements is from Chula Vista to Laguna with 17 sites for tree planting. He added that, staff could recommend several varieties to the Commission for consideration and then at some point, invite the BID to comment on the Commission's selections. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend commented that replacement trees should be of a larger container size than that used at Wells Fargo. Commissioner McGowan asked if Geijera's had been removed from consideration? Director Williams responded, no, but that everyone has their favorites and that information about the trees will be provided to assist the Commission in making the tree selections. Commissioner Locke asked if trees from the Official Street Tree List would be used. Director Williams stated, yes, but a mix of several tree species, replicated up the block would be more appropriate to prevent loss of all the trees in the event of a blight. Commissioner Rossi requested that this item be continued to the next meeting for further discussion, so recommendations could be made by the May meeting. Commission agreed to place the item on the April agenda for further discussion and information. ''1 Application to Remove Private Redwood Tree at 1435 Alvarado - Superintendent Richmond referred to Inspector Quadri's memo of February 24 requesting the Commission review the application to remove a private Sequoia and decide whether to hold a public hearing or to continue with the permit process as usual. Inspector Quadri states in his memo that because the tree is a prominent feature in the neighborhood and its removal would have a significant impact, he requested the Commission give him further direction. Commissioner Locke stated that the tree is significant but as it grows even larger the driveway will be completely impassible. Commissioner Ellis noted that the tree is also leaning toward the neighboring property. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that the Sr. Landscape Inspector proceed with the permit process as usual; seconded (Ward). Motion carried 6 - I opposed (Rossi). Request for Extension to Meet Tree Removal and Replacement Requirements at 1548-50 Albemarle - Superintendent Richmond stated that the Commission has granted one extension on this permit. The property owner has had a difficult time removing the tree because a crane will be needed. Commissioner Ward moved that the permit be extended for six months; seconded (Gilmore - Friend). Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS - Richmond 1) The City's tree contractor has continued trimming the Eucalyptus trees (West of the railroad tracks and South of Oak Grove) and has recently removed three Black Acacias at Vancouver and Easton. 2 REPORTS - Richmond - (Contd.) 2) A Sycamore tree was planted on the West side of Washington Park in memory of Tree Trimmer, Kesomi Maka. 3) Over a dozen declining street trees under primary utilities have been removed by P.G.& E.; trees will be replaced in April. 4) This Winter the Parks Division was able to designate a person to inspect the trees planted in the last 4 seasons to perform training and staking on the young trees. 5) P.G.&E. has proposed removing 1/3 of the Casuarina trees (under primary utilities) on the Eastside of California Drive, from Broadway North; the trees are on San Francisco Water property. Superintendent Richmond reported that Arborist Porter has asked that P.G.&E. submit a proposal to the Beautification Commission for the April meeting. 6) Another employee from the Parks Division has died from a heart attack. Park Maintenance Worker, Stephen Buhs was 40 years old. Chairman McGowan asked Commissioner Lauder to send a note to the family expressing the Commission's condolences. McGowan - Chairman McGowan noted that a new home at 2112 Adeline Drive does not have a street tree and asked that the property owner be contacted. Locke - Commissioner Locke submitted minor punctuation changes on public information flyers to Director Williams and thanked the Parks Division for the ongoing work at Hillside and Alvarado. Gilmore -Friend - Commissioner Gilmore -Friend presented a San Mateo County Times article featuring Commissioner Lauder and the care of African Violets. �. Chairman McGowan reminded the Commission that the reservation deadline for the March 19th Commissioner's Dinner is March 1 lth. There being no further business and no comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 1 Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary