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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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,
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Karlene Harvey
Recording Secretary