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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1999.09.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 2.1999 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Chairperson Locke. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Locke, Commissioners Ellis, Gilmore -Friend, McGowan, and Rossi Absent: Commissioner Ward Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Williams, Park Superintendent Richmond, Administrative Secretary Harvey, and City Arborist Porter MINUTES - The minutes of the July 2, 1999 were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to George McCracken, 1008 Morrell Avenue, informing him that his request for an extension on the permit in order to replace trees would be reviewed at the September 2, 1999 meeting. Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar, informing them that their request for an extension on the permit in order to replace trees would be reviewed at the September 2, 1999 meeting. Letter to Conrad and Alma Dacanay, 1428 Cabrillo Avenue, informing them that their request for a one year extension on the permit in order to remove a Redwood tree would be reviewed at the September 2, 1999 meeting. Copy of recommended changes to Chapter 3.28 - Beautification Commission. Memo from Superintendent Richmond reporting on miscellaneous information intended for the canceled August 5th meeting. Letter from Nasser Almassi, 1325 California Drive, requesting an extension on his permit in order to replace removal of an Acacia tree. Memo from Director Williams to the Mayor and Members of the City Council regarding an update on BART Construction with regard to tree removals. FROM THE FLOOR - There were no comments from the floor. OLD BUSINESS Beautification Commission Ordinance (3.28) - Commission reviewed possible changes and suggestions at the July 2nd Commission meeting. Following some minor revisions, Commissioner McGowan moved that the proposed revisions to Beautification Commission Ordinance - 3.28 be submitted to the City Attorney for further review; seconded (Ellis). Motion carried 6-0--1 (absent/Ward). Chairperson Locke stated she would draft the final revisions for submittal to the City Attorney. OLD BUSINESS - (Cont'd.) Selection of Replacement Trees on Broadway - Commissioner Lauder stated that she would like the Commission to consider three species rather than just two. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus '"� of the Commission to remain with two species of trees. Following further discussion, Commissioner McGowan moved that Carrotwoods (evergreen) be planted on the corners and Aristocrat or Chanticleer Pears (deciduous w/fall color) be planted on Broadway Avenue; seconded (Rossi). Motion carried 6 - 0 - I (absent/Ward). Director Williams stated that staff would inform BID of the Commission's recommendations and will report back to the next Commission meeting with any forthcoming comments. NEW BUSINESS Request for One Year Extension on Permit to Remove and Replace One Redwood Tree k 1428 Cabrillo - Superintendent Richmond stated that this was a permit granted by Council in July 1998 for the removal of a Redwood tree based on the property owners concern that the tree endangers the lives of their children. To date, the tree has not been removed and the property owner is requesting a one year extension on the permit due to financial hardship. The Commission discussed their concern that the property owners original request to remove the Redwood tree was based on their children's safety and wondered if that same concern still existed. Commissioner Rossi noted that the Commission's decision should not be based on financial hardship. Following further discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved to grant a one year extension on the permit; seconded (McGowan). Motion carried 6 - 0 - I (absent/Ward). Request for Six Month Extension on Permit to Replace Two Palm Trees a 1016 Morrell Avenue - Superintendent Richmond stated this permit was issued on July 22, 1999. The home has been sold and the new property owner is planning an addition. The new property owner requests a six month extension to plant two 24-inch box size trees following the completion of the addition. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved to grant a six month extension on the permit; seconded (McGowan). Motion carried 6 - 0 - I (absent/Ward). Request for Extension on Permit to Replace Two Pine Trees & 3088 Alcazar - Superintendent Richmond stated this permit was issued on January 3, 1996. The trees have been removed but numerous extensions have been requested due to a planned driveway replacement, a financial set back, and now due to delays on the planned reroofing of their rollback roof, the property owner has requested another extension. The Commission discussed their concerns that this will be the fifth extension granted on this permit. Commissioner Rossi noted that replacement trees can be planted anywhere on the property and should not conflict with the driveway replacement or the reroofing. Commissioner Rossi then moved that the extension be denied. Motion failed due to the lack of a second. Following further discussion, Commissioner McGowan moved to grant a three month extension to December 2, 1999 to plant two 24-inch box size trees or appropriate payment into the City's tree replacement fund; seconded (Ellis). Motion carried S - I - I (opposed/Rossi). Request for Extension on Permit to Replace One Acacia Tree na, 1325 California Drive Superintendent Richmond stated this permit was issued on August 26, 1998. The property owner has ordered and purchased the tree but the nursery has not yet delivered the tree. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved to grant a three month extension to December 2, 1999 to plant one 24-inch box size tree; seconded (McGowan). Motion carried 6 - 0 -1 (absent/Ward). 2 REPORTS - Richmond - 1) Informed the Commission that information regarding the BART tailtrack and the removal of approximately 130 Eucalyptus was in their Commission packets. He added that the clear cutting of the Eucalyptus trees in Millbrae has already begun and that the same process will soon begin in Burlingame. Director Williams commented that the City Attorney has made it clear that the City has no jurisdiction to disallow removal of trees on another public agency's property. BART has paid approximately $260,000 for the removal of the trees in Burlingame; $100,000 will be placed into the Parks Division tree replacement fund and will be used for the planting of trees on California Drive and updating the street tree inventory software. The other $160,000 has been earmarked for the landscaping along California Drive near the BART tailtrack. Superintendent Richmond added that the BART Hotline representatives have been informed of the issues and concerns expressed by the citizens in Burlingame with regard to tree removals and that BART has hired a public relations firm to handle citizen concerns and reaction. 2) Preparations are being made for the Fall street tree planting; approximately 130 trees will be planted in the City's planter strips. 3) The Parks Division has just completed the hiring of the second Tree Worker position; this will be the first time in a year that all tree crew positions are filled. 4) Superintendent Richmond thanked Commissioner McGowan for his long service as Chairman to the Commission; that he served with civility and aplomb. 5) Inspector Quadri has retired as Landscape Inspector. Arborist Porter has now taken over many of the tasks with regard to protected trees on private property. 6) The Joint Powers Board will be removing 30 diseased or poorly structured trees from its property along the railroad track from North Lane to Oak Grove; most of the trees are small. Other trees in the area will be pruned. JPB submitted an Arborist Report to the Parks Division if anyone from the Commission wishes to review. Locke - Chairperson Locke thanked the Commission for letting her serve as Chair to the Commission. Chairperson Locke requests that the Commission agendize guidelines regarding what constitutes structural damage when justifying the removal of a protected tree so the Commission can be consistent in their decisions on protected tree removal appeals. The Commission agreed to place this item on the October agenda under New Business. Chairperson Locke suggested the Commission may want to consider Brett Hall from the Arboretum at U.C. Santa Cruz as the speaker for the Spring Garden Seminar. She added that she would be willing to contact him. The Commission briefly discussed and encouraged Chairperson Locke to pursue her suggestion. Chairperson Locke reported that the retaining wall at Hillside Circle and Alvarado does not extend to the end and is concerned about the possibility of erosion in that area. She also noted that the little tree planted on the right looks dead. Superintendent Richmond responded that he would report these items to Supervisor Disco. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder reported that a Magnolia tree in the planter strip at Hillside Circle and Alvarado is dead. Arborist Porter stated he would inspect the tree. He added that this is the second time a tree has died in that area. REPORTS - Lauder - (Cont'd.) Commissioner Lauder submitted photos of Burlingame Avenue in front of La Pinata and Starbucks with newsracks on one side of the sidewalk and tables and chairs on the other side, pulled out, making pedestrian passage difficult. She also showed photos of the frontages of Pottery Barn, Copenhagen, and Banana Republic and stated that there are no City street trees planted in front of those businesses. Superintendent Richmond stated that placement of tables, chairs, and newsracks on Burlingame Avenue are Encroachment Permit issues and are enforced by the Public Works Department but that he would inspect in front of Pottery Barn, Copenhagen, and Banana Republic to see if there are vacant planting wells where trees can be planted. Director Williams informed the Commission that if they would ever like to agendize the Burlingame Avenue Streetscape with regard to trees Jane Gomery from the Public Works Department could make a report to the Commission on the streetscape process in that area. Director Williams noted that with regard to newsracks, modular racks are now in place in front of the Post Office on Capuchino Avenue and progress is being made on the placement of the modular racks at the Luggage Center on Lorton Avenue. Director Williams added that the process has been frustrating and time consuming. Gilmore -Friend - Commissioner Gilmore -Friend reported that there are large piles of chips on El Camino Real near Ray Drive. Superintendent Richmond stated that the area is CalTrans property and chips are from the Eucalyptus pruning that is currently in progress; CalTrans workers will spread the chips at some point in time. McGowan - Commissioner McGowan expressed concern about the decline of the Magnolia trees in the Easton addition due to sidewalk repair. Arborist Porter stated that the Magnolia trees are extremely -ON sensitive to root pruning. He reported that J.J.R. Construction has been very cooperative in attempts to minimize root pruning including moving the sidewalk into the City right of way in the front lawn areas to allow more area around the base of the tree. He added that some Magnolias have been lost, but some have been saved by injecting liquid fertilizer to increase their vigor. Commissioner McGowan asked about the condition of the Aristocrat Pear trees at the California Teachers Association building on Trousdale. Arborist Porter responded that the trees are suffering from lack of water. He has contacted the CTA and informed them that there may be something wrong with their irrigation system. He will continue to monitor the situation. Superintendent Richmond noted that the trees were part of the redevelopment of the property and were planted on City property by an Encroachment Permit with the condition that the CTA would maintain the trees. Commissioner McGowan thanked the Commission for the opportunity to serve as Chair, and that staff could not have nicer people to work with. He wished Chairperson Locke in her new position. There being no further business, Chairperson Locke adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ah� Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary 4