HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1998.01.08BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
JANUARY 8, 1998
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 Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, Root, Schinagl,
and Ward.
Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, Inspector
Quadri and Administrative Secretary Harvey
Guests: Gloria Welsh and Jack Friend
MINUTES - Minutes of the November 6, 1997 meeting were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Carl Minerva, 36 Arundel Road, informing him that the
Commission waived the required 24" box tree replacement size but voted that 2-15 gallon size
replacement trees be planted instead.
Beautification Commissioner applications from: Delores Huajardo, Nancy Locke, Russ Cohen, and
Gloria Welsh.
Letter from Tom and Melinda LoSavio requesting tree replacement requirements be waived for
private tree removal at 2705 Easton Drive.
Memo from Inspector Quadri regarding the request to waive private tree replacement requirements
at 2705 Easton Drive.
Letter from Ruthellen Rosenberger, 1109 Dufferin Avenue, requesting City tree replacement
requirements be waived because two previously planted trees have died and her front yard has just
been relandscaped.
Letter from Director Williams to Ruthellen Rosenberger, 1109 Dufferin Avenue, explaining the City's
policy to replant street trees that have been removed and that, he is referring her letter to the
Beautification Commission for its consideration.
Memo from Inspector Quadri regarding the Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection ordinance with
regard to tree replacement requirements.
Letter from Margaret Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive, requesting a third extension of the private
tree removal permit in order to meet the replacement requirement to plant 2-24" box size trees.
OLD BUSINESS
Arbor Day - March 6, 1998 - Superintendent Richmond stated that the Arbor Day ceremonies will
be held at Bayside Park at 10:00 a.m. Redwood trees will be planted to replace several pines that
were removed in the area.
Spring Garden Seminar - March 21, 1998 - Superintendent Richmond reported the seminar will
be held at the Recreation Center from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and that Commissioner Will McGowan has
agreed to be the featured speaker. Commissioner McGowan stated the theme will be Gardenin
Tales and Tins.
Landscape Award Presentation - Superintendent Richmond announced that the Landscape Award
will be presented to Crosby-N. Gray & Company at the Annual Chamber Luncheon on January 16th.
The luncheon will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and funds have been approved for three
commissioners to attend. Chairman McGowan will present the award and appointed Commissioners
Gilmore -Friend, Root, and Schinagl (alternate) to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
Requests to Waive Private Tree Replacement Requirements - General Discussion -
Superintendent Richmond stated that as part of private tree removal permits is the condition that a
replacement tree be planted anywhere on the property. However, applicants have been appealing the
replacement requirements at the time of the expiration date of the permit and after the tree has been
removed. --�
Chairman McGowan recognized Inspector Quadri to speak to the issue.
Inspector Quadri stated that replacement conditions are stated in the correspondence that is sent to
the applicant and the adjacent property owners. The letter states: "If you wish to appeal this decision
or any of its conditions or findings, you must file a written request by ... (10 days from date of
letter). " Inspector Quadri added that if there are no appeals, the permit is issued on the specified
date. Applicants have a six month period to plant the 24" box replacement tree, but, often, it is not
until the time of expiration that the applicant requests the replacement be waived or that the
replacement size be changed. Inspector Quadri asked that the Commission discuss and give some
direction as to how they want to proceed with these issues.
The Commission discussed the issues pertaining to waiving replacement requirements and other items
needing clarification in the ordinance. Following the discussion, the Commission agreed to have a
committee review the ordinance and make recommendations to the Commission. Inspector Quadri
agreed to meet with the committee. Chairman McGowan appointed Commissioners Ward, Lauder,
and himself to serve on the committee.
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REPORTS
Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items:
1) The Cedar tree in front of the main library has been inspected by the City Arborist, and some of
the material at its base was removed.
2) The tree contractor, Arbor Care, will continue trimmming the Eucalyptus on Burlingame Avenue
and then will proceed to the City owned trees near the railroad track (North of Oak Grove).
3) The City's tree crew is servicing all the trees in the southeast quadrant of the City in an attempt to
move from a request based pruning program to a cyclical pruning program. The initial areas used in
the cycle will be based on the current four year Sycamore cycle.
4) P.G.& E. tree removals will occur on Primrose, Highland, and Walnut Avenues and the trees will
be replaced in April of this year.
5) City Arborist, Steven Porter, attended a seminar on the efficacy of the resistograph showing decay
in trees. Larry Costello from UC Extension was the featured speaker. Superintendent Richmond
stated that, to date, there have been no reported results on the Eucalyptus rounds being tested.
McGowan - Chairman McGowan noted that while vacationing in Europe he observed that there are
few overhead power lines. Undergrounding power lines greatly improves the appearance of the streets
and allows the trees to grow. He added, that he hopes the City of Burlingame will someday place
utilities underground.
FROM THE FLOOR
Director Williams wished all a happy new year and Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:35
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kar Harvey
Recording Secretary
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