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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1998.02.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 5, 1998 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:34 p.m. by Chairman McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman McGowan, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, Locke, Root, and Schinagl. Absent: Commissioner Ward Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Melinda Lo Savio, Peter Perez, and Jack Friend MINUTES - Minutes of the January 8, 1998 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Inspector Quadri to Tom and Melinda Lo Savio, 2705 Easton Drive, informing them that the Commission was in receipt of their request that private tree replacement requirements be waived, and that the Commission will render a decision at the February 5th meeting. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Ruthellen Rosenberger, 1109 Dufferin Avenue, informing her that the Commission was in receipt of her request that City tree replacement requirements be waived, and that the Commission will render a decision at the February 5th meeting. Letter from Inspector Quadri to Harold & Margaret Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive, informing them that the Commission was in receipt of their request to extend their private tree removal permit a third time in order to meet the planting requirements, and that the Commission will render a decision at the February 5th meeting. Reservations for Commissioners McGowan, Gilmore -Friend, and Root to attend the Chambers Annual Installation Luncheon. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Commissioner Plyer thanking him for his service on the Beautification Commission and wishing him well as he serves on a new Commission. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to William McGowan, thanking him for consenting to be the featured speaker at the Spring Garden Seminar on Saturday, March 21st at the Recreation Center. Letter(s) from Mayor Spinelli to Nancy Locke and Jill Lauder, announcing their appointments to the Beautification Commission. CORRESPONDENCE - (Contd.) - 11 Memo from Inspector Quadri to Reforestation Ordinance Committee regarding ordinance changes. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Nancy Locke congratulating her on her appointment to the Beautification Commission and informing her of meeting dates and Commission responsibilities. Correspondence to the Burlingame Elementary Schools, Calif. Dept. of Forestry, Mayor Spinelli, TCI Cablevision, etc. inviting them to the 21st Annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Bayside Park on Friday, March 6th. Memo from Inspector Quadri to the Commission regarding a request for the proposed removal of a Willow tree at I I I Anza Boulevard. Letter from Gary H. Cole, 1324 Vancouver, requesting an extension on his protected tree removal permit to meet the planting requirements and to reduce the 24" box size requirement to a ten gallon size. OLD BUSINESS Request to Waive Replacement Requirements for Private Tree Removal k 2705 Easton Drive Superintendent Richmond stated that the Commission had received the resident's correspondence requesting replacement be waived for the removal of a private Birch tree. Mrs. Lo Savio was present and stated the her request is based on the following: The tree was old, and in anticipation of the removal of the tree, two trees had been planted; and the letter received from the Sr. Landscape "1 Inspector stated that the Birch tree was dying. Mrs. Lo Savio added that they "love" trees and have planted trees for aesthetics and shade but thinks her yard does not call for anymore trees. Chairman McGowan stated that there are many trees in the back of the property by the creek. The property appears to have six trees with a "wall" of trees in the back. Commissioner Root commented that the property appears to have a sufficient number of trees. Commissioner Schinagl moved that the tree replacement requirements be waived on this permit because there are a sufficient number of trees on the property; seconded Motion carried S - I (abstention/Locke) - I (absent). Commissioner Gilmore -Friend added that the Commission does not generally waive replacement requirements but considers each case individually. Mrs. Lo Savio thanked the Commission. Reauest to Waive Tree Replacement Reauirements Z 1109 Dufferin Avenue - Chairman McGowan abstained because he had not inspected the site prior to this meeting. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated that the property has been beautifully landscaped but the property looks stark without a tree. Commissioner Locke stated that there are only two homes on the block that do not have a City tree and, even though there is no consistency in variety or age of trees, this definitely sets a precedent for requiring City trees to be replaced. Commissioner Lauder agreed that the property looks stark and wondered if a species that can tolerate water could be planted. 2 Request to Waive Tree Replacement Requirements na 1109 Dufferin Avenue - (Contd.) - Superintendent Richmond reported that the City Arborist made the decision not to plant another tree at this location because he believed that both previously planted trees had died due to over watering. The resident was informed of this decision but was referred to the Beautification Commission. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that the Commission "reluctantly" grant the request that replacement requirements be waived for the City tree due to two previous tree failures at that site, seconded Motion carried 4 - 2 (abstentions/Locke & McGowan) - 1 (absent). Request for Extension to Meet Planting Requirements for Private Tree Removal k 3088 Alcazar Drive - Mrs. Romanowitz was present and stated that the replacement of her driveway will involve construction costing from $7,000412,000. Recently a tax lien has been placed on her property tieing them up financially and delaying the project and the tree replacement. Mrs. Romanowitz submitted pictures of the trees that were removed. She explained that the trees were removed due to damage to the driveway, sidewalk, and curbing. Superintendent Richmond reminded Mrs. Romanowitz and the Commission that the required replacements may be planted anywhere on the private property. Mrs. Romanowitz responded that a pool exists on the other side of the property and that the removal site is the best location for replacement trees. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Root moved that due to the current weather conditions, the proposed construction, and a more preferable planting season, the Commission grant an extension to November 3, 1998 to meet replacement requirements; seconded Motion carried S - �. 1 (abstention/Locke) - I (absent). OR Reforestation Ordinance Revisions - Commissioner Lauder reviewed with the Commission the proposed changes submitted by the Committee. The Commission will further discuss and make further recommendation at the March 5th Commission meeting. Arbor Day - March 6, 1998 - Bayside Park - Superintendent Richmond stated that all correspondence has been sent out for this year's ceremony. Eight Crape Myrtles will be planted along the fence of the parking lot. Spring Garden Seminar - March 21,1998 - Gardening Tales & Tips - Superintendent Richmond thanked Chairman McGowan for being the featured speaker at this year's seminar and presented the flyers to the Commission for distribution. NEW BUSINESS Chairman McGowan welcomed Commissioners, Nancy Locke and Jill Lauder on their appointments to the Beautification Commission. Superintendent Richmond asked Commissioner Locke to introduce herself. Commissioner Locke stated that she enjoys gardening and is a voracious reader of gardening books. 3 REPORTS Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items: 1) The Commissioners Dinner will be held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, February 27th. Deadline for reservations is February 19th. 2) P.G.&E. crews will begin designated tree removals under primary utilities on February 9th. Many of the removals are locust trees. 3) City tree crews are currently trimming Sycamore trees in the South section of the City near Occidental Avenue. 4) To date, storm damage for the Parks Division has been minimal. 5) The deadline for tree selection for the Spring planting has passed. Trees will be planted in April. 6) The City's tree contractor, Arbor Care, has almost finished trimming the large Eucalyptus on Burlingame Avenue. The contractor will then move to the railroad tracks just north of Oak Grove Avenue to trim a band of Eucalyptus belonging to the City of Burlingame. 7) An Emergency Permit was issued to the Joint Powers Board for the removal of 2 Eucalyptus trees along the railroad tracks. The permit will expire March 1, 1998. To date, the trees have not been removed. McGowan - Chairman McGowan suggested that Lantana would look nice in the empty planters on Burlingame Avenue. Superintendent Richmond stated that he was waiting for the Streetscape project to progress and now that the trees have been planted the empty planters can be addressed. Chairman McGowan thanked the Parks Division for the Island planting in the Ansel and Floribunda Avenue area. Director Williams added that there are plans to landscape the Arc and Hale Islands as well. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder stated that she read the recent article in the Boutique & Villager with regard to a dog park in the Bayside Park area. She added that she is pleased to see this addition and believes many dog owners will use it. Root - Commissioner Root noted that there are some very nice looking planters in front of Ecco Restaurant on Lorton Avenue. She commented that with the demolition of the Encore Theater, she hopes any new building or complex will be appealing to the eye; that this is a key area to Broadway and the entrance to Burlingame. Locke - Commissioner Locke reported that the median at the Broadway intersection, just off the freeway, is full of trash and weeds. She added that this is the primary visual entrance to Burlingame. Commissioner Root added that since Burlingame commands such high housing prices, the entrances to the City should be better maintained. Director Williams stated the median on Broadway, just off 101, probably belongs to CalTrans, but he will check to see if anything can be done and will report back to the March Commission meeting. china 1- Commissioner Schinagl reported that the medians near Trousdale and Skyline Boulevard have weeds growing in them. Superintendent Richmond stated that the weeds in the median will be cleared soon. -IN 4 Director Williams - Director Williams reported that City staff and the City Attorney have been �. working on Newsrack changes. Modular racks may be purchased by the City in the Burlingame Avenue and Broadway areas in conjunction with the Streetscape projects. Director Williams also informed the Commission that the Magnolia trees around Wells Fargo on Broadway will be removed and replaced. Chairman McGowan added that, as part of the Broadway Streetscape, it is his understanding that other Magnolia's on Broadway will only be removed if they are not well placed. There being no more business and no comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary OR 5