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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1998.03.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MARCH 5, 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, Locke, Root, Schinagl, and Ward Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, City Arborist Porter, Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Peter Callander, Victoria Parrott, Jack Friend, and Don Cory MINUTES - Minutes of the February 5, 1998 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Tom and Melinda Lo Savio, 2705 Easton Drive, informing them that the Commission voted 5 - 1 (absent) - 1 (abstention), to waive the tree replacement requirement for private tree removal at their address. Letter to Ruthellen Rosenberger, 1109 Dufferin Avenue, informing her that the Commission voted 4 - 1 - 2, to waive the replacement requirements for a City tree at her address. Letter to Harold & Margaret Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive, informing them that the Commission voted 5 - 1 - 1, to grant a third extension to November 3, 1998 to meet the planting requirement for the removal to two private pine trees at their address. Letter to Gary H. Cole, 1324 Vancouver, informing him the that Commission received his request for an extension to meet replacement requirements for private tree removal and his request for a reduction of the 24" box size requirement, and that the Commission will render a decision at the March 5, 1998 Commission meeting. Memo to Commission from Landscape Inspector Quadri informing them that an objection was received for the proposed removal of a private Willow tree at 111 Anza Boulevard. Letter to Riser Organization, informing them that the Commission was in receipt of a protest relating to the proposed removal of a private Willow tree at 111 Anza Boulevard, and that the Commission will render a decision at the March 5, 1998 Commission meeting. Memo from Arborist Porter informing the Commission of a request from the builder at 601 Ansel Road to remove and replace four Ash trees (due to the poor condition of the trees) in the City's planter strip on the Ansel Road side of the project. M OLD BUSINESS Inspector Quadri asked that the order of the Agenda be changed to accommodate the applicants who were present for the tree removal request at I 1 I Anza Boulevard. Request to Remove Private Willow Tree na Ill Anza Boulevard - Inspector Quadri stated that the Parks Division received a protest when numerous trees were being removed. Upon inspection, the City Arborist determined all the removed trees were under the protected size but the Willow tree had a trunk circumference of over 48 inches. Item has been referred to the Commission because a protest had been received. Chairman McGowan recognized Peter Callander and Victoria Parrott, landscape architects on the project. Mr. Callander stated that the landscaping at the site is 17 years old and the trees that were planted were fast growing and weak wooded; the nine trees that were removed were in a state of decline. The project calls for the planting of 16 Bradford Pear trees. Mr. Callander indicated that the Willow tree is in an area where the soil has been prepped for the planting of a lawn, and predicts the tree will demise in two to five years. He added that Willow trees are short lived and have greedy surface roots. Victoria Parrott displayed the preliminary planting plan for Commission review. Chairman McGowan stated the Willow tree screens the parking lot for the people staying at the Hotel and ties in with the other Willow trees in the area. Mr. Callander stated that the new trees will also screen the parking lot but will go in an area behind the existing Willow. Commissioner Locke stated that the Willow tree is striking and is part of a grove of 11 Willow trees; with the smaller ones that have already been removed, the removal of the existing Willow tree would create a large gap. She asked Inspector Quadri if the tree is healthy. Inspector Quadri stated that the tree is healthy but is short lived. Commissioner Ward asked Peter Callander if the owner of the property wanted the Willow tree removed. Mr. Callander stated the owner likes the tree but agrees with the removal because of future root problems to the sidewalk and landscaping. Commissioner Root stated that the Commission doesn't like removing healthy trees. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated removal of this tree will cause a visual impact to the area and moved the request to remove the Willow tree be denied but that the rest of the landscaping continue; seconded Motion carried unanimously. Inspector Quadri stated that the applicant will be notified in writing of the decision and the appeal procedures. Request to Extend Private Tree Removal Permit and to Reduce Replacement Size to 10 Gallon Size 91324 Vancouver Avenue - Inspector Quadri stated that applicant is involved in a remodel project and needs an extension to complete the replacement requirements for the removal of a Poplar tree. Applicant was required to plant two 24" box size trees but has requested a reduction in the container size because the landscape plan calls for the planting of seven Italian Cypress trees. He added that the Commission in the past has allowed three IS gallon size replacements in lieu of one 24" box size tree. He noted that he is not aware that a ten gallon size is even available. 2 Request to Extend Private Tree Removal Permit and to Reduce Replacement Size to 10 Gallon Size 0a,1324 Vancouver Avenue (Cond.) - Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Ward moved that the permit be extended to August S, 1998 to allow for the completion of the landscape project; seconded Motion carried unanimously. The Commission further discussed the reduction of the tree replacement size and Commissioner Gilmore - Friend moved that at least 6 -1 S gallon trees be planted in lieu of the required 2 - 24" box size trees; seconded Motion carried unanimously. Reforestation Ordinance Revisions - Commissioner Lauder stated that after the last Commission meeting, Commissioner Locke noted several punctuation errors in the document. Commissioner Locke stated she would be willing to edit the final draft for punctuation, style, consistencies, and capitalization. Inspector Quadri added that the edits and other changes to the ordinance will need to be referred to the City Attorney for his final review. Superintendent Richmond noted that recently, illegal removals had been performed by a local tree company that had been previously notified of the City's protected tree ordinance. He asked if the ordinance needed to be changed to specifically address a tree company's responsibility. Inspector Quadri added that during a building construction project, any violations to the code are the responsibility of the property owner. The Commission discussed the community's awareness of the ordinance and Superintendent Richmond stated that the Parks & Recreation Department mails out a simplified form of the ordinance to new residents in Burlingame. Commissioner Locke suggested some possible content changes under the "Purpose and Intent" section of the ordinance. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Ward suggested the Committee meet again and discuss the suggested content and grammatical changes, review the changes with the City Attorney, and report back to the Commission at their next meeting. The Commission agreed and action was postponed on this item. Arbor Day - March 6. 1998 - Bayside Park - Superintendent Richmond reported that five elementary schools will be participating in this years ceremonies and that eight Crape Myrtles will be planted along the fence in the Bayside Park parking lot. Spring Garden Seminar - March 21, 1998 - Gardening Tips &Tales - Superintendent Richmond thanked Chairman McGowan for agreeing to be the speaker at this year's seminar. REPORTS Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items: 1) P.G.&E's contractor, Asplundh, is continuing the removal of 25 street trees under primary utilities. Replacement trees will be planted in April. 2) An emergency permit was issued to CalTrain/Joint Powers to remove two leaning Eucalyptus trees along the railroad tracks, north of Oak Grove. The trees have been removed. REPORTS Richmond (Cond.) - 3) An emergency permit was issued to Webcor for the removal of eight Poplar trees on the southwest side of Airport Boulevard, near the former Keejoons. Concrete planters had been removed around the trees causing two of the trees to fall. Upon inspection by the City Arborist, it was discovered that the other trees were unstable due to circling roots and required immediate removal. Replacement trees will be required. 4) Several Elms in the Oxford/Cambridge area are being removed due to Dutch Elm Disease. `Frontier' Elms have been suggested by UC Extension as a suitable replacement tree and will be used as much as possible in the Oxford/Cambridge area. 5) The Parks Division passed the yearly pesticide audit conducted by the San Mateo County Agriculture Department. 6) City Arborist, Steven Porter, has been participating in a demo film with Larry Costello, UC Extension, demonstrating the training and pruning of young trees. McGowan - Chairman McGowan reported on the following items: 1) The parking lot on Park Road (where the temporary Library was located) has broken plants, debris, and the temporary library sign knocked down. 2) Two city trees at 1707 Carmelita have new sod planted up to the root crown. ho 3) Rector Cadillac has installed American flags as advertisment banners on the strip of land leased from the City. Chairman McGowan noted that this does not honor the American flag and it also makes the Broadway area look "junkier". 4) During the recent flood on Burlingame Avenue, silt from the creek was left on the sidewalks; Chairman McGowan hopes the City will consider washing down the sidewalks. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder thanked Chairman McGowan for representing the Beautification Commission at the Commissioner's dinner; that, he did an "excellent job". Root - On the East side of California Drive, between Floribunda and Douglas, a boat and truck have been parked between the Eucalyptus trees. Superintendent Richmond explained that, starting from the middle of California Drive (going East) exists three separate jurisdictions; San Francisco Water, Joint Powers/Southern Pacific, and the City of Burlingame. Superintendent Richmond will inspect the area but indicated that it is probably not within the City of Burlingame's jurisdiction. Director John Williams added that the area is not a City street making enforcement difficult. The City Council and the Traffic and Safety Commission have been looking at problems in the area. FROM THE FLOOR Don Cory, 833 Alpine Avenue, stated he would like the macadam pathway (along the railroad tracks) extended to Oak Grove. He added, that the area by the Eucalyptus trees is a park like setting and is beautiful to walk through. He asked the Commission's guidance on how to turn that area into a trail. —� Chairman McGowan stated that, in the past, the area had been suggested as a bicycle path. 0 FROM THE FLOOR (Cond.) - Mr. Cory stated that along Carolan Avenue in the City's easement, about ten flowering plums are dying as well as some of the oleanders. Superintendent Richmond stated that the plums are old and could be replaced and that the oleanders had been driven over by the cable companies. Director Williams reported that as part of the California Drive sewer project, the median island on Broadway will be redone with cobblestone. He also stated that he will write a letter to CalTrans requesting that the weeds be cleaned up in the area between 101 and Rollins Road. There being no more business and no further comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, iKarlene Harvey Recording Secretary OR 5