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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1998.05.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MAY 7, 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, and Ward Absent: Commissioner Schinagl Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, Landscape Inspector Quadri, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Alma Dacanay (1428 Cabrillo Avenue) and Jack Friend MINUTES - Minutes of the April 2, 1998 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter(s) to Janet McDonald (1005 Larkspur) and toTim Brosnan (1405 Oak Grove) informing them that the Commission voted to extend their permits in order to meet planting requirements. Letter to Con Brosnan informing him that the Commission voted to grant permission to remove and replace four Ash trees in the City planter strip at 601 Ansel Road. Letter from Richard Kelly (1436 Cabrillo) appealing the permitted removal of a private Redwood tree at 1428 Cabrillo Avenue. Letter to Conrad & Alma Dacanay (1428 Cabrillo) informing them that an appeal had been received regarding the permitted removal of their private Redwood tree and that the Commission will schedule a hearing for the June 4, 1998 Commission meeting. Superintendent Richmond stated this item will be placed on the next agenda. Commissioner Ward asked if a reason was given for the appeal. Inspector Quadri stated there was no reason and the ordinance only states an "appeal in writing" must be received. OLD BUSINESS Reforestation Ordinance Revisions - Chairman McGowan thanked Commissioners Ward, Lauder, Locke and Inspector Quadri for their work on the revisions. Inspector Quadri stated the revisions were mainly for clarification but included were some substantive changes, punctuation corrections, and minor inconsistencies with the municipal code. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that the proposed revisions to the Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection ordinance be approved and recommended to the City Council; seconded Motion carried 6 - 0 - I (absen&Schinagl). REPORTS - Quadri At this point of the meeting the order of agenda was changed to hear a REPORT om Inspector uadri - Inspector Quadri reported that an illegal removal of a private tree occurred at 1640 Monte -� Corvino. The property owner submitted plans for an addition on the property and showed the tree as remaining. One of the conditions of the plan approval on this project was that the tree be protected during construction. While performing inspections in the neighborhood, Inspector Quadri discovered several men in the process of removing the tree. When questioned, the men said they were instructed by the property owner to remove the tree. Inspector Quadri has notified the property owner of the violation and that replacement with 2 - 36" box size trees will be required in addition to other tree planting requirements before the project will be finaled. NEW BUSINESS Revision of City Street Tree List - Superintendent Richmond indicated that the current street tree lists are in need of revision. He stated that the some trees should be removed from the list and the lists could reflect more of a variety. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend asked if it is preferable for blocks to have the same variety of tree. Superintendent Richmond stated that it is not preferable because you could lose a block of trees if a particular disease threatens one of them i.e. the Dutch Elm Disease and designating a single species would eliminate the homeowner from participating in the selection process. Superintendent Richmond stated he will be consulting with the City Arborist for suggestions and any proposed changes. He added he would like a committee from the Commission to help by reviewing the lists and providing input before any action is taken. The Commission agreed that it was time to make some changes to the current street tree list. Chairman McGowan appointed Commissioners Lauder, Locke, and Root to meet as a committee with Superintendent Richmond. Under Grounding of Utilities - Chairman McGowan asked that this item be placed on the agenda as a followup to last month's item. Chairman McGowan read the draft of a letter to be sent to the Council regarding the under grounding of utilities in the Ansel, Floribunda, and Oak Grove areas east of El Camino Real. Chairman McGowan stated that many properties in that area are in the planning process of redevelopment and now would be the time to continue the under grounding of utilities in that area. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Ward moved the letter regarding the under grounding of utilities be sent to the City Council; seconded Motion carried 6 - 0 - 1 (absent/Schinagl). REPORTS Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items: 1) The Parks Division is currently planting street trees; over 100 new street trees will be planted this Spring. 2) Several City Magnolias were removed on Broadway near Wells Fargo Bank as part of a remodel project. The trees will be replaced with the Chinese Pistache tree. The project was approved by City Council action as part of a pilot project for the Streetscape on Broadway. 3) The City Arborist met with the Public Works Engineer and the Contractor at 601 Ansel. In order to provide better sidewalk access, it was decided that the sidewalk be extended to the curb and that the City street trees be planted in the front set back of the City's right of way. 4) The removal of four trees occurred in Washington Park for the placement of a Council approved batting cage. Replacement trees will be planted. 2 REPORT - (Cond.) WUIi - Director Williams reported that he met with a CalTrans representative to discuss the weeds in the triangle off 101 south, at the Broadway overpass. The representative agreed to remove the weeds and the vegetation and replace with tanbark. Director Williams also discussed with the representative the possibility of the City's adopting the tip of the triangle and planting low evergreens. Director Williams reported that he will be meeting with Jane Gomery of Public Works and with representatives from the Chronicle to discuss a pilot project for the newsracks on the corner of Burlingame Avenue and Lorton and at the Post Office on Capuchino Avenue. Director Williams commented that the Police Department has been very helpful in getting the newspapers to cooperate with cleanup efforts near Starbucks. He added that he has recently been checking into databases that will assist the department in tracking newsracks in the City. McGowan - Chairman McGowan reported that a resident across from City Hall on Primrose Road has allowed the ivy to grow across the sidewalk and up into the tree branches. Chairman McGowan also asked if any plantings will go in the islands in the parking lot where the temporary library was located. Superintendent Richmond stated that currently there is no water service there and that there are still plans to install meters. He added that he would obtain an update on the project from Public Works Engineer, Phil Monahan. There being no further business and no comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. \.. Respectfully submitted, � 1 Karfene Harvey Recording Secretary 3