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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1997.03.069 BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MARCH 6,1997 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Will McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman McGowan, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, Plyer, Root and Ward. Absent: Commissioner Schinagl Staff: Parks Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Arborist Porter, Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, Benjamin Chocolate, and Jack Friend MINUTES - Minutes of the February 6, 1997 meeting were corrected to read (Pg. 3, under REPORTS/RICHMOND; Paragraph 5 changed to say), Parks Superintendent Richmond stated that if the property is heavily forested . . . ; and corrected to read (Pg. 1, under OLD BUSINESS/Arbor Day; paragraph 4 changed to say), Commissioner McGowan stated that the COY Council had spoken out strongly in favor of preserving the trees on El Camino at their December council meeting, and that even if some of the eucalyptus are removed, the remaining eucalyptus are still a celebrated part of the City of Burlingame. Letter from Benjamin Chocolate requesting direction from the Commission on how to contact residents of Burlingame to assist him in making a video documentary of the trees in Burlingame. Letter to Harold & Margaret Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar, approval to extend their private tree removal permit to July 3, requirements of two 24" box size trees. informing them of the Commissions 1997 in order to meet the replacement Memo from the City Clerk re the November city election and Proposition 208. Copy of memo from City Manger to Council re the City staff meeting with CalTrans in regards to the El Camino Real trees. Letter from G. William & Eva Thomson, 1709 Easton Drive, requesting removal of the city -owned Monterey Cypress due to roots "nudging" their sewer line, raised and cracked sidewalk, and cracks in the driveway. (Superintendent Richmond noted that upon inspection the damage the City Engineer has indicated that the city would repair and replace the sidewalk and the damaged portion ofthe driveway on private property. The applicants have asked that the request for removal still be forwarded to the Commission for a decision. The Commission will render a decision at the April 3rd meeting.) Letter from Loma & Bryan Stein, 2217 Adeline Drive, requesting their private tree removal permit be extended to June 5, 1997 in order to meet the replacement requirements; and that, they be allowed to plant three 15 gallon size trees instead of the required one 24" box size tree. Letter from Emma Czapkay, 9 Stanley Road, requesting the city -owned Gingko tree be removed due L, to raised sidewalk, driveway, and private walk to house. OLD BUSINESS Arbor Da x - Superintendent Richmond reported that all arrangements for Arbor Day at Washington School on March 7 are in order. Eight trees will be planted on Anita Road as part of the ceremony. Each class from Washington School will adopt one of the trees and will water and maintain the trees until they are established. Chairman McGowan commented that he would not be able to attend but asked what tree varieties will be planted. Superintendent Richmond stated that 4 Mayten, 2 plums, and 2 Koelreuterias will be planted. Spring Garden Seminar - Superintendent Richmond reported that 25 people have registered for this years seminar. Paula Blanchfield will speak on Designing the Small Garden at the Burlingame Recreation Center; Commissioners will provide the snacks. Landscape Award Promotion - Superintendent Richmond stated the information for the Landscape Award will be sent to the Chamber and the Boutique Villager for publication. He also submitted flyers for the Commission to distribute to businesses they feel worthy of applying. The Commission reviewed the award application and flyer and discussed the process for applying. Following the discussion, the Commission agreed that each Commissioner can suggest sites for nomination as well as anyone in the community. After making some minor changes on the application and flyer, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend requested the flyers also be made available at the Spring Garden Seminar. Extension for Private Tree Removal Permit na. 2217 Adeline Drive - Superintendent Richmond reported that the applicant has asked that the permit be extended to June 5, 1997 to complete the replacement requirements of the permit. Additionally, the applicant has asked permission to plant —* three 15 gallon size trees instead ofthe required one 24" box size tree. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Plyer moved that the Commission grant the extension to June 5, 1997 and that the applicant be allowed to plant three 15 gallon size trees; seconded. Motion carried 6 - 0 - 1 (absent/Schinagl). NEW BUSINESS Video Documentary on Trees in Burlingame - Chairman McGowan recognized Benjamin Chocolate. Mr. Chocolate stated he has written to the elementary schools encouraging them to provide him with pictures and poems about trees. Commissioner Root suggested he put an ad in the Boutique Villager about the video documentary on Burlingame trees. Chairman McGowan stated the Boutique Villager may even be interested in writing an article about Mr. Chocolate's plan to produce the video documentary. Mr. Chocolate thanked the Commission for their suggestions and plans to videotape the Arbor Day ceremonies. Request for Removal of 5 Pine Trees at 1505 Los Altos - Because of the number of trees requested on this permit, Landscape Inspector Quadri has asked the Commission for direction on a request to remove 5 pine trees on private property. He intends to approve the request and if the Commission has no objections the notification process of adjacent property owners will continue. The Commission can ask for an arborist report to be submitted or may request that the item be placed on next months agenda for their consideration. The applicants will be required to replace the trees 1 for 1 as provided in the ordinance. Superintendent Richmond submitted pictures of the proposed removals. Chairman McGowan stated he believes the #5 tree to be a cedar deodar. Following a brief discussion, the Commission agreed to let the process move ahead. 'IN 2 REPORTS/RICHMOND - Superintendent Richmond reported that 70 trees have received the Merit injections to combat aphids: Liriodendrons on Stanley, McDonald and Peninsula, Cottonwood \-- trees on Paloma, and the Dugoni's trees on La Mesa Drive. Superintendent Richmond stated last year 30 trees were injected as an experiment; results were very positive. City Staff met with CalTrans to- discuss the proposed tree removal on El Camino. Three committees were formed, combined with City staff and CalTrans staff, to determine: 1) Structure and health of tree; 2) Existing site hazards; 3) Curb and gutter drainage and ADA requirements. City staff and CalTrans will meet again mid -March. Chairman McGowan asked who was in attendance at the meeting. Superintendent Richmond stated representatives from City staff and CalTrans staff It was agreed at that meeting that Dr. Larry Costello from UC Extension would be consulted on criteria use to evaluate the health of the trees. The City Arborist met with Dr. Larry Costello from the UC Extension to discuss and establish an evaluation process from the Eucalyptus grove along the railroad tracks on California Drive. Superintendent Richmond met with the City Attorney to determine the most important elements the Commission needs to remember with regards to meeting procedures and the Brown Act. The City Attorney cited four items: 1) It is critical to keep to the agenda; do not diverge; 2) Never discuss issues outside a formal meeting with a majority of the Commission; this includes sequential conversations; 3) It is a poor practice prior to a meeting to discuss with other Commissioners any issues that require action; and 4) The Beautification Commission's business never requires or allows for a "closed session" or "off the record" comments. Chairman McGowan asked (in regards to #2) if item can be discussed after a decision had been made. Director Williams said no because the same item might be called up again. MCGOWAN - Chairman McGowan reported that he noticed a new house at 1700 Easton had mulch piled up against a tree near the sidewalk on the property. He informed the contractor that the tree was to be protected and that leaving the mulch up against the trunk could harm the tree. Plants in the planter in front of Ecco Restaurant on Lorton have not been watered and are dying. Superintendent Richmond stated the planter is the property of the restaurant and is required to have an encroachment permit issued by the Public Works Department. Chairman McGowan stated he thinks the encroachment permit requires that the planter be maintained in good condition and thinks that would include the plants. Superintendent Richmond will check with Public Works. Lu$ansa on Marsden Road only has red rock and no landscaping; isn't landscaping required? Park Superintendent will check with the landscape inspector. LAUDER - Commissioner Lauder reported that Don Bums wrote an article in the San Mateo County Times regarding the proposed removal of trees on El Camino and possible varieties to consider for replacement such as Chinese Pistache and Liquidambars. Commissioner Lauder added, she thought planting trees that have fall color would be pretty. ROOT - Commissioner Root asked in reference to the City Manager's memo to Council, what "whole tree failure" means. Superintendent Richmond stated it means that the tree fell or required `- immediate removal. 3 x REPORTS/ROOT (Confda Commissioner Root stated if a large City tree is removed, the residents in the area should be notified. Chairman McGowan stated it would also be helpful to post a sign on the tree so people who walk in the area would know of the removal Commissioner Root submitted a newspaper article about the Millbrae's beautification project in their business area and another newspaper article about Mayor Brown of San Francisco trying to ban freestanding newsracks. Chairman McGowan stated Mayor O'Mahony wishes the Beautification Commission would be more involved with the newsracks in the City. Director Williams reported that the existing database on the newsracks is out of date. Director Williams stated he will be meeting with the Public Works Director and the City Attorney in April, both of which come from cities that have had some success with the newsrack problem He added that there are strict controls in other cities and feels there is a workable solution. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated that in 1989 the Beautification Commission formed a committee to draft a newsrack ordinance. She reported that the newspaper agencies that met with the committee were very cooperative. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend then submitted a list of the newspaper agencies represented at that meeting. WARD - Commissioner Ward said he observed a traffic hazard posed by the Eucalyptus trees on El Camino. He reported that he saw a tall truck on El Camino that could not travel along the inside lane without hitting the trees; it was dangerous and no one could go around the truck. Commissioner .., McGowan responded that the truck could have traveled in the other lane. Commissioner Root added that trucks have problems in other areas of the City but removal is not the answer. ROOT - Commissioner Root stated she was surprised to see a tarot card reading business on Burlingame Avenue. She added that she feels this type of business is inappropriate and wishes there was something in place to prevent tarot card businesses and massage parlors. Director Williams stated massage parlors are heavily regulated in the City of Burlingame. FROM THE FLOOR - Chairman McGowan recognized Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Mrs. Thomson stated they just wanted to observe how the Commission fimctions. Chairman McGowan stated the Commission would be rendering a decision on their request to remove the City's Monterey Cypress at the April 3rd meeting. There being no further business, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m Respectfully submitted, 1 Kar1 ene Harvey Recording Secretary WO 4