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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1996.09.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 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, Plyer, Root, and Ward Absent: Commissioner Schinagl Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond and Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri, Parks & Recreation Director Williams Guests: Jack Friend, Marti Knight, Vera Vasey and Lilliana Vasey MINUTES - Minutes of the August 1, 1996 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri to Mike Arbues, 13 Bancroft informing him that the Commission unanimously denied his appeal regarding the request to remove a 38" dbh redwood tree due to discrepancies in his permit application. Letter from Park Superintendent Richmond informing Walter Beucus, 129 Costa Rica that the Commission unanimously denied his request to approve the unauthorized planting of 1 Birch tree in the City planter strip. Letter from Park Superintendent Richmond informing Bob Johnston, 1133 Killarney that the Commission voted 6 - 1 to approve his request that tree replacement requirements be waived on the City right-of-way. Letter from JoAnn Stenberg, 1533 Howard requesting trimming and removal of select City trees on the 1500 block of Howard and a unified planting of lavendar locust trees in all the vacant planting sites on that same block. Letter from Bryan Stein, 2217 Adeline requesting an extension of his protected tree removal permit in order to comply with the replacement requirements. Memo from City Engineer Erbacher addressing Commissions concerns regarding, overflowing garbage cans at Starbucks, street sweeping near apartments, and private planter pots on Burlingame Avenue. Letter to Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri from Lilliana Vasey, 1562 Cypress appealing the intent to issue the permitted removal of 1 Pine tree at 1560 Cypress. Copy of Warning Notice to Emcee Investment Co. requiring the removal of plastic weed barrier around a City tree at 128 Lorton. Letter from William Dugoni, 1511 La Mesa requesting the removal of a City Oak tree due to the large size of the tree, and that it attracts bees, drips sap, and poses a fire hazard to his property. Letter from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri to M. McDonald Horton, 1560 Cypress informing her that an appeal to her application for removal of a large Pine tree had been received and that the Commission will receive the appeal at the September 5 meeting and act upon it at their meeting of October 3, 1996. Letter from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri to Lilliana Vasey, 1562 Cypress informing her that her appeal to the application for removal of a large Pine tree at 1560 Cypress will be received at the September 5 Commission meeting and acted upon at their October 3, 1996 meeting CORRESPONDENCE (Cont'd.) - Letter from Evelyn Norman, 2209 Ray Drive requesting removal of a City Magnolia tree due to damage caused by roots to her driveway, walkways, planters, sewer system, and lawn. Letter(s) from City Manager Argyres to Commissioners Gilmore -Friend and Ward �. informing them of the expiration of their terms on the Beautification Commission expires on October 7, 1996. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award Selection - Commissioner Lauder asked how long the landscaping has been in existence. Commissioner Plyer stated that it had just been installed and had informed the owner of the property of the requirement that the landscaping be existing for at least 1 year before the property could be considered for receipt of the award. Commissioner Plyer encouraged him to apply next year and suggested applicant be sent a letter from the Commission thanking him for applying and explaining the one year requirement on the landscaping. Commissioner Lauder will,send a letter to the applicant. Commissioner Root asked if the property discussed at the last meeting would be considered and stated that due some misunderstandings an application was not submitted. Commissioner Ward stated he felt reluctant to consider a property that they had not received an application from. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Root moved that the property be considered for the Landscape Award selection; there being no second, the motion died. Commissioner Ward moved that the Ramada at 1250 Bayshore be chosen to receive the 1996 Landscape Award, seconded. Motion carried on a 6-0-1 (absent) vote. Ramada Inn will be notified and asked to send a representative to receive the award at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon held in January of 1997. NEW BUSINESS Extension for Private Tree Removal Permit at 2217 Adeline - Inspector Quadri stated that the applicant has been issued 1 extension but needs to apply to the Commission for an additional extension. Inspector Quadri stated that the tree has been removed but the applicant requests more time to comply with the 24" box replacement requirement. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that the applicant be granted an extension in order to meet the replacement requirements of the ordinance; seconded. Motion carried 6-0-1 (absent). Order of agenda was changed to accommodate the guests. Appeal of Private Tree Removal @ 1560 Cypress Avenue - Inspector Quadri stated the owner of 1562 Cypress has appealed the intent to issue a permit to remove a private pine at 1560 Cypress and instead requests other trees on the property be considered for removal and or pruning. Inspector Quadri stated he conferred with the City Attorney regarding the appellants request and the City Attorney stated that the Commission may only consider the removal of the private tree the applicant at 1560 Cypress requested; any other removals on the property is a private matter between property owners. Chairman McGowan recognized Lilliana and Vera Vasey, appellants. Lilliana Vasey showed Commission the problems that the trees have caused to her property at 1562 Cypress and stated that the Pine tree is a beautiful tree; she believes there are alternatives to removal of Pine tree #4 and requests Commission deny permit to remove. She is very concerned about other trees that have been root pruned at 1560 Cypress and fears they may fall down. Appeal of Private Tree Removal @ 1560 Cypress Avenue - (Cont'd.) - Inspector Quadri reiterated issues regarding the other trees are a private matter between property owners and suggested Mrs. Vasey send a letter to the property owner as well as her insurance company expressing her concerns. Commissioner Plyer asked Inspector Quadri if property owners have a right to �. prune private trees encroaching from adjacent properties. 'Inspector Quadri stated that providing the tree does not die from any trimming or root pruning, property owners may cut back to the property line any trees or shrubs encroaching their property. Commission will consider Mrs. Vasey's concerns with regard to the intended removal of Pine tree #4 and render a decision at the October 3 meeting. Request for Street Tree Planting and Tree Trimming on the 1500 Block of Howard Avenue - Park Superintendent Richmond stated this request was addressed to the Commission prior to the Park Division having been addressed. Current street tree lists prevent the planting of "lavender locust" (as requested by applicant) due to the narrow width of the planter strips in that area. Superintendent Richmond stated he instructed the City Arborist to review and make recommendation. City Arborist Porter's report concurs with the applicant. There are trees on this block that should be removed while other trees should be trimmed; letters and official street tree lists would be sent to residents who currently have no existing trees inviting them to make a selection for the Spring planting. Where trees need to be removed and replaced, letters would be sent notifying the property owner of the removal as well as an official street tree list to make a selection. Superintendent Richmond stated if the Commission concurs, work would be completed by the Spring 1997 planting. Commissioner Plyer stated in order to achieve the applicant's objective, paved planter strips would need to be removed; the strip at 1509 Howard appears to have "homemade" cement in it. Superintendent Richmond stated that the City will not enforce the removal of previously paved planter strips, but if residents wish to, they may obtain a Parking Strip Paving application from the Public Works Department to remove paving for street tree planting. Following discussion the Commission agreed with Arborist Porter's recommendation. Superintendent Richmond will notify applicant of the planned tree work in that area. REPORTS RICHMOND - The dead tree at 9 Bancroft Road (reported at the August Commission meeting) was not planted by the Park Division; the property owner can remove or approach P.G.&E. for removal. A service request has been issued for the removal of the dead City tree at 860 Oak Grove. In January/February of this year the Park Division experimented with a soil injection method called "merit" for the control of aphids; liriodendrons on Stanley were the primary targets and it has worked very well in alleviating the aphid problem. Superintendent Richmond presented a property line and easement index map of Burlingame for the Commissions review and better understanding of City rights -of -way. Superintendent Richmond reminded the Commission that when rendering decisions on items brought before them, to consider complaints that have been addressed in the past, past findings, and costs to City or applicant. Additionally, to report accurate addresses when reporting problems on City rights -of -way. L,, REPORTS (Cont'd.) - LAUDER - Asked if the tree that was removed at Washington Park between the Rec Center and the children's playground will be replaced. Superintendent Richmond stated the tree lost a major limb which also cracked the trunk down the middle, requiring the removal of the tree. The tree will be replaced with an Alibizia Julibrissin in October of this year. ROOT - A small private tree encroaches the City sidewalk at 2409 Hillside Drive. Superintendent Richmond will inspect and send a warning notice if appropriate. GILMORE-FRIEND - On the corner of Carlos & Hillside a vacant house has been sold to a contractor. Currently, there are tall weeds in the backyard that create a fire hazard. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend was informed to call the Public Works Department for weed abatement. PLYER - In the P.G.&E. newsletter, an article explaining the difference between P.G.&E. lines, cable lines, and telephone lines was very helpful. FROM THE FLOOR Parks & Recreation Director Williams handed out his new business card for the newly combined Parks & Recreation Department. There being no further business Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7.15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary