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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1996.10.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 3, 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, Root, Absent: Commissioners Plyer and Ward Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri, City Arborist Porter, and Parks & Recreation Director Williams Guests: Jack Friend, Joan Keropian, Bill Dugoni, Lillian Vasey, Anastasia Mandrussow, and Liz Horton MINUTES - Minutes of the September 5, 1996 meeting were approved as corrected to read under REPORTS - Richmond: "In January/February of this year the Park Department experimented with a soil injection method called `Merit' . . ." CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Park Supt. Richmond to Evelyn Norman, 2209 Ray Drive informing her that the Commission would review her request to remove the City's Magnolia at the October 3 meeting. Letter from Park Supt. Richmond to JoAnn Stenberg, 1533 Howard Avenue, informing her that based on her remarks re tree pruning, removal and planting on the 1500-1600 blocks of Howard, the Commission has agreed that notification be sent with street tree lists for replacements to the residents; that, the Park Division will remove selected dead or diseased trees; and residents with empty planting sites will be sent letters and street tree lists inviting them to choose trees for the Spring 1997 tree planting. Letter from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri, informing Bryan Stein, 2217 Adeline Drive, that the Commission voted 6 - 0 - 1 (Absent) to grant 1 - 6 month extension to meet the planting requirements for the removal of a private redwood tree. Letter from Park Supt. Richmond to William Dugoni, 1511 La Mesa Drive, informing him the Commission would review his request to remove the City's Oak tree at the October 3 meeting. Commissioner Applications from William R. Ward and Jeannie Hall Gilmore to serve on the Beautification Commission. Letter from Park Supt. Richmond to Dan McHale, Gen. Mngr., Ramada Inn, informing him that the Beautification Commission chose Ramada Inn as the recipient of the 1996 Landscape Award to be presented at the Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and installation luncheon in January 1997. Memo from Sr. Landscape Inspector Quadri to the Beautification Commission re request from owners of 1421 Bellevue for a permit to remove 1 pine tree and 5 acacia trees; that, based on a preliminary inspection he found sufficient reason to process the application for the pine tree, but not necessarily for the acacias. Inspector Quadri requests a hearing date be set for the Commissions consideration of this matter. Letter from the Beautification Commission to Jim Whitehead of Vector Labs, 30 Ingold Road, informing him that while the Commission was impressed with their landscaping, it could not be considered for the Landscape Award until it had been in existence for 1 year. r ^ OLD BUSINESS Appeal of Private Tree Removal @ 1560 Cypress - Inspector Quadri stated the pine tree in question is causing significant damage to applicant's property and, as stated in his letter to applicant and adjacent properties, the tree is unbalanced and hazardous; removal would provide more space for remaining-1 trees to grow properly. Appellant requested that tree not be removed but that other trees at 1560 Cypress be considered. Inspector Quadri stated, as directed by the City Attorney, the Commission may only consider the tree that the applicant requested permission to remove. Applicant Liz Horton, 1560 Cypress was present but had no commments. Appellant Lillian Vasey, 1562 Cypress was present and asked what comments the Commissioners who visited her property might have. Chairman McGowan stated that Monterey Pine trees have an aggressive root system and this tree has torn up a lot of the backyard; there are many other trees in the area and considering the condition of the pine tree he would be inclined to deny the appeal and allow removal of the pine tree; Commissioner Schinagl moved to deny the appeal and grant permission to remove the pine tree; seconded. Motion carried 5-0-2 (absent). Request For Removal of City Magaolia tree @ 2209 Ray Drive - Park Supt. Richmond stated applicant was concerned about possible root damage to her driveway and radiant heating system; upon inspection, the City Arborist recommended against removal because significant roots were not found in the area where driveway was damaged. Applicant, Mrs. Norman, applied to the Beautification Commission but Mr. Keropian (applicants son-in-law) felt process would take too long and after conferring with the City Arborist re roots and installation of root barriers chose to make repairs to the driveway prior to Commission's review. Mr. Keropian was instructed to notify the City Arborist for inspection of roots when existing driveway was removed However, while in the area, Park Supt. Richmond was surprised to find the driveway completely removed and forms set for a new driveway; there had been no call for a root inspection. Park Supt. Richmond instructed the City Arborist to inspect for roots and take pictures of the site. Arborist Porter submitted pictures and stated that he found no roots of appreciable size; most were 1.5 inches in diameter or under and would not have caused that kind of damage to the driveway. Inspection also revealed that there were no root barriers installed as part of the repair to driveway. Daughter of applicant, Mrs. Keropian was present to speak on behalf of her mother, Mrs. Norman. Mrs. Keropian stated her mother is primarily concerned that the roots from the tree will damage her radiant heating system. When the driveway was removed, the contractor found a "mesh" of roots under driveway and spent a whole day just cutting them out. Her mother was "terrified" that someone could break into her house because the garage door would not close due to the driveway damage; this necessitated immediate repairs to the driveway; her mother has already had to replace the sewer lines because of the tree roots and fears roots are going to shift the concrete slab and damage radiant heating system. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend asked if the Parks Division could install root barriers completely around the tree to protect private property. Park Supt. Richmond stated, generally, the Park Division installs root barriers only in the city right-of-way; Commission would need to decide if installation should include back on the private property. Chairman McGowan asked if the tress would still be a viable tree if the roots were severed. Arborist PortE stated if roots were cut 6 - 8 feet back from base of tree, root barriers placed, and then followed with pruning of the tree and liquid fertilizing, the tree would have a good chance of surviving. OLD BUSINESS Request for Removal of City Magnolia at 2209 Ray Drive (Cont'd.) - rommissioner Gilmore -Friend moved the Park Division attempt to save the tree y placing root barriers with the option left to the applicant to return to �Ehe Commission if, in the future, there is root damage to the radiant heating system. After further discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend amended her motion to state: the Park Division install root barriers where necessary in lieu of granting tree removal at this time; and that landscaping work is to be done in conjunction with the City Arborist; seconded. Motion carried 5-0-2 (absent). Request for Removal of City Oak Tree @ 1511 La Mesa Drive - Park Supt. Richmond stated request from Mr. Dugoni, 1511 La Mesa Drive was based on 2 issues: 1) The tree's proximity to Mills Canyon posed a fire hazard and, 2) Aphid infestations dripping sticky dew on his car and driveway and attracting bees. Park Supt. Richmond asked Fire Inspector Marshall to inspect. The Fire Inspector reported that tree did not pose a fire hazard. Arborist Porter stated he inspected the Red Oak tree. Two Red Oak trees exist at this address and are spaced appropriately. The tree in question is 35 ft. tall, is 21" DBH, and has a 40' crown. There is no apparent decay. Pruning has occurred on a regular basis and some root pruning was done during driveway repair. The tree is not lifting any hardscape. Based on the Fire Inspector's comments and that the aphid infestations can be controlled by Merit soil injections he would recommend against removal of the tree. Applicant, Mr. Dugoni, was present. Mr. Dugoni submitted pictures of the *trees and stated the trees are almost touching the roof and will soon be `,,joined together; he replaced his driveway at a cost of $3,000; trees have been thinned and sprayed in the past but the dripping comes back within several weeks; driveway gets slippery when it rains; is only requesting removal of the one Oak tree by the driveway. Commissioner Schinagl asked applicant how his neighbor felt - about removal of the tree to which Mr. Dugoni stated that his neighbors are tree lovers and their tree doesn't drip. Mr. Dugoni added, that it is a beautiful tree but it has become a nuisance. Park Supt. Richmond asked Mr. Dugoni if the aphids were his main concern to which Mr. Dugoni stated, "Yes", but size is also a main concern; these trees are "huge", could trees be reduced in size? Arborist Porter stated trees could be reduced by 1/3 and could be trimmed back from the roof line. Commissioner Lauder asked Arborist Porter if the Park Division had tried Merit injections on this species. Arborist Porter stated "No", but Merit injections on the Tulip trees on Stanley Road had been extremely successful. Following the discussion, Commissioner Schinagl moved to deny the request for removal at this time, but that the Parks Division try the Merit soil injection and reduce the trees as stated by the City Arborist; seconded. Motion carried 5-0-2 (absent). NEW BUSINESS Spring Garden Seminar (Date, Topic, Speaker) - Commission agreed to set the date for the seminar for the 3rd Saturday in March (depending on when Easter \.•falls) . Commission suggested a topic on the care of trees in relationship to lawns e.g. new sod and suggested Landscape Inspector Quadri as featured speaker. Another suggestion for a topic was pests in the garden with Dan Collins, plant pathologist, as the featured speaker. NEW BUSINESS - (Coat' d. ) Request to Remove 6 Private Trees at 1431 Bellevue Avenue - Park Supt. Richmond stated the Landscape Inspector has referred this request `4, pictures to the Commission and requests Commission set a hearing da. Commission set hearing date of November 7, (the next regularly scheduled Beautification Commission meeting). Applicant and adjacent property owners will be notified by the Landscape Inspector. REPORTS Richmond - P.G.&E. has completed the removal of approximately 10 City trees under Primary Utilities; trees were in decline or dying. City crews will stump and P.G.&E. will pay for 15 gallon replacement trees to be planted by the tree crew in October. Over 100 street trees will be planted in City planter strips in the month of October. New paver blocks have been installed at the Easton Branch library with sections designated for landscaping to be completed in the month of October. Park employee, Bob Balestreri, designed the project and the project will be funded through the Library budget. Park Supt. Richmond reported staffs intention to include letters (from applicants) requiring action in agenda mailings prior to becoming an agenda item; staff felt this would be helpful for applicant as well as Commission in rendering their decision. After a brief discussion, Commission agreed that this would be very helpful. A Violation Notice was sent to the property owner on the 2400 block of Hillside Drive re their private tree encroaching the sidewalk; and e property owner on the 1300 block of Bayswater was notified that the Monte.ey Pine planted in the City's planter strip would be ,removed by the Parks Division. McGowan - Asked if the City trees at the main branch Library have been watered during construction. Arborist Porter stated the trees have been protected during construction, but he will inspect to see if watering is necessary. Chairman McGowan reported that ivy is over half the sidewalk on the 2100 block of Hillside Drive. Gilmore -Friend - A student of Commissioner Gilmore -Friend, George Jenkins, wanted to know what happened to the sand lot at Victoria Park, if the basketball court could be resurfaced, and if another basketball hoop installed. Park Supt. Richmond stated the Victoria Park playground is being completely renovated; sand and play equipment will be installed next week. Park Supt. Richmond added the basketball courts were heavily used several years ago and the neighbors that bordered the park complained about the noise and late hours. The Park and Recreation Commission decided to have 1 hoop removed and encouraged users to play their games at Washington Park instead. FROM THE FLOOR There being no further business and no business FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman_ McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary -IN