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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1995.02.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION February 2, 1995 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Plyer. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Plyer, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, McGowan, Root, Schinagl, and Ward Staff: Director Quadri Guests: Jack Friend and John Root MINUTES - Minutes of the January 5, 1995 meeting were approved as submitted. Banner application for Spring Garden Seminar. Letter from Director Quadri to Mrs. Gibbs, 1719-1721 Sequoia Avenue, clarifying the permit issued to her on December 2, 1994, and notifying her of appeal rights. (Decision has been appealed to Council.) Letter to Philip Napoli, 1516 Los Montes Dr., informing him that his request for the removal and replacement of 1 magnolia tree was received at the January 5, 1995 Commission meeting and that a decision will be rendered at the February 2, 1995 meeting. Letter from Janice & Peter Scattini, 1359 Columbus Avenue, requesting removal of 1 Magnolia tree due to large roots buckling the sidewalk, destroying front lawn, and causing a tripping hazard. Letter and survey from Phytosphere Research re P.G.&E.' Line Clearance Efficiency Study. Study is using London Planes (Sycamores) to compare the economics of natural pruning and topping for maintaining clearance around electric distribution lines. OLD BUSINESS Recruest for Removal and Replacement of Magnolia @ 1516 Los Montes - Resident requests a permit to remove a Magnolia tree in order to continue brickwork along the city right-of-way at the front of his property. Encroachment permit for work is based on permission from the Beautification Commission to remove the small Magnolia. Director Quadri showed pictures of tree location at edge of aggregate sidewalk previously installed by property owner. Resident has agreed to pay for the removal and replacement of the small Magnolia. Commissioner Ward stated that there is not much room in that area to plant a tree and there are a number of trees on the property; Chairman Plyer agreed. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Ward moved a permit be issued for the removal of the small Magnolia and that replacement be required as per the Burlingame Municipal Code; seconded. Motion carried on a 5 - 2 vote; Commissioners Lauder and McGowan opposing. ARBOR DAY - MARCH 7, 1995 - Director Quadri stated that Arbor Day will be held at Franklin School in conjunction with a ribbon cutting ceremony to .dedicate the Franklin Field renovation project. Ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. OLD BUSINESS (Cunt' d. ) REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT OF SYCAMORE PRUNING AGREEMENT AT 1555 LOS MONTES - Director Quadri explained that permission to allow resident to prune sycamore was withdrawn by the City Attorney when resident trimmed significantly below �. the agreed upon height. Resident has apologized and has stated that he will trim the tree only to what was originally agreed upon. Chairman Plyer inquired if the City Attorney was willing to reinstate agreement; Director Quadri stated "yes". After a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that permission to prune the sycamore as per what was originally approved be granted, adding that, if not followed there would be serious consequences; seconded. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS P.G.&E. LINE CLEARANCE STUDY - Director Quadri stated P.G.&E. is considering 15-20 pairs of sycamores to be trimmed in the City of Burlingame; these trees will be part of an area wide study to determine economic and aesthetic benefit of `natural' pruning. The study is to last through 2 pruning cycles or 6 years, whichever comes first. Director Quadri asked commissioners to review the proposal and call him with any questions/comments. REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF MAGNOLIA AT 1359 COLUMBUS AVENUE - Sidewalk is seriously buckled; Park Department can root prune only if sidewalk is removed; sidewalk repair is scheduled in that area in 3 years. Director Quadri stated that due to the root problem sidewalk repair and replacement would require the sidewalk to bend around the tree and extend into the 2' city easement. Another option offered by the Public Works Dept. was for the property owner to hire a licensed contractor to repair a significant amount of concrete walk and driveway on the private property side adjacent to the uneven sidewalk and that the City may pay for the cost of repairing the sidewalk; root removal work would be performed by the contractor but under the supervision of the Park Department. Director Quadri distributed a list of other sites in the area to inspect and to consider 1) Is this a situation unique to this property? 2) Are there other options such as moving and curving the sidewalk into the 2' city easement? and 3) If removal occurs, will it set a precedence? Director Quadri explained the City's sidewalk repair program and suggested the Commission look at other alternatives; he added that the sidewalk is clearly a hazard and something needs to be done. REPORTS IIADRI - Reported that the debris in the parking lot on California Drive at Broadway is from the El Camino Real contractor; Director of Public Works, Ralph Kirkup, has stated that, if the weather cooperates, E1 Camino will be paved by late Spring. The sidewalk contractor at Davis and Marco Polo cleaned up the debris at Ray Park after Director Quadri reported to the Engineering Dept.; the Park Dept. is also holding a bond for severe root pruning done by the same contractor. The recent storms throroughly saturated the ground but for the most part the City's trees came through the storm quite well. Most of the Park Department's time was spent on private trees affecting the public right-of- way. MCGOWAN - Received a complaint from a resident about food being hosed and swept out onto the easement from the Yosizono Restaurant at 1101 Howard ,..--Avenue. Director Quadri will report to the City Attorney., LAUDER - The front of the Bus Depot looked very wet as though water is being soaked in; is there enough sealant on it? Director Quadri will report to the Recreation Department. REPORTS (Cont'd.) LADDER - Commissioner Lauder also stated that the colors of the new Mexican restaurant at Burlingame Avenue and California Drive are very "garish". Commissioner Root added that at the request of Mayor Knight she attended a meeting with the owners of the restaurant to discuss the colors of the building. Councilman Harrison was also in attendance. Commissioner Root reported that the owners seem willing to cooperate and don't want to offend anyone; it was agreed that a large portion of the building,would be painted to allow feedback from city representatives. Director Quadri stated that there is no review process. The Commission can express their concern in the form of a letter to the Council. Commissioner Ward stated that while he does not care for the choice of colors, this is a free country and he doesn't feel the Commission should be the arbitrar of color; that he would feel more comfortable if the wording would "urge" the owners to tone down the colors. Commissioner Schinagl stated the City of San Mateo handles color review through the Planning Dept. Commissioner McGowan said the dark colors are going to fade and could attract graffiti. Commissioner Lauder stated the building was originally a bank, is architecturally beautiful, and should be protected as a historical building. Following the discussion, the Commission decided to send a letter to the Council requesting the owners of the restaurant be urged to tone down the color of the building and consider colors that would be more in keeping with the tradition of Burlingame. SCHINAGL - The burned out house on Alvarado has been torn down and the lot is for sale. There being no business FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman Plyer adjourned the meeting `'' at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary