HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1995.08.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
AUGUST 3, 1995
',.,-2he 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, and Ward
Absent: Schinagl
Staff:. Director Quadri
Guests: Jack Friend, Richard Lavenstein, Marti Knight, and Daniel Begovich
MINUTES - Minutes of the July 6, 1995 meeting were approved as submitted.
Letter to Richard Lavenstein informing him that the Commission will review
his request for removal of 11 private trees at 2-42 Adrian Court at the
August 3rd meeting.
Letter to Daniel Begovich, 2801 Hillside Drive, informing him that the
Commission will review his request for removal of 3 City trees at his address
at the August 3rd meeting.
Letter to Janice and Peter Scattini, 1359 Columbus Avenue, reminding them of
the Council's requirement that a 241, box size tree be planted to replace the
City's magnolia.
%,_,.'jetter from Daniel Begovich, 2801 Hillside Drive, changing his request to the
removal of only "one large tree".
Cover letter from R. Eugene Lovelady (tenant opposing tree removal at 2-42
Adrian Court) and copy of report from Mayne Tree Expert Co. on the general
health, growing conditions, potential impacts the trees have on the property
as well as prevention and/or mitigation of these impacts.
Letter from Richard Lavenstein asking that his request for removal of 11
private Monterey Pine trees at 2-42 Adrian Court be withdrawn at this time
due to opposition from some of his tenants.
OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Plyer asked that the Commission consider the request for tree
removal at 2801 Hillside Drive as the next item of business. Commission
concurred.
Request for Removal of 3 City Trees @ 2801 Hillside Drive - Director Quadri
reported that the Tree Supervisor met with applicant to discuss the 3 trees
considered for removal. . . due to the condition of the Hawthorne tree, the
Park Department will remove and replace. According to the Tree Supervisor,
the Hackberry can be trimmed by the Park Department and will become a viable
tree. Director Quadri stated that based on this meeting Mr. Begovich has
changed his request to the removal of only 1 tree (Sycamore) to install a
larger driveway to accommodate a new garage. Director Quadri also stated
that the way this property is situated makes bending the driveway around the
tree awkward.
Chairman Plyer recognized Mr. Begovich.
Recruest for Removal of 3 City Trees @ 2801 Hillside Drive - (Cont'd.)
Mr. Begovich stated that his new 2 car garage with storage will be 26.5 feet
wide and will require his driveway to be moved 7 feet further south
necessitating the removal of the Sycamore. "**N
Commissioner McGowan asked if there was any room within the property to
accommodate turning around and exiting driveway . . . applicant responded
"No".
Commissioner Ward moved that a permit be granted to remove and replace the
tree at property owners expense, and that the replacement tree be from the
approved list; seconded.
Chairman Plyer called for discussion: Discussion involved possibilities of
reconfiguring driveway within the property to allow for a 3 point turn.
Applicant felt, aesthetically, reconfiguring the driveway was not a
possibility.
There being no further discussion Chairman Plyer called for the vote: motion
carried on a 4-2 vote; Commissioners McGowan and Lauder dissenting . . .
Commissioner Schinagl absent.
Director Quadri stated the Park Department will issue a permit to the
applicant for removal of the Sycamore and that replacement with a 24" box
size tree from the approved list.
Request for Removal of 11 Private Monterev Pine Trees @ 2-42 Adrian Ct. -
WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT . Chairman Plyer recognized Richard Lavenstein who
was present in the audience and asked if he wished to address the Commissior'1
at this time. Mr. Lavenstein stated he was only there to see how the
Commission conducted their business.
Landscape Award Selection - Director Quadri stated the presentation of the
Landscape Award began in the 70's as a way to encourage the beautification of
commercial properties. . . Two years prior to the drought, awards were
presented to large and small businesses but the award has not been presented
since 1989 due to the drought. Properties such as 411 Primrose, Kuletos, and
Peninsula Hospital will be eligible next year as their landscaping will have
met the requirement of continuous landscaping for no less than 1 year.
Chairman Plyer stated an application process might encourage properties to
apply. Commissioner Root suggested that if the application went out early
enough it would give properties time to improve their sites prior to the
selection. Commissioner Ward stated if properties applied that would prevent
interested properties from being passed over.
Chairman Plyer then asked the Landscape Award Committee members (McGowan,
Lauder, and Gilmore -Friend) to share their observations . . .
Commissioner McGowan stated for the Large Business category he felt the
Ramada Inn is doing a good job by providing landscaping around the hotel as
well as in the parking lot and the bay front; Commissioner Gilmore -Friend
stated she was very impressed with the work the Ramada Inn has done.
Commissioner McGowan reported that for the Small Business category, Pal Care—,
has gone to a lot of "time, effort, and expense" providing landscaping arounc
their site. . Wells Fargo Bank on Primrose has 3 large trees in their
parking lot that they maintain on a regular basis which provides a real
public service providing, shade, heat reduction, and a sound barrier ---
businesses should be encouraged to plant trees in parking lots.
Landscape Award Selection (Cont'd.) - Commissioner Lauder stated that the
landscaping at the Mariott Hotel (Large Business category) is very pretty and
attractive.
.Commission further discussed the difficulty in finding sites -worthy of
awarding; Commissioner McGowan stated that the drought has had an impact on
how businesses landscape. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend hoped that by
reinstating the award and publicizing more businesses will be encouraged to
improve their landscaping.
Ballots were distributed to the Commission for selection. The Marriott Hotel
1800 Bayshore Highway was selected for the 1996 Landscape Award and will be
the only award presented this year. Award will be presented at the Community
Picnic on September 17th at Washington Park.
Election of Commission Officers - Chairman Plyer reported that the Committee
tried to select individuals who have yet to serve. The proposed slate of
officers is as follows:
Commissioner Jill Lauder - Secretary
Commissioner Virginia Schinagl - Vice -Chair
Commissioner William McGowan - Chair
Commissioner Root moved that the slate of officers as stated be accepted;
seconded. Motion carried 6-0; Commissioner Schinagl absent.
NEW BUSINESS
Permit Extension for Private Tree Removal @ 1372 Bernal - Director Quadri
stated the permit has lapsed so he can grant no extension on this removal.
`,,P.G.&E. has agreed to remove the private tree at no cost to the applicant
because it is under primary utility lines. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved
to extend the permit from July 1; seconded. Motion carried 6-0; Commissioner
Schinagl absent.
REPORTS
IIADRI - Annual tree contract has been sent out to bid; bid opening will be
August 8. The contract will include the removal of 8 Elm trees with Dutch
Elm Disease in the Oxford/Cambridge area as well as Eucalyptus pruning in the
Skyline area. Director Quadri explained that there is no longer a quarantine
on Elms in California and no more help from the state for City's and/or
property owners. Commissioner McGowan asked if the Elms on El Camino are
being affected. Director Quadri stated that the disease seems to be
restricted to the Oxford/Cambridge area.
Director Quadri reported that in looking through the Commission records,
there is nothing to indicate that Landscape Awards were presented to
residential property owners.
The ties on the trees mentioned by Commissioner McGowan at the last meeting
have been checked by the Tree Supervisor and reportedly are fine; the young
Chinese Pistache tree at 1407 Montero, reported by Commissioner Root, will be
replaced during the October planting.
Director Quadri stated that he inspected the area for tree planting mentioned
1...by Commissioner Lauder at the July meeting and felt that some tree planting
might be appropriate in that area but will need more consideration.
PLYER - Chairman Plyer reported that he has been maintaining the easement
behind his house over the years, and was surprised to see the summer youth
clearing his and neighboring easements. Director Quadri stated the Street &
REPORTS - PLYER ( Coot' d . )
Sewer as well as the Water Department hires youth to work on summer crews and
is not sure what criteria those departments use to decide maintenance in the
easements . . but according to the maps, those are not City-owned-ti
easements.
GILMORE-FRIEND - Reported to Commission re article in the Boutique & Villager
on newsrack ordinance amendments . . . she feels this gives the ordinance
more "teeth".
ROOT - Requested that Director Quadri restate the policy for Commission
absences. Director Quadri stated that Commissioners should contact the
Chairman and/or the Park office in the event of absence; Commissioners are
allowed a minimum of 3 absences each year. The Park Department does not have
the authority to "excuse" absences; Council reviews Commission attendance
every 6 months, and will notify those Commissioners who have exceeded the
number of allowed absences.
MCGOWAN - Commissioner McGowan spoke with Tricia Pinney at the Recreation
Department prior to sending the letter re dogs in the Park during special
City events. Tricia told him if the Commission pursued not allowing dogs in
the park during special events not only would it be difficult but it could
create a lot of unhappiness with pet owners. Commissioner McGowan asked if
the Commission wanted to still write the letter to Tricia as well as copying
Council. Director Quadri reminded the Commission that at the last meeting,
Commissioners had stated not only their concerns about the dogs at events
such as Art -In -The -Park but also about concerns they had heard from other
citizens. . . the letter was to address those concerns to the proper
department, copying Council. The Commission agreed to send the letter to the -�
Recreation Department from the Commission re concerns about dogs being
allowed in parks at community events, copying Council.
Commissioner McGowan reported that there are weeds and trash in the parking
lot where the new library is located. Behind the new library near the new
garbage bin, a large screen T.V. as well as other trash has accumulated and
the lighting in front of the library is very poor. Director Quadri will
report to the Librarian.
Commissioner McGowan offered to donate letterhead for the Beautification
Commission. Director Quadri will inquire as to whether this is appropriate.
There being no further business, and no business FROM THE FLOOR, meeting was
adjourned by Chairman Plyer at 6:50 p.m.
Karlene Harvey
Recording Secretary
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