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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1995.09.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 7, 1995 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Plyer, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, McGowan, and Root Absent: Schinagl and Ward Staff: Director Quadri Guests: Jack Friend, Marti Knight, Darren Scoffield, Gottfried Brun Chairman McGowan stated that Commissioner Schinagl informed him that she was sorry to miss the last meeting but just prior to leaving for the meeting her husband had returned home from medical tests; this month she is out of state attending the birth of her grandchild. Chairman McGowan thanked Commissioner Plyer for his service this past year as Chairman of the Commission. MINUTES - Minutes of the August 3, 1995 meeting were corrected to read under Landscape Award Selection - Commissioner McGowan stated for the Large Business category he felt the Marriott is doing a stood lob . . . Minutes were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE ,,,,.Letter to Daniel V. Begovich, 2801 Hillside Drive informing him of the Commissions decision to issue a permit for the removal and replacement of 1 Sycamore at the above address. Letter from Catherine Gamlen, 1021 Paloma Avenue, requesting the city's Cottonwood be removed and replaced at 1025 Paloma Avenue due to a "chronic infestation of aphids" that causes the tree to "`rain' •a fine aerosol of sticky material" and has caused the repainting of her husband's Jaguar and her father's 1991 Lincoln Continental. (Director Quadri stated the Tree Supervisor reports the tree is healthy, approximately 50 years old, with 250 heart rot (typical for a tree this age]; Tree Supervisor recommends pruning and heading back every 2-3 years and spraying annually. ' Commission will render a decision at the October meeting.) Letter from Beautification Commission to Trisha Pinney, Recreation Department, expressing the concerns the Commission had received regarding dogs being allowed at city events such as Art -In -The -Park. Letter from Mrs. Chiotti, 1621 Lassen Way, requesting replacement requirements be waived for a city Magnolia that was removed due to illegal root pruning that occurred during the placement of a new sewer lateral and lawn. (Director Quadri stated the resident will be billed for removal and replacement costs whether or not replacement requirements are waived. Commission will render a decision at the October meeting.) ,".-,Letter to Stan Moore, General Manager of Marriott Corporation, informing him that the Beautification Commission chose the San Francisco Airport Marriott to receive the 1995 Beautification Award and presentation of the award will be made at the Community Picnic on September 17 at Washington Park. CORRESPONDENCE - (Cont'd.) Letter from Garnik Davidian, 1131 Capuchino Avenue, requesting 2 city Eucalyptus be removed due to raised and cracked sidewalk, damage to plumbing and foundation of his apartment building, and (during the rainy season, flooding at the entrance near the steps. (Director Quadri stated that a liquidambar [recommended for removal by the Tree Supervisor] is planted in the middle of the two Eucalyptus; the liquidambar was planted in the 70's and there is no planting record for the Eucalyptus. Commission will render a decision at the October meeting.) Letter from Mara Green (Landscape Architect), on behalf of the residents at 2109 Clarice Lane, requesting an extension be granted for the permitted removal and replacement of a private pine tree; the pine tree has been removed but replacement has been delayed to complete the required sewer upgrade. Director Quadri stated the ordinance authorizes the director to approve only one six month extension of the permit and so the applicant must now apply to the Commission for the second extension. Commissioner Gilmore moved that the extension be granted; seconded. Motion carried on a 4 to 1 vote, Commissioner Plyer abstaining; Commissioners Schinagl and Ward absent. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award Presentation - Director Quadri stated that the Landscape Award plaque has been engraved and that Chairman McGowan will make the presentation at the Community Picnic on September 17th around 2:30 p.m. Chairman McGowan requested that the order of the agenda be changed and comments be taken FROM THE FLOOR. The Commission agreed. FROM THE FLOOR -- Gottfried Brun, 1312 Vancouver asked if the Commissic could notify residents to cut back shrubs and hedges from sidewalks so pedestrians can have clear passage. Director Quadri stated that there is an existing ordinance that requires the sidewalks be clear of hedges and shrubs. If the Park Department is notified of addresses not in compliance, a warning notice requiring compliance is sent to the property owner. Mr. Brun thanked Director Quadri and the Commission for their time. Marti Knight stated there was discussion about the presentations for the Landscape Award and Citizen of the Year at the planning committee meeting for the Community Picnic i.e. presentation times changed closer to the noon hour to take advantage of the larger crowd. NEW BUSINESS Oxford/Cambridge Tree Replacement Proposal - Darren Scoffield, 1152 Oxford, presented pictures, maps, etc. of the Oxford/Cambridge area and would like the Commission to consider replanting Liberty Elms in the spaces where 9 Elm trees will be removed due to dutch elm disease. Additionally, he would like the Commission to consider the removal of several other small trees and replacement with Red Oaks or varities that have a "canopy" affect. Mr. Scoffield explained that through his research he found that the Elms were originally planted on Oxford/Cambridge in 1935 representing what would be a "typical American neighborhood" in conjunction with the World's Fair. He explained that during a recent block party on Oxford/Cambridge and a door to door effort he found that most residents in that neighborhood are receptiv� and positive about his proposal. He also has spoken to Larry Costello of th UC Extension who has been monitoring the Liberty Elms planted on El Camino; Dr. Costello has provided him with good information as well as positive feed back. NEW BUSINESS - Oxford/Cambridge Tree Replacement Proposal - (Cont'd.) Director Quadri stated that the Liberty Elms have, so far, shown to be '.isease resistant in the mid -west and are currently being tested at several "-sites in California. He added that it would be helpful for the Commission to hear from Larry Costello at some appropriate time. In answer to Commission questions, Director. Quadri stated that the Liberty Elms can be planted in places were diseased Elms have been removed and that if approved by the Commission, this will be considered as an exception to the Official Street Tree list and will not replace the existing list. The Commission agreed that they would like to consider this item further. Chairman McGowan appointed himself as well as Commissioner Lauder to act as liaison to Mr. Scoffield and a neighborhood committee. Mr. Scoffield thanked the Commission and will pursue this with the neighborhood. REPORTS UQ ADRI - Arbor Care will be the tree pruning contractor for FY 95'-96. The contractor will begin with the Elm removal in the Oxford/Cambridge area and will then move to Skyline between Margarita and Trousdale for Eucalyptus pruning. PLYER - Commissioner Plyer thanked all Commissioners for their cooperation, Director Quadri for his counsel, and Karlene for her administrative support during his service as Chair to the Commission. Commissioner Plyer asked if the tree crews consider the trimming around street lights when pruning the trees; many street lights seem obscurred. lirector Quadri stated that the crews are instructed to trim what they can `-around street lights but on an average trees are trimmed every 5-6 years; additionally, street lights on many streets are few. LAUDER - Commissioner Lauder stated that she is excited about acting as liaison to the elm replanting on Oxford/Cambridge. ROOT - Commissioner Root asked what more had been done 'an the Burlingame Avenue Streetscape. Director Quadri stated that newsracks as well as new street trees will be part of the streetscape discussion . . . the project will be a three way proposition between the City, merchants, and building owners on both Broadway and Burlingame Avenues. There being no further business, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary