HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1983.04.07�1 . �%W
BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
April 7, 1983
The regularly scheduled Burlingame Beautification Commission meet-
ing was called to order Thursday, April 7, 1983, at 7:32 PM in the
City Hall by Chairman Bowling.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Bowling, Commissioners Bacon, Carbon, Disco,
Hagstrom, Levy, Perry and Director Quadri.
MINUTES
The reading of the minutes was dispensed with to accommodate the
revised agenda.
REMOVAL OF HERITAGE TREES ON ECR
Director Quadri briefed the commission on the Heritage Tree Ordin-
ance and the recent meetings with Tom Hafley on CALTRANS re the
removal of Eucalyptus trees on ECR. The Heritage Tree Ordinance
states that any work, other than emergency work, which signifi-
cantly effects a designated Heritage Tree, may not be done with-
out approval from the Beautification Commission. CALTRANS has re-
tained Arborist Don Blair to submit a report on 40 trees on the
ECR, three of which required emergency removal. St. Paul's Nur-
sery School has also retained Mr. Blair to report on three trees
in front of their nursery school. Mr. Blair recommended removal.
Because the removal of these trees was not considered an emergency,
Director Quadri advised CALTRANS of the procedures to be followed
as indicated in the Heritage Tree Ordinance. CALTRANS presented
their findings to the City Council at their April 4, 1983 meeting.
After hearing reports from Director Quadri, CALTRANS, and Mr. Blair,
the Council at their April 4th meeting authorized Director Quadri
to retain an arborist to render an opinion. The City of Burlingame
has retained Arborist Leslie Mayne.
CALTRANS, Don Blair, and Leslie Mayne were asked to present
their findings to date to the Beautification Commission. Glenn
Behm of CALTRANS indicated that CALTRANS and Burlingame are trying
to meet with an agreeable solution and will cooperate with Burlingame
in a tree replacement program. John Peterson of CALTRANS showed a
slide presentation of the trees that had already fallen on ECR indi-
cating the specific problems. Mr. Blair, Arborist, indicated that
samplings of the fungus and decay on the trees have been sent to Art
McCain of the University of California for further study. Chairman
Bowling asked Mr. Blair if he had recommended removal of the 3 trees
in front of St. Paul's Nursery School. Mr. Blair stated that he had
recommended removal but that removal was not imminent. Leslie Mayne
indicated that over many years the Eucalyptus on ECR have suffered
much abuse, i.e. pruning techniques, root cutting, highway expansion.
That, in order to retain the "grandeur" presented by the Eucs, a grad-
ual removal and replacement program along with proper pruning and
regular maintenance is required. Having only been retained by the
City of Burlingame as of April 6, Mr. Mayne had not had substantial
time to submit a report but a report would be forthcoming.
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Following the presentation, time was allowed for discussion, questions
�. and comments. CA Coleman was asked if CALTRANS recommended removal and
Burlingame stopped removal and said tree were to fall causing personal
damage couldn't Burlingame be held liable. CA Coleman explained that
the City of Burlingame is not responsible for maintaining the trees and
therefore cannot be held liable. Rick Goethals of San Mateo, repre-
senting St. Paul's Nursery School, asked that the 3 trees in question
be removed before loss of life occurs. Duane Moore of Hillsborough rep-
resenting the First Methodist Church indicated that Arborist Don Blair
has been retained by the First Methodist Church to submit a report on
the trees adjacent to their building. Commissioner Levy suggested an
Arborist Commission be set up to determine removal or other alternatives
in dealing with the trees. Director Quadri indicated that criteria
must be established to determine removal. . . how and where they will
start. . . that the State and the City have a responsibility to make
sure there is a replacement program. . . that Mr. Blair's report has
not yet been substantiated. . . and Mr. Mayne has not yet submitted
a report. Director Quadri recommended to the Beautification Commission
that the Commission issue no permits for removal of heritage trees on
El Camino Real until: 1) A final written proposal, including the
specific location of each tree, explaining the basis for removal, is
received and evaluated. 2) Specific criteria is established to deter-
mine whether a tree is in need of removal. 3) A replacement program
is developed and agreed upon. Director Quadri indicated that this recom-
mendation is based on the belief that the Commission requires criteria
they can use and defend before entering into an irreversible removal
program. Commissioner Hagstrom moved that Director Quadri's recom-
mendation be accepted. Commissioner Perry seconded. The Beautifica-
tion Commission unanimously approved Director Quadri's recommendation.
Audience was informed that it would take 2 or more weeks to receive
the cultures from U.C. and a decision on the 3 trees in front of St.
Paul's Nursery School would be based on the specific criteria estab-
lished in determining tree removal.
Chairman Bowling requested a brief recess before moving to the other
items on the agenda.
REPORTS
Commissioner Levy
Reported that Burlingame Intermediate School won the March Clean Cam-
pus contest.
Director Quadri
Luana Hammett called the Park Department to commend the clean-up pro-
ject at the Shorebird Sanctuary.
Informed the Commission of Edwin Taylor's death. Funeral will be Fri-
day, April 8, 2:00 PM at Crosby N-Gray.
OLD BUSINESS
Director Quadri reported that there has been no additional information
re the Great Resource Rally.
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Commissioner Levy commended Director Quadri on his handling 9 tonight's
proceedings.
Meeting was adjourned by Chairman Bowling a 9:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
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Chester E. Bowling, Chairman
Burlingame Beautification Commission
Karlene Harvey
Recording Secretary
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