HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 1983.04.077
N O T I C E
BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
MEETING: THURSDAY - APRIL 7, 1983
A G E N D A
I
ROLL CALL
II
MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 1983
III
COMMUNICATIONS
IV
REPORTS
A. Chairman
B. Commissioners
C. Park Director
V
OLD BUSINESS
A. Great Resource Rally - April 18-24
VI
NEW BUSINESS
A. Removal of Heritage Trees on ECR
B. Clean Campus Program at Elementary
School level
VII
ADJOURNMENT
s '.-r
'1 "I
w
DATE: APRIL 6, 1983
TO: BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEMBERS
FROM: R. QUADRI - DIRECTOR OF PARKS
RE: MEETING OF 4-7-83
As you may be aware, at its meeting of 4-4-83 the City Council
referred the matter of Eucalyptus removal on El Camino to the
Beautification Commission for consideration at this week's meet-
ing.
This is an extremely sensitive issue, and is coming to you on
short notice. Because of this, Chairman Bowling will be contact-
ing each of you by phone this evening to discuss the matter. It
is intended that the meeting be informational, and we do not anti-
cipate any action to be taken at this time. However, there is
likely to be a sizable and possibly vocal audience present. Our
City Attorney also will attend to render any opinions you feel
are necessary.
The enclosed information
is all
we
have available at
this
time.
I will
present a complete
briefing
before the
matter
is discussed.
rp- � L 7
Richard P. Quadri
Director ofParks
Enclosures
RPQ/kh
"I
I? .
DATE: MARCH 31, 1983
TO: D. ARGYRES - CITY MANAGER
FROM: R. QUADRI - DIRECTOR OF PARKS
RE: CALTRANS TREE REMOVAL ON E.C.R.
On March 18, 1983 I met with Tom Hafley, Caltrans Maintenance
Superintendent, to discuss pruning and/or removal of a number of
Eucalyptus on E1 Camino Real. At the time we inspected three
trees which were being recommended for immediate removal. One
had heart rot through most of the trunk, another had a severely
split crotch, and a third had been damaged in a previous storm
and appeared to be structurally unsound. All three trees pre-
sented an immediate concern, and removal was authorized under
authority of our Heritage Tree ordinance.
At this meeting, I discussed our permit procedure with Mr. Haf-
ley and it was agreed that no further trees would be removed un-
til a qualified arborist had inspected the trees. It was further
agreed that a representative from Caltrans would attend the April
7, 1983 Beautification Commission meeting to discuss the situa-
tion. Due to the sensitive nature of this problem, another Cal -
trans representative (I can't recall his name or title) indicated
they would provide press releases to the Times and Boutique ex-
plaining what they intended to do, and the reasons for it.
John Petersen, Caltrans Tree Supervisor, made a visual inspection
of all the Eucalyptus on E1 Camino and felt that approximately
40 warranted further study. The State now has an arborist under
contract to provide an evaluation of these trees. I should be
noted that -the three trees in front. of St. Paul's Nursery School
were not among those first scheduled for review. Since that
time, however, St. Paul's has retained the same arborist to re-
port on the three trees in question. His report recommends re-
moval of all three, but raises some questions as to whether or
not the trees can actually be saved. Since he does not indicate
they are an immediate hazard, I don't feel I have the authority
to authorize removal until the matter has been brought before the
Beautification Commission and/or Council for their review. (Cal
trans has temporarily postponed removal).
In regard to the arborist's report, I am familiar with Mr. Blair's
reputation as a reputable consulting arborist, and find his report
to be acceptable as far as it goes. However, as part of his re-
port he indicates that "If preservation were desired a complete
crown inspection would have to be performed " Because of
the number of trees involved, I believe it would be wise to have
such an inspection undertaken. It would seem appropriate to start
with the three trees in front of=St. Paul's Nursery since they have
already received a preliminary inspection. Even if further tests
support removal, the knowledge gained will help in future assess-
ments. I have attempted to call Mr. Blair, and will discuss his
report in greater depth when he is able to get back to me. In
-'N
4
r R
Nwr
the mean time, I feel that in view of the obvious varience of pub-
lic opinion regarding these trees, we should retain a consulting
arborist to help establish criteria for determining what steps
must be taken to preserve these trees, and which trees need to
be removed.
Caltrans is bringing in at least
pruning along E1 Camino. Their
is encouraging. In many cases,
immediate concern. It is hoped
be held to a minimum.
one extra crew to assist with
prompt response to this problem
pruning will take care of the
that in this way, removal will
Given the age and apparent condition of many of the trees involved,
it may be that we are about to be faced with the removal of a sig-
nificant number. I feel that it is imperative that we remove only
those that constitute a real hazard, and only after thorough study
on a tree by tree basis. Further, replacement of those trees re-
moved with a more suitable variety of Eucalyptus is necessary to
preserve the character of our community and particularly the E1
Camino. With the Winter season almost past, it serves no purpose
to rush into a wholesale removal that can never be reversed.
Richard P. Quadri
Director of Parks
'1
Mkl