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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2022.08.04• City of Burlingame BURLINGAME CITY HALL 501 PRIMROSE ROAD BURLINGAME F BURLINGAME, CA 94010 I� Meeting Agenda - Final Beautification Commission Thursday, August 4, 2022 6:30 PM Via Webinar On September 16, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 361, which allows a local agency to meet remotely when: 1. The local agency holds a meeting during a declared state of emergency 2. State or local health officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing 3. Legislative bodies declare the need to meet remotely due to present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees On September 20, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 007-2022, stating that the City Council and Commissions will continue to meet remotely for at least thirty days for the following reasons: 1. The City is still under a local state of emergency 2. County Health Orders require that all individuals in public spaces maintain social distancing and wear masks 3. The City can't maintain social distancing requirements for the public, staff, Councilmembers, and Commissioners in their meeting spaces. Pursuant to Resolution Number 087-202Z the Burlingame Beautification Commission Meeting at the Community Center will not be open to the public for the August 4, 2022 Meeting. Welcome! Members of the public may view the meeting by logging into the Zoom meeting listed below. The meeting video will be uploaded to the City's website after the meeting. Members of the public may provide written comments by email to vflores@burlingame.org. Emailed comments should include the specific agenda item on which you are commenting, or note that your comment concerns an item that is not on the agenda or is on the Consent Calendar. The length of the emailed comment should be commensurate with the three minutes customarily allowed for verbal comments, which is approximately 250-300 words. To ensure that your comment is received and read to the Beautification Commission for the appropriate agenda item, please submit your email no later than 5:00 PM on August 4, 2022. The City will make every effort to read emails received after that time but cannot guarantee such emails will be read into the record. Any emails received after the 5:00 PM deadline which are not read into the record will be provided to the Beautification Commission after the meeting. City of Burlingame Page 1 Printed on 7/28/2022 Beautification Commission Meeting Agenda - Final August 4, 2022 You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Aug 4, 2022 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: Burlingame Beautification Commission Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/86815950126?pwd=a3R4OHhwTkpGTk8yMOpSdTl3aWtsdz09 Passcode: 724644 Or One tap mobile: US: +16694449171„86815950126#.... *724644# or +16699006833„86815950126#,,,, "724644# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 9313860 or +1 929 2056099 Webinar ID: 868 1595 0126 Passcode: 724644 International numbers available: httpsJ/us02web.zoom.us/u/kiSs1fGfG 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. MINUTES BBC Draft Minutes June 6, 2022 Attachments: BBC Draft Minutes June 6, 2022 4. CORRESPONDENCE 5. FROM THE FLOOR Speakers may address the Commission concerning any matter over which the Commission has jurisdiction or of which it may take cognizance that is not on the agenda. Additional public comments on agenda action items will be heard when the Commission takes up those items. The Ralph M. Brown Act (the State local agency open meeting law) prohibits the Commission from acting on any matter that is not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes each, although the Commission may adjust the time limit in light of the number of anticipated speakers. 6. OLD BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS El Camino Real Task Force Update Attachments: 8. REPORTS Commissioner Report City of Burlingame Page 2 Printed on 7/28/2022 Beautification Commission Meeting Agenda - Final August 4, 2022 9. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Next Regular Meeting: September 1, 2022 Notice: Any attendees wishing accommodations for disabilities should contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. at (650) 558-7330 at least 24 hours before the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is available for review at the Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue, during normal office hours. The Agendas and minutes are also available on the City's website: www.burlingame.org. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Burlingame Beautification Commission regarding any items on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at 850 Burlingame Avenue during normal business hours. City of Burlingame Page 3 Printed on 7/28/2022 BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Draft Minutes June 2, 2022 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order via Zoom at 6:30 pm by Chair Kirchner. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Kirchner, Commissioners Bauer, Batte, Chu, and Ribera Absent: None Staff. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Disco, Recording Secretary Borba Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Batte made a motion to approve the May 5, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bauer and was approved 5-0. CORRESPONDENCE None PUBLIC COMMENT None OLD BUSINESS 1. Trees of Burlingame Ad Hoc Committee Members Update Chair Kirchner stated he put together the chapter on themed streets, and in researching themed blocks, he found information on the original street design layout which he will include in the chapter. He stated he would present this chapter on themed blocks to the Commissioners once he has it completed. 2. Business Landscape Award (BLA) and Residential Sustainable Landscape Award (RSLA) Outline Commissioner Batte reported that Secretary Borba emailed the list of nominees for the RSLA and BLA to the Commissioners. Commissioner Batte stated that the next step is for the commissioners to visit each one of the nominated locations and then be ready to vote at the August meeting based on the Commissioner's input. Secretary Borba stated that Dale Perkins has agreed to paint the BLA winner's property again this year. NEW BUSINESS None REPORTS 1. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Disco City Arborist Disco stated a Eucalyptus tree on Burlingame and Myrtle in front of the Community Center will be removed next week. Arborist Disco reminded the commissioners the Community Center's grand opening is on Wednesday, June 15 at 3:30 pm, and all the commissioners have been invited to attend. He also asked if any commissioners would like to volunteer to serve at the senior lunch and, if they do, to email Director Glomstad. 2. Commissioner Kirchner Commissioner Kirchner inquired about the work being done in the Fancard Grove. Arborist Disco stated Caltrain and San Francisco Water are trimming their trees. He stated he reported to Caltrain and SF Water that the work done on the City row of trees in the grove would impact their rows of trees and recommended that they trim their trees. 3. Commissioner Bauer None 4. Commissioner Batte None 5. Commissioner Chu Commissioner Chu inquired if there was any tree damage throughout the City a few weeks ago when it was very windy. Arborist Disco reported very few issues, a few small trees fell, and a couple of limbs dropped. 6. Commissioner Ribera None The next Beautification Commission meeting is on July 7, 2022. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:51 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gina Borba Administrative Staff July 18, 2022 To: Beautification Commissioners From: Commissioner Kirchner Subject: Update on the ECR Task Force The following is meant to be a brief overview of the two -plus year interaction of the City of Burlingame and Caltrans to come to an agreement as to the improvement of El Camino Real within city limits and as concerns the Burlingame Beautification Commission, and its trees given that this stretch of El Camino represents one of the major defining characteristics of our city. The City of Burlingame established a community group and a technical working group to closely work with Caltrans to discuss issues and identify potential solutions to address the problems. This group was led by Council Members Michael Brownrigg and Emily Beach. 1) The Community Group includes stakeholders appointed by the City Council and comprised nearby residents and property owners, a Beautification and Traffic Safety and Parking Commissioners, and a Historical Society member I. Nearby residents and property owners Bobbi Benson Gaird Schlesinger Michael Wiebracht Beautification Commission Richard Kirchner Historical Society representative Jennifer Pfaff Traffic Safety and Parking Commission Howard Wettan (Alternate Jeff Londer) 2) In Addition there was a Technical Group including representatives from: Burlingame, Hillsborough, and Caltrans staff. City staff included Arborist Bob Disco and Asst. Public Works Director Art Morimoto EL CAMINO REAL TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS OVERVIEW Overall Goal for El Camino Real Task Force, the City of Burlingame and Caltrans Interactions Retain the character and health of the grove Improve the safety of the roadway and sidewalks Key Design Issues Note: Per Caltrans, Existing with of Camino Real (44' — 46') will remain unchanged. No bike lanes, No dedicated left turn lanes. 1. Caltrans Street Tree Planting and Sidewalk Standards • Trees 10 feet from Utility Poles and driveways • 100 feet from street corners • 30 feet between trunks • ADA Compliant Sidewalks Required (4' wide min. continuous — no exceptions) 2. El Camino Real Task Force Proposals and Recommendations - Tree Planting and Sidewalk • Trees 10 feet from Utility Poles*1 and driveways • 25 feet from street corners*2 • 25 feet between trunks • ADA Compliant Sidewalks Required (5'- 6' wide min. (might vary down to 4" but not less than 4') continuous — no exceptions) • Sidewalks to "meander" around existing trees (private property encroachment) • Meet or exceed a 70:30 ratio (at least 70% elm (Patriot) and eucalyptus (Citriadora) with up 30% other trees. *1 Note: Undergrounding of utilities would eliminate this requirement *2 Issue, sight triangle required for safe merging at 35 miles per hour significantly reduces tree replanting options. However, the following per Caltrans will mitigate this adverse visual impact: "By locating the sidewalk at the curb near the intersection as shown along the southbound side of the roadway, corner sight distance would be maintained, and tree replanting would be maximized." 3. Caltrans Design Requirements at Odds with and that May Deviate from Task Force Recommendations • Identifying trees to be preserved or rehabilitated will define the sidewalk and roadway options • Roadway funding will require and ADA compliant sidewalk plan • Improved roadway design will address safety issues. • Storm drain work will be completed with roadway improvements. Note the following extract from the Caltrans' Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement "Replanted street trees would help to restore the visual character and quality seen in the existing condition. However, their much smaller scale post -construction and reduced number of trees would not reestablish the same visual quality as the No Build Alternative" (i.e., the existing streetscape pre -construction). 4. Historic Criteria • Preserve and rehabilitate "The Grove" to be consistent with the criterial established in 2012 in the National Historic Register Designation. • All trees to be considered as visually contributory and essential to the whole. • Develop a maintenance and monitoring plan for healthy trees. Caltrans' Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement Synopsis (With text taken directly from this document) Caltrans' Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement, Final Section 4(f) Evaluation, and Record of Decision (FEIR/FEIS) for the El Camino Real Roadway Renewal project is published and available for viewing at www.ECRalternatives.com. This important milestone wraps up the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PAED) phase of this project. Itmoves it into the Project Design (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates or PS& E) phase. Schedule: Design Phase Including Contract Documentation Now thru May 2023 Bid and Construction Phase May 2023 thru July 2024 The purposes of the El Camino Real Roadway Renewal project are to: • Preserve and extend the life of the roadway and improve ride quality; • Improve drainage efficiency to reduce localized flooding; • Enhance user visibility and safety; and • Enhance pedestrian infrastructure to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project is anticipated to cost $150-180 million. This cost does not include undergrounding as described in Section 2.1.1.1. The Build Alternative would require the removal of approximately 250 trees that contribute to the Howard Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows (a historic resource listed on the National Register of Historic Places), resulting in an adverse effect on this resource. The Build Alternative would require the removal of 300 to 350 trees within the project limits resulting in a moderate -high to a high degree of visual change within the project limits. Tree Trimming, Removal, and Replacement The Build Alternative requires existing street trees to be trimmed or removed during construction, including both historic trees and newer replacement trees that contribute to the Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows. Caltrans has extensively studied trees within the project limits to determine how many may need to be removed. Extract from the Caltrans' Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement: There are approximately 700 trees lining both sides of El Camino Real within the project limits. There are approximately 600 trees along El Camino Real between Peninsula Avenue and Ray Drive (the limits of the Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows). A total of 391 of these contribute to the historic Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows listed on the NRHP. MITIGATION MEASURES TO MINIMIZE PROJECT IMPACT Mitigation measures for the loss of trees include a commitment to replant any trees removed by the project where possible and a formalized Long -Term Management Plan to address needed removals and replacements within the boundaries of the Tree Rows beyond the duration of the project. VISUAL/AESTHETICS (VIS) VIS -1 The following minimization measures will be incorporated into the final design and construction of the project to minimize effects to trees: • Design modifications including, but not limited to, sidewalk meanders around tree trunks, sidewalk ramping over tree roots, and adjustment of driveway conforms to sidewalks and the roadway will be implemented where feasible. • Alternative construction practices including but not limited to hand excavation around structural roots and trenchless drilling will be implemented where feasible. • Trees and vegetation outside of clearing and grubbing limits shall be protected from construction operations, equipment, and materials storage. • Soils within planting areas shall be protected from construction operations, equipment, and materials storage to maintain suitable growing conditions for existing and replacement street trees. Protective measures shall include avoiding compaction and introduction of materials inconducive to plant growth. Corrective amendments and treatments will be used if planting area soils are damaged during construction. VIS-2. Following completion of roadway construction, replacement street trees shall be planted in roadside areas of the Caltrans' right-of-way consistent with horticultural and maintenance guidelines and safety and sight distance standards. Removed vegetation will be replaced at a 1:1 ratio provided there is adequate space within the roadside areas of the project limits within Caltrans' right-of-way. Replacement planting species and size will be determined during final design. VIS-3. A permanent irrigation system for replacement plantings will be specified during final design and installed prior to replacement street tree planting within the limits of the Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows. VIS-4. A three-year plant establishment period will be specified during final design and implemented immediately following construction of planting and irrigation systems. The three-year plant establishment period will be implemented in accordance with Section 20-4 of the standard specification. VIS-5. A 20-year management plan shall be prepared in consultation with a certified consulting arborist and shall prescribe methods for the long-term care of both retained trees and replacement trees within the limits of the Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows, in order to ensure the sustained health and viability of the trees within the Tree Rows. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS (CUL) CUL-6. Utilizing the photographs produced for the HALS document pursuant to CUL-3, in addition to periodic photography completed during and after construction, Caltrans District 4 will document the removal and replacement of trees within the Howard -Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows to create an archival record of the project and its effects to the Historic Property. This will be completed in consultation with the City of Burlingame, and the Burlingame Historical Society. CUL-7. Caltrans District 4, in consultation with the City of Burlingame, the Burlingame Historical Society, and local Native American Tribes, will develop a walking tour which will incorporate interpretive panels, wayfinding signs, sidewalk plaques or other signage. 82 MILLBRAE\o , ' 4 � "s �c BURLINGAME lip .. - � aowrrrowr, X., HILLSBOROUGH �� SAN I�'IA7E' IP* H6wdfd-Rat5t8d Eu{alyptuSFrBPRwrs: Figure 1.7-7: Project Location WAY REHABILITATION EM UTILITIES ABOVEGROUND) ROADWAY COWIGURATIOiJ r PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY - Atroreground utility poles Replacement trees may4 may 6e replaced, depending I reach 35-75' at maturity I—� r 'V�'-.-x:F'. f on location. ROADWAYWIDTH VARIES New planting area i TYPICALLY 44'-46' t In some locations_ existing r •' "�,� . r New 5'-6' sidewalk trees might be " ined to r - '+., (both sides, might rd ry! rnherloce[iona,repacement r ZShi r +ar r trees might be planted i f = 17.rp 1l'4P It -if war ha*L—_ n,"L f - -°- Retaining walls wtllbe reconstructed where E,d.ting grade f r f - f Figure 2.1.1-1: Build Alternative ROADWAY REHABILITATION (UTILITIES UNDERGROUND) ROADWAY CONFIGURATION i � PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY Replacement trees may. ..y reach 35 F at maturity I some locations, existing trees might be retained. In other locations. replacement trees may he planted. Existing grade r titer qm m S ROADWAY WIDTH VARIES TYP3CALLY "'-d6' rtitr.trr �` soar TrrvN un. hnw �.nr `�q�w � Figure 2.1.1-2: Design Option to Underground Utilities THE DESIGN OPTION REFERENCED IN THE CALTRANS' FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Sidewalks Utility poles will be re moved as power iines will move underground New panting area New 5-C sidewalk r (Loth sides, might vary} Retaining walls will be raconstrucled where required. Utility undergrounding to be coordinated with City and PG&E All existing sidewalks within the project limits from East Santa Inez Avenue (PM 12.3) in the City of San Mateo to Dufferin Avenue (PM 15.3) in the City of Burlingame would be upgraded as part of the project. This coincides with the portion of the project limits that is an undivided, four -lane roadway. The upgraded sidewalks would range from 5 feet to 6 feet in width and would be compliant with ADA standards. The sidewalks north of Dufferin Avenue in the cities of Burlingame and Millbrae are already compliant with ADA standards and would not be changed as part of the project. The only portion of the project limits that currently lacks sidewalks is along the southbound side of El Camino Real from Bellevue Avenue to Floribunda Avenue. Overhead Utilities Possibly to be Undergrounded Design Option to Underground Utilities A design option is being evaluated for the Build Alternative. With this design option, the existing electrical transmission, telecommunications, and cable TV lines that currently run along poles above the roadway would be relocated underground from Barroilhet Avenue (PM 12.9) to Ray Drive/Rosedale Avenue (PM 15.2) in the City of Burlingame. See Figure 2.1.1-2 for a typical cross-section of this design option. "This design option would be constructed as long as necessary funding and approvals are secured by the City of Burlingame. Should funding and approvals not be secured in time to meet the project schedule, the Build Alternative would be constructed without this design option." Caltrans Design Standards Within the project limits, the existing roadway contains nonstandard design elements that do not meet current design standards. The following roadway elements would be designed to current Caltrans standards: 0 Curb ramps to be upgraded to current ADA standards; • Width of sidewalks; • Curb and gutter; • Improve sight distances; and • Type of striping and signage. Exceptions from boldface and underlined design standards would be considered based on engineering judgment to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Reparirg aM rebuilding Damage lFa s4ucturelrc v�nn ulueaele. anaeop Undergmuntllry power Wescwld Impnr Wetbe 5treelscapa and allerlpr ere replacement hea planting, In some areas it may not be possible to preserve existing trees. These artist renderings showwhat the tree canopy may look like in the future. TODAY - . P placemenlUee can r J ra Uw' nnpyeverUme.. y TK R. 1 io-s5 years ;c-goyears o. What kNd of rePlacon�alt bees arebebg P—s A', TFaI's stia W be determvredi Canmumty input wIR he nitlraL fe cFenslry IFe types M rsplaeemenelrees during madeslgn phase_ Commissioner Kirchner 1. Key to the maintenance/perpetuation of the eucalyptus/tree "Grove" is the undergrounding of utilities. Full height trees could then be planted underneath the lines instead of shorter or severely trees (as we have now). 2. On the west side of El Camino Real without the undergrounding of utilities, overhead utility placement will greatly limit the height of trees planted to replace those removed. (See illustration "Build Option"). 3. The City of Burlingame has no jurisdiction over El Camino Real. It is a state highway owned and maintained by Caltrans. 4. This project will be complete in 4 +/- years and will not be phased. The visual transformation will be very dramatic and not what we enjoy now. However, the "no build" option will not be an option and the transformation will proceed as Caltrans has been . 5. There is a forty -year outlook (see above) to maturity. 20 years to a significant visual impact 6. The "gums" eucalyptus (+ 150' ht.) removed may be replaced with citriadora (82' — 100') where planted (see 70% eucalyptus/elm to 'other' tree ratio). 7. Bike traffic will be relegated to adjacent feeder streets, specifically California Ave.