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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2021.05.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Approved Minutes May 6, 2021 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order via Zoom at 6:35 pm by Chair Hunt. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Hunt, Kirchner, Kearney, Bauer, and Batte Absent: None Staff. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks and Recreation Superintendent/City Arborist Disco and Recording Secretary Borba Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Bauer made a motion to approve the April 1, 2021 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kearney and was approved 5-0. CORRESPONDENCE None PUBLIC COMMENT None OLD BUSINESS 1. Update from Chair of the Business Landscape Award and Residential Sustainable Landscape Award Commission Bauer reported the Commission accepts nominations from the community and Commissioners for the Business Landscape Award. Commissioner Bauer announced she has a document that can be printed and distributed or emailed with a QR code and website for nominating a business. Secretary Borba will forward the document via email. Nominations are due June 1, 2021. Commissioner Bauer stated the Residential Sustainable Landscape Award requires each Commissioner to inspect their area and to bring two nominations to the June 3, 2021 meeting. Secretary Borba informed the Commissioners that the nominations for each award would be accepted at the June meeting, and a list of addresses will be given to the Commissioners for inspection. 2. Trees of Burlingame Ad Hoc Committee Members Update Commissioner Kirchner reported he and Commissioner Bauer have an outline of what will be included in the Trees of Burlingame book to share with the Commissioners at the next meeting. 3. Appeal to the Approved Private Redwood Tree Removal at 717 Crossway Road Chair Hunt recused herself from the appeal hearing. Commissioner Kirchner stated the appeal was postponed from last month to acquire more information from the property owner at 717 Crossway Road. Director Glomstad read the staff report. Commissioner Kearney reported the engineer's report states there is damage to the foundation. She asked Arborist Disco if that damage was all caused by the tree. Arborist Disco responded the tree roots appear to be causing damage to the foundation based on the engineer's report. Public Comment — None Appellant — Steven Crocker stated he wanted to re-emphasize he is in support of keeping the tree for the beauty it adds to the area. Respondent- Jimmy Cwu spoke on behalf of the respondent. Mr. Cwu stated the building is going to have further damage to the foundation if the tree remains. Commissioner Discussion Commissioner Kirchner inquired if the property owner intends to improve the property. Mr. Cwu responded the property owner intends to improve on the property after the tree is removed. Commissioner Bauer inquired if the new property owner was aware of the denied Protected Tree Removal Permit on this tree in the past. Mr. Cwu stated it didn't show up on the property report. Commissioner Discussion Commissioner Bauer stated it is a difficult decision, but she does not think it is fair to ask the property owner to withstand further property damage due to the tree. Commissioner Kirchner reported he was pleased that the civil engineer report was submitted for review by the Commissioners. He stated that there isn't anything that can be done to stop the tree from damaging the structure further and is leaning towards removal. Commissioner Kearney asked the respondent if they have plans to remove the ADU unit. The respondent replied they plan to keep the existing ADU unit. Commissioner Kearney made a motion to deny the appeal and approve the removal based on Municipal Code Chapter 11.06 Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection Ordinance 11.06.060 (d)(1) "the condition of the tree with respect to the proximity to existing or proposed structures" and (7) "the economic consequences and obligations of requiring a tree to remain." Commissioner Bauer seconded the motion and was approved 4-0-1. NEW BUSINESS 1. Oath of Office for New Commissioner Carol Batte Director Glomstad administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Batte. 2. Commissioner Discussion of Tree Walking Tour Commissioner Bauer reported she would have more information at the next meeting. Commissioner Kirchner suggested teaming up with the Burlingame Historical Society for the walking tours to include the trees and history of Burlingame. REPORTS 1. Director Glomstad Director Glomstad reported the Community Center is moving forward and on schedule. She stated the Capital Campaign project is slowly rolling out, and there is a website for supporting the Community Center. Director Glomstad informed the Commissioners that the summer concert series is happening this year with a few differences. She stated the concerts would be Friday nights from 6pm-8pm at the ballfield in Washington Park, which has ample spacing. The dates are June 18, July 9 and 23, and August 13. Director Glomstad stated the Burlingame Chamber would be hosting Crafts Market in the Park in Washington Park west end on June 19-20, July 10 41, and August 14 and 15. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Arborist Disco stated the tree crew is working on the spring planting of 80 City trees. He stated the City tree contractor, Timberline, is starting Sycamore pruning on Lexington and Cumberland. Arborist Disco informed the Commissioners that the City hired an independent arborist to inspect a list of trees, and a few tree removals will happen, one tree at Victoria Park and one at Pershing Park due to poor structure. Arborist Disco informed the Commissioners about the Protected Tree Removal Permit process. He stated the permit is online now, and when the tree and payment information is submitted, it is forwarded to Administrative Assistant Borba. Once Administrative Assistant Borba processes it, it is forwarded to the City Arborist to inspect and evaluate the tree within ten days. The City Arborist findings are given to Administrative Assistant Borba. If removal is approved, a letter is sent to the property owner and adjacent property owners within 100 feet of the property. To appeal the decision, community members have ten days to inform the Parks Division. Arborist Disco also stated that if a tree is dead, he can issue an Emergency Protected Tree Removal Permit and waive the ten-day appeal time. 2. Commissioner Hunt None 3. Commissioner Bauer Commissioner Bauer asked if there are any plans to meet in person again for the BBC meetings. Director Glomstad stated not as of yet. 4. Commissioner Kirchner Commissioner Kirchner started he has a City Street tree in front of his house removed and will replace it with a larger tree. 5. Commissioner Kearney Commissioner Kearney reminded the Commissioners that Jennifer Pfaff did a tour of historical homes during the Centennial and is quite familiar with how this processes works and would be a good resource for the Tree Walking Tour. 6. Commissioner Batte None The next Beautification Commission meeting is on June 3, 2021. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gina Borba Administrative Staff