Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC- 2024.05.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Approved Minutes May 2, 2024 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Batte. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Batte, Commissioners Bauer, Chu, and Kirchner Absent: Commissioner Khoury Staff. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, Parks Supervisor Burow, and Recording Secretary Flores Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Bauer made a motion to approve the March 7, 2024, Regular Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirchner and was approved. 4-0-1 CORRESPONDENCE None. PUBLIC COMMENT Jennifer Pfaff, a Burlingame Resident, spoke about the oak tree on Primrose Road and Howard Avenue, near Safeway. She observed growths sprouting all over and would like it inspected. She explained that the Safeway development was designed around the tree and that it holds important value for the community. OLD BUSINESS 1. Proposed Multifamily Housing Landscape Award Commissioner Kirchner presented the synopsis of the new multifamily housing landscape award schedule, which was discussed at the previous Commission meeting. Commissioner Bauer inquired about the physical award that would presented to the winner. Commissioner Kirchner stated that he envisioned it would be similar to the Business Landscape Award window decal and certificate. Commissioner Chu questioned whether a multifamily unit without a common area would have a location to put a window decal award. Commissioner Kirchner stated that it could also be unit balconies visible from the street, and they could display it in their window if they choose to display it all. Commissioner Bauer asked for clarification on whether or not individual balconies would be eligible for the award. Commissioner Kirchner said that he did not believe balconies would be included in the nominations, but instead, entire multifamily unit complexes. Commissioner Chu commented that differentiating between apartment complexes and condominium complexes could be challenging. Commissioner Kirchner stated that all can be included in the category of multifamily. The Commissioners each adopted a district area of Burlingame to inspect for their nominations. District 1 — Commissioner Kirchner; District 2 — Chair Batte, District 3 — Commissioner Chu; District 4 — Commissioner Bauer; District 5 — Commissioner Khoury. Commissioner Kirchner confirmed nominations are due July 12, 2024. Commissioner Chu made a motion to adopt the Multifamily Housing Landscape Award. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirchner and was approved. 4-0-1 NEW BUSINESS 1. Update of Burlingame Municipal Code Chapter 11 (Trees of Vegetation) City Arborist Holtz prefaced his presentation by welcoming all stakeholders to be a part of the discussions and stated that he would also be speaking at the Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024; and would follow up in June with the City Council. He presented the staff report. He recapitulated the reasons why an update was necessary and the actions that have been taken thus far. He presented the interests and concerns surrounding the current code that the City Council has discussed. Arborist Holtz briefly addressed the goals the City has by updating the current code. He spoke about the definition of a protected tree and the possibility of using GIS to keep track of trees that are required to be planted as replacement trees due to tree removals or required as a condition of development. Further, he explained concerns surrounding tree removals due to development, and that further guidance from the City Attorney's office would be required to address these concerns. Concerns have been raised about the protected tree removal and replacement process, and he presented the adjustments that have been made in response. Arborist Holtz asked Commissioners to discuss and provide feedback on the considerations he presented. Chair Batte opened the floor to Public Comment. Leslie McQuaide, Burlingame Resident, and past Beautification Commissioner recounted how involved the Beautification Commission was in policing and educating the public about protected trees in the past. She gave a quick history of what actions were taken by City Staff and Commissions previously. Brian Benn, a Burlingame Resident, spoke in favor of the progress made since the last draft presented. He stated that he would prefer a stronger statement that trees are protected unless proven otherwise in any context. He stated that he would like to see protected trees disclosed on real estate listings and sale contracts. He spoke in favor of having applicants for the removal of trees pay for the City to hire an arborist to remove any potential bias. Further, he would like the City to consider creating an inventory or list of trees for the larger and most unique trees that are of the highest priority value. Lastly, he asked the Commission and Staff to consider incentives for the owners of very large private trees to help protect and care for them. Jennifer Pfaff, a Burlingame Resident and Planning Commissioner, thanked staff, the Commission, and everyone involved in updating the Burlingame Municipal Tree Code. She spoke of the consideration of allowing replanting requirements for private tree permits to plant within a 300-foot radius and whether that could be broadened to include sites outside of the 300-foot radius, such as planting in traffic circles. Ms. Pfaff also spoke of creating a program where residents can nominate their own trees as heritage trees and if approved by the Commission, be added to a list. Trees on this list would be eligible for City assistance for the maintenance of their heritage tree. Chair Batte closed Public Comment and opened the floor to Commission discussion. Commissioner Kirchner asked whether we are re -defining protected -size trees as 14 inches in diameter trees at standard height (DSH). Arborist Holtz explained that DSH is the industry standard form of measurement but that our code uses the circumference of a tree because it is easier to measure. He also stated that currently, the 48 inches we reference in the definition of a protected -size tree does not equate to 14 inches DSH and will be corrected. Commissioner Kirchner clarified with Arborist Holtz that "standard height" is 54 inches above grade. Further, Arborist Hotz confirmed there is a formula for trees with multiple trunks. Commissioner Kirchner inquired whether the City has a tree replacement fund currently in place. Arborist Holtz confirmed there is a tree replacement fund that is primarily funded through the general fund. Also, any money collected due to failure to plant a required replacement tree would go into this fund. Commissioner Kirchner questioned whether the location of trees planted not on private property would be determined by Arborist Holtz and Director Glomstad. Arborist Holtz explained that it is up for discussion and consideration. He believed the developer or property owner who cannot plant the required trees on their property would have to work with neighbors to find locations for the trees being required of them. City street trees are not counted towards that total. Commissioner Chu asked how we could guarantee that the planted tree would not have been planted anyway. Arborist Holtz stated that although we could not gather this confirmation, the property owner would still be funding the planting. Commissioner Kirchner asked whether we would have an undesirable tree list. Arborist Holtz confirmed there will not be such a list. He explained that the proposed ordinance concept should include species desirability as one of many factors to consider when evaluating a tree removal application. This can help capture situations with known health diseases of trees that should be a factor in removal. Commissioner Kirchner stated that he agreed with having a third -party arborist to help reduce bias. Arborist Holtz elaborated on the subject. Commissioner Kirchner inquired about the section of the staff report providing deference to the Director or City Arborist to adjust or waive replanting requirements. Arborist Holtz explained that this is a discussion point and that the Commission could recommend a different option. Commissioner Chu asked whether we could request the arborist report be produced by a consultant arborist who does not do any removal work. Arborist Holtz explained that we have a current handout that recommends the report come from a consulting arborist who is not a part of a tree removal company and that it is indeed something we can require. Commissioner Chu asked about the replacement tree requirements, which focused on a box size versus a species we know would grow to a specific size at maturity. Arborist Holtz confirmed that we specify some species type restrictions, although it is not in our tree code. However, he explained that our code update would include our definition of a landscape tree to specify criteria such as a tree that will grow up to 15 feet in 15 years, single stem, no fruit or nut trees, no Italian cypress, Japanese maple or Palm trees. Commissioner Chu asked Arborist Holtz why people want to see larger sized trees required. Arborist Holtz stated that he was unclear as to why folks insisted upon larger sized trees at planting. Perhaps requiring a large box tree creates a vested interest in its success because the property owner endured a greater expense. He stated that the community also desires to see larger boxed trees because of the visual impact of a larger sized tree at planting. Commissioner Bauer stated that Arborist Holtz and staff have done a great job soliciting comments from the community as well as from all other Commissions involved. Arborist Holtz asked if the Commission agreed with increasing public notice and mailing notices for city tree removals. Chair Batte stated she did agree with these updates to avoid complaints from the public. Arborist Holtz asked the Commission to consider the proposed appeal process updates and whether they agreed with the decision to not include trees that he has determined to be dead or dying. Commissioner Kirchner stated that he agreed with the update to notice properties within a 300-foot radius of trees approved for removal and to notice residents of city tree removals. He asked for confirmation that the property owner adjacent to the city tree would still have a say in size and possibly species if it is not on a themed block or the replacement city tree. Arborist Holtz confirmed that property owners not on themed blocks would continue to receive letters and lists of trees they could choose from that are appropriate for the planter strip area. Arborist Holtz and the Commission discussed the possibility of using money from the City tree replacement fund to assist with private trees. Although the Commission believed it was a good idea, they could foreshadow issues arising because of it. Commissioner Chu suggested using funds to help private owners plant new trees instead of assisting with private tree maintenance. Arborist Holtz confirmed that planting alternatives and in -lieu fees would be applicable to residential and commercial tree permit applications. Commissioner Kirchner expressed concerns about allowing planting alternatives. He believed developers would opt to maximize space and simply pay a fee to not have to plant. REPORTS Commissioner Kirchner reported that he would present the last chapter of the Trees of Burlingame book at the next Commission meeting. He also confirmed that he is working on producing an updated map to include trees of Washington Park. Arborist Holtz stated that staff would send him a copy of a map for his use. Arborist Holtz reported two recent emergency removals at Mercy High School. He explained that staff have been following up with applicants regarding their replacements for permits issued within the last 3 years. He reported on the Cuernavaca Turf Renovation Project, which is currently underway, and that trees were removed due to decay and construction conflicts. Commissioner Bauer confirmed that names and photographs of nominations are due on July 12, 2024. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. The next Beautification Commission meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2024. Respectfully submitted, Vervviic,n -Flores Veronica Flores Recording Secretary