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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC- 2024.08.01 BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Approved Minutes August 1, 2024 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Acting Chair Chu. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Chu, Khoury, and Kirchner Absent: Chair Batte, Commissioner Bauer Staff: Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, Parks Supervisor Burow, and Recording Secretary Flores Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Kirchner made a motion to approve the June 6, 2024, Regular Meeting minutes with an amendment to the reports section on the last page. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Khoury and was approved. 3-0-2 CORRESPONDENCE Secretary Flores read an email from Burlingame resident John Moran: I spoke with Veronica in the Parks Department and it was suggested that I email you with my concerns. Background: Our address is at 832 Edgehill Drive. The back side of our house is on California drive. Our bedroom window looks out to California Drive. Our family been at this location for almost 10 years and in Burlingame even longer. When we moved to this home we had some concerns with being close to the train tracks, but we appreciated that there were trees between us and the tracks. Before the recent tree removal, going in the east direction, there is our house, California Drive, a row of trees, a dirt path, another row of trees and then the Caltrain tracks. As part of the electrification process, many of the trees closest to Caltrain were removed. Now we've also had extreme trimming and removal of the second row of trees closest to our house. We now have a clear view of Caltrain as it passes - and we no longer have the previous barriers of trees to help with the noise. We can clearly see people on the other side of Carolan which is out beyond the train tracks. We also now have an unexpected direct view of Top Golf. I appreciate the addition of Top Golf, but do not desire a direct view of it from our bedroom windows. I know that if my family was buying this house today we would drop it from consideration due to the landscape changes. Next Steps: I would like to know the details of any plans to replace the removed trees. Below are some of the questions that I have... What types of trees will replace the removed ones? Will they be planting mature trees to restore the beauty and functionality that we had before? What is the timeline for this or any restoration? Is there anything I can do as a citizen to help or to expedite this process? Neighbors: I have spoken with many neighbors who are extremely unhappy with the current situation. All of them, including myself, were shocked by the drastic chance and none were aware of any advance notice of this. According to someone in Parks and Rec there was some type of notice that was sent out. Even though we did not receive one, I doubt that it conveyed they extreme change that was coming. Photos: I've attached a link to some photos for reference: https://bit.ly/CaliforniaDriveTrees The first 2 images are BEFORE images, the 3rd is a reminder that Burlingame is the "City of Trees", the rest of the images were taken after the removal and trimming. The 2 pictures taken through a window in our home also show the before and after changes. Regards, John Moran Arborist Holtz stated that he would present an update on how the City has been managing large Eucalyptus tree groves at the next Commission meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT None PRESENTATION 1. Growth Award Parks Supervisor Burow presented the first Tree City USA Growth Award given to the City by the Arbor Day Foundation. She explained that the City takes pride in its trees, which can be seen by staff assigned to tree maintenance, funds received from the City Council, and future plantings to ensure the growth of the urban forest. She noted that measuring trees is a task she has been working on most recently, such as inventorying trees in Mills Canyon and other groves. Supervisor Burow stated that the City’s inventory is accessible through a link on the City website. Further, she described the process taken when planning and performing tree work. She provided a summary of the tree work performed in 2023, such as planting over 400 trees and inventorying or updating over 2,000 trees. She spoke of collaborations with outside entities for specific projects or tree work. Lastly, she confirmed that she will be applying for the 2024 Growth Award on behalf of the City by the end of the year. Commissioner Kirchner asked if the Growth Award was a requirement for the Tree City USA designation. Supervisor Burow confirmed that it is not a requirement but in addition to the designation. Arborist Holtz explained that Supervisor Burow and her team have done a fantastic job finding new locations to plant trees and will be planting more trees than ever before at one time this fall, close to 250 trees. Further, he stated that staff is working with Caltrain during the installation of electric passenger trains to have trees planted on City property in areas that may be under-served. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 1. Residential, Business, and Multi-Family Landscape Award Voting Commissioner Chu inquired if his submitted addresses could be included in the voting. Secretary Flores confirmed that they could if the Commission agreed. Secretary Flores presented the addresses and photographs sent in by the Commissioners of their Business Landscape Award (BLA) nominations. Commissioner Kirchner explained that he nominated Embassy Suites but believed that the Hyatt would be a better option if the public had access to the internal portion of the hotel. He stated that traditionally, the Commission has taken the stance that it is not considered if it is not visible from the street. Commissioner Kirchner also stated the Twelvemonth (330 Lorton Avenue) was the only self-nominated site and believes the transition from a parking lot to what it is today was amazing. Commissioner Kirchner, Khoury, and Chu all voted for Twelvemonth (330 Lorton Avenue). With the majority vote, Twelvemonth was awarded the Business Landscape Award. Secretary Flores presented the Multi-Family Landscape Award (MFLA) nominees. Commissioners discussed the diverse styles of the nominees. Commissioner Chu spoke of the rich and diverse plantings he observed at 1080 Carolan Ave. Commissioner Khoury confirmed that apartment complexes qualify as multi-family nominee. Commissioner Kirchner and Chu confirmed that apartment complexes are considered multi-family units. Commissioner Kirchner stated that 920 Bayswater Ave is a large and new site that goes around the block. Commissioner Khoury inquired if the Commission was trying to promote decorated balconies. Commissioner Kirchner confirmed that balconies were not considered this year. Commissioner Kirchner and Khoury voted for 110 Park Road. Commissioner Chu voted for 1080 Carolan Ave. 110 Park Road and won the majority vote for the MFLA. Secretary Flores presented the Residential Sustainable Landscape Award (RSLA) nominees. Commissioner Khoury expressed her fondness for 900 Morrell Avenue and stated that the live landscape is more impressive than the photographs. Commissioner Kirchner stated that pure sustainability is not always beautiful but spoke highly of the landscape design of 900 Morrell Ave along with the mature plants. Commissioner Kirchner spoke of 1025 Paloma Ave and their use of succulents and arid design. Also, he stated that 1735 Sebastian Drive was professionally landscaped and colorful but not necessarily sustainable. Commissioner Kirchner commented that 1900 Hillside Drive corner lot was well-designed and sustainable and included a Redwood tree. Commissioner Chu agreed that although they may not have planted the Redwood, he must give them credit for maintaining it. The Commission discussed the sustainable plants planted at this site. Commissioner Chu stated that aside from water use, another aspect of sustainability he took into consideration was the support provided by wildlife and insects. Commissioner Chu and Kirchner voted for 1900 Hillside Drive. Commissioner Khoury voted for 900 Morrell Avenue. 1900 Hillside Drive won the majority vote for the RSLA. REPORTS Commissioner Khoury reported on a tree on Fairfield and Palm that looked like it was dying. She stated that the tree in front of Mykonos on Lorton Ave also looked diseased. Arborist Richard said it was treated and would be reevaluated in a couple of months. Commissioner Chu noted that many trees on the west side of California Drive between Broadway and Oak Grove have been mis-pruned by private property and inquired if the City had spoken to the property owners. Arborist Holtz stated that the section between Carmelita and Broadway was the most noticeable, that the City staff communicated verbally with the property owners, and that he would follow up with a more formal response. Commissioner Khoury inquired about the progress on the Private Tree Removal Permit issued to 1134 Douglas Avenue. Secretary Flores confirmed that staff had made contact to determine the status of the replacement tree requirement and would follow up a second time. Commissioner Kirchner inquired about the City's California Drive trees inherited from SFPUC. Arborist Holtz confirmed that the City inherited the section of California Drive from the City and County of San Francisco as part of the Public Works agreement to complete the bike path. He stated that staff could bring the matter to an upcoming Commission meeting agenda to discuss future plans for the area. Commissioner Kirchner commented on the Eucalyptus groves that belong to the City, such as Francard Grove, and if there was a policy preventing the Blue Gum Eucalyptus as the replacement species. Arborist Holtz stated that there was no policy but rather a practice not to replant the Blue Gum species. He further stated that the electrification of the railway has presented a challenge in formulating a plan for the trees growing along the railway. Commissioner Khoury inquired about the remaining tree stump located near 1133 El Camino Real. Arborist Holtz confirmed that this has been brought to his attention, and he had reached out to Caltrans twice with no response. He believed they would not proceed with the stump removal until they completed all the planned removals for the El Camino Real Rehabilitation Project. He noted that he would report back to the Commission if he received a response. Commissioner Chu suggested that staff bring the correspondence presented at the start of the meeting back as a discussion topic. Arborist Holtz confirmed he could present an update on large Eucalyptus tree groves in Burlingame at the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Khoury asked that staff present a list of possible replacement trees for California Drive. Arborist Holtz stated that staff could share ideas, although nothing had been determined yet. Arborist Holtz reported that Mercy High School had two trees fail , which were approved for removal and would be replanted. Further, he stated that the City lost two trees in the Mills Canyon area. He commented on the status of the Landslide Repair Project in Mills Canyon and stated that the target completion date is in September. He reported that the Cuernavaca Field Renovation Project is approximately halfway through, with an estimated completion date of October. Arborist Holtz reported that there will be a bid on additional tree work in the near future and will report on that at the next meeting. He informed the Commission that the bid for the Laguna Playground Renovation would also be out to bid in the next few weeks. Lastly, he reported that the Town Square will likely be going out to bid in September. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. The next Beautification Commission meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2024. Respectfully submitted, Veronica Flores Veronica Flores Recording Secretary