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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1944.02.24CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Burlingame, California. February 2k, 1944 The Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2k, 191,1,.. ME86BERS PRESENT: Mitchell OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney Rarmel Coles City Engineer Longson Rapp Park Superintendent Anderson Macomber Brown . Stivers Chairman Mitchell presiding. Chairman Mitchell referred to the subject of shade tree planting in the park- ing areas between the curbs and sidewalks which would appear to be something which should be raider city control, but recently it has developed that the Park Commission has no authority in the matter except as to the ordinance requiring a permit to cut down or remove a tree. Therefore, it is thought that this is something which the Planning Com- mission should look into. City Attorney Larmel was present and reported that it is true at the present time the city cannot control the planting or trimming of trees in the parking areas referred to,' there being no ordinance on the subject, and in view of the fact that the city requires the property owners to assume the responsibility of the sidewalks to the curb line, this implies that the city is not in a position to control tree planting, and if it did so, without taking over the maintenance of the sidewalks, there would be obvious complications arising from roots and broken sidewalks to be re- paired. Mr.. garmel reported that he has communicated with other cities and is making a study of the subject. He added that if Burlingame is going to adopt control of trees in the parking areas, the city would also have to take on the burden of keeping up the side- walks. Park Superintendent Anderson was present and reported on the difficulty he has encountered in endeavoring to exercise any control over the drastic cutting back of trees in a number of instances in the city and that there are sporadic instances of pruning back to the extent of completely mutiliating the trees. After some discussion, Chairman Mitchell stated it would appear to be desirable to have a study made of this subject with the object of adopting some uniform plan and the Superintendent of Parks should be designated to supervise tree planting. City Engineer Longson was present and brought up the subject of a post-war program and reported that it appears to be the general consensus of cities that they do not want to `take any more federal aid covering a long list of projects comprising new work and deferred work. It is, however, believed that the war emergency creates condi- tions which will have to be corrected after the war and to this extent there is a respons bility of federal government for assistance. Mr. Longson mentioned that there is however a normal amount of work for the city to do in connection with :its growth and up -keep, much of which necessarily under present war conditions must be deferred, such as the com- pletion of California Drive, the installation of additional culverts and so forth, all of which will constitute a logical program of post-war work. Chairman Mitchell reported that he had attended a meeting at The Commonwealth Club where a speaker expressed the view that the different cities should plan their post-war program as if the city expected to do the work itself. Commissioner Coles also expressed the view that the city should aim to maintain itself without seeking aid elsewhere. Dr. Macomber asked if the work which is being deferred and must be done after the war will require a city bond issue. The thought was expressed that Burlingame i- MINUTES - Meeting February 24, 19" now being a city of approximately 18,000 population, its income should be sufficient for necessary purposes. Mr. Karmel brought up the thought that Burlingame is now a city of more than one generation in age and the question arises as to what to do about the older sections, additional hospital facilities, and so forth which is a matter for city planning. Mr. Longson stated that in the older sections the streets are Rearing out and the trees are becoming overgrown, and it is going to become increasingly necessary to preserve a proper balance in maintaining the attractiveness of the residential areas and providing the facilities and accessibility -of the business districts in keeping with the character of the city. Commissioner Coles inquired of City Engineer Longson regarding the report which has appeared in the public press concerning the widening of Burlingame Avenue, which sub- ject has not been referred to the Planning Commission. Mr. Longson said that the subject was under consideration. After some discussion a motion was made and unanimously passed that Mr. Coles be asked to make a study of the subject and embody his findings in a re- port which the Planning Commission will communicate to the City Council. Dr. Macomber brought up the subject of medical facilities in the city with an expanded population and wartime conditions, and stated that two hospitals in a relative- ly small community is somewhat similar to two telephone systems and that in his opinion it would be better for Burlingame to think of the expansion of Mills Hospital as needed, rather than to advocate a separate hospital for Burlingame. lie pointed out that the existence of two hospitals would duplicate much overhead, divides the doctors' time, and is generally less efficient than one large properly equipped hospital up to a certain point of size, which has not yet been reached by Mills Hospital.. Dr. Macomber also asked about the eucalyptus trees and their replanting along El Camino Real, and this was referred to Park Superintendent Anderson, who was present,'and he said that the projected widening of E1 Camino Real will probably include a center strap which will necessitate the removal of the remaining eucalyptus trees and the replanting of the parking strip ac- cording to a plan to be finally adopted. 10:10 P.M. There being no other business before the commission, the meeting adjourned at D. A. Stivers, Secretary.