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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/01/2000 - PB&R CommissionFEBRUARY 1, 2000 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000— 7pm CONVENED AT 7:05pm ROLL CALL Present: Beek, Franklin, Mcfarland, Pfaff (arrived at 7:15pm), Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian (arrived at 8:35) David Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Admin Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the regular /study session minutes of January 4, 2000 as amended. Motion carried by acclamation. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the study session minutes of January 13, 2000. Motion carried by acclamation. PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Correspondence - Acknowledge correspondence from Eric Parker, December 27, 1999; Robin Sinclair, January 5, 2000; Phil Arst, January 10, 2000; Marc Franklin, January 11, 2000, Jill Schwabe, January 12, 2000; and David Niederhaus, January 14, 2000. 2. Removed by Commissioner Skoro 3. Removed by Senior Recreation Manager McGuire 4. MarinaPark - Accept and forward proposal to City Council. 5. Proposition 12 - Park Bond - Support Proposition 12 on the March 7, 2000 primary election ballot. 6. Bench Donation - Accept donation from David E3 Joanne Burkland to replace existing bench at West Jetty View Park. 7. Bench Donation - Accept donation from Dr. O'Connell to replace existing bench at West Jetty View Park. 8. Tree Donation - Accept donation of one Coast Live Oak from Steve Craig at Castaways Park. FI Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 2 9. Tree Donation - Accept donation of four Liquid Amber trees from Paul O'Connor at Buffalo Hills Park. Motion by Commissioner Franklin to accept items 1, 4 -9 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. Items removed from Consent Calendar 2. Parks Et Tree Division - Bonita Canyon final plans should be up and operational in the summer of next year. Reforestation plans should be presented to Council in March. Some items not to be funded are on the list to see if they can be funded after the budget comes in. 3. Community Services Division - Senior Recreation Manager McGuire introduced new staff Recreation Manager, Michelle Perrenoud. She has been with the City since January 3. Final plans for Arroyo Park are being reviewed. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 2 and 3 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. DISCUSSION ITEMS 10. Bayside Park - Senior Recreation Manager McGuire stated that correspondence had been received from Eric Parker stating his concerns regarding the need to add additional landscape for noise mitigation and privacy. She stated that he had also offered to donate a tree if the City would put additional trees there. Ms. McGuire noted that Mr. Parker asked that the swings be relocated, but because of the required fall zones, that staff could not recommend relocating them. Chair Beek opened the public hearine Eric Parker, 400''/2 Iris, stated that he has been before the Commission before and raised some of the same concerns that he has today. Mr. Parker noted that the noise pollution is such that he strongly suggests that the swings in the tot lot be moved. He stated that it is difficult to do any work at home because of the noise. He noted that originally the swings were supposed to be at another location. Mr. Parker stated that he had made a request through the Freedom of Information Act requesting all documentation regarding the Bayside Park. He stated that originally when this park in the approval process, that no public hearings were held, nor was anything received in the mail. He asked the Commission what options did he have. Commissioner Skoro stated that when Mr. Parker purchased this property that as a homeowner he was aware that a public park was going to be built there and must face some of the consequences. Mr. Parker stated that his concern today is that he was never able to make his comments heard before the park was completed because there was no public hearing. 3 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 3 Commissioner Skoro reminded him that he appeared before City Council and that some concessions were made. Mr. Parker stated that he absolutely needs some restoration of his privacy and noise abatement. Chair Beek closed the public hearing Motion by Commissioner Skoro that one tree be replaced and two new trees be planted as recommend by staff. The City will accept cost of one new tree and wilt accept the donation from Mr. Parker of $195 for one 24 inch Sweetshade tree. Decomposed granite path will remain and that swings in the tot lot will remain in place. Commissioner Tobin stated that this is just a band -aid and does not solve or help Mr. Parker. Commissioner Skoro stated that there really is no solution for someone that lives near the park. Motion carried as follows: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Mcfarland, Pfaff, Skoro, Nay: Tobin 11. West Newport Park Playground Renovation - Senior Recreation Manager McGuire stated that a Public Hearing was needed to notify residents of City staffs recommendation of changes which will occur when the new playground equipment is upgraded. Because of ADA and current national safety regulations, the new playgrounds need to be designated as one for preschool and one for school -age children. Chair Beek asked that the newspapers receive a press release regarding the hearing. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing. Hearing no comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Skoro for staff to set up a public hearing at the March 7, 2000, Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission meeting. Motion carried by acclamation 12. Tree Removal Appeal - Director Niederhaus stated that as an exception this appeal had been added to the agenda because of the Traffic Engineer's concern regarding lack of visual clearance because of the four trees at two separate locations. He stated that these have been posted for removal, and that a written appeal was received from Dr. Vandersloot. He stated staffs recommendation to remove these trees for safety reasons. Regarding S/E corner of Eastbluff Drive and Vista del Oro: Rich Edmonston, City Traffic Engineer, distributed pictures displaying the limit line where cars must stop. He stated that the Municipal Code has a provision that signs must be sufficiently legible for a normal person. He stated that the key part of his job is to make sure that I Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 4 citizens are safe on the streets of Newport Beach, in this case, being able to see the stop sign. He stated that they should be visible at 300 to 325 feet; in the photos the sign is not visible until 200 feet. Commissioner Franklin asked if any attempt has been made to move the sign. Mr. Edmonston stated that the sign cannot be moved as it is as far out to the curb as possible. He also stated that severe pruning would not work. Chair Beek opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`h Street, stated that there is a whole row of trees at that location. He distributed pictures that he believes show clear observance of the stop sign. He stated that there simply is no blockage of the stop sign, day or night, and that the trees should stay in place. Aldon Kelly, SPON Arborist, stated that he has visited the area twice, and did not observe any significant obstruction, but noted that he was not sure he had been in the right place. Barry Eaton, President of Eastbluff Homeowners Association, stated that he had not been notified that this item was on the agenda, but that many of the homeowners have voiced their concern regarding the sight blockage of the sign and have asked that something be done to make the stop sign more visible. He urged the Commission to remove the trees and reminded them that safety must have priority over trees. Commissioner Skoro asked Mr. Eaton that if this item was continued could he bring back specific comments from homeowners. Elaine Linhoff, 1760 E. Ocean Boulevard, stated that even when a stop sign has no obstruction, people stilt run them. Jeannine Wong, stated that bumps should be installed, as they are self regulating. Chair Beek closed the public hearing Chair Beek stated that she travels that area every day and sees no need to remove the trees. Commission Tobin stated that he finds that area rather dangerous, and stated that the safety of the children should come first over a tree. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to continue the item on the tree removal at the S/E corner of Eastbluff Drive and Vista del Oro. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek; Franklin, McFarland, Skoro Nay: Pfaff, Tobin 5 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page S Regarding the N/E corner of San Joaquin Hills Road and Santa Rosa Mr. Edmonston stated that there have been two fatal accidents at that location and that the trees should be removed. Chair Beek opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 10' Street, distributed pictures. He stated that these trees are no different from any other tree in the area, that they do not obstruct the traffic signal. He suggested that trimming be done. Aldon Kelly, SPON Arborist, stated that the traffic signal heads are clearly in the open. Possibly one of the traffic signals is obscured, but with two at the location, that there is no reason for the trees to be removed. Chair Beek closed the public hearing Commissioner McFarland suggested that the trees be trimmed. Director Niederhaus stated that Mr. Conway reports that excessive trimming could jeopardize the trees. Motion by Commissioner Franklin to continue the item on the tree removal at the N/E corner of San Joaquin Hills Road and Santa Rosa. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek; Franklin, McFarland, Pfaff, Skoro Nay: Tobin 13. Revision of City Council G -1 Policy — Retention 8 Removal of City Trees - Chair Beek reminded audience that they would have three minutes to speak and would be allowed one opportunity to speak. Director Niederhaus stated that this is the tenth meeting to discuss this Policy. No approvals of tree removals have been done and that there are 68 pending tree removals awaiting approval of this policy. He stated that there is no way to have a perfect G -1 policy but feels that this policy tries to balance the concerns of property owners as well as the residents of the City. He stated that the current policy has been reviewed many times, and appreciates all the time and effort put in to make this is a much stronger policy than the current one. Director Niederhaus stated that this is the twelfth hour as this policy will be reviewed by Council at the next study session; he suggested that members of the Tree Subcommittee be available at the Council study session on February 8. Director Niederhaus stated that he does not recommend going through the policy page by page but rather deal with specific issues as they come up and proceed from there. A Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 6 Commissioner McFarland asked why staff is foregoing requests that were made five months ago, and why are they not being reviewed under the approved G -1 policy rather than waiting for the new policy. Director Niederhaus stated that Council mandated that all removals be stopped until the new policy is approved. The only reason that the two tree appeals were on the agenda tonight is because those dealt with safety issues. He noted that most of the pending requests do not meet the conditions of the old policy, but may qualify under the new policy. Commissioner Franklin asked if the two trees appeals under discussion tonight would have just been removed without Commission approval under the new policy. Director Niederhaus concurred that they would have been removed with City Manager approval as the trees were deemed as safety hazards. Director Niederhaus stated that residents are tired of waiting for the new policy and that is why the General Services Department is receiving an influx of requests for reforestations. Chair Beek opened the public hearine Aldon Kelly, SPON Arborist, suggested that there is a fundamental flaw in the policy and that the flaw is that this is a removal of trees policy and that the title should be changed to "Operation Clear Cut." He stated that this policy will not help to retain trees. He stated that it is his belief that this policy is not functional and is only for people to remove trees. It is totally skewed for easy removal, and to salve our conscience, is called a reforestation. This policy should be scrapped. Bob Wynn stated this policy is a very serious issue and appreciates all the hard work put into this new policy and asked the Commission to support the policy. He stated that after some time had passed and if the policy is not working, then it could be reviewed again. Obviously, if the Council wanted the Commission to review it, it was because the policy was not working. Elaine Linhoff asked if the department would notify all members of a association when a reforestation is going to occur. She stated that it is time that this City have a comprehensive tree policy, and suggested that there is not an overall policy to create and maintain an urban forest in the City of Newport Beach. She urged the Commission to begin work to incorporate these policies. She believes that that General Services and Parks should never have been combined because of a need for checks and balances. Barry Eaton, Director of the Community Association Alliance, stated this organization was composed of 20 associations and 5000 homes on the east side of the bay and that parkway trees have become a view issue, he thanked staff for resolving their concerns, and urged support of the policy. He noted that there are times when individual trees do become concerns for homeowners. Z Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 7 Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`h Street, believes that the Commission will be deluged with requests for removals. With the current policy, the Commission is only hearing two requests a month, therefore the policy is working. He stated that of those, only two appeals went to Council. ALl reforestation requests will have to go to the Commission. He stated that the City should abide by the basic premise that this City loves trees. There is a weakness in this policy in that it will allow for a more liberal removal of trees by residents. He urged that the Commission not remove trees just because hardscape damage occurs. He asked that when this policy is in place that the Tree Report show the date that a tree was noticed for removal. He stated his belief that this City lacks a bonafide tree policy and that the Commission should recommend to the Council the services of arborist Kelly. He also agreed with Ms. Linhoff that the Tree Division and Parks Division should not be one department. Linda Radzner supports the policy and loves living in Corona del Mar but does see the damage that some of the trees do to the sidewalk. She urged that the Commission give individual property owners more control over their property. Phil Arst, President, Harbor View Community Association, stated that the Association is primarily a view oriented community. Associations spend a lot of money on tree trimming. He believes that Director Niederhaus is a professional and will look at requests responsibly. He believes that a lot of the problems with tree removals lie with the decision to plant Ficus trees many years ago and urged support of the new policy. He thanked the staff for taking a reasonable approach to this policy and by giving homeowners some rights. Tim Stephens, 2501 Seaview Drive, echoed the previous comments and urges support of the policy. He stated that the new G -1 policy was a great compromise and hopes that both sides can now come to some agreement. Jean Wanlass, stated that when a tree removal is done, that PVC irrigation pipe should be installed so that the sidewalks don't buckle. Director Niederhaus stated that this suggestion is being reviewed but noted that all trees are planted with root barriers. Chair Beek closed the public hearing Motion by Commissioner Skoro for staff to forward G -1 Policy - Retention Ft Removal of City Trees as revised to City Council for their review and approval. Commissioner Franklin stated that he is not in favor and that the policy will fail because it will allow removal based on aesthetic reasons. He stated that he believes that Council should be aware of the problems with the policy. He stated that the Commission should not support this new policy; the current policy should remain in effect. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Pfaff, Skoro, Tobin Nay: Franklin, McFarland Abstain: Beek IN Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 1, 2000 Page 8 14. Subcommittees Budget — Nothing to report. • OASIS Liaison — Nothing to report. • Beach — Commissioner McFarland volunteered to work with the committee. • Community Services Award — Nothing to report. Park Et Open Space — Chair Beek noted that the committee met on January 25, 2000 and agreed to forward the Marina Park proposal to Council. Tree — Committee will meet again on March 7 on the Redesignation issue. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Parkway Trees in the Median on MacArthur Boulevard - Public Works. ADJOURNMENT - 9:30pm Submitted by Teri Craig, d in ssistant 7