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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/01/2000 - PB&R CommissionAUGUST 1, 2000 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches 8 Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 - 7pm CONVENED AT 7:05pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Beek, Macfarland, Pfaff (arrived at 7:07pm), Skoro, Tobin Absent: Franklin Staff Present: La Donna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian David E. Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Beek to approve the minutes of July 5, 2000. Motion carried by acclamation. • PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Correspondence - None 2. Item pulled by Director Niederhaus 3. Community Services Motion by Chair Skoro to accept items 1 and 3 of the consent calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. 2. Park Et Tree Division - Director Niederhaus stated that a record number of trees had been planted in the past month. He also noted that when the Street Tree Redesignation List is published it would include pictures and descriptions of the designated trees. Commissioner Beek stated that she had received positive feedback from people on the Island regarding the planting of the 109 Queen Palm trees. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16th Street asked if the number of removals on the Tree Activity Report meant the address or the actual number of trees. • Commissioner Beek stated that the report shows the actual number of trees removed. Motion by Chair Skoro to accept item 2 of the consent calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. n U r1 U • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 Page 2 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Committee Reports • Beaches - Nothing to report • Budget - Nothing to report • Community Services Award - Nothing to report. • OASIS Liaison - Nothing to report. • Park Et Open Space - Chair Skoro stated that Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood had discussed MarinaPark with the committee. He also noted that the committee had met with resident of Harbor Cove regarding their request for a park. He noted that the habitat makes it virtually impossible for activity; there has been discussion regarding a unobtrusive plaque designating the area as a Indian Burial Ground. 5. Recreation li Open Space Element - Manager McGuire stated that the Element is a living document with items to be done on an ongoing basis. Chair Skoro opened the Public Hearing Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`" Street, asked that the Commission review the parcel of land known as Newport Village, noting that according to the Element there is a deficiency of 11 acres of open space in that area. Chair Skoro closed the Public Hearin¢ Chair Skoro stated that the Commission is already on record as recommending that it remain open space. 6. Appointment of New Committees - Chair Skoro appointed the following committees and asked that they meet and elect a chair before the next meeting: Castaways Advisory Pat Beek Donald Pfaff Val Skoro Park Development Debra Allen Donald Pfaff Val Skoro Recreation Et Open Space Element Pat Beek Stuart Macfarland Donald Pfaff • Recreation Seniors Pat Beek Marc Franklin Tom Tobin Debra Allen Marc Franklin Tom Tobin Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 • Page 3 7. Maintennce of Public Restrooms at Newport Aquatic Center - Pulled at the request of City Manager. 8. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that Myrtle Asahino has requested the removal of one Eucalyptus tree at 1323 Ashford Lane. He stated that the request does not meet the minimum requirements of the City tree policy for removal. He noted that some hardscape repairs had been done. He stated that if the tree is root pruned, the hardscape can be repaired. Chair Skoro opened the public hearine Myrtle Asahino, stated that she was the original owner and had lived there for 38 years. She noted that she has circulated a petition and that this tree is the wrong tree in the wrong place. Commissioner Allen stated that the report is missing backup information on the automobile damage to the tree. Andy Schutz, 1317 Ashford Lane, stated that this tree straddles the property line. His main concern is falling limbs. He noted that he does have a collision report with a cost • estimate. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`h Street stated that this request does not meet the minimum requirements for removal and urged the Commission to deny the request. Chair Skoro closed the public hearine Chair Skoro asked if they were aware that they could pay $39 for supplemental tree trimming? Director Niederhaus stated the Urban Forester would meet with the applicant to discuss trimming and /or root pruning. Motion by Chair Skoro to deny request for the removal of one Eucalyptus tree by the Myrtle Asahino at 1323 Ashford Lane. Motion carried by acclamation. 9. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that Arthur Green has requested the removal of three Ficus trees at 715 Larkspur Avenue. He stated that the Risk Manager, Urban Forester, Deputy City Attorney and Risk Manager have all recommended that the trees be removed, even though the request does not meet the minimum G -1 requirements. Director Niederhaus stated that the City wants to avoid any future claims. • Commissioner Beek asked why this request had come before the Commission if the City had already decided to remove it. • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August t, 2000 Page 4 Director Niederhaus stated that it was on the agenda as a valid request of a resident. He stated that the City does not want to spend any additional funds to discover which of the trees is causing the damage. Chair Skoro opened the Public Hearing. Aldon Kelly, SPON Arborist, stated that he has examined the tree and the driveway. He noted that these trees have been topped and bottomed and suggested that a three -foot narrow trench be dug with a water barrier which will inhibit any future root damage. He stated that there is enough value to these trees to warrant retention. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`" Street, stated that it was disturbing that the Risk Manager was involved and that this could possibly become a new way to remove unwanted trees by submitting a claim to the Risk Manager. He suggested that staff try the water barrier approach. Mr. Vandersloot noted that the G -1 Policy does not state that a tree would be removed based on future fear of damage. He urged the Commission to uphold the policy and deny the request. He noted that he had no doubt that it would be appealed to the City Manager and Council. Chair Skoro closed the Public Hearing. • Commissioner Allen stated that she was uncomfortable discussing active litigation. Director Niederhaus stated that the case has been settled and that it is separate from the request. He also noted that staff believes that repeated damage will occur should the trees not be removed. Chair Skoro noted his concern that removing the tree could open 'Pandora's Box" as Mr. Vandersloot has suggested. Motion by Commissioner Beek to deny the request for the removal of three Ficus trees of Arthur Green, 800 Harbor Island Drive. Commissioner Allen stated that she would not support motion and it appears to be a settlement of litigation. Commissioner Beek stated that nothing should be coming before the Commission if it would harm any pending litigation. She suggested that the only question the Commission should have is "does it meet the requirements for removal?' She stated that clearly it does not. Motion carried by the following vote: • Ayes: Beek, Macfarland, Pfaff, Skoro Nays: Allen, Tobin Absent: Franklin Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 is Page 5 10. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that Bellany Beaumont at 715 Larkspur has requested the removal of two Brazilian Pepper trees. He stated that request does meet the criteria for removal, but that the resident has not submitted documentation of the private damage Chair Skoro stated that this request should not have come forward without proper documentation. Chair Skoro opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16th Street, stated that there is no documentation that states that the roots are the reason for the repeated damage to the stucco. He suggested that it requires documentation from an arborist. Aldon Kelly stated that he does not recommend removal, and that if total renovation was done to the stucco that damage should have been documented. He suggested that extreme pruning be done. He also noted that should the tree be removed that it be poisoned before removal as there will be many sprouts from the tree for a long time. Chair Skoro closed the public hearin4 • Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve the request for the removal of two Brazilian Pepper by Bellany Beaumont at 715 Larkspur on the condition that applicant provides appropriate documentation and meets staff verification. Motion carried the following vote: Ayes: Allen, Beek, Macfarland, Pfaff, Skoro, Tobin Nays: Beek Absent: Franklin 10. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that the request by David Gralnik to remove one Ficus tree at 1132 Sea Lane has been resolved by staff. 11. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that Lynette Metheny has requested the removal of one Shame[ Ash tree at 2424 Holiday Road. He stated that the request does meet the minimum requirements of the G -1 Policy based on repeated public and private damage in the past 18 months. Chair Skoro opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16th Street, stated, based on the homeowners letter, it appears that the tree has only caused damage one time. He urged the Commission to deny the request for removal. • Aldon Kelly, SPON Arborist, stated that value of the tree should be $20,000 not $2,300. He suggested that if root pruning was properly done the tree could be saved. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 • Page 6 Chair Skoro closed the public hearing Chair Skoro stated that it is his inclination is to try and save the tree. Director Niederhaus stated that staff cannot repair more than one site of hardscape damage in a year and cannot solve the sidewalk and the drainage problem simultaneously. Commissioner Beek stated that she would like to see more precise dates of repair work. Motion by Commissioner Allen to deny the request for the removal of one Shamel Ash tree by Lynette Metheny at 2424 Sylvia Lane with the understanding that it is denied without prejudice and can come before the Commission again. Motion carried by acclamation. 12. Reforestation - Director Niederhaus stated that Lloyd Rasner, 208 Carnation (2 trees), Kent Moore, 2500 Ocean Blvd (1 tree) and Tim Stephens, 2511 Seaview Lane (1 tree) has requested the removal of four Eucalyptus trees along Carnation Avenue. • Chair Skoro opened the public hearing Bob Wynn stated that the Corona del Mar Homeowners Association Board, with Commissioners Allen and Skoro abstaining, had recommended that this request be forwarded. He stated that the request meets all the requirements of Council Policy G -1 and G -3. He stated that with the removal of these trees it would provide an opportunity for a better view plane and to underground some utilities. Commissioner Macfarland asked if PacBell has agreed to move the utilities underground. Mr. Wynn stated that based on a letter from PacBell they have indicated that they would move them. Commissioner Macfarland stated that he would like to see a firm commitment from them. Commissioner Beek stated that the removal of telephone poles has nothing to do with the request for the removal of the trees. She stated that they have followed the rules for reforestation and that report states that they meet the requirements. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`h Street, stated that this request is a corruption of the policy because they are asking you to replace the trees and it is not based on beautification. He stated that the main purpose of this request is to get rid of the • trees. He urged that the Commission deny the request. Kent Moore stated that they have followed the guidelines of the policy and that it has been a long and involved process. He urged the Commission to approve the request. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 1, 2000 is Page 7 Tim Stephens asked Mr. Vandersloot why he urges the Commission to follow the G -1 Policy and then when the guidelines are followed he still refuses to agree that the tree should be removed. Chair Skoro closed the public hearin¢ Motion by Commissioner Beek to approve the reforestation request by Lloyd Rasner, 208 Carnation (2 trees), Kent Moore, 2500 Ocean Blvd (1 tree) and Tim Stephens, 2511 Seaview Lane (1 tree) of four Eucalyptus trees along Carnation Avenue. Motion carried by acclamation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Chair Skoro asked staff to confer with City of Costa Mesa regarding joint meeting and a possible field trip to review the progress of several park sites. ADJOURNMENT - 9:23pm /1, Submitted b l x !a-!:;R Teri Craig, Admin Assistant 11