7/10/01 Blackies Grove Staff Report

To:	PARKS & OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
From:	SCOTT ANDERSON, PLANNING DIRECTOR
Subject:	BLACKIE’S GROVE: REVISED PROPOSAL BY TIBURON PENINSULA FOUNDATION TO INSTALL TREES AND OTHER LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS SOUTH OF BRUNINI WAY IN THE BLACKIE’S PASTURE PORTION OF RICHARDSON BAY LINEAL PARK
Date:	JULY 6, 2001

The Tiburon Peninsula Foundation (TPF) has revised and relocated its earlier proposal to install landscaping and related improvements within Blackie’s Pasture Park. The improvements are being called "Blackie’s Grove" and are now proposed to be located south of Brunini Way and adjacent to the recently placed large earthen berm along Brunini Way. The project would involve planting of numerous trees and the installation of benches and a pathway. The project would also entail spreading of much of the earthen berm to provide for suitable growth of grass (through hydroseeding) in the disturbed area immediately bayward of the proposed grove.

The impetus for the project was a commitment to complete tree installation begun in 1994 as part of a Small Business Administration grant awarded to the Town of Tiburon for tree planting, and a continuing commitment by the TPF to sponsor projects of benefit to the community.

Earlier proposals for Blackie’s Grove were withdrawn because of neighborhood concern over view blockage from the trees. The stated intent of the newest location is to minimize view blockage.

A site plan drawing depicting the revised and relocated Blackie’s Grove is attached as Exhibit 1. The proposed tree list is attached as Exhibit 2. Two (2) story poles have been erected to approximate the height and location of the new trees at maturity (approximately 18-20 feet in height). The approximate location of the story poles is also shown on Exhibit 1.

It appears that the number of homes that would suffer view impacts from the relocated grove has been substantially reduced. It is likely that some homes in the Reedlands (vicinity of Greenwood Court, Lower North Terrace, and East Terrace) may be affected by some of the proposed outlying trees. Some, but not all, of the proposed new trees would be located amongst and/or behind existing trees and would not result in new view blockage. Others, including where the story poles are located, appear to be located in a "slot view" area between clusters of existing trees.

Courtesy notices were sent to all property owners within 500 feet of the project, and the story poles have been in place since July 2.

The Richardson Bay Sanitary District has indicated that its transmission pipe is very close to the story poles in the field. The District Superintendent advised that all trees be placed on the south side of the earthen berm along Brunini Way to avoid any disturbance to the sanitary district’s pipe. Avoidance of the sewer main may also reduce any potential view blockage by keeping trees out of the "slot view" area.

Staff believes that the proposed location of the grove is superior to prior proposals, and that through careful placement of new trees, nearly all of the potential view blockage could be avoided. This would involve modifications to the current site plan. The Commission should: