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Home My WebLink About1989-06-27; City Council; 10094; Purchasing Trees for Streetscape Programz 0 5 ,c( ...I u z ::) 0 (.) Cl~ OF CARLSBAD -AGEN[~ BILL DEPT. HD. __ _ DEPT. P & R- PURCHASING OF TREES FOR THE STREETSCAPE PROGRAM CITY ATT<l1li3_ CITY MGR.~ RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council after considering the staff report either approve the purchase of the Magnolia Grandiflora "Majestic Beauty", or one of the suggested alterpatives for the downtown streetscape program. ITEM EXPLANATIOM The City ·council at their May 23, 1989 meeting directed staff to further evaluate the suggested use of the Magnolia Grandiflora "Majestic Beauty" that was to be planted in the downtown streetscape program. The primary concern was that the Magnolia species may be a maintenance problem. Our research has indicated that the overall streetscape design and tree selection project has gone through a lengthy review process, coordinated by the Housing and Redevelopment staff. A committee/task force met over six months reviewing the streetscape design. In additio~, the following public meetings were held to discuss the streetscape design and landscape issues: 1. February 10, 1987 -Pat O'Conner of Austin, Hansen Fehlman group gave a presentation to the Merchants Assoc1ation. 2. March 31, 1987 -Public hearing held by Merchants Association to review the design presented by Austin, Hansen Fehlman. 3. July 15, 1987 -Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee meeting on medians. 4. October 1987 -Presentation to the Senior Citizen Association. The pi ans and specifications were also reviP.wed by Planning, Engineering and the Parks and Recreation Department, who a 11 gave input regarding the landscape material durin~ the design process. Add"itional analysis regarding the Magnolia Grandiflora "Majestic Beauty" has indicated the following: 1. Ten {10} Magnolia species have already been plaryted along Carlsbad Boulevard between Elm and Grand Avenue as part of the Village Faire project. 2. The Magnolia Grandiflora "Majestic Beauty" tree has also been planted in the original streetscape improvement project. The trees were located in the median between Elm and Grand Avenue on Madison and Roosevelt streets. They have been in place since 1984 and to date require very little maintenance. I AB# /~ t!J~ Page 2 3. Four (4) out of fourteen {14) cities surveyed in Southern California indicated that they use the Magno l i a Grandi flora "Majestic Beauty" in their street planting program and have found them to be relatively ~aintenattce free. 4. The streetscape landscape plan has recently won an Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects. 5. The variety specified "Majestic Beauty" does not grow as tall, broad or as fast as the standard southern Magnolia. The Majestic Beauty will only grow to a height of 35'. The Majestic Beauty will also flower at a much younger age. Staff also contacted the Landscape Architect/Planner, Pat O'Gonner who feels very strongly that the Majestic Beauty should remain as part of the streetscape program. A letter from Mr. O'Conner supporting his belief is attached to the Agenda Bill and he will also be available for a presentation and questioning if the Council desires. The Parks and Recreation maintenance staff realize that the subject Magnolia species. will drop large leaves and seed heads, but feel that the overall beauty and low maintenance makes it an excellent selection for street tree purposes. ·Al TERNATIVE If after reviewing staff's analysis and the recommendation of the streetscape landscape architect, the City Council desires to replace the Magnolia "Majestic Beauty", staff recommends that the following trees be considered: 1. Cinnamomum camphor {Camphor tree) 2. Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) 3. Pittosporum undulatum (Victorian Box) 4. Tristania conferta (Brisbane Box) FISCAL IMPACT The original bid for the Magnolia "Majestic Beauty" was $21,624. If there is a change in the species it may ~ffect the cost and/or may cause a delay in completing the project. EXHIBIT I. LettP.r dated June 5, 1989 -From Pat O' Conner • " ~•r • • AH F/G - AUSTIN H A. N S E N FEHLMAN ·GROUP- ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN PLANNING URBAN DESIGN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING DOUGLAS AUSTIN, AJA DONALD HANSEN. AIA MARK FEHLMAN, AIA RANDY ROBBINS. AJA RANDI COOPERSMITH SENIOR ASSOCIAJES: Bill CARPENTER PATRICK O'CONNOR 9605 SCRANTON RD. SUITE 202 SAN DIEGO. CA 92121 (619)458-1361 FAX (619) 458•1160 June 5, 1989 Douglas Duncanso carlsbad Park and Recreation t 200 Elm Avenue C8rlsbad. C'i 92008 Subject: Selectton of Magnolia Trees for C'.arlsbad Village Drive Deer Doug: following our telephone conversation concerning the tree selection for carlsbod Vfllage Drive, I have given It some ~ltfontll thought and conclude that the use of magnolfa trees Is stfll the most appropriate species for the village area. My decision fs further reinforced by discussions I have recently had with Robert Bichowsky, a respectedconsu1tlngarborlst here In San Oleg:>. From a maintenance viewpoint the tree is relatively easy to take care of. Magnolia's require Infrequent pruning and to Bob's knowlOOJ8 are free of Insect and.disease problems. The tree Is also known to not have an Invasive root problem (alt trees within the street right of Wf!'I are Individually deep watered by bubblers and planted with a root barrier). Magnolia's oo drop leaves. However, ~rdlng to Bob he has yet to encounter a tree that ooes not drop leaves In some form. Fortunately the leaves are lar~ thus easy to sweep or pick up unlike the Pcnxarpus tree (city aoopted tree for carlsbad Boulevard) which have small blooe like leaves. Maintenance however was not the primary reason for choosing of the magnolia. In selecting a street tree for carlsbad Vl11age Drive I wanted a tree that was both attr~tlve end memorable to visitors coming to the village. The variety of magnolia selected Is called "majestic beauty". The tree gradually reaches and eventtml height of 35 feet end has an elegant pyramidal form (at times the "majestfcel beeuty" Is t'Onfused with It's parent variety Magnolia granooflora, which ts much larger and not suitable for city streets). The most attractive f88ture of magnolia beyond It's form and dark green leaf color, are the white flowers. The flowers are both striking and beautiful as I'm sure most observers would agree. Tha flowers are also large, 8 inch across. However, since magnolia flower are only seasonal, picking up the fallen pedals should be consloored a minor issue. EXHIBIT I j • i ' 1 ' I j ' i l I ,, ' I, -~ As a flnaf, note Magnolia granooflora "Majestic Beauty" has already stood the test of time In terms of adaptabllfty.fn the VIiiage are.a. On Roosevelt Street In front of the reor-,elopment office a number of these trees have be.en planted In the median and are oofng quite well ( I should mention that cartsboo Village Drive does not have magnolias or any tree for that matter planted In the street median). A stand ff magnolias has also recently been planted along Carlsbad Boulevard In front of Nelman's restaurant. Thus, for better or worst, a precedent has already been set. I sincerely hope that we oo not have to revise the aoopte.d street tree design. Please call me should you have any further questions concerning the appropriateness of magnolias in the village area. Cordially, ~ ~O';.nor Senior Assoolate AHF/G cc C~rls Salomone POI~ t, I '+