After I complained about The Burlingame Voice’s recent article concerning the magnolia trees on Broadway, I was asked to write an opposing view. In general, I agree with many of the opinions expressed in The Voice. I strongly believe that Burlingame’s charming character is under attack and that we must fight to save it through design review and preservation efforts.
However, I do not think the magnolia trees on Broadway represent a simple preservation question. Should we save the trees - Yes or no? Certainly 99.9 percent of residents and our local government would answer, Yes, save the trees!
The invasive roots of the magnolia trees forced the council to act. They could have chosen to save the magnolias. Under this scenario, four trees were slated for removal and the roots of others would have been trimmed and sidewalks patched. This cycle would continue and more mature trees would be replaced with small trees. Five years from now we would be left with a very inconsistent streetscape. We would have less than we have today.
The Council chose a bolder approach - start fresh. Widen the cramped sidewalks from 6 to 9 feet, provide new smooth paving and plant more trees than we have today. Although the recent tree removal and its associated revealing of the many ugly facades that line Broadway horrified me, I continue to believe that the street improvement plan is the right long term approach. Five years from now, instead of narrow, patched sidewalks lined by trees of varying sizes, we will have wider, brighter sidewalks with a consistent landscape.
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