TITLE:
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TREE REMOVAL REQUEST AT 1960 SWAN DRIVE
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER, (714) 327-7499
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission deny the request to remove three (3) City owned trees growing in the public right-of-way on the Gannett Drive side of 1960 Swan Drive.
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BACKGROUND:
The Maintenance Services Division was contacted by the applicant on March 27, 2022, requesting the removal of the trees growing in the public right-of-way on the Gannett Drive side of 1960 Swan Drive (Attachment 1). The applicant cited an excessive amount of pine needle drop, which was dropping in the applicant’s pool causing issues with the filtration equipment. The applicant also stated the roots from the tree were causing sidewalk lifts and had damaged a private drain from the backyard to the gutter.
Four work orders were identified relating to the subject trees (Attachment 2):
• August 27, 2012 - Maintenance Services received a report that the sidewalk had sunken 2”. Maintenance staff placed one (1) asphalt ramp.
• March 16, 2015 - Maintenance Services received a request to remove a pine tree on the Gannett Drive side of the property. The arborist contacted the resident and it was agreed that the trees would be trimmed. The trees were trimmed on June 12, 2015.
• May 10, 2018 - Maintenance Services received a request to trim the trees on the Gannett Drive side of the property. The trees were trimmed on June 5, 2018.
• March 15, 2021 - Maintenance Services received a request to remove the pine tree closest to their pool on the Gannett Drive side of the property. The arborist evaluated all three (3) trees and determined that there was no justification for removal. The resident was informed of the findings.
The sidewalk, adjacent to the trees on Gannett Drive, was replaced in July 2020 as part of the Citywide Parkway Project #18-16.
The arborist evaluated the trees and the surrounding area on April 22, 2022 and determined that there was no justification for the removal of the trees at staff level. The applicant’s request for removal was denied. The applicant requested that the removal be brought forward for the Commission’s consideration as a Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, according to the Streetscape and Median Development Standards (Attachment 3).
ANALYSIS:
The three (3) trees being requested for removal are Canary Island Pine trees growing in the public right-of-way on the Gannett Drive side of the property. The trees are approximately forty-five to sixty feet (45-60’) in height. They are healthy and in good condition; and were last trimmed by West Coast Arborists on June 5, 2018.
The amount of pine needle drop beneath the trees and in the surrounding area appeared to be normal at the time of inspection. The shedding of pine needles is a natural part of the growth process for healthy pine trees.
The sidewalk adjacent to the trees have been ground previously due to lifting caused by the roots of the tree. The repairs are holding; and do not appear to be creating a significant exposure to liability for the City.
The pine trees do not meet removal criteria as a Category 1 - Health and Safety Removal. The trees are not dead, diseased or dying and do not appear to be causing a significant exposure to liability for the City.
The applicant requested that the removal be brought forward for the Commission’s consideration as a Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, according to the Streetscape and Median Development Standards (Attachment 3). The applicant has been notified of the Parks and Community Services Commission meeting and has been sent a copy of this staff report.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Commission could authorize the removal and replacement of the trees, per the Streetscape and Median Development Standards, Section 4.0.2 Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, which would require the replacement of the tree at a 3 to 1 ratio. The applicant would pay all removal and replacement costs. The arborist would determine the tree species and locations for plantings.
If the tree removals are approved by the Commission, the payment for the removal and required mitigation trees must be provided to the City prior to the removals and within one year from the date of approval, after which the approval expires.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There would be no fiscal impact to the City if the request to remove the trees were denied, or approved as a Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, as the applicant would pay all costs.
For the Commission’s information, removal cost for the trees would be $1,774.80. The replanting costs for the mitigation trees (3 - 24” box size and 6 - 15 gallon container size) would be $1,621.80. Costs are based on current City contract prices. The total cost for removal and replacement would be $3,396.60. The value of the trees is estimated to be $23,110.00.
LEGAL REVIEW:
No legal review is required for this item.
CONCLUSION:
The three (3) City owned trees that are being requested for removal are located in the public right-of-way on the Gannett Drive side of 1960 Swan Drive. The trees are in good condition and have been maintained on a regular schedule. The trees do not appear to be producing an unusual amount of needle drop for this type of tree. There are no existing concerns regarding liability or infrastructure. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission deny the request to remove the trees.