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CC 2013-11-12_08.f. Removal of Landmark Oak TreeMEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: GEOFF ENGLISH, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORK~ SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO REMOVE A DEAD LANDMARK OAK TREE AT 551 CROWN HILL DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2013 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve a request by . the South County Historical Society to remove a dead Landmark Tree located at the Paulding House, 551 Crown Hill. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The costs for the proposed removal of the tree will be covered by the applicant. There will be minor staff time involved in processing this Landmark Tree removal request. BACKGROUND: Chapter 12.16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code details a comprehensive tree protection program known as the Community Tree Program. Section 12.16.060 establishes and regulates the Landmark Tree Program. The Landmark Tree Program was designed to protect those trees which warrant special protection and preservation because they are notable horticultural specimens or have significant aesthetic, cultural or historical value. On April 15, 1988 the Arroyo Grande City Council adopted Resolution Number 2217 designating a Coastal Live Oak tree at 551 Crown Hill as a Landmark Tree. (Attachment 1 ) On October 5, 2013, City staff received a Tree Removal Request from Kirk Scott with the South County Historical Society requesting removal of Landmark Tree #88-43 because a large portion of the tree is dead. (Attachment 2) According to the applicant a large branch already broke off the tree and damaged a bench previously placed under the tree. According to Section 12.16.060 D. of the Community Tree Program states: D. No landmark tree(s) shall be removed without the consent of the city council, nor shall any landmark trees be destroyed or damaged. Item 8.f. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO REMOVE A DEAD LANDMARK TREE AT 551 CROWN HILL NOVEMBER 12, 2013 PAGE2 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: On April 20, 1988 an evaluation of Landmark Tree #88-43 was conducted by City staff as part of the application process for landmark tree status. (Attachment 3) As stated in the report; This tree is the largest of a grove surrounding the old Paulding house. Some of the root zone had been covered with the new parking lot, which may harm the tree in the future. On October 10, 2013, City Maintenance Worker Ill and Certified Arborist Peter McClure, conducted an evaluation of the tree. This tree evaluation determined that the tree currently poses a risk to public health and safety because of decay in the scaffold branches. In addition, the tree has been in decline since 1991 and as determined by the City Arborist, this tree is not expected to recover. (Attachment 4) Due to the current condition of Landmark Tree #88-43, the potential risk to the public and the determination that the tree will not recover, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the immediate removal of this tree. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration: 1) Approve the applicants request to remove Landmark Tree #88-43; 2) Deny the request; or 5) Provide direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: Approval to remove Landmark Tree #88-43 will provide the following advantages; • Remove the potential risk to public safety • Allow for a replacement tree to be planted in this location. DISADVANTAGES: Disadvantages of this proposed tree removal include the following: • Loss of a significant and stately tree • Loss of the habitat currently provided by this tree. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: No environmental review is required for this item. Item 8.f. - Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO REMOVE A DEAD LANDMARK TREE AT 551 CROWN HILL NOVEMBER 12, 2013 PAGE3 PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The Agenda and staff report were posted on the City's website on Friday, November 8, 2013. Attachments: 1. Resolution Number 2217 2. Tree Removal Permit application 3. Tree History Report-Landmark Tree #88-43 4. Tree Removal Request-Staff Evaluation Form dated 10-10-13 Item 8.f. - Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2217 ATTACHMENT 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DESIGNATING A LANDMARK TREE 88-43 WHEREA~, Sec.10-3.06 of th• ~unlclpal Code of the City of Arroyo Grand• prov1aes for th• preservation and protection of certain trees in otrder to produce a more desirable, pleasing and beautiful community and o malntaln and enhance community historic, cultural and proP.erty va11ufes, as well as to promote the publ le health, safety, comfort, and we arei and WHEREAS, this tree at 551 Crown Hill, in the City of Arroro Grande and as located and Identified on the map attached to this reso ution& ' has been examined by the ·Parks and Recreation Director of the City o~ Arroyo Grande and has been found to be a Coast Live Oak; and WHEREAS, this tree, due to its age species, configuration, and historical value meets criteria for Lan&nark tree designation as determined by the Parks and Recreation Director and Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Arroyo Grande recommends to th• City Council that this tree should be preserved and prot•cted and designated as a Lananark tree. NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande hereby designates this tr•• &s a Landmark Tree and directs that it shall be monumented as Lancinark Tree Number 88-431 and FURTHERMORE, this tree shall be protected, preserved and maintained by the tr•• own•r and subsequ•nt tre• owners and such tree shall not be removed or destroyed by any party uni••• otherwise authorized by Sec.10-3.06 of the Municipal Code of the City of Arroyo Grande. On mot I on of Counc 11 Member Mi 11 is , seconded by Counc i I Member Johnson , and on the following roll call voh, to wit: AYES• Council Members Millis, Johnson, Porter, Moots and Mayor Mankins NOES1 None ABSENT I None the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted the 12th day of ril, .,as. ~---*~ 6tf3ca=c <""' ~~~114-.......a.......L!~~~ n•rr.,-Of' TF'ir ~ .................. i.----r-1 ATTEST1Cl~~ Q .GiµU_, I, NANCY A. DAVIS, City Cler of th• City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis Obispo, State 2ol7 California, do hereby certify that the for•going Resolution No. ~T; Is a true, full and correct copy of said Resolution past>ed and adopted at a regular meeting of said Council on the 12th day of April, 1988. WJ 1TN 1 ESS my hand and the this 15th day of April, Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande ·-~a-~ Cl y •r affixed Item 8.f. - Page 4 551 Crown Hill (Paulding House Oak Tree) AProl 007·264-049 °"""'' SOI/TH COUNTY HIS ORICAL SOC l fTY A NO PROFIT CORP POBOX633 ARROYO GRANDE CA 93420 ~ 551CROWN U Utnd Uoe Med1um-Oensrty Res•dt!n al (MO) Zonloi;: SI ~Farntly (Sf) (CH 4) Arn 31,977.83 SF (0 73 Acrfi l Item 8.f. - Page 5 CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TREE REMOVAL PERMIT LOCATION OF TREE(S) TO BE REMOVED: Property Address:S S-/ C ,(dJ../A/ ;11 L"-2 !), C. Property Owner:~u~h' ~Y /lt.y-RJ.e1cAv J:;c1.erY Mailing Address: ? CJ. ffp Y C.? J ATTACHMENT 2 Date: /0 -S-~ ii o J .f City: ///IA'tJY<Q tY£.,1JJl),0£ Zip Code: '7...?1/'.;2 / Car.tact Person: --'-"~___.!. ....... l<-'-P._,___L ............. £:......:0""'--'-T_r___ Phone #: J IJ5 /le!/ -.Y~ c? S- TREE INFORMATION: Number of Trees: ___ / ____ Species/Type: -~o=·-4-=---~=---------- Approx. Height: #tf -.S-6 1 Diameter of trunk at 4' 6" above ground: 7 1 Location of trees on the property (Provide map if necessary): /11 P tJ c-.£ o ;<:. X? ,e LJ REASON FOR REMOVAL: D DAMAGING PRIVATE/ PUBLIC PROPERTY ]!(' DEAD/ POOR TREE HEAL TH D CLEAR SITE FOR PERMITED CONSTRUCTION D UTILITY CONFLICT D EMINENT RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY D OTHER-DESCRIBE BELOW DESCRIPTIONS OF CONDITIONS:.L -~,4~~-c;_C_~~-O~t1'<~7!~/4~V'~~O_.P:-_T)#-__ ::_0_°R_£._:C J S" _£)/{A.I). DETERMINATION: D APPROVED D DENIED COMMENTS: ------------------------- TO BE REMOVED BY: D CITY D OWNER SIGNATURE -CITY APPROVAL DATE White Copy -Property Owner/Applicant Yellow Copy -Tree Removal Company Pink Copy -City of Arroyo Grande Tree Removal Permit-Rev. 12/19/2012 Item 8.f. - Page 6 Botanical Name Common Name Origin Owner(s) of Tree: Location of Tree: Date Cataloged . . TREE HISTORY ATTACHMENT 3 LANDMARK TREE # 88-43 Ouercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak California San Luis Obispo County Historical Society 551 Crown Hill Road April 20, 1988 Comments This is the largest of the grove surrounding the old Paulding house. Some of its root zone has been covered with the new parking lot, which may harm the tree in the future. This Oak was designated as a California Heritage Oak by the California Oak Foundation in October of 1990 145 Item 8.f. - Page 7 City of Arroyo Grande Department of Public Works ATTACHMENT 4 TREE REMOVAL REQUEST-STAFF EVALUATION FORM Name of Applicanto:ovtk.Co~v\1is\ ~"'".J 'Sx aJ t Date of Evaluation: t?> I, o },3 Property Address: rr:1 c /a,JJ lA. \\ \ (, I r I T I f t . 4 c_ov\\a.d oe_'f"'~V1 \<.\'f" ~ Sc..otr '- ree n orma ion 'f"' \ t"\ 1' C/lf Species/ Type: Q 4 ere i....-s a.,f!l_.' :\:cn\o. D.B.H.: . Height: -~=--4'6..L~ Regulated Tree under the Community Tree Program Ordinance: Yes-iB-No-0 Multi-Family Residential 11~Jing-D Commercial Zoning-D . Street Tree in public ROf ~ Coastal Live Oak-g--- General Condition of~: ye.IJ""v ¥C)OV-L.:t ce...e.... \ s q_\V\.llo:s\ deg) C?Y\f C).r'-=L\ I 'c:J 'rJ=a._Je-\[ f;.!/ "'""" -e-\;,,, c ~a\; CJ€'.:- Is the tree damaging private or public property? Yes-0 No-~ If yes, ~xplain: ~ ~ ote... -\'?~e..v ioLc._p \?rCA.\A.c:.h £a d~'f e.... ck, A c...o. Ys e__ dG w 0.5 «--\-o o. We_1A c b µ V\ J e,vr -\]A e t \['e e.. Does the tree presents a risk to public health and safety? \!Yes-~ No-D If yes, explain: c\ e c . .c...[ ·, vt -\-\,. "';---.5< c. ~ \<Lm, \Q lU-~<lt. e.$ ~0$.5 \Yi. ("___. ("' \ $ Q t £~\. \ '-l. -.r-e_ '-~ ... <\-~-rou.. 'C... NAME OF EVALUATOR: 'P4s:-C ~ L. U ~V--- EVALUATOR SIGNATURE: ~-DATE:~"J' ro\i,.\,,, Go\A\r·,\,J-eJ._ t-o ~ded~A-e_ o~ kft-e_-e_ f ot\it~ oa,'J.0 c ~ ~"'-e_ 9~0 ~ei.r~r ~ to <.5:>\/\.'6\-~~c.h o ""--~ 1 v i·Lo pu-op ev-\ y o v c:__v 1/\1\. as.i. 7 y eaf-5 o v-e.-·, vt.. J. e.c-\ ~ ii\. €__. cl~ e__ I VL ·,U\ <A_~Q"""Cl~~ +\.~ I -- Item 8.f. - Page 8