Reso PC15-01 PC Reso (3051 ) to Adopt Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration - La Palma

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3.0 Environmental Impact Checklist Long-term indirect effects could result from the loss of nesting habitat due to removal of these trees. The project would retain 10 out of 35 trees onsite and would be required to mitigate the loss of the remaining protected trees by planting replacement trees at a value determined by the City's Landscape Architect,but not less than 1:1 (see Mitigation Measure BIO-2,under section e) below). At a minimum, post-construction, there would be the same amount of trees on-site as before construction of the project,providing similar nesting habitat for the same types of urban avian species that currently may use the site. Impacts would be less than significant. e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources,such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? Less-than-Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. The City's Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 35 of the City's Municipal Code)protects all trees growing on private property with a trunk size that exceeds 38 inches in circumference (12 inches in diameter) measured between 6 and 36 inches above ground. The ordinance also protects trees designated as "heritage trees," which are trees of historical significance, trees indigenous to the area, or a tree that is part of a group of trees dependent on the other trees for survival. A Tree Survey/Arborist Report(Appendix A)prepared for the project identifies the species, size, and conditions of the protected trees on the project site. Table 2 summarizes the protected and total trees on the project site. -1 . ? urn-r^I !'rV' i Pro -6. lees and Tree Removal Protected Trees Non-Protected Trees Total Trees (including heritage trees) - I Currently existing 14 21 35 To be removed I 10 15 I 25 To be retained _- J — — 4 6 --- f 1 - — --10 — -- Under the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance, the project applicant would be required to obtain a permit for the removal of the 10 protected trees on the project site, as well as to implement measures to safeguard the other four protected trees that would not be removed. Implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-2 and BIO-3 would ensure compliance with the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance in order to ensure that potentially significant impacts to trees would not occur. Mitigation Measure BIO-2: The applicant shall be required to submit a final landscape plan to Planning Services for review and approval prior to issuance of the Grading Permit.The landscape plan shall identify the protected trees for removal and the replacement trees proposed,in accordance with the Tree Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 35 of the Redwood City Municipal Code.The number, species, size,and location of replacement trees shall be based on a value assessment prepared by a certified arborist and agreed upon by the City's Landscape Architect. Trees shall be replaced at a minimum of a 1:1 ratio, and shall be at Ieast 24-inch box specimens. Approval of the landscape plan may be by means of a signed and stamped signature La Palma Subdivision Project Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 29