AgdaPkt 2006-09-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7A Page 1 �� T�#�#��o��r�+e Nlayc�r�n+d��►�� ��r�� y I�f��ag+er September 11, 2006 Subject Street Tree Permit Appeal Recommendatio� By Motion, uphold Staff's denial of the permit appGcation for the removal of finro Ci#y-owned Sycamore stree##rees located in the planting sfirip adjacent to 111 Nevada Stree#. Sackground The City maintains the street trees growing within the pubiic right-of-way, typically in #he planting strip located be#ween the sidewalk and curb. Trees of any size growing within the public right-of-way are protec#ed by Ordinance Secfion 29.63 through 29.76 o#the Redwood City Municipal Code. Staff manages the City-owned trees utilizing pruning and pest control. Trees are removed if found to be dead, and either dying or struc#urally unsound beyond the point that reasonable maintenance practices can restore the trees to acceptable health or structure. Property owners may apply for a permit to perform work on City-owned trees beyond what the City's maintenance practices provide. If the proposed work is found to be within acceptable industry maintenance practices and guidelines, the work is usually approved. Tree removal via a permit is approved based on staff making a finding#ha#the tree is dead, dying or structuratly unsound, or some reasonable or approved work(e.g thraugh a building permit)wil! cause the tree to die or become strUCturally unsound. Additionally, trees that are found to be causing a health hazard, such as documented allergies, may be approved for removal and replacement with anot�er tree not icnown to cause the health issues. This is the first appeal to City Council of a Street T�ee Permit since the tree program was shifted to Public Works Services from Parks and Recreation. !n this case,the tree removal is requested to create new solar access for a proposed roof-mounted solar energy system. The City has never been asked to remove street trees #or solar access before, and the decision pertaining to this matter should be considered as precedent setting. Appea!for 111 Nevada Street An application was received fram Ms. Ir�ne Bender for tt�e removal of three Sycamore trees located in the planting strip adjacen#to 117 Nevada Street. The trees were inspected within the department#irne guidelines. Staff could not find that the trees met the present standards for tree remova( and the application was not approved. The application subsequently focused on two trees. More details were presented to the City in response to Siaff requests for information to suppor# statements made by the applicant to reach a Page 1 of 3 Gm/word/counci!reports/111 Nevada appeal