AgdaPkt 2006-09-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7A Page 19 to take advantage of summer coafing beneftts and to aliow for more fight in the winter when the trees are defoliated and cooling is not needed. c} The property ovmet had rtot initiated a buifding permit appiication for the solar panels at the time of tree permit appiication. d) it has nat been presented that locating the panels on alternate raof locatians wil( require the remaval af the st�eet trees. e) There is a cost savings to #he applicant by nvt having to remave the existing trees and not having to replant trees of equal value as part of fhis proposal. fl The property owner is asking the City to favor the aesthetic concems of two adjac�nt property owners over the impacts of losing trees in the communi�y. g} Shouid ths trees be removed rior to #he soiar installation, larg� scaie shade trees will not be able to I�e pfanted for the period the sola� energy system is in place, which is in conflict with the City Councif's 1999 po(icy directive. By State iaw, Division 15, Chapter 12 of the Califomia Public Resources Code, Section 25982, the City mus# meintaln the sotar access present at the time of systern instaNatian. Small t�ess tha# da nat shade the roof may be planted. They would neeci to be carefu(iy maintained to not obstruct soiar access in the future--a maintenance cast to the City and canopy foss to the neighbarhovd. h} The cost comparisons presented by the applicant did not consider the cost avoidance of tree removal and tree rep(acement in evaluating an altemative roof#ace, i) Staff has acted in a timely manner as the applicant has provided new information far review. The first application submitta{ for #he removal af three trees was received on Navember 1, 20Q5. The trees were inspected on November 5, 2Q05 and staff provided a wri#ten response requesting additional information on Novembe� 16, 2E105. Subsequent staff contacts occurred on May 12 anci May 22, 2006. A meeting was held the same day a meeting was reques#ed on May 22, 2006. Subsequent submittals were received on May 15 and May 22, 2006. Staff mailed respanse letters on May 19 and May 23, 2006. Your most recent submittaf was received on June 20, 2006. I find that I cannot approve the tree removal permit application at this time based on the foilowing conciusions: 1) The City encourages alternative energy systems and routinely approves building permit appfications far soEar panei instalfations. The approval of previous building permits for solar panels have not requ'sred the removal of pub(icEy-awned trees. 2} The trees are not the cause of the medical condition cited as ane of the reasons for trae removal. 3) State law does not obligate the Ci#y to create the reques#ed solar access by pruning or removing street trees. Ths City wil! be obligated to maintain soiar access to the low front roof vatume on this house for as long as the so(ar energy system is instalied. 4) Removing the tress will have a negative soiar impact on the house cooling and increase the heat island efFect on the partian of Nevada Street where the trees currer�fiy provide shade. This conclusion is based on field observations and credible technical studies that have documented the cooling benefit of trees (e.g. Sacramento's Greenprint studies). 5) It appears a soiar energy sys#em could be instalied on other available raof faces without remaving the trees. Other solar panei instaliations have l�een approved in Redwood City with pane4s on more than ane roof face. 6} The cost savings of not removing and replanting the trees with trees of equal value woufd be similar to the proposed cost incrsases suggested by the applicant's solar contractar. 7) SmalE replacement trees in the public r�ght-of-way are contrary to City Counci! policy. 8} N�ighbor disapproval af a solar installation does not necessarily affect consideration af a buiiding permit. You have the right to appeai this decision. Per Section 29.76 of the Redwooc! City Municipal Code, beiaw, you may appea� #his decision in writing to the Honorable Mayar and City Council via #he City Page 2 af 3