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<br />VAN DORN ABED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS INC.
<br />81 1~ Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 ph 415.864.1921 fx 415.864.4796 va/sine. com
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<br />Page 50
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<br />The Finger Ave tree species were selected for their scale, functionality, contextual significance, and aesthetic qualities
<br />which will contribute to an overall sensible, cohesive and appropriate sense of place for the proposed neighborhood
<br />addition of Finger Ave.
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<br />A majority of the on-site significant trees have been taken into careful consideration in the site planning and
<br />architectural designs. Many of the proposed homes are sited to accommodate these trees and take advantage of their
<br />inherent size, maturity, historical significance, architectural qualities, and solar protection.
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<br />As a result, only a minimal number of trees have been removed as necessary, to preserve the overall character of the
<br />existing landscape. Many of the remaining trees are mature species with heights and canopies well into the 30-50'
<br />range. These trees, just due to their mass and girth, cannot be overlooked as the identifiers of character and context
<br />for the area and will continue to provide the backbone of the neighborhood landscape.
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<br />New species of ornamental trees have been proposed in order to blend in with the landscape aesthetics of the
<br />surrounding neighborhood. Careful attention was paid to what types of trees were found In the adjoining homes within
<br />the vicinity of this development to make sure there was a seamless continuation of the aesthetic.
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<br />CharacteristicallYI as is common practice in residential subdivisionsl buildersJ City agencies, homeowners and week-
<br />end gardeners have planted non-native, yet naturalized trees species that provide a desired aesthetic compliment to
<br />the residential architecture and as a transition to the more naturalized plantings of the native Oak Riparian Woodland.
<br />Many of these non-native ornamental trees are selected for their feasibility as street trees, patio trees, front and side
<br />yard trees for ease of maintenancel appropriate scale, and aesthetic character over the less desirable native plant
<br />species which don/t always work so well for these functions, and require considerable space and until recently not
<br />considered by many to be as aesthetically appropriate.
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<br />Consequently many City agencies, homeowners, and builders have historically planted trees that were more
<br />functionally and aesthetically appropriate for residential subdivisions such as this one with asphalt streets, concrete
<br />sidewalksJ curbs and gutters, vehicular driveways, small front yards, and narrow side yard setbacks.
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<br />This is evident in the large inventory of Magnolias, Crape Myrtles, Birches, Ginkgos, Pears, Maples, Loquat, and
<br />Liquidambar Trees defining the streetscape and accentuating the front yards of many of the surrounding homes. (
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<br />In addition, many exotic, subtropical, non-native species of trees, shrubs and ornamentals are evident as you
<br />inventory the many different homes in this neighborhood. These plants were clearly selected based on individual
<br />homeowner aesthetics for their shape, color or character and provide little or no contribution to the naturalized.
<br />landscape but for the personal tastes of those who live there and add visual interest to the landscape.
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<br />Many of the proposed trees (Magnolias, Crape Myrtles, Birches, Ginkgos, Pears, Maples, L1quidambars, and Olives) in
<br />the Finger Ave project were selected based on the fact that many of these are present already in the neighborhood, so
<br />as to make this project an extension of the existing environment.
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<br />Along with the preservation of the dominant mature oaks, bays and other trees, these new trees for the streetscape
<br />and front yard landscaping will be an appropriate addition and an aesthetic compliment to their counterparts already
<br />present in the surrounding Finger Ave Neighborhood.
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<br />Respectfully yours,
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<br />?-1~
<br />
<br />Zeki Abed
<br />LA Lic #3402, NV # 465
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<br />Van Oern Abed Landscape Architects, Inc.
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