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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/2003 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Ad Hoc Tree Committee of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission April 24, 2003- 7pm 1. Called to order at 7pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Skoro, Tobin Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation 13 Senior Services Director David Niederhaus, General Services Director Dan Ohl, Deputy City Attorney John Conway, Urban Forester Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant Public Present: Barry Allen Alan Beek Linda Grant (BAS) Virginia Herberts Yvonne Houseels Iris Kimmel (HVH) Tess Lier (Cameo Shores HOA) Diane Meyer (Harbor View Hills HOA) Mark Truman Jan Vandersloot (BAS /SPON) 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON- AGENDA ITEMS - None. 3. MINUTES - APRIL 10, 2003 Continued to next meeting of May 15, 2003. 4. REPORTS a. Report from Deputy Citv Attornev regarding history of illegal tree removals and the applicability of Ordinance 13.08 Deputy City Attorney Ohl commented on the history of prosecuting illegal tree removals with the court system as well as pursuing them through the small claims court process. b. Report from General Services Director regarding current tree replacement policies and an update on the City of Costa Mesa tree replacement program Director Niederhaus reviewed the Costa Mesa policy as noted in the staff report. Urban Forester Conway reviewed the survey of the cities of Irvine, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach. c. Report from General Services Director regarding increased tree maintenance activities including annual trimming and root pruning and root barrier programs. Director Niederhaus reviewed current budget and policy for the annual trimming, root pruning and root barriers. d. Report from General Services Director regarding staff suggested changes to the G -1 Policy. Director Niederhaus reviewed the staff report with the Committee. He stated that even with tree removals that many more trees have been planted than removed. Some Ad Hoc Tree Committee April 24, 2003 Page 2 of the reasons for removals have been because of the wrong species being planted years ago. 5. Public Testimony regarding the General Area of Specific Issues the Committee should consider during its review Linda Grant thanked Director Niederhaus and Urban Forrester John Conway for their education and stated that she would like to give her time to Jan Vandersloot. Jan Vandersloot distributed a memo and commented that changes made by staff to the G -1 Policy were not too bad, but that a Tree Ordinance is needed to enforce the policy and to have more certainty to what will happen to a tree. He commented on the Costa Mesa 3 to 1 replacement policy of two 24" boxed and one 15' box tree is certainly better than one 36" tree, since that size tree is so hard to find. He asked the Committee to remember that a small tree should not reforest a large canopy tree. He stated that the Costa Mesa replacement policy is much more effective. Mr. Vandersloot also commented that the notices for removal should be at eye level when affixed to the tree. Mr. Conway stated that they have had to move the notices higher as people remove them on a frequent basis. Jan Vandersloot also noted that special treatments to a tree must be done before a Special Tree is ever removed. Commissioner Skoro asked if Mr. Vandersloot's memo was a consensus from the 50 members of the Balboa Arbor Society. Mr. Vandersloot stated that the BAS had not had a meeting yet and that the memo was actually his personal comments. Barry Allen stated that views are the most important issue to any homeowners with a view. Any tree that blocks a view should be removed without discussion. He commented that Newport Beach is a view city and not a tree city. The policy should make it easier for homeowners to remove trees, this would cut down on funds used by the City. Chair Allen asked Mr. Allen to put his comments in writing and submit them to Teri Craig, which he agreed to do. Virginia Herberts stated that she totally disagrees with Mr. Allen and reminded the Committee that trees actually enhance views. Kathy Young, Cameo Shores Association, stated that the tree policy we have would be more appropriate for eastern cities not for Newport Beach. When people think of Newport Beach they think of views of the water, not trees. She commented that most of the trees planted in the City are not natural. She recommended that nothing over 8 feet be planted. The City should encourage views of the ocean as trees do not benefit from this environment. She commented that this is not a tree city and that the committee should rethink the whole reason to even have a tree policy. Tess Lier also commented that Newport Beach is not a tree city but a view city. Land values are based on ocean views not tree views. She also questioned the wisdom of replacing one tree with 2 or 3 when the replacement is being done because of a problem. She commented that planting two 24" box trees is just ridiculous. Ms. Lier stated that the City should allow the immediate areas to decide what they want. Neighborhood association's should be the ones that Ad Hoc Tree Committee April 24, 2003 Page 3 determine what should and should not be planted. She also noted that the homeowner should be considered not the tree. Diane Meyer, Harbor View Hills South, stated that she represents a view community. She stated that Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach have a one to one replacement policy with using a 15 gallon replacement tree. She commented that it is not always practical to replace a tree. She also stated that these decisions should be left up to the homeowners association. The homeowner should want the tree if they are going to be responsible for it. She stated that there should be a different set of tree rules for view communities. Iris Kimmel, Harbor View Hills Homeowners Association commented that the homeowners association should control the trimming cycle. She commented that they would not presume to select the type of trees to be planted, but should be allowed to know when trimming is needed. She commented that the City can't come into our community and tell us what we want. She commented that the Association would bear the cost for supplemental tree trimming. Yvonne Houssels, stated that she is speaking for 150 homes that are concerned about views. She stated that if we are going to have a tree ordinance then a view ordinance is necessary. . She stated that staff should look at the tree ordinances of Palos Verdes and Laguna Beach. She commented that trees must be pruned when they obstruct views. Allen Beek reminded the Committee that the City seal does not include trees, only water and sails. He commented that people should be able to decide if they even want a tree planted in their parkway. He stated that public views must be protected. Mark Truman, Harbor View Hills, commented that he has a view property and why should he be forced to take care of trees that he does not even want. Jan Vandersloot stated that he has nothing against the view communities but that types of trees should be considered before planting them. He commented that the City has made the decision that they value trees. He commented that it is intriguing to think that HOA's might be responsible for supplemental trimming thus some of the costs could be shifted from the City. He stated that some of the problems with the G -1 is that Roto Rooter costs should not be considered damage as it is just normal wear and tear on sewer lines. He stated that the appeals process should be reviewed and that the City should have more trees, as trees add value to the overall look of the City. Tess Lier stated that the G -1 Policy is not being undermined if there are only 2 -4 illegal removals a year. Views must be protected. Stringent rules cause more problems. 6. Public Comments on Non - Agenda Items None 7. Committee Direction to Staff Chair Allen stated asked staff to categorize the comments presented tonight into a report for the next meeting on May 15, 2003. The Committee requested that the BAS submit to the Committee their formal response outlining their concerns and issues with the current G1 policy by May 6, 2003 in order to provide the Committee sufficient time to review their comments prior to the May 15 `" meeting. Ad Hoc Tree Committee April 24, 2003 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT - 8:45pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin Assistant