HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - Amendment to Heliotrope Avenue Street Tree DesignationCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 7
September 28, 2010
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: General Services Department
Mark Harmon, Director, (949) 644 -3055
m harmona, newpo rtbeachca. gov
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution to Amend the Street Tree Designation List for
Heliotrope Avenue
ISSUE:
Amending the street tree designation for Heliotrope Avenue to provide a tree species
that will adapt well to that neighborhood while providing residents with a choice of trees
for their property.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) to amend the City Street Tree Designation for
Heliotrope Avenue to remove the Japanese Black Pine and list the Kentia Palm and
Dwarf Southern Magnolia as the designated tree species for that neighborhood.
BACKGROUND:
At their May 4, 2010 meeting, the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB &R)
voted to recommend that the City Council change the designated street tree listing for
Heliotrope Avenue from the Japanese Black Pine to three (3) different tree species: the
Kentia Palm, Hong Kong Orchid, and the New Zealand Christmas Tree (Attachment 2).
Designating a new street tree species for the Heliotrope neighborhood is the first step in
the process of replacing pine trees that have been removed due to disease and /or
storm related incidents.
Staff presented the PB &R recommendation at the May 25, 2010 City Council meeting
(Attachment 3). At that meeting, Council Member Gardner requested that the item be
continued so that she could meet with residents of Heliotrope regarding the
recommended species of replacement trees. On July 22, 2010, Council Member
Gardner and city staff held a community meeting at the Central Library with many
Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope Avenue
September 28, 2010
Page 2
thorough discussion of several species of trees that would work well in that area, the
residents overwhelmingly selected the Kentia Palm and the Dwarf Southern Magnolia
as their choice for the new designated street tree for the neighborhood (Attachment 4).
On September 7, 2010, PB &R voted to recommend that the City Council change the
designated street tree for Heliotrope Avenue from the Japanese Black Pine to the
Kentia Palm and the Dwarf Southern Magnolia (Attachment 5).
FINANCIAL REVIEW:
The General Services Department budgets for the replacement of City trees in account
#3180 - 80806. There is no financial impact due to the recommended change in tree
designation for a particular street.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this project exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Section (15301(h)- existing
facilities /maintenance of existing landscaping) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code
of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential to have a significant
effect on the environment.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This agenda item may be noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in
advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this report.
Submitted /Prepared by:
Mark Harmon'
General Services Director
Attachments:
1) Resolution
2) PB &R Staff Report (May 4, 2010) w/o attachments
3) City Council Staff Report (May 25, 2010) w/o attachments
4) Photos of Kentia Palm and Dwarf Southern Magnolia
5) PB &R Staff Report (September 7, 2010) w/o attachments
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
REMOVING THE JAPANESE BLACK PINE AND LISTING THE KENTIA PALM AND
DWARF SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA AS THE DESIGNATED TREE SPECIES FOR
THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHEREAS, it has been determined that there is a need to change the
designated street tree for Heliotrope Avenue from the Japanese Black Pine to the
Kentia Palm and Dwarf Southern Magnolia and,
WHEREAS, Section 13.08.020 of the Newport beach Municipal Code provides
that the City Council must adopt an official tree list by resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach that the street tree for Heliotrope Avenue is hereby designated as the Kentia
Palm and the Dwarf Southern Magnolia.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
ADOPTED this 28th day of September, 2010.
Keith Curry, Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani Brown, City Clerk
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PB &R Commission Agenda
Item No.
Mav 4, 2010
TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: City Street Tree Designation
Recommendation
Consideration of the request to designate the Howea forsteriana - Kenita Palm, Bauhinia
blakeana- Hong Kong Orchid and Metrosideros excelsus- New Zealand Christmas Tree as the
designated street trees on Heliotrope Avenue (200 -300 blocks).
Background
The City Street Tree Designation List was adopted by the City Council in May 2000
(Attachment A) after a thorough review by the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation (PB & R)
Commission. The list designates specific species of trees for future planting in parkways
and/or medians of a City street to promote uniformity of the street treescapes.
The Street Tree Designation List is maintained and reviewed on an annual basis by City staff
in accordance with Section 13.08.020 of the Municipal Code (Official Tree List) and City
Council Policy G -6 (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees). Any changes,
recommendations, or resident request for changes are forwarded to the PB & R Commission
for consideration.
Discussion
Over a period of time, several City trees have been removed on Heliotrope Avenue (200 -300
blocks), due to storm related incidents, insect infestations and disease. City staff propose to
plant trees within the affected area due to the multiple tree vacancies.
The current designated street tree for Heliotrope Avenue is a Pious thunbergiana - Japanese
Black Pine (Attachment B). This tree species is a slow growing pine tree with an eventual
height of 10 feet. However, several residents within this community have requested an
alternative tree species with a larger canopy and height.
Staff is recommending a variety of three tree species (Deciduous, Evergreen and Palm tree
types) to provide diversity and selection for the community. Recent studies and research
within the arboriculture discipline have recommended diversity for tree planting within the
urban forest, due to increasing problems of disease and insects. Diversity provides a
mitigation tool to prevent massive loss of one tree species on a particular street. due to an
insect or disease that can quickly destroy one tree species. Additionally, allowing residents to
select between a deciduous, evergreen and palm species of trees, allows them to enhance
landscape themes that already exist on their property. It also provides them with a choice in
the selection process, which generally leads to better maintenance and protection of the newly
planted street tree.
Staff has determined that the Kentia Palm, Hong Kong Orchid and New Zealand Christmas
Tree varieties of trees will help mitigate any future insect and disease problems and perform
well in this location, since the trees are suitable for a 3 feet growth space tree well. A map and
information regarding the proposed trees are attached (Attachments C & D). The trees will be
a welcome enhancement to this community.
Council Member Nancy Gardner has received a copy of this report. The affected property
owners received a notice of the Commission meeting.
a
Submitted'by:,
Mark Harmon
Attachments: (A) City of Newport Beach Designated Street Tree List May 2000
(B) Japanese Black Pine tree photo
(C) Description and photos of proposed designated street trees
(D) Aerial map
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 12
May 25, 2010
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: General Services Department
Mark Harmon, Director
(949) 644 -3055
mha rmon(o) newportbeachca.gov
SUBJECT: Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope Avenue
ISSUE:
Should the City Council amend the City Street Tree Designation List for Heliotrope
Avenue?
RECOMMENDATION:
Amend the City Street Tree Designation List for Heliotrope Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
In May 2000, the City Council adopted a City Street Tree Designation List that specifies
species of trees for future planting in parkways and /or medians of a City street. Per City
Council Policy G-6, staff will review this list and recommend changes to the Parks,
Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB &R) for consideration and recommendation
to the City Council
Due to storm related incidents, insect and disease problems, and infrastructure conflict
(growth space vs. curb /gutter /sidewalk damage), many of the Japanese Black Pine
trees on Heliotrope Avenue have failed or have had to be removed due to potential
failure. This has resulted in multiple tree vacancy sites in this neighborhood. Staff
arborists believe that the Japanese Black Pine is not a suitable replacement tree for this
neighborhood.
On May 4, 2010, staff brought forward to the Parks Beaches and Recreation
Commission (PB &R) a recommendation to change the street tree designation on
Heliotrope Avenue from the current listed species, the Japanese Black Pine, to three (3)
different species: Kenita Palm, Hong Kong Orchid, and the New Zealand Christmas
Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope Avenue
May 25, 2010
Page 2
Tree. Designating three (3) different species for this neighborhood will add diversity to
the urban forest, and provide residents with a choice when selecting the type of tree
they would like in front of their home. These species will also do well in the limited
growth space available within that street and, therefore, will limit impacts to public and
private property.
PB &R voted unanimously to recommend to City Council a change in street tree
designation for the 200 and 300 block of Heliotrope Avenue (attachment 1). Staff is
recommending that City Council approve this change for the 200 through 700 block of
Heliotrope to be consistent throughout the entire neighborhood.
Financial Review
The General Services Department budgets for the replacement of City street trees in
account #3180 - 80806. There is no financial impact due to the change in tree
designation for a particular street.
Environmental Review.
This project does not require environmental review because it has no potential for
resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Public Notice:
This agenda item may be noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in
advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Legal Review
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this report.
General Services Director
Attachments
1) PB &R Staff Report (May 4, 2010) w/o attachments.
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PB&R Commission Agenda
Item No.
September 7, 2010
TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: City Street Tree Designation:
Recommendation
Amend the City Street Tree Designation list for Heliotrope Avenue to list the Kentia Palm and
Dwarf Southern Magnolia as the designated trees species for that neighborhood.
Background
The City Street Tree Designation List was adopted by the City Council in May 2000 after a
thorough review by the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation (PB &R) Commission. The list
designates specific species of trees for future planting in parkways and/or medians of a City
street to promote uniformity of the street treescapes.
The Street Tree Designation List is maintained and reviewed on an annual basis by City staff
in accordance with Section 13.0$.020 of the Municipal Code (Official Tree List) and City
Council Policy G -6 (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees). Any changes,
recommendations, or resident requests are forwarded to the PB &R Commission for
consideration.
Discussion
At the May 4`h PB &R meeting, staff recommended three different tree species for Heliotrope
Avenue to provide diversity and selection for the community: Kentia Palm, Hong Kong
Orchid, and the New Zealand Christmas Tree. Several City trees have been removed on
Heliotrope Avenue due to storm related incidents, insect infestations and disease. City staff
proposes to plant trees within the affected areas due to the number of existing tree vacancies
(Attachment A). The current designated street tree Heliotrope Avenue is a Pinus thunbergiana
(Japanese Black Pine).
The Commission unanimously agreed to forward their recommendation to City Council that
the designated street tree for the 200 -300 block of Heliotrope be changed from the Japanese
Black Pine to the Kentia Palm tree, Hong Kong Orchid tree and the New Zealand Christmas
tree.
At the May 25 "i, City Council meeting. several residents expressed concerns regarding the
proposed tree species. Council Member Gardner requested that the item be continued so she
could meet with Heliotrope Avenue residents about the selections (Attachment B).
On July 22 "d. Council Member Nancy Gardner, General Services Director Mark Harmon, and
Urban Forester John Conway held a Community meeting at the Central Library with residents
of Heliotrope Avenue. The meeting allowed residents to voice their concerns and provide
their opinion of the best tree species for the community. After a thorough discussion,
residents decided that they would like the Kentia Palm and Dwarf Southern Magnolia as the
designated tree for their neighborhood (Attachment Q. Staff concurred with the proposed
selected tree species.
Council Member Nancy Gardner has received a copy of this report. The affected property
owners received a notice of the Commission meeting (Attachment D).
Submitt e by:
Mark Harmon
Attachments: (A) PB & R Commission, May 4, 2010, City Street Tree Designation Report
(B) City Council, May 25, 2010, Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope
Avenue Report
(C) Pictures of Proposed Tree Species
(D) Map of Affected Property Owners Noticed