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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 - Trees on Holiday Road AppealOF NEW PORT % R BEACH �� City Council Staff RP, p iii r Agenda Item No. 24 November 1 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Municipal Operations Department Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Department Director 949 644 -3055, mharmon(ilnewportbeachca.gov APPROVED: & TITLE: APPEAL THE PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION'S DECISION REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF EIGHTEEN (18) BLUE GUM EUCALYPTUS TREES ON HOLIDAY ROAD RECOMMENDATION: Municipal Operations staff recommends that City Council reverse the decision of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission (PB &R) and direct staff to have the eighteen (18) Blue Gum Eucalyptus (BGE) trees on Holiday Road removed, repair turf and minor softscape, and work with the affected residents on selecting replacement trees for the neighborhood. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: The current adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this project. It will be expensed to the Tree Reforestation Account in the Municipal Operations Department, 3180- 80806. DISCUSSION: Due to the recent failure of two (2) large BGE's trees, one on Irvine Avenue and one on Fourth Street (CdM), the City retained the services of a private firm, R. Dan Jensen, Inc. to evaluate the remaining BGE's as to their potential for failure. During the month of APPEAL THE PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION'S DECISION REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF EIGHTEEN (18) BLUE GUM EUCALYPTUS TREES ON HOLIDAY ROAD November 22, 2011 Page 2 October, 2011, Mr. Jensen, a certified arborist, evaluated the eighteen (18) BGE's located in the 2200 block of Holiday Road. In Mr. Jensen's analysis, he evaluates each individual tree on characteristics, health, site conditions, potential threats, and tree defects. Following the on -site inspection of the trees, Mr. Jensen rated fourteen (14) of the trees as having a HIGH RISK of failure, with the remaining four (4) trees having a MODERATE RISK of failure. Due to the fact that the BGE's on Holiday Road are designated as Special Neighborhood Trees, G -1 Policy requires PB &R Commission approval prior to removal. On November 1, 2011, staff brought this issue to the PB &R Commission with the recommendation that the eighteen (18) BGE's be removed and replaced. A copy of the PB &R agenda report and power point presentation is attached to this report. Following staffs presentation and public comment from six residents (five residing on Holiday Road), the Commission voted 4 to 3 to retain the BGE's on Holiday Road. The 3 members of the Commission in favor of the removals expressed their concerns regarding the risks to life and property given the possibility of failure of these huge trees. Commissioners that voted against the removals expressed concerns that everything had been done to mitigate the potential of tree failure, such as placing a very large supporting stake next to the trees, reducing the canopy, and /or x- raying (resistograph) the trees. Mr. Jensen, along with the City certified arborists, determined that these actions would not decrease the threat of failure due to the extreme size of the BGE's on Holiday Road. In fact, the use of a resistograph to attempt to measure internal decay may in fact result in a false negative given that the decay may be located in the center of the large trunk area or in the below ground root structure that would not be evident during a resistograph test. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. • APPEAL THE PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION'S DECISION REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF EIGHTEEN (18) BLUE GUM EUCALYPTUS TREES ON HOLIDAY ROAD November 22, 2011 Page NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). In addition, individual notices of the meeting were mailed to twenty -six (26) residents /homeowners on Holiday Road. Submitted by: i Mark Harmon Director Attachments: A. November 1, 2011, PB &R Agenda Report: Special Tree Removal Request- Holiday Road w/ attachment. B. November 1, 2011, PB &R Power Point Presentation: Removal of Blue Gum Eucalyptus Trees on Holiday Road 3 r TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission FROM: Mark Harmon, Director of Municipal Operations SUBJECT: Special Tree Removal Request- Holiday Road Recommendation PB &R Commission Agenda Item No. _4_ November 1, 2011 Staff recommends that the Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB &R) Commission approve the removal of eighteen (18) Blue Gum Eucalyptus Trees located on the 2200 block of Holiday Road. Discussion Following the tragic accident in September when a Blue Gum Eucalyptus (BGE) tree fell and took the life of a motorist on Irvine Avenue, the City immediately hired an outside certified arborist to work with staff arborists to evaluate the remaining BCE's in the City (250 +) and determine the safety of these large trees. The contract certified arborist, R. Dan Jensen & Associates, Incorporated, was given specific areas to evaluate first given the density and location of the BGE's. These areas included Irvine Avenue, Fourth Avenue in Corona Del Mar, Holiday Road, and the Castaways Park Bike /Pedestrian Path. On October 5`h, while the arborist was inspecting the trees on Fourth Avenue, another BGE failed at Fourth Avenue and Goldenrod Avenue severely damaging three cars and caused damage to a neighboring home. This tree failure was followed immediately by the emergency removal of four additional BGE's in that area. The report regarding the BGE trees on Holiday Road was recently completed and submitted to the City. Arborists evaluate the health and potential failure of the tree based on the following five criteria in the Tree Inspection Process: 1) Characteristics - size, age, and history 2) Health- foliage density, woundwood development, vigor 3) Site Conditions- landscape type, irrigation, obstructions 4) Potential Threats- use in failure zone, occupancy 5) Tree Defects- crown defects, lean The information from this inspection process is used to rate each individual tree according to ANSI (American National Standards Institute, Inc.) A300 Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Structure Assessment. The numerical ratings in determining the potential risk for tree failure is as follows: 0 - 2 points: ZERO RISK 3 - 5 points: LOW RISK 6 - 8 points: MODERATE RISK i 9 - 11 points: HIGH RISK 12 points: EXTREME RISK Trees with a risk assessment of 11 or 12 should be removed immediately (emergency removal). Trees in the 8 to 10 range should be considered for removal as soon as possible, i.e. Commission meeting, etc. Trees with a 6 or 7 rating should be monitored very closely. The eighteen (18) BGE trees located on the 2200 block of Holiday Road were evaluated in October, and fourteen (14) of these trees received a risk assessment rating of HIGH RISK. The remaining four (4) trees scored in the MODERATE RISK category. Staff is recommending removal of all 18 trees due to the fact that given the "windrow" method of planting these trees (planting as close to each other as possible to deflect wind) removing one tree may impact the health/root structure of surrounding trees. With Commission's approval, staff will schedule the immediate removal of these trees. Notices will be mailed to impacted residents and posted on the trees. The BGE's will be removed at city expense and, following removal, the city will repair damaged irrigation and place grass /sod on the disrupted area at city expense. However, the city cannot replace gardens or other custom infrastructure such as fences, brick walls, fountains, etc. Within the next 60 days, staff will work with each individual homeowner on selecting a replacement tree. The replacement trees will be supplied and planted at city expense. Public Notice A total of 26 homes received notice of this meeting per G -1 Policy. The mailing notice and map are attached. Attachment: Mailing Notice and Map 5 The Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Gum Eucalyptus trees on the 2200 block of IIoliday her meeting. Attendance at the meeting is optional. DATE: Tuesday November 1, 2011 TIME: 6:00 p.m. LOCATION: - City Council Chambers Newport Beach City Hal! 3300 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663 will consider the removal of the Blue Road in Newport Beach at its Novem- If you have any questions regarding this meeting, you may contact the Municipal Operations Department at (949) 644 -3055. M Hafiday Rd Proposed Tree Removal Ilk x:ry^ / IPA 9S •'O \ '�� / ` 111 ry / � v � °� �, ti � \ �� 2pS \�\ i b9ti^ �•69 °° / 1 1862 /\ /'�/ •yb °. �9 1731 9 / ry / .\ .cpe� ,'° /� ` \w >ps goo �2oss �• \/ �� � °,�a /�. A° � J:�: ;QOM q�RO 1 •iy ry^ ooR ,`,\ 6, � \'pvy \•. / \/`•2 s2 > / \y� J atiti / �`�, o '9a / ti� / 1^�0� ti� > ��\ / \ & >S / >iy\ / / �PJ� dp \C >SCGD\ / o Proposed Trees to be Removed \ �° e \ ® Notification Area ^04. 0 200 400 iiiiiiii \� \ / tl Feet ?p3, /A \ ?O� J \ \ \ 10242011 RolidayRd • Rel reslao6nRequestArea J 7�� /. •'gyp , ;� 71, 3 Y \ 2 \ J> CF / r y�9y gp, o ;p2 la QO - Kemova%l of Blue Gum Eucalyptus Trees 1 Holiday Rd Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting November 1, 2011 F0.7 Its • Irvine Aver Median- 100- Blue Guru Eucalyptus trees inspected, evaluated, and removed • Contract Arborisf Hired- Inspecting and evaluating the remaining 250+ Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees • Fourth Ave, Holudlay Rd, and Castaways Park Bike Path- Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees in these areas have been identified for priority inspection and evaluation by Contract Arborist • Fourth Ave Removals. 33 Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees were removed between October 17 - 21. Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 1, 2011 C) ® Characteristics size, age, pruning history Health ® foliage density, woundwood development, vigor ® Site Conditions ® Landscape type, irrigation, obstructions ® Potential Targets ® use under tree, occupancy Tree Defects ® crown defects, lean Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 1, 2011 ANSI 300 (Pert 9) Free Risk Assessment ❑ probability of failure ❑ size of defective part ❑ target area Zero risk Love risk Moderate risk High risk Extreme risk 0 — 2 points 3 — 5 points 6 — 8 points 9 — 11 points 12 points Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 1, 2011 M. i� � � �� %� � Iii � i 'vi/ . ' {�,, so,' 0 (�.� Blue Gum Eucalyptus trr,:es ® Zero —Low Risk 0 D Moderate Risk 4 High —Extreme Risk 14 0 o Zero - Low Risk El Moderate Risk ® High - Extreme Risk Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 1, 2011 M %,1 f �� i , * Paid at City expense Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting— November 1, 2011 Municipal Operations Director rnharmon @newportbeachca.gov (949) 644 - 3055 Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 1, 2011 Removal of Blue Gum Eucalyptus Trees on Holiday Rd City Council Meeting November 22, 2011 Recent &ents 'O'h Ave. 0 ; Gum- 'Eucalyptus IrViTeAve. Medwah: + Blue ULA trees inspected, d I, ated and removed ■ Contract Arboirmt Wiftdo . tn:sp,00tin, g, ;a 'h,d evaluating the remaining, 250+ Blue G um Eu.,ca YO, us., trees ■ Fourth Ave, Holiday alko, Path: B=lue Gum Areas have been iden- andevaluation by,'C,,,or �a Park: , k an-&C,,as. t ways %alyptus-tre-es h these If r priority inspection ■ FGufth Ave Removals: 33, Blue Gum Elucalylptus, trees were removed between October 17 - 21. Holiday Rd Recommendation: 18 Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees recommended for removal by, Eucalyptus =arboritqt,jand staff on November 1. MaLiting • er 22, 20.1,11 I Tree Impie, , 'on Proc.esss ■ 'C"h,,,,a,,ra- ateristicss- ii size, age, pruning his , tory. ■ Health ❑ foli4g0,40Wty, ob e Q foliage -,; wauldw-Oad 40V 1 1. Om", � vigor ■ Site CondtionSl ❑ landscape .type; irrigation, obstructions m Potential Targets. ❑ use undertree, Qccupahoy. m Tree DeWs ❑ crown,deifectsj, loon Navemb; Tree Rating Process ■ ANSI 300 (Part 9) Tree Risk Assessment o probability of failure ❑ size of defective part o target area Zero risk Low risk Moderate risk High risk Extreme risk City Council Meeting --November 22„ 2011 0 — 2 points 3 — 5 points 6 — 8 points 9 — 11 points 12 points Holiday Rd Tree Ratings ■ Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees ❑ Zero —Low Risk 0 ❑ Moderate Risk 4 ❑ High —Extreme Risk 14 City Council Meeting — November 22, 2011 R-,,,.e,,c.om men dation to PR&IR 'Commission on N,ovexm bey Vt Remove, and replace 18 Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees-, Identified as M ode rate ris k and above, ■ IP irrigation ' r and Repair and replace irrigation �a R sod damaged during, the removal process* ■ Replace removed trees from a selection of approved spedes* * At City expense Meeting — Noyemte-rZi,461 f P.B&R Commission Decision I ■ -Commfs-"Sm - i I on:er.,- voted 4 to 3 to retain the trees on Holiday Rd uCCommi'ss-i-oners, in favor of the removals expressed their (;,Oncerft'S, reg.arditig, .the rtsvkt, 'to life'. and prOperty., given° the possibility-, of failure, ❑ co m m iss loners, opposed to the removals expressed their concern's that every-thing had been done, to mitigate, the potential r of tree failure —November 22, 20.1°7, Applea I to City Councl I ■ Staff recommends that the City Court, I re'vvense, the,, ,decision of the PB& R. Commission and 0 direct staff to I L3 Remove and rep ace 18; Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees identified as Moderate risk, and above ❑ Repair and replace, irrigation and sod -damaged during the removal procese- L3 Replace removed trees from aselection of approved species* p I.&C-ity,expense , C'Hv_rr l Msetinu —, er 22, 20.1,11 'Contact Information ■ MarkHarmon Municipal Operations 0rect I , -, , or (949),644 .3055 Novemb;