HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Street Tree Designation - Quiet CoveEW P�j �
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TO:
CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 12
May 22, 2012
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Municipal Operations Department
Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Department Director
949 644 -3055, mharmon a- newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Department Director
APPROVED:
TITLE: Street Tree Designation - Quiet Cove
RECOMMENDATION:
Municipal Operations staff recommends that the City Council consider the
recommendation from the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation (PB &R) Commission, and
approve a change in Street Tree Designation for Quite Cove from the Hong Kong
Orchid (Bauhinia blakeana) to the Australian Willow (Geijera parviflora).
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no financial impact to the City due to a change in Street Tree Designation for a
particular street.
DISCUSSION:
The Harbor View Hills South Homeowners Association (HVHS) has requested to
change the designated street tree from the Hong Kong Orchid to the Australian Willow
tree on Quiet Cove. Currently, there are five (5) City Brisbane Box trees planted on this
street. The Brisbane Box trees have been a long standing maintenance problem for this
neighborhood primarily due to view impairment issues. Staff has determined that the
Australian Willow tree will help mitigate any future public property damage and view
encroachment issues, as the tree is suitable for a 5' tree well and can be maintained at
a height suitable for view planes and utility line clearance due to its moderate growth
Street Tree Designation - Quiet Cove
May 22, 2012
Page 2
and spreading habit. The Willow is an excellent coastal tree that tolerates poor soil,
strong winds and seaside climate. On May 1, 2012, the PB &R Commission voted
unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the Australian Willow as the
designated street tree for Quiet Cove.
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.
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). A copy of the agenda report
was also sent to the Harbor View Hills South Homeowners Association.
Mark Harmon
Director
Attachment: May 1, 2012, PB &R Agenda Report: City Street Tree Designation -
Quiet Cove (w /o attachments).
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TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
FROM: Mark Harmon, Director of Municipal Operations
SUBJECT: City Street Tree Designation — Quiet Cove
Recommendation
PB &R Commission Agenda
Item No. 5A
May 1, 2012
That Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB &R) Commission recommend to the City Council
that the Street Tree Designation on Quiet Cove (Corona del Mar) be changed from the current
Hong Kong Orchid (Bauhinia blakeana) to the homeowners choice of the Australian Willow
(Geijera parviflora) tree.
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
The Harbor View Hills South Homeowners Association (HVHS) has requested to change the
designated street tree from the Hong Kong Orchid to Australian Willow tree on Quiet Cove
(Attachment B). There are five existing City Brisbane Box trees that are currently planted on
this street. These trees have been a long - standing maintenance problem due mainly to view
impairment issues.
Staff has determined that the Australian Willow tree variety will help mitigate any future
public property damage and view encroachment issues, since the tree is suitable for a tree well
with a five foot growth space. Additionally, although the Australian Willow tree has a
maximum growth height of 35 feet at maturity, it is a tree suitable to maintain at low height
for view planes and utility line clearance due to its moderate growth and spreading habit. It is
also an excellent coastal tree that tolerates poor soil, strong winds and seaside climate. A map
and information regarding the proposed tree are attached (Attachments C & D). The tree will
be a welcome enhancement to this community.
Financial Review
There is no financial impact to the City due to a change in Street Tree Designation for a
particular street.
Public Notice
This agenda item was noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the public meeting at which the Commission considers the item).
Attachments: (A) City of Newport Beach Designated Street Tree List May 2000
(B) HVHS Board of Directors Letter dated April 19, 2012
(C) Description and photo of proposed designated street tree, Australian
Willow Tree
(D) Aerial map