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I violations and 1 imminently hazardous trees. (See Figure 3A: Violations by Property <br />Type) <br />Alley Enforeements <br />In previous years, systematic inspection of alleys was performed to ensure all alleys <br />remained passable for emergency response and utility vehicles as well as the public. The <br />Vegetation Code Enforcement Program will continue to inspect fully improved alleys as <br />resources allow, but will not inspection unimproved alleys unless a complaint is received <br />and will investigate like other vegetation - related complaints. <br />In 2011, 45 properties received notice to correct violations related to alley access <br />compared to 36 in 2010, 89 in 2009, and 65 in 2008. Typically, alley obstructions are <br />created by vegetation abutting developed properties. This year there was only 1 <br />undeveloped property with vegetation impacting the alley. Continued systematic <br />inspection of alleys will be important to keep them passable. However, enforcement for <br />undeveloped alleys has been limited to complaint -based inspection and enforcement, as <br />many neighborhoods are not using these alleys for vehicular traffic and desire to treat <br />these more as natural areas. As the community continues interest in food security, <br />gardening, and natural areas/habitat, this will continue to be an issue for this program to <br />find balance between public safety, vehicular access, and community interest. (See <br />Figure 3A: Violations by Property Type) <br />Sidewalk Enforeements <br />Due to an increasing number of sidewalk obstruction violations, we have focused <br />systematic fall inspections on sidewalk obstructions around schools since 2007. During <br />2011, we found sidewalk obstructions on 185 properties, 167 were on developed property <br />and 18 on undeveloped properties. In 2010, there were 340 sidewalk obstructions found. <br />However, due to limited staffing resources and other program duties, fewer inspections <br />were performed to identify areas with sidewalk obstructions. <br />Continued efforts around sidewalk obstructions, especially around schools or other <br />vulnerable population areas, will be important. Focusing education efforts around <br />sidewalk obstructions may be helpful in reducing the number of obstruction. (See Figure <br />3A: Violations by Property Type) <br />Hazardous Tree Complaints <br />Each year, the Vegetation Code Enforcement Program receives numerous complaints <br />about private property trees from abutting neighbors. In this program, our involvement in <br />private tree issues is limited to imminently hazardous trees. Imminently hazardous as <br />defined by the Urban Forester requires that the tree is actively in the process of failing. If <br />a complaint is received, a hazard tree risk assessment certified arborist inspects the tree to <br />determine if it meets the imminent hazard criteria. In the great majority of cases, the tree <br />is not imminently hazardous. In 2011, we received 10 complaints about potentially <br />hazardous trees, of which only 2 met the criteria to be an imminently hazardous tree. <br />(See Figure 3A: Violations by Property Type) <br />7 <br />