New Search
in the adjacent right -of way which will likely lead to an early loss of the trees. <br /> A description of the heritage trees is contained in the attached memorandums from the Urban <br /> Forester and a private arboriculture consultant. The loss of the trees in the right -of -way will be <br /> mitigated though the replanting of about 20 to 30 more trees and a payment into the Road <br /> Fund for street tree stocking. Based on the provisions contained in the City Code, the City <br /> Manager is authorized to approve a removal permit for heritage trees. The Urban Forester has <br /> advised us that he has the authority to remove a heritage tree if the health of the tree is the <br /> primary reason for its removal, but feels that his office does not have the expertise necessary <br /> to make the judgements related to the public health safety, or welfare. <br /> The Impacted Trees <br /> There are three designated heritage street trees in the right -of -way adjacent to the proposed <br /> development project. These three trees are also defined by Charter provision as historic street <br /> trees. They consist of one big leaf maple on Broadway near Lincoln, and a black walnut and a <br /> big leaf maple on Lincoln north of Broadway. To minimize or eliminate the impact of the <br /> mixed use project on the street trees, the design would need to be dramatically altered so that <br /> no excavation encroached within the drip -line of the trees. We understand that, with the root <br /> system of big leaf maples, the drip -line assumption may not hold true because the root system <br /> is under a paved area and typically spreads further to access water. Therefore, the street trees' <br /> survivability most likely will be impacted despite any precautions taken during development of <br /> this parcel. In addition, we understand that the root system of a maple stays near the surface, <br /> usually within 18 inches. This would mean that any excavation inside the drip line, i.e., <br /> repairing the sidewalk, relocating the sewers, or removing the existing asphalt surface, could <br /> ultimately disturb the root system and reduce the life of the trees. <br /> Planning and Development Department staff looked at alternatives to adversely impacting the <br /> trees by creating a protection zone. If a protection zone around the trees were feasible, the <br /> proposed design of the north structure would have to be set back from the Lincoln Street <br /> property line approximately 36 feet. The impact to the north portion of the project, under this <br /> assumption, would be a reduction in the number of parking spaces, housing units, and <br /> commercial space. <br /> Within the two half -block parcels are out 38 mature trees that will be removed to <br /> accommodate development ,r- Code Section 4.310, on a parcel 20,00 square feet orl <br /> larger, felling *f i re than Mt tzees requires a permit., <br /> City Regulations and Requirements for Tree Removal <br /> City Charter, City Code and City adopted policy address the removal of trees. It has been <br /> determined that the Charter provision relating to the removal of historic trees in the right -of- <br /> way does not apply, as the street area is not being widened. <br /> Page -2- <br />