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HAMMITT Bob <br /> From: MEDLIN Johnny R <br /> To: HAMMITT Bob <br /> Cc: PLAMONDON Scott F; HIBSCHMAN Bob A <br /> Subject: FW: Lincoln and Broadway Heritage Trees <br /> Date: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 4:11 PM <br /> Hi Bob, <br /> Below is the note from Scott which we discussed earlier this morning. <br /> 1 feel like I'm caught between "a rock and a hard place" on this issue. <br /> From a policy perspective, I don't see how the Urban Forester's office can support an action which will <br /> have this kind of impact on a heritage class street tree. However after saying that, I also can't see where <br /> we have policy or ordinance direction which gives us any authority to mandate any protection be given <br /> those portions of the trees (either underground or aerial) which pass onto the private property outside the <br /> street right -of -way. <br /> If this was just a private developer dealing with private property I think our involvement would likely be <br /> over at this point. However, given that the property is owned by the city it raises some potentially difficult <br /> political issues. <br /> The Urban Forest Management Plan states in policy 15.0 that the city will retain heritage trees on street <br /> right -of -way, in parks, and on other City property, except when otherwise necessary for the public health, <br /> safety, or welfare. To me this policy says we have to protect any Heritage Class tree on publicly owned <br /> property unless someone can make a case for the public health, safety or welfare. I don't see that the <br /> Urban Forester can make this case, but someone else may be able to do so. <br /> If so desired, we would be happy to work with anyone involved to discuss design changes which would <br /> minimize the impact to these trees, or If the decision is made to move forward with the project in a manner <br /> that would impact these trees, we can work with involved parties to try to develop some kind of a <br /> mitigation plan. <br /> Please let me know your thoughts on this? <br /> Thanks <br /> Johnny <br /> From: PLAMONDON Scott F <br /> To: MEDLIN Johnny R <br /> Subject: Lincoln and Broadway Heritage Trees <br /> Date: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 4:15PM <br /> Johnny, I have completed my review and conferred with the consulting arborist concerning the <br /> preservation of the Heritage street trees abutting the City property located on SW Lincoln and Broadway. <br /> There is a current proposal to construct a parking /apartment structure on this site. Following is my <br /> analysis and report for the preservation of the Heritage street trees abutting this site. <br /> There are three street trees that have Heritage status abutting this property, two Big -Leaf Maple and one <br /> Black Walnut. There is also an English Walnut but it is not of the size class to be designated as a Heritage <br /> tree. The consulting arborist and I agree that the construction of the proposed structure will seriously <br /> affect the health of the trees resulting in at least a 50% reduction in the life expectancy for the trees. <br /> Undisturbed, we estimate the maple trees will live another 10 -20 years and the Black Walnut will live <br /> another 20 -40 years. With the structure constructed as proposed these figures can be reduced to 5 -10 <br /> years and 10 -20 years respectively. These figures on longevity are estimates based on experience and <br /> professional knowledge and are not meant to be exact predictions. The trees have a value from $14,000, <br /> $15,000 and $20,000 using round numbers. <br /> Considering the Heritage status of the three street trees, I am unable to support the proposal or approve a <br /> removal permit. There are no regulations that allow the Urban Forester to deny the proposal if it is properly <br /> Page 1 <br />