Tree Removal - 11 trees - 2014CITY OF CAMPBELL
Comnumity Development Department
February 4, 2014
Sonata of Campbell, Attn: Rob Weber
466 Salmar Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: File No: PLN2013-208
Address: 160-470 Salmar Avenue
Application: Tree Removal Permit
Dear Mr. Weber,
The Campbell Planning Division has completed review of your Tree Removal Permit
application (PLN2013-208) for removal of one (21) Chanticleer Pear trees having diameters less
than 12 inches located at the Sonata of Campbell development at 160-470 Salmar Avenue.
Pursuant to Campbell Municipal Code Sec. 21.32.080, the Community Development Director
may only approve a Tree Removal Permit after making at least one of the following findings:
1. Diseased or Dan~~er of Falling -The tree or trees are diseased or presents a danger of falling that cannot be
controlled or remedied through reasonable preservation and/or preventative procedures and practices such that
the public health or safety requires its removal.
2. Structure Damat,e -The tree or trees can have caused or may imminently cause significant damage to the
existing main structure(s) that cannot be controlled or remedied through reasonable modification of the tree's
root or branch strructure.
3. Utility Interference -The tree or trees have interfered with. utility services where such interference cannot be
controlled or remedied through reasonable modification/relocation of the utilities or reasonable modification of
the tree's root or branch structure.
4. Overplantin~ -The tree(s) is crowding other protected tree(s) to the extent that removal is necessary to ensure
the long-term viability of adjacent tree(s).
5. Economic Enio~~ment and Hardship -The retention of the tree(s) restricts the economic enjoyment of the
property or creates an unusual hardship for the property owner by severely limiting the use of the property in a
manner not typically experienced by owners of similarly zoned and situated properties, and the applicant has
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the approval authority that there are no reasonable alternatives to preserve
the tree(s). A minor reduction of the potential number of residential units or building size due to the tree
location does not represent a severe limit of the economic enjoyment of the property.
Based upon a review of the application documents and a visual inspection of the trees, the
Community Development Director has determined that the required findings for removal can be
made for 11 of the 21 requested trees. The findings for removal cannot be made for 10 of the 21
requested trees. Please see below for detailed information.
PLN2013-208 ~ T ree Kemoval Permit Page 2 of 2
Removals Approved
The Community Development Director has determined that the required findings for removal
have been made for the following trees:
^ Three (3) Pear trees located along the front (north side) of the building at Unit 186;
^ Three (3) Pear trees located along the front (north side) of the building at Unit 187;
^ Three (3) Pear trees located along the back (south side) of the building at Unit 160;
^ One (1) Pear tree located along the back (south side) of the building at Unit 161;
^ One (1) Pear tree located along the east property line near Unit 178.
Your application cited potential damage to structures and pavement as the reason for removal of
these trees. Specifically, the 10 trees adjacent to the north and south sides of the building are
planted in narrow planters close to building walls, and are interfering with building roofs and
gutters. These trees cannot be reasonably pruned to remove this hazard without causing
substantial damage to the trees. The Community Development Director has approved removal of
these 10 Pear trues, finding that they will imminently cause damage to main structures which
cannot be reasonably controlled or remedied (satisfying Finding #2 -Structure Damage).
The tree located along the east property line is planted too close to the perimeter wall, and based
on a review of the site's approved landscaping plan, the incorrect species was planted. The tree
was approved to be a Flowering Crabapple trained to grow onto the adjacent espalier. The Pear
tree was planted in error, was not espaliered, and is planted too close to the perimeter wall
resulting in a potential for damage. The Community Development Director has improved
removal of this Pear tree and replacement with the appropriate (previously approved) species.
The removal of the 11 Pear trees listed above is subject to the following Condition of Approval:
The applicant shall plant ten (10) 15-gallon White Birch trees in the existing planter area along the rear
(south) property line and one (1) 15-gallon Flowering Crabapple tree in the espalier area along the east side
property line, as shown in the approved replacement plan. The replacement trees shall be planted within 30
days of the effective date of this approval, unless accepted arboricultural practices dictate a preferential
planting period for the species chosen as the replacement tree. Prior to planting, soil amendments or
treatments shall be performed as necessary to reduce compaction and drainage issues identified by the
consulting a~rborists.
The approved replacement plan (attached) includes one additional White Birch tree (for a total
of 11) to be located in the existing planter along the rear property line. This additional tree
satisfies the replacement requirement for PLN2014-44, "Authorization to Remove Dead or
Dying Trees" for a Plum tree which died and fell over as a result of root conflicts with utilities
and cannot be replaced in the same location.
Removals Denied
The Community Development Director has determined that the required findings for removal
have not been made for the following trees:
^ Eight (8) Pear trees located along the sides of the entry driveway;
^ One (1) Pear tree located along the east side of the building at Unit 186;
^ One (1) Pear tree located along the west side of the building at Unit 187.
70 North First Street • Campbell, CA 95008-1423 • reti (408) 866-2140 • Fax (408) 866-140 • E-Main planning~i)cityofcampbell.com
PLN2013-208 ~ Tree i<emoval Permit Page 3 of 2
Your request cited potential damage to structures and pavement as the reason for removal of
these trees. However, these trees are planted in wider landscaping areas and are not as close to
building walls or roof gutters as the other 11 trees which are approved for removal. Based on a
visual inspection of the trees, it has been determined that these 10 trees can be reasonably
maintained in their current locations without causing significant damage to structures. As a
result, the Community Development Director has denied removal of the 10 Pear trees listed
above.
This decision is final in 10 calendar days of the Community Development Director's decision,
unless an appeal is received in writing at the Community Development Department, on or before
5:00 PM on February 14, 2014. An appeal must be made in writing to the Community
Development Department and accompanied by a $200 appeal fee. Any decision not appealed
within the ten-da:y period is final.
If you have any questions, you can reach me at (408) 866-2144 or by email at
MariyaH@cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Mariya odge
Project Planner
cc: Aki Honda Snelling, Planning Manager
Encl: Site plan identifying trees approved for removal
Approved replacement plan
70 North First Street • Campbell, CA 95008-1423 • rE~ (408) 866-2140 • Fax (408) 866-~ 140 • e-naai~ planning c ciq~ofcampbell.com