Tree Removal Permit - 2015Community Development Department
September 23, 2;015
Brian Avery
130 East Dana Street
Mountain View., CA 94041
Re: File No: PLN2015-279
Address: 575 W. Hacienda Ave
Application: Tree Removal Permit
Dear Applicant,
The Campbell Planning Division has completed review of your Tree Removal Permit
application (PL]V2015-279) for removal of one (1) oak tree measuring 12' in circumference
located at the end of the west driveway off of Hacienda Ave.
On Tuesday September 8, 2015 the City of Campbell was notified that a major limb fell from
an existing oak tree, damaging the adjacent apartment building and a vehicle parked below.
The fallen limb was left in place for City staff to examine. City Staff observed evidence of rot
and hollow spaces within the fallen portion as well as the remaining tree trunk and branches.
In addition, the tree had developed a slight lean over time that was counterbalanced by the
limb that fell. Without the counterbalance, the tree was in danger of falling onto the adjacent
parking lot. The Community Development Director deemed the tree to constitute an
emergency, allowing the tree to be removed without a permit per Campbell Municipal Code
Sec. 21.32.060 (Exemptions from Campbell Tree Protection Regulations) which requires a tree
removal permit ~to be filed within 10 days of the emergency removal.
Pursuant to Campbell Municipal Code Sec. 21.32.080 (Campbell Tree Protection Ordinance),
the Community Development Director may only approve a Tree Removal Permit after making
at least one of the following findings:
1. Diseased or Dancer 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 Damage -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 structure.
3. Utili 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.
PLN2015-279 ~ 575 W. Hacienda Ave Pale 2 of 2
Overplant~ -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).
Economic En~ovment 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.
The stated reasons for removal are danger of falling and structure damage.
Based upon a review of the application materials and an inspection of the tree, the Community
Development Director approved removal of the tree because the internal decay and structural
imbalance 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 (satisfying Finding No. 1 -Diseased or Danger of
Falling).
Removal of the tree is subject to the following Conditions of Approval:
The applicant shall plant one (1) 36-inch box tree somewhere on the above referenced
property. Replacement species shall be a large canopy shade tree and may not include
fruit trees or Eucalyptus trees. The replacement tree 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.
This decision including the above condition of approval is final in 10 calendar days of the
Community Development Director's decision, unless an appeal is received in writing at the
City of Campbell Community Development Department, 70 North First Street, Campbell, on
or before October ~, 2015. A written appeal must be accompanied by the required $200 appeal
filing fee. If an appeal is received, you will be notified of its receipt. If no appeal is received,
you may remove the approved tree after the close of the 10-day appeal period.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me by phone at (408) 866-2144
or by email at nazp@cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Naz Pouya
Project Planner
cc: Paul Kerrr-oyan, Community Development Director