Tree Removal Permit - Withdrawn - 2013CITY of CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
Sent via USPS and electronic rnail
November 22, 2013
Donna Wong
242 12`~ Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118-2104
Re: File No: PLN2013-301
Address: 480-482 Nottingham Way
Application: Tree Removal Permit
Status: Application Deemed Incomplete
Dear Ms. Wong,
The Campbell Planning Division has reviewed your Tree Removal Permit application
(PLN2013-301) for removal of a 210-inch circumference fruitless Mulberry tree located in the
front yard at 480-482 Nottingham Drive. The application has been deemed incomplete. As
submitted, the application does not contain sufficient information to make the required findings
for a Tree Removal Permit.
The stated reasons for removing the tree are damage to paving, potential damage to the main
structure, interference with utilities, and costs of maintaining the tree. As we've discussed by
phone, paving damage and maintenance costs are not among the potential findings to approve a
Tree Removal Permit. Damage to the main structure and interference with utilities are potential
findings to approve a Tree Removal Permit; however, there is insufficient evidence for staff to
conclude that these findings can be made. Submittal of a report by a Certified Arborist may
assist staff in making these findings.
The required findings for a Tree Removal Permit include the following findings related to
structures and utilities:
"Structure Damage. The tree or trees 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. " [CMC 21.32.080(A)(2)J
"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 utility services and/or reasonable modification of the tree's root or branch structure. "
[CMC 21.32.080(A) (3)J
PLN2013-301 ~ Tree Removal Permit Page 2 of 2
During a site visit staff observed cracks in the pavement near the base of the main structure, as
well as a crack in the brick work along the corner of the garage. However, there are no visible
roots or visible lifting in this area, so it is unclear whether the cracks are a result of tree roots or
another cause. An evaluation by a Certified Arborist would assist in determining whether the
finding related to structure damage can be made.
You also stated that the tree's roots have invaded the sewer line and caused aback-up requiring
a sewer line clean-out. But there is insufficient evidence to establish both a pattern of sewer
issues related to the tree and that sewer issues cannot be controlled through reasonable
mitigation measures. Maintenance efforts can address most issues, and where root intrusion is
more frequent, replacement of the sewer line will typically resolve the issue because roots will
no longer be drawn toward the water from a leaking older pipe. An evaluation by a Certified
Arborist may assist in confirming whether the tree is the cause of any sewer line issues and
whether there are reasonable mitigation measures available. In addition, you are welcome to
provide any other available evidence that there have been repeated sewer issues related to the
tree, such as a chronology of past sewer back-ups and repairs and/or receipts for repair work.
In order to continue processing please provide staff with additional evidence related to the
above findings. Staff recommends providing a written report prepared by a Certified Arborist
which addresses the following issues:
1. Describes the tree and its condition;
2. Identifies whether the tree's roots are damaging or will imminently damage the main
structure;
3. Identifies whether there are any mitigation measures which could be used to prevent
structure damage (such as root cutting and root barriers), and whether those measures are
feasible in this case.
4. Identifies, if possible, whether the tree's roots are interfering with utilities;
5. Identifies whether there are any mitigation measures which could be used to prevent
utility interference, and whether those measures are feasible in this case.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to provide additional evidence such as an arborist report, you
may request that staff issue a decision based on the information currently available.
Please contact me with any questions; I can be reached by phone at (408) 866-2144 or by email
at MariyaH@cityofcampbelLcom. Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Mariya Hodge
Project Planner
cc: Aki Honda Snelling, Planning Manager