Tree Removal Permit -2004November 30, 2004
Mr. Thomas F. Vajta
1445 E1am Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
Re:
Tree Removal Permit Application
File No.: PLN2004-165
1445 Elam Ave.
Dear Mr. Vajta:
The Community Development Director has approved your application for a Tree Removal Permit to
remove one (1) Dawn Redwood tree with a diameter of 22-inches located at 1445 Elam Avenue in an R-
1-6 (Single-Family Residential) Zoning District.
The Tree Removal Permit has been approved based upon the City's determination, with a supporting
recommendation by a Certified Arborist, that the tree roots have grown underneath the house and are
lifting the foundation, thus causing substantial damage to the existing main building that cannot be
controlled or remedied through reasonable relocation or modification of the main building.
The Community Development Director has found that the existing site layout cannot reasonably
accommodate the required 24-inch box replacement tree and the applicant has paid an in-lieu fee, based
upon the fair market value of the required replacement tree. The in-lieu fee will be used by the City to
purchase a tree that will be planted within the public right-of-way or on other public property as directed
by the Public Works Department.
It is recommended that the tree be removed by persons who are experienced and bonded for the removal
of trees and that the stumps be ground out and the roots removed so there will not be re-growth of the
tree.
This approval is final in 10 calendar days, unless an appeal is received in writing at the City of Campbell
City Clerk's Office, 70 N. First Street, Campbell, on or before Fridav. December 10. 2004 at 5:00 p.m.
The tree mav not be removed until after the 10-day appeal period has passed and no appeals have been
received.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (408) 866-2140 or via email at
step haniew@cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Willsey ~
Planner I
cc:
Geoff Bradley, Senior Planner
70 North First Street
Campbell, California 95008-1436
TEL 408.866.:2140
FAX 408.871.5140
Tim 408.866.:2790
November 17, 2004
NOTICE OF TREE REMOVAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Notice is hereby given that the Community Developrnent Director of the City of
Campbell has received an application for a Tree Removal Permit (PLN2004-165) to
remove one (1) Dawn Redwood tree with a diameter of 22-inches located at 1445 Elam
Avenue in a R-I-6 (Single-Family Residential) Zoning District (see map on reverse).
The Community Development Director will be rendering a decision after 10 calendar
days from the date of this notice. Any comments regarding this application must be
submitted to the Community Development Department before 5 :00 p.m. on Monday,
November 29, 2004. Questions or comments regarding the proposed tree removal may be
addressed to Stephanie Willsey, Planner I, in the Community Development Department
at (408) 866-2140.
70 North First Street. Campbell, California 95008-1436 . TEL 408.866.:2140 . lAX 408.871.5140 . II)) 408.866.:2790
Reason for Removal
The tree roots have lifted large sections of the front patio, leaving it largely unusable and dangerous
to walk across. Roots have lifted the cement walkway to the house, then gone under the
foundation and back up under the garage floor causing a large diagonal crack diagonally across
the floor and lifting the floor enough to create a "hill" and cause secondary cracks.
These same roots then go back down under the foundation and resurface to disrupt a
cement stepping stone paved storage area.
Other roots have proceeded toward the rear of the house, gone under the foundation and
resurfaced under the house next to the rear foundation. The cement walkway just the other side
of the foundation is cracked and lifted, apparently by the root.
Another root is visible in the front lawn he¡¡ding toward the street about 1 2 feet from the sidewalk.
Removal of the tree will avoid further damage to my home and potential damage to my neighbor's
home (the tree is closer to my neighbor's home than to mine) and the sidewalk.
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Replanting Plan
The existing landscaping in my backyard is not compatible with planting
a tree there. The back yard has a large bushes forming a high hedge on
two sides and the third side has large bushes just the other side of the fence.
Within these, the yard has a raised area that is partly covered by an extended
patio cover, a covered patio area, a small lawn and an area with raised beds.
The front yard has large bushes adjacent to the house, a concrete patio
(that's severely damaged by tree roots), a small area that's planted with smaller
plants, a low decorative fence, then some large flowering bushes forming a hedge between
the patio and the front lawn. The front lawn extends to within a few feet of the sidewalk.
There are low bushes between the lawn and the sidewalk.
The only area that could reasonably accept a new tree is in the small planted
area between the concrete patio and the flowering bushes. The width of this area
varies, but it's only about 36 inches at the widest point. Putting a 24 inch box
tree in this area would require a hole big enough to damage the root system
of the large hedge. Moving the replacement tree further from the hedge, nearer
the house, would require removal of the patio.
I would very much prefer not to do this at this time. I would like to have time to
plan the re-Iandscaping of this part of the yard since this would be reqired once the
existing patio is removed. Additionally removal of the patio at this time would
leave a large muddy area in front of my home until new landscaping is in place.
For these reasons, I would rather not to plant a replacement tree on my property.
My preference is to pay the City to plant a comparable tree at another location.
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AJ WOODPECKEh CERTIFIED ARBORlwT
~ P.O. Box 41115, San Jose, CA 95160-1115, (408) 298-2948
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Thursday, November 04,2004
Tom Vajta
1445 Elam Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: Dawn Redwood
To Whom It May Concern:
I visited the property located at 1445 Elam Ave, Campbell on Tuesday, October 19,2004. This was done at the
request of Tom Vajta to examine a crack in the garage floor. Mr. Vajta informed me that he was concerned
that the crack was being caused by a tree on the property.
My examination of the situation provided the following information:
. The tree is a Dawn Redwood / Metasequoia glyptostroboides
. The diameter/circumference of the tree is 22inch / 74inch at breast height
. The value of the tree is $2,530.00 (trunk formula method)
. The Redwood is located at the front right corner of a patio in front of the house along the right
property line
. The garage is located along the left of the property with a lawn and cement walkway in between it and
the tree
. A large crack is apparent crossing diagonally through the garage
. Severe damage has been done to the patio under the canopy of the tree
. A section of root was exposed at the far side of the crack behind the garage I verified it was from the
Redwood
. Another root was visible behind the right back corner of the house
Additionally, Mr. Vajta informed me of the fact that he has seen other areas that the tree has gone under his
foundation. He has attempted to control the situation through root pruning in the past by trenching along
the walkway in front of the house, but this did not stop the damage.
In my experience, trees that have caused extensive damage, as on this property, can not be controlled. It is my
professional opinion that this tree should be removed to prevent further damage to the property.
CERTIFIED ARBORIST #WC-0958
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