Tree Removal Permit - 2003 CITY OF CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
CAMPBELL
February 20, 2003
John and Georgianna Rodhouse
35 Alice Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Re:
PLN2003-10 - Tree Removal Permit Application
35 Alice Avenue
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rodhouse:
The Tree Removal Permit (PLN2003-10) to remove one (1) Coast Redwood tree within the
rear yard of the property located at 35 Alice Avenue has been finalized since the 10-day appeal
period has passed and no appeals were received. You may now remove the tree. Please note
that the replacement tree shall be planted on or before March 21, 2003.
Should you have any questions' regarding the above referenced matter, please do not hesitate to
contact me at (408) 866-2142 or via email at melindad@citYofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Melinda Denis
Planner I
' cc: Geoff Bradley, Senior Planner
February 10, 2003
John and Georgianna Rodhouse
35 Alice Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
U . :. r"
CITY OF CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
CAMPBELL
PLN 2003-10 - Tree Removal Permit Application
35 Alice Avenue
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rodhouse:
The Community Development Director has conditionally approved your application for a Tree Removal
Permit (PLN 2003-10) to remove one Coast Redwood tree within the rear yard of the property located at
35 Alice Avenue, subject to the following condition:
i. One 36-inch box Chinese Pistache tree will be planted within the rear yard of the property to
replace the Coast Redwood tree on or before March 21, 20023, per the Tree Protection
Ordinance.
The Tree Removal Permit has been approved based upon the City's determination, with a supporting
recommendation by a Certified Arborist and PG&E, that the tree is extremely close to high-voltage power
lines, poses a high fire hazard as well as a safety hazard and is in declining health. The tree can potentially
interfere with utility services and cannot be remedied through reasonable relocation of the utility services.
Staff has determined that the situation cannot be reasonably remedied by means other than removal.
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 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 Thursday, Februar~ 20, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. A
notice of tree removal will be posted on the property where it is visible to the public and a notice will be
sent out to all the property owners within 300 feet of the property. The tree may not be removed until
after the 10-day appeal period has passed and no appeals have been received. If no appeals are filed, staff
will send you a letter to let you know that the Tree Removal Permit is final.
Should you have any questions regarding the above referenced matter, please do not hesitate to contact
me at (408) 866-2142 or via email at melindad@cit¥ofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Melinda Denis
Planner I
cc: Geoff Bradley, Senior Planner
70 North First Street · Campbell, California 95008-1436 - TEL 408.866.2140 · FAX 408.871.5140 - 'rOD 408.866.2790
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CITY oF CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
CAMPBELL
February 10,2003
NOTICE OF TREE REMOVAL
Notice is hereby given that the Community Development Director of the City of
Campbell has conditionally approved an application for a Tree Removal Permit (PLN
2003-10) to remove one Coast Redwood tree within the rear yard of the property located
at 35 Alice Avenue in the R-1-6/H (Single-Family Residential) Zoning District (see map
on reverse.)
Reason for Granting Tree Removal
The Tree Removal Permit has been approved based upon the City's determination, with a
supporting recommendation by a Certified Arborist and PG&E, that the tree is extremely
close to high-voltage power lines, poses a high fire hazard as well as a safety hazard and
is in declining health. The tree can potentially interfere with utility services and cannot be
remedied through reasonable relocation of the utility services. Staff has determined that
the situation cannot be reasonably remedied by means other than removal.
Conditions of Approval for Tree Removal
The applicant is required to plant one 36-inch box Chinese Pistache tree within the
property. The tree must be installed on or before March 21, 2003 (if no appeals are
filed.)
This approval is final in ten days unless a written appeal letter and the required fee of
$100.00 is received at the City Clerk's Office, 70 N. First Street, Campbell on or before
Thursday~ Februar~ 20~ 2003 at 5 p.m. Questions may be addressed to Melinda Denis,
Planner I, in the Community Development Department at (408) 866-2142.
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF CAMPBELL
SHARON FIERRO
SECRETARY
PLEASE NOTE:
When calling about this Notice,
Please refer to File No. PLN 2003-10
Address: 35 Alice Avenue
70 North First Street - Campbell, California 95008-1436 - TEL 408.866.2140 - FAX 408.871 .5140 - 'rDD 408.866.2790
Stephen Rounds
Western Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Contracting arborist to Pacific Gas and Electric
10900 N. Blaney Ave.
Cupertino, Ca. 95014
408-282-7355
October 25, 2002
City of Campbell
Community Development Department
70 N. First St.
Campbell, Ca. 95008
To Whom It May Concem:
In reference to the application for a permit to remove of a redwood tree at 35 Alice
Avenue ip Campbell, I'd like to offer a few words to support the approval of the permit.
The tree itself is just six feet to the side of twelve thousand volt power lines. The tree
has some characteristics that deem it hazardous to both the property and the electric
utility lines. First, it appears that the previous owner had the tree topped, resulting in
aucker growth that have grown some fifteen feet, resulting in a weakly attached top that
could fail at any point. The likely target should they break would be the power lines.
Also, there are many dead branches in the tree that could also fall into the lines. The tree
itself has a split trunk with included bark in its attachment. Included bark promotes
potential failure, and the leaning trunk aims toward the home on the property. An
overall view of the tree shows that it is less vigorous than most redwood trees in the
valley, an indication of the overall ill health of the tree. Please consider these concerns
in your review of the application.
Sincerely,
Stephen Rounds
ISA Certified Arborist # WE-5048A
WESTERN
CHAPTER I
1-13-03
John &.Georgianna Rodhouse
35 Alice Ave.
Campbell, Ca. 95008
871-8655
Re: Redwood Tree
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Rodhouse,
At your request, I have visited the above referenced property to examine the Redwood
tree in the rear yard. This letter will serve to summarize my observations and
recommendations.
ASSIGNMENT:
I have been asked to evaluate the health and condition of the Sequoia sempervirons
(Coast Redwood) located in the rear yard. This tree appears to be failing and is a safety
concern for the homeowner. A tree appraisal has also been requested.
SUMMARY:
This is a poorly located tree of questionable structure in declining health. It adds little
value to the property and poses a hazard to the residents and to power lines beneath it. I
suggest it be removed. It should be replaced with specimens more suitable to this location
that can be cared for professionally without creating a hazard.
OBSERVATIONS:
This Redwood is 55 feet tall with a 40 foot spread. It has co-dominant stems that split
apart at 60 inches above grade. Each stem is about 23 inches in diameter.
There are signs of included bark in the attachment point.
This tree has been topped in the past, resulting in many poorly attached water sprouts
rising from the top of each stem.
Foliage color is poor and appears chlorotic.
386 Utica Lane · San Jose, CA 95123
Tel: (408) 226-TREE (8733) · Fax: (408) 281-TREE (8733) · Lic. # 705171
WESTERN
CHAPTER
1-13-03
Page2
This tree is located in the northeast corner of the rear yard, 50 feet north of the house. It is
6 feet south of the northern fence line next to a power pole supporting high tension power
lines. It is 10 feet west of the existing detached garage.
DISCUSSION:
Co-dominance is a common structural fault that occurs when two stems of approximately
the same diameter are joined at a narrow angle. The adjacent pieces do not knit together
properly and are apt to push each other apart as their diameter increases.
The potential for failure in an attachment of this type is high, especially when the
distance between the attachment point and the top of the stem is large, say 50 feet or
more.
This tree has suffered from poor cultural practices in the past. It has been topped,
resulting in many poorly attached water sprouts at the point of the cut on each stem. This
type of growth fails with regularity, posing a hazard to the play area beneath the tree as
well as the power lines.
The tree has a live crown ratio of perhaps 50%, indicating low vigor and declining health.
Redwood trees, when healthy and structurally sound, add significant value to the
landscape. Unfortunately, this specimen has placed in a poor location, has a basic
structural fault, has been the subject of improper pruning, and is in a declining condition.
As a result, I have assigned relatively low ratings to this tree for the Conditions Ratings
area in the Trunk Formula method of Appraisal.
I have selected the Trunk formula Method of appraisal due to the large size of the tree.
Appraisal methods take into account the tree Species, Size, Condition, and Location.
I have assigned this tree a Condition rating of Poor. It has a total point score of 10, out of
25 possible. It received three points for its root condition, one points for trunk condition,
and two each in the other categories of Scaffold Branching, Smaller branches and twigs,
and Foliage. This translates to a condition rating for the formula of 40%.
386 Utica Lane · San Jose, CA 95123
Tel: (408) 226-TREE (8733) · Fax: (408) 281-TREE (8733) · Lic. # 705171
CHAPTER
1-13-03
Page 3
I have included a copy of the formula used to calculate the tree value. A replacement tree
diameter of 5 inches was used. The value of the tree is calculated to be $3,400 in its
current condition.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend this tree be removed before a failure occurs. Its removal may be mitigated
by planting a 24 inch boxed tree more suited to this location.
Suitable species for this location include Pyrus calleryana (Callery Pear); Sapium
sebiferum (Chinese Tallow); Maytenus boaria (Mayten); Prunus lyonii (Catalina Cherry);
or Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple).
Please call with any questions or comments.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas Anderson
W.C.I.S.A. Certified Arborist # 1061
386 Utica Lane · San Jose, CA 95123
Tel: (408) 226-TREE (8733) · Fax: (408) 281-TREE (8733) · Lic. # 705171
TRUNK FORMULA METHOD FORM
Ai~o."a~sed Va/ue = Bast~ ~ x ~ x/.a~n~n
Value - ReCa~ ~ + (Be, s~ Price x I'~.~ - ~) x
o$