HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/27/2020 Item Public Comment, Hanlon
From:jhanlon <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Jon Hanlon
Subject:Tree Committee Meeting Comment
April 27, 2020
Public comment – not on agenda
Re: Code violation and Removal of Black Walnut at 150 Chorro Street
In November of last year I spoke at a Tree Committee meeting regarding the illegal pruning and
subsequent removal of a 36-inch black walnut at 150 Chorro. I submitted a detailed letter with photos
documenting the history which can be reviewed in the minutes.
As a summary:
A removal application was denied in 2017. The tree was then severely pruned in 2018, and again in
2019.. I exchanged numerous calls and emails with staff, and I was told that indeed a violation had
occurred. I was told that the Owner was contacted and was planning to re-submit a removal application
which would be routed to the committee since a finding could not be made at the staff level. I watched
for a posting, and closely monitored the committee agenda, but it never went to committee.
On October 31, 2019 the tree was fully removed with no public notice. Neither the previous violation,
nor the second removal application were routed to the committee as anticipated. The Municipal Code is
very clear, and the tree did not fall into the “permit not required” category and should not have been
approved at the staff level.
The illegal pruning and ultimate loss of this tree has had a significant impact on the already-declining
urban forest on West Street. Since the applicant moved into the home in around 2012, there has been a
rapid decline in the urban forest and canopy on this end of West Street. Within a few months the owner
also removed a very mature Chinese Elm, a large Pine, a maple, a fir, and numerous mature hedges.
Only one pine, one small oak at the greenbelt on Chorro, and, (until recently) the large Black Walnut still
exist.
At the November 2019 Committee meeting, this item was agendized and I requested that the City follow
through with enforcing the Code violation for the illegal pruning that occurred (twice), prior to the
removal. I asked that as mitigation, the committee consider requiring replacement plantings of larger
and more numerous specimens than would typically be required for a permitted removal. Larger and
more numerous mitigation plantings would be the only real way to restore some canopy to the
neighborhood and over time, restore some of the overall natural environment to our neighborhood.
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Since the 2019 meeting I have not seen or heard any progress on mitigation for the code violations or
loss of the tree. The committee made no direction to staff for fines, mitigation measures, or timing. I am
requesting that the Committee agendize the issue for the next meeting to establish a documented
approach to addressing the violations, and directing staff to complete the enforcement and mitigation
plan.
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