2007-07-26 Tree Preservation Comment Summary 2

Jose.Joseph

Description

Tree Preservation Policy Comment Summary Goals (/Major Tasks) • Need to set overall goals as part of the GP update process • Need an inventory before setting goals • Need a master plan for tree species before planting trees • Need a confirmed / dedicated funding source for maintenance before planting • Need to id potential planting locations in neighborhoods that need / want trees • Need a simple, streamlined permit process • Need a website for education / outreach Master Plan• Update the tree master plan o Apply for a state grant during the next state grant cycle and identify or set aside matching funds. Supplement the effort with a tree canopy study that identifies potential tree planting sites and a benefit analysis. o Create a diversified list of approved species for plantings in specific neighborhoods / districts and specific locations, including appropriate native species. o Identify nuisance trees and trees that tend to damage structures / infrastructure. Address replacement guidelines for nuisance trees and creation / maintenance of a tree inventory database. Need to replace trees as they age. o Include goals for community education. • Set a reasonable target for new tree plantings as part of the General Plan update process. Guidelines • Enhance existing guidelines, Address planting, replanting, irrigation, young tree care, structural soils, inspection, spraying and pruning, spacing, thinning, tree wells, … ...

Informations

• Publié par: Istou
• Nombre de lectures: 18
• Langue: English

Extrait

8/10/2007

Page

1

Tree Preservation Policy Comment Summary

Goals (/Major Tasks)

•

Need to set overall goals as part of the GP update process

•

Need an inventory before setting goals

•

Need a master plan for tree species before planting trees

•

Need a confirmed / dedicated funding source for maintenance before planting

•

Need to id potential planting locations in neighborhoods that need / want trees

•

Need a simple, streamlined permit process

•

Need a website for education / outreach

Master Plan

•

Update the tree master plan

o

Apply for a state grant during the next state grant cycle and identify or set aside

matching funds.

Supplement the effort with a tree canopy study that identifies

potential tree planting sites and a benefit analysis.

o

Create a diversified list of approved species for plantings in specific

neighborhoods / districts and specific locations, including appropriate native

species.

o

Identify nuisance trees and trees that tend to damage structures / infrastructure.

Address replacement guidelines for nuisance trees and creation / maintenance of

a tree inventory database.

Need to replace trees as they age.

o

Include goals for community education.

•

Set a reasonable target for new tree plantings as part of the General Plan update

process.

Guidelines

•

Enhance existing guidelines, Address planting, replanting, irrigation, young tree care,

structural soils, inspection, spraying and pruning, spacing, thinning, tree wells, …

•

Develop parking lot Tree Canopy guidelines.

•

Enhance existing guidelines for locating / selecting trees next to sidewalks, structures,

curb and gutters, protection of trees/roots during construction, …

•

Require ISA certification of tree workers removing trees subject to city permits or on

public property.

•

Develop education program for property owner planting, maintenance and application

for permits.

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2

Development Permits /

Building Permits

•

Review replacement tree and thinning guidelines

•

Review tree maintenance plans

•

Review incentive for tree preservation (reduced setbacks, increased height limits, or

other offsets to the limitations of a tree)

•

Require tree protection during construction with building permits

•

Withhold or suspend permits until tree removal violations are resolved.

Permits for Pruning and Removals

•

Allow additional temp signs if reasonable, until trees mature at a height when

permanent signs are visible again

•

Provide residential pruning guidelines for street trees, with an expedited permit process

•

Evaluate maintenance, development and permit processes to determine if an appropriate

balance is used when evaluating opportunities to reduce negative impacts to / from trees

and evaluating the merit of tree removal requests.

Allow for arbitration / protests of the

initial determination.

•

Revise ordinance / master plan to identify undesirable street trees and create a pilot

program for the removal of undesirable street trees when entire neighborhoods are

impacted, with consideration of phased removal / replacement over x number of years

when appropriate.

Include priorities for removal based on tree condition, “interest in

participation”

(i.e. – first applications in get first years allocation of removal permits)

and proximity of trees with permit applications.

Consider fast track and group

possibilities.

•

Review the tree replacement guidelines.

•

Review permit processes for opportunities to streamline.

Review definition of an

ordinance size tree (measure diameter at 4.5’ above grade < dbh – diameter at breast

height > or at grade).

Combine process for street trees and private property trees when

possible.

Formalize replacement ratio and in-lieu payment processes.

Consider

property owner’s prior commitments and potential culpability when reviewing permit

applications.

Require additional disclosure on tree status for trees that are replacements

for illegally removed trees and add them to inventory.

•

Review the MFD tree removal permit processes, including the notification, hearing,

replacement and maintenance plan requirements.

Clarify and educate staff / public

about differences between SFD and MFD permit processes.

Include the Arborist in the

process.

•

Place permits for removals on a website – forms, completed applications and status

(pending review, approved, denied, awaiting hearing, or appealed).

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Arborist / Reports

•

Review the content of arborist reports for adequacy.

Consider timing of submittals and

options for preparation and analysis of the reports.

Maintenance

•

Consider the desired level of city liability for street trees.

•

Create a maintenance policy.

•

Support property owner efforts to maintain trees with guidelines and oversight of

contractors.

Enforcement

•

Identify any remaining PD enforcement issues and revise code.

•

Consider providing City staff with a copy of disclosure forms.

Data on potential

planting locations can be provided to ESD and OCF for potential planting projects

related to the Urban Environmental Accords – Action Item # 11.

•

Publicize the law suits and big fines.

Identify issues with collections and levy fines for

all infractions.

•

Identify and publish process for filing complaints about tree removals.

Those in

progress and those after the fact.

Fines / Penalties

•

Review the fine structure for adequacy and fairness.

Consider depositing receipts from

fines into a special fund for planting / maintenance or for an additional arborist.

Make

sure that there is a protest process in place.

Increase outreach and education related to

the permit and enforcement process and fines.

•

Address severe pruning and ordinance size tree height (dbh, 2’ or at grade).

•

Allow PBCE to require replacements in exact location of removed trees and designate

replacements as ordinance sized trees.

•

File complaints for pruning / removal violations with state contractor’s board.

Heritage Trees

•

Create a heritage tree listing / delisting process, with fees.

Rename or better define

other processes as appropriate to clarify intent.

Look for sponsors.

Provide arborist

with authority to delist for cause.

Funding / Resources

•

Consider dedication of penalty funds to tree maintenance / planting program or for

grant applications, monitoring in-lieu expenditures, resident subsidies for maintaining

or removing hazard trees, and / or developing partnerships.

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Staffing / Organization

•

Review arborist staffing and responsibilities.

Training / Outreach

•

Provide/require training for pruning at a city sponsored community workshop or OCF

workshop.

Add master plan and educational materials / links to internet websites.

Put

info mailers in utility bills.

Website / FAQs

•

Create or expand a website to provide a one-stop location for information on CSJ tree

policy and process.

Non-Profits

/ Volunteer Groups / Public Outreach

•

Develop more programs / opportunities for outreach, training, education, and planting.

•

Provide matching funds for grants

•

Monitor performance and get better accountability

•

Better coordination w/ non-profits before planting on city property.

•

Increase in-lieu fee amount to market rate and collect with development fees.

Include

in annual grants to OCF with performance targets for tree plantings.

Utility Coordination

•

Coordinate with PG&E to ensure that proper pruning standards are followed.

Also

ensure that they inform property owners of city permit processes.

•

Create a demo site for types of trees to be planted under high voltage power lines

Tree Inventory

•

Create a tree inventory for street trees, park, trail, riparian & other private trees.

•

Identify what data should be collected, who has it and who might help collect it

•

Develop training program if necessary and data input system.

Best Management Practices

•

Who has good policies?

•

What do they do well?

Tree Commission

•

Do nothing.

This is the “first step” of a tree preservation process.

There will be more

outreach meetings with multiple opportunities for input.

Council recently decided

against creating a citizen advisory commission.