[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6637320,"mediaKeyId","2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7","parentId",2586881,"title","Commission backs city arborist approach for Depot Park while county proceeds on its parcels","audioSeconds",453,"startMs",3375000,"endMs",3828000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7&start=3375&end=3828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7/thumbnail_3375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637320/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Commission-backs-city-arborist-approach-for-Depot-Park-while-county-proceeds-on-its-parcels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637320-a63ae133a0a8ca68659fed1e021332ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206160&Signature=k3qSpIJ82tq-xQZuuqgQVj70NaObfgyPRvLuD0DVK0tWFOFwoB07qRCMCWul59sJ8zkTNMKBqwuxtAhAeyc7Ntb1uASXfOeg6F9hfsCv2luj-o5pynuqV9xsQ1nji42qpOEM6SveN~9~9i8CJjDWhORA9uOguwYNJ6WVrwy8joaCAFf~7gm6VyGysO~IRdR8dv6-IZRfDLlxKC-iViMlsqtu67CAlMJR-LHHDUv8K4zloTOQiSpYb7kYtFdFeSPyUXSRAx3II8Z~~yI5X~qz3byqRy~HpUF9MvKf8L64gF14iYJcFT9vawEyh60tAXHMpkfji2kYrM~G3fWYMC61vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sonoma, CA","date","2025-03-13T04:15:51.317Z","article","Ashley Carter, a Public Works staff member, told the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission that county and city evaluations disagreed over the condition of a stand of poplars along Depot Park adjacent to Teeter and Hughes fields.

Carter said the county’s arborist identified 14 trees for removal because of hollow trunks and structural risk. The city arborist, John Mazur, assessed many of the same trees as candidates for pruning or topping rather than wholesale removal and recommended planting replacements to reinvigorate the stand.

“There's two conflicting opinions on the trees at Teeter and Hughes Field,” Carter said, summarizing the situation.

Why it matters: The trees are next to youth baseball fields and a public green; falling limbs had prompted the Little League’s request. The parcel ownership split means the county can remove trees on county‑owned land while the city retains decision authority for city‑owned trees.

Staff update and commission action
Carter said county staff has completed its review and intends to remove the trees located on county property — roughly two‑thirds of the originally identified stand — and that the county will work with the city on replacement plantings. The city’s recommendation for replacement stock has been a 24‑inch box (or comparable larger stock), and the county indicated it would coordinate on mitigation and cost sharing, Carter said; at the meeting staff noted the cost-sharing arrangement is currently verbal, not written.

Commissioners expressed a preference for retaining as much canopy as possible and for using larger replacement specimens when removal is required. After discussion the commission voted unanimously to adopt the city arborist’s recommendations for the city‑owned trees and to ask staff to work with the county on replacement tree size and cost‑share arrangements.

Commissioner Jessica Misuraca suggested the city and county “plant bigger trees in some situations like this. You can get a 48 inches or bigger, and that would… get a head start.” Carter said staff will consult with the city arborist on appropriate species and sizes and return with implementation details.

Limitations and next steps
Carter told the commission it cannot require the county to change course on county property, and that the county has followed its own protocols and legal vetting. The commission’s recommendation applies only to trees on city property; staff will pursue a written cost‑share and replacement plan with county parks and provide the commission an update when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission - 12 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ashley Carter, a Public Works staff member, told the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission that county and city evaluations disagreed over the condition of a stand of poplars along Depot Park adjacent to Teeter and Hughes fields.","taxTitle","Sonoma City, Sonoma County, California","taxId",72202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637325,"Sonoma presentation trims Olsen Park plan to meet $415,000 budget; residents press surfacing, trees",390,1448000,1838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7&start=1448&end=1838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7/thumbnail_1448000.jpg","/articles/6637325/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Sonoma-presentation-trims-Olsen-Park-plan-to-meet-415000-budget-residents-press-surfacing-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637325-0f12b0dd1f1a36e96b48f7a9b22646da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206160&Signature=h4JhjOaZd~YnhRjQ4scylVZxb6Qmy46Mz5~T5DwiZaaAultCpCRpypYRYMPkjlatVTtp0J-RhR7f05sjtpTnYfskZLc6MBjavSTASXnEr8nogaFt4YSEN5nGBzYBOu2UWMGxfMsV3xDPosYJagFHxukz1UFMfMD5gOq~d9PAZz1OM2TJDW64tj08w4qH45fD5H6~A078uo-M4XIlpxxi64hHbnRI0xkWCDjhWi1Q8hbktLMVsJ6SJBj1pdM1ySoFsNbPayuqtw1zyN9mIhBY1d7VeYK-dth~EJfZWlj83DFvQFVYcbBMdI8PfYsJSy9inHB6EcMVmJZ7CLsfFH2Uyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anne Baker, a landscape architect with Land Culture LLP, presented a 50% construction document update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission on Olsen Park that trims several features to meet a $415,000 construction budget.

The design keeps the park’s existing footprint but replaces sand in the main play structure with an accessible play surface, adds a toddler sand area with a small boat feature, creates a shortened loop path and smaller lawn, and increases tree plantings in raised planters to improve long-term tree health. Baker told the commission the team had “to remove some elements” to meet the budget and was proposing new shade trees and a mix of low-water plantings and site-appropriate specimen trees.

The changes respond to community input gathered at an on-site visioning meeting and online survey that prioritized shade, improved paving and toddler play. “Shade” was the highest-scoring feature in that outreach, Baker said.

Why it matters: Olsen Park is a neighborhood pocket park used by families and trail users; the renovation aims to increase accessibility and shade while staying within the city’s funding limit. The commission is reviewing design choices now so the project can go to bidding and construction next year.

Design choices and timeline
Baker said the team reduced paved areas, removed proposed shade structures over benches and instead added trees in raised planters, shrank the loop lawn by about 15% and simplified a formal entry to improve privacy for an adjacent house. The team proposes added shade toppers and three new play features on the existing playground structure, plus bike racks and a toddler-focused sand play zone. The designers listed tree species and said they will coordinate final selections with the city arborist to ensure climate resilience.

The consultants said they were aiming to post the project to bid in the off-season to get better pricing but were open to accelerating the schedule; the commission later discussed moving the bid window earlier than December and possibly building in the fall instead.

Public comments and surfacing debate
Neighborhood residents attending the meeting praised the project and urged the use of native, drought‑tolerant trees. Walt Hickey, who lives two blocks from Olsen Park, said he appreciated the city’s “commitment to planting more trees” and encouraged native selections. Salvador Dadavila, a local landscape architect and parent, asked whether the lawn topography could be flattened; the design team said regrading was not proposed at 50% because of budget constraints but the new loop lawn will drain to the northwest.

A focal point of the public discussion was play-surface material. Baker said the design team “is thinking to use the… 5R wood chips, because it’s a much more affordable surface than the rubberized play surface.” Commissioners and several parents raised accessibility and splinter concerns for barefoot children, and asked staff for a cost comparison and samples. Commissioner Izetta and others requested the consultants provide the vendor quote for a shade structure and a cost analysis showing how much more hard surfacing would add to the project; Baker estimated a hard surfacing upgrade could add roughly “around $15,000 or so” but said she did not have an exact number at the meeting.

Commission direction and next steps
Commissioners agreed to review the 90% submittal and suggested an ad hoc review of the near-final plans. Commissioner Rausch asked whether construction could start earlier; Baker said contractors were in the field March–May for other work and the timeline could be adjusted if the city chose a different bidding window. Commissioner Jessica Misuraca offered to forward the city’s new “climate-forward tree list” to the design team to inform final species choices.

Staff and consultants said they will return with the 90% construction documents and cost details and that commissioners could provide additional feedback by ad hoc review or email before the next submittal.","Landscape designers presented a 50% construction set for Olsen Park showing a smaller lawn, added shade trees and accessible play surfacing to meet a $415,000 budget. Residents urged native trees and questioned wood-chip surfacing for accessibility; commissioners asked staff for samples and cost comparisons ahead of the 90% submittal.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637316,"PROS selects new chair and vice chair; approves private tree removals and other permit actions",347,2942000,3289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7&start=2942&end=3289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586881-ebd7e40ff973266493370b163201ddd7/thumbnail_2942000.jpg","/articles/6637316/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/PROS-selects-new-chair-and-vice-chair-approves-private-tree-removals-and-other-permit-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637316-ef63eadc3c85e64a6c5804458c924f4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206161&Signature=GlA6i~ASxNTA5UDFWLhTAc~l2~WkFhRo7sJ4TRKPVVKHRojaOc2H7ehEQ8IMRXlr2pCrpQg5h33CCrBjC7X-rmL9~jNCW20fKQNBNuzgoRoeHsfpF9CFuZBxrfkYWloOby4oTYBkh4K9rwLjxsfeNwTCdUupYUnbQ3XiJDpxVfqvKoxrLORgvCrwepHtxV8hhLxkzngISYsGjMQ92xhTKF5eL9BHDBleRJOdgYt1Vb3KYVtCafVdAaY899rM0cfc8YSyUZXbjHzXX543KYOzC~p53UyHFEYgsx8z1ss~O9GKWiARJxv7QDBFxA7x--tJvFqEOEDNf6R3OazsLuQCyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission held reorganization and permit votes during its March meeting, electing a chair and vice chair and acting on a series of tree‑removal requests and related recommendations.

Elections
The commission conducted its annual reorganization. Commissioners elected Yvette Izetta as chair and Jeffrey Rausch as vice chair; both elections carried by unanimous roll call.

Tree‑removal permits and related actions
The commission heard multiple staff reports and voted on private tree‑removal permits and replacement conditions.

- 849 Second Street West (planting strip liquid amber): Staff recommended removal because large surface roots had lifted the walkway and encroached on a nearby high‑voltage box. The commission voted to approve the removal and require a replacement tree (vote recorded as unanimous).

- 19172 Robinson Road: Staff recommended denial of immediate removal and instead proposed root‑pruning inspection concurrent with planned driveway reconstruction; if an on‑site root inspection determines extensive root damage that cannot be mitigated, the tree would be approved for removal and a replacement required. After public testimony from the property owners citing repeated sewer and water‑line problems, the commission approved the removal permit for the Robinson Road property. The motion passed with a recorded 4–1 result; Commissioner Tolbert voted no.

- 537 Estimadera Drive: Staff recommended removal of a blue atlas cedar causing cracking of adjacent hardscape and potential future foundation damage; the commission approved the removal and required a replacement tree. Commissioners noted the tree was effectively a double‑trunk specimen and that replacements should follow established guidance (historically a 1:1 replacement with 24‑inch‑box stock has been used). The vote passed (roll call showed a majority in favor).

Other votes
The commission also unanimously approved a consent calendar of routine items earlier in the meeting and voted unanimously to adopt the city arborist’s recommendations for Depot Park trees on city property while the county proceeds on county parcels (see separate coverage).

Why it matters: These votes set near‑term outcomes for private properties, public safety (sidewalk and field hazards), and municipal tree‑canopy replacement expectations. Several motions included explicit replacement requirements; commissioners discussed larger stock (48‑inch box) for some mitigation plantings and asked staff to report back on cost and logistics.

Records and next steps
Motions passed and failed as recorded at the meeting. Staff indicated that details about replacement sizes, monetary in‑lieu options, and any cost‑share agreements with the county will be returned to the commission for follow‑up.","At its March meeting the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission elected a new chair and vice chair, approved several private tree‑removal permits with replacement conditions, and adopted staff recommendations on other tree matters. Most motions passed unanimously; one removal permit passed with a dissenting vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission backs city arborist approach for Depot Park while county proceeds on its parcels

Sonoma presentation trims Olsen Park plan to meet $415,000 budget; residents press surfacing, trees

PROS selects new chair and vice chair; approves private tree removals and other permit actions