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Public Works Commission OKs removal of parkway tree at 1838 Valley Park Avenue, requires two on-site replacements
Summary
At its September meeting the Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission approved removing a city-owned parkway tree at 1838 Valley Park Avenue after staff and the applicant presented an arborist report citing structural and health problems; the commission required two on-site replacement trees from the approved parkway list.
The Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission voted at its September meeting to approve removal of a city-owned parkway tree in front of 1838 Valley Park Avenue and to require two on-site replacement trees drawn from the city’s approved parkway list.
Staff presented the removal request as part of a residential development application. Assistant engineer Mac Verne Bai told commissioners the subject tree exceeds 12 inches in diameter and conflicts with the proposed two-car driveway and associated public-improvement work. Bai said the applicant provided an arborist report that identified health and structural concerns and that staff recommended removal with replacement at a 2:1 ratio.
The applicant, Stacy Strauss of Saror and Associates, told the commission the tree is a ficus and said the project’s arborist found root decay, internal decay and termite damage and described the tree as “dying and structurally compromised.” Strauss said the developer proposes to plant two 36-inch-box replacement trees, and that the replacements would be located in the parkway adjacent to the property.
Commissioners asked about site measurements, the status of the building permit and the arborist report; staff said the building permit remained in plan check and the arborist report was received and posted as a supplemental earlier the same day. Staff also said the city did not retain its own arborist for a second opinion before the hearing but reserves that right in other circumstances.
After deliberations the commission approved a motion to remove the tree and accept installation of two replacement trees on-site. The motion as recorded in the meeting transcript was moved by Commissioner Griffin and seconded by Commissioner Dunbabin. The transcript shows the motion passed with recorded affirmative votes by the commissioners present.
The record before the commission cites Hermosa Beach Municipal Code provisions governing parkway trees, which require replacement where larger trees are removed. The applicant and staff noted the city’s parkway tree list excludes ficus as a permissible species for replanting.
The commission’s action allows the applicant to proceed with the development plan as proposed, subject to final permit approvals and the usual public-works review of the driveway, sidewalk and curb improvements described by staff. Staff and the applicant confirmed the building permit had not been issued at the time of the hearing and that further plan-check steps were required before construction.
Documentation: staff report, the applicant’s arborist report (posted as a supplemental), and the commission’s motion are part of the public record for this item.
