Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forest Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission permits one eucalyptus removal, denies another at 500 West Middlefield
Summary
After hearing from residents, HOA representatives and staff, the commission allowed removal of one eucalyptus (tree #3) while upholding the denial for another (tree #1); staff had already approved removal of the middle tree (#2).
The Parks & Recreation Commission on Thursday overturned part of staff’s denial for a multi-tree request at 500 West Middlefield: commissioners upheld denial for one eucalyptus but voted to allow removal of another.
Staff told the commission the HOA’s original application listed three trees; staff agreed removal of the middle tree (tree #2) was appropriate because of overcrowding and structural concerns and approved that removal, but staff denied removal of the two outer trees (referred to as tree #1 and tree #3). Staff described the two denied trees as eucalyptus species (one identified as red ironbark eucalyptus) in fair condition; tree #1 was described as about 27 inches in diameter and tree #3 about 17 inches.
Residents who appealed showed photographs of a July limb failure and described repeated limb shedding and maintenance problems. Appellant Joe McKay said a large limb that fell on July 3 “was quite a hefty limb” and penetrated a wall near his unit; he described the incident as dangerous for pedestrians and residents. Another resident described frequent sap drips and previous limb failures at the complex.
Staff and arborists said eucalyptus are prone to limb failures but that corrective pruning, end-weight reduction and staged structural pruning—typically done in multiple cycles—can reduce risk. Russell Hansen said corrective pruning and longer-term maintenance can reduce limb-fall frequency and that removing the middle tree preserves screening while relieving overcrowding.
After deliberation, the commission adopted a split outcome: it voted to deny the appeal and uphold staff’s decision for tree #1, and it voted to overturn staff’s denial and allow removal of tree #3. Commissioners and public speakers agreed removal of the overcrowded middle tree would aid the remaining trees’ health; the commission also directed staff to work with the HOA on replacement planting and recommended a multi-year pruning/mitigation plan for retained trees.
Ending: The HOA that applied pursues removal of tree #2 per staff approval and will receive follow-up direction from staff on replacement plantings and mitigation work for the retained trees. The commission recorded the vote to allow removal of tree #3 and to uphold denial for tree #1.
