Marin Avenue rehab design includes storm drains and safety lighting; two street trees flagged as possible removals

City of Albany engineering staff updated the PROS Commission on the Marin Avenue pavement, curb and rehabilitation project and warned that two street trees within the project corridor could be removed if planned drainage and intersection lighting elements are funded and installed.

Allison (surname not provided), a city project engineer, presented design work on the multi‑year Marin Avenue project and said the limits include 106 street trees. The project combines pavement rehabilitation, curb ramps for ADA compliance, upgraded storm drainage (catch basins and new laterals), bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, and a bid alternate for intersection safety lighting. “These curb ramps are fairly shallow,” Allison said, describing challenges created by the historical creek alignment and existing subsurface conditions.

Why two trees may be removed

Allison identified two trees near the Nielsen/Marin intersection as potential removals. The southwest‑corner tree was described as in poor condition, with evidence of decay, frequent topping and proximity to a power pole; staff said root pruning and other mitigation are generally feasible but the tree’s condition reduces the likelihood of successful retention. The northeast‑corner tree (a London plane in fair condition) conflicts with proposed intersection safety lighting: alternative light placements either produced problematic backlighting of pedestrians or failed to meet the photometric lighting requirements in the design studies. Allison said project designers evaluated photometric options and drainage layouts and that the lighting conflict was one of the few locations where design adjustments were insufficient to avoid a tree/lighting conflict.

What staff has done to reduce tree impacts

Allison described multiple design actions taken to limit impacts elsewhere in the corridor: shifting catch basins and subsurface conduits to avoid root trunks, “sharpening” intersection corners to preserve trees where possible, and including a contractor‑required tree‑protection bid item and on‑site arborist review. Staff said where catch basins must be near trees, careful root pruning and monitoring are standard mitigation practices.

Public‑safety and stormwater context

Engineers said Marin Avenue currently experiences ponding at crossings and has sections with poor nighttime visibility; the street‑light evaluation completed in 2023 flagged parts of Upper Marin Avenue as high‑priority for improved pedestrian lighting. Allison said the lighting and drainage work are intended to reduce ponding and improve nighttime pedestrian visibility at crossings. The proposed streetlighting work is a bid alternate pending funding and Council decision.

What was decided and next steps

No formal action was taken. Staff said no property owner contact has been made yet about potential removals and that any final removal decisions would be returned to the commission for review if required. The commission asked staff to pursue replacement planting opportunities where feasible and to consult the arborist (John) on replacement species and locations when a removal decision is brought forward.

Ending

Staff closed the presentation noting most design conflicts were resolved and that these two trees were the primary remaining concerns if the lighting alternate is funded. Any removal would follow the city’s notification and review process and be subject to the commission’s subsequent review as required by ordinance.