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Portola Valley conservation committee weighs tree‑permit template and TRAQ risk assessments
Summary
Committee members reviewed a draft tree‑permit template intended to reduce liability by clarifying the committee's role and discussed whether applicants who claim tree risk should submit a TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) report; members favored further research and voluntary approaches rather than immediate mandate.
The committee examined a draft tree‑permit template and debated how to balance homeowner concerns, committee advice and legal exposure.
Member‑arborists said the committee should make clear it does not provide formal risk certifications and that homeowners who claim tree risk could be asked to consult a TRAQ‑qualified arborist. One committee member suggested: "If the reason that the application has been submitted is that they feel like the tree is a risk...then before it gets submitted to us they should have a tree risk assessment by a TRAQ qualified arborist." Members cautioned that requiring TRAQ reports might be difficult to mandate and could raise equity or cost issues, so a voluntary or advisory approach may be more practical.
Planning and building director Sarah Chorus clarified that site development permits and ASCC routing bring many applications to the conservation committee and that final inspections verify work was built according to approved plans. However, members noted that some projects that started under older applications or that used building permits rather than site development permits can create gaps the committee may not see until after construction.
The committee discussed liability concerns and agreed to research the template language and the feasibility of incorporating TRAQ guidance into its process before proposing formal requirements. Town staff and committee members will continue the conversation and bring a refined draft back to a future meeting.
