Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trees And Landscape topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arborist and landscape architect say several trees are in poor health; team proposes native replacements
Summary
The project arborist and the landscape architect told the commission some redwoods, cypress and pines on the site are in poor condition; the applicants proposed removing those trees and planting a palette of native species intended to improve habitat and drought tolerance.
The project arborist and the landscape team told the commission that several non‑indigenous trees on the ridge site are in marginal health and that replacement with California natives will improve long‑term habitat and site resilience.
Landscape architect Kate Stickley said the existing planting lacks species diversity and that proposed replacements (California buckeye, Pacific dogwood, coast live oak, western redbud and Meyer lemons) are drought tolerant and provide habitat. She said some redwoods are not indigenous to that part of the site and are vulnerable to wind. The arborist (identified in the hearing as Mr. Moritz) testified that a redwood at the southeast corner (tree #10) stands close to a pool and retaining wall and could be unstable, estimating many trees to be about 40–50 years old (Arborist testimony: SEG 679–703; landscaping: SEG 443–499).
The project team said they explored alternatives, including rotating the plan and shifting the driveway, but site constraints (steep driveway, extensive root zones, setbacks and vehicle turning requirements) made those options difficult. The architect and builder also warned that replacing the existing asphalt driveway with concrete would require deep excavation that likely would kill nearby trees. The commission required the applicants to retain tree #10 but allowed removal of others based on the arborist’s findings and the replacement planting plan.
