Public Hearing:
Title 7 (Public Ways and Property),
Chapter 4 (Trees and Vegetation) of
the Burbank Municipal Code to
Protect Trees in Public Right of Ways
During Construction Activities
City Council
February 14, 2023
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
The Importance of Public Trees
- Burbank has been a designated
Tree City USA for over 40 years
- Trees have significant value for
the social, economic and
environmental benefits they
provide
- Burbank maintains an urban
forest of over 33,000 public trees
Protecting Public Trees During
Construction Activities
- Existing protections through the
Building Permit Process
- Existing protections through the
Public Right-of-Way Permit Process
- However, public trees are
occasionally damaged during
construction activities or are
removed without permission
Strengthening
Public Tree
Protection Measures
- Because the regulations and
procedures are not detailed,
there is a need to reduce
confusion and better ensure
public trees are protected
during construction activities
Proposed Amendments
- Best practices for public tree protection were reviewed - Evaluation resulted in proposed amendments to Title 7, Chapter 4
- Amendments also include minor code clean ups to delete obsolete references and provide clarification that the
section only applies to public trees
Summary of Proposed Amendments
- New and revised definitions
- Clarification of jurisdictions and control
- Enforcement and development review authority
- Establishment of tree values
- Removal for the purposes of construction
- Applicants responsible for value of existing tree,
replacement tree, and removal
Summary of Proposed Amendments
- Clarify prohibited actions
- attaching lights, activities that can damage roots,
unauthorized pruning, underwatering/overwatering
- Clarify interdepartmental coordination procedures
- Responsibility of various reviewers
- Clarify Tree Protection Zone requirement
- Establishes who is responsible for securing tree
protection zone
Environmental Assessment
- The proposed amendment is exempt from
environmental review pursuant to the following
sections of the CEQA Guidelines:
- Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3)
- Section 15308, Class 8, pertaining to actions taken
by regulatory agencies for the protection of the
environment where the regulatory process involves
procedures for protection of the environment
Consistency with the General Plan
- The proposed project does not
conflict with any of the goals, policies,
or programs of the Burbank2035
General Plan
- Policy 4.3 “Use street trees… to
enhance the appearance and identity
of neighborhoods…” and
- Policy 4.5 “Require that pedestrian-
oriented areas include…street trees....”
Fiscal Impact
- Adoption and implementation would have a minimal
fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund
- The draft resolution to include the “Trunk Formula”
valuation methodology as the public tree removal fee
- Trunk Formula:
- Tree Value = Base Value x Cross-sectional Area x
Species Class x Condition Class x Location Class
Trunk Formula
- California Pepper 6-inch diameter, average condition, typical neighborhood: (Basic Cost of $4,364.36 x Species Rating of 0.6, x Condition rating of 0.5 x Location rating of .58) = appraised value of $759.40
- Coast Live Oak 15-inch diameter, good condition, iconic tree lined street: (Basic Cost of $13,375.98 x Species rating of 0.9 x Condition rating of 0.8 x Location rating of 0.85) = appraised value of $8,186.10 .
VS
Conclusion
- Adoption of the proposed ordinance furthers the ability of the City to uphold its commitment to preserving and
protecting a healthy, diverse, and resilient public tree canopy.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BURBANK AMENDING TITLE 7 (PUBLIC WAYS AND
PROPERTY) CHAPTER 4 (TREES AND VEGETATION).
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BURBANK AMENDING ARTICLE IX, OF THE FISCAL YEAR
2022-2023 CITYWIDE FEE SCHEDULE
Contact Information
Amanda Landry, Senior Planner
Community Development Department
[email protected]
(818) 238-5250