9770 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232
Yanni Demitri, P.E.
Public Works Director and
City Engineer
(310) 253-5600
FAX (310) 253-5626
____________________________
Culver City Employees take pride in effectively providing the highest levels of service to enrich the quality of life for the community by building on our tradition of more than a century of public service, by our present commitment, and by our dedication to meet the challenges of the future.
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March 5, 2025
Mr. Harry Payne Via U.S. First Class Mail
Appellant
4426 Keystone Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
RE: APPEAL OF CITY DECISION TO APPROVE REMOVAL OF A CITY-OWNED TREE AT 4420 KEYSTONE AVENUE
Dear Mr. Payne:
Reference is made to the property owner of 4420 Keystone Avenue, who applied to the City of Culver City (“City”) on September 17, 20 24 to remove a Schinus Terebinthifolius (Brazilian Pepper) tree planted in their parkway (the “Applicant”).
Although the application was initially approved by the Public Works Director/City Engineer, upon your receipt of the December 2, 2024 notice of that decision, you submitted a letter appealing that decision on December 10, 2024 , along with neighbors Brian Zydiak, Spencer Starr, and Paul Bushnell (collectively, the “Appellants”).
Absent from the City’s December 2, 2024 notice of decision was an explanation. After receipt of the Applicant’s request, the City’s Arborist visited the site on October 29, 2024 to inspect the tree and to prepare a Tree Hazard Evaluation report, a copy of which is enclosed. The Tree Hazard Evaluation report concluded that this City-owned tree was illegally and improperly trimmed and as a result, its crown has become unbalanced. The unevenness of the crown’s weight may cause the tree to topple during a windstorm or rainstorm. Unfortunately, the improper trimming was so severe that further pruning of the crown to balance its weight is not feasible as doing so would leave so little remaining that it is likely that the tree would die soon afterward. As such, the City’s decision to approve the tree’s removal adheres to Culver City Municipal Code Chapter 9.08.210 Section C (1) a. as follows: “The tree is dead, dying, or weakened by disease, age, storm, fire or other injuries so as to pose an existing or potential danger to persons, properties, improvements or other trees .” A copy of Culver City Municipal Code Chapter 9.08.210 is enclosed for your immediate reference.
As part of the tree’s removal and replacement by the City, t he Applicant has agreed to re place that portion of the adjacent sidewalk that was lifted by the tree’s roots at their expense. The City will replace the Brazilian Pepper tree with a Spathodea Campanulata (African Tulip), images
Harry Payne
March 5, 2025
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Harry Payne
March 5, 2025
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Harry Payne
March 5, 2025
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Spathodea Campanulata (African Tulip) Replacement Tree
Harry Payne
March 5, 2025
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
§ 9.08.210 REMOVAL OF TREES IN PARKWAYS; APPLICATION PROCEDURE; NOTICE AND APPEALS.
A. The Public Works Director shall have sole authority to cut, trim, prune, replace or remove any tree in or on any parkway in the City. No other person shall cut, trim, prune, replace, remove, deface, or in any manner injure any tree in or on any parkway in the City, except as authorized by the Public Works Director in the case of a private improvement project in accordance with § 9.08.215.
B. Any interested person may request discretionary removal of a parkway tree by submitting a written application to the Public Works Director, on a form approved by the City. The written application shall state the name and address of the applicant, the location of the tree, the reason for the request, and any other information required by the Public Works Director. The written application shall be accompanied by a filing fee, established by resolution of the City Council. A filing fee is not required to request removal of a tree that is suspected to be in a hazardous or unsafe condition.
C. The Public Works Director shall review the application and supporting documentation to determine whether to approve the removal of the requested tree. In determining whether any tree in or on the parkway shall be removed or replaced, the Public Works Director shall determine whether the removal or replacement is in the best interest of the City and the public health, safety and welfare. Such determination shall be based on the criteria set forth in either Subsection C.1 or Subsection C.2 as follows:
1. If any one of the following criterion is met:
a. The tree is dead, dying, or weakened by disease, age, storm, fire or other injuries so as to pose an existing or potential danger to persons, properties, improvements or other trees; or b. The removal is necessary for construction of a Street improvement project or other public improvement/repair work; or
c. The removal is necessary for a private improvement or development project. Where the application for removal is related to a private improvement or development project, see § 9.08.215.
2. If two or more other criteria are met:
a. The tree is a known problem species or is otherwise found to be an undesirable species for its location based on tree size relative to available area for tree growth.
b. The tree roots are creating extensive and repeated damage to public and/or private infrastructure, including sidewalks, sewer lines, or other utility lines. A history of sewer line blockages from tree roots does not alone provide sufficient reason for tree removal, but rather suggests the need for sewer repair to stop leaks and the accompanying root intrusion that results.
c. The tree is creating a public or private nuisance.
D. If a Parkway tree is approved for removal, following review of the criteria listed in Subsection 9.08.210.C, such removal shall be accommodated subject to availability of city resources and funds. In the event that the applicant desires the approved removal occur prior to when it can be accommodated by the Public Works Director, the applicant shall be given the option of paying for the removal, in which case the tree will be removed at the first opportunity upon receipt of payment.
E. The decision of the Public Works Director is final, unless appealed by the applicant, a member of the City Council or an interested person. Appeals shall be submitted in writing and filed with the City Clerk within 10 days after the decision date identified in the notice of decision. The notice of decision shall be prepared by the Public Works Director and sent to the applicant and all interested persons with a copy provided to the City Council. The number of days shall be construed as City Hall business days. Time limits will extend to the following City Hall business day, where the last of the specified number of days falls on a weekend, holiday, or other day when City Hall is officially closed. An appeal shall include a general statement, specifying the basis for the appeal, shall be based on an error in fact or dispute of the findings of the decision, and must be accompanied by supporting evidence substantiating the basis for the appeal. Appeals shall be accompanied by a filing fee established by resolution of the City Council.
F. Appeals shall be heard by the City Council, which shall affirm the decision of the Public Works Director, unless the appellant demonstrates, by substantial evidence, that the decision is based on an error in fact or disputed findings. The decision of the City Council on an appeal shall be final.