From: Gita Dev
To: Clerk
Cc: Adam Loraine; Lisa Diaz Nash; Amourence Lee; Richard Hedges; Rob Newsom Subject: Public Comment for Feb 20th City Council Meeting - Please distribute to council members . Thanks! Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 1:42:13 PM
February 20, 2024
Public comment for item #13: Appeal regarding removal of heritage trees at 447 9th Ave Mixed Use
Dear Mayor Diaz Nash and San Mateo City Council members My name is Gita Dev and I represent the Sierra Club Loma Prieta chapter’s Sustainable Land Use Committee. Our members have spoken in support of the Mixed Use housing project at 447 9th Avenue and especially the affordable housing it will provide.
However, it has been brought to our attention that unfortunately several heritage trees, including Live Oaks, that we expected could be saved are going to be removed. These are along the site edges.
Tree Ordinance: "Heritage Trees are living landmarks and an important component to the quality of life in San Mateo.”
1. Recreate iconic cluster of three live oaks along 19th using new boxed specimens
of equal value. Our urban biodiversity is sadly facing collapse without a careful approach to protecting every possible mature tree in our urban canopy.
Live Oaks are a KEYSTONE species ; they support over 100 species of mammals, bids, insects and plant life. Losing each oak in our city collapses our already endangered biodiversity even more. Saving, growing and fostering each and every
mature specimen of these keystone trees is critical as it supports our health, biodiversity, climate and livability.
Trees 17, 18 and 19 are a cluster of three Live Oaks. the three oaks together form an iconic image and a habitat island . Only #17, in the foreground, is being saved. (Table on Drawings L-5.9, L-5.10),
Since the owner is not willing or able
to save the other two oaks along the sidewalk (#18
and 19),
we request two replacement oaks, costing the same as the arborist's value, be provided to replace them, so that the iconic trio of oaks along 9th street is preserved.
This will preserve an oak habitat at the entrance and also be a long-lasting benefit to the community
and a gift to the street. If more
sidewalk space is required for the tree wells, The
city can allow a sidewalk
bulb-out, just like the one on the north-east side (
Claremont
street) at a large tree in the sidewalk being preserved. Since there is no street parking allowed in front of the trees anyway, approaching the railroad, the curb can be bulbed out for a wider sidewalk and improved pedestrian experience along the frontage.
Ø Per arborist, the value of Live Oaks being removed, #18 and #19 , are $11,050 and $12,650 respectively.
Ø Speciman 72" boxed live oaks cost only around $10,000.
Ø The total value of trees being removed is $312,400
2. Save large heritage Chinese Elm Tree #3, in good condition, removed for a surface parking spot at driveway at 19th. A mature and heritage ELM tree is the city’s “Natural Capital” and worth more than a surface parking space.
Save Tree #3 ($14,500). It
is a much larger heritage Chinese ELM
than tree #2 Chinese
Elm ($7,250) in the dog park which is fortunately being saved, It is being removed merely to create a parking spot. It is in good condition. Elm trees offer habitat to a range of native insects and wildlife that depend on the trees for food, reproduction, and shelter. Small mammals like squirrels, chipmunks, and oppossums live in elms, as do birds like finches, chicadees and woodpeckers as well as many insect species lower on the food chain.
City Urban Canopy Master Plan: In this age of climate change as well as collapse of our biodiversity, urban canopy is a critical defense for our residents and our species as a whole. An urban tree canopy survey and tree master plan are the only way a city can track and improve the city’s vital tree canopy for livability, health, climate action plan goals and for biodiversity health.
We look forward to your favorable response. THANK YOU.
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From: Susan Ketcham
To: Clerk
Subject: I am in support of the Martin Group proposal to build new homes ( Agenda item # 13) Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 3:21:42 PM
Hello City Hall folks - re the Agenda Item # 13 of today’s city council meeting, I am in favor of the proposal to build 120 new homes / housing units in San Mateo.
The Martin Group has done a good job, and I think that this project will help address the imbalance between jobs and housing locally. I am also pleased to know that some of the units will be available for our neighbors with limited means: I’m glad that some of the units will be affordable housing.
The location of the proposal is great, as it is near to transit lines.
I am a home owner in San Mateo city, and I strongly support more housing and more density in all parts of San Mateo. Thank you for reviewing this proposal, and I am in support of it.
Best regards, Susan Ketcham
Susan Ketcham