100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3 Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: (707) 543-3200 Fax: (707) 543-3269
www.srcity.org
March 3, 2023
Salvat
ion Army
Attn: Sharon King
1050 3rd Street, #W110
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Zy
romski Konicek LLP
Attn: Michelle Zyromski
613 4th Street, Suite 203
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
RE:
REQUEST TO REMOVE A BUNYA BUNYA TREE AT 1080 2ND STREET, SANTA ROSA APN: 009-082-003
ZONING: Planned Development (PD 0067)
GENERAL PLAN: Office
FILE NO: TR22-062
De
ar Ms. King and Ms. Zyromski:
On September 1, 2022, a Tree Permit application was submitted to the Department of Planning and Economic Development requesting the removal of an approximately 125-foot tall, 66-inch DBH (diameter at breast height) Bunya Bunya tree at 1080 2nd Street, Santa Rosa. The application materials included an evaluation of the tree, prepared by Chip Sandborn, dated March 30, 2022, recommending removal of the Bunya Bunya tree “before the branch, co- dominant leader, or cone fall in order to abate the imminent hazard that it presents. It is a known hazard with a well-documented history of damage due to cone-fall and branch failure in a high traffic area and is guaranteed to shed more cones in the near future.” On September 12, 2022, I had a telephone conversation with Mr. Sandborn, as documented in the attached email. Mr. Sandborn explained that:
1. his determination of “imminent hazard” referred to the risk of a pod, branch, or fork from the top of the tree falling;
2. annual or bi-annual maintenance, including trimming of branches and removal of pods would minimize, not eliminate, the risk;
3. his assessment was done from the ground, but co-dominant leaders are known to form weak attachments; and
4. removing the leader at the top of the tree that extends west and cabling the remaining two OR, perhaps a better alternative, cabling all three top leaders would mitigate the risk of splitting.
Attachment 3
On January 11, 2023, Fred Frey, Vintage Tree Care, Inc., conducted a more thorough inspection, climbing to the top of the subject tree to better understand the co-dominant leaders. In his report, dated February 5, 2023, attached, Mr. Frey concluded “that the overall risk rating for the multiple stems of the tree’s upper canopy is low” utilizing the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) matrices. Mr. Frey also provided some recommendations to reduce this risk, and the risk of falling cones and branches, even further:
1. Install a support cable system in the form of a triangle for the three co-dominant leaders at the top of the tree. Due to the sensitive nature of pruning and/or cabling of a tree, this should be performed and/or overseen by an ISA Certified Arborist.
2. Thin and reduce the crown in the portion(s)above the stems’ point of attachment.
3. Continually monitor the tree for changes from its current state, as well as manage the tree’s weight distribution as appropriate based on the conclusions drawn from the same monitoring.
4. The tree should be monitored by an ISA Certified Arborist every twelve months or until a different interval is deemed appropriate.
The application states that the reason for removal is because the tree is hazardous and a nuisance. Pursuant to City Code Section 17-24.040(B), the Director shall make a determination as to the acceptability of the requested tree removal based on the considerations shown below:
• The overall condition of the tree -
Staff response: The necessity to remove the tree because it is a hazard was not successfully demonstrated. Both arborists agree that cabling the three co-dominant leaders at the top of the tree, coupled with regular maintenance, will reduce the level of hazard.
• The number, species, size, and location of other existing trees in the area and the effect the requested action will have on shade areas, air pollution, historic values, scenic beauty, and the general welfare of the City.
Staff response: Staff has received several public comments via telephone, email and letter, in opposition of removing the subject tree. The tree is loved by the community because of its historic value and its beauty.
Based on these reasons, the request to remove the subject Bunya Bunya tree is denied.
This action is subject to appeal within ten (10) calendar days from the date of this letter . If the end of the appeal period falls on a non- workday, the appeal period shall be exten ded to include the next business day. Appeals of Tree Removal applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission. Reasons for an appeal must be made in writing on a completed appeal application form, and submitted, with the appropriate fees, to: City of Santa Rosa, Department of Community Development, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
If you have further questions, I can be reached by phone at (707) 543-4348, or by email at [email protected].
SUSIE MURRAY
Senior Planner
C: Chip Sandborn, Sandborn Tree Service, Inc., [email protected] Fred Frey, Vintage Tree Care, Inc., [email protected]
From: Murray, Susie
To: [email protected]
Cc: Nicholson, Amy; Jones, Jessica
Subject: RE: 1080 2nd Street, TR22-062
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 10:08:00 AM
Hi Chip,
Thanks again for calling me to chat about the Bunya Bunya tree.
Please see my notes in red below
which summarize your responses to my questions.
Feel free to add anything; these are YOUR
comments.
Have a great vacation!
Susie
P.S.
It’s still a pleasure working with you, even when we disagree!
Please note that I will be on vacation beginning September 15, 2022, and returning to work on October 11, 2022.
Susie Murray |
Senior Planner | Staff Liaison to the Cultural Heritage Board Planning and Economic Development |100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3 | Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Tel. (707) 543-4348 | Fax (707) 543-3269 | [email protected]
From:
Murray, Susie
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2022 2:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Nicholson, Amy <[email protected]>; Jones, Jessica <[email protected]> Subject: 1080 2nd Street, TR22-062
Hi Chip,
I hope this email finds you well.
We’ve received a Tree Permit request to remove the Bunya Bunya tree at 1080 2nd Street. I’ve read your evaluation and have some questions:
Please clarify “imminent hazard.” Generally we see this term used when a tree is failing or has some other issue that must be resolved immediately or may otherwise result in the loss of life or property.
I visited the site and the tree didn’t appear to present any imminent danger.
Imminent hazard refers to the risk of a pod, branch or fork from the top falling.
Would annual/bi-annual maintenance including the trimming of branches and removal of the pods minimize the risk? It would reduce the risk. It would not eliminate the risk.
During my site visit, I noticed three, not two, leaders at the top. Did you or your team get up there to determine the cause?
I’m wondering if the tree’s been topped which may cause that condition, similar to redwood trees?
If so, I’m concerned there may be weak attachments.
If
this were the case, can just that portion of the tree be removed? Your assessment was down from the ground. Regardless if the tree was topped, the co-dominant leaders are known to form weak attachments.
Have you considered cabling the co-dominant stems? It looked to me that one of the three could be removed, and the other two cabled to minimize the risk of splitting, but that’s a tough call to make without understanding what’s really going on.
Removing the one that
extends west and cabling the remaining two would mitigate risk of splitting.
Should the tree
be retained, cabling all three top leaders may be more desirable.
That determination can be
made when the time comes.
I will ask a City-contracted arborist to come evaluate the tree as well, but I’d like your response to these items first.
If possible, I would appreciate your response by Wednesday so I can schedule the a visit by our arborist while I’m on vacation.
In closing, I want to acknowledge that I haven’t met an arborist or tree climber yet who likes Bunya Bunya trees, and I’ve known quite a few.
I understand that these trees require maintenance,
perhaps more than some other large varietals, and are difficult to maintain.
As you know, the City
has two Bunya Bunya trees in very well-populated areas, one at Railroad Square and the other at Courthouse Square.
Similar to the excellent maintenance you’ve provided for the subject tree, the City maintains these two trees to ensure all pods are removed and trees remain safe.
Give me a call I you’d like to talk about it.
I’m working remotely this week and don’t want to miss
your call.
With that in mind, please use my cell, 707-529-2590.
Thanks much.
Susie
Please note that I will be on vacation beginning September 15, 2022, and returning to work on October 11, 2022.
Susie Murray |
Senior Planner | Staff Liaison to the Cultural Heritage Board Planning and Economic Development |100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3 | Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Tel. (707) 543-4348 | Fax (707) 543-3269 | [email protected]