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Home My WebLink About11 - Street Tree Designation for Fourth Avenue in Corona del MarCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH C9[IFO P City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 11 January 10, 2012 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Municipal Operations Department Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Department Director 949 644 -3055, mharmon6a newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Department Director APPROVED: TITLE: Street Tree Designation- Fourth Avenue (CdM) RECOMMENDATION: Municipal Operations staff recommends that the City Council consider the recommendation from the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation (PB &R) Commission, and approve a change in Street Tree Designation for Fourth Avenue (CdM), from the current designation of the Hong Kong Orchid to the homeowner's choice of three different tree species: Gold Medallion, Dwarf Southern Magnolia, and the African Tulip. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no financial impact to the City due to a change in Street Tree Designation for a particular street. DISCUSSION: During the month of October 2011, 33 Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees, located on Fourth Avenue between Avocado and Poppy Avenues, were removed due to safety concerns. At their January 3`d meeting (agenda report attached), the PB &R Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council changing the Street Tree Designation for Fourth Avenue from the Hong Kong Orchid to three different tree species: the Gold Medallion, Dwarf Southern Magnolia, and the African Tulip. Per Council Policy G -6, the PB &R Commission will make recommendations to the City Council to change designated street trees in specific neighborhoods. At the January 3`d Commission meeting, one resident not residing on Fourth Avenue spoke of concerns with the African Tulip selection, citing references that this tree may be invasive. While true that this tree may be invasive (rapid proliferation impacting surrounding landscape) in tropical areas 1 Street Tree Designation- Fourth Avenue (CdM) January 10, 2012 Page 2 such as Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, etc., our trim cycle eliminates much of the seed drop and, therefore, we have had no problems or concerns with invasiveness from these trees. Once established, the African Tulip tree is a drought - tolerant species and has performed extremely well in the CdM medians between MacArthur and Poppy Avenues, with no seedlings evident in those areas. The African Tulip has bright red flowers, grows to a canopy width of approximately 40 feet, has no known diseases or insects, and no large surface roots that would impact surrounding infrastructure. On December 7th staff mailed information regarding the recommended trees, including a tree selection form, to the impacted homeowners. If City Council approves the recommended changes to the street tree designation for Fourth Avenue, staff will begin working with the individual homeowners to schedule the planting of the new trees. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Submitted by: Director Attachments: January 3, 2012, PB &R Agenda Report: Street Tree Designation - Fourth Avenue (CdM). TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission FROM: Mark Harmon, Director of Municipal Operations SUBJECT: Street Tree Designation - Fourth Avenue (Cd]W Recommendation PB &R Commission Agenda Item No. January 3, 2012 That the Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB &R) Commission recommend to the City Council that the Street Tree Designation on Fourth Avenue between Avocado and Poppy Avenues (Corona del Mar) be changed from the current Hong Kong Orchid to the homeowner's choice of three different species: Gold Medallion, Dwarf Southern Magnolia, and the African Tulip. Discussion In May 2000, the City Council adopted a City Street Tree Designation List (List) that specifies species of trees for future planting in parkways and/or medians throughout the city. Per Council Policy G -6, staff will recommend changes regarding the List to the PB &R Commission for consideration and recommendation to the City Council. During October 2011, 33 Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees were removed from the Fourth Avenue (CdM) neighborhood due to safety concerns. Following the removal of the trees, crews worked to replace damaged areas of private lawns and repair curb and gutter damage due to the size of the trees and their removal. During the past several weeks, city staff has worked to identify replacement trees for the Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees that were removed. The current designated street tree, the Hong Kong Orchid, has a slow growth rate and does not do well in all areas of the City. When selecting the replacement trees staff considered the growth space available, growth rate and success of a specific species, color (aesthetics), and availability of the trees. Staff is recommending the following three (3) species of trees for replacing the Eucalyptus on Fourth Avenue: the Gold Medallion, the Dwarf Southern Magnolia, and the African Tulip. Designating three (3) different species for this neighborhood will add diversity to the urban forest and provide homeowners with a choice when selecting the type of tree they would like in front of their home. These trees will also do well given the growth space for mature trees on Fourth Avenue and, therefore, will limit impacts to public and private property. On December 7d, staff sent the attached letter and photos of the recommended replacement trees to the homeowners directly impacted by the removals. Included with this information was a Selection Form whereby homeowners could select the tree species that they would like for their specific property. Staff will provide information regarding the returned forms at the Commission meeting on January 3 `d. Financial Review There is no financial impact to the City due to a change in Street Tree Designation for a particular street. Public Notice This agenda item was noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the public meeting at which the Commission considers the item). In addition, a total of 28 homeowners received an individual notice of this meeting and a copy of the agenda report. Attachment: December 7's Letter to Fourth Avenue Homeowners w/ attachments MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT December 7, 2011 Dear Neighbors, This letter with attachments (pictures of the tree selections and the Selection Form) is being sent to all homeowners that were impacted by the Blue Gum Eucalyptus tree removals on Fourth Avenue. First, my sincere thanks for your patience and understanding as the City moved forward with this very difficult project. The decision to remove the Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees was not an easy one. Following the removal of the trees, crews worked to replace damaged areas of private lawns and repair curb and gutter damage. With that work completed, it is now time to turn our attention towards replacing the trees. As I stated at the Town Hall meeting that was held on October 13th, the City will provide three different choices for homeowners to select from when considering the replacement of the trees that were located at their individual properties. After considering growth space available and history of how well various species have done in the Corona Del Mar area, staff has selected the attached three species of trees for your consideration; the Gold Medallion, the Dwarf Southern Magnolia, and the African Tulip. Attached to this letter is a Selection Form. I would ask that you please complete this form and mail or e -mail to my attention at the address below. The selection and planting of a tree is not mandatory, and if requested, City staff will visit your residence and discuss planting options. My goal is to prepare a recommendation for the January 3rd meeting of the PB &R Commission to list these three species as the newly designated street tree for Fourth Avenue. I would sincerely appreciate receiving your completed form prior to January 3rd. You will receive a notice of the Commission meeting so that you may attend and provide your thoughts directly to the Commissioners if you wish. However, your attendance is not necessary. Thanks again for working with the City towards re- establishing our street trees on Fourth Avenue, Sincerely, 4L Mark Harmon, Director Municipal Operations Department mharmon(c)newportbeachca. eov Corporation Yard: 592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663 - Telephone: (949) 644 -3055 Fax: (949) 650 -0747 Utilities Yard: 949 West 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663 - Telephone: (949) 644 -3011 Fax: (949) 646 -5204 Mailing Address: PO Box 1768, Newport Beach, CA 92658 -8915 - % vww. newporl: beachea.gov %municipaloperations SELECTION FORM FOURTH AVENUE STREET TREE DESIGNATION Address: Name: Please choose ONE: ❑ Gold Medallion ❑ Dwarf Southern Magnolia ❑ African Tulip (Height: 20 - 40 ft, Blooms: Bright yellow) (Height: 20 25 ft, Blooms: Large white) (Height: 10 - 40 ft, Blooms: Reddish - orange) ❑ NO REPLACEMENT TREE REQUESTED Optional: ❑ Please contact us for a site visit with City Staff Phone Number /Email Address: COMMENTS: ** Please return the completed form prior to January 3� to: ** City of Newport Beach Municipal Operations Department Attn: Fourth Ave Tree Selection Form 3300 Newport Blvd Newport Beach CA 92658 Or email to: mharmon@newportbeachca.gov Cassia leptophylla (Gold Medallion Tree) Magnolia grandiflora `Little Gem' (Dwarf Southern Magnolia) r.0 0 Spathodea campanulata (African Tulip Tree) 0