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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - G-6 Policy - Maintenance & Planting of Parkway TreesCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 9 August 24, 2004 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: General Services Department David E. Niederhaus, Director, 949 - 644 -3055 dniederhaus @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: G -6 Policy Changes ISSUE: Does the City Council want to approve the proposed revisions to the existing G -6 Policy (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees) as recommended by staff, retain the existing policy, or make change(s) to the proposed revisions? RECOMMENDATION: Approve revisions to the G -6 Policy or make alternative revisions as deemed necessary. DISCUSSION: Background: The G -6 Policy was last revised on April 13, 2004 as staff provided minor annual updates to the various Council policies. During the final review process of the G -1 Policy (Retention and Removal of City Trees), the staff of The Irvine Company (TIC) raised issues related to the retention of parkway trees throughout the Fashion Island area. One of the proposed revisions to the G -6 Policy was developed as a result of dialogue between TIC and City staff. ISSUES: The predominant parkway trees throughout the Fashion Island area are Ficus trees. The revisions to the G -1 Policy approved by Council on April 27, 2004 identify Ficus trees as one of eight Problem Tree species. TIC staff is concerned that such a Problem Tree designation and the fact that the Street Tree Designation list approved by Council does not allow replacement of the Ficus trees in kind and such a City position would lead to an irregular treescape as G -6 Policy Changes August 24, 2004 Page 2 the newly designated species replacing Ficus trees were planted whenever a Ficus tree died or was destroyed. The compromise recommended by staff provides for a new section entitled Parkways in Established Retail Commercial /Office Centers noted in the attached, revised G -6 Policy. Approval of the revision would permit commercial property owners to replace Ficus or other types of Problem Trees not only at Fashion Island but other similar commercial locations on an individual basis provided certain conditions which protect City interests are met. There are presently 64 vacant parkway tree sites in the Fashion Island area that the revision would apply to. Additional Changes: Staff has also included a number of additional minor changes to the G -6 Policy that are unrelated to the TIC request. Environmental Review: Non - applicable. Public Notice: Non - applicable. Funding Availability: Non - applicable. Summary: Staff recommends approval of the proposed minor revisions and the major addition to the G -6 Policy based on maintaining a uniform treescape in commercial areas without additional risk of liability nor maintenance costs to the City. Prepared by: David E. Niederhaus General Services Director Attachment: (A) Proposed G -6 Policy Submitted by: �la'vld E. Niederhaus General Services Director August 6 Draft G -6 MAINTENANCE AND PLANTING OF PARKWAY TREES The City Council is vitally interested in beautification of City parkways. Public cooperation in helping to develop and maintain healthy and attractive parkway trees is encouraged. MAINTENANCE OF PARKWAY TREES The General Services Department will trim the parkway trees on a rotation schedule. An effort will be made to trim the parkway trees on less than a three -year cycle. If the rotation trimming is completed in less than three years, more frequent trimming will be performed on certain trees and in view areas. Public safety issues such as low branches and heavy foliage will be given priority over view trimming. An effort will be made to trim parkway trees located in heavy summer traffic areas during the fall and winter months. The trimming schedule will be altered to avoid trimming streets with flowering street trees during their blooming time. This will apply to streets having a large number of flowering trees, not to one or two trees on a street. Annual trimming of certain species of trees prone to wind damage will be done prior to the winter season. TREE LIST The Parks, Beaches arid — Recreation Gems �ity Council has adopted an official street tree list which will be used by the General Services Department to determine species for planning purposes in all new subdivisions and replacement in established parkways. The list, which is entitled Street Tree Designation List, will be reviewed on an annual basis by the General Services Department staff with any recommendations forwarded to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission for review before adoption of any recommendations by the City Council. STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PLANTING PARKWAY TREES A. General Requirements 1. 72 -hour notification shall be given to the General Services Department staff prior to the initial installation of parkway trees for approval of species, material quality, and planting supervision. 24 -hour notice shall be given prior to all subsequent inspections as required. 2. Relative position of parkway trees is subject to approval by the General Services Department, and any tree not properly placed will be relocated at no cost to the City. In the interest of public safety, trees shall be planted not less than: 1 G-a5 a. 25 feet back of beginning of curb returns at intersections. b. 10 feet from lamp standards. C. 10 feet from fire hydrants. d. 10 feet from service walks or driveways. e. 10 feet from meters and sewers. f. 25 feet from stop signs. 3. Trees shall be a minimum container size of 24" box. a. Condition: Plants shall be symmetrical, typical for variety and species, healthy, vigorous, free from plant disease, insect pests and shall have healthy, normal root system free from being root bound. Trees shall not be pruned nor topped prior to delivery. b. Inspection: All plant material shall be subject to inspection and approval by the General Services Department staff prior to planting. The City has the right to reject any item offered. 4. Soil Analysis Requirement for Land Developers Developers may be required to submit a composite soil analysis completed by a bona fide soil testing laboratory of soil to receive parkway trees at no cost to the City. The location and number of soil samples shall be determined by the City. Analysis shall include fertility level and organic content of the samples take. A copy of the test results shall be forwarded directly to the General Services Department staff a minima n of 60 days prior to the scheduled planting of parkway trees. PARKWAY TREE PLANTING A. All tree planting pits shall be dug with the bottom level width equal to two times the diameter of the ball, and the depth 1 1/2 times the height of the container from which the tree is planted. B. Where land developers are required to provide soil analysis, the prepared soil backfill shall be based on test results. C. When soil analysis is not a requirement, native soil with a commercial fertilizer approved by the General Services Department staff shall be used for backfill. 2 G -6 D. Set plants in center of pit, in vertical position, so that crown of ball will be level with finish grade after allowing for watering and settling and shall bear the same relationship to finish grade after allowing for watering and settling and shall bear the same relationship to finish grade that it did to soil surface in its container. E. Prepare a depressed water basin capable of holding 10 gallons of water. Water shall be applied in that quantity at time of planting in a fashion that insures wetting the entire root ball and that all air pockets are removed. F. If houses are not occupied, trees shall be watered one week later. Thereafter, watering shall be done at week intervals by the developer for a period of one year or until homes are occupied. G. Each tree must be properly supported by one Reddy Stake System or other material approved by the General Services Department staff. Stakes shall be a minimum of seven feet in length. Stake all trees at time of planting by placing a stake in the prepared hole and placing the stake as prescribed by the manufacturer. H. All trees shall be secured to stakes with a UV- resistant vinyl tubing. I. A root barrier approved by the General Services Department staff shall be installed. GUARANTEES A. 24" boxed trees shall be guaranteed as to growth and health for a period of ninety (90) days after final acceptance by the General Services Department staff. B. Trees that fail to grow or are injured or damaged during planting operations shall be replaced within 15 days after notification. Replacement material shall be guaranteed as specified as original guaranteed material. ESTABLISHED PARKWAYS Applicant must: A. Applicant must accept responsibility for watering and fertilizing new trees. B. If an applicant has questions regarding the street tree program they should contact the Urban Forester at (949) 644 -3083 or send a written request for one or more parkway trees to: Attn: Urban Forester, P. O. Box 1768, Newport Beach, California 92659 -1768. 01 G -6 City of Newport Beach will: A. Approve species, location, and spacing of tree planting. B. Furnish, install, stake, and initially fertilize new trees (exception would be trees planted in accordance with City Code 13.09.010). C. Prune and spray tree as required. D. Approve type of root barriers for installation. E. Assume trimming responsibilities. PARKWAYS IN ESTABLISHED RETAIL COMMERCIAL/ OFFICE CENTERS Parkwav street trees that are removed because they are diseased or have damaged property may be replaced with the same species of trees (and a species other than the designated street tree) provided (a) the parkway street tree is located adjacent to or within an established retail commercial/ office developrnent; (b) replacement with the same species will maintain the appearance of the streetscape and /or ensure consistency with an established landscape masterplan adopted by the adjoining; landowner; (c) the parkway street trees have a history of little or no hardscape damage nor injury claims related to hardscape damage caused by the tree; and (d) the property owner has agreed in writing to repair or 12av the cost of repair /and or replacement of hardscape or underground utilities damaged by the new trees. Adopted - November 22,1952 Amended - November 14,1953 Amended - October 22,1992 Amended -January 24, 1994 Amended - July 23, 2002 Amended - April 13, 2004 Formerly I -19 4