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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - Tree Removal 428 MargueriteO Om t D • U S a. C'9<iFORN`' y � 1 PB &R Commission Agenda Item No. September 4, 2001 TO: FROM: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission General Services Director SUBJECT: Tree Removal Request Recommendation To remove one City Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Red Ironbark) parkway street tree located at 428 Marguerite Avenue pending installation of an upgraded sewer lateral by the property owner. History • Mr. Thomas J. Kelleher, property owner of 428 Marguerite Avenue, has submitted the attached Tree Removal Request Application pursuant to City Council Policy G -1 requesting the removal of one City Eucalyptus street tree adjacent to his home due to repeated damage to private property. Staff has attached Tree Inspection and Tree Appraisal Reports, landlord's disbursement journal, and photographs related to the request. Discussion The applicant has indicated a repeated history of tree root damage to private property. Prior to tree removal, staff recommends the sewer lateral be replaced with upgraded material by the property owner which would most likely not be affected by the roots of a replacement tree. This request is based upon a repeated history of damage to private property as outlined in the G -1 Policy. This request does not meet the minimum requirements of Council Policy G -1, however, staff recommends approval of the tree removal request based on the number of sewer blockages, total cost of plumbing repair, and the fact that the resident has personally absorbed the expenses. 40 Mr. Kelleher has received a copy of this report and a notice of the Commission meeting. Very respectfully, David E. Niederhaus Attachments: (1) Tree Removal Request Form, letters and landlord's disbursement journal. (2) Tree Inspection and Appraisal Report (3) Photos E • 41 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH General Services Department Tree Removal or Reforestation Application Per City Council Policy G -I (Retention or Removal of City Trees), I am Lequeging the removal to be reviewed by staff and submitted to Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission for consideration at a future meeting. Commission meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month (expect for holidays) at 7PM at the Council Chambers. Indicate the number and spec Located at: q Z-$ -41st Please be specific as possible Requestor Property Owner Community Association Other 0 Signature: of tree(s). Print Name: 7hod2ru_r r Kelleher- ✓` 0 A LM Address /Phone 7y # kare •, J(e-.l rr 1, er Ave. Lsrr� K a! .Ufar, c q2 -(02.3 �Rqq) 7L3-02 -94 Date: 3/2,0/0 ! Removal Criteria (Check one or morel Please provide copies of photos, bills, documents or any other related material that will verify the checked items. ©Proven and repeated history (two or more occurrences within an 18 month period) of damaging public or *private sewers, water mains, roadways, sidewalks, curbs, walls, fences, underground utilities or foundations. ( *exceeding $500) =Repeated history of significant interference with street or sidewalk drainage, despite specific treatment by the City to alleviate repeated damage. Dying Has no prospect of recovery. Diseased Cannot be cured by current arboricultural methods. In advanced state of decline with no prospect of recovery. ElHaaardous Defective, potential to fail, could cause damage to pefsonslproperty upon failure. Assessment by Urban Forester will identify structural defects, parts • likely to fail, targets -if fails, procedures and actions to abate.'5i'W4' e' oVNr /we, =Beautification In conjunction with a City Council- approved City, commercial, neighborhood, 1Project or community association beautification program. &-Vv 0A41, , � 7/00 May 7, 2001 John Conway General Services Department City of Newport Beach Dear Mr. Conway, RECEIVED MAY 10 2001 Cib PARKS/TRE`J Nearly two months ago Karon and I sent you our letter, our neighbors' endorsements, and a Tree Removal or Reforestation Application, all in connection with our request for the City of Newport Beach to remove a eucalyptus tree. We described the continuing tree root invasions into our domestic sewer line and the resultant blockages that we have dealt with for more than ten years. One week ago I again ran my power auger into our sewer line and removed roots, to prevent another blockage. I try to do this messy but preventive task twice each year; when I don't, blockages develop. Mr. Conway, please respond to us in some manner concerning our letter and application of March 9. We are obviously concerned about the necessity to remove the tree, and we want to know what attention you are giving to our request. Sincerel Thomas J. Kelleher 428 Marguerite Avenue Corona del Mar, CA 92625 (949) 723 -0284 • E March 9, 2001 John Conway, Urban Forester General Services Department City of Newport Beach Dear Mr. Conway, RECEIVED MAR 2 2 2001 `S PARKS/TREEt; We request the City's removal of a mature eucalyptus tree growing in the Second Avenue parkway, west of the alley at the rear of 428 Marguerite Avenue ( "The Tree "). We recognize The Tree adds certain aesthetic charm to our Corona del Mar village neighborhood. But The Tree's charm is exceeded by its costly and damaging sewer line root intrusion. If The Tree were on our private property, we likely would have removed it many years ago, to alleviate the problems that we will describe in this letter. We purchased our Corona del Mar property in October 1990. In December 1990 we had to call a plumbing service to clear our sewer line and remove a drainage blockage. The cause: tree roots somewhere in the sewer line. Nine months later, the tree root blockage repeated and we called the same plumber. Then, after the third root blockage /plumber service call, we purchased our own power auger, capable of reaching 75 feet into the sewer line. For the past eight years we have frequently removed tree roots and resulting blockages, and we have continued to call plumbing services. Two years ago a municipal services crew "rodded" the sewer for roots and made repairs to the sewer line. About one year ago a city crew cleared a root blockage for 427 Marigold Avenue that had caused a sewage overflow into the alley. Marguerite and Marigold residents share the common alley sewer line. Last September and October we had major blockages that backed -up into our residence. One of our shower floors filled with domestic sewage, and we quickly learned that we could not flush our toilets or drain any other plumbing fixtures. We repeatedly augered tree roots to clear that latest blockage: The first recovery was at approximately 15 feet into the sewer line; then at 25 feet; then at 35 feet; then at 45 feet; and finally at approximately 60 feet. (We are somewhat puzzled about tree roots at those greater distances, because those distances are almost certainly into the city's line running under the alley.) Nevertheless, we also called A -ames Plumbing service to assure adequate tree root removal. At that time the city crew also cleared the alley sewer, based on A -ames' recommendation. In January we flushed copper sulfate crystals (a chemical that is claimed to kill intruding tree roots) into our sewer, in an additional attempt to delay the roots. This chemical process is hazardous and, at best, it is only another temporary solution. Are we absolutely certain that The Tree is the source of the persistent tree root invasion? No, but The Tree is the most likely origin, due to its size, age and proximity. The trunk is greater than 100 inches in circumference as it grows less than 35 feet from our frequent blockages. Other • eucalyptus trees are growing along Second Avenue, but none are nearly as close as The Tree. We have a lesser problem with The Tree, besides sewer blockages. Several months each year • The Tree drips sap on vehicles that must park under it. We try to alert anyone who prepares to park there, about the sap drip risks. When the sap hardens it is very difficult to remove. We have had to use petroleum and other harsh solvents to soften and dissolve the stuff from our cars and other property. So, we deal with the sap problem several months each year. C� 0 The solution that we ask is unpleasant, but we believe absolutely necessary to end the repeating sewer blockages. We ask the City of Newport Beach General Service Department to remove The Tree and its stump and root system, in a manner that will terminate The Tree's root growth. The potential alternative root pruning, which could help retain The Tree, is not practical. Most of the land around the tree is paved street, alley, sidewalk, and residential foundation and slab. None of which should be tom away to get to The Tree's roots for pruning and tree preservation. Another alternative to removing The Tree is to replace the residential sewer line at owner's expense. That option is simply unacceptable in view of the source and extent of the blockages. And the puzzle would remain: Is the root system invading the City's alley sewer line too? Among the Removal Criteria requested for tree removals, General Services Department seeks copies of bills or other documents that prove repeated damage to private sewers exceeding $500. We have no individual bills of $500 or more to provide you, the single largest was $470 paid to A -ames in November 1992. In total, however, we have spent at least $1,960 for plumbing service sewer blockage clearances, plus more than $350 for our own power auger. Our expenditures are supported by our landlord disbursement journals that we have maintained for income tax purposes. We refrained from seeking city reimbursements, but perhaps we should have billed the City of Newport Beach. We didn't. That's history. The G.S.D. also seeks neighborhood reactions to the proposed tree removal. We are enclosing a statement, signed by our adjoining neighbors, who are all in support of the removal. We saved ourselves (and maybe the City) money by doing much of the clean out work ourselves. But in a few years we will not have the agility to do the work; so the costs will increase, both for the City and for ourselves. In conclusion, please review our Tree Removal or Reforestation application and consider it in conjunction with the preceding discussion of sewer blockage problems and expenses. We request and hope that you agree to remove The Tree as soon as possible. If we have not provided you with all of the information you may need to reach that conclusion, we will attempt to answer any remaining questions at your request. SmcJe Thomas J. and Karon K. Kelleher 428 Marguerite Avenue Corona del Mar, CA 92625 (949) 723 -0284 City of Newport Beach • Re: Eucalyptus Tree Removal Request Letter from Karon and Tom Kelleher I have read the eucalyptus tree removal request letter dated March 9, 2001. I live in the immediate area. Agree V y� Y Y u V/ 0 Disagree Address c � Q-Lc e o RA N., . -Yvi i C k /7 Z/ 1 h M 50 1 /lb M 4X, 6VeWl A&' • CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH P.O. BOX 1768, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658 -8915 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Kelleher 428 Marguerite Avenue Corona del Mar, CA 92625 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kelleher, May 3, 2001 Your request for the removal of a City parkway street tree has been evaluated by staff. Staff reviewed your submitted Tree Removal/ Reforestation application, performed a field inspection, and determined the tree does not meet the G -1 Policy criteria for removal at this time. Specifically, your removal request lacked the following: Per your letter dated March 9, 2001 you indicated that you did not have any bills for repairs of damages to your property occurring as a result of the tree roots, nor any other documents indicating repeated damage to private property, however, your landlord's disbursement journal reflected such costs incurred by you. Therefore, please send copies of the landlord's disbursement journal as indicated. Applications with incomplete documentation cannot be forwarded to the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB &R) for consideration. The PB &R Commission make the final determination regarding tree removal requests. It is important to emphasize that under no circumstance are City trees to he removed without City permission. The City will seek full restitution of the value of the tree should such an illegal removal occur. Please contact me at (949) 644 -3083 or by e -mail at iconway@city.newport beach.ca.us. if you have any questions. Sincerely, J hn Conway, Urban Forester General Services Department JC /pw • Attachment 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach 7/00 • 0 9114 d 3 6 ULbE whlo'. 6UblUNcrt CiC c ��W PoRr CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH U S P.O. BOX 1768, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658 -8915 f 0:0-A P ro vA 0. Mr, and Mrs. Thomas J. Kelleher 428 Marguerite Avenue Corona del Mar, CA 92625 3, 2001 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kelleher, Your request for the removal of a City parkway street tree has been evaluated by staff. Staff reviewed your submitted Tree Removal/ Reforestation application, performed. a field inspection, and determined the tree does not meet did C I ?0::-" criteria for removal at flais tune. 1 Specifically, your removal request lacked the following: Per your letter dated March 9, 2001 you indicated that you did not ha re any bills for repairs of damages to your property occurring as a result of t ie tree roots, nor any other documents indicating repeated damage to � ovate property, however, your landlord's disbursement journal reflecteel such costs incurred by you. Therefore, please send co ies of the lanilord's disbursement journal as indicated Applications with incomplete documentation cannot be forwarded to Abe Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB &R) for consideration. Tle PB &R Commission snake the final determination regarding tree removal reques I s. It is important to ernplaasize that under no circumstance are City trees to be removed without City permissions. The CIN will seek full restitution oj'the value of the tree should such an illegal removal occur. Please contact me at (949) 644 -3083 or by e-mail at bcacb.cg.us. if you have any questions. Sincerel t Jdlui Conway, Urban Forester General Services Department T(; /pw Attachment 0 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Be • • • Lij V II o III O LU Lu a au LU z 9L x LU o X 19 $ ;,,,UiA i1 N i 0 11 M >iI �0 a • a wo wi 0 0 Ole atis In AF, 4 7-1... 7- —1-1 —14 1 I T- I. j A J i i 7-- j L 77-1 Am I -7 Cta Q. ri of La SI ;A el iA - W f cj P.j 6. N X 19 $ ;,,,UiA i1 N i 0 11 M >iI r ,I it m e II V�UP �.I III In T 'I 1 IN I s JJ i r .0 C-A_ II , ✓ I I' n III m I S w n g F !' II �11 all 0 and I • dk wii • I I 1' 10 H9H0.,1 1 ,111HH W i 9> X118 N N; N; C! . 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Parkway: Concrete Brick Turf Other • Comments: Property owner records indicate 11 service calls to clear tree root obstructions. / Inspected by: Date: August 20, 2001 Jo Conway Recommendation: The applicant has indicated a repeated history of tree root damage to private property. Prior to tree removal, staff recommends the sewer lateral be replaced with upgraded material which will most likely not be effected by the tree roots. This request doellpegl thelminimum requirements of the City Council Policy G -1. Reviewed by: / Date: August 20, 2001 • 0 § � m � 0 W§ LL 0 I 0 � s k k U) � ¥ � 2 $ k § & § w $ } 7 m §` ) ^ 2 k §\ 2 a/ km � + §§ ■ }�\ k §!> k( 2 4! d \ } \\ � �� }j 0 0 0 a