HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope AvenueCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 12
May 25, 2010
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: General Services Department
Mark Harmon, Director
(949) 644 -3055
mharmon(a)newportbeachca.gov
SUBJECT: Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope Avenue
ISSUE:
Should the City Council amend the City Street Tree Designation List for Heliotrope
Avenue?
RECOMMENDATION:
Amend the City Street Tree Designation List for Heliotrope Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
In May 2000, the City Council adopted a City Street Tree Designation List that specifies
species of trees for future planting in parkways and /or medians of a City street. Per City
Council Policy G -6, staff will review this list and recommend changes to the Parks,
Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB &R) for consideration and recommendation
to the City Council
Due to storm related incidents, insect and disease problems, and infrastructure conflict
(growth space vs. curb /gutter /sidewalk damage), many of the Japanese Black Pine
trees on Heliotrope Avenue have failed or have had to be removed due to potential
failure. This has resulted in multiple tree vacancy sites in this neighborhood. Staff
arborists believe that the Japanese Black Pine is not a suitable replacement tree for this
neighborhood.
On May 4, 2010, staff brought forward to the Parks Beaches and Recreation
Commission (PB &R) a recommendation to change the street tree designation on
Heliotrope Avenue from the current listed species, the Japanese Black Pine, to three (3)
different species: Kenita Palm, Hong Kong Orchid, and the New Zealand Christmas
Street Tree Designation for Heliotrope Avenue
May 25, 2010
Page 2
Tree. Designating three (3) different species for this neighborhood will add diversity to
the urban forest, and provide residents with a choice when selecting the type of tree
they would like in front of their home. These species will also do well in the limited
growth space available within that street and, therefore, will limit impacts to public and
private property.
PB &R voted unanimously to recommend to City Council a change in street tree
designation for the 200 and 300 block of Heliotrope Avenue (attachment 1). Staff is
recommending that City Council approve this change for the 200 through 700 block of
Heliotrope to be consistent throughout the entire neighborhood.
Financial Review
The General Services Department budgets for the replacement of City street trees in
account #3180 - 80806. There is no financial impact due to the change in tree
designation for a particular street.
Environmental Review:
This project does not require environmental review because it has no potential for
resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Public Notice:
This agenda item may be noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in
advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Legal Review
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this report.
General Services Director
Attachments
1) PB &R Staff Report (May 4, 2010) w/o attachments.
TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: Cio Street Dwe Devi,"alhm
Recommendation
PB&R Commission Ag
,enda
Item No,
May4'2010
Consideration, of the request to designate the Howea forsteriana- Kenita Palm, Bauhinia
blakcana- Hong Kong- Orchid and Metrosideros escelsus- New Zealand ChristaiasTree as the
designated street trees on Heliotrope Avenue (200-3 WO blocks).
Background
The City Street Tree Designation List was adopted by the ( ' 'ity Council in May 2000
(Attachment A) after a thorough review by the Parks. Beaches, andl Recreation (PI3 & R)
Commission. The list designates specific species of trees for future planting in parkways
arid/or medians of a City street to promote uniformity of the street treescapes.
The Street Tree Designation List is maintained arid reviewed on an annual basis by City sWI*
in accordance with Section 13.08.020 of the Municipal Code (Official Tree List) and City
Council Policy G-6 (,Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees). Any changes,
recommendations, or resident request for changes are forwarded to the PB & R Commission
for consideration.
,Discussion
Over a period of time, several City trees have been removed on Heliotrope Avenue (200-3W
blocks), due to storm related incidents. insect infestations and disease. City staff propose to
plant trees within the affected area due to the multiple tree vacancies.
The current designated street tree for Heliotrope Avenue is a Pinus thuribergiana — Japanese
Black Pixie (Attachment B), This tree species is a slow growing pine tree with an eventual
height of 10 feet. However, several residents withiii this cmurrainily have requested all
alternative tree species with a larger canopy and height.
Staff is recommending a variety of three tree species (Deciduous, Evergreen and Palm tree
types) to provide diversity and selection for the community. Recent studies and research
,vithin the arboriCU111are ihSCiplin have recornmcnded diversity for tree planfing within the
urban forest, due to incrmshig, pr➢blen'N of disease and btsvcts� Diversity provides a
rniti.-ation tool to prevent massive joss ofone tree species on a particular street, due to an
insect or disease tbat can quickly dcsiroy oix: tree species. Additionally, allowing residents to
select between a deciduous, evergreen and paten species 0, trees, aljo%ks them to enhance
landscape themes that already exist on their property, It also provides them with a choice in
the selection Process, Which generally leads to heltermainteriance and protection of the newly
planted street tree.
Staff has determined thai Lite Kentia Palm- Hong Kong Orchid and New, Zea!and Christmas
Tree variedes of trees will help mitigate any future insect and disease problems and perfinmi
well in this location. since the trees are suitable for a 3 feet -row th space tree well. A rnap and
information regarding the proposed trees are anached (Attachnients C & D). Thu trees will be
.a welcome enhancement to this community.
Council Member Nanc - y Gardner has received e. copy of this report- The affected property
owners, received a notice of the Comrnismn inecting.
SubmittObv:j X",
*"70
Mark Harmon
Attachments: (A) City of Newport Beach Designated Street Tree List May 2000
(B) Japanese Black Pine tree photo
(C) Description and photos of proposed designated street trees
(D) Aerial map