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HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 FICUS TREE REMOVAL 09-06-94?,uENDA NO. 22 9-6-94 DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 Inter-Com TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/FIELD SERVICES DIVISION YORBA BTREET FICUS TREE REMOVALS (P.W. FILE NO. 2695) RECOMMENDATIO___~N It is recommended that the City Council approve Alternate I, which would authorize the removal of five (5) Ficus trees at the current time with the remaining five (5) trees being removed after a period of eighteen months. The replacement trees would remain as the 24" Box Podocarpus (Fern Pine) tree. FISCAL IMPACT None BACKGROUND In 1991, the City Council authorized the removal of all of the Ficus trees along the easterly side of Yorba Street between Irvine Boulevard and Vandenberg Lane over a three phase/year program. In addition, at that time the replacement tree(s) were identified as the Bradford Pear, a small deciduous type tree. The first phase of these tree removals were initiated and completed in the fall of 1991 and the designated replacement trees were planted. Later that year ail of the Ficus trees on the easterly side of Yorba Street southerly of Amaganset Way were removed ahead of schedule to provide visibility to motorists for the stop signs installed on Yorba Street at Amaganset Way. The final phase of the Ficus tree removals and replacements were scheduled for Spring of 1994. On May 16, 1994, the City Council discussed the removal of the remaining ten Ficus trees and what type of replacement tree(s) that should be utilized. At a previous neighborhood meeting in late December 1993, the residents requested an evergreen type tree be planted in lieu of the deciduous type tree as previously utilized. The tree type requested by the residents is identified as Podocarpus (Fern Pine) tree. At this May 16, 1994 meeting, the City Council confirmed the removal of the ten Ficus trees and designated the replacement tree(s) as a 24" box size Podocarpus (Fern Pine) tree. At the June 6, 1994 City Council meeting, Mr. Ed Penn of 14381 Rosewood Circle spoke in opposition to the removal of Ficus trees on Yorba Street and in particular the two trees located adjacent to the backyard of his residence at 14381 Rosewood Circle. Staff has received no other comments from other residents regarding these tree removals other than those included within the May 16, 1994 staff report. The City Council suggested phasing the removal of the remaining Ficus trees on Yorba Street and directed staff to provide a plan which would phase the remaining tree removals. Yorba Street Ficus T September 6, 1994 Page 2 Removals DISCUSSION Staff has reviewed the following alternatives: ten remaining Ficus trees and suggest the Alternative I Remove five (5) trees and replace each removal with the 24" box Podocarpus (Fern Pine) tree at locations 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 as shown on the attached map. The five remaining trees should then be root pruned and/or trimmed/thinned to minimize further displacement to the sidewalks and curbs/gutters at locations 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9. After eighteen (18) months remove the five (5) remaining Ficus trees and replace with the 24" box Podocarpus (Fern Pine) tree. Alternative II Remove all of the ten remaining Ficus trees as previously approved by Council on May 16, 1994. The remaining Ficus trees will require heavy trimming and thinning on a routine basis to stabilize the trees after the root pruning. The Penn's (residents at 14381 Rosewood Circle) have suggested that the treewells be enlarged in lieu of any tree removals. These tree wells have already been enlarged to the maximum allowable dimension for the eight foot wide parkway in order to meet the minimum sidewalk width of four (4) feet per American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Additionally, the tree trunks will start displacing curb and gutter towards the street as the trees grow and enlargement of the treewells will not prevent this displacement. Mr. and Mrs. Penn have been furnished a copy of this staff report for their information. Robert Ledendecker Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer RL: ccg: yorba 1,~131 1418! 14211 14~02 NORWOOD < Park ~ P, DR. E PARKER VIL£AGE 17382 ~7392 DR.