HomeMy WebLinkAbout20 HEDGE TREATMENT 05-15-95NO. 20
5-15-95
OATE:
MAY 15, 1995
Inter-Com
TO:
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
sUBJECT:', :-'.---. WALNUT AVENUE HEDGE TREATMENT AT NELSON SCHOOL
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council, at their meeting of May 15, 1995, direct Staff to issue
a no-fee permit to the Tustin Unified School District to remove the subject hedge and replace
it with-a vine on the City side of the existing chain link fence. The permit would also require
the Tustin Unified School District to maintain the subject vine and provide for future removal
at the City's discretion, if deemed necessary.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There would be no fiscal'impact to the City for the issuance of the subject permit. The estimate
to have a contractor remove the hedge and replace with a vine is approximately $4,000. The
School District would like the City Council to consider removing the hedge and replacing it with
a vine at City expense.'
BACKGROUND:
In conjunction with a 1973 City project to widen the north side of Walnut Avenue between
Browning Avenue and the A.T. & S.F. Railroad right-of-waY (approximately six-hundred (600)
fee0, the City Council directed the installation of a hedge along Nelson Elementary School. The
hedge was intended to provide a visual barrier between traffic and the activities of school
children at this site. Additionally, in 1981 the City constructed an eight (8) foot wide concrete
bike path on the Nelson School property for use by students who bicycle to and from the school.
The City's right-of-way is located eight (8) feet behind the curb face and the existing 4 foot wide
sidewalk is located adjacent to the back of curb. An existing chain link fence, which belongs
to the Tustin Unified SchOOl District (TUSD), is located on the right-of-way line. Currently,
the subject hedge is located within the City's right-of-way, however the TUSD trims and
maintains the hedge and also supplies irrigation for the hedge. The trees located along this
section of Walnut Avenue are located within the City's right-of-way and are maintained, by the
City.
During this Fiscal Year (1994-95), the City received letters from the Tustin Unified School
District (attached) and W.R. Nelson Elementary School (attached) requesting the removal of the
subject hedge and the installation of a vine that could grow along the existing chain link fence.
The letters indicate that the School and the District believe the hedge poses a safety hazard to
the students by blocking the sidewalk area, thereby forcing students into the street.
DISCUSSION:
The'attached .letters from the School District and Nelson School indicate safety concerns with
the existing hedge and request that the City remove the hedge and replace it with a vine at City
expense. However, based upon staWs review of this area and analysis of the request to remove
the subject hedge, it.was determined that with proper maintenance of the hedge there is sufficient
clear sidewalk area' for the pedestrian activity in this area. Furthermore, the bike path that the
City constructed in 1981 was intended to be utilized by the school children to prevent the riding
of bicycles on the sidewalk adjacent to the school. A five (5) foot wide bike lane is also striped
on both sides of Walnut Avenue, which not only provides a designated place to fide bicycles but
also forces vehicular traffic from travelling close to the curbs.
If the School District wishes to remove the hedge the City could issue a no-fee encroachment
permit to allow the School District to remove the subject hedge from the City right-of-way and
replace it with the desired vine. It has been indicated in the District's letter that they would
maintain the vine. Implementation of this project would satisfy the requests to remove the hedge
and install a vine on the existing fence. It would also maintain previous Council direction to
provide a visual barrier along the fence.
Upon Council authorization, staff will prepare the necessary permit to the Tustin Unified School
District for removal of the subject hedge, installation of a vine along the existing chain link
fence, maintenance of the vine, and future removal of the vine at the City's discretion, if deemed
necessary.
Tim D. Serlet
Director of Public Works/
City Engineer
TDS:DA:ccg:hcdg¢2
Atlaclunenta
Dougla~ R. Anderson
Transportation Engineer
W.R. NELSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
14392 Browning Avenue
Tustin. CA 92680
(714) 730.7536
Tustin Unified School District
April 20,1995
Mr. Doug Anderson
Transportation Engineer
Public Works/~gineering
.City of Tustin
300 Centennial Way.
Tustin, California 92680-
"TUSTIN PUBLIC WORKS
Dear Mr. Anderson:
I am w~-iting to request the removal of the bushes which are next to the schOOl fence on Walnut
Avenue. As I have mentioned to you in our prior conversatiOns, I strongly believe that the bushes
pose a serious safety hazard. Specifi~y, thc bushes often block the sidewalk, thereby forcing
children into the street where they face the risk of being hit by a car.
I recommend that the bushes be removed and that theY be replaced by a low ground cover. (One
possibility mi'ght be the ground cover which runs along the fence across the streeL)
I would appreciate whatever help you can-give in accomplishing the above. If you have any
questions or comments, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Connie Smith
Principal
$cl~ool
300 South C Street · Tustin, California 92680 · 714-730-7301 · FAX 714-731-5399 -
september 28, 1994
Doug Anderson
City of Tustin
Engineering Services
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92680
TUSTIN PUBLIO WOR~ DEPt.
t , :
Dear Doug:
The Tustin Unified School District is requesting that the bushes
along Walnut Avenue next to the Nelson School play field be removed
by the City due to student safety concerns. We are requesting that
once the bushes are removed they be replaced with a vine which will
climb on the fence. The District will maintain the vine.
Thank you for your assistance 'and cooperation.
questions please call me at 730-7308.
If you have
Sincerely,
Donna Butt
Facilitator, Admins. Services
c: Don Bishop
Connie Smith
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jane Bauer · Nancy Cast · Todd Ferguson ° Merlin L Henry, Jr. o Gloria Matta Tuchman
David L Andrews, Ed.D., Superintendent
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