Community Development Department City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 ARBORIST REPORT Application No. ARB15-0025 Prepared by Kate Bear, City Arborist Site: 21459 Saratoga Hills Road Phone: (408) 868-1276 Owner: Nemat Maleksalehi Email: kbear@saratoga.ca.us APN: 503-29-121 Email: none provided Report History: Report 1 New design Date: Plans received August 26, 2015 Arborist report received September 2, 2015 Report completed September 28, 2015 PROJECT SCOPE: The applicant has submitted plans to the City to demolish the existing house and build a new single story house with a basement. It will have an attached two car basement level garage and carport. The project also includes a spa. Three trees, two of which are dead, are requested for removal to construct the project. All meet the City s criteria allowing their removal and replacement as part of the project. STATUS: Approved by City Arborist with attached conditions. PROJECT DATA IN BRIEF: Tree bond Required = $40,250 For trees 1 4, 7, 9 12 and 16-20 Tree fencing Required See Conditions of Approval and attached map. Tree removals Trees 5, 6 and 6A are approved for removal once building permits have been obtained. Replacement trees Required = $15,340 1
21459 Saratoga Hills Road FINDINGS: Tree Removals Whenever a tree is requested for removal as part of a project, certain findings must be made and specific tree removal criteria met. One Chinese elm (tree 5) is in conflict with the new house and two blue oaks are dead (trees 6 and 6A). All three trees meet the City s criteria allowing them to be removed and replaced as part of the project, once building division permits have been obtained. Attachment 2 contains the tree removal criteria for reference. Table 1: Summary of Tree Removal Criteria that are met Tree No. Species Criteria met Criteria not met 5 Chinese elm 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 6 and 6a (dead) 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 In addition, one coast live oak and one California bay tree were removed separate from the project and a permit after the fact (ATFTR15-0011) was obtained for them. Replacement Trees The total appraised value of trees 5, 6 and 6a is $7,800. The total appraised value of the oak and the bay tree was $7,540. New trees equal to $15,340 will be required at the end of construction to replace the removed trees. Replacement values for new trees are listed below. Replacement Tree Values: 15 gallon = $360 24 inch box = $550 36 inch box = $1,550 48 inch box = $5,000 60 inch box = 7,000 72 inch box = $15,000 New Construction Based on the information provided, and as conditioned, this project complies with the requirement for the setback of new construction from existing trees under Section 15-50.120 of the City Code. Tree Preservation Plan Section 15-50.140 of the City Code requires a Tree Preservation Plan for this project. The submitted arborist report, once copied onto a plan sheet and included in the final set of plans, will satisfy this requirement. This report is also to be included in the final set of plans. ATTACHMENTS: 1 Plans Reviewed and Tree Information 2 Tree Removal Criteria 3 Conditions of Approval 4 Map of Site showing tree locations and protective fencing 2
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 1 PLAN REVIEW: Architectural Plans reviewed: Preparer: Glush Design Associates Date of Plans: August 3, 2015 Sheet A 0.0 Sheet A 1.0 Sheet A.2 Sheet A.3 Sheet A.4 Sheet A.6 Sheet A.7 Sheet A.8 and A.9 Project Data Site Plan Tree Protection Plan Upper Floor Plan Lower Level Floor Plan Front and Right Side Elevations Rear and Left Side Elevations Sections Civil Plans reviewed: Preparer: SMP Engineers Date of Plans: August 3, 2015 Sheet C 1 Sheet C 2 Sheet C 3 Grading and Drainage Plans Cover Sheet Grading and Drainage Plan Profiles TREE INFORMATION: Arborist Report reviewed: Preparer: Mark Beaudoin, ISA-Certified Arborist, Landscape Architect Date of Report: August 2015 Appraised Values: David Laczko, Ian Geddes and Associates An arborist report dated August 2015 prepared by Mark Beaudoin was submitted to the City for this project. It inventoried 20 trees, 17 of which are protected by Saratoga City Code. A table summarizing information about each tree is below. Table 2: List of trees and appraised values. Tree No. Species Trunk Diameter (inches) Condition Intensity of Construction Impacts Appraised value European olive Fair/ 1 Olea europaea 17 Good Moderate $1,750 European olive Fair/ 2 Olea europaea 16.5 Good Moderate $1,650 3
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 1 Tree No. Species Trunk Diameter (inches) Condition Intensity of Construction Impacts Appraised value European olive Fair/ 3 Olea europaea 16.5 Good Moderate $1,950 European olive Fair/ 4 Olea europaea 16.5 Poor Moderate $1,400 Chinese elm 5 Ulmus parvifolia 48.5 Good High $7,800 6 Quercus douglasii 23 Dead Low $0 6a Quercus douglasii 19 Dead Low $0 7 Quercus agrifolia 16 Good High $2,650 8 Shrub -- -- -- -- 9 Quercus agrifolia 15 Good Moderate $4,000 10 Quercus douglasii 19 Fair Low $4,650 11 Quercus douglasii 16.5 Fair Low $2,350 12 Quercus douglasii 27 Fair Low $9,200 Chinese pistache Not 13 Pistacia chinensis 6 Good Moderate Protected Chinese pistache Not 14 Pistacia chinensis 8.5 Fair Moderate Protected Silk Tree Not 15 Albizzia julibrissin 7 Good Moderate Protected 16 Quercus agrifolia 6.5 Fair Moderate $300 17 Quercus agrifolia 9.5 Fair Moderate $700 18 Quercus agrifolia 11 Fair Moderate $850 19 Quercus agrifolia 12 Fair Moderate $950 Chinese tallow 20 Triadica sebifera 12 Good Moderate $4,500 4
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 2 TREE REMOVAL CRITERIA Criteria that permit the removal of a protected tree are listed below. This information is from Article 15-50.080 of the City Code and is applied to any tree requested for removal as part of the project. If findings are made that meet the criteria listed below, the tree(s) may be approved for removal and replacement during construction. (1) The condition of the tree with respect to disease, imminent danger of falling, proximity to existing or proposed structures and interference with utility services, and whether the tree is a Dead tree or a Fallen tree. (2) The necessity to remove the tree because of physical damage or threatened damage to improvements or impervious surfaces on the property. (3) The topography of the land and the effect of the tree removal upon erosion, soil retention and the diversion or increased flow of surface waters, particularly on steep slopes. (4) The number, species, size and location of existing trees in the area and the effect the removal would have upon shade, privacy impact, scenic beauty, property values, erosion control, and the general welfare of residents in the area. (5) The age and number of healthy trees the property is able to support according to good forestry practices. (6) Whether or not there are any alternatives that would allow for retaining or not encroaching on the protected tree. (7) Whether the approval of the request would be contrary to or in conflict with the general purpose and intent of this Article. (8) Any other information relevant to the public health, safety, or general welfare and the purposes of this ordinance as set forth in Section 15-50.010 (9) The necessity to remove the tree for economic or other enjoyment of the property when there is no other feasible alternative to the removal. (10) The necessity to remove the tree for installation and efficient operation of solar panels, subject to the requirements that the tree(s) to be removed, shall not be removed until solar panels have been installed and replacement trees planted in conformance with the City Arborist's recommendation. 5
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 3 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL 1. It is the responsibility of the owner, architect and contractor to be familiar with the information in this report and implement the required conditions. 2. This report shall be copied onto a plan sheet and included in the final set of plans as the Tree Preservation and Protection Plan. 3. The designated Project Arborist shall be Mark Beaudoin, unless otherwise approved by the City Arborist. 4. A Tree Protection Security Deposit is required per City Ordinance 15-50.080. 5. The Tree Protection Security Deposit shall be $40,250 for tree(s) 1 4, 7, 9 12 and 16 20. 6. The Tree Protection Security Deposit shall be obtained by the owner and filed with the Community Development Department before obtaining Building Division permits. 7. The Tree Protection Security Deposit may be in the form of cash, check, credit card payment or a bond. 8. The Tree Protection Security Deposit shall remain in place for the duration of construction of the project. 9. The Tree Protection Security Deposit may be released once the project has been completed, inspected and approved by the City Arborist. 10. Tree Protection Fencing shall be installed as shown on the attached map. 11. Tree Protection Fencing shall be established prior to the arrival of construction equipment or materials on site. 12. Tree Protection Fencing shall be comprised of six-foot high chain link fencing mounted on eight-foot tall, 2-inch diameter galvanized posts, driven 24 inches into the ground and spaced no more than 10 feet apart. 13. Tree Protection Fencing shall be posted with signs saying TREE PROTECTION FENCE - DO NOT MOVE OR REMOVE WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM CITY ARBORIST, KATE BEAR (408) 868-1276. 14. Call City Arborist, Kate Bear at (408) 868-1276 for an inspection of tree protection fencing once it has been installed. This is required prior to obtaining building division permits. 15. Tree protection fencing shall remain undisturbed throughout the construction until final inspection. 16. If contractor feels that work must be done inside the tree protection area, call City Arborist to arrange a field meeting before performing work. 6
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 3 17. The Project Arborist shall visit the site every week during grading activities and monthly thereafter. Following visits to the site, the Project Arborist shall provide the City with a report including photos documenting the progress of the project and noting any tree issues. 18. The Project Arborist shall be on site to monitor all work within 6 feet of trees 1 4 and 10 feet of trees 7 and 9 11. 19. No protected tree authorized for removal or encroachment pursuant to this project may be removed or encroached upon until the issuance of the applicable permit from the building division for the approved project. 20. Receipt of a Planning or Building permit does not relieve applicant of his responsibilities for protecting trees per City Code Article 15-50 on all construction work. 21. All construction activities shall be conducted outside tree protection fencing. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: demolition, grading, trenching, equipment cleaning, stockpiling and dumping materials (including soil fill), and equipment/vehicle operation and parking. 22. Trenching to install utilities is not permitted inside tree protection fencing. 23. Roots of protected trees measuring two inches in diameter or more shall not be cut without prior approval of the Project Arborist. Roots measuring less than two inches in diameter may be cut using a sharp pruning tool. 24. Any permitted pruning or root pruning of trees on site shall be performed under the supervision of the Project Arborist and according to ISA standards. 25. Trees 5, 6 and 6A meet the criteria for removal and may be removed and replaced once Building Division permits have been issued. 26. Trees permitted for removal shall be replaced on or off site according to good forestry practices, and shall provide equivalent value in terms of aesthetic and environmental quality, size, height, location, appearance and other significant beneficial characteristics of the removed trees. The value of the removed trees shall be calculated in accordance with the ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal. 27. New trees equal to $15,340 shall be planted as part of the project before final inspection and occupancy of the new home. 28. Replacement trees shall consist of 4 trees shall be from 24-inch box containers. 29. Replacement trees shall be evergreen species. 30. Replacement trees shall reach a height at maturity of 30 feet. 31. Replacement trees shall be planted in the front yard. 7
21459 Saratoga Hills Road Attachment 3 32. The 4 Afroocarpus falcatus (a.k.a. Podocarpus gracilior, fern pine) trees planted on the hill will satisfy this condition if they are in good health at the end of the project. 33. Three trees shall be a hardwood species (not conifers or palms) which will reach a height at maturity of 40 feet. They may be deciduous or evergreen, native or ornamental species, and may be planted anywhere on the property that does not encroach on existing trees. 34. The remainder of the new trees may be of any species palms, conifers, ornamental non-native, or fruit trees. They may be any size, and planted anywhere on the property that does not encroach on existing trees. 35. Replacement values for new trees are listed below. 15 gallon = $360 24 inch box = $550 36 inch box = $1,550 48 inch box = $5,000 60 inch box = 7,000 72 inch box = $15,000 36. Only drought tolerant plants that are compatible with oaks are permitted under the outer half of the canopy of oak trees on site. 37. Water loving plants and lawns are not permitted under oak tree canopies. 38. Should any tree be damaged beyond repair, new trees shall be required to replace the tree. If there is insufficient room to plant new trees, some or all of the replacement value for trees shall be paid into the City s Tree Fund. 39. Following completion of the work around trees, and before a final inspection of the project, the applicant shall provide a letter to the City from the Project Arborist. That letter shall document the work performed around trees, include photos of the work in progress, and provide information on the condition of the trees. 40. At the end of the project, when the contractor wants to remove tree protection fencing and have the tree protection security deposit released by the City, call City Arborist for a final inspection. 8
Attachment 4 Legend 21459 Saratoga Hills Road Tree Protection Fencing 12 10 11 20 19 18 17 16 15 6a 6 14 9 13 5 7 8 4 3 2 1 9