Require the prompt removal of trees 1, 2, 11, and 12 at the owner’s expense. Consider requiring payment of the appraised value of trees 1, 2, 11, and 12 of $16,800 to be deposited in the Reforestation Fund.  Require the owner be reimburse the City for the cost of the Arborist Report.  Consider requiring a bond of $8,000 for trees 3 and 4 to be held by the City for 5 years.  Require resubmission of a landscape plan with 75% native plant material, including trees, and vegetation enhancements to the public right of way.

A Stop Work Order was issued at Dolores Street 7 Southwest of Thirteenth Avenue on July 14, 2020, for violation of Municipal Code 17.48.110.  Extensive root damage was observed.  Consulting Arborist, Glenn Whitlock-Reeve was contacted to draft an Arborist Report. 

Mr. Whitlock-Reeve observed:

“A total of 12-trees were present on the property including; 8-Coast Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia), 2-Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), 1-Holly Tree (Ilex spp.) and 1-Victorian Box (Pittosporum undulatum). Most of the Coast Live Oaks displayed moderate decline in the canopies, but significant dieback of the upper canopy was present in Tree-12. Coastal redwoods displayed normal vigor for the species and had no signs of pest or diseases. The Holly displayed poor structure and a declining canopy. The Victorian box appeared to be healthy but had sustained substantial damage from poor pruning.

Extensive grading around the foundation of the house appeared to have been performed and roots up to 12-Inches were seen cut (Tree-2). Root zone disturbances accounted for up to 75% of the dripline (Tree-12) at a depth of up to 2-feet from the presumed previous grade level. Storage of construction materials on root zones and extensive compaction could be seen on Tree-3 and the construction of the driveway is suspected to have impacted the southern root zone. Excavated soils from the north and eastern portion of the properties were deposited on the root zones of trees to the south and west including Trees 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Several trees suggested that more root damage was done than was visible including trees 3 and 5. What appeared to be new concrete foundations, where seen in close proximity of the root flairs, and though damage is was not clearly visible, it is likely that roots were removed that could jeopardize the stability of the trees. The extent of grade changes that impacted trees could only be estimated due to no documented information of previous grade levels.”

A Stop Work Order was previously issued February 25, 2019 for violation of Municipal Code 17.48.110 and not adhering to the conditions of the building permit.  Corrective actions were taken and the Order was lifted on February 27, 2019.