At the Southeast corner of Third Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, the demolition of an existing structure and construction of a new single family dwelling and detached garage are proposed. The 4,000 square foot lot has nine (9) existing coast live oaks plus an oak and a redwood on the eastern property line. Attachment 1 shows the footprint of the existing structure in a red dashed line and the proposed new structures are shaded grey.
Attachment 2 shows the locations of the trees:
- Trees 1 and 2 are in advanced decline with decay in their trunks.
- Tree 9 is a small (8.5 inch DBH) and is not vigorous.
- Tree 11 is a vigorous and healthy redwood.
- Tree 12 is a large, healthy, multi-stemmed oak on the neighboring property to the east.
The applicant is requesting approval to remove trees 1,2, and 9 and to prune tree 12.
Attachment 3 provides photographs which highlight which trees are to be pruned or removed. The applicant is proposing to elevate the garage floor to minimize the impacts that could be made in the Structural Root Zones of trees 11 and 12.
Attachment 1 shows the Structural Root Zones for the trees that could be impacted by construction of the garage. Construction of a raised garage will likely cause little damage to the fibrous root system of the redwood (tree 11). The Structural Root Zone of oak tree 12 has an exaggerated Structural Root Zone due to the formula used to calculate the DBH of a multi-stemmed tree. The owner of the oak has been treating the tree for insect pests and is in good condition. Pruning of tree 12 will have some impact on the tree’s health as it will remove a portion of the leaf mass. However, if the limbs are not pruned, the proposed garage cannot be constructed on this lot. It is expected that tree 12 will not be adversely impacted if a raised garage is constructed.
If the Forester's recommendation is approved, the lot would retain six lower canopy trees with no upper canopy trees. The recommended tree density for this lot is three upper canopy trees and one lower canopy tree. After new construction is completed, this lot will not accommodate the recommended three upper canopy trees primarily due to the existence of power lines running the length of the west and north sides of the lot. Therefore, it is recommend that $750 be paid into the Reforestation Fund in lieu of planting three new upper canopy trees.