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TR-2012-14b OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CITY HALL 10300 TORRE AVENUE• CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255 C U P E RT 1 N Q (408) 777-3308 • FAX (408)777-3333•�lanning�a�cupertino.org May 18, 2012 Mike Rohde Vallco Shopping Mall 10123 North Wolfe Road Cupertino, CA 95054 SUBJECT: TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER- Application TR-2012-14 This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on May 17, 2012, approving a tree removal permit to allow the retroactive removal and replacement of a 25" diameter Coast Redwood tree and the removal and replacement of six (6) other Coast Redwood trees ranging in diameter from 25" to 32" located to the west of the Sears/Macy's parking garage at the Vallco Shopping Mall, at 10123 North Wolfe Road. The application is approved with the following conditions: 1. APPROVED PROTECT This approval is based on the arborist report prepared by Michael Bench (Consulting Arborist WE- 1897), dated April 12, 2012, consisting of 5 pages and entitled, "Vallco Shopping Mall, Request to Remove 6 Coast Redwood Trees," and the tree removal and replacement plan except as may be amended by conditions in this resolution. 2. TREE REPLACEMENTS The applicant will be required to plant fourteen (14) 24" box Flowering Pear (P�rus callen�ana) or equivalent in value replacement trees in accordance with the Protected Tree Ordinance, arborist report, and approved replacement plan. The replacements shall be planted within 30 days of the tree removals. 3. NOTICE OF FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER EXACTIONS The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees, dedication requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(d) (1), these Conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions, pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(a), has begun. If you fail to file a protest within this 90- day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally barred from later challenging such exactions. Staff received a public comment in opposition to the removal of the redwood trees, and suggested that the sound wall be relocated instead. The City's consulting arborist has recommended approval of the tree removals due to overcrowding and damage to the sound wall separating the mall from the residential neighborhood. Staff has made the findings necessary to grant the tree removal permit in accordance with Section 14.18.180 of the Protected Trees Ordinance. Please note, however, that an appeal of this decision can � w � � ti � � w N H � ._ �� r`'�' � �,,� -:� ,� .`.) I an` � r � � � ; � � _ ,. � W �? � ;a(rii��4ri ��7_._._._...___ _ ,. q.K�"'i.ai fn�"'_K�.+�;,+..r! / �.1 �55�SLE, LoG4TiaN5 �aR "�jx.�r�E,�vr 7��Fs \. (.a��., ,Ua,l L en D Y1/� � '�"�`�=�( z� �r = .�i� ;li .��;;' � � �, ;. !;� �`f%'I, �.� ,�,r.,, , J;., �� ;:��'� ,: r - j., i , ��I '/ , j 1�, ��e � �� ; �(�s �.l i��.�a.�� :-�� ' � i%�� wu-� �.,� i� S�v�,�Q .�-� �r�s Z� �� f, C ////'� \ � ; i � rJ "� .. � N � �' N. I �r �: � Y � @ k � I\ IY��° ��va� P�,N _i ��-6 �q682 A�Inc�a�' 1��,;s a� ��7 'TrgC Fslhq�l !"Pr��'.lfO0.�TiV%.- / /."'`f.f.l.-V'� 1 i i * �' .c�+'��a� � � ' 7 ',� ` � �j�� I / C>��•✓ � �� . a C�j�C��R�R�TI�\\\✓ / / S : .' // , � � � . � / ��g;Y�,�' `,� ,.o _ : ' ��"�/ � � -'` �� ' - '� _ ' �� Oi�#IHI�HHNf+N�{{+Hf� �Nif � s�� .�. . �. - s. �ma s I - i�+�++++++�„ �� , '' ,� - Y o...O�. .o.o.iG,4' \� . .O. . � �� ' U� � _ �{: - ,� /` �� ` . _ , � , � � � � • ' Tw �S � y� � : . .� . . . � � I O � O Q 1 � �V / /�.� • • �..�.�� / � � ; o O�O � � _.�_ . . - � �p _� ; � � � O N I � ■�� • ••� II , =,��r- �_ --^ -i- �_ ��r�� 1 sa�- !�T�1��s ./ i— r I`rwwrwl+1iK F� ��I��5'�� 17 � i � _- �r � ■i� . _ �MOR , _,� 1 I'i� � \ \ \ � �I' / III /}.y� � I i� � / /// / �r_i. / � , � r`a� \ \, \ _� " ` � � � �� « f/ , � - � _ .„�, � �L� r - - � � � �V'��r�r�r�� . _ ; ' � � � ' - ll , � �' ,- ' - h ; 1� u e �, �' � ---- A � ��, '�" ` _ ( � I� _I 1�� y1�' I � i �\n� , I Q -' � I I ,�\\\��\\\a\\�w �� ' \\u� � Subject: Vallco Shopping Mall April 12, 2012 Request to Remove 6 Coast Redwood Trees George, The request to remove the 6 coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees is certainly justified. I visited the site today. I was able to identify these trees by the photos provided. The map provided only shows the general area, in which these trees exist. Tree# 1 (as shown on the map) is not located at the corner of the turn, but is instead the 15`"tree in the row of trees from the north corner of the western most wall. This tree has a trunk diameter of 32.0 inches DBH (Diameter at Breast Height= 54 inches above grade). Tree# 7 (as shown on the map) is the 24th tree in the row of trees from the north corner of the western most wall. This tree has a trunk diameter of 30.3 inches DBH. A third tree, which has been recently removed, is the 4`"tree from the corner of the turn, approximately as shown on the map. The existing stump of this tree measures 32.5 inches at grade. This tree likely had a DBH of approximately 25- 30 inches. The St"tree from the corner in the row from the corner has been topped at about 35 feet above grade. I presume this tree is also one of the six trees to be removed. It has a trunk approximately 25 inches in diameter. The other 2 trees in the row of west side trees have trunks of approximately 25 inches in diameter. In addition to these 6 trees, there are numerous other coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) in the same row that are starting to raise and damage the wall. This row of trees were simply planted too close to the wall. It may be useful to note that the Sequoia sempervirens species produces a bulb like structure usually just below the soil grade. It is often about twice the size of the trunk diameter and it grows at about the same rate. It is an adaptation for fire, in which new young trees will grow after a fire if the original tree were burned. It is this bulb (called an epicormic tuber)that creates the Cathedrals of coast redwood trees in the forest. The reason I mention this feature about the coast redwood tree is that it an easily lift a sound wall such as this one at the Vallco site. Because of this bulb like structure and because the trunks are ever expanding against the wall, the wall has no chance but to move. In time, virtually all of the coast redwood trees adjacent to this sound wall along the west side will require removal and replacement. This is unfortunate, because they and the row of Evergreen or Shamel ash (Frcrrinus uhdei) create a spectacular corridor of shade and beauty along Perimeter Drive. r` " ' �`,�,�. �'2-�12_-l4- , �. i i'�:�.;�,��1�r ' �� ,. �rr_ ._ �S�r��z.o 1 Z. � � � It would not be effective to plant replacement trees at the location of the coast redwood trees along the west side wall unless the following procedures would be done: 1. The stumps of the redwood trees would have to be ground. If the stumps were only killed using herbicide, the decaying stumps would become a hot bed of fungus inocullum, which would likely kill young trees planted at the same location for many years (i.e., the inocullum stays in the soil for up to about 100 years). 2. Several coast redwood trees would have to be removed at a time (approximately 10 to 15 adjacent trees)to make way for new young trees (or large shrubs) if they would be expected to perform welL If young trees were planter intermittently among the existing mature redwood trees instead, the competition of the existing mature trees would not allow the new young trees to perform. 3. Young trees, which could tolerate the shade of the nearby row of Evergreen ash, would be required. The following shade tolerant species would likely survive well provided Items # 1 and# 2 here were done: Parrotia persica Stewartia monadelpha Stewartia pseudocamellia Davidia invducrata(Dove Tree) Ilex aquafolium (English holly) Azara microphylla Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) Acer palmatum `Sango Kaku' or Standard Green Trees adapted for shade require a very wide planting hole (at least 3 times the nursery container; for example, a 24 inch box tree, should have a planting hole at least 6 feet wide). They should be planted at least 6 inches above the existing soil grade. The soil needs to be rich in organic compost(15%to 25%by volume). Each tree must be well irrigated, especially during the establishment period. Permanent irrigation will be required. It would be essential that each tree have fast drainage. I have marked up the map of possible locations, where there are spaces sufficient to plant replacement trees. The attached list of small replacement species could handle to open space locations. This plan mark up is attached. I did not look at the entire property for other possible locations. Replacement trees require irrigation initially to establish, but permanently, especially if they are located in a planter bed. If irrigation cannot be provided to any of the locations suggested, alternative locations must be found. For example, there may be locations on the east side of Wolfe Road where JC Penny exists. I suggest any of the small trees listed in the attachments for the open areas in planter beds, which I noted on the map. However, there are no doubt other areas on this property to plant replacement trees. For example, there are other planter beds (but smaller than those, which I noted on the map) in the Sears parking lot (south side) which are currently empty. �� Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist International Society of Arboriculture Certification #WE 1897 American Society of Consulting Arborists Member Attachments List of Recommended Small Trees for Replacement Site Plan Mark Up Small Trees Suitable for Cupertino or South Bay Area I have made a list of trees that are either small or could be kept small, because of their adaptation to pruning. These are: Dwarf Olive ( Olea europea'Skylark') Hybrid madrone (Arbutus `Marina') Saucer magnolia(Magnolia soulangiana) Crape myrtle (Lagerstromia indica) Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) African sumac (Rhus lancea) Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) (gets to about 40 feet but it takes pruning very well and can easily be kept to 20 feet.) Grecian laurel (Laurus nobilis) Japanese maple (Acer palmatum - a Standard Green or a Coral bark ('Sango Kaku') - these are two of the most reliable for this area. Trident maple (Acer buegerianum) Vine maple (Acer circinatum) Full Moon maple (Acerjaponicum 'Vitifolium� No common name (Acer truncatum) Flaxleaf Paperbark (Melaleuca linarifolia) Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) All of these trees require: (1) excellent drainage, (2) 10--15% organic compost mixed into the soil; (3) thorough irrigation to establish (approx 3 years), but moderate (every 2 weeks) to low irrigation (monthly) after well established; (4) planted on a mound 6-10 inches above soil grade; (5) slow release fertilizer added to mixture initially-these should need no fertilizer thereafter;(6) the planting hole should be dug and amended with compost about 6 inches deeper than the box or nursery container but should be at least 6-8 feet wide (diameter) minimum, because roots primarily grow naturally lateral not vertical. I advise the homeowner that these 6 items are equally important if not more important than the species selected for success. Also, a116 of these items are essential to success. Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist