TR-2016-22b I�EPA�'TiV�IV'T OF COI�IPiIiJNI'I'Y I3E�IELOI'l�ElV'I'
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CITY HALL
1Q300 TORRE AVENUE �CUPERTINO,CA 45014-3255
������� � (408)777-3308 �FAX(408)7T7-3333 �}�laruung@cu�ertino.org
July 22,2016
Carole Vincent
1139 Yorkshire Dr
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SUBJECT:TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER—Application'�'][Z-2016-22
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This letter confirms fhe decision of the Director of Community Development, given on July 22,2016
approving a Tree Removal Permit to allow the removal and replacement of one Coast Live Oak tree
located`at 1139 Yorkshire Drive.
Staff has made the finding that the tree or trees are irreversibly diseased, are in danger of falling, can
cause potential damage to existing or proposed essential structures, or interferes with private on-site
utility services and cannot be controlled or remedied through reasonable relocation or modification of
the structure or utility services. This finding is necessary to grant the tree removal permit in accordance
witli Section 1'4.18.180(A)(1) of the Protected Trees Ordinance.
The application is approved with the following conditions:
1. APPROVED PROTECT
This approval is based the arborist report prepared by Michael Bench (WE-1897A), dated January
27, 2016, consisting of three pages and a removal and a replace�nent site plan, except as may be
amended by condiEions in this resolution.
2. TREE REPLACEMENTS
The required replacement tree is one (1) 36-inch Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrifolia) to be planted
on the subject property as detailed on the replacement plan. If it is determuzed that it is physically
' not feasible to plant the required replacement tree the applicant may pay in-lieu fees determined to
be appropriate by the Corrununity Development Director. The replacement tree shall be planted
within thi_rty (30) days of the tree removal. The applicant shall provide the Department of
Community Development adequate documentation, including buf not limited to photographs,
receipts or invoices, to verify that the replacement trees have been planted.
3. PROTECTED TREES
The applicant understands that the replacement trees may not be removed without a Tree Removal
Permit and fihat they shall be responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance and care of the tree.
Tree Removal Permit Action Letter Page 2
TR-2016-23
The:applicant shall also disclose the location and species of all replacements trees on site upon sale
of the property.
4. 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 writteri notice of a statement of the amount of such
fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other exactions.You are hereby notified
that the 90-day approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and
other exaction, pursuant to Governrnent Code Sect�on 66020(a), has begun. If you fail to fiIe 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.
Il'lease�mte that an appeal of this decisio�may be xa�ade�nrithin 14 calendar days from the d.ate:of
�his le�tero ll�o l�i�'�' ][Z�1�[��T� 7C��[lE 'd'][Z]ElE(S) until the end. of the appeal per�od.. �f an appeal is
f�ged, y�t� vvall be notified of a public hearing, vvhich vvi11 be scheduled befo�e the ]�lanni�g
�OY113111SS1OI1..
Sincerely,
I
r
Jeffrey Tsumura
Assisfant Planner
(408) 777-1356
jeffreyt@cupertino.org
Enclosure: site plan
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Location of Replacement / / // Date: 23'°Jun°t6
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QUeY'GU5 agl"If011a / Removai&
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Plan
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�n gnspec�ion of Selected ��•ees
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E�SSfl�IIi�Y�E��
I was askecl vy Carol Vincent to inspect the coilclition of selected trees at 1139 Yorkshire
Dri��e, Cuperfiino, California.
��s������o�ns
I ins�ectecl the trees on Janu�ry 27, 2016.
The subject trees are: Trunlc C�nopy Caizopy Overall
Tree# Tree Name Botanical Nzme Diaineter Hei�ht Spre�d COI1CIlf1011
Tree# 1 Coast live oak Que�°cus crg�°ifolicc 23.1 inches 45 Feet 40 Feet Fair
' Tree#2 Coast live oak Qz.re��cus ccgr°ifolr.'c� 1 l.G iilclles 35 Feet 20 Feet Goocl
Tree# 3 Holiy oak Quer�czcs ilex 14.0 inches 30 Feet 40 Feet Good
Tliere three additional Coast Iive oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) on the �vest sicle of Tree#
2, but tllese three are uiicier 10 i��elles in diarneter. The Site Plan by Susan Landry also
- slzo�vs 2 or 3 sllrubs iL1 tlle sanle area. I clid not include the 3 smaller trees because of their
size.
Tl�ere are also adciition�l street trees in line with Tree #3, but I did not iiiclude these
ofher sfireet trees as they are not impacting tile Ms:Vincent's solar systein at this time.
Concerniiig the sketch I prepared for tl�is report and tlie Site Plan preplreci t�y Susari
Lanctry, Landsc��e Solutioi�s,both of these ma��s sliow the tree canopies, bl�t clo not stlow
' the eYtent of sllading of the solar panels.
Receiltly tlie pool inaintenance service reportec�tilat the filters are continually fitll of
t�iack leaVes fronl Tree# l. Tlie quantity of leaves from Tree # 1 clogs the pool filtration
systeiii aiid heats up tlie p�inlp. The �ool maiiiten�i�ce iiian reports that Ms. Vincent���iI1
h�ve to i:eplace the pun�p a�1ct filter systein if:the situation gets any worse. 1VIs. Vi�zcent is
• a retired �vido�v oii � fiYed income. S11e is �Fraid sl�e nlay not be able to conti�zue to afford
to maintain tl�e pool; bt�t slle could�1ot afford to reinove tlie pool should it beconle non-
f�.�netional. Contii�ued maintei�ance is stiil feasit�le ancl is the prefe��red alternative.
Ms. Virlceiit has solar pal�eis or�tlie south ancl�uest sicles ot tlie roof. Tree # 1 121CI � 2
shades ille solar panels on the �vest face oF tlle roof and Tree# 3 (a City Street Tree}
shades the soiar�anels on ihe south faee of tl�e roof Ms. Viilcent estim�.tes that tl�ese
trees sl�ade tile t-especti��e set of solar panels For at least 'h a d1y.
Prep�red byr Vlicl�ael L. E3en�h, 5ite Qt�ser�ratio��s: 1
Gons��ltin<` �rbc�rist Jan�la��y 27, 2016
I 139�orlcshire D�•ive
Cupertino, CA
Ms.Vincent t�o�ild lilce to i•emove Tree# 1 and## 2 i-emoved, ancl to have Tree# 3
prunecl.
Durin�iliy site visit (approYimately 10 A1V� ,the solar panels facing soutll tivere aln�ost
completely sl�acled by Tree#, 3. The shacle from Tree# 1 and # 2 had not reaclled the
solar���lels facing west at tl�at time, but were e;�pected to reach tl�ese pa��els by
ap�roYii�lately 1PM.
The attachecl sketcli, which I prepareci; sllows the site relationships. The Site Plan Uy
Susail Landry, Landscape solutions, is clra�vn to scale.
�orksllire Drive inalces a 90 degree turii at this location of tlie street. Ms. Viiicent's �
resicience is located at this 9Q degree turii. The elevation of Yorlcshi�•e Drive oi1 the south
side of the residence is approYiinately 6 feet lligller than tlie footin� of tlie resiciei�ce. This
elevation ciiffereiice contributes to ability of Tree # � to shade the roof solar panels facing
SOl1tI1. TIleTB 1S Z S1gI1 011 TY'e�� J Stcltlll�tllc`it lt rilcly llOt L�e leiTiOVeC�, �nci tl�at it niay tiot
be prunecl witlloltt approval of the City.
Ms. Vincent also elpressecl concern abotit tlie roots of Tree# 1 damagiilg tlle pool deck
and/or tlle�ool. I clid not observe aily lifting of tlle�ool deck or any damage to t11e pool
�t flzis tiille, but I ackilowledged that firture daiilage�vas possible.
Ms. Vix�cent would lil:e to remo�Te Tree# 1 aud� 2, and would lilce to prune Tree # � in
oreler to �revent tile sliading of her solar panels or at least recluce tlle eltent of sli�cliiig.
l�ise�ssion
Approliinately 2 years past I Iearnecl of a coirflict (in Redwood City, as I recall)
invoiving tlle shading of solar���nels by neigliboiing redwoocl trees. The ruling vvas that
tlle Solar Etlergy Act takes priority over iii that case screening but also ap�lies to other
cotisiderations.
�
Pai�ially clue the elevatiarl ctifferences between tlie residence and the relationship to Tree
# 3, it ��ill not be feasible to prune Tree# 3 to iiidustry standard (25% maxiinun� caiio�y
reduction) and to prevent tlle sllading of the south facin� energy p�nels. If Tree� � �vere
to be l�runed to recluce the cro�vn� maYinnun of 2S%, this tree �voulcl still shade these
solar panels at least parti�.115r. IIowever, it appears that the length of time of tlie si��cliilg
wottld be reduced.
�oncitesions
It appears tilat Ms. Vil�cent n�ay l�ave the right to remove Ti•ee # 1 and# 2 on the basis of
the �rovisions of tl�e Solar Ener�y Act. Ms. Vinceiit also has tlle rigllt to ei�joy her
��i•operty witl�out sig�lificant l�ardship a��cl, as I understand it; 121ay I11V� tll� I'l�Ilt �O
retnove Tree # 1 on the basis of signif cliit h�rc�si�i��or itnpedii�zent to this rigl�t.
Ms.Viilcent's circuinstances of bei�lg a retired�vida�v oi1 a fi�ed ii�coiile appears rele��arlt
�nd I�ertinei�t ii� this case.
Prepaf�etl by iVlicl�aei L. Bet�cl�, Site Observatioils: 2
Co��sultin� �lrborist Ja��uary ?7, 2016
1139 4'orkshire Drive
Gu�ertino, CA
\ �2��mman��a���ions
For tlie reasons described, I recomineiici that Ms. Vincent be graiited�pproval to re�nove
Tree# 1 and# 2, ai�d to have Tiee# � prt�ned. In the event t11�t Tree# 3 �vould be
ap}�roved to be p�•uned, it must be �runed ir� co�l�pliai�ce witli the stai�darcls recoinmended
by tlle Interiiatioiial Society of Arba1•iculture {ISA).
Respectfiilly submitted, �
f��
� . -�--�Y,�:�:.�;;�=,�N.)_A,:��,�,_._
� �..
Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist
International Society of Arborictilture Certification# WE 1 S97A
A�nerican Society of Consulting Arbor:ists Member
Pre��ai�ed b�� NlicEiae[ L. I�e11cI1, Site Ubservations: 3
Cans�llting �rE�orist .Ia��uary 27, 20 t(�