HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter 7-5-2018
July 5, 2018
Ramy Zaifman
27 Tanners Road
Great Neck, NY 11020
SUBJECT: Tree Permit for the Removal of a Healthy Protected Tree
No. TRH 18-04
PROJECT ADDRESS: 111 Hacienda Drive
Dear Mr. Zaifman:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision for the above
mentioned application ended on April 4, 2018. The Development Services
Department received several phone calls and emails regarding the removal
of the protected Coast Live Oak tree from neighbors who were concerned
about the removal of a healthy tree that had been in their neighborhood for
years.
As required for each protected tree application, the Development Services
Department (Department) requires an arborist report to be submitted with the
application. The report, along with comments received from the neighbors, is
the basis for the Department’s determination for the application. In addition,
site visits may be required to get a better understanding the request being
considered. Unfortunately, the tree requested to be removed, a 16-inch
diameter Coast Live Oak was topped prior to the submittal of the application
and arborist report.
Once contacted, the property owner submitted the required application and
arborist report. The report indicated that due to the damage caused by the
unpermitted cutting/pruning of the tree, severe and irreparable damage had
been done and the only reasonable alternative was the complete removal of
the tree. Therefore, given the circumstance, the Department has
conditionally approved the request to legalize the unpermitted partial
removal of the tree. The application is subject to the following conditions:
1. Due to the number of existing oak trees on the lot, one replacement
36” box Coast Live Oak tree shall be planted in the back yard of the
subject property. The tree shall be planted per the arborist report’s
recommendation approximately 60 feet east of the west boundary
block wall and roughly 6 feet south of the north boundary fence. The
arborist shall be on site to mark the location and to monitor the
planting of the tree. The tree shall be planted prior to issuance of
certificate of occupancy for the proposed new house; a follow-up
report shall also be submitted to the City.
2. If the applicant does not move forward with the construction of the
new house, the tree shall be removed and replaced with a
replacement tree as specified in Condition No. 1 by January of 2019.
3. The tree shall be removed during the demolition process of the
existing house and associated structures as part of the construction
process for the new proposed house.
City of
Arcadia
Development
Services
Department
Jason Kruckeberg
Assistant City Manager/
Development Services
Director
240 West Huntington Drive
Post Office Box 60021
Arcadia, CA 91066-6021
(626) 574-5415
(626) 447-3309 Fax
www.ArcadiaCA.gov
4. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Arcadia and
its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, action,
or proceeding against the City of Arcadia, its officials, officers, employees or
agents to attack, set aside, void, or annul any approval or conditional approval of
the City of Arcadia concerning this project and/or land use decision, including
but not limited to any approval or conditional approval of the City Council,
Planning Commission, or City Staff, which action is brought within the time
period provided for in Government Code Section 66499.37 or other provision of
law applicable to this project or decision. The City shall promptly notify the
applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding concerning the project and/or land
use decision and the City shall cooperate fully in the defense of the matter. The
City reserves the right, at its own option, to choose its own attorney to represent
the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents in the defense of the
matter.
5. Within 30 calendar days after the decision for this project, the property
owner/applicant shall execute and file with the Community Development
Administrator or designee an Acceptance Form available from the Development
Services Department to indicate awareness and acceptance of these conditions
of approval.
There is a 10 working-day appeal period from the date of the approval. Appeals must be
submitted in writing to the Community Development Division with a $600.00 appeal fee by
5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2018. You will be notified if an appeal is filed.
The purpose of the enclosed Acceptance Form is to indicate awareness and acceptance of
these conditions of approval. The Acceptance form is due now and shall be submitted to
the City no later than 30 days from the decision date.
You may visit the City’s website at www.ArcadiaCA.gov/noticesanddecisions to view this
notice. If you have any questions, please contact Peter Sun, Associate Planner at (626)
574-5444, or by email at psun@ArcadiaCA.gov
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division / Planning Services
Peter Sun
Associate Planner
c: George Raptis, raptisg@caciqueinc.com
Marlene Arevalo, grandmar9810@gmail.com
Lisa Flores, Planning Services Manager
Dave Thompson, City of Arcadia Street Superintendent