HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
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
April 15, 2021
Pedro Castaneda
Castaneda’s Tree Trimming
P.O. Box 9906
Pasadena, CA 91109
Subject: Healthy Protected Tree Removal No. TRH 21-02
Project Address: 815 Camino Grove Avenue
Dear Mr. Castaneda:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision for the above
mentioned application ended on April 8, 2021. During the comment period Staff
received two (2) comments of opposition from property owners in the
neighborhood. Concerns were raised whether the tree’s current overall health,
and that the observations and analysis in the arborist report do not warrant
removal of the tree. The arborist report submitted with the application indicates
that the tree appears to be in good health, and lists the following reasons for
removal:
1. The structure of the tree is not favorable, due to poor pruning practices in
the past.
a. Staff’s response: While the tree does have four co-dominant
leaders versus a single/strong central leader, the arborist report
does not provide justification that this has impacted the tree’s
stability. Therefore this does not warrant removal of the tree.
2. The tree is out of scale for the property due to its large size. Impacts to
the surrounding sidewalk, driveway and garage are likely.
a. Staff’s response: The tree’s scale and size is not justification for
removal of the tree if there is no current damage to structures or
utilities. The sidewalk removal and replacement, and construction
of the new home were completed in 2017; however, the report
does not indicate any current damage to the surrounding sidewalk,
driveway or garage, nor is there any visible damage to the
sidewalk. Damage to the surrounding sidewalk, driveway or
garage may or may not occur. Therefore this does not warrant
removal of the tree.
3. Previous removal and replacement of the adjacent sidewalk have
negatively impacted the root system and the base of the trunk on the
southwest side of tree, and that the observed root decay and internal trunk
decay may result in the decline of the tree as well negatively impact the
stability of the tree.
a. Staff’s response: The sidewalk removal and replacement was
completed in 2017; however, the tree still appears in good health,
as indicated by the report. The statement that the decay may result
in the decline of the tree as well impact the stability of the tree does
not warrant removal. There are several factors that may impact a
tree’s health and stability but it’s not certain that it will. Therefore
this does not warrant removal of the tree.
After much consideration, Staff determined that the request to remove the Canary Island Pine
tree is not consistent with the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance, and that the submitted arborist
report does provide justification to warrant removal of the tree. Therefore, the Development
Services Department has denied the request to remove the protected Canary Island Pine tree.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. To file an appeal, a completed Appeal
Application form must be submitted to the Community Development Division along with a
$600.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021. You may visit the City’s website at
www.ArcadiaCA.gov/noticesanddecisions to view this letter. If you have any questions regarding
the above denial, please contact me at (626) 574-5442 or by email at ltorrico@ArcadiaCA.gov.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Luis Torrico
Senior Planner
c: David Gutierrez Madrigal & Gisela Bartolome Gomez, Property Owners
Nelson Wang, Neighboring Resident
Edward Huang, Neighboring Resident