HomeMy WebLinkAboutNORTH COLLEGE TACO JOHN'S - PDP - 13-10 - CORRESPONDENCE - LANDSCAPE PLANTed Shepard - Re: Taco John's Mitigation � � Page 1�
From:
Tim Buchanan
To:
Ted Shepard
Date:
7/30/2010 11:27:08 AM
Subject:
Re: Taco John's Mitigation
Hi Ted,
I did meet on site to evaluate the existing trees.
All of the existing trees on the site are shown to be removed (5 Siberian Elm and 1 Cottonwood).
The code does not require retention or mitigation for Siberian Elms or cotton -bearing cottonwoods due to
their invasive nature or nuisance quality 3.2.1 (F) (c). These trees can not be sold or planted in the city,
with the exception that cotton -bearing cottonwood can be planted in natural areas. Applicants are told that
does not mean you have to remove existing ones on a project.
All of the existing trees on site are mature trees. The Cottonwood is in the center of the lot and is the 4th
tree west of College in the center row of trees. Jim indicated he would try to retain it, but now it is shown
for removal and mitigated with 5 up sized Bur Oaks that I told him would be required for mitigation if it was
removed. The cottonwood is located in the proposed parking lot. I did notice that since I checked the
cottonwood during the dormant season it has produced cotton this past spring. Cotton -bearing
cottonwoods are not significant trees and don't need to be mitigated.
There is a Green Ash and 2 Siberian elms just off site to the north on the Schrader PUD that are not
impacted by this proposed development. There is also two Siberian elms just off the site on the south
boundary.
The Siberian Elms and cottonwood have been recently pruned. Some of the elms and the cottonwood are
attractive large trees in good health, that add to the aesthetics of the site. The configuration of the
development appears to impact all the existing trees. The Siberian Elm closest to College and the one
furthest west by the trailer court are not in the parking, building or driveways. The sidewalk along college
and grading around the west tree may impact these two Siberian Elms.
The area on the south side of the project does not have any new trees shown, but could use additional
trees to meet the general standard of providing spatial definition and visual screening.
Due to the amount of tree removal on this project I recommend that a heads be given before construction
starts. Five mature trees will be removed (these are not classified as significant trees based on the
species or the seed producing nature) and 21 new trees will be planted based on the current plan. Five up
sized Bur Oaks are shown for mitigation, but technically wouldn't be required since the cottonwood has
now been determined to be cotton -bearing.
Tim
Tim Buchanan, City Forester
413 S. Bryan