COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

Date:

October 28, 2002

Set Time:

9:30 a.m.

Hearing Date:

November 12, 2002

To:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

From:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

Subject:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Update and Status of an After-the-Fact Tree Removal Permit for trees located at 202 - 11th Street in the unincorporated Montara area of San Mateo County.

RECOMMENDATION

Direct the Planning and Building Division to continue the Stop Work Order prohibiting any further work on the proposed new residence.

SUMMARY

This matter is before your Board as a result of a condition you imposed on this project previously, which requires Board approval before canceling the stop work order prohibiting further construction on this property.

On September 12, 2000, your Board considered an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to approve an "After-the-Fact" Tree Removal Permit for the trimming and removal of one tree located at 202 - 11th Street in the unincorporated Montara area of San Mateo County. Your Board upheld the decision of the Planning Commission to grant the "After-the-Fact" Tree Removal Permit, made the findings and adopted revised conditions of approval (refer to the Notice of Decision attached as Attachment D).

The conditions of approval required the continuance of the Stop Work Order prohibiting any further work on the proposed new residence until the following conditions are met: (1) a planting plan, agreed by the arborist and Planning Director, for the three trees has been implemented; (2) a written report submitted by the arborist verifying that replanting has been carried out under his supervision and in accordance with his recommendations; (3) one full year has transpired since the completion of Items #1 and #2; (4) the submittal of a final arborist's report at the completion of the one-year period on the health of the trees and their future prospects, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director; (5) the Board of Supervisors has met to consider the arborist's reports as well as public testimony on whether the Stop Work Order should be lifted; and (6) the Board, following the hearing in Item #5, above, has voted to lift the Stop Work Order.

Staff has reviewed the final arborist's report and determined that the condition of the trees is unsatisfactory. Staff is of the opinion that Trees #1 and #2 are not in as a healthy state as Tree #3. This conclusion is based on a site inspection conducted on October 16, 2002, by Planning staff. Staff found Trees #1 and #2 to be in a stressed state with extensive die back and the tips of a significant number of branches had been pruned to remove dead wood including the top vertical stem on Tree #2. Staff believes this practice has compromised the growth and vigor of these two trees.

Staff recommends that: (1) the two trees be replaced immediately by a certified arborist; (2) the applicant enter into a contract for maintenance services by a professional arborist for two years; (3) the applicant shall submit quarterly arborist's reports on the health of the trees; and (4) the Board of Supervisors, after one full year has transpired since the completion of Items #1 and #2, above, meet again to consider the arborist's reports as well as public testimony on whether the Stop Work Order should be lifted.