Monterey Pine SeedlingLocation: S/s Second Av. between Lincoln St. & Dolores St.
Monterey Pine Seedling (right) and Monterey Pine Tree Stump (left)Location: S/s Second Av. between Lincoln St. & Dolores St.
As depicted in the digital photos above, the City planted a Monterey Pine seedling near a Monterey Pine tree stump in the pubic right-of-way on the south side of Second Avenue between Lincoln St. and Dolores St. Affixed to a wooden stake is a laminated strip with the Seal of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and statements, as follows:
THIS TREE IS PUBLIC PROPERTY IN PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
You may be cited under Municipal Code, Chapter 12.28 if you remove, prune or damage this tree. If you question this tree’s location or health, contact the City Forester at 620-2070. DO NOT take action of your own !
COMMENT:
• Evidence around Carmel-by-the Sea that the City is planting seedlings is encouraging. However, for a tree reforestation effort to be successful, the City must be proactive and endeavor to form a partnership with Carmel residents based on education, particularly the environmental, social, economic and aesthetic benefits of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s “signature” forest. To that end, a more resident-friendly notice affixed to a wooden stake next to a planted seedling would read, as follows:
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is committed to preserving and enhancing our “signature” forest of Monterey Pine, Coast Live Oak and Monterey Cypress. This pitch canker resistant pine seedling is planted in the public right-of-way in your neighborhood as part of the City’s ongoing Reforestation Program. For more information on our Reforestation Program and how you can help, please contact the City Forest at 620-2070.
Moreover, wherever the City Forester approves the planting of trees in the city’s public right-of-ways, City Staff Members should contact nearby residents and explain to them the locations of newly planted trees, reasons for planting the trees and encourage them to assist the city as good stewards of our forest and trees.
ADDENDUM:
Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code
Chapter 12.28
TREES AND SHRUBS*
12.28.060 Permit for Cutting Trees and Shrubs on Public Property.
A. Any person desiring to remove or prune any portion of a tree or shrub, except genista, growing in or upon any public street, way, park, or place within the City, or any person desiring to cut any wood, foliage, or roots from any tree on private property when more than one-half of the basal cross-sectional area of such tree is on City property, shall apply therefor to the Director of Forest, Parks and Beach on forms provided by her/him. There shall be a fee for this permit process as established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. If, in the opinion of the Director of Forest, Parks and Beach, the tree or trees should be removed because of disease, infestation, or clear and present danger to persons or property, she/he shall cause the tree or trees to be removed. In all other cases, the Director of Forest, Parks and Beach shall:
1. Place the application on an agenda of the Forest and Beach Commission, which shall act as provided for in Chapter 2.32 CMC; and
2. Notify the applicant of the time and date of the meeting at which the application shall be considered; and
3. Give notice of the action of the Forest and Beach Commission to the applicant.
B. Any permit granted under this chapter is nontransferable and shall expire one year from date of issuance. The Director of Forest, Parks and Beach or Forest and Beach Commission may condition a permit on replacement trees being planted at a place, of a species and of a size designated by the Director of Forest, Parks and Beach or Forest and Beach Commission. The person requesting the permit may also be required to pay the cost of obtaining and planting the replacement trees.
C. In exceptional circumstances in which it would cause substantial loss or inconvenience to delay removal until the Forest and Beach Commission’s next meeting, the Director of Forest, Parks and Beach may approve removal providing such approval unquestionably conforms to the policy and the practice of the Forest and Beach Commission. The Director of Forest, Parks and Beach will report her/his action at the next meeting of the Forest and Beach Commission. (Ord. 95-3 § 1, 1995; Ord. 81-4 § 1, 1981; Ord. 75-10 § 1, 1975; Ord. 257 C.S. § 1, 1972; Ord. 214 C.S. § 1, 1970; Code 1975 § 1231).
12.28.185 Violation – Penalty for CMC 12.28.170, 12.28.172, 12.28.180 and 12.28.210.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of CMC 12.28.170, 12.28.172, 12.28.180 or 12.28.210. A violation of any of the provisions or failure to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of such sections shall constitute an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of such sections shall be punishable by fine only as follows: Upon a first conviction, by a fine not exceeding $250.00, and for a second conviction or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year, by a fine not exceeding $500.00.
B. Cutting, removing, or trimming of trees on public property without a permit shall be a misdemeanor.
C. In addition to the penalties provided for herein, any violation of such sections may be addressed by civil action. (Ord. 95-3 § 1, 1995; Ord. 88-13 § 4, 1988).
4 comments:
It would be good to mention that many of the trees being planted around Carmel are being planted by the Friends of Carmel Forest. This organization has two tree planting programs that are responsible for trees being planted downtown and elsewhere in the village. More trees would be planted if the city was willing to water more new trees. Unfortunately, many more trees on city property die each year than the city council is willing to let be replaced.
The city’s adversarial tone is very instructive. I do not think Mike Branson is an overbearing man looking to write up violators of the municipal code. But I do think he is susceptible to being influenced by a culture of threats and intimidation set by the mayor. The more insecure he feels about his job, the more he may fell under pressure to mimic the mayor’s lead of threats and intimidation to get along and feel more secure.
City Hall just doesn't get it. There are a lot of neighbors living in CBTS with an attitude of cooperation with the city to make Carmel a better place for residents and visitors, especially for our frequent guests.
Thanks for calling attention to the city’s reforestation efforts. City Hall should stop with this punitive attitude, the us vs. them mentality. It is a counterproductive approach and is not the way to win friends and influence people positively.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is such a small town, but residents are very much disconnected from their city government. I say this because this sign shows the alienation of the city staff with Carmel residents. It looks like the city assumes residents don't want trees in their neighborhoods. The city should try to do a better job promoting our urbanized forest by at least assuming we want trees in our neighborhoods. I cannot imagine Carmel without trees and the wildlife it attracts.
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