ABSTRACT: Two Noteworthy 6 May 2010 Forest and Beach Commission Agenda Items, namely a proposal from the City of Carmel and the Friends of Carmel Forest to plant ten new Monterey cypress trees along the Scenic Rd. pathway between 8th Ave. and Martin Way and Discussion of recent illegal young tree removals and vandalism, are presented. Each Agenda Item MEMORANDUM is reproduced, as well as a letter to Bette S. Elliston from City Forester Mike Branson and a link to The Carmel Pine Cone article “SERIAL TREE VANDAL KILLS THIRD BABY MONTEREY PINE,” March 26, 2010.
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Tour of Inspection – 1:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting – 2:00 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
East side Monte Verde St. between Ocean & 7th Avenues
Carmel, California
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
COMMISSION MEMBERS: JOE FORD, CHAIRPERSON
LESLIE KADIS
VICTORIA LYNCH
TODD HORNIK
TOM LEVERONE
VI. APPLICATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
IF YOU CHALLENGE THE NATURE OF THE PROPOSED ACTION IN COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE RAISED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION, OR PRIOR TO DELIBERATION OF THE ITEMS ON THE TOUR OF INSPECTION/PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Consideration of a proposal from the City of Carmel and the Friends of Carmel Forest to plant ten new Monterey cypress trees along the Scenic Rd. pathway between 8th Ave. and Martin Way. The applicant/owner is the City of Carmel.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Joe Ford, Chairperson
Members of the Forest and Beach Commission
FROM: Mike Branson, City Forester
DATE: 27 April 2010
SUBJECT: Consideration of Proposal by the city of Carmel and the Friends of Carmel Forest to plant ten new Monterey Cypress trees along the Scenic Road Pathway.
The City of Carmel and the Friends of Carmel Forest are proposing to plant ten new Monterey cypress trees along the Scenic Road Pathway between 8th Ave. and Martin Way in an effort to replace removed and dead trees and to enhance areas that currently have no trees growing. I have reviewed the proposed locations and have found ten locations that would be conductive to planting new trees.
This item is before the commission to allow public input on the proposed locations and to get approval for the proposal from the commission for all or some of the planting locations.
Past efforts to plant trees have resulted in angry residents along Scenic Rd. and few successes in planting new trees. The majority of the young trees presently growing along the pathway are volunteers resulting from parent trees dispersing seeds or from the spreading of wood chip mulch in the planter areas.
A map of the proposed locations is attached. (see above)
VII. ORDERS OF BUSINESS
2. Discussion of recent illegal young tree removals and vandalism.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Joe Ford, Chairperson
Members of the Forest and Beach Commission
FROM: Mike Branson, City Forester
DATE: 27 April 2010
SUBJECT: Recent Illegal Young Tree Removals and Tree Vandalism
This item was requested by Friends of Carmel Forest member Steve Brooks due to the recent removal of two young pines and the death of another young pine due to vandalism and what action the city should take.
The two young pine trees that were removed and located at these sites:
1. S/12th Ave between Carmelo and Camino Real Streets. No witnesses or knowledge of who is responsible.
2. W/Casanova St. between Ocean and 4th Aves. Evidently the property owner requested her tree service to remove the young pine tree when they were working on her private pine tree. I sent letter to the owner advising her of her violation, requesting the name of the tree service, and notifying her we will plant a new tree within 30 days. The letter is attached.
The vandalized tree was located in the median island on Lincoln St. between 4th and 5th Aves. No witnesses or knowledge of responsible party. This tree is suspected of being poisoned by gasoline in the soil.
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
FOREST AND BEACH DEPARTMENT
POST OFFICE BOX “SS”
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CA. 93921
(831) 620-2070 OFFICE
(831) 624-2132 FAX
26 April 2010
Ms. Bette S. Elliston
388 Vanderbilt Road
Asheville, NC 28803
Dear Ms. Elliston,
Last week I was advised that a young pine tree growing on public property adjacent to your home was removed following some tree pruning on your property. This tree was planted three years ago as part of the City of Carmel reforestation efforts to maintain and enhance Carmel’s signature urban forest and was identified as such with a city tag. Tree replacements are vital to the health and continuance of your urban forest.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code requires that a permit be obtained prior to removing any publicly owned trees. Young trees have the same protection as mature trees and require a permit for their removal. Not obtaining the proper permit for removal is a violation of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code and subject to citation as a misdemeanor.
I have been told that you asked the tree service working for you to remove the tree for various reasons. As I pointed out this tree has been growing for three years and identified as a city tree; I would have expected some communication to my office to resolve any issues you had with the trees location.
All tree services' that work within the City of Carmel are required to have a city business license and abide by the city of Carmel’s pruning standards and municipal code relating to tree matters. I would like to know the name of the tree service that removed the young tree so I can reinforce to them, their responsibilities while working within the City of Carmel.
City forestry staff will plant a new replacement tree within the next 30 days. Please contact me to determine the best planting location to meet the city’s goals and your concerns to your property. I appreciate any assistance you can provide to insure that this type activity does no recur.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns: 831-620-2073 or mbranson@ci.carmel.ca.us.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Mike Branson
City Forester
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Cc: Rich Guillen, City Administrator; Don Freeman, City Attorney
ADDENDUM:
SERIAL TREE VANDAL KILLS THIRD BABY MONTEREY PINE
By MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, March 26, 2010, 9A
1 comment:
Many visitors coming to Carmel periodcally say they really notice the absence of young pine trees and particularly cypress trees along Carmel Beach with each visit. The old cypress trees get older and older, many trees are cut down, and the city does very little to replace removed trees and next to nothing in planting young trees annually. Ten trees along the beach bluff are good, but the city should be planting a hundred trees along Scenic and near the beach to restore our signature urbanized forest. There should be better follow-up on planted trees also and a bigger staff to nurture and care for our trees in our neighborhoods and parks.
Post a Comment