HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.3 SupplementalKielty Arborist Services
Certified Arborist WE#0476A
P.O. Box 6187
San Mateo, CA 94403
650-525-1464
March 3, 2009
Mr. Tim McKeegan
Site: 27755 Edgerton, Los Altos Hills, CA
Dear Mr. McKeegan,
As requested on Tuesday, March 03, 2009, I visited the above site for the purpose of
reviewing the updated plans for the above site. The plans were redesigned to lessen the
impacts to the trees on site, particularly the large blue oak tree #35. Concern as to the
impacts to this tree has prompted this visit.
Method:
The proposed retaining wall at the entrance to the home will be 9 feet to the east of the
large blue oak. The retaining wall will run parallel to the home and will be a depth that is
below the root zone of the tree. A 20 foot long exploratory trench was hand dug to a
depth of 24 inches at the location of the wall. No significant roots were damaged in the
trenching process. The purpose of the trench was to identify roots that will be severed
during the excavation for the wall. This 20 foot section is the portion closest to the tree.
It is a sampling of what roots can be expected throughout the entire length of the
proposed retaining wall.
Observations:
The exploratory trenching was carried out with care and no significant roots were
severed. One significant root -1.5 inches in diameter and 3 roots less than a half inch
were exposed.
Summary:
The digging of the exploratory trench is the only method to accurately predict the impacts
that construction will have on a tree. The 24 inch deep trench is a depth that represents
the majority of the root zone. Typically tree roots do not go below 18 inches in the soil.
Removing the roots in the trench will only have minor affects on the tree. The cutting of
these roots would not affect the stability of the tree. Root loss of this amount can be
mitigated by proper tree care practices including irrigation and fertilizing. The following
tree protection plan will be used on this site and will lessen the impacts to this tree and
27755 Edgerton, Los Altos Hills, CA
March 3, 2009
o Trenches that must be left exposed for a period of time should also be covered
with layers of burlap and kept moist. Plywood over the top of the trench will also
help protect exposed roots below.
Irrigation:
o Normal irrigation should be maintained throughout the entire length of the
project.
o The native oaks trees on this site will require some irrigation during the warm
season months particularly when root zones are impacted.
o If root zones are traumatized, heavy flood type irrigation may be necessary during
the summer months.
o Irrigation during the winter months may also be necessary, depending on the
seasonal rainfall. Flood type irrigation I time per month during the fall and
winter months may be advised by the site arborist.
o Mulching the root zone of protected trees will help the soil retain moisture, thus
reducing water consumption.
Parking and Staging:
o During the construction process all tree protection must be in place.
o An inspection prior to the start of the construction is required.
o All vehicles must remain on paved surfaces if possible. If vehicles are to stray
from paved surfaces, 4 to 6 inches of chips shall be spread and plywood laid over
the mulch layer when inside root zones. This type of landscape buffer will help
reduce compaction of desired trees.
o Parking will not be allowed off the paved surfaces near protected trees.
o Exposed or damaged roots should be repaired and covered with native soil.
This information should be kept on site at all times. The information included in this
report is believed to be true and based on sound arboricultural principles and practices.
Sincerely,
Kevin R. Kielty
Certified Arborist WEM0476A
RIELTY ARBORIST SERVICES
P.O. Box 6187, Sa. M.., CA 94403 • TEL (650) 5251464 • FAX (650) 525-1439
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February 27, 2009
Planning Commission
David Keyon, Associate Planner
Los Altos Hills Town Hall
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
RE: Proposed site development permit for 27755 Edgerton Road, #166-08-ZP-SD-GD, dated January 23, 2009
Dear David:
I am writing an updated response to your notice regarding the proposed site development permit for 27755 Edgerton Road, #166-08-ZP-
SD-GD for the upcoming public hearing on March 5, 2009. My wife, Kimberly and I, along with our two daughters and golden retriever,
reside at which immediately borders the proposed site development lot to the west.
Once again, having reviewed the site development proposal for 27755 Edgerton Road and visualized the proposed structure's on-site
wooden frame, on short -notice, I have the following additional concerns regarding the site development proposal:
Practicality
- the significant restrictions and constraints as dictated by the natural topography remain unchanged
its steep slope, unstable soils, difficult accessibility from either Edgerton Road or along the narrow pan -handle along Ursula Lane
and a myriad of other natural hazards would make any building plans challenging at best
pursuing building plans which "max" out allowable square footage and an 800+ SF basement in spite of the physical challenges is
just plain irresponsible
- as raised during the last public hearing, there is no obligation to approve "Imperfect" plans which mandate the number of variances
raised in this application with respect to cut and f11 terracing, retaining wall heights, fire department requirement for a tum -around,
the removal of 7 slow-growing Heritage Blue Oaks, change of address with respect to access on a difficult lot as constrained as this
one
Massive Scope of the Proposed Structures
- with respect to the impact on direct neighbors along both Ursula Lane and Edgerton
- as previously stated, there are currently 4 homes with Ursula Lane addresses
27343 Ursula Lane: lot size 1.5 acres, home 4,607 sf
27330 Ursula Lane: lot size 1.4 acres, home 4,537 sf
27299 Ursula Lane: lot size 1.8 acres, home 3,069 sf
27271 Ursula Lane: lot size 2.1 acres, home 3,200 sf
- there are currently 4 homes along the same side of the street on Edgerton Road
27447 Edgerton Road: lot size 1.6 acres, home 1,407 sf
27525 Edgerton Road: lot size 1.8 acres, home 2,441 sf
27669 Edgerton Road: lot size 2.1 acres, home 3,671 sf
27781 Edgerton Road: lot size 1.7 acres, home 4,652 sf
- as such, the average lot size surrounding the applicant's site is 1.8 acres and the average home is 3,448 sf
- the obvious impact of the massive scope of the proposed structure represents several standard deviations larger than what is
currently existing on both Ursula Lane and Edgerton Road and would neither be congruent or appear harmonious with the current
homes along these streets
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What Constitutes a Basement
a traditional basement is defined as a subterranean level below the existing levels of a structure
- the proposed basement (an additional 800+sf of space) as depicted in the architectural plans does not seem to fit this definition
the proposed "basement' in the applicant's plan appears to be a subterranean space at about the same level of what would be
defined as the first level, only on the other half of the proposed structure (only 5 steps down, as opposed to 16 steps compared
to the first and second level),
- so is this really a basement? Or just an adjacent space step down on the first level being referred to as a "basement" so as not to
factor Into the calculation of the structure's allowable square footage?
Removal of Eight Century Old Majestic Heritage Oaks
- the proposed sparing of Heritage Oak #35 is disingenume at best
- the point was to come up with a structure with a smaller foot print and avoid the removal of as many of the century old Heritage Oaks
clusters as possible
not to redraw a single wall line of the proposed structure, while maintaining maximal square footage and still being within feet of
the trunk, not to mention being under the drip line which by definition means disrupting the root system of Heritage Oak #35
Intrusion of Privacy
we remain Impacted because the proposed structure is in direct line of sight view from the most private spaces of our living
quarters
the windows of our master bedroom, the windows of our master bathroom and the windows of the our master toilet closet
the proposed massive structure would sit front and center and be in my direct line of sight off the master suite
- a plan for privacy landscaping with funds In escrow should be considered and approved at the same time given the impact of the
imposing nature of the structure as seen through the clearing, the proposed retaining walls and the removal of a cluster of
century old Heritage Oaks which currently soften the impact of the proposed fire -truck turn -around and three -car garage
Willingness to Work with the Neighbors
- although the instruction to "work with the neighbors" was stipulated at the last public hearing it appears Mr. McKeegan has once
again worked out his plans in secrecy I submitted them for this proposed public hearing without nary a discussion with any of
the neighbors
his only attempt was a last minute email to review what he had already submitted 2 days prior to the deadline for fling a letter
with the planning council for this public hearing
- Mr. McKeegan's behavior is quite disturbing to all of the neighbors
which begs us to question what Mr. McKeegan's real long-term goals are
- many of us find his lack of interest in the neighborhood and his persistence to build in the face of universal dissension amongst the
neighbors, both inconsiderate and irresponsible
We respectfully ask the Planning council to once again:
- reconsider any and all alternatives that would propose a smaller footprint elevation and meet the visual impact that would be more
harmonious with the current properties and homes along Ursula Lane and Edgerton Road
- reconsider any and all alternatives that would spare any century old majestic heritage oaks that are currently functioning as privacy
screens between bordering property's homes in exchange for removing other oaks more centrally located on the lot that would not
affect any of the bordering property's privacy and views
- consider a landscape plan with funds in escrow for appropriate landscaping that would be of the right height and width from day one
to Insure our respective privacy
Once again, we would gladly volunteer our time to meet with Mr. McKeegan, his architects and engineers at a mutually convenient time
to assist in any way possible to arrive at a common goal of a mutually pleasing plan that would meet all of the concerns and sensibilities
of all the parties involved during their planning stages, as any meeting after their proposals have already been submitted would be
meaningless.
Sincerely,
Felix and Kimberly Lee
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
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