HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.1 SupplementalCarl Cahill,
Town Manager
MAY 0 0 2009
CC: Planning Dept., Members of the Planning Commission TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
Ref: Lot -3, trimming oaks branches along the Lauterbach lot
Dear Mr. Cahill,
We received yesterday a copy of the Site Development Report for the above lot.
Attached to the Report we were surprised to find a fax from Mrs. Lauterbach accusing us, of
"deliberately cut the branches of the oak trees to allow grading on our side".
We are enclosing a few recent pictures of the oak trees. Please note the following:
1- Last year we indeed embarked on cleaning our lots from excessively dense and unaesthetic
areas of weeds, bushes and low branches. Most of those areas have been neglected for many
years and it showed.
2 - The oak trees along the Lauterbach lot were one of the most neglected and unaesthetic areas
with dense combination of Oleander, 10'-11" oak trees and other bushes.
As part of the cleanup, some of the lower limbs of the oaks trees have been professionally cut,
together with other bushes in the area.
2- The oak trees are relatively thin and tall, probably because of the dense environment and years
of neglect. See pictures attached. Only lower limbs were trimmed. The higher limbs remained as
they were.
3 - The limbs of the oak trees never extended more than 2'-3' into our lot, definitely not 10' or
20'. We trimmed them long before we knew that there will be a driveway there and this is the
first time that we even make this connection.
4 - In any case, Thanks to the trimming, the health of the oak trees is better now than before as is
obvious from the pictures and the reality. They indeed look healthy, wealthy and wise.
The Lauterbach's claim is baseless, makes no sense, and is mean spirited.
5 — Needless to say that we are sick and tired of false accusations and smear campaigns by the
neighbors.
6 — It should be noted that we have tried to communicate with the Lauterbach for a long time by
mail and telephone. Until yesterday, we did not even have their email address, which we
requested many times in the past.
7- In any case, this seems to be a civil matter between neighbors which has little if anything to do
with the development of the lot. We regret that the Town has to deal with it.
8 — We would certainly understand and accommodate legitimate concerns of neighbors as we
have done in the past. The Lauterbachs have had many opportunities to convey to us their
concerns. However, the confrontational method of contacting the Town with accusation and false
statements seems to be malicious and has caused us delays and damages all along the way.
Sincerely,
Isaac Agam
Eran Cohen
0
Mag 07 09 10:25a Barrie Coate
P
BARME D. COATE RECEIVED
and ASSOCIATES
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
RECOMMENDATION POR TR K PROTECTION !HIRING CON'TRU(7110N
Prepared at the Request of:
VaUric lautcrbach
Los Altus Hills CA 94022
Situ Visit by.
Flame D. COKC
Consulting Arborist
April 2Z 2009
Job A)449-034
May 07 09 10:30a Barrie Coate
If I(COMMP;NUn'rION POR TRIA: I'RRI'D:MION MIRING CONSTRII('rION
Assignment
t)n April 22, 09. 1 met Mrs. T,auttnbneh, M her property Los Altos
I tills, to eRamins a row, of nine Wast live oak trees on the west n sigh= Of rheir Property
after the adjacent dcoloper Pruned all vegetation west of the assumed property fence
line.
'Ihc 91a:. um I was asked was how close grading can be to the property line and the
trunks of these trerx without causing significant damage to the trees mot system.
Sammary
1. Fssentially oil of the vegetation west of the fence (which I presume represents the
property lint) was removed by the adjacent landowner.
2. This amount of foliage removal would be amsidcrcd destructive pruning by the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
3. 'Ibc removal of all vegetation on the west side of mature trees will (cave the
exposed bark of these nces, susceptible to slmbum. a phenomenon which causes
pemmncnt wounds in the newly exposed wand, inviting insect invasion and dory
into the newly exposed vascular tisane.
4, 'fisc trees will produce a disproportionate amount of their new growth on the east
and south sides sins the only r=aining undamaged growing points arc on those
sides.
5. The result of this sewerc pruning an the west side will be production of massive
quantities of adventitious shoots (called waunsprouts) that take a disproportionate
amounts of the carbohydrates and mun:hes being pndueod by roots and stualing
them from production of n,mrA branches and foliage and vascular tiXsee.
observations
Seven of the nine trM involved have trunk diameters exceeding 12 inches at 4 feet above
grade, the definition of heritage oak true in Los Alto% lulls.
All of the trues are Wast live oak (Char=s (igrijmlia) currently, in excellent health but
whose health will be threatened by this severe Pruning and the insects, diseases, and the
atypical growth response resulting from this severe Pnming.
Reeommeadat(onx
1. All of the newly exposed west facing branch and trunk sections be coated with a
50150 mixture of light 0+101011 latex paint and water to pmvent sunbum from
causing woods in those newly exposed pans.
2. In two years ager waterspout growth has emergent on the west side have a highly
qualified cenifred reboriat such as one of those on the enrlosc I shcetu do
µq,tmmrnM VNEiR link
PRP.PARRnnY: 11ARRII:m.tYM'lle(X)NSl11.1DNi ARI WI.Sr APRIL 22.200
May 07 OS 10:30a Barrie Coate 408 353 1238 p.4
' RF.COMMl{NOA PION I'OR'IAl;lil'RU'Itil'I'ION DURINti CONSrNI)Cn(IN
2
andweight reduction from the cast side of the tree canopy to prevent
dispmpunrorate growth on this aide where all the growing points ate and have the
newly produced wadetsptouts an the west Ade thinned to 12-19 inches apart to
hegin the -prones ofbdlding a new eaapy on the west side. -
3. ',be soil arca out to the original dripline which pmexisted the recant seven:
pruning should be protected from any grading or fill.
A fence should be installed as drown on the enclosed atrial photo to protect all of
the root zone which was beneath the canopy on the west side before the severe
pruning was dont.
'Ibis fence must be constructed of 6 foot tall ehainlink fence mounted on 2 inch
diameter stool fence posts driven at least 2 foot in to the ground and spaced no
farther than 10 fact apart
warning signs like the one enclosed' must be laminated and installed on 10 foot
centers on this fence facing west to warn subcontractors and grading equipment
operator against damage to this fence.
6. 1 recommend that an independent ISA certified arborist inspect the fencing after it
is installed but before any construction equipment works in any arra closer than
40 feet from these rices and provides a hero to the OwnCT with a copy to the City
planning Department noting the ptcseoce of the fence and its condition.
At least 2 more unannounced visits should be made by the ISA certified arborist
during the construction on the adjacent property to certify that the fence remains
intact and undamaged.
5. As a guideline to troo value the value of uvea 07 and 9 have beat calculated using
the Trunk Value Formula as specified by the ISA.
The values calculated for these true represent their condition before the adjacent
pruning was done.
Respcctl'u y to tt,*
Barrie D. Coate r
BDC/sl
Encl.:
A.ssump lions and Limiting Conditions
I`Nlil'ANiib NY; 1MNNIli D. WRI'1: (ANVaI1C1lNU AK80RIR
N'NII, 24 2(7(19
May 07 09 10:31a
Trunk Formula Method
91h Edition, Guide for Plant Appraisal
for Trees leas 30" diameter
Owner of Prop" (am)
Mr. awd Mra. LaadpWch
Loearim:
Date ofAppmisak Apnl 22,2009 Date ofFa0ur¢
Appaiyl PrOPaed Cor- him Valerie LaadmbarA
ppp"pnpmed by. Bmk D. Coat4 Ca0fied ArbamtWSW
FkllOEavwWwasajSlvb%au7m T—#9
1. SPS Coast Live Oak
2. Crofton' Bcf= aecalt6100%
3. Tn kDbouow hwb= 10"X7'
4. LocwimVahw*/.
Silo 8l1 %+Coabiit W= 0 %+ Plaeorrw 1 0 X- 2
Rerifind
Plat Coesabbe/
5. Species stbayO
6.. Tree Sine iorLea TAB: m.
7Replacemeatlrx Cask
S 1873
S. a Cast S 1873
9. IWAIIW Tree Coat (# 7+# 8):
$345.46
to. UaaTree Cast iorLm' $45.46 m'
Clekakdw Fw Me Casiex
11. Appnaed7rmkAm
Tank D"smobw, (#3),.795= 785+(63595<21- ia.
12. Appmjsedlree7rmklaerem(TA.W-
TA.. bL #11 -T& it sqAn.(#6)= 106 . is
13. Bask Tmo Cort
(TA.Q(#12) I0G49 at hL x UTC(#10)S 4546 per sq- k-
+ ]vu°1BBad Tree Cost 91 S 345.46 =S 5187
14. Appraised Value.
Basic Tree Cost(#13)S 5-197
x Speciev(#5) J4�-% x Cmdmm(#2)�% xlarerim (#4).23_% -$4-824
15. Rmmdmnemvd$100(55,000+)-$10(ka#vm$5,000) =SAM
May 07 09 10:33a Barrie Coate 408 353 1238 P.8
Trunk Formula Method
90'EditioD, Guide for Plaut Appraisal
far Trees Lass 30" diameter
Owner of Properly (tree):
Mr. and Mrs Laudastack
Location:
Due of Appraisal: AW922,2009 Dome offailuta
Appraisal Prepared for. Mrs. Valerie Lauderbech
Appraisal Preparcdby: Bata D.COmfta CatifiedArharist#0586
FWObtaraabwgfSlrbjn7D w Treemr7
L Species: Coast Li" Oak
2 Confibon: Bdwermmpsuning 1009A
3. Trunk DWvftr,Iecbmc 14"X9"
4. Location Value%:
Sime 80 %+CowR)W4nIW %+ Placement 100
Pfem Caaae#Om
5. Species 100 %
6. RcplwcmertTm Sire . mdres TAR: 3.9 m.
7. Replaceement Tree Cost
S 17273
S. bswbdm Cost
S 17273
9. iosWied Tree Cost(#7+#8):
3345.46
10. Unit Tree Species Car . inches 45.46 S WW
CakRiVOMUZkgFMWdRA~CWMMMVMIAfOnUwm
Il. Appraised Tmnk Area
Trunk Diameter, #3x.7#5= 153.96+6358:2 = 195.65 sq.in.
12 ApparsedTteeTnmkbcrmwo(TA.n)-
T& a in. #11 -TA. 3.8 SQ.im(A)= 181.5 Sq.m.
13. Basic Tree Cost
(TA.o,) (#12) 181.85 sq. in. x UTC 010) 8 45.46 per sq. m.
+hwWWT=Coat #9 S345A6 =S
14. Appraised Value:
Basic Ilea Cost (#13) S 8.612.47
x Species(#5) J"--% x Condition(R) 100 % xLocnUm(#4)93% =S&010
15. Round topmost SIOD($5,WM+) WS16(ma son $5,000) =S 8_000
Nay 07 09 10:31a Barrie Coate 408
WARNING
TREE
PRESER VA TION
AREA
KEEP OUT
NOTICE: PROTECTIVE TREE FENCING IS
REQUIRED ON THIS JOB SITE.
This card must be posted on the protective fencing for each
heritage tree on the job site, and remain up during the entire
construction period. Fencing may not be removed without
permission of the Town Arborist.
During construction all reasonable steps necessary to
prevent damage, or the destruction of protected trees is
required. Failure to comply with all precautions may result
in a STOP WORK order being issued by the Town.