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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-26; City Council; ; Designation of Seven Trees as Heritage TreesMeeting Date: March 26, 2024 To: Mayor and City Council From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Staff Contact: Todd Reese, Parks Services Manager todd.reese@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2941 Subject: Designation of Seven Trees as Heritage Trees Districts: 1, 2 Recommended Action Adopt a resolution designating seven trees – four trees identified on city owned property and three trees identified on privately owned property – as heritage trees. Executive Summary The Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, which was updated and approved by the City Council in 2019, lists goals and strategies that promote city-wide tree preservation, community education and sustainability, and showcases specimen or heritage trees to generate interest in the diversity of trees. With the approval of the plan, the City Council designated 116 previously identified trees, some of them located on city owned property and some of them on privately owned property, as heritage trees. Those heritage trees were determined to be important facets of the community’s historic and cultural resources. Seven additional trees, four on city-owned property and three on privately owned property, have been nominated by community members for heritage tree designation. Those nominations have been reviewed by staff, accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission, and by the Parks & Recreation Commission. Staff and the commissions recommend the City Council approve the designation of the seven trees as heritage trees. The City Council’s adoption of a resolution is required to designate a tree as a Heritage Tree, under Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.12.020 – Definitions, Subsection A.4., “Heritage Tree.” March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 1 of 28 CA Review AF Explanation & Analysis Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.12.020, Subsection A.4, defines a heritage tree as “any tree existing within the city limits which has been so designated by resolution by the City Council. Heritage Trees shall be trees with notable historic interest or trees of an unusual species or size.” Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.12.140 - Heritage Trees, Subsection A., further states, The City Council recognizes the important role trees have played in the history and development of Carlsbad and recognizes that a wide variety of trees can grow in its unique and temperate climate. The city may officially designate as Heritage Trees those trees in the community which have significant historical or arboricultural interest. It is the policy of the City Council that all designated heritage trees that are on public streets shall be protected. The Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 – Heritage Tree Program, indicates that “…these trees are important facets of the City of Carlsbad’s history, arts, and cultural resources…They offer special opportunities for people interested in science and history to learn more about trees outside of the typical arboretum or classroom setting.” The Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission are tasked with making recommendations to the City Council regarding the designation of Heritage Trees. The Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 - Heritage Tree Program, addresses the following: •Describes the significance of heritage trees in the community •Lists a brief description of each of the heritage trees in Carlsbad •Provides management recommendations for heritage trees •Outlines the process for nominating trees for heritage tree designation The process for nominating trees for heritage tree designation includes the completion of a nomination form, staff’s review and acceptance of the nomination, and submission of the nomination to the Historic Preservation Commission and to the City Council for action. In addition, Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.36.070(C), states “The Parks & Recreation Commission shall … review all tree-related issues and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the needs of the city with respect to its tree planting, replacement, maintenance and preservation programs.” Since the City Council’s approval of the updated Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan in September 2019, staff have received seven nominations for heritage tree designation. Staff reviewed the completed nomination forms for each of the heritage tree candidates (Exhibit 2) and determined they warranted further consideration. March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 2 of 28 The initial six nominations were accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on March 8, 2021, and the Parks & Recreation Commission on Nov. 20, 2023. Those six nominations were for: One paper bark tea tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, on city-owned property, in the City Hall courtyard Two river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) at Victoria Lane, west of Carlsbad Village Drive, on city-owned property, adjacent to the Village H South trailhead One coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) at the east end of Lake Calavera Preserve, on city owned property, adjacent to the access from Oak Riparian Park Two cork oaks (Quercus suber) at 2778 Arland Road, on privately owned property, in the front yard March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 3 of 28 The last nomination was accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on March 11, 2024, and the Parks & Recreation Commission on March 18, 2024. That nomination was for: The Community Forest Management Plan‘s Heritage Tree Program (Chapter 6) includes management recommendations for the health, safety and longevity of heritage trees. These recommendations are mandatory for city-owned heritage trees but advisory only for privately owned heritage trees. Staff are prepared to apply the management recommendations to the four city-owned heritage tree candidates with existing resources. The owners of the three privately owned heritage tree candidates have been informed of these nominations. Heritage tree designations for trees located outside of a street, sidewalk, median or other public right-of-way of the city do not affect the property owners’ rights to exercise control of their properties, including development of their properties. None of the seven trees nominated for designation as heritage trees are located within a street, sidewalk, median or other public right-of-way of the city. The Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 – Heritage Tree Program, states Unlike fine artwork, trees do not remain in a static state and are constantly exposed to the elements and biological factors. It is important to preserve heritage trees, but even though the best plant health care practices available may be applied to keep heritage trees in good condition, trees do age and naturally senesce [deteriorate with age] and succumb to factors beyond the control of arboriculture professionals. When a heritage tree reaches the point of needing to be removed out of safety or practicality concerns, the tree may have an extended use and be further memorialized through the Community Green Waste, Wood and Tree Recycling Program. In keeping with these management recommendations, a suitable tree is to be planted in exchange if a city-owned Heritage Tree must be removed. Staff recommend that the City Council designate these seven trees as Heritage Trees. One Santa Cruz redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) at 4970 Cindy Avenue, on privately owned property, in the side yard March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 4 of 28 Fiscal Analysis Sufficient funds are available in the City Council approved Fiscal Year 2023-24 Parks Maintenance Operating Budget to cover the costs of applying the heritage tree management recommendations for the four city-owned heritage trees. The city will not be fiscally responsible for the management of the three privately owned heritage trees. No additional appropriation is requested. Funding for ongoing management of the four city owned heritage trees will be included in future operating budget submittals for the City Council’s consideration. Next Steps The seven heritage trees, four trees on city owned property and four trees on privately owned property, will be added to the heritage tree inventory. Environmental Evaluation This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Exhibits 1.City Council resolution 2.Heritage Tree nomination forms for the seven trees March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 5 of 28 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-057 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING SEVEN TREES -FOUR TREES IDENTIFIED ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY AND THREE TREES IDENTIFIED ON PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY -AS HERITAGE TREES WHEREAS, the City Council approved the updated Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan in September 2019; and WHEREAS, that plan lists goals and strategies that promote city-wide tree preservation, community education and sustainability, and showcases specimen or heritage trees to generate interest in the diversity of trees; and WHEREAS, Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.12.020, Definitions, Subsection A.4., defines a heritage tree as "any tree existing within the city limits which has been so designated by resolution by the City Council. Heritage Trees shall be trees with notable historic interest or trees of an unusual species or size;" and WHEREAS, Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 11.12.140, Heritage Trees, Subsection A., further states "The City Council recognizes the important role trees have played in the history and development of Carlsbad and recognizes that a wide variety of trees can grow in its unique and temperate climate. The city may officially designate as Heritage Trees those trees in the community which have significant historical or arboricultural interest . It is the policy of the City Council that all designated heritage trees that are on public streets shall be protected."; and WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 -Heritage Tree Program, indicates that " ... these trees are important facets of the City of Carlsbad's history, arts, and cultural resources ... They offer special opportunities for people interested in science and history to learn more about trees outside of the typical arboretum or classroom setting;" and WHEREAS, with the approval of the Carl sbad Community Forest Management Plan, the City Council designated 116 previously identified trees, some of them located on city-owned property and some of them located on privately-owned property, as heritage trees; and WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan Chapter 6, Heritage Tree Program, describes the significance of heritage trees in the community, lists a brief description of each of the heritage trees in Carlsbad, provides management recommendations for heritage trees, and outlines the process for nominating trees to be con sidered for heritage tree designation; and Exhibit 1 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 6 of 28 WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission are tasked with making recommendations to the City Council regarding the designation of additional heritage trees; and WHEREAS, the process for nominating trees for heritage tree designation includes the completion of a nomination form, staff's review and acceptance of the nomination, and submission of the nomination to the Historic Preservation Commission and to the City Council for action; and WHEREAS, Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.36.070. -Duties, Subsection C., states "The Parks & Recreation Commission shall. .. review all tree-related issues and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the needs of the city with respect to its tree planting, replacement, maintenance and preservation programs;" and WHEREAS, seven trees, four identified on city-owned property and three identified on privately­ owned property, have been nominated for heritage tree designation; and WHEREAS, the seven nominations are for: one Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tea tree) at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive on city-owned property -in the City Hall courtyard; two Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) at Victoria Lane, west of Carlsbad Village Drive, on city-owned property -adjacent to the Village H South trailhead; one Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak) at the east end of Lake Calavera Preserve, on city-owned property -adjacent to the access from Oak Riparian Park; two Quercus suber (cork oak) at 2778 Arland Road, on privately-owned property -in the front yard; and one Sequoia sempervirens (Santa Cruz redwood) at 4970 Cindy Ave., on privately owned property -in the side yard; WHEREAS, the nomination forms and photographs of the seven heritage tree candidates are on file in the Office of the City Clerk; and WHEREAS, the nominations were reviewed by staff and determined to warrant further consideration; and WHEREAS, the initial six nominations were accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on March 8, 2021, and accepted by the Parks & Recreation Commission on Nov. 20, 2023; and WHEREAS, the last nomination was accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on March 11, 2024, and the Parks & Recreation Commission on March 18, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 -Heritage Tree Program, includes management recommendations for the health, safety and longevity of heritage March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 7 of 28 trees. These recommendations are mandatory for city-owned heritage trees but advisory only for privately owned heritage trees; and WHEREAS, staff are prepared to apply the management recommendations to the four city- owned heritage tree candidates with existing resources; and WHEREAS, the owners of the three privately-owned heritage tree candidates have been informed of these nominations; and WHEREAS, heritage tree designations for trees located outside of a street, sidewalk, median or other public right-of-way of the city do not affect the property owners' rights to exercise control of their properties, including development of their properties.; and WHEREAS, The Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, Chapter 6 -Heritage Tree Program, states "It is important to preserve heritage trees, but even though the best plant health care practices available may be applied to keep heritage trees in good condition, trees do age and naturally senesce and succumb to factors beyond the control of arboriculture professionals. When a heritage tree reaches the point of needing to be removed out of safety or practicality concerns, the tree may have an extended use and be further memorialized through the Community Green Waste, Wood and Tree Recycling Program ... ;" and WHEREAS, in keeping with these management recommendations, a suitable tree is to be planted in exchange if a city-owned Heritage Tree must be removed.; and WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available in the City Council approved Fiscal Year 2023-24 Parks Maintenance Operating Budget to account for application of the heritage tree management recommendations of the four city-owned heritage trees; and WHEREAS, funding for ongoing management of the four city-owned heritage trees will be included in future operating budget submittals for the City Council's consideration; and WHEREAS, the City Planner has determined that pursuant to Public Resources code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a rea sonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment, and therefore does not require environmental review. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 8 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 10 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 11 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 12 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 13 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 14 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 15 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 16 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 17 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 18 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 19 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 20 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 21 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 22 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 23 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 24 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 25 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 26 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 27 of 28 March 26, 2024 Item #3 Page 28 of 28