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:
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