Trees in Emeryville

Maybe it is my Mid-West upbringing, or my appreciation for natural beauty, but I am always wanting to see Emeryville do the best we can to preserve mature trees -- and work to plant more trees. Do you feel the same way?

As a result, I am disappointed in 2 items that have recently been considered or will be considered by the City Council at public hearings (the second one is this Tuesday 4/3 at 7:15pm at City Hall). Both have to do with a new development project called "Parkside" which is located on the block bordered by Powell and Stanford, Hollis and Doyle. This project will have 169 units of rental residences, and includes some retail space and a small park with a dog run. I actually do not get to vote on any aspect of this project as a City Council member, as I live and own property just a block away.

This Tuesday the council will consider whether to allow the developer to take out all of the street trees located along the south side of Powell on this block. The staff report and the arborist report can be reached by these links. The arborist suggests, "Costs related to demolition, construction and planting site preparation will be significantly reduced if all trees are replaced." The information that is not included is what it would take to retain the mature trees, rebuild sidewalks next to them as part of the project, and perhaps enhance the environment for the trees to make them grow and thrive in this spot. It also does not mention that the trees on this block are the same as the trees along Powell for 3 blocks, and make a cohesive feel along that part of Powell.

Additionally, 2 weeks ago, the City Council was to consider this item, but then it was pulled from the agenda. The change in those two weeks is that instead of asking the developer to pay $52,100 for the removal of these mature trees as provided by our Urban Forestry Ordinance, now 9 out of the 10 street trees have been declared "nuisance trees" and the developer will have the fees reduced to $4,447 (to pay for the one tree that does not constitute a "nuisance").

I am glad to read that the staff has changed their recommendation to replacing the 10 trees with 12 new trees, larger than previously recommended two weeks ago, but the loss of mature trees is still a problem.

When will we start to ask developers to work around existing trees? When will we ask for the appropriate fees to help fund the planting of more street trees (as I have heard of some residents who request trees and don't get them)? Why is the staff trying to reduce the importance of the trees and the fees that we have in place to deter cutting these trees down?

On the same project, on February 7, the City Council approved the design of a new park, and the removal of 33 mature trees to accommodate it and the parking lot. All of those tall trees that are around the parking lot, on the Stanford side of the project will be taken down to make room for a park. I find it surprising that the park could not be designed to incorporate and enhance the mature trees that are already on the site. When I look at the project, I see that some of the trees simply could not remain with the plans for construction, but there are others that might have been retained with careful planning. If the developer and architect don't value the trees, or see keeping them as a costly measure, at least the city council, who must approve the removal of all trees, should see the value in keeping them. Again, I did not vote on this project as I live so close to it.

I know that arborists have come a long way in the past decades in terms of concensus on proper soil volume needed for trees to thrive. According to staff, most of the trees in Emeryville planted longer ago than 5 years were not planted properly, and therefore, removing them and replacing them with properly planted trees would in the long run make our community better. I agree with that to some degree, but would like to see the city show a real interest in trees, and recognize that a gradual replacement might be better than a complete overhaul. Leave some of the mature trees and plant new ones with better practices. Then, as those trees mature and grow large, remove the older ones. Also, commit to maintaining our current trees and sidewalks in recognition of the value trees bring to our community.

I know that community meetings were held on this project, and these views would have been better shared at that time, but I bring them up now.

I ask that staff invite our City Arborist to come and speak to the council on an overall strategy on how to maintain our street trees so that they are not in the future considered "nuisance trees" that can be cut down without a penalty. Let's see Emeryville become a place where mature trees are valued, as I believe their value enhances our town and our properties.

As always, I invite your comments sent to me directly at emeryvillewest@gmail.com.

Trees Study Session, Planning Commission, Thursday, September 27

At the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 27, there will be a study session discussing street trees in Emeryville. It is toward the end of the agenda. The meeting begins at City Hall at 6:30 pm. In my opinion, the City is not doing enough to preserve mature trees when developers want to cut them down. Here is an open letter from me to the Planning Commissioners:

I have long been concerned about how well we are maintaining our trees in Emeryville. To me, mature trees are a real asset and make a tremendous difference in the feel of a place, the quality of life, and in the property values. I would much rather live on a street with tall, healthy trees, than without. We all know it takes years to allow trees to reach their full maturity, and patience!

Emeryville passed an Urban Forestry Ordinance (UFO) in 2003 and updated it in the past couple of years, but it alone is not enough. It is up to the decision-makers in town to remember the time required for trees to mature, and to value those trees more than saving a developer money. We all know that clearing a parcel before building is cheaper. We know that designing a park on a blank piece of paper is easier. But it is simply not worth it!

Trees can be preserved and incorporated into new developments in Emeryville, and the Planning Commissioners and the City Council members are the ones who can make that a priority. I hope that staff will also encourage or require developers to consider existing trees in their plans, but until they do, it is the appointed and elected members of the Commission and Council who must protect the community from the continual cutting down of mature trees.

The UFO has some good protections in place. Now folks must pay a penalty when street trees are cut down. Now developers are required to replace the cumulative circumference of trees cut down with new trees (which can be hard to do with limited space for all those trees, but encourages planting large replacement trees). But the City is exempt from the UFO. The City doesn’t HAVE to follow these rules. And as a result the city has been inconsistent in the application of the UFO.

At Parkside (formerly PaperMill) on Stanford between Doyle and Hollis, more than 40 mature trees are being removed as part of a project building 164 apartments. I cannot vote on this item as it is close to my residence, but I feel that no public body properly considered alternatives to cutting down these trees. We were shown a design for a new park and commented on details, glad to see something other than a parking lot! Yes, there were public community meetings, and no one asked for the trees to be preserved. There were study sessions at the Planning Commission, and no one asked for the trees to be preserved. The council considered the Park Design in February 2012, and no one asked for the trees to be preserved. The arborist report (prepared after the community meetings and the Planning Commission approvals and which was not required because the City doesn’t have to follow the UFO), was commissioned by the Developer Archstone. It had 2 sections removed from the report by suggestion of the City staff: 1. the value of the trees slated for removal and 2. the steps needed to preserve the existing trees. I think that those sections should have been retained. At least for the City to know in monetary terms what is being taken away by the development proceeding according to the plans, and to help all decision makers and the public know what is feasible in terms of preservation.

These are the 20 year old trees to be removed for a park

When I spoke to a member of the community who attended the public meetings, I heard that no one in attendance had mentioned, talked about, or asked about the removal of all the trees on the site. All comments were focused on the new park plan – no one even thought about considering what is currently there. Not the City staff or the developer. She, too, is excited about the new park, but devastated to think that all the mature trees are being cut down to build it.

This developer was asked to build a public park as a condition of approval for the City. Good for the city to ask for something back for the community! But next time, ask for a park WITH the existing trees incorporated into the design! No one did, and we didn’t get a park with mature trees – we will get a lovely park with brand new trees and wait 20 years for them to grow to be like the trees that are there now.

Please consider the following points as new development projects come forward: 

1.  What trees are already on the site? Can they be preserved? What is their value?
2.  Ask for more benefits from private developers, even if it might increase the cost of the project.
3. Visit the site and look at what is there now.
4. Require the City to follow its own UFO unless it is an emergency situation.
5. Post notices on all trees to be removed, and do so early in the process, before plans have been settled on.
6. Get our City Arborist to review private arborist reports.
7. Use the fund we have created under the UFO to maintain and preserve existing trees and to plant new trees.

If we have the foresight to do right by trees in Emeryville, 20, 30, and 50 years from now the residents and people who work in Emeryville will thank us!

Trees

One of the things I value most in a community is mature trees. Emeryville is lacking in this department, and it is not something that can be fixed overnight. In my opinion, the beauty of mature trees (and the increased property value) is partly the patience that it takes to bring us to that state. I have appreciated the new trees that have been planted in the Triangle neighborhood over the past few years, and look forward to the day they provide shade.

Recently, the Tattler printed an article about the new Target parking lot, and how 18 years ago the entire East Bay Bridge Shopping Center parking lot (the stretch south of 40th St., between San Pablo and the railroad tracks) was stripped of the requirement to plant more trees. I am sure you can agree that the parking lot is barren and huge today.

City staff have looked into this issue and have given some history and some good news in terms of the Target parking lot. Target is planting many more trees with adequate root space to grow large.  The coverage of the lot will be much better in 10 years, but will not necessarily reach 25%, the original requirement that was voted down in 1993.  Still, I think this will be a real improvement.

Community Forum -- Feb 26, 3:30-5:30

Help Shape Your Emeryville in 2011

and Beyond

Food!  Idea-Sharing – Brainstorming

R.U.L.E. (Residents United for a Livable Emeryville) invites you to a community forum to express your hopes, ideas and concerns

Do you want…

• A city council which listens as seriously to Emeryville residents as it does to  well-funded special interests – and is transparent about all its activities?

• A city with calm, pedestrian and bike-friendly streets and sidewalks?

• Development that encourages connectivity and community life?
  
  
• More good-paying jobs for Emeryville residents?

• More affordable housing for families?

• More local businesses like independent grocery stores, cafes, bookstores, bakeries and galleries?

• More trees and parks?

If so, please join us:

Saturday, February 26, 3:30 – 5:30

Bay St. Community Room (2 floors below the AMC movie theater)

Let’s start planning for the election of progressive City Council members in November!

City Council Member Jennifer West will talk to us about her vision for Emeryville

Sponsored by R.U.L.E., Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

For more information call Judy Timmel, 601-6521; Ruth Major, 316-9343;

Tracy Schroth 205-5850

VOTE!

Today is the day! Be sure you get to the polls, if you haven't already turned in a mail-in ballot. They are open until 8:00 pm, and City Hall at 1333 Park Ave. has a polling place!

The City Council meets this evening, but we hope to have a short meeting so that we can all go watch the election returns. Come at 6:15 pm for a special study session on trees in Emeryville. Stay for a conversation about the council committee structure during the regular City Council agenda beginning at 7:15 pm.

Today is an exciting day, and you have a part to play in our beautiful democracy!

Some of my positions include:
YES on Prop  30
No on Prop 32
YES on Prop 34
YES on Prop 37
YES on Measure A1
YES on Measure B1

Just go get that little "I voted" sticker and wear it with pride! VOTE!

Community Meeting about the Escuela Bilingue Internacional School, Saturday, May 14 at 12:30, Senior Center

On Saturday, May 14, at 12:30 at the Senior Center, there will be a meeting of the community to discuss the school locating in Emeryville.  On March 24, 2011, the Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for Escuela Bilingue Internacional to locate at 4550 San Pablo Ave.  Some neighbors appealed that decision to the City Council.  The City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 19, at 6:00 pm.  In advance of that public hearing, there is a community meeting scheduled to discuss the project.  Please attend if you are interested in this topic.

The neighbors have listed these items as their concerns: noise, traffic, a new pedestrian pathway connecting 45th St. and 47th St. on the east side of the property (required by the city, as it is in our General Plan), design, trees, landscaping, and parking.

There will be a link to the staff report for the public hearing on 5/19 on the City of Emeryville website after Friday afternoon.