20200407-004b: Winchestertonfieldville Heritage Tree Variance Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20210407 004b Date: April 7, 2021 Seconded by: Andrew Creel Subject: Winchestertonfieldville at 2405 Nueces Street and 504 West 24th Street Motion by: Kevin Ramberg RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is seeking removal of two (2) heritage trees, one with a single stem over 30” in diameter; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the trees to be a 25-inch heritage pecan and single stem 32-inch heritage red oak; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the City Arborist rates the pecan and oak in poor and fair condition, respectively; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the Environmental Criteria Manual standard is 300% mitigation, and mitigation for the site shall be addressed by further enhancing the streetscape planting conditions required under the UNO Great Streets program. The applicant has proposed a menu of options that support greater tree health and longevity such as structural soil cells, permeable paving, and expanded continuous planting beds; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is proposing a five year tree care plan to provide ongoing maintenance for all new trees, and one-time improvements to additional streetscape trees and tree grates as needed and identified; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the request meets the City Arborist’s approval criteria set forth in LDC 25-8-624(A)(2), and thus the variance is recommended by staff. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the requested variance request with the following Environmental Commission conditions:  The Applicant continue to work with the City Arborist to select tree species selection and maintenance details to promote the fastest grown and longest-lived street trees.  The City Arborist work with applicant to determine estimated carbon sequestered over the following ten years and include that in mitigation targets. For: Bedford, Creel, Coyne, Ramberg, Barrett Bixler, and Guerrero Against: Thompson and Brimer Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: None VOTE 6-2 Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2