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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence PLANNER 5/28/2009 . . DLA Inc. 474 Willamette Street Suite 305 Eugene, Oregon 97401 541-683-5803 ph . 541-683-8183 fax Dougherty Landscape Architech Landscape Architecture. Planning. Urban Design Date Received: Planner: MM {gf, 11 Date: 06.01.09 To: Mark Metzger, Land Use Planner City of Springfield 225 Fifth Street Springfield, OR 97477 Re: Tree Removal at Proposed FMC Dialysis Center (Permit #: DRC2009-00020) Mark, In response to your call regarding the potential removal of the1 O. ash (#27) and the 7" pear (#25), we wanted to share our rationale for the decision to have them removed. The 10. ash tree is located at the south side of the site along Q Street and is directly in front of the proposed new building. The ash is approximately 8 feet from the back of the existing public sidewalk, less than 12 feet from the new building fa9ade and less than 7 feet from the new building's roof overhang. Also, an existing overhead powerline is directly above the public sidewalk and the branches are already extending into the wires causing concern. The low branching structure of the ash also makes it less than ideal as a street tree. Severe pruning would be required to ensure the canopy would not cause harm to the powerlines, and remain clear of the public sidewalk and new building. Considering the harsh pruning required and the root damage that would be caused by construction, we elected to specify a replacement tree (Paperbark Maple) that meets the City of Springfield code requirements for a street tree under powerlines. The landscape plan also includes planting an ornamental tree (Forest Pansy Redbud) in the vicinity along the front facade. The 7" pear tree is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot adjacent to the building. The branching structure does not have a strong central leader, which is necessary for a strong, healthy tree. With the long-term health of the pear questionable, we elected to replace it with a deciduous tree (Black Tupelo) that will provide more shade for the parking lot as well as a conifer (Hinoki False Cypress) at the property corner. Should you have further concerns, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Nicole Ankeney ,- . . Date Received: t!"/z. <i / ",'1 Planner: MM From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: METZGER Mark Thursday, May 28, 2009 5:25 PM PETERSON Jodi; PISHIONERI Joe (Springfield Councilor) DONOVAN James; GRllE Bill RE: land Use and Construction Activity Reports Site Plan with Tree Removal.pdf; Tree Removal Chart.pdf Councilor Pishioneri--A medical clinic is applying to redevelop a two-lot commercially zoned site on Q Street. The site currently has two older homes and out buildings. Most of the surrounding uses are small busi~esses housed in old houses. The clinic is required to apply for a Tree-Felling permit under Springfield's Development Code. The purpose ofthe permit is to avoid needless removal of trees. The Tree-Felling permit submitted by the clinic details the number and sizes of trees to be removed (those more than 5" in diameter). Attached is a chart from the clinic permit application showing a list of the trees to be removed. The chart includes tree numbers that reference the tree-felling diagram. Please note: when the chart says ---(3) 24" Walnut --- this means tree number 3 is a 24" walnut and does not mean 3 walnut trees will be removed. I have also attached a reduced size diagram of the tree-felling diagram that was submitted. The vellow marks show trees being removed. The green marks show the trees to be retained. It is clear that virtually all of the trees proposed for removal are within the footprint of the clinic or the required parking for the facility. The applicant has only proposed 4 more parking spaces than required by our Code to serve the site. The applicant's landscape plan for the new development shows that the 23 trees will be removed. Seven large specimen trees will be retained. The landscape plan for the site shows the trees that are to be removed will be replaced with 33 new trees. Additional shrubs and grass areas will be planted at a replacement ratio, planting density and the placement of the vegetation which is consistent with landscape planting standards found in SDC Section 4.4-105.