969 Cherrystone Dr - Staff Report & Exhibit 7TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSI ON STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 9, 2016
PREPARED BY : Jennifer Armer , Associate Planner
jam1 er@los gato sca. gov
APPLICATION NO: Tree Removal Permit Application T15-215
ITEM NO: 3
LOCATION: 969 Cherrystone Drive (north side of Cherrystone Drive across
from the intersection with Cherrystone Court)
APPLICANT I APPELLANT I
PROPERTY OWNER: Henry E. Otto
C ONTACT PERSON: Henry E. Otto
APPLICATION SUMMARY: Appeal of a decision to deny a Tree Removal Permit on property
zoned R-1 :8 . APN 529-29-030.
EXHIBITS:
R EMARKS:
Previously received with the February 10, 2016 StaffReport
1. Location Map (one page)
2. Findings and Standards (three pages)
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval (one page)
4. Tree Removal Application (one page)
5. Appeal Letter, received November 19 ,2015 (twelve pages)
6 . Town Consulting Arborist report, dated December 16, 2015
(eight pages)
Received with this Staff Report
7. Letter from PG&E, received March 3, 2016 (one page)
On February 10, 2016 , the Planning Commission continued this item to the meeting ofMarch 9,
2016, requesting that the applicant provide additional information on the underground utilities as
documentation in favor of tree remo val.
On March 3, 2016, the applicant provided a letter form PG&E (Attachment 7) which was
prepared following a site visit. The applicant has also stated that the utility lines will be marked
on -site by 2:30p.m., Friday, March 4th. Though the letter does not specifically require or
recommend the removal of the tree, it states that the tree could prevent access to an underground
gas service for utility crews needing to do an inspection or maintenance work, or first responders
in the event of an emergency. It also states that if the tree is not removed it could also potentially
damage the pipeline. The letter then provides recommendations for how the removal should be
conducted.
Planning Commission StaffReport-Page 2
969 Cherrystone Drive/Tl5-215
March 9, 2016
The Planning Commission should consider the additional information and determine if it
provides the necessary justification to make one or more of the findings required for the tree
removal.
)~·ftRar6d by:
V"' Jenhifer Armer, AICP
Associate Planner
JP:JA:sr
A~proved by:
'Joel Paulson, AICP
I Community Development Director
cc: Henry E. Otto, 969 Cherrystone Drive, Los Gato s CA 95032
Debbie Ellis, P.O . Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070
Matt Morley, Director of Parks & Public Work s
Rob Kass, Project Manager
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2 0 16\Chenysto ne 969 -Tree Appea l_ cont. 3-9-1 6 .docx
March 3, 2016
Helen d 'Oiivera
c/o Henry & Maurice Otto
969 Cherrystone Dr ive
Los Gatos , CA 95032
Re : 969 Cherrystone Drive , Los Gatos
Dear Helen,
Pac ific Gas and Elect r ic Company
Co m mu nity Pipe li ne Safe ty Initi ative
6 11 1 Boll inger Ca nyo n Rd., 3111 Floor
San Ramon, CA 94583
Thank you for giving PG&E the opportunity to review with you the proposed removal of a tree located on your property.
As discussed, the tree could prevent access to an underground gas service for utility crews need ing to do inspection or
maintenance work, or first responders in the event of an emergency. T his item if left unaddressed could also potentially
damage the pipeline. Knowing you and/or your contractor will perform the removal of one (1) 44 inch diameter redwood
tree, I offer the following recommendations:
o Contact Underground Servi ce Alert by dialing 811 a minimum of 48 hours prior to digging, excavating or
conducting any work near underground utilities.
o Remove the tree to ground level or above
o Do not grind the tree stump w ithout proper utility notification and stand-by
o Use herbicide to prevent regrowth of tree
Thank you again fo r contacting PG&E. We appreciate your help in sharing the responsibility to keep our operating
facilities safe and accessible. If you have an y further questions or concerns , please contact me directly at o ne of the
numbers noted below.
Sincerely,
~~~ Kathy Harper
Land Agent I ommunity Pipeline Safety Initiative
925-328-5171
925-596-5798
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