Item 02 - 15343 Santella Ct, Lot 7 - Addendum & Exh.13TOWN OF LOS GATOS ITEM NO: 2
ADDENDUM PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 26, 2015
PREPARED BY:
APPLICATION NO.:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT/
PROPERTY OWNER:
CONTACT PERSON:
Marni F. Moseley, Associate Planner
MMoseley@losgatosca.gov
Architecture and Site Application S-14-072
15343 SanteUa Court, Lot 7 (South side of Santella Court)
Davidon Homes
Steve Abbs
APPLICATION SUMMARY: Requesting approval to construct a new single family residence
and removal of large protected trees on property zoned HR-
2Yl:PD. APN 527-09-016
EXHIBITS:
REMARKS:
1-12.Previously Received with August 26, 2015 staff report
13 . Additional report b y Consulting Arborist, received August 20,
2015 (two pages)
The consulting Arborist submitted an additional report providing additional information for
several of the trees on the subject site. The report was received after completion of the staff
report.
Prepared by:
Marni F. Moseley, AICP
Associate Planner
LRP:MFM:cg
Laurel R. Prevetti
Assistant Town Manager/ Director of
Community Development
cc: Steve Abbs, Davidon Homes, 1600 S. Main Street, Suite 150, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Dave Weissman, 15431 Francis Oaks Way, Los Gatos, CA 95032
N :\DEV\PC REPORTS\2015\Santella 15343 -Hi ghlands l.ot7-add.doc
This Page
Intentionally
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Jocelyn Puga
Town of Los Gat os Community Planning Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 9503 1
August 20, 20 15
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service siu ce 1984
Re: Highlands Lot 7, Construction Clearance Pruning for blue oak #606
Dear Jocelyn:
I m et with Steve Abs yesterday to look at the st ory posts for the propose d house, and the pruning of
blue oak #606 that will be necessary in order t o constru ct the 2-story portion o f the house th a t is
adjacent t o the tree. In my opinion it sho uld be poss ible t o construc t the house and save the tree, if
the tree is pruned properly (according to c urrent arboriculture standards ). Thi s pruning, which also
takes into account the need for scaffolding between the ho use and the tree, sho uld not remove
PO Bo x 371 4 , Sarat oga , CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http:/ /www.decah.co m.
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EXHIBIT 1 3
Deborah E llis, MS
Consulting Arborlst & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
more than 25% of the live canopy although it may be close to 25%. The pruning however, is
certainly a better option than removing the tree! I have highlighted most of the branches that will
be removed in the right photo on the previous page. The angle of the photo relative t o the tree
and the story posts, makes it difficult to see exactly which branches need to be removed. Steve Abs
placed flagging tape where he anticipated pruning cuts will be necessary, and I think he did a
good job with that.
The largest branch that will need to be removed is 5 to 6 inches in diameter at its point of
connection to the parent branch. In addition several smaller branches 1 to 3 in ches in diameter will
need to b e cut. For these smaller branches especially, it is important to work from the outside in, so
that cuts can be made to a lateral branch large enough to assume the terminal role (preferably no
less than 1/3 the diameter of the branch that was removed. In this manner more branches can be
conserved while still providing the needed construction clearance.
Other tree issues relative to Lot 7:
Steve Abs informed me that blue oak #604 will be removed because it is within a graded area close
to the house and retaining walls.
Screening of the house relative to the somewhat sparse canopies of many o f the trees was
discussed . This is also an issue on other lots as well. Tree canopies, particularly of many of the blue
oaks , are sparser than normal at this time of year. This is probably largely due to the drought. Blue
oaks are very drought tolerant, and part of their tolerance is due to the fact that they will partially or
fully defoliate during drought periods in order to reduce water use. It is quite possible that if normal
rains resume this Fall, Winter and Spring, the canopies of the blue oaks (as well as evergreen oak
species such as coast live oak) will recover some or all of their normal density.
******************************
I certify that the information contained in this report is correct to the best of my knowledge, and that
this report was prepared in good faith. Thank you for the opportu nity to provide service again.
Please call me if you have questions or if I can be of further assist ance.
~UL
Deborah Ellis , MS.
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Certified Pro fessional Horticulturist #30022
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #305
I.S.A. Board Certified Master Arborist WE-457B
I.S.A. Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
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