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1 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 16, 2011 AGENDA ITEM: DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson PREPARED BY: Kate Bear, Arborist ACTING DIRECTOR: Christopher
Riordan SUBJECT: Report to Council on Criteria and Process for Adopting Heritage Trees RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the attached resolution, thereby creating a process and criteria for
the designation of heritage trees in Saratoga. BACKGROUND: The City of Saratoga has many majestic, old trees of a variety of species. These trees provide beauty and stateliness to the
city, along with all of the usual benefits provided by trees. The benefits of trees are many, and include providing oxygen, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, preventing erosion
on hillsides, cooling homes with shade from their canopies, adding to property values, and increasing the aesthetics of streets and neighborhoods. Creating a list of heritage trees is
consistent with Saratoga’s vision for the City, which includes preserving the City’s historic assets, including trees, raising tree awareness of community members, and maintaining a
small-town, picturesque, residential atmosphere. In the summer of 2010, Council formed an ad hoc tree committee to research and discuss several issues relating to trees, including heritage
tree status. The committee’s findings were presented to Council at the November 3, 2010 meeting. At this meeting, Staff was directed to discuss the topic of creating a Heritage Tree
List at the Council retreat on January 28, 2011. At the Council retreat, Staff was directed to consult the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to assist in developing criteria and
procedural requirements in order to establish a Heritage Tree List. Council further directed that 1) listed trees would not be subject to any regulations beyond those for protected trees
as stipulated in City Code Article 15-50; and 2) trees added to the list should have the written consent of the owner. The HPC was informed of Council’s direction at their February 8,
2011 meeting and they discussed the process and criteria at their March 8, 2011 meeting.
2 DISCUSSION: In order for the adoption of heritage trees to be consistent with the Saratoga City Code, the selection and screening process should adhere to that defined in Section 15-50.020
(k) (1)) of the Tree Regulations, which states that, “a heritage tree is any tree of historic significance or having historic value related to the heritage of the City and designated
by action of the City Council upon recommendation of the Heritage Preservation Commission”. In keeping with these standards, the HPC is making the following recommendations to the City
Council: 1. Heritage Tree Application Requirements The following exhibits would be required: a) Letter requesting Heritage Tree Designation, signed by the applicant and property owner,
and stating why the tree meets the criteria for Heritage Tree status. b) Location Map – A map showing where the property is located, including major roadways and landmarks. c) Schematic
drawing or photos of the property with sufficient detail to identify the tree location. d) Photographs of the proposed heritage tree. e) Such additional exhibits and information as may
be required by the City Arborist, Community Development Department, or Heritage Preservation Commission. 2. Heritage Tree Criteria Trees must meet the criterion for being an outstanding
specimen (in good health with a good structure and the potential for a remaining long life) as determined by the City Arborist, and also meet at least one additional criteria listed
below: a) The tree possesses distinctive characteristics such as age, size, type of species, or location; and/or b) The tree represents special aesthetic, social, cultural, educational,
economic, agricultural or historic importance to the community. 3. Heritage Tree Designation Process The application shall be reviewed by the HPC, with guidance from the City Arborist,
to determine if the proposed Heritage Tree meets the required criteria. If the City Arborist and the HPC determine that a tree qualifies for heritage status, the application will be
brought to the Council for designation of the tree as a Heritage Tree via adoption of a resolution. The Heritage Tree List could be publicized and periodically updated, and a copy of
it kept on file in the Planning Department. 4. Heritage Tree Protections The Heritage Tree List would not subject trees to any additional regulations beyond those listed under the Tree
Regulations in the City Code, Article 15-50. It is assumed that a majority of trees designated for Heritage Status would already be protected under the City’s existing Tree Regulations.
Protection of Heritage Trees will continue to be administered at the Staff level by the City Arborist. Determinations by the City Arborist can be appealed for review by the Planning
Commission, per City Code Section 15-90.010.
3 5. Heritage Tree Recognition Along with inclusion in the Heritage Tree List, the HPC may determine that additional recognition be given to the property owners of a Heritage Tree. Recognition
could be in the form of acknowledgement at Arbor Day celebrations, a plaque, a proclamation, or some other form of honor bestowed by the City. The HPC recommends that the City bear costs
for staff time, creation of a certificate, and creation of a Heritage Tree List. If a plaque is desired by the owner of the tree, they will be responsible for the cost of the plaque.
FISCAL IMPACTS: Costs will be incurred by the City to review a Heritage Tree application. Those costs include City Arborist and Planning Staff time. Furthermore, depending on the type
of recognition recommended by the HPC for a designated Heritage Tree, costs may be associated with a plaque or other form of acknowledgement. These costs will be determined by City Council
when it considers the master fee schedule in April 2011, and costs for a plaque will be borne by the property owner. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION: Saratoga will continue
to have no designated Heritage Trees, and trees will continue to be protected as specified in the Tree Regulations, City Code Article 15-50. ALTERNATIVE ACTION: Provide staff with alternative
direction. FOLLOW UP ACTION: Direct staff accordingly. ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: This item was posted as a City Council agenda item and was included in the packet made
available on the City’s website in advance of the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each Monday in advance of the Council meeting
and residents may subscribe to the agenda on-line by opting in at www.saratoga.ca.us. Notice of this meeting was properly posted at City Hall and published in the Saratoga News. ATTACHMENTS:
(1) Tree Regulations (2) Resolution to City Council