Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2019 11 07

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LCity r Louisville Parks & Recreation Memorandum To: Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board (PPLAB) From: Dean Johnson, Parks Superintendent Date: 10/22/19 Subject: Tree Removal Appeal Purpose: According to Article I, Section 3, B, 7 of the Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Bylaws, "The role of the Board will include, but not be limited to, advising the City Council on such matters as...to hear appeals of decisions of the city forester concerning licensing of arborists and removal of trees as provided in Chapter 8.12 of the Louisville Municipal Code". Justin Solomon is appealing a decision by the City Forester to remove a cottonwood tree at Cleo Mudrock Park. Citizen Appeal Request: Hi Dean, I left you a voicemail this morning and I'm available to chat today between now and 2:15 PM. As requested, please accept this email as my submittal for inclusion in the PPLAB meeting packet. I will also plan to attend the November meeting in person. There is a mature, healthy cottonwood tree located approximately 25 feet from my property in the Cleo Mudrock Park. I was made aware by the City Forester, Chris Lichty, that the tree is being considered for removal. The stated reason for removal was that the tree's roots are impacting a concrete electric utility box located adjacent to the tree. By the City Forester's own assessment, the cottonwood tree is not diseased or dying, but quite vigorous and healthy (virtually no dead branches). Chris also indicated removal would be a benefit to me in the event the tree is damaged in a storm. I do not see a potential threat to my residence and will happily accept any damage to my fencing or yard in the unlikely event a healthy limb breaks from the tree. Regardless, it is my understanding Colorado Law would hold the city blameless in the event the tree were ever to damage my property, so there is no need to remove the tree on my account. It appears the sole driver for removal is the impact to the utility box and not anything to do with the health of the tree or a threat to public safety. Therefore, it seems any decision to remove the tree should be based on an economic evaluation of the available alternatives. I respectfully ask, that the City Forester and PPLB consider and answer the following questions (if they have not done so already) before proceeding with any removal: 1) Has the damage already been done to the utility box given the mature size and age of the tree? In other words, how much additional damage, if any, is risked by leaving the tree in