HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 9/16/2013 •
September 16, 2013 Co b1U t(/vtl'.w t�
Suzanne Smith
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
490 Mendocino Avenue, Suite 206
Santa Rosa, CA 9401
RE: Tree Loss Within Petaluma Due to Highway 101 Widening
Understanding of Impact & Potential Mitigation
Dear Ms. Smith,
At the request of our Tree Advisory Committee,the`Petaluma,CityCouncil would like to
reiterate Petaluma's concern regarding the loss of trees in the 101 corridor in the
Petaluma area as a result of the highway widening:and associated:interchange upgrades.
The most recent information indicates that upwards of 2,000 trees have been or will be
removed in conjunction with the highway work in Petaluma. This:represents a significant
degradation of Petaluma's urban forest along our segment of the "Redwood Highway."
We acknowledge that Petaluma's situation is not unique and that communities to our
north are also awaiting landscaping funds to replace trees'that have been removed. In
particular, we.acknowledge,and.appreciate the,Authority's decision to redirect Measure
In landscaping fan ds t o hmth required local match for he 45 million m C rA funds to
replace the Petaluma River Bridges.
We acknowledge.thatthe environmental documents call.for trees to be replaced, although
many will not be able t6 be replaced within the 101 corridor-: There is a frustration that
the necessary planning work for the replacement work is'being.deferred due to lack of
funds.
We have the following;specificrequests:
• We would like to receive timely updates, as Caltrans and SCTA refine their plans,
of the count of trees to be removed in the Petaluma.area:
• We would'_like SCTA to advocate for landscaping:plansiwhich will define.where,
and how+many trees can be replaced on site, as+well:as identifying specific
locations for off-site mitigation.
• We Would like'SCTA to advocate for funds for both on-site and.off-site tree
replacement.
The City of Petaluma is committed to working collaboratively with SCTA and Caltrans
to define the tree loss in Petaluma and working towards plans for replanting trees to
mitigate that loss for the greatercommunity. Thank you for your consideration. We
look forward to discussing this issue with you further.
Sincerely,
Chris Albertson
Vice,Mayor
cc: D'avid;Rabbitt,Chair, So. Co. Board,ofSupervisors
Petaluma City;Council
Petaluma Tree Advisory Committ_ee
Larry:Zimmer, Petaluma Capital improvement't Manager
Dan St John„Petaluma Director of Public Works &Utilities
Ron DeNicola, Petaluma.Building&Grounds;Manager
Jennifer Williams, Secretary to Tree Committee,
3a a
REVISED
September 16, 2013
TO: David=Rabbitt, SCTA Representative
Mike Harris,,SCTA Representative
RE: Tree'Loss Within Petaluma City Due to Highway 101 Widening
Understanding of Impact& Potential`Mitigation
As SCTA Board,Members and residents of the"City'of Petaluma, the,Petaluma City
Council and Petaluma's Tree Advisory Committee (TAC) are requesting your
attention regarding the loss of trees withimthe Highway 101 corridor.
The Caltrans Highway 101 widening projects have caused and:will continue to cause
significant tree'removal along the Highway 101 corridor. On behalf of the Tree
Advisory Conurittee,and the residents of Petaluma, Iwould like-to voice our
concern regarding the potential impact,ofthis loss"of our urban forest.
The Tree Committee'first became aware of this situation.in 2011. Since that time,
they have been trying to get anunderstanding of the^quantifable loss of trees, as well
as identify potential opportunities for mitigation. We understand that tree removal
has already been completed for some of the northern and,southern segments of the
project, but.know that,work through the main corridor of Petaluma has yet to begin.
We feel that this area may have the;most long-term negative impact for our City. We
have been informed-that with the increased.road width and upgraded safety
,standards, many tree's will not be able to be replaced on site.
SCTA staff has been receptive to our concerns,andhas been willing to,engage in
'discussion. However, we understand that with the'Board's budget decisions and
guidance to the SCTA staff, neither the landscape-plans---nor budgetary allocations are
proceeding at this time We believe that a landscaping,plan is,critical to
understanding the projectas a whole as well as being able to plan for the future.
To understand what mitigation is deemed feasible, it'-is.necessary:to include tree
,replacements.within'the improvement plans,or,if in a separate contract,the plans need to.
be developed: Without improvement plans that includetree planting.opportunities, we
cannot;determine how much a projected landscape budget will be, nor prepare for what
portion of the loss,will become the burden on the City of Petaluma.
It has;been.a challenge to^receive.a clear account of how many trees will be lost. In May
2011 we-wereiinformed of theanticipatedloss of 700-900 trees: Detailed tree inventories
(from August/Sept 2011) were provided to us, however there is conflictingtnformation.
In addition, names of the project areas have since changed. A City memorandum dated
September 2011 itemized;the tree removal counts for-the various'Highway 101 projects
within the City limits;which totaled 2,050. Inca March 7, 2013, a Press Democrat article
quoted;James Cameron of the SCTA; ":.:we should have the final count,within a
month." Updated information was finally received last week. Wecan understand,a delay
in gathering the information, but itseems,at this point a final tally count'isrpossible.
We write to you for several reasons:
• We.would;like to receive a count of the trees removed in Petaluma.for the
Highway 101.expansion and be provided updates in a timely manner when the
countschange.
e Wetwould'`like you to advocate for landscaping plans which will.define where,
and.how.many trees.can:be-'r"eplaeed on site.
• We would`like you to advocate for in-lieu°mitigation funds:for trees that cannot be
replaced'oti site.
While thoTACis'saddened by the significant tree lossl-along Highway 101,.we
understandthe reality of the road widening. Our goal is to defrnethe tree loss to
Petaluma and:work towards plans for replanting trees;to mitigate;that loss for the greater
community. Thank you for your consideration':: We look forward,to*discussing'this issue
with you further.
Sincerely,
Chris Albertson
Vice_Mayor,tielbehalf .
of the?Petaluma Tree Advisory" Committee'
cc: David Rabbitt, Chair. So. Co. Board of Supervisors
Petaluma City Council
' Petaluma Tree Advisory Committee
Larry'.Zimmer Petaluma Capital Improvement Manager
Dan St-John: Petaluma Director of Public Works& Utilities
Ron DeNicola Petaluma Building&Grounds Manager
Jennifer'Williams,=Secretary taTree.Committee