8B Consent 2007 1001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mike Rogala (510)357-1771 , 651 Juana Ave_ San Leandro, 94577 1 /7/2007 Dear Library-Historical Commission, RC~® .~ JAN 9 2007 LIBRAR`! SERV9CE~~ I would like to request that the trees at 651 Juana be delisted as historic landmarks for the city of San Leandro. These trees are 1)hazards, 2} not of historic value, 3) nuisances, and 4) an unfair economic burden as outlined in the paragraphs below. As the property owner and person liable for these trees, I feel that I should be able to determine their disposition and not be shackled unfairly because of some capricious categorization of these trees- A recent example of the problem of living in close proximity to these large trees occurred during the recent windstorm we had on Dec. 27, 2006_ These windstorms come regularly during San Leandro winters and each time they bring with them very dangerous circumstances to me and my family. On this specific windstorm I was up all night responding to the thunderous crashes of tree branches falling onto my house. The tree that caused the most damage was in good shape as I had spent $500 getting it trimmed just two years ago to prevent this type of problem. During that storm I responded to 4 large branches falling at 4 different times throughout the night- My roof and gutter was damaged incumng an expense forme. VJe were up most of the night listening to the howling wind in the trees in fear of the next large crash. My youngest 3-year-old child was crying and begging not to have the tree branches fall on her- My older children were in fear for their safety. It was a very difficult night. If it is during the day when these storms hit, my family and I have to leave the property in fear for our safety. These types of large trees are not goad trees for a residential neighborhood. I should be able to live on my property without the fear of being killed or having my property destroyed if I choose to do so. The categorization of these trees as historic landmarks prevents me from disposing of the trees that are especially dangerous. Living under these trees, there is no one better qualified than me to determine which trees are hazards and nuisances. Hazards Falling limbs -Redwoods are notorious for breaking off limbs in high winds. you can't realistically cut off all of the limbs of a tree to prevent this from happening. As mentioned above, 2 years ago I spent $500 to have a single double trunk redwood tree cleaned of dangerous branches. This same tree has been an ongoing source of dangerous falling branches and the company (Tree Sculpture) who did the work tells me that there is nothing he can do. Having these trees trimmed and kept up is no guarantee that they will not be the source of hazardous falling limbs. It should be up to me whether or not these dangerous trees should be kept or removed. Double trunks -The majority of redwood trees on my property are single trees with double trunks. According to Mark Bowman, the arborist who inspected my trees in 2004, these trees are much more unstable than single trunk trees. It becomes obvious when you stand at the foot of one of these trees and look up to see the volume of the tree angling over the ground with its weight not directly supported underneath it. These trees are in greater danger of falling due to their sloped angle and gravity. Fire -Redwoods are notorious for dropping their limbs. Arborists today discourage tree topping at it harms the health of a tree. Most arborists today, including the consultant arborist ivlark Bowman who did my tree audit, will recommend against the tapping of a redwood tree- Following this advice, I have not