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Home My WebLink AboutR-1997-051 Summitview 40th - 56thRESOLUTION NO. R-97-51 A RESOLUTION authorizing the removal of forty-three (43) birch trees located in the City right-of-way along Summitview Avenue between North 40th Avenue and North 56th Avenue, Yakima, Washington. WHEREAS, the City planted forty-three (43) birch trees in the City right- of-way along Summitview Avenue between North 40th Avenue and North 56th Avenue; and WHEREAS, the planting location of these birch trees is narrow and provides a very limited root zone and the trees have outgrown this planting location; and WHEREAS, no irrigation has been provided to the birch trees; and WHEREAS, the roots from the birch trees have extended greatly and have caused extensive damage to the adjacent sidewalk; and WHEREAS, branches from the birch trees have also grown rapidly and require significant maintenance; and WHEREAS, the birch trees were significantly damaged during the 1996- 97 winter due to adverse weather conditions and heavy snowfall; and WHEREAS, the condition and location of the birch trees has created a potential hazard to users of the adjacent sidewalk and surrounding areas; and WHEREAS, some of the residents in this area whose property is adjacent to the City right-of-way at issue have requested permission to remove the birch trees at their own expense; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Division recommends that these birch trees be removed and that an alternative and suitable tree species be planted in the City right-of-way along Summitview Avenue; and WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of the City to grant permission to each of the property owners in this area to remove, at their expense, the birch trees located in the City right-of-way adjacent to their property, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Each of the property owners whose -property is adjacent to the City right- of-way along Summitview Avenue between North 40th Avenue and North 56th Avenue, Yakima, Washington, are hereby authorized to remove, at their expense, the birch trees located :in the City right-of-way adjacent to their property. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 15th day of ril 9 1997. ATTEST: City Clerk 1110:v./Web [zeta/pm Lynp1 Buchanan, Mayor 41449 " R�cCOI , Yakima City Council 41449. �� 129 North 2nd Street '�'• ty 1 `9T9 Yakima, Washington, 98901 • <J4 5j (509) 575-6050 March 10, 1997 o4 S op C Dear Council Members: RE: Birch Trees Lining Summitview Avenue We are contacting you regarding the birch trees that line Summitview Avenue from 44th Avenue west on the north side of the street They have been a nuisance for years as they are not planted in an area where they can spread and grow as a large tree should They have their branches constantly broken off by the trucks going by. Also the storm drain is constantly being plugged by same as they wash down the gutter. This winter has been particularly hard on them and they have become very broken and scraggly looking. It is also very difficult to keep the sidewalk and curb area dean with all the branches and leaves constantly being thrown around The trees become aphid ridden in the spring and all summer they drip on the sidewalk, mailboxes and etc. They are also posing a danger factor as their roots have become very large over the past few years (they pass under the side walk in this area) and have made the sidewalk sections crack and raise as much as four inches in some area making it very difficult to walk safely. We have seen several people fall over them and have just felt lucky that there have been no serious injuries to date (at least to our knowledge). As we feel that we could be held responsible for injuries suffered in front of our home, we feel this should be taken care of We have contacted the City Parks Department, Denise Nichols, and they inspected the trees last week Ms. Nichols said that she concurred with our opinion but they were unable to remove living trees and we would have to contact you for a decision. We would like to have you remove the trees or give us permission in writing to remove the trees in front of our home as would the below parties. We feel that Yakima has received the privilege of being named a beautiful city but that this is certainly a distracting factor. Please contact us with your decision. We may be contacted by fax.' (509) 575-1105 or phone: (509) 575-0156. Thank you for your time on this matter. Donna and Jim Evans 4405 Summitview Yakima, Washington, 98908 NAME: TELEPHONE: ADDRESS: PECEIVED • APR 1 91957 P. Pi. Dna', )1(, ,_ ,t tp,t,t,t, ✓amu J� d 1 Scw,rvt�,t �. (.2.'� 49 44tv ,roejin7�l-L[�°�s�� yo64e66.66;_ -sss"9 40,1---i)-il_-__k4.432(1_1__ • Lf J d P TO: FROM: RE: MEMORANDUM April 3, 1997 Denis Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager Marsh, Park Operations Supervisor Birch Trees on Summitview Ave. (40th to 56th Ave.) In response to complaints regarding the 43 Birch trees lining both sides of Summitview from 40th Ave. to 56th Ave., the following analysis is submitted for your information: A. Situation Several trees have major roots heaving up the sidewalks, especially on the north side of 40th and Summitview. In addition, many of the trees were storm damaged in December 1996 and have received major pruning. B. Problem There is no irrigation system, and apparently never has been, to water the trees. Due to severe winter damage, these trees will start dying out over a 5 -10 -year period and will have to be removed. Being severely weakened by winter damage plus no water while they are in this condition will cause a slow decaying process. This has been verified by Ron VanDenburgh of the County Extension Service. C. Alternatives • Leave the trees as is but repair sidewalk damage and cut roots that are involved. However, from a safety standpoint, the offending tree(s) should be removed. • Remove all 43 Birch trees at an approximate cost of $4,300 (tax not included). This would include removal of debris and the remaining stumps. Note: Should the trees be removed, it would not be in the City's best interest to replace them due to the lack of a watering system. Tree replacement would cost approximately $10,000 plus around $40,000 for irrigation installation for a grand total of $50-60,000. cc: File MEMORANDUM April 7, 1997 TO: Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager FROM: Don Landis, Park Maintenance Supervisor RE: Survey of White Birch Trees on Summitview Ave. 42nd Ave. to 55th Ave. Survey details as follows: • 42nc1 Ave. - 43rd Ave., north side of Summitview Avenue. There are 6 empty street tree hole locations. None of these have lifted the sidewalk except the two locations right in front of 4309 Summitview. These 2 tree locations have lifted the sidewalk approximately 1/2 inch to 2 inches. • 43rd Ave. - 45th Ave., north side of Summitview Avenue. There are 9 White Birch trees, all of which have lifted the sidewalk anywhere from 1 inch to 5 inches. • 45th Ave. - 46th Ave., north side of Summitview Avenue. There are 6 empty street tree hole locations. None of these empty locations show any sign of the sidewalk lifting. • 52nd Ave. - 55th Ave.. north side of Summitview Avenue. There are 9 empty tree hole locations, none of which show any sign of lifting the sidewalk In the same location there are 13 White Birch including 1 stump which needs to be ground out. In all of the locations where there are trees, every one has lifted the sidewalk anywhere from 2 inches to 3 inches above its normal level. • 42nd Ave. - 45th Ave., south side of Summitview Avenue. There are 13 White Birch along this stretch but only 2 of these locations are lifting the sidewalk approximately 1 inch to 2 inches. There are also 5 empty tree hole locations, none of which have lifted the sidewalk. • 45th Ave. and 55th Ave., south side of ummitview Avenue. There are no street tree hole locations, and it does not appear that any trees were ever planted in this section. After conducting my survey, I strongly agree with the memo given to you by John Marsh dated 4/3/97. Trees in City Right -of -Way — 44th Avenue and Summitview Area — Birch Trees. Summitview near 44th Avenue. Sidewalk raising due to root growth. Summitview near 44th Avenue. • An example of concrete raising as a result of root growth. Summitview near 44th Avenue BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 1 c� 6 For Meeting of April 15. 1997 ITEM TITLE: Tree Removal Request Along Summitview Avenue SUBMITTED BY: Jerry Copeland, Director of Public Works Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager 575-6020 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Attached is a letter from six residents along Summitview Avenue who are requesting that the City remove the Birch trees in the City's right-of-way in front of their properties. The request asks for the City to remove the trees at the City's expense or provide written permission for the property owners to remove the trees in front of their property at their expense. The Parks and Recreation Division has reviewed this request and has developed the attached documentation. A resolution is attached authorizing the removal of the trees if the Council approves this request. Resolution x Ordinance _ Contract ` Other (Specify) Funding Source Parks and Recr- . tion Geral?F/nd APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: /' an ger STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To allow the property owner's to remove the trees. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: