8th Avenue tree removal update

The following are notes from a very recent meeting. Thanks to the Skyliners who attended and are supporting an effort to keep 8th Ave green!

26 JUNE 2018   —  800 COLUMBIA – STREET TREE REMOVAL MEETING

PRESENT

• Alan Cornell – Daniels Real Estate
• Steve Delfraino and Thomas Friedl – LMN Architects
• Andrew Kingston – Turner Construction
• Shane Dewald and Ben Roberts – SDOT Urban Foresters
• Reese Stewart – Hewitt Landscape Architects
• Mary Ellen Hudgins and Doug Holtom – First Hill Improvement Association (FHIA)
• Suzanne Hittman, Sue VanLeuven, Sally Soest, Tom Gibbs, Kendall Baker, Bob Terrell – Skyline

DESIGN REVISIONS

• What design revisions have been made to 800 Columbia since approval of the Master Use Permit? In terms of changes to the open space, SDCI ruled that Kevin Daniels would have been required to go through the entire Design Review process, which they chose not to do.  No changes have been approved by SDCI.  Any changes to the building/open space area will be limited to code, safety, technical issues and space programming.  Changes will be communicated to FHIA and Skyline.

• Why were these revisions approved while the proposed (and very desirable) Private/Public Park improvements were not? See above.

• What is the approval process for changes after approval of a MUP? The MUP is based on preliminary drawings.  Minor modifications to the design that become necessary as the design progresses through construction documents are negotiated with the proper City departments.  In this case, the tree removal and replacement was negotiated by Kevin Daniels, Turner Construction, and SDOT.  This is standard procedure.  FHIA was not included.    The proposed tree removal and replacement is necessary due to crane location, site access during construction, safe loading and unloading of materials, and personnel safety.  The alley is too narrow and Columbia Street too steep for these activities. 

Where are the approved changes recorded and published? The negotiation and approval of the tree removal and replacement did not go through a public review process and are not posted on a city website.  The tree posting is the public notification.  This is standard procedure.

MITIGATIONS

How were the mitigations for the tree removal determined? The mitigations were negotiated by Kevin Daniels Real Estate (Alan Cornell), SDOT (Shane Dewald), and FHIA (Alex Hudson).

The two trees to be removed from the parking strip at 800 Columbia will be replaced in kind.  There will be additional trees installed along 8^th Avenue.  The replacement trees will be in the 3” to 4” caliper range.

Were the UDPS stated priorities or the Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP) discussed in the selection of mitigations? The installation of new trees on 8^th is in accord with the PRAP and FHIA’s program of street tree infill, particularly on designated Green Streets.  Hewitt  Landscape Architects will coordinate with SDOT regarding specific selection and placement.

TREE PRUNING

• Some pruning of the remaining trees will be necessitated by the construction process. This will be done in accordance with City standards.
• The focus will be on small branches and the shape of the trees will be preserved. No lop-sided crowns.