M13/53 TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE TREE MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE DATE/TIME: VENUE: WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2013 : 1.00 P.M. TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER OPEN SECTION Members Present: Also Present: In Attendance: Cr Tony Christiansen (Chairperson) Cr Larry Baldock Cr Bill Grainger Cr Murray Guy Cr Terry Molloy Robert Keam Dave Gray Paul Froggatt David Ranford Richard Scott Jo Ann Ingram Marie Millar John Skerritt Marie Gordon, Manager: City Parks Richard Conning, City Arborist Emma Hall, Committee Administrator M13/53.1 PUBLIC FORUM Robert Keam Silver Birch Tree outside 13 Tirinui Crest Road (DC 210) Resided at Tirinui Crest Road for 13 years. Requested removal of Birch tree and proposed replacement of Little Gem Magnolia. Nuisance caused by seeds also affected asthma and allergy sufferers. Residents willing to pay for removal and planting of one Magnolia.
- 2 - Council s Policy needed to ensure trees were suitable to the surrounding communities and did not cause ongoing nuisance. Understood that grounds for removal were condition of the tree, health factors and inconvenience. Dave Gray (on behalf of Mr & Mrs Ward) - Silver Birch Tree Outside 13 Tirinui Crest Road (DC 210) Issues with the trees had become stressful to the elderly owners. Since property was purchased in 1981, owners had experienced surrounding trees being cut down and poisoned illegally. Photos showing poisoned trees were provided as visual image (A). Accepted the views of their neighbours for the removal. Specifically requested replacement be two evergreen native trees, species to be determined by Council. They had no health issues resulting from the tree, however accepted that other residents may. Offered to pay for one of the two replacement trees should Council agree to their request. Would not accept the costs of removal. Paul Froggatt Street Tree Removal Request 28 Freyberg Street (DC 209) Parents purchased home in 1977. Debris clogged spouting and blocked the flow of water. Challenging to manage the amount of debris from three trees and it posed a health and safety risk to the owner frequently using ladders to clean guttering. Owner was willing to meet costs of removal and replacement if required. Confirmed trees were on Council land. Acknowledged Council Policy was necessary and that trees formed an integral part of landscape. Residents were affected by pollen, Asthma and nuisance caused by large amount of seeds disbursed from the three trees. David Ranford Street Tree Removal Request 15 Braeburn Place (DC 211) Opposed initial planting of tree by Council, therefore unwilling to meet the cost of removal. Tree had extensive root system which disturbed surface of the ground causing front fence and gate to lift. Cobble stone driveway was unaffected.
- 3 - (e) Richard Scott Street Tree Removal Request 39A Harvey Street (DC 261) Silk tree was removed from nearby property and replanted in front of owner s property. Concerned overhanging limbs could cause damage to vehicles and/or property. Debris from the Silk tree carried to nearby properties causing nuisance. Willing to pay for removal and replacement of the tree. Was entitled to prune tree to the boundary, however was reluctant to remove branches in case of causing damage to the tree. Owner had occupied property for 15 years and maintained the tree for the first seven years. Recognised that the tree was on Council land. (f) Jo Ann Ingram Street Tree Removal Request 39A Harvey Street (DC 261) Resident of Harvey Street since 1985 and had seen a number of trees removed over time. Trees contributed to making the city beautiful and more trees should be planted on Harvey Street. Agreed that Council should have a Tree Management Policy. Acknowledged the lean of the tree was a potential hazard. (g) Marie Millar Reserve Tree Removal Request Evans Road Drainage (DC 262) Concerned roots of the Pine trees posed risk of damage to the Church s main water pipe. Concerned pine needles entering the drainage system via carpark grates and blocked guttering had potential to cause damage to Church building. Church was unable to meet cost of removal and proposed engagement of a contractor with intention of selling the removed trees as firewood to negate cost. Church had been located on site for approximately 12 years. Unaware of 24 trees previously removed from reserve. Six trees were previously removed at no cost to the Church because they caused significant damage to the Church driveway. Church could consider assisting with the removal as a fundraiser.
- 4 - (h) John Skerritt Reserve Tree Removal Request Evans Road Drainage (DC 262) Photos provided as tabled item (1) showed Church boundary in close proximity to trees. Pine needles disbursed across the carpark created slippery surface and posed a health and safety risk, particularly to elderly patrons. The roots of the trees were breaking through the ground. Concerned falling branches could injure children who played around the trees. M13/53.2 CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Moved Cr Molloy/Seconded Cr Guy That the Feedback forms received after closing date (tabled item (2)) be received. PETITIONS M13/53.3 PETITION REGARDING SILVER BIRCH TREE OUTSIDE 13 TIRINUI CREST ROAD (DC 210) Moved Cr Guy/Seconded Cr Baldock (DC 210) be received. City Arborist provided visual image (B) - examples of replacement trees: Native Titoki and Little Gem Magnolia. Confirmed planting of new tree/s on the berm alongside the current Birch, until the new trees had time to mature was possible. Consultation feedback indicated majority of Tirinui Street residents supported Little Gem Magnolia as a replacement.
- 5 - Acknowledged that owner s specific request was for a NZ Native as a replacement. Recognised the environmental benefits of trees and the importance of accommodating trees within the environment. Management of the City s tree stock was challenging. Moved Cr Guy/Seconded Cr Grainger (e) (f) That the petition requesting the removal of a Silver Birch tree outside 13 Tirinui Crest Rd be received. That the tree be removed and replaced with an alternative species and the cost be covered by the petitioners as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy. Payment for the removal and replacement will be required to be made as one lump sum prior to the removal being carried out. That the replacement tree species be a NZ Native tree. That in resolving above Council acknowledges that the decision is inconsistent with the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy and that the reason for the inconsistency is Health & Safety impacts. That Council does not intend to amend the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy to accommodate the decision. DECISIONS M13/53.4 STREET TREE REMOVAL REQUEST 28 FREYBERG STREET (DC 209) The 2006 Vegetation and Tree Management Strategy identified certain characteristics of Birch trees made them unsuitable for future planting. Birch trees were not being proactively removed. Acknowledged process was underway to review Vegetation and Tree Management Policy and Strategy. Majority of residents were concerned with Silver Birch trees in their area and supported removal. Recognised cluster of three Silver Birch trees close to the boundary of the property was not suitable and caused excessive distribution of debris over the property. Important to care for mature trees throughout the city.
- 6 - Moved Cr Baldock/Seconded Cr Grainger (e) (DC 209) be received. That the letter requesting the removal of three Silver Birch trees outside 28 Freyberg Street be received. That the trees be removed and replaced with an alternative species and the cost be covered by the petitioners as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy. Payment for the removal and replacement will be required to be made as one lump sum prior to the removal being carried out. That in resolving above Council acknowledges that the decision is inconsistent with the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy and that the reason for the inconsistency is that Birch trees are no longer suitable for roadside trees. That Council does not intend to amend the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy to accommodate the decision. M13/53.5 STREET TREE REMOVAL REQUEST 15 BRAEBURN PLACE (DC 211) Root pruning around boundary fence and driveway had been carried out following concerns raised by Submitter. Root impact was not evident from photographs nor roadside visit. Highlighted the need for Subcommittee to arrange site visits prior to meetings to ensure all members had seen the tree/s in question. Moved Cr Baldock/Seconded Cr Guy (DC 211) be received. That the letter requesting the removal of a Magnolia street tree outside 15 Braeburn Pl be received. That the tree continues to be maintained as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy and that the matter be revisited at the next meeting following an arranged site visit by Subcommittee members and staff.
- 7 - Item for Staff Follow-up Arrange site visit of, relevant staff and property owner to assess impact on property. M13/53.6 STREET TREE REMOVAL REQUEST 39A HARVEY STREET (DC 261) Moved Cr Grainger/Seconded Cr Baldock (DC 261) be received. Silk tree could be reduced in height and/or width with pruning. Recognised the potential hazard given the lean of the tree. Concerned that falling limbs from the tree posed risk of harm to persons or damage to property. Acknowledged Submitter s willingness to pay for removal and replacement. Moved Cr Grainger/Seconded Cr Guy (e) That the letter requesting the removal of a Silk tree outside 39A Harvey Street be received. That the tree be removed and replaced with an alternative species and the cost be covered by the petitioners as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy. Payment for the removal and replacement will be required to be made as one lump sum prior to the removal being carried out. That in resolving above Council acknowledges that the decision is inconsistent with the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy and that the reason for the inconsistency is an identified threat to public and/or private property. That Council does not intend to amend the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy to accommodate the decision.
- 8 - M13/53.7 RESERVE TREE REMOVAL REQUEST EVANS ROAD DRAINAGE RESERVE (DC 262) Provided an overview of the benefits mature trees had within the city, including providing wildlife with amenity to nest. Unlikely sawmill would accept the trees due to their location and condition. Disposal of trees as pulp or firewood was unlikely to reduce costs. Acknowledged trees had some benefits to the drainage system. Recognised importance of mature trees as habitat for birds. Trees provided significant shading to the reserve. Pine trees were not appropriate in urban areas. Proposed engaging in further discussions with the Church to investigate how to remove the trees on a cost-share basis yet remain cost neutral to the rate payer. Moved Cr Christiansen/Seconded Cr Molloy (DC 262) be received. That the letter requesting the removal of a row of seven Pine trees adjacent to 30 Evans Road be received. That the trees continue to be maintained as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy. LOST Moved Cr Baldock/Seconded Cr Guy (DC 262) be received. That the letter requesting the removal of a row of seven Pine trees adjacent to 30 Evans Road be received. That the trees continue to be maintained as per the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy That the Petitioners be given three months to return with a proposal on how the cost of the removal can be addressed on a shared basis, including offers of replanting in the reserve, all in consultation with staff.
- 9 - Item for Staff Follow-up Investigate and report back on whether there was any liability on any person/s that pruned back a neighbouring tree to their boundary whilst also causing damage to the tree. The meeting closed at 4.07 p.m.