Legislative Public Meetings

File #: 22-0891   
Type: Report to Board/Commission Status: Passed
Meeting Body: Planning Commission
On agenda: 9/26/2022
Title: Proposed Project: Appeal of a decision by the Director of Community Development denying a Tree Removal Permit to consider removal of a protected tree (Deodar Cedar) in the front yard with an arborist report. Location: 1571 Heron Avenue (APN: 309-33-020) File #: 2022-7258 Zoning: R-0 Applicant / Owner: Monster Tree Service of West Valley / Sunil and Shilpa Mannikar Environmental Review: A Class 4 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from California Quality Act provisions and City Guidelines. Project Planner: Drew Taplin, (408) 730-7407, dtaplin@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Attachments: 1. Site, Vicinity, and Public Notice Mailing Map, 2. Recommended Findings, 3. Recommended Conditions of Approval, 4. Appeal Letter, 5. Staff Photos (July 6, 2022), 6. Arborist Report Submitted by Applicant, 7. Approved Site Plan with Addition, 8. Presentation to Planning Commission 20220926
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION

SUBJECT
TITLE
Proposed Project: Appeal of a decision by the Director of Community Development denying a Tree Removal Permit to consider removal of a protected tree (Deodar Cedar) in the front yard with an arborist report.
Location: 1571 Heron Avenue (APN: 309-33-020)
File #: 2022-7258
Zoning: R-0
Applicant / Owner: Monster Tree Service of West Valley / Sunil and Shilpa Mannikar
Environmental Review: A Class 4 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from California Quality Act provisions and City Guidelines.
Project Planner: Drew Taplin, (408) 730-7407, dtaplin@sunnyvale.ca.gov

Report
REPORT IN BRIEF

General Plan: Residential Low-Density
Existing Site Conditions: Single-Family Home
Surrounding Land Uses
North: Single-Family Home
South: Single-Family Home
East: Single-Family Home
West: Single-Family Home
Issues: Tree location and personal health
Staff Recommendation: Deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Director of Community Development to deny the Tree Removal Permit for the front yard Deodar Cedar tree.

BACKGROUND

Description of Proposed Project
A Tree Removal Permit (TRP) application (2022-7258) was filed by Monster Tree Service of West Valley on April 26, 2022 on behalf of the property owners. The application requested permission to remove two protected trees in the front yard of the property; one 20-inch diameter Mexican Fan Palm and one 29-inch diameter Deodar Cedar. On May 10, 2022 the Planning Division approved the removal of the Mexican Fan Palm only. Removal of the Deodar Cedar was denied. The applicants appealed the decision on May 24, 2022 and are requesting that the Planning Commission grant the appeal and approve the removal of the Deodar Cedar as well.

See Attachment 1 for a map of the vicinity and mailing area for notices and Attachment 5 for photos of the site and tree.

Previous Actions on the Site
The TRP application was filed separately after a Design Review application (2022-7160) for an addit...

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