Planning Commission - public_hearing

All right, we'll get started. Well, good afternoon and welcome.

Sorry.

Welcome to the Administrative Zoning Public Hearing of September 9th, 2026. My name is George Schroeder, and I'm presiding over the hearing today as the Zoning Administrator. I'd like to call the meeting to order today at 4.01 p.m. Today's hearing will operate in a hybrid format. Staff, the applicant, and committee members are in person. However, we will also ask if community members joining us virtually want to speak on an item at certain points in the meeting. When those opportunities arise, typically during the public comment portion of each agenda item, members of the public wishing to comment do so by clicking on the raise hand feature in Zoom when I announce the item on which you wish to speak. Speakers will be notified of their turn shortly before they are called on to speak. All speakers, virtual or in person, will have two to three minutes to provide comments with timing dependent on the total number of speakers for each item. If you're in person and wish to comment on the agenda item, please also fill out a yellow speaker card for us so we're able to accurately spell your name for the meeting minutes. The next portion of the meeting is for oral communications for the public. This is a time set aside for persons wishing to address the zoning administrator on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes, and state law prohibits any action on any items which are not on the agenda. Is there anyone that would like to speak on any items that are not on the agenda? Seeing no members of the public in person, is there anyone online that would like to speak during oral communications?

No.

Seeing none, okay.

Thank you, Roxanne. I will now move on to item three, which is the zoning investigation for public hearing. Item 3.1 is at 191 East El Camino Real with a request for a development review permit to construct minor site modifications, including removal of 12 non-heritage trees and associated landscape modifications and heritage tree removal permit to remove 26 heritage trees in an existing residential mobile home park on a 17.34 acre site. and a recommended determination that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, pursuant to section 15304, which is minor alterations to land of the CEQA guidelines. And Madeline Fall is the project planner. Maddie, do you have a staff presentation?

I do, yeah. Okay, thank you. Madeline Fall, project planner. I'd like to start with the background on the project. The applicant first began to look at a project to remove non-native eucalyptus trees on their property along the Stevens Creek in the aftermath of a major erosion event in 2011. A mudslide and partial collapse of the creek bank threatened some of the mobile home units on the site, prompting initial work to repair and stabilize the bank. At that time, the applicant initiated assessments of bank areas along the creek and discovered some additional areas of erosion. Tree removals were contemplated as a proactive measure to protect against future destabilization of these creek banks. Eucalyptus trees tend to have shallow root systems and are susceptible to falling over during storms and high wind events. In the event that a tree falls, there may be an increased risk that the creek bank would collapse. I'll also provide a brief summary of the project as part of the proposed work 33 trees are proposed for removal, including 26 heritage trees and seven non heritage trees and landscape modifications are proposed in the form of a vegetation plan with 100% native plants. The proposed tree removals are spread along the creek and on the project plans, they're divided into four clearly defined zones around which boundary fencing would be placed while tree removal work is completed. Zone one is the southernmost section of tree removals just south of an existing retaining wall on the property. Zone two is just north of that same retaining wall. Zone three is a little further north of that, and only one heritage tree is proposed for removal. And zone four is the northwest zone. Under the project's proposed revegetation plan, new landscaping with 100% native species will replace the trees proposed for removal. As per the city's standard replacement requirement, heritage trees are typically replaced at a two to one ratio, and non-heritage trees at a one to one ratio. The applicant has proposed a site-specific revegetation plan to offset the loss of each heritage tree and each non-heritage tree with one replacement tree for a total of 38 replacement trees. Each replacement tree shall be a tree pot four inch or one gallon if that's not available. In addition, the plan also proposes 80 shrubs of a variety of native species and spreading native seed mix throughout the areas where tree removal work is proposed. These native plants are suitable for riparian habitat and have deep growing roots that will help stabilize the banks. To ensure that the plants will thrive, the applicant proposes ongoing maintenance of revegetated areas after planting. The city arborist has reviewed the proposed revegetation plan and has deemed it appropriate. The limited planting areas along the steep creek bank cannot accommodate additional trees, and the smaller size of replacement trees is appropriate to limit the risk of future bank erosion. After agenda posting, staff discovered an error in posted materials. Four trees located offsite and one stump were erroneously counted as non-heritage tree removals. The number of non-heritage trees proposed for removal should be revised to seven non-heritage trees. The planning division received two comments ahead of the meeting today, which can be found linked in the meeting details online, but there are also copies available in this room. That concludes staff presence. Oh, sorry. Regular recommendation. To conclude, city staff has completed review of the project and is recommending approval based on the findings and conditions of approval in the attached report. And city staff recommends a determination that the project is categorically used pursuant to section 15304, minor alterations to land of the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA guidelines. Staff is available to answer any questions. Thank you, and that concludes staff presentation.

Okay, thank you, Maddie. It's now the applicant's turn to make a presentation. So if you would like to say any words or make a presentation, please step up to the lectern, please.

Hello, my name is Brent Zachariah. I am a civil engineer with Waterways Consulting. I've been assisting the owner with putting together project designs and application material along in addition with working with the city for the heritage tree removal permit. I think Maddie's covered most of what really what the project entails. I guess one thing I will add is that a handful of years ago, there were some trees removed under other permits and the owner has maintained the native plant at that location as they will with this project to make sure it's successful and that we reestablish the riparian corridor with native species instead of the invasive eucalyptus.

Okay, very much. Okay, so we will now open up the item to public comments. And I don't see any members of the public in the audience today. So we will ask if anyone's online and would like to speak on the item. This is your chance. So please use the raise hand feature in Zoom to raise your hand. And Roxanne, do we have any members of the public?

Okay.

Well, seeing that there is no one else that just came in the audience, I'll ask the applicant if you have any other words. Okay. Seeing that it is done, I'll now close the public hearing. And I will move forward in making a motion to approve item 3.1 based on the findings and conditions posted online and the application materials reviewed by city staff. I'll also note the change to the seven non-heritage tree removals, which is less than those posted in the project materials. And I can make the required findings to grant the heritage tree removal permits I just want to note that the free removal work will reduce risks to life and property given the condition, their suitability for this riparian habitat, and the location next to existing homes. The tree protection plan includes measures to mitigate any potential damage to other nearby trees. The slope down to the creek will be protected during the tree removal work and will be revegetated with native plantings and trees that are more appropriate for this riparian environment. Also, the removals are supported by the city's urban forest division and Valley Water that has jurisdiction over the Stevens Creek and the easement of the free removal work will be occurring. So please note that my decision of approval is appealable to the city council within 10 calendar days. And this concludes our public hearing today at 4.11 p.m. And if anyone has any questions on the agenda items today, please contact Matt at all.