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Mayor Tarver declared the public hearing open. <br /> <br /> Gary Schwaegerle, 189 West Angela Street, indicated he had recen~y acquired this <br />property and was happy about this tree until he discovered that the prior owner had to pay <br />damage claims due to branches dropping from this tree. He has also had to pay various claims. <br />He related his personal history of environmental preservation and the difficult decision he made <br />to request the tree be removed. He presented pictures of the property and the tree as well as <br />a branch from the tree in question and referred to two other trees in the City that had fallen in <br />storms. Mr. Schwaegerle referred to a newspaper article regarding a similar tree in Oakland <br />and contended that this tree was near the end of its life. He did not want to replace the tree if <br />he is allowed to remove it because there are almost 35 trees already on the property. If the City <br />does not allow him to remove the tree, he suggested that it assume the liability for any damage <br />due to the trees and provide a waiver for him. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ayala asked if he had ever trimmed the tree. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schwaegerle said it was trimmed by the prior owners but not by him. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti asked how long he had this property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schwaegerle replied since July 1994. <br /> <br /> Phoebe Schwaege~e, 189 West Angela Street, reiterated her husband's remarks and said <br />it was very scary to live near a tree like this. Even if the tree is trimmed there is still a danger <br />from falling branches. <br /> <br /> There being no further testimony, the public hearing was dosed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis asked if a eucalyptus tree could be severely pruned without damaging it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fulford said it could be so long as it was done correctly and the root system pruned <br />as well. Otherwise, there would be a flush of new growth which would be weakly attached to <br />the tree. Pruning every three years would help prevent the numerous branches dropping. The <br />cost would be about $4,000 to safety-prune the tree and about $3,000 every three years <br />thereafter. <br /> <br /> It was moved by Ms. Ayala, seconded by Ms. Michelotti, to adopt Resolution No. <br />96-142, denying the appeal and upholding the decision of the Director of Public Works <br />denying the removal of this tree. <br />The roll call vote was as follows: <br />AYES: Councilmembers - Ayala, Dennis, Michelotti, Pico, and Mayor Tarvet <br />NOES: None <br />ABSENT: None <br />ABSTAIN: None <br /> <br /> 18 12/03/96 <br /> <br /> <br />