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Mr. Lum believed the guidelines were more restrictive than that. It allows the <br />reduction of the canopy of a tree by 25 %, but if someone tops a tree, it would probably <br />be a violation of the guidelines. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr asked if staff would only act on the basis of a complaint. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver did not believe the average property owner would climb a 35 foot tree <br />to top it. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta related her experience with heritage tree regulations in the City of Los <br />Gatos. Contractors were notified of the requirements when they applied for their business <br />licenses. All the educational vehicles of the City, newsletters, newspaper articles, etc. <br />would focus on these requirements; and lastly there would be educational meetings. <br />There is a difference between someone who clea~y didn't know about the regulations and <br />another person who knowingly violates the regulations repeatedly. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr believed the ordinance is well drafted to get this process started and felt <br />that it will evolve over the years. <br /> <br /> Pat Nelson, 3652 Shenandoah Court, has spent years learning to prune plants and <br />trees properly. She is concerned about preserving the trees of Pleasanton, but did not <br />think it necessary to have a licensed contractor prune trees. She felt it would be just as <br />effective to make the standards clear to the homeowners. In that way, the homeowner <br />would have a choice of hiring a contractor or adhering to the standards themselves. She <br />then asked what the penalty would be for a violation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver indicated there is assessment of damage or a fine of $5,000. He did <br />not think that was enough. Someone might think it is easier to cut the tree and pay the <br />fine if caught, than to work around a tree in the design of a project. He shared Ms. <br />Michelotti's concerns about notice to the residents. There should be a process to try to <br />notify people. In addition he encouraged an inventory of heritage trees. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lum stated $5,000 is the minimum penalty for improper heritage tree <br />removal. The new ordinance, using ISA guidelines, could assess damages of upwards <br />of $15,000 for a mature tree. <br /> <br /> It was moved by Ms. Mohr, seconded by Ms. Michelotti, to introduce Ordinance <br />No. 1653, to be read by title only and waiving further reading thereof, to modify Chapter <br />17.16 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code, regarding pruning of heritage trees and related <br />issues pertaining to tree preservation. <br /> <br />03/21/95 <br /> - 15- <br /> <br /> <br />