PC 062707 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding whether trees could be planted in the wildland buffer area and with respect to the fire prevention zone and the location within the area where the trees could be planted, Mr. Pavan said yes; he added that care should be taken with respect to the type of tree planted. He added that it should not contribute to the ladder effect in a fire, which carries the fire from the grass to the understory to the tree. This does not preclude trees in the wildland buffer area. He noted that there would not be a 100-foot deep “no man’s land” and that trees are allowed in compliance with the precepts of the Wildland Fire Management Plan. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner O’Connor’s inquiry regarding the proximity allowed when planting trees near a house, Fire Chief Bill Cody replied that there was a fuel mitigation area inside the buffer zone. He noted that they tried to accomplish the required setbacks from the house for the types of trees so that trees that may catch fire do not impinge on the house. He added that the type of vegetation chosen was very important. He noted that oak or other trees and plants determined by the forester to be fire-resistant may be planted within the fuel management envelope. He noted that the distance a tree may be planted from the house depended upon the width of the tree as it grows. Trees should not be planted up against the house, which would be a fuel source to carry fire into the home. Ms. Decker advised that in this particular plan, the Urban Wildlife Interface Requirements require that staff work with the Fire Department and the applicant within the framework of the design guidelines to ensure that the correct species of plants are planted. She noted that a Wildland Management Plan had been developed, with trees chosen and placed on each site. She clarified that this Plan is typically required prior to approval of the subdivision map. The purpose of the design guidelines was to choose vegetation and landscaping on each site, and the size of the homes was not finalized yet. She noted that the review process provided the vehicle with which the design review board and the developer will examine that information along with City staff. The Fire Management Plan will enable them to evaluate the available screening capability. The homes will be visible without vegetation at zero years; at five years, there will be some growth; and at 15 years, there will be more growth. The growth rates and speeds will be dependent upon the types of species chosen and other factors. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Martin Inderbitzen, 4218 Casterson Court, on behalf of the applicant, wished to state that they had read and reviewed the staff report, the conditions of approval, the EIR, and other supporting documents for this project. He indicated that they were in agreement with the staff’s conditions of approval as well as with the recommendation for certification of the EIR. He wanted to be careful about the modification of Condition No. 58.d. requiring measurement of the buffer from the real property line back. He believed they had the same interest as Commissioner O’Connor stated, that they should not be led to believe that there was no fuel management requirement or wildland buffer requirement between the structure and the real property line if taken from the property line as now proposed. He described the buffer line, which gained additional distance for the buffer. He noted that their proposed tree mitigation plan for on-lot mitigation of trees was meant to prevent PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 27, 2007 Page 9 of 28