3580 Kennebec Dr - Memo 2019-01-09 re Solar_Tree Removal Memo
TO: File – 3580 Kennebec Drive
FROM: Pam Dudziak, Planner
DATE: January 9, 2019
SUBJECT: Solar Garden - Tree Removal
We received a letter from Cypress Creek Renewables dated October 16, 2018
regarding the installation of a solar garden at 3580 Kennebec Drive. The letter
indicated that a large bur oak tree at the west end of the site was mistakenly removed
during construction of the site access road for the solar garden project.
Preservation of the bur oak tree had been identified early on in the City’s review of
preliminary plans. However, that note did not get carried over to construction drawings,
and the City, as well as the contractor, failed to catch that during review of the
construction drawings.
Following receipt of the October 2018 letter, City Forester Gregg Hove indicated that the
tree in question was close to the grade limits, and with the resulting grade changes and
encroachment, survival chances for the tree were low. Also, it was a multi-stemmed
tree prone to negative effects from opening up the wooded area around it, and likely
would not have survived following construction.
Thus, we determined that while preservation was preferred, it is not always practical.
The tree likely would not have survived following construction, removal was within
allowable limits in the City Code (plans indicated 10% tree removal), and no
replacement or mitigation for removal of the tree is necessary.