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DPW -Tree Warden Comments_for PB_7-27-2023 MEMORANDUM TO: Carolyn Misch, Director, Office of Planning & Sustainability FR: Richard Parasiliti Jr., DPW Superintendent/Tree Warden DA: July 26, 2023 RE: Review of Planning Board Agenda Items, July 27, 2023 1. Cooley Dickinson ER Notes on Individual Site Plan Sheets Sheet C-001 Notes/Demolition  Applicant should make note that the trees to remain should be protected prior to any demolition taking place within the project footprint.  Sheet C-102 The plan indicates that there will be six (6) trees removed within the construction footprint. Were these plantings part of a previous site plan approval from the Planning Board? If so, will the applicant be required to replace them in kind within the hospital property footprint? Sheet C-502 The tree protection detail should conform to the ANSI A300 Part 5 & City's Tree List and Planting Guidelines on tree protection. Plastic tree protection fencing is not acceptable. Chain link or welded wire attached to steel posts is the preferred method. Should any work be necessary with the tree protection zone (TPZ) other requirements may be necessary. If so please provide a detailed specification.  2. Curb cut 420 N. Main Barron & Jacobs The proposed parking area encroaches on the public right of way. All new grass areas not associated with the two proposed curb cuts should start from the property line. I would like to recommend that new public shade tree be planted along the proposed grass area. If the applicant is required to plant new trees then the City's Tree List and Planting Guidelines should be followed. 3. Multifamily 67 Park St, Florence The proposed project has Significant Trees & Assessment Report. The report identifies fourteen (14) trees as being twenty inches (20") or greater. This triggers the threshold for the Northampton's Significant Tree (STO) Zoning Ordinance, 350-12.3.  The report is clear in its tree identification but what is not clear if all of the trees are hazardous pursuant to 350-12.3. The arborist states on page twelve (12) that "all of the significant trees received a probable or imminent likelihood of failure rating. The recommendation for all the trees is removal. The targets for the significant trees include the VFW and other neighboring properties on three sides of the property. The correct management for trees that threaten property and people is removal"  I thought it would be helpful to clarify the definition of the likelihood of failure. They are based on the Best Management Practices (BMP) ANSI A300 Part 9 Tree Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practice (Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Structure Assessment) categorized the likelihood of failure using the following guidelines: Improbable - The tree or branch is likely to fail during normal weather conditions and may not fail in many severe weather conditions within the specific time period. Possible - Failure could occur, but is unlikely during normal weather conditions within the specified time period. Probable - Failure may be expected under normal weather conditions within the specified time period. Imminent - Failure has started or is most likely to occur in the near future, even if there is no significant wind or increased load. This is a rare occurrence for a risk assessor to encounter, and may require immediate action to protect people from harm.      I do not disagree with the overall assessment of the trees that are listed as imminent likelihood of failure. If these trees or tree parts are truly at risk of imminent failure then they should be mitigated as soon as possible.  I do question the trees that are listed as probable likelihood of failure. These trees are numbered as one, three, four, six, seven, ten, twelve, and fourteen. Could the issues with these trees as stated in the report be mitigated in such a way other than removal? If so then these trees should be counted towards the replacement formula.  Notes on Individual Site Plan Sheets Sheet #C-1 Additional text under landscape notes: All trees and shrub selection & planting shall conform to ANSI A300 Part 6 and the City's Tree List & Planting Guidelines. Sheet #C-7 Replacement Tree Calculation  The applicant’s calculation estimated that a total caliper of 146" of significant trees to be removed. The calculation as listed in the arborist's report is a total of 379" of significant trees recommended to be removed. There needs to be clarification on which trees are being mitigated for and is that based on the arborists report. Sheet #D-1 Tree & Shrub Planting Detail Should Reflect the Following:  All trees & shrubs planted at or slightly above the trunk flair. All wire baskets, burlap and synthetic lacing to be removed prior to planting. 4. Second Unit 55 Florence St, Leeds Applicant states that a Catalpa tree was removed. Was the tree removed during the look back period and was it a significant tree under 350-12.3? If so, will the applicant be required to plant new trees or pay into the city tree fund? If it is deemed that the applicant must mitigate the loss of the tree by planting new ones, the City Tree List and Planting Guidelines should be followed.