Tree removal notification
Motion
Increase the notification to NCs and CCs from Urban Forestry Dept. beyond the current three-day notice policy for removals of 1-2 trees.
Background
Having a three-day window is very short and does not provide adequate time for volunteers to go out and investigate, poll their fellow NC members as /if needed, contact the Council office, etc. Dare I ask, “What’s the rush?” It is stunning to know that a tree (or two) could be noticed and gone in less than two week’s time.
The Bureau of Street Services’ Urban Forestry Division (UFD) is now copying EmpowerLA when a permit has been filed with UFD and has been deemed complete to move to the notification phase. Once EmpowerLA receives a notification with the address of the tree to be removed, staff will identify which Neighborhood Council the tree(s) is located in and forward the notification to the board.
A Neighborhood Council can weigh in on the removal of the tree(s) in the following way:
If the removal is for 1 or 2 trees, the UFD provides a 3 day notice to the affected Council District, the Community Forest Advisory Committee and the affected Neighborhood Council. If no objections are raised within the 3 days, the tree(s) will be removed shortly thereafter. The board members should contact their City Council Office if your Neighborhood Council has any concerns about the tree(s) removal.
If the removal is for 3 or more trees, the UFD provides a 3 day notice to the affected Council District, the Board of Public Works, the Community Forest Advisory Committee and the affected Neighborhood Council. The UFD is also required to submit a report to the Board of Public Works for review, and the proposed removal must be posted for 30 days prior to removal in order to allow for public comment. In addition to contacting the City Council Office if your Neighborhood Council has any concerns about the trees removal, board members will also be able to provide public comment with the Board of Public Works within the 30 days.
Please note that if your board has not taken official action on the tree(s) removal, board members can only speak in their individual capacity.