Emergency N. Niagara Avenue and E. Santa Anita Street Tree Removals
Summary
SCH Number
2024020817
Public Agency
City of Burbank
Document Title
Emergency N. Niagara Avenue and E. Santa Anita Street Tree Removals
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/21/2024
Document Description
The City determined it is necessary to remove seven Aleppo Pine trees located at 241, 246 (two trees), 734, 814, 1613, and 1633 N. Niagara St., and one Italian Stone Pine tree located at 1023 E. Santa Anita Avenue in the City of Burbank. These trees have been inspected by International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists on City staff and externally, who have determined the designated trees have a significant potential for imminent failure in the short-term due to defects affecting their stability and ability to withstand forecasted storms. The tree removal is an emergency project to prevent significant and imminent risk to life and property caused by the trees falling over. The emergency work is anticipated to begin as soon as February 21, 2024.
Contact Information
Name
Fred Ramirez
Agency Name
City of Burbank
Job Title
Assistant Community Development Director - Planning
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Burbank
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
Seven Aleppo Pine trees located at 241, 246 (two trees), 734, 814, 1613, and 1633 N. Niagara St., and one Italian Stone Pine tree located at 1023 E. Santa Anita Avenue in the City of Burbank, California 91505 and 91501.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)
Reasons for Exemption
The tree removals qualify under the “Emergency Exemption” of CEQA, found in Public Resources Code section 21080, subdivision (b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines section 15269 subdivision (b). The trees all have known and documented prior root pruning and are leaning, which combined produce significant load on the roots and render the trees unlikely to withstand wind and rain storms without complete failure, i.e., falling over. Complete failure of these trees -- which would result in the 60-and 75-feet tall trees toppling over onto houses, cars, and/or passerby -- creates a severe risk to public health, safety, and welfare. The probability of imminent failure of the trees in the short-term is significant, and failure is likely to occur before the City could conduct and complete environmental review. The City has already experienced numerous tree losses during unprecedented winter storms in 2023 and in January and February 2024, and these removals must therefore occur as soon as possible.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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