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Staff Report to the City Council <br /> March 9,2006 <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br /> Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees are not native to California and are identified as an invasive <br /> tree species in -the Town Landscape Guidelines. This is due to the aggressive seed <br /> propagation strategy of the tree as described in the attached report prepared by arborist <br /> Barrie Coate. (Attachment 2) In 1985, Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees contributed fuel in the <br /> Liddicoat Circle fire that destroyed nine homes within the Town. A falling Blue Gum <br /> Eucalyptus tree resulted in one fatality in Los Altos Hills in 2006. According to the <br /> attached Arborist's Report, "there is no "right place" for one of these trees within falling <br /> distance of human habitation." <br /> The purpose, in part, of the Town's existing Landscape Ordinance (Article 8) is to <br /> "protect properties against fire and other natural forces". It is proposed that the Town's <br /> existing Landscape Ordinance be amended to require the removal of Blue Gum <br /> Eucalyptus trees at the time of site development approval. Consistent with the threshold <br /> established under Section 10-2.301.b.5 (Permits Required) of the Site Development Code <br /> for major additions, this requirement will apply to construction of a principle residence or <br /> any structure, combination of structures, or additions to structures which equal or exceed <br /> nine hundred(900) square feet of floor area. <br /> ATTACHMENT <br /> 1. Proposed amendment to section 10-2.802 of the Site Development Ordinance <br /> 2. Arborist Report prepared by Barrie D. Coate dated March 7, 2006 <br /> 3. Town of Los Altos Hills Landscape Guidelines dated May 6, 1999 <br /> 4. City Council staff report dated March 9, 2006 <br />