6/5/26: Special Landscaping meeting to discuss removal of two trees by unit 17

1. 
   

    

    

   Background info posted on Discord by Kellie Henderson, 5/30:
   "It is Kathleen’s intent that, if we agree at the Friday meeting that she can move forward, to use licensed arborist Wild Bill to remove the two trees, and pay for it herself. To my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve had a community member pay for the tree removal themselves, so we’ll need to factor that into the discussion as well. Per Kathy- 'The arborist recommended taking both down because they are so close to the house and will only continue to get bigger and become more expensive to maintain. Especially if I want to optimize the light reaching my solar panels. On my end, the plum tree, while producing edible fruit, creates a lot of mess and I have very limited time to clean up after it. If we end up taking out both, I would replace the space with a lower growth shrub/tree (like a mock orange) that would be more appropriate for the spot.' "

   
   

   
   

   More background: Kathleen also solicited the advice of community member Amy May, a very knowledgeable tree person, who approved the removal of the trees. 
   
   See attached photo:
   
   
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   Meeting in attendance: Kahtleen unit 17, Kerry unit 15, Cheryl unit 18, Ben unit 13, Kellie unit 2 (notes) 

   
   The two trees in question are the pear and plum tree on the south side of her home. Kathleen wants to replace the trees, and has consulted with community member Amy about this.  Will do some more research, may replace it with a dwarf tree, possibly a crab apple, "Royal Gem".
   
   Wild bill didn't mention infringement on the foundation, so possible it's not a huge problem, but the trees are only 2 feet from the foundation and tree is expected to get larger.  (There is another pear tree by unit 15's entrance that is even closer to the foundation, but it is not currently being considered for removal).
   
   The main concern about the two trees are proximity to the roof, the branches hit the windows and roofs, and  blocks the solar panels. In order to keep the tree from hitting the roofs it would need prompt trimming every year, which neither Kathleen nor landscaping has the bandwidth/labor power to do. 
   
   Is it possible to get in writing what wild bill recommends? Kathleen says yes.
   
    Estimate for removal of the trees and grinding down the stump from the old elm tree that was removed previously would be about $900. Kathleen plans to pay for this herself. (Note:Normally, landscaping would have arborists make an assessment and do the most urgent work first. This is the first time, to the notetaker's knowledge, someone has seriously offered to pay to remove a  tree themselves. Because it is a small tree and the infringement on the property is limited, it seems ok to allow private pay in this case without setting broader precedent )
   
   Limited common area: Kathleen was orignally told her LCA is 6ft all around her unit, but that isn't technically true, per the CC&R's it's a much smaller area. We applaud Kathleen for going through the community approval process and making sure everyone is on board. 
   
   Per the landscaping tree decision making process, removal requires:
     

   "Trees will only be removed with the advice of a qualified arborist, and per the consensus of a quorum of committee members who represent at least 4 different units.

   • Tree removal decisions should be communicated to the community over email in advance, separately from meeting minutes."
     

   
   
   
   Action Items
     Kellie will solicit approval from other landscaping members on discord
      Kathleen will post Wild Bill's explanation of why tree needs removal on discord
      Assuming things go well, once landscaping approves, Kathleen will communicate the date and equipment needed for the removal.