Pacifica Community Survey

Introduction

An urban forest is generally defined as all of the trees and woody shrubs growing within an urban boundary. The urban forest is a valuable community asset and community support and input is vital to its management. Pacifica’s Municipal Code provides protections and regulates the management of the urban forest under Title 4 Chapter 12: Preservation of Heritage Trees and Chapter 14: Maintenance and Preservation of City Trees. The City is in the process of updating these chapters and has contracted with Davey Resource Group, Inc. to benchmark, review, and recommend revised language based on industry best practices and community input.

Your response to the following questions will help the City more clearly understand community perspectives on the urban forest and aid in managing, protecting, and preserving this resource through the Pacifica Municipal Code.

This survey will include questions about heritage tree protection and removal, tree maintenance and preservation, and street tree maintenance. Each section will provide a summary of current ordinance and have a series of multiple choice questions for each topic area. This survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation!

Preservation of Heritage Trees

Title 4, Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code defines “heritage tree” as any tree or trees that meet the following conditions:

Any tree on public or private property (excluding eucalyptus) with a diameter of 16-inches (measured at 24-inches above natural grade).
Any tree or grove of trees (including eucalyptus) designated by the Council for special historical, environmental, or aesthetic value.

A permit is required to cut down, destroy, remove, or move a heritage tree, or engage in new construction within the dripline of a heritage tree growing. Typically, the removal of a heritage tree includes conditions of replacement of a minimum 1:1 ratio, although this is not a requirement under the current ordinance. During construction and development, heritage trees that are not approved for removal require a tree protection plan.

* 1. Prior to this survey, what was your awareness of Title 4, Chapter 12: Preservation of Heritage Trees of the Pacifica Municipal Code? (select all that apply):

I knew the City had an ordinance to protect heritage trees

80%

I did not know the City had an ordinance to protect heritage trees

16%

I have applied for a permit to remove a heritage tree

16%

I have appealed a permit regarding a heritage tree

I have implemented a tree protection plan for a heritage tree during construction

Other (please specify)

Closed to responses | 153 Responses

2. The preservation of heritage trees in Pacifica is important because (select all that apply):

Environmental benefits of tree canopy (improvements to air quality, stormwater management, carbon reduction, energy savings, etc.)

79%

I agree with the preservation of heritage trees unless there is an important safety concern with allowing the trees to remain

71%

Socioeconomic benefits of tree canopy (improvements to human health, property values, retail, privacy, etc.

66%

Heritage trees represent and preserve the character of Pacifica

63%

Resilience for the community and quality of life in the face of climate change

60%

Other (please specify)

10%

I do not agree with the preservation of heritage trees

Not sure

Closed to responses | 156 Responses

Heritage Tree Removal Permit Process

The following summarizes the process for a Heritage Tree Removal Permit:

Any person who desires to destroy (e.g., substantial trimming which threatens the healthy growth and development of the tree), move, or remove one or more heritage trees on any private or City-owned property must apply in writing for a permit and pay a permit fee (currently $226, as set by Council Resolution).
Within 14 days after the receipt of an application, the City shall review the application and inspect the tree(s) and issue a proposed decision on the permit.
Notice of the proposed decision shall be given to adjacent properties, interested parties, and visibly posted on or near the tree, allowing 7-days for the filing of an appeal.
If an appeal is received, the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission will schedule an appeal hearing and provide notice at least 5-days prior to the hearing.
The Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission will either approve, disapprove, or modify the decision of the City.
The decision of the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission may be appealed to the City Council within 7-days of the decision.
City Council may approve, disapprove, or modify the decision of the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission.

3. What are your top 3 preferred improvements for the heritage tree removal permit process? (choose up to 3):

More education on when a permit is needed

43%

Clarify criteria for approval or denial of permits

42%

Greater transparency in the notification process

32%

More trees should be classified as heritage trees

25%

More education on how to apply for a permit

23%

Require a permit to perform any pruning on a heritage tree

21%

Too many trees are classified as heritage trees

17%

More time to file appeals

14%

Other (please specify)

10%

Works great!

Less time to file appeals

Closed to responses | 146 Responses

4. The removal of a heritage tree should require tree replacement (select one):

Yes, number of replacement trees based on the loss of canopy, diameter, or in-lieu fees

36%

Not sure/Need more information

17%

No, tree replacement should not be required

16%

Yes, on a 1:1 ratio or in-lieu fees

15%

Yes, on a 2:1 ratio or in-lieu fees

13%

Other (please specify)

Closed to responses | 152 Responses

5. What types of education and public outreach regarding this topic do you prefer? (check all that apply):

City social media accounts (Connect with Pacifica, Facebook, Nextdoor, etc.)

79%

Informational brochures

48%

Online videos

43%

Council study session/public meeting

42%

Other (please specify)

Closed to responses | 145 Responses

Chapter 14 Maintenance and Preservation of City Trees

City trees are public trees along streets, medians, parks, and at City facilities. The current ordinance recognizes that City trees are a valued resource and provides guidelines for their management.

6. Describe your interest/involvement with Pacifica's City trees? (check all that apply):

I appreciate City trees and the benefits they provide to the community

I have planted a tree in the rights-of-way

I have a street tree in front of my house

I have a business that benefits from street trees

I have pruned the street tree in front of my house/business

I have requested that my street tree be trimmed

I have requested that my street tree be removed

I have read an article about the Pacifica Heritage Tree Ordinance update in the City newsletter or the Pacifica Tribune

I have volunteered at a tree planting event, such as Arbor Day

Other (please specify):

Closed to responses

7. Are City trees adequately managed?

53%

Unsure/Need more information

42%

Yes

Closed to responses | 155 Responses

Street Tree Maintenance

The City cares for over 1,769 publicly-owned trees at City facilities, in parks, along City streets, and in open space. The current level of care includes:

Limited maintenance for trees in the rights-of-way (prioritized by level of risk)
Mitigation of safety hazards
Emergency response
Service requests for street trees

8. Indicate your level of satisfaction with the current care of street trees:

Somewhat unsatisfied

40%

Somewhat satisfied

29%

Unsure/Need more information

14%

Completely unsatisfied

12%

Completely satisfied

Closed to responses | 153 Responses

Feel free to add any other comments you have regarding Pacifica's Urban Forest:

Closed for Comments

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Pacifica Community Survey

Pacifica Community Survey

Introduction

Preservation of Heritage Trees

Question title

* 1. Prior to this survey, what was your awareness of Title 4, Chapter 12: Preservation of Heritage Trees of the Pacifica Municipal Code? (select all that apply):

Question title

2. The preservation of heritage trees in Pacifica is important because (select all that apply):

Heritage Tree Removal Permit Process

Question title

3. What are your top 3 preferred improvements for the heritage tree removal permit process? (choose up to 3):

Question title

4. The removal of a heritage tree should require tree replacement (select one):

Question title

5. What types of education and public outreach regarding this topic do you prefer? (check all that apply):

Chapter 14 Maintenance and Preservation of City Trees

Question title

6. Describe your interest/involvement with Pacifica's City trees? (check all that apply):

Question title

7. Are City trees adequately managed?

Street Tree Maintenance

Question title

8. Indicate your level of satisfaction with the current care of street trees:

Question title

Feel free to add any other comments you have regarding Pacifica's Urban Forest: