Arcadia City Council to consider condo development, tree removal

The Arcadia City Council at a special meeting Thursday will continue a public hearing on a condominium development that seeks to remove a protected oak tree.

The project developer Smart Property LA II LLC wants to build a 16-unit, three-story, contemporary-style condo complex at 314-326 S. Second Ave., according to a city staff report. Following the Arcadia Planning Commission’s 3-2 vote for approval in March, the developer seeks council approval to combine four lots with combined square footage totaling approximately 59,440 square feet.

“Although there are four separate legal lots, they function as one big complex with shared open space, driveway, etc.,” according to the staff report.

The existing buildings to be demolished are detached duplexes built between 1954 and 1960 with a total of 16 residential units on the four lots.

The proposed development’s 16 units will have four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms ranging from 2,305-3,207 square feet, and the building will have an overall height of 33 feet.

One of the 35 trees to be removed during demolition is a protected coast live oak.

Its species and size qualifies the tree for protection under the city’s Protected Tree Ordinance, according to the staff report.

The tree “has a health rating of ‘B’,” which means it is in “Adequate Health but with slight decline,” officials reported. “The tree is proposed to be removed because its roots would be severely encroached upon during construction by one of the units and there would be limited space for any future canopy growth. In addition, each of the buildings is at the minimum building separation, setbacks, and open space requirements, and accommodating the tree would result in a bulkier and less high-quality design.”

Consulting arborist Javier Cabral recommended the tree’s removal.

“In this case, there is sufficient justification for the removal of the tree,” according to the city. “As a remedial measure,” the project must include two replacement trees. The developer is proposing to plant one 60-inch box coast live oak and two additional 36-inch box magnolia “little gem” trees as replacements in the property’s front yard.

The special council meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Arcadia City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive.