HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-23 Public Comment - E. Trygstad - UPF_ Local trees offer potent defense against invaders_ studyFrom:Ellen Trygstad
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UPF: Local trees offer potent defense against invaders: study
Date:Wednesday, August 23, 2023 12:31:20 PM
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Hello -
It has come to my attention that a rich ecological niche in the Story Mill region (Canyon Gateway Development) has
recently been erased. I believe the forthcoming development will have some landscaping. I would like to inquire if
you could advocate for native landscaping in their various landscaping plans, and provide someone to oversee that it
is executed accurately on behalf of the community there. The article below underscores the importance of this.
In addition to the soil and plant ecological impacts, as per the article, which compound with time, the kind of
landscaping that is put in will affect birds. A recent article in the Chronicle this summer (I apologize. I don’t have a
date to refer you to) by a knowledgeable local birder identified that many active nests were destroyed when the
bulldozers came in, and of course, habitat and food for year round as well as migratory birds. The fact that City
development documents specifically state trees are supposed to be left standing was ignored is both shocking that
the City did not enforce its own rule and that the developer ignored a clearly stated requirement. This occurrence
does not engender great faith by the public in “process”.
Hence, the need for oversight as well as educated local/native plant input so that some responsibility is taken for the
destruction on this fairly large area. I believe approximately 90 mature, near 100 year old trees, were removed. That
is habitat for many generations of birds, and for quite a quantity of birds. Elsewhere, it has been shown that
development can take place within guidelines and rules which generally exist for very good reasons, and
development can take place that fits the context of the landscape. One puts faith in one’s City government to ensure
historic, cultural and natural features of communities are worked with, not eradicated.
I hope the UPF can restore the good faith of the public, not only by actual effective action and direction regarding
the developer, but with outreach to the Story Mill community, to demonstrate a City department has an ability to
draw on its knowledge, skill and resources to move forward with this development in an ecologically positive way.
Urban communities all around the country are recognizing the present value and critical future benefits of wise and
sensitive development as future generations inherit the consequences, the costs and the environmental investment or
lack thereof, of careful development planning.
I hope your particular agency is able to make a difference and by doing so, set a standard and example for future
City project approvals. The overall failure of sensitivity to the context in which this large development is happening
has really shocked a lot of people, as well as created a great sense of loss for what was a beautiful and ecologically
important (consider its role for wildlife -) wildlife corridor, one that a developer could have worked with, with City
support and guidance. But this didn’t happen, and as a result, the current high density project is going to cause a lot
of problems down the road. Local people familiar with the area recognize this and have tried to draw the attention of
the city to these problems to no avail. I hope, at least, on this one aspect of landscaping with native plants
appropriately, enlightened steps can be taken.
Your department was recommended to me as a hopeful avenue for addressing these concerns. Thank you so very
much for your attention to these thoughts. I hope your agency can effect positive steps.
Sincerely,
Ellen Trygstad
ARTICLE:
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> https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/4166454-local-trees-offer-potent-defense-against-invaders-
study/