Hello!
We live at 1165 San Mateo Dr and share our rear property line with the proposed development at 1170 May Brown.
Below is an email we sent to the developers of 1170 May Brown on July 16, 2022.
We received no response.
We are VERY concerned for impact to tree #22 in their survey, a Heritage Coast Live Oak from the proposed significant development inside the tree's drip line. The tree is on our property but only a few feet from the fence line we share. #22 is in the upper right corner of the drawing below labeled “22 off site”.
We proposed that the ADU unit could be moved a small amount towards the southern property line to prevent work in the drip lines / tree protection zone for this tree. The change should have minor impact on the use of their property while also reducing impact to Heritage Redwood tree #23.
I am also including a photo of the Coast Live Oak, Tree #22 from our yard. You can see from the photo this is a mature, healthy, dominant tree that is an exemplary heritage tree!
We appreciate your support for this this wonderful tree.
Sincerely,
Peter Hartwell
1165 San Mateo Dr
Menlo Park, CA
[cid:1D32DCE7-04A8-4591-A4AD-5F360E744F1A]
Begin forwarded message:
From: P Hartwell (cmail)
>
Subject: Re: New Project at 1170 May Brown Ave
Date: July 16, 2022 at 16:34:49 PDT
To: nitinhanda2001@gmail.com
Nitin And Priyanka,
Welcome to the neighborhood and hello from your new neighbors at 1165 San Mateo Dr!
Caitlin and I live here with out 2 boys, ages 9 and 11, and our 2 Australian shepherds. We are long time residents of Menlo Park, though we have recently moved to this part of town which is a paradise of larger lots providing old growth trees and a quiet setting.
We have done a few house development projects in the area and have quite a bit of experience in how to create projects in harmony with the existing trees. The wonderful, old growth (heritage) trees are what make Menlo Park special providing beauty, shade, carbon capture and frankly awe as many trees approach 100 years old. We often find ourselves sitting outside alone or with guests, marveling at the irreplaceable trees with which we cohabitate.
Tree #22 on the plans is a magnificent Coast Live Oak. It is on our property, however, being near the lot line, it really is a tree we share. It is a large, mature, healthy and with a great shape. Its one of the defining features in our yard.
When developing, to preserve the health of the trees, the city code and most recommendations you will find online require no development in the “drip line” of a tree. A drip line, simply put, is as far out as the branches extend as this is typically as far as the major roots extend. It varies by species and some cities, like Atherton, extend the no development zone significantly further than the drip line.
The placement of the guest house covers a large amount of the drip line for tree 22 and also 23. Many parties involved will tell you that trees can handle some amount of excavation in the drip line, but when you work inside the drip line there is always risk. This is why you will see the tree protection fencing in the project drawings is placed at the drip line of the protected trees. I can give you a few addresses in Menlo Park where recent construction has been done inside drip lines, near heritage trees and you can clearly see the trees now suffering from the development.
For the sake of our shared trees, #22 and #23, we ask you to consider moving your ADU unit a bit towards the south edge of the property. I think you can find room for the identical structure to be built with minimal impact to trees 22, 23, and 19, 20. In fact, you will see it fits perfectly between the drip lines. I have included a quick sketch. I think this placement will actually enhance your pool experience as tree 23, a young redwood, becomes much more part of the yard instead of hiding behind the ADU. This placement will also help hide the pool equipment from view while enjoying the yard.
I encourage you to take a look at tree #22, our lovely coast live oak and I am happy to take a walk around the yard and discuss in person.
Thank you for your time and consideration, I do hope we can work something out.
Sincerely,
Peter Hartwell
[cid:78731E34-9ACF-4127-929B-17B2B5AA0997]
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Nitin Handa >
Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2022 at 10:48 PM
Subject: New Project at 1170 May Brown Ave
Hope you are doing well!!
We are the owners of the property at 1170 May Brown Ave. We are writing this letter to let you know that we will be building a new house at this property. The link to the plans and the project description letter is attached.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JNaRDVMmelzj_Fbsz3L-zDEbfIDiCwYR/view?usp=sharing
We want to reach out to you and make you aware of the project and also check if you would like to talk to us about any questions you might have.
Also, do you have the contact info of the owners at 1225 San Mateo Dr?
Thanks and regards
Nitin and Priyanka Handa
