23 Trees to Fall for New Library Building

Only one tree of 36 will remain when the new Los Angeles County Library in Manhattan Beach is completed sometime in 2015, according to the Environmental Impact Report Addendum produced for the effort.

The latest EIR, unveiled earlier this month at a county Board of Supervisors meeting, indicates that 23 trees will be downed and not replaced to make room for the new 21,500-square-foot library.

Another 12 sycamores, palms, and Chinese elms will be relocated within the city and a Melaleucca will be saved and transplanted on the site.

The Coral tree, the largest tree on the site, reportedly is not a good candidate for relocation and will be cut down.

As part of the library project, seven new 48-inch box sycamore trees will be planted. The project has an approved budget for $26,270,496 for demolition and construction. 

On Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 1400 Highland Ave., the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and conceivably approved the county's requests for the Use Permit, Coastal Development Permit and Lot Line Adjustment necessary to begin construction.

In its report, city staff is recommending, also, that City Council accept an exchange of land facilitated through a Lot Line Adjustment and a related utility easement.

Decisions made Wednesday by the planning commission are expected to be reviewed by City Council at its April 16 meeting.

What do you think of the way the current MB library's landscape has been maintained? Do you think it bodes well for the new library's landscape that will include seven 38-inch box sycamore trees?