Op-Ed: Belmont Tree Removal Permits are Too Expensive

City of Belmont;

Can someone tell me why a "permit" to remove an unprotected species tree costs over a thousand dollars? 

Eucalyptus Tree removal should be free where these tree leaves & branches clog up our storm drains (example:  Ralston Ave @ Alameda de las Pulgas).

The leaves of these non-native trees do not break down anything but our sewer & storm drain systems.  The City should encourage removal to protect our sewer & storm drain systems!  I have been encouraging Safeway on Alameda, to work at getting those messy Eucalyptus trees removed, and replace them with something that is NOT messy, and looks nice. 

This is an expensive process without outrageous permit fees and I really don't see what necessitates such fees for non-heritage trees!  

The Greek church removed their Eucalyptus trees (cost $25,000+) years ago, and what a benefit to Belmont to keep all that debris out of our water systems (which flows along the culvert on Covington into the storm drains on Alameda.)  

We need to work smarter, and not penalize everyone with fees for everything in Belmont.  Please explain to me and the public why these fees are necessary.  I will not be able to attend the Tree Board Meeting Dec. 5, however, for the record, I object to permit fees to remove non-heritage trees -- especially these outrageous amounts of money.   Please read my objections into the record.  And please get realistic about tree removal fees!  

Judi Allen