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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/10/2020 TC PresentationsTree Committee Special Meeting August 10, 2020 Public Comment: •Verbal Public Comment ➢Participants of the webinar: •Submit a ‘question’that includes your name and item number (or public comment)for the item you would like to speak on. •Once public comment for the item is called, your microphone will be unmuted and you will have three minutes to speak. •You can also click the “Raise Hand”icon to signal that you would like to speak. Item #1 CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1.Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Tree Committee on May 20,2020 ________________________________________________ Recommendation: Approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Tree Committee on May 20,2020 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA ONLY At this time,people may address the Committee on items that are on the agenda. Public Comment: •Verbal Public Comment ➢Participants of the webinar: •Submit a ‘question’that includes your name and item number (or public comment)for the item you would like to speak on. •Once public comment for the item is called, your microphone will be unmuted and you will have three minutes to speak. •You can also click the “Raise Hand”icon to signal that you would like to speak. Item #2 NEW BUSINESS ITEM A.New Business:Review of four tree removals and replanting plan of 12 trees as part of a mixed-use project located at 1144 Chorro Street consisting of approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial/office space and 50 residential dwelling units,within the Downtown Historic District. Staff Presentation By: Kyle Bell, Associate Planner 1144 Chorro Street ARCH-1687-2018 Marsh & Chorro Development Review of four tree removals and replanting plan of 12 trees as part of a mixed-use project located at 1144 Chorro Street consisting of approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial/office space and 50 residential dwelling units, within the Downtown Historic District August 10, 2020 Applicant: Mark Rawson, Copeland Properties 6 Recommendation Recommend the City Council find the proposed tree removal and replanting plan as part of the mixed-use development project at 1144 Chorro Street consistent with the Tree Regulations. Project Description 7 On January 27, 2014, the Tree Committee approved a tree removal permit to remove two street trees with a 1:1 replacement. On October 27, 2016, the City Arborist approved a tree removal permit to remove three street trees. Both permits have expired Project Description 8 The project includes the removal of •Two carrotwood trees •One Brachychiton tree •One palm tree Project Description 9 The two larger street trees located on the Chorro Street would remain in place. The project would add four new street trees (Jacaranda trees) Project Description 10 The project includes the additional planting of eight trees along the third-floor terrace (Dwarf Southern Magnolia) Four along Marsh Street and four along Chorro Street. Replanting Ratio 1:4 Rendering –View from Marsh & Chorro 11 12 Recommendation Recommend the City Council find the proposed tree removal and replanting plan as part of the mixed-use development project at 1144 Chorro Street consistent with the Tree Regulations. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM 2A Public Comment: •Verbal Public Comment ➢Participants of the webinar: •Submit a ‘question’that includes your name and item number (or public comment)for the item you would like to speak on. •Once public comment for the item is called, your microphone will be unmuted and you will have three minutes to speak. •You can also click the “Raise Hand”icon to signal that you would like to speak. Item #2 NEW BUSINESS ITEM B.New Business:Review of the proposed tree removal of 206 onsite trees and the replanting plan of 314 trees as part of a mixed-use project located at 650 Tank Farm Road,including 249 residential units and 17,500 square feet of commercial space. Staff Presentation By: Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner Committee Purview The Tree Committee’s role is to review the project and provide a recommendation to the Planning Commission regarding consistency with the policies and standards set forth in San Luis Obispo Municipal Code (SLOMC)§12.24 (Tree Regulations). 15 Recommendation Recommend the City Planning Commission find the proposed tree removal and replanting plan as part of the mixed-use development project at 650 Tank Farm Road consistent with the Tree Regulations. 16 Project Description 17 The mixed-use project includes: 17,500 square feet of commercial space and 249 residential units. 20 structures,several parking areas,recreational areas, pedestrian and vehicle access and large landscaping areas. The widening of Tank Farm Road along the frontage of the site for sidewalk,roadway improvements,and street trees (no street trees currently exist along the frontage. Main access from a new bridge over Orcutt Creek from the signalized intersection at Tank Farm and MindBody. Project Description: Site Plan 18 Project Description 19 The mixed-use project includes: The removal of 206 trees. The Arborist Report notes that there are several species of large screen shrubs that have been classified as trees and are included as part of the total. Replanting of 314 new trees. Project Description: Tree Removal 20 Project Description: Replanting Plan 21 Tree Regulations Size of Tree.The size of the trees proposed for removal range from 3.5 inches diameter at breast height (DHB)to 96 inches DBH.Most of the trees are 12 to 24 inches DBH. Location of Tree on Private Property.All trees proposed for removal are located on private property. The trees are located throughout the property;some trees are visible from the public right-of-way. 22 Tree Regulations Species of Tree.The species of trees proposed for removal vary. Primarily include Mexican fan palm,Hollywood juniper, magenta cherry,glossy privet, eucalyptus,shiny xylosma,and hollyleaf cherry. Only four native trees are proposed for removal;1 Coast live oak,1 California sycamore, and 2 Southern California black walnut. 23 Tree Regulations Forestry Best Practice.Most of the trees onsite are in moderate to poor health.The project would increase total quantity of trees,as well as increase the number of native trees planted. Public Right-of-Way Obstruction or Displacement.No street trees are proposed for removal. Heritage Trees.None of the trees proposed for removal have been designated Heritage trees. 24 Tree Regulations Compliance Regarding Compensatory Plantings.The applicant is proposing to provide compensatory plantings in excess of the required minimum compensatory plantings. Per the Tree Regulations,tree removal shall be compensated at minimum replanting ratio of 1:1. 206 trees are proposed for removal on-site. The applicant is proposing to replant 314 trees onsite;this is a replanting ratio of 1.5:1. 78 trees would be native species. Tree would be 15-gallon in size. 25 Tree Regulations 26 Recommendation Recommend the City Planning Commission find the proposed tree removal and replanting plan as part of the mixed-use development project at 650 Tank Farm Road consistent with the Tree Regulations. 27 650 TANK FARM ROAD TREE REPLACEMENT Jake Minnick RRM Design Group ISA Certified Arborist®WE-11830A CA Landscape Architect #6426 July 27, 2020 PROPOSED TREE REMOVAL •206 trees proposed for removal •151 are recognized as invasive species by the California Invasive Plant Council •124 would typically be classified as large shrubs •3 are recognized as regional natives by the California Native Plant Society •No trees located within creek setbacks are proposed for removal FACTORS FOR REMOVAL •Approximately half of the project site is located within a FEMA designated100-year flood zone •Site base elevation will be raised 3-7 feet •Most trees are stunted and stressed from lack of irrigation •Most trees have structural issues from poor arboricultural practices and lack of maintenance •Most trees are invasive species and/or large shrubs EXISTING SITE TREES privet (Ligustrum lucidum) cherry bush (Syzygium paniculatum) Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis) California pepper (Schinus molle) PROPOSED TREE REPLACEMENT •1.5:1 replacement ratio •314 replacement trees proposed •15-gallon and 24-inch box container sizes •78 regional natives •69 coast live oaks •9 western sycamores •236 drought tolerant ornamentals •Proposed street trees consistent with both SLO City Major and Master Street Tree Lists BENEFITS OF REPLACEMENT TREES Planting the replacement trees as proposed is expected to increase the existing tree canopy by a minimum of 50% within 10 years of planting. Increases: •Carbon sequestration •Oxygen production •Canopy for habitat Decreases: •Urban heat-island effect •Energy usage related to heating and cooling •Water pollution from urban runoff •Pollutant gases from fossil fuel combustion •Wind speed REPLACEMENT TREE SPECIES peppermint tree (Agonis flexuosa) Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus) olive (Olea europaea) Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) western sycamore (Platanus racemosa) London plane (Platanus x acerifolia) coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) pin oak (Quercus palustris) California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) THANK YOU PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM 2B Public Comment: •Verbal Public Comment ➢Participants of the webinar: •Submit a ‘question’that includes your name and item number (or public comment)for the item you would like to speak on. •Once public comment for the item is called, your microphone will be unmuted and you will have three minutes to speak. •You can also click the “Raise Hand”icon to signal that you would like to speak. Item #3 OLD BUSINESS ITEM 3.Old Business:150 Chorro Street (Black Walnut tree) Staff Presentation By: Ron Combs, City Arborist PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM 3 Public Comment: •Verbal Public Comment ➢Participants of the webinar: •Submit a ‘question’that includes your name and item number (or public comment)for the item you would like to speak on. •Once public comment for the item is called, your microphone will be unmuted and you will have three minutes to speak. •You can also click the “Raise Hand”icon to signal that you would like to speak. Item #4 COMMENT & DISCUSSION 4.Arborist Report a.Urban Forest Services staffing update b.San Luis Obispo Commemorative Grove Update c.Tree Removal Application Fee changed to $157.17 to reflect the Consumer Price Index increase. ADJOURNMENT The next Special Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference