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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-30-2012 TC Minutes1 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT: David Hensinger, Suzan Ehdaie, Ben Parker, and Matt Ritter STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of November 28, 2011 Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 1234 LAUREL LANE (Misc. trees) Scott Wright, applicant’s representative, distributed and discussed information on the Sydney Creek remodel and new landscaping plans, stating that the trees requested for removal created some sight visibility issues and seemed to be in failing health. He stated the removed trees would be replaced with three new plantings. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were basically healthy, but had felt Committee should review the overall plan. Mr. Hensinger said he favored removing all of the trees but preferred the corner small redwood to be retained. 2 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc Ms. Ehdaie agreed that the redwood tree should stay. Mr. Ritter clarified that the remodel and landscaping plans could not move forward without all of the tree removals being granted. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request for all trees, requiring two 15- gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Ehdaie voting against. 2. 1010 MURRAY (Ficus) Rick Ford, Sierra Vista representative, discussed the removal request and stated that another Ficus tree had fallen in the parking lot and damaged five cars. Mr. Combs reported the large tree was healthy, but had weak angles/attachments. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon replacement Ficus trees to be planted within 45 days of the trees’ removals. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 2330 GANADOR (2 locust) Janice Somers, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated major roots were causing driveway damage and presenting a pedestrian hazard. She reported that one person had already tripped and that the driveway had been repaired but the roots still cracked it. She felt one of the trees appeared to be diseased. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy theme trees; one was damaging the driveway and the smaller tree had flaky bark. Shaun Collarman, Bunyon Bros. representative, stated that one tree was in decline and the other tree was causing major driveway damage. He favored removing both and discussed re-landscaping plans. Greg Somers, applicant, noted that the unattractive trees had been previously pruned and the resulting shoots were weak and dropping limbs had damaged a car. 3 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc He was concerned that the roots would cause problems with the sewer and water lines. Ms. Ehdaie abstained from discussion, as she was unable to view the trees. Mr. Hensinger agreed with the hardship factor. Mr. Parker clarified whether the trees were theme trees. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of trees’ removals. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Ehdaie abstaining. 4. Misc. addresses on Tonini (6 pines, 1 jacaranda) David Singer, de Tolosa Ranch HOA representative, discussed the removal requests of the Canary Island pines that were too large and would cause damage in the future. He was concerned that the jacaranda was unsuitable due to its multiple trunks and was not thriving. He wanted to replace them all with Bradford pears. Mr. Combs reported that all of the trees were healthy and the multi-trunk did not pose a structural issue. Rick Abbott, property owner, favored the removal of the pines but wanted to retain the jacaranda. Deb Thompson, property owner, stated the jacaranda tree was on her property and that it was healthy. She wanted it retained. Ms. Ehdaie stated she would be abstaining, as she was unable to view the trees. The Committee decided the jacaranda tree should be voted on separately. Steve Lumon, property owner, submitted pictures of the multi-stem jacaranda, showing a trunk leaning over the street. Mr. Combs noted that pruning could mitigate concerns. 4 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal of all six pines, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement with six 15-gallon Bradford pear trees planted within 45 days of trees’ removals. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Ehdaie abstaining. Mr. Hensinger moved to deny the removal request for the jacaranda tree, as he could not make any of the findings necessary for approval. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Ehdaie abstaining. 5. 1301 BROAD (Brisbane box, melaleuca) Amy Kardel, applicant, discussed the office building plans and the parking issues presented and proposed relocating the Brisbane box tree to the corner of the parking lot and planting two replacement trees in the front of the parking lot, possibly one on the street. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the proposed tree relocation and tree replacement plan as presented by applicant, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and undue hardship on the property owner. Ms. Ehdaie seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6. 1972 SAN LUIS DRIVE (Cedar) Ben Edmondson, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated he was very concerned about the lean of the tree and of it falling, damaging the neighbor’s property. Mr. Combs reported the large cedar was healthy with a significant lean, but noted that a lean did not necessarily mean that the tree was a hazard or prone to falling. 5 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc Mr. Parker stated he saw no evidence of lifting soil and felt the tree had been growing straight for approximately 25 years and was unlikely to fall; if it did, it would damage the neighbor’s deck. He felt it was a good tree in a good location and felt it seemed to be structurally sound. Mr. Ritter agreed with Mr. Parker and suggested the applicant employ a simple handing plumb monitoring system that would allow the applicant to determine if the tree was in fact moving. Ms. Ehdaie moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make any of the findings necessary to approve the removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Combs reported Arbor Day celebration had been set for April 21, 2012 in Meadow Park. OLD BUSINESS 1. Master Street Tree list update Barbara Lynch reported that staff was still prepping the report and that it would probably go before Council in April. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the recent Council meeting: – He reported that the Heritage Tree application had gone forward – He stated the 539 Cerro Romauldo appeal had been upheld by Council. MEMBER COMMENTS 6 \\chstore4\PublicWorks\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\Tree Committee\Tree Committee Minutes&Packets\2012\1 30 12 TREE COMMITTEE.doc Mr. Parker felt that some arborists were not reading and/or presenting the ordinance thoroughly regarding what constitutes a “street tree” regarding removals. Mr. Ritter discussed the inclusion of Consent Items to the agenda to handle some consensus application items that would make the meetings more efficient. Committee agreed with the concept and staff agreed to explore option with City Attorney, et al. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary