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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-2012 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT: David Savory, Matt Ritter, and David Hensinger STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments at this time. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of August 27, 2012 Mr. Savory moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 156 Ramona (Sequoia) The applicant discussed the removal request, stating that the tree was too large for the area and too close to the two water meters and water lines. He discussed past pruning efforts and was concerned about how massive the tree would get. Mr. Combs reported that the young tree was healthy, with some roots causing minor hardscape issues. Mr. Hensinger felt it was a nice, large tree but agreed it would eventually cause problems due to its size. Mr. Savory agreed there was minor hardscape damage and would probabl y cause water line damage in the future. 2 Mr. Ritter felt it was a rare tree in the area but had potential for future problems, although he believed those problems would be years away, because the species was slow growing. Mr. Ritter moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. 1345 Diablo (Alder) The applicant discussed the removal request, stating she had limited resources and was unable to do continual maintenance. She stated that the tree had lifted the driveway and sidewalk, creating a trip hazard. She discussed root intrusion and said the scale overwhelmed the house. She noted it had been pruned twice in recent years. Mr. Combs reported that the tree was starting to decline, with minor hardscape damage and that he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Hensinger felt the tree was attractive with some evidence of damage to the driveway. He was concerned about the sustainability of alders in the area and would favor removal to promote good arboricultural practice. Mr. Ritter noted that a significant percentage of alders in the area were not throwing. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 1973 Fixlini (Poplar and palm) Shawn Collarman, applicant’s representative, noted that the poplar had been topped and the driveway had been damaged and had caused vehicle damage to cars parking under it. He stated the palm was too close to the house and garage. 3 Mr. Combs reported the trees were healthy and he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Ritter felt the poplar could be retained and pruned. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request for the palm, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hensinger moved to deny the removal request for the poplar, as he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. 585 Jeffrey (pear) The applicant discussed the removal request, stating a concern about potential water line damage and the continual sucker growth. Mr. Combs noted that root sucker growth was common with the species. Mr. Ritter stated that root re-growth would be an issue even with stump grinding. Mr. Hensinger noted there were two empty street tree wells and favored removal with replacements Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement plantings of three 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 4 5. 2407 Boulevard del Campo (3 magnolias) The applicant discussed the removal request, noted the continual root damage to the plumbing and past limb failure. He discussed the past driveway damage which had been repaired. Mr. Ritter discussed root issues stemming from sewer leaks. Mr. Combs stated the trees were relatively healthy street trees and he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Savory felt the middle tree was causing most of the damage. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request for the two trees furthest from the corner, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6. 133 Del Sur (pine) Ron Rinnell, applicant’s representative, stated removing the tree would promote good arboricultural practice. Mr. Combs stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. 1630 Cordova (pine) Mr. Rinnell, applicant’s representative, discussed the past topping and limb failure and stated the owner was concerned about safety and had to repair the driveway due to the tree. He suggested replacing it with a smaller species. 5 Mr. Combs reported that the large theme tree has been topped, but he could not make his necessary findings. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed the free mulch give-away program. OLD BUSINESS It was confirmed that the next regular tree committee meeting would be on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 5 p.m. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the Council approval the removal at 1288 Morro St. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 2012. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary