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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-2011 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, January 24, 2011 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:David Hensinger, Ben Parker, David Savory, Suzan Ehdaie and Matt Ritter STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT Peg Pinard, 714 Buchon, made a brief presentation regarding historic neighborhoods and structural preservation. She discussed the PG&E pruning of two palms on her property and noted that it destroyed owl habitats and that the trees had an uneven distribution of weight. She requested the Tree Committee assist in helping to protect trees from PF&E severe pruning practices and to urge Council to pursue underground power line programs. The Committee agreed to put the discussion item on a future agenda. Greg Saenz, PG&E rep, requested that the Committee include PG&E participation in the upcoming Arbor Day program. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of November 22, 2010 Mr. Parker moved to approve the minutes as submitted.Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.1260 LAUREL LANE (2 podocarpus) Amy Voorhies, Parks & Rec Dept. representative, discussed the garden area and the new generator enclosure, as well as previous tree removals. She requested the remaining trees be removed, as they were providing too much shade for the vegetable garden and creating too much debris for the area. She asked to replace them with fruit trees. Mr. Combs noted that although the tree was small in diameter, he could not make his findings for removal because it was a request being made by the City. He stated the trees were healthy, would get bigger and create even more shade issues. Mr. Savory agreed the Community Garden needed to have minimal shading and favored removal of the trees, with replacement. The other members agreed. 2 Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and that removing them would not harm the character of the neighborhood and agreed with replacement planting of two fruit trees, to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 2.1110 ORCUTT (2 eucalyptus) This was the third time there was no applicant or representative to speak to this item. 3.1167 & 1169 ISLAY (2 eucalyptus) Karen Mason, owner, discussed the roots raising the sidewalk and her concerns about the roots damaging the foundation. She reported roots caused expensive continual sewer issues and that she had already participated in the sewer lateral replacement program. She discussed limb breakage and that the trees were interfering with power lines and blocking the street light. She was concerned with liability and sidewalk trip hazard issues with disabled neighbors. She wanted to replace with marina madrones. Mr. Combs reported that the large eucalyptus were creating some sidewalk lifting and were affecting the bricks. He noted that the new sewer lines should not allow root intrusion and suggested maybe some of the pipes were not sealed correctly. Mr. Parker agreed the trees were causing displacement and would only get bigger. He felt the trees might be the wrong species for the location. Ms. Ehdaie agreed the one larger tree was creating a trip hazard and was too close to the power lines. She did not think the smaller tree was posing a problem at this time.Mr. Savory agreed with Ms. Ehdaie. Mr. Ritter suggested a Chinese fringe tree as a replacement at 1169. Ms. Ehdaie moved to 1) approve the removal request for the tree at 1160 Islay, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and undue hardship on the property owner, and required one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit; and 2) move to deny the removal request at 1167 Islay, as she could not make the necessary findings for removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 3 4.1145 CALLE JOAQUIN (Pyrus kawakamii) Mr. Combs reported that the City was making the following seven requests, as the trees had vast roots that were causing continual problems with sidewalks, curbs, and/or gutters. He stated all replacement trees would be coordinated with property owners, planted by the City, and added to the watering programs. The Committee discussed the tree at 1145 Calle Joaquin. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Ehdaie seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 5.1986 OCEANAIRE (Liquid ambar) Mr. Combs reported some buttress decay and that crews had already performed temporary repairs and did some root pruning. Jim Gregory, property owner, stated the tree was healthy at the last street repair and that the crews had used root killer and he believed that substance caused the decay problem. He felt the whole sidewalk area needed to be repaired and he strongly favored retaining the tree. Mr. Combs agreed that the tree would be stable enough and rescinded the removal request on behalf of the City. 6.1940 VINCENTE (Liquid ambar) Mr. Combs reported that too much root pruning was needed and that the tree would not remain stable. Mr. Ritter noted that it appeared that recent work was performed on the curb/gutter/sidewalk already. The Committee requested staff re-visit the address to determine if removal were still required. 7.1958 VICENTE (Liquid ambar) Mr. Combs reported that too much root pruning was needed and that the tree would not remain stable. He stated the property owner favored removal. Mr. Savory noted there was a gash and evidence of rot at the base of the tree. 4 Mr. Savory moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Parker seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 8.1735 PICO COURT (Liquid ambar) Mr. Combs reported that too much root pruning was needed and that the tree would not remain stable. He stated the property owner favored removal. Mr. Parker noted there were weak attachments. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 9.1448 GARCIA (Liquid ambar) Mr. Combs reported that too much root pruning was needed and that the tree would not remain stable. He stated the property owner favored removal. Mr. Savory and Mr. Ritter felt the displacement was minor and the tree was an asset to the neighborhood. Mr. Ritter moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Ms. Ehdaie seconded the motion. The motion passed by 5-0 vote to keep the tree. 10.1449 GARCIA (Liquid ambar) Cheryl Linhart, property owner, felt the tree was an important asset to the neighborhood and favored retaining it if at all possible with the sidewalk repairs needed. She stated she would grant an easement and work with the City to work around the tree. Mr. Combs was concerned that root pruning would cause instability, but agreed to re-examine the request for removal. He rescinded the removal request at this time. 11.1625 CARLA (2 pines) 12.1560 TANGLEWOOD (2 pines) 5 Mr. Pellemeier reported that PG&E was the applicant on both requests and that there was some legal question about the parameters of PG&E’s authority over tree removals as a superior agency and recommended the Committee table the items until further determinations of authority could be made. Xiomara and Martin Elias, owners at 1560 Tanglewood, stated they favored the removal at their property. The Committee agreed to table both items to a date uncertain. NEW BUSINESS 1.Update on Advisory Body Luncheon Mr. Parker and Ms. Ehdaie attended the luncheon. Mr. Parker noted that Elena Cano requested the Tree Committee member emails be forwarded to her and that Katie Lichtig stated should be would making the rounds at various Advisory Board meetings. 2.Two trees recommended for upper Monterey St.: Chinese Fringe and Gold Medallion Mr. Pellemeier reported that the project would begin next week and that 27 new tree wells would be installed with 24” box specimens. OLD BUSINESS There were no items to discuss. LIAISON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier discussed the Cypress Island project, as well as recent history of clear-cutting. He stated he sent an illegal removal letter to the property owner and to the construction company who performed the removals. He discussed an alternate proposal of requiring 12 replacement trees to be maintained for five years by the owner in lieu of their $20K fine. He recommended either requiring the same 12 tree-planting requirement against the construction company if they did not want to pay the $20K fine. The Committee favored the replacement planting options and discussed various planting areas for the suggested replacement trees; they favored cypress framing the street, with spacing to be determined by staff. Mr. Ritter suggested adding in some acacia for spot colors. Mr. Pellemeier discussed the press release for the events on April 7 and April 9, 2011 and agreed to email the releases to members. 6 ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the eucalyptus at Mission Plaza and the diseased trees in the Chorro St. planters. He stated they would need to be removed. Mr. Ritter suggested finding a space by the new silk floss to plant one young eucalyptus but not “bury it” or overwater it. Mr. Combs also noted a removal at 1022 Islay of a diseased liquid ambar. He stated the City would replace with two trees and the property owner will water the trees. MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Hensinger discussed ideas for specimen trees planted in larger open spaces. Mr. Ritter agreed that when a new round of revisions were discussed for the Master Street Tree list, the “specimen tree” category could be included. The Committee discussed possibilities for planting on the vacant lot at the gateway of Highway One and Highland. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary