Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2011 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, March 28, 2011 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:David Hensinger, Ben Parker, David Savory, and Suzan Ehdaie STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of January 24, 2011 Mr. Combs clarified a concern the Fredas had in the report. The Committee agreed the minutes reflected the action. Mr. Parker moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Ms. Ehdaie seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.377 ALBERT (Cedar) Sean Collerman, applicant’s representative, reported that the tree was too close to the house and was lifting the foundation and creating problems with the windows. He stated the owner wanted the tree removed before it caused more damage. Mr. Combs reported that it was a large healthy tree. He agreed there was minor cracking in the exterior brickwork but did not see evidence of foundation damage. Mr. Hensinger did not feel the tree was too close to the house and agreed that the damage was minor and there was no evidence it was affecting the foundation. He felt it was a nice tree in a good location and suggested root pruning and barrier systems. The rest of the Committee agreed with Mr. Hensinger. Mr. Savory moved to deny the application, as he could not make the findings necessary to allow removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 2.103 LA ENTRADA (Cedar) Mary French, applicant, was concerned about the lopsided shape of the tree. She said it had been pruned before and did not believe further pruning would make a difference. She also stated that there was extensive driveway damage, which posed a trip hazard. She discussed her native plant re-landscaping plan and suggested planting a California Buckeye as a replacement tree. 2 Mr. Combs reported it was a windswept specimen and that the roots under the driveway and sidewalk were causing displacement and cracks in the garage. Ron Rinnell, Bunyan Bros., felt the driveway damage was a direct result of root intrusion and that there was a main root system running under the garage. Mr. Hensinger did not feel the tree was a particularly good specimen and favored the replacement planting plan and tree selection. Ms. Ehdaie and Mr. Savory agreed with removal due to the damage caused. Mr. Parker felt the damage was increased by poor driveway structure. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a 15-gallon California Buckeye be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3.1527 ROYAL WAY (6 pines) Nadia Jacobs, owner, discussed the damage that the large pines were causing to the roofs and foundations of the apartments, as well as damage to the driveway. She stated the large cones were causing vehicular damage. She said two apartments had clear evidence of floor damage/cracking. Mr. Combs felt these were large pines planted in a small area and that there were numerous root issues causing asphalt lifting. He reported the trees were only in fair to moderate health. Mr. Hensinger favored removal with replacement plantings of large shade trees. Mr. Savory moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required six 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 3.2415 HELENA (3 Eucalyptus) Chuck Applegarth, applicant, discussed the two large eucalyptus that had previously fallen, one of which fell on the neighbor’s property at 180 Serrano. He was concerned about liability and the soggy soil in the creek due to the rains making the tree unstable. He stated one of the trees was leaning dangerously over his other neighbor’s property. He stated he preferred having oaks as replacement and do heavy pruning on the trees remaining. 3 Estella Ross, Manderlay Property representative for 180 Serrano, discussed the tree that had fallen on the property and the other trees that have fallen in that area. The renters at the property also spoke about their fears of other trees falling on their property and the liability they posed for young children playing outside. Ms. Ehdaie noted there were three trees that could likely fall. Mr. Parker discussed “stand management” and regeneration vs. replacement options. Mr. Parker moved to approve removal of the three eucalyptus, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required no replacement trees at this time. He recommended a professional evaluation of the tree stand. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. Update Advisory Body Bylaws The Committee agreed that there were no bylaw changes necessary at this time. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier reported there had been no input from Peg Pinard regarding her PG&E pruning concerns regarding the palms at her property. He also reported that as a result of the meeting with PG&E representatives about tree pruning/removal issues within the city, PG&E would notify staff prior to any removals. LIAISON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier discussed the progress and resolution taking place regarding the Fredas compliance with the appeal outcome. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reported there had been 29 trees removed. Mr. Pellemeier suggested creating a replacement requirement section on Mr. Combs’ removal permit and then scanning that into the records for future review. MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Hensinger suggested applicants use surveyors tape on tree that are proposed to be removed so the Committee could be sure that they were reviewing the correct trees and the neighbors would be made more aware of action being taken about trees in their area. Mr. Pellemeier agreed to add that requirement to the Tree Removal application. 4 The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary