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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-2011 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:David Hensinger, David Savory, and Matt Ritter STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of June 27, 2011 Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.794 BUCHON (Black acacia) Steve Judd, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and stated the tree was leaning dangerously and dominating the area, presenting a property damage liability. He noted two trees by it were crowded and discussed the proposed re-landscaping plans. Mr. Combs noted the tree was healthy but had a distinct lean to it. Mr. Savory moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a replacement planting of two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2 2.181 BROAD (Coast live oak) Mike Moran, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated the oak was cracking the retaining wall. Mr. Combs reported the tree had a double-leader but was in good health. Mr. Hensinger agreed that the tree was too close to the retaining wall. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3.890 DEL RIO (Canary Island pine) Vicki Bookless, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated the property was heavily planted and that this tree was too close to the house. She was concerned about wind toppling the tree and creating a liability to the neighbor’s house. Mr. Combs stated it was a large healthy tree. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on the removal would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and required a replacement planting of one tree of any size and species to be planted within 45 days of tree removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4.1965 SANTA BARBARA (Redwood) Craig Smith, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the proposed site plans. He submitted a report by arborist Jeremy Lowney who recommended the tree be removed. Mr. Smith stated PG&E pruning had 3 butchered it and that the tree was located near a gas line, which posed problems with the proposed development. Mr. Combs stated it was a large healthy tree, but utility pruning had altered the shape. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and to accept the replacement tree-planting plan as submitted. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5.665 LEFF There was no representative to speak to this item, which was then continued to the next meeting. 6.670 STONERIDGE (Southern Live oak) Quinn Jensen, applicant, discussed the removal request, citing exposed surface roots and the water lines being broken twice. He discussed the proposed re- landscaping plan and submitted letters from neighbors, supporting the removal. Mr. Combs reported that the tree was healthy. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a replacement planting of two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list to be planted within 45 days of tree removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7.69 RAFAEL (Pine) Mark Levy, applicant, discussed the appeal and request to remove the leaning tree. He was concerned about his two young sons playing in the backyard with the uplifted tree. He stated roots would be cut when replacing the retaining wall and the neighbors were concerned about the tree falling on their roof. He discussed the landscaping plan and stated he was interested in planting some small fruit trees. 4 Shawn Collarman, applicant’s representative, agreed with the concern about too much root pruning during the retaining wall project – such pruning would undermine the health and stability of the tree. Mr. Savory and Mr. Ritter agreed the tree was probably failing and that the retaining wall project would undermine the health of the tree. Mr. Hensinger agreed to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner, and to require replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 8.2699 MEADOW (3 eucalyptus) John Mostachetti, applicant, discussed the removal request and submitted a letter from the neighbors at 2468 Ladera who favored the removal. He suggested black acacia as a possible replacement species. Mr. Combs noted the trees were in good health, but improperly pruned. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a replacement planting of four 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list to be planted within 45 days of tree removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9.3960 S. HIGUERA #26 (Cedar) Rick Davis, applicant, stated he wanted to keep the tree but was concerned about the liability and safety hazard. Mr. Combs stated corrective pruning might mitigate concerns and noted an example of a properly pruned cedar tree at the corner of Buchon/Toro Sts. 5 Mr. Ritter felt the tree was a nice specimen and agreed that corrective pruning would mitigate concerns. Mr. Hensinger moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make any of the necessary findings. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS There were no items to discuss. OLD BUSINESS REVISING MASTER STREET TREE LIST: Mr. Combs discussed the process of attaining approval of the revisions suggested and agreed to check to see if Council needed to weigh in. There was general Committee discussion on the proposed inclusions of species. Mr. Ritter agreed to check out other cities’ lists and see how they break down species within different sized planting areas and zones, e.g. parks. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs noted the eucalyptus trees at the Mission were failing and discussed a possible staggered removal/replacement plan. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary