Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-2010 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:Matt Ritter, Ellen Dollar, David Savory, Craig Kincaid, and Allen Root STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of February 22, 2010 Ms. Dollar moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Kincaid seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.2013 BINNS COURT (Aleppo pine and live oak) The applicant discussed the revised removal request that involved one pine and one oak. He felt both trees were too large and growing into the power lines and were compromising the retaining wall. He believed the pine tree was diseased and suggested replacing it with one Liquid amber and possible a small second tree. Mr. Combs discussed the problems with the water lines and a second oak, which he had approved for removal. He stated the pine had several beetle strikes and sap flow issues and felt it could fail because it was weakened. Mr. Kincaid noted that because there was confusion on the application regarding which trees were to be viewed, he was unable to vote on these removals. Ms. Dollar felt the pine was located far enough away from the building and did not favor its removal. She felt the oak could be removed for good arboricultural practice and noted the site was heavily planted and somewhat crowded. Ron Rinnell, Bunyan Bros., felt the location and health of the pine was poor and a better tree could be planted in the area. Mr. Ritter agreed the oak was too cramped and could be removed. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal of both trees, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Root seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Kincaid abstaining. 2.176 DEL NORTE WAY (Liquid amber) 2 The applicant discussed the removal request and stated the tree roots intruded in the sewer line and was causing damage to the driveway and might be affecting the house foundation. Mr. Rinnell reported that a large root was heading for the foundation and pruning for risk reduction would be severe. He noted that it looked like the curb had recently been replaced. Mr. Combs reported that the large tree had extensive surface roots and that the foundation crack might be caused by the tree. He agreed there was evidence of driveway damage. He felt root pruning might mitigate concerns. Mr. Kincaid and Ms. Dollar felt it was a very attractive tree and determined that the applicant did not have any receipts or documents about repair and damage evidence. Mr. Savory agreed there were surface roots, but was not convinced the foundation crack was a result of the tree root. Mr. Root felt it was a beautiful tree but was concerned about the co-dominant leader and the fragility of the tree’s structure in such a windy area. Mr. Combs noted cabling, bolting, and/or crown reduction could mitigate leader concerns. Mr. Ritter favored retaining the tree and did not feel undue hardship had been presented. Mr. Ritter moved to deny the request, as he could not make any of the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 3.910 BOUGAINVILLEA (3 Brazilian peppers) Jim Hobbs, Santa Lucia Hills HOA representative, discussed the removal request and cited damage to one of the homes, walkway displacement, and minor curb cracking. He stated one of the trees was growing over the house’s chimney. He was concerned about possible foundation damage. He noted the trees had been pruned frequently and were particularly fast growing. He agreed to replace them with three trees planted in the parkway area. Mr. Combs reported that these were medium-sized vigorous trees and were part of the development’s landscape plan. Mr. Ritter felt these were a problem species in lawns. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal of the three trees, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required three 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Root seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 4.328 E. FOOTHILL BLVD. (Podicarpus) 3 Rich Roche, renter and applicant’s representative, discussed the owner’s removal request. He stated the large tree had been pruned and was fast-growing, was right on the fence line and was impacting the power and sewer lines. The applicant was also concerned about possible mold issues created by the constant shading and wanted to replace it with a Redbud in the front yard. Mr. Pellemeier recapped a letter submitted by the property owner, citing the same issues being discussed. Mr. Combs reported that it was a large, multi-stem specimen that had caused some fence damage and possible sewer line intrusion. Ms. Dollar felt it was a skyline tree and located far enough away from the house. She suggested a water leak might be causing the mold and did not think sewer line issues were a reason for removal at this point. She suggested pruning the tree to allow for more light. Mr. Savory favored retaining the tree and pruning the lateral limbs. Ms. Dollar moved to deny the request, as she could not make any of the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 5.3433 ROBERTO COURT (Eucalyptus) Mark Elliott, APCD representative, discussed the application and noted that two oaks by the eucalyptus would thrive with that tree’s removal. He was also concerned about the tree’s low-hanging limbs over the parking lot. Mr. Combs reported it was a large, healthy tree. Mr. Kincaid felt it was an attractive tree but was concerned about the oaks’ survival if the eucalyptus was not removed. Mr. Ritter agreed the oaks would grow into the eucalyptus and cause problems, but was more concerned about the question of removing one healthy specimen (eucalyptus) to favor another preferred species (oaks). The Committee discussed the best overall long-term plan for the trees involved and at present, did not think removal criteria could be found. Mr. Kincaid moved to deny the request, as he could not make any of the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Savory seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 4 NEW BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier discussed the seven items listed on the agenda. Mr. Kincaid asked staff for an official Tree Division document/flyer that outlined front yard street tree planting program. Mr. Kincaid also discussed a grass roots movement to encourage PG&E to place power lines underground. There was Committee discussion on the Master Street Tree list portion of the website that would include 1) a “hot” link to either a general info page or specific tree species info page for each listed tree; 2) sort the trees by size category; 3) allow a download of the Excel spreadsheet. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Rinnell clarified that a permit would be required for the removal of the remaining eucalyptus tree at 2795 Johnson Ave. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs noted that a church group of volunteers would help clean up Laguna Lake on April 17. He also discussed the BeeBee St. citizen planting project. He reported that he had approved eight trees for removal this month. LIAISON REPORT 1.Tree Ordinance Update Mr. Pellemeier reported that update would be heard before Council on April 6, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Chair Matt Ritter indicated he would be able to attend the Council meeting. 2.Fine Appeal Mr. Pellemeier noted that there was going to be an appeal of an assessed fine on Islay. He informed the Committee there will be a half-page section in the next Resource newsletter (coming out in May) to educate residents about key points of the Tree Ordinance, including tree topping and permit requirements. The Committee agreed to email any input/changes to Mr. Pellemeier to include with staff recommendations to Council. 3.Myoporum species being attacked by pests 4.Ron Rinnell had been making his monthly fine payments. 5.Mayor’s Quarterly Luncheon on 4/8/10 It was determined that Mr. Kincaid would represent the Tree Committee at the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. to next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary