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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2010 TC MinutesTREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:Matt Ritter, David Hensinger, David Savory, Ben Parker, and Suzan Ehdaie STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Steve Williams PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of August 3, 2010 Mr. Savory moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.356 PATRICIA (Carob) The applicant discussed the removal request and stated that the tree was old and/or dying. A certified arborist had reported the tree had rot and almost a dozen large wounds that were not healing. He noted there was a large hollow approximately 2 feet off ground and that the rest of the trunk was not in good shape. Mr. Combs agreed the tree was in decline and decaying. The Committee agreed with the assessments. Mr. Savory 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 issuance of permit. Mr. Parker seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 2.167 CERRO CT. (2 QUEEN palms) There was no applicant or representative to speak to this item. 3.2001 SWAZEY (Coast live oak) The applicant discussed the removal request and the volunteer oak growing right on the property line, stating that the tree had significant lean and was destroying the fence and the building façade. He said he wanted to improve the property and rebuild the fence and noted that removing the oak would allow the nearby tree to thrive. Mr. Combs confirmed that the young oak was on the applicant’s property. He felt some pruning at the top might help the nearby tree to thrive. Mr. Savory, Mr. Hensinger, and Mr. Parker agreed it was a healthy oak with a significant lean. Ms. Ehdaie felt the tree provided nice shade and did not see much fence damage. Mr. Ritter felt it was the wrong tree in the wrong location. Mr. Parker 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 issuance of permit. Ms. Ehdaie seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 4.677 MORRO (5 pines) Katherine Harutunian, applicant’s representative, discussed the large surface roots that were causing problems and stated the trees were too close to the retaining wall and causing damage. She was concerned with the trees falling in heavy winds. She discussed replacement plantings. Mr. Combs reported they were fairly healthy trees planted in a random pattern and not part of the development plan. Ms. Ehdaie stated she favored removal with replacement planting.Mr. Parker agreed, noting that the trees were becoming stressed.Mr. Ritter and Mr. Hensinger agreed with comments. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of a minimum of three 15- gallon trees 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. 5.APPEAL BY SAN LUIS CEMETARY (3 pines, 1 oak) Sandra Smith, 2890 S. Higuera, appellant, discussed the purchase of the property and subsequent maintenance and the endowment situation of the property in terms of maintenance. She acknowledged that a clear mistake had been made in their removing the trees in the manner they did, pleading finances and misunderstanding of parameters and ordinance requirements. Leland Smith, appellant, discussed the large amount of planting and landscaping they were planning for the cemetery and noted that only three of the trees they had removed were in question and stated that those trees appeared to be diseased and failing. Robert Schreiber, arborist, acknowledged that his clients made a mistake. He discussed the background of tree work on the property and the current valuation process employed to determine the fine and felt in fairness, the fine should be reduced to only $1000- $1500.00. Mr. Combs discussed the city’s fine process and felt the trees in question were not as diseased as the appellants presumed. Mr. Ritter clarified that Mr. Schreiber’s evaluation of the trees’ conditions, as outlined in his revised fine estimate, might be more accurate in terms of their value due to Mr. Schreiber’s history of working on site. Mr. Ritter further stated that the Smiths seemed tree-supportive and had a strong planting plan in place. He did not support upholding the fine in light of their mistake and planting plans. He suggested requiring a set quantity of additional trees to be planted in lieu of financial payment. Mr. Parker stated he agreed with the “payment” in extra trees planted. Mr. Combs estimated that an additional 30 24”-box trees would be sufficient. Mr. Parker moved to dismiss the fine and require 30 24” box trees to be planted on site at the rate of 10 trees annually for the next three years. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier discussed the Branch Street tree situation, noting that out of 48 American elms, 16 were in poor condition and several had priority removal status. He discussed the replacement planting progress and staggering the work to avoid clear-cutting and promote a staged urban forest. He also discussed the Urban Forest Council partnership and the October 23 planting. OLD BUSINESS There was no discussion LIAISON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier reported that the Cal Trans Heritage Tree project for the nine trees was a Consent Item at the Sept. 7 Council meeting. He stated holding the 2011 Arbor Day celebration at Mitchell Park was now moving forward for Saturday, April 9. He suggested included planting four magnolia trees. The Committee agreed to judge the school artwork after the March 28, 2011 regular Tree Committee meeting. He further discussed the fire-damaged trees at Cabo San Luis and stated the redwoods were not approved for removal. He also noted that Mr. Combs had spent time pruning with the “Downtown Foresters” group last month. ARBORIST REPORT There was no report at this time. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, September 27, 2010. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary