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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2010 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2010 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:David Hensinger, Ben Parker, and Matt Ritter STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT Greg Saenz, PG&E representative, discussed the various removal/replacement needs in the city in relation to power lines and discussed a corporate donation towards the replacement program when problem trees needed to be removed. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of September 27, 2010 Mr. Parker moved to approve the minutes as submitted.Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.167 CERRO COURT (2 Queen palms) Mr. Hensinger excused himself due to a possible conflict of interest. The applicant discussed the removal request, stating that the trees were damaging the driveway and planter boxes were damaging the brickwork. He also felt the trees were excessively drawing bats to his front entrance area. He requested to replace the trees with smaller species. Mr. Combs noted that the driveway damage appeared to be the result of improper installation and not the fault of the palms, although he agreed that proper driveway repairs would be easier if the palms were removed. Mr. Ritter agreed that the infrastructure issues were not the result of the trees and noted that the palms could be temporarily dug up to allow the driveway repairs and then replanted. He did not feel bats were particularly attracted to the palms. Mr. Parker agreed with Mr. Ritter’s comments. Mr. Parker moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for approval. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 2.320 MIRA SOL (Two pines) The applicant discussed the removal request and submitted letters from neighbors favoring the tree removals. She stated the trees had been topped and the trunks were now split, which posed a hazard. She stated limbs had been dropping and the 2 roots were damaging the retaining wall. She noted the large pinecones dented cars and fell on pedestrians. She asked to replace them with two different trees. Mr. Combs noted the trees were in moderate health with some structural problems that could result in weak crotch/limb attachments. Mr. Parker agreed that the splits created structural issues and insect infestations. He agreed the wall cracking might be due to roots and felt the damage and liability would just get worse as the trees grew. Mr. Hensinger felt the trees were providing value to the neighborhood, but agreed there were problems and favored removal with replacement. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and required replacement planting of two 15-gallon trees 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. 3.319 SANTA LUCIA (Coast live oak) The applicant discussed the removal request and was concerned with the lean over the neighbor’s house and reported that the roots had caused problems with the sewer and concrete slab. She noted that the property was already heavily planted. Mr. Combs reported that the tree was healthy, but could be damaging the border/slab areas. He stated that multiple live oaks were on the property in better locations. Mr. Parker noted a severe wound at the based of the tree that was rotting and felt the tree was in a poor location and would cause more problems in the future. The rest of the Committee agreed with previous comments. Mr. Parker moved to approve the request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and required 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. Hensinger seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 4.1238 CORAL (Canary Island pine) There was no applicant or representative to speak to the item. 5.1110-1116 ORCUTT RD (7 lemon-scented gums) Matt Bertness, applicant’s representative, discussed the falling limbs and the liability concerns for the apartment complex on the property, as well as for tenants and their vehicles. 3 Mr. Combs agreed that limb drop could be a problem, but felt that proper maintenance could mitigate those concerns. Mr. Hensinger felt the trees were significant in the area and did not favor removal. Mr. Parker moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for approval. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 6.1401 HIGUERA (2 London plane) The applicant discussed the removal request, noting that one tree had been taken over by a vigorous cedar, which was the tree he preferred. He felt both trees in question were failing to thrive and causing issues with the sewer line; he had receipts to document. He discussed replanting and a landscape plan. Mr. Combs agreed that the medium-sized trees were not thriving and were creating some root-based damage. Mr. Parker agreed the trees were failing to thrive and favored removal with implementation of the landscaping plan. Mr. Hensinger agreed with the comments. There was discussion with staff about planting a replacement tree in the empty wells across the street to improve the look of the area. Mr. Combs said it would need to be added to their already-impacted, under-staffed watering program, but allowed it could be added. Mr. Parker moved to approve the request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and required replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree next to the driveway and one 15-gallon tree planted in the vacant tree well across the street; species to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss at this time. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier recapped discussion of Advisory Body goals and outlined previous Committee goals that had been submitted. Mr. Ritter felt that a requested goal should be strongly put forth to increase funds and staffing. There was staff and Committee discussion, resulting in the following stated goal for submission to Council: 4 1. Increase the operating budget and staffing for the Urban Forest (Program 50220 Tree Maintenance) Why?To ensure the vitality of our urban forest, where trees are trimmed on a regular basis, trees are replaced, new trees are planted and all the trees within the city are cared for in a manner that adds value to the city. San Luis Obispo has been a Tree City USA, for 27 consecutive years now since 1983. How? (In priority) A. Increase staffing by adding a third full time position to the Tree Crew. Three people are the industry standard sized crew for most efficient tree trimming. B. Increase staffing by converting the young tree care specialist to a full- time position. This position has been a temporary worker for eight years. C. Increase budget for one year to purchase a stump grinder for Tree crew for $30,000.00. D. Increase the tree budget by $10,000.00 a year to keep up with necessary tools, training, education and operating expenses. The city currently has four certified arborists on staff. All three full-time positions and one “temporary” worker are certified arborists. These increases will help to bring the city closer to parity with other cities of a similar population and number of trees. The City has almost 19,000 street and park trees that are cared for by the Urban Forestry Crew. Many cities with a similar population or number of trees under their care have much larger budgets and personnel for the Urban Forest. The Committee also discussed the upcoming Arbor Day and agreed to judge the Art/Poetry contest entries at 5 p.m. on March 24, 2011. LIAISON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier discussed the Cal Trans Heritage Tree ceremony and reported that the event had good attendance and was a positive media event. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reported that he had approved 14 trees to be removed. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, November 22, 2010. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary