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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2009 TC Minutes 1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Sara Young, Vice-Chair Ben Parker, Ellen Dollar, Allen Root, and Craig Kincaid STAFF PRESENT: Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT Andrew Carter, Council liaison, discussed the by-law residency requirement for serving on advisory committees. City Clerk, Audrey Hooper was also present to answer questions. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of January 26, 2009 The minutes were approved as submitted. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 2410 Cima Ct. (Italian Stone pine) Stanley Reichenberg, applicant, discussed the removal request, stating that the roots have caused considerable damage to the driveway and garage floor. Mr. Combs agreed there was some walkway and driveway cracking and stated it was a healthy specimen that would grow much larger. Mr. Parker and Ms. Dollar confirmed there was a large crack in the garage floor caused by roots. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree 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. 2. 2980 Rockview Pl. (Six Sycamore) Julie Stowasser, homeowner association representative, discussed desire for sustainable plantings to supplement garden plots and requested removal to allow such planting as well as mitigate concerns about the large trees withstanding windstorms and utility topping methods. 2 Mr. Combs reported the trees were healthy and agreed the species should not be planted under utility lines. Ms. Dollar felt it would be years before the trees were large enough to create power line problems and noted a neighbor told her they favored retaining the trees, which were a neighborhood enhancement. Mr. Root favored the concept of planting edible species, such as vegetables and fruit and nut trees as proposed. Ms. Young moved to approve the removal request for the four sycamore trees along Sweeney Lane, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replacing them with four 15-gallon trees 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. 1370 Chorro St. (Mexican Weeping pine) Jeremy Lowney, applicant representative, discussed the problems with debris and roof maintenance and stated the tree interfered with new construction plans. Mr. Combs reported the tree was a healthy, attractive specimen. The Committee discussed the removal request. It was noted to be a gorgeous tree in that location and an unusual pine and a skyline tree as well. Mr. Kincaid moved to deny the request, as he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. 2801 Johnson (eucalyptus) Jeremy Lowney, representing Manderly Properties, stated the large tree was leaning badly and was 5’ from the concrete wall. It created structural issues and posed a limb breakage hazard and he felt it should be removed before it got larger and caused further problems. Mr. Combs noted it was a healthy, fast-growing tree. Mr. Kincaid noted the site had a lot of eucalyptus and this one had a split in trunk. Ms. Dollar noted it leaned towards house and made a motion to approve removal of tree based on good arboricultural practice and required a 15 gallon replacement from the master street tree list to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3 5 & 7- 1745 & 1750 De Anza Ct. (Monterey pines) Robert Nunn, 1745 De Anza, discussed the large overgrown trees, stating they littered heavily, prevented any additional landscaping around them, had shallow roots and therefore posed a toppling liability and possible limb drop hazard. Charles Herrera, 1750 De Anza, agreed with Mr. Nunn’s concerns and also was concerned about the city culvert cracking. He noted the nearby oak seedlings would thrive if the trees were removed. David Shanks, 1810 Castillo, favored removal because the trees were suffocating his Black Acacia and he was concerned about safety concerns with the trees’ falling/limb breakage. Mr. Combs stated the trees were relatively healthy and could grow much larger. Mr. Pellemeier stated that the city public works department would investigate the issues with the cracking culvert and repair, if necessary; if the trees were an issue, the city could request removal at that point. Ms. Young felt that both trees were healthy and agreed the city could repair the culvert to mitigate those concerns. Mr. Parker moved to deny the request as he could not find any of the three criteria for approving a tree removal. Mr. Root disagreed stating the tree has the potential to get much larger. Ms. Young seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Root voting against. 6. 288 Hermosa Way Kay Wardell, neighbor at 292 Hermosa Way, spoke on the applicants behalf. Mr. Combs stated it was a large Stone pine in declining health. Ms. Young moved to approve removal because the tree is unhealthy. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Audrey Hooper, City Clerk, requested that the Tree Committee plan on updating their by- laws on a bi-annual basis. 4 ON-GOING BUSINESS 1. Appeal of Administrative Fines at 64 & 70 Buena Vista Mr. Pellemeier reported that both fines had been reduced by $500/each. Mr. Roide agreed to pay $7,040.00 in three installments. Ms. Dollar suggested that utility bills contain an annual statement regarding the ordinance and fine requirements regarding tree removals without seeking a permit. Ms. Dollar discussed the Cal Trans Heritage Tree Grove program and requested the item be put on the next meeting agenda for further Committee discussion. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs had no report at this time. LIASON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier had no report at this time. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary