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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-2009 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT:Matt Ritter, Ellen Dollar, David Savory, and Allen Root STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT Greg Saenz, PG&E representative, discussed the upcoming ISA Panel session and noted that PG&E had a Removal Replacement program that dealt with unsuitable tree species interfering with power lines. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of September 28, 2009 Ms. Dollar moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Savory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1.1408 JOHNSON (Date palm) Mr. Pellemeier discussed the prior approval for removal, which was scheduled to be appealed to Council. He stated Ms. Dollar had requested the Tree Committee review the application again prior to further appeal and that the applicant was considering withdrawing the application. Mr. Ritter reiterated the discussion and noted the need for maintenance was not a valid reason for removal or hardship. He reminded the Committee that he and Mr. Savory had offered to assist the elderly applicant with some possible alternatives to having her do the maintenance herself. Mr. Ritter moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for approval. Mr. Root seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2 2.1053 ISLAY (2 eucalyptus) There was no applicant or representative present to discuss the request. Staff agreed to contact the applicant to determine if they intended to move forward with the removal request and if it should be slated for the next agenda. 3.1527 ROYAL (6 pines) There was no applicant or representative present to discuss the request. Staff agreed to contact the applicant to determine if they intended to move forward with the removal request and if it should be slated for the next agenda. 4. 1035 SUNROSE (Three small trees, two poplars and one birch) Deven Langley, Property Manager for HOA spoke. Trees are large, too big for area and damaging sidewalk. She did not know what kind of trees they were. Ron Combs stated they were two large healthy poplars and one large healthy alder near the creek bank. Ms. Dollar saw lots of small cottonwoods (poplars) that could be removed. Mr. Root observed these large trees would do well in an open field. Ms. Dollar made a motion to allow the removal of two trees and to retain the third tree. Two replacement trees were required to be planted. The motion passed unanimously. 5. 1730 SANTA ROSA (Date palm) Curt Illingworth, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the new unit development. He submitted plans for site development and stated he intended to plant two palms as possible replacements. Ron Rinnell, Bunyan Brothers, stated the tree created undue hardship for the applicant’s plan to development and use of the property within the restrictions. He also noted the litter could cause a liability issue on the deck area. Mr. Combs reported it was a large healthy tree approximately 70 years old and that 24” box would be appropriate replacement size. Ms. Dollar felt the palm was a skyline tree and that there were several date palms in the area. She felt the shed could be relocated to accommodate the tree. Mr. Ritter discussed maintenance issues associated with this species and such maintenance was not a reason for removal. He reported he had discussed the application with Planning Dept. representatives Brian Lavelle and Doug Davidson, who had agreed 3 to work with variances and parking issues to help accommodate retaining the tree, while still allowing the development of the property. Mr. Savory and Mr. Root did not feel findings for removal could be made, especially since the development plan could be altered to allow the tree to stay and still provide maximum property use. Ms. Dollar moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the findings necessary for approval. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier discussed possible dates for the next Arbor Day celebration. Barrie Valencia, One Cool Earth representative, discussed a possible collaboration between her group and the City for Arbor Day activities. Mr. Saenz stated PG&E would be interested in participating as well. OLD BUSINESS 1. Heritage Trees at Cal Trans Mr. Pellemeier discussed the walk-through evaluation of the proposed tree list and stated seven trees were identified as significant: 5 Sycamores, one Queen Palm and one Blackwood Acacia. Mr. Root and Mr. Savory stated they were unable to make the site visit and would do so separately in order to confirm the recommendation for the seven trees to be added to the City’s Heritage Tree list. ARBORIST REPORT 1. Tree at New Dispatch Center Mr. Combs noted a medium-sized Tristania was removed and replaced with two Western Redbuds at the new dispatch center. 2. Tree Removal Application Mr. Combs discussed on-going procedure to stop the possibility of doing an “end-run” within the ARC tree protection plan. 3. Storm Damage Report Mr. Combs discussed the on-going clean-up of the large number of trees that were damaged or lost in the last storm. LIAISON REPORT 1. Tree Appeal to Council – 546 Higuera Mr. Pellemeier recapped the appeal request. 2. Update of 3 Palms on California Blvd. 4 Mr. Pellemeier stated that the plans had been revamped to move three palms 6 feet to allow them to be retained. 3. Buchon St. Redwood Mr. Pellemeier noted that the redwood the Committee had denied removing had been pruned and the tree looked beautiful. The TC did a great job. 4. Advisory Body Training Update Mr. Pellemeier reported that Ken Hampian had discussed general meeting procedures and the City attorney did a presentation on ethics training. Mr. Root noted that the street trees planted by Hawthorne School looked good; Mr. Combs noted they had recently been damaged. Mr. Root also reported that a large limb was hung up in the tree located at 435 Branch. It was confirmed there would be no December Tree Committee meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. to next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary