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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-2008 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE CORPORATION YARD MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT:Sara Young, Ellen Dollar, Allen Root, and Ben Parker STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs TREE ORDINANCE WORKSHOP (4pm – 5pm) There was specific Committee/staff discussion on the “Preservation and Protection” and “Heritage Trees” sections (See attached TreeOrdWork Revised 5.1.08.doc) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. 1.APPROVAL APRIL 7, 2008 MINUTES The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVALS 1275 FERNWOOD (Modesto Ash) Mr. Pellemeier discussed the history of the removal process in Area 2. He reported that the tree was re-evaluated and deemed too large for the tree well and was creating extensive hardscape lifting and driveway damage. He stated the area around the tree was not ADA compliant and posed a trip hazard and that ramping the area would create continuous maintenance problems. He stated that a bulb-out and property encroachment solution would adversely affect the viability of the tree and would create drainage issues. He noted that there were 11 mid-sized trees in the view line, so removing this tree would not adversely affect the neighborhood. He stated that the City requested to remove the tree, repair the damage, and replant with a more appropriate species. Mr. Combs noted that the tree had achieved only 50% of its possible growth size and had very large roots. Mr. Parker determined through discussion with staff that all retention options had been considered and that none of them proved a long-term solution. Ms. Young moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the City’s infrastructure and maintenance crews, and approved the City’s recommendation for replanting plan. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 68 Verde (Italian Stone pine) Mike Balanzateguia, applicant’s representative, discussed the damage to the roof eaves and the structure’s framing. He said the root damage was extensive and had affected sewer and sprinkler lines. He stated the tree was too large for the area. He submitted a package of receipts and invoices for repairing damage. Mr. Combs felt there was some pressure building on the retaining wall due to the roots and that the sewer line issues were due to cracks in the line itself. He felt it was a fairly healthy, mature tree. Ms. Dollar felt it was a healthy, valuable tree that added to the character of the neighborhood and was a good shade tree. Mr. Parker recommended that the property owner look into replacing the sewer line, since that posed the most issues, and that replacing the line would probably be less expensive than removing the tree. Mr. Parker moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Ms. Young seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2925 McMILLAN (Eucalyptus) There was no applicant to speak to the item; the item was withdrawn from the agenda. . 1524 BALBOA Mr. Combs noted that he had already approved the tree for removal, due to undue hardship. The item was withdrawn from the agenda. 1022 DEL RIO (Italian Stone pine) Mr. Combs noted the tree was not very healthy and had caused some sidewalk displacement. Sean Lee, applicant’s representative, discussed the reports of damage from the property owners, stating that sewer problems and sidewalk lifting had occurred and that the roots were encroaching on the neighbor’s property. He did not think corrective pruning would be viable and felt the large limbs presented a liability. He discussed replacement planting. Ms. Dollar felt the tree was a neighborhood asset. Mr. Parker was concerned about the lack of evidence of damage. Mr. Parker moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Ms. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Between CALIFORNIA BLVD. and the RAILROAD TRACKS (Misc. trees) Dan Van Beveran, city representative and project manager of the Bike Trail segments, discussed the details of the RR Safety Trail (Class I bikeway). He stated the construction of the new bikeway required removal of several trees and presented the development plan for Tree Committee input. He noted there was not a lot of space for planting trees. He stated none of the line of palms would be removed. He stated he did not want to culvert along the riparian area by Foothill Creek and wanted to keep it as an open drainage channel, with the installation of a pre-fabricated bicycle bridge. He reported that construction would start south of Foothill Blvd. around June 1. Mr. Root determined that the Phase 4A portion had not determined the number of trees to be removed. Mr. Parker was concerned about a “mono-design” and felt the plantings should not be dependent on one species. Mr. Combs noted that the some of the Foothill Blvd. trees by the railroad property could be retained and that the city could work with some inter-plantings between the palms, keeping removals at a minimum. He pointed out there were a lot of “volunteer” bushes and shrubs. Ms. Dollar favored the cork oaks at the south of the trail being retained and felt more cork oaks could be planted. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request as submitted and requested that the largest cork oak at Taft St. be evaluated for retention. Mr. Root seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ON-GOING BUSINESS 1.Tree Ordinance Update Review and Confirm the Outline for the Tree Ordinance Revisions There was very detailed discussion on several language and intent aspects of the Ordinance draft. (See Staff Attachments) It was agreed that further review would commence at 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the next regular meeting. ARBORIST REPORT 1.Arbor Day Staff reported that Arbor Day had been very successful and that the event was very organized this year. Mr. Pellemeier discussed efforts to make it a larger event and that Ken Hampian, the mayor, and council had all expressed appreciation for the event. He discussed the scope of the event being pumped up this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary and whether this would now be the standard for the event level or if future celebrations would be scaled back a bit. Mr. Root felt future ceremonies should be more about outreach and education, as opposed to celebratory. Mr. Parker agreed that perhaps 30th and 40th anniversaries could be larger events again, but interim years should be more low key. He suggested tie-ins to specific school sites or businesses “adopting” a section of town and tie-ing plantings and events to that school or business. ON-GOING BUSINESS Mr. Pellemeier discussed the work progressing in Area 3 and that so far, only seven problem areas had appeared between Broad and Tank Farm. Mr. Parker discussed the CCR’s being dedicated to deterring homeowners from removing required trees after they had been planted. Mr. Pellemeier discussed various fines that had recently been levied against ordinance infractions and that those funds were put in the tree nursery fund. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. for a Work Session and a 5:00 p.m. public meeting. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary