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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-2008 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CORPORATION YARD TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT:Sara Young, Ellen Dollar, Allen Root, Ben Parker and Craig Kincaid STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs TREE ORDINANCE WORKSHOP (4:30pm – 5pm) There was specific Committee/staff discussion on the “Definitions” section. It was agreed that staff would incorporate all the changes and the Committee would take time prior to the next regular meeting to forward any further comments to staff. Staff will then present a final process recap at the next regular meeting, before taking the document to other Public Works staff downtown then to legal and Administration staff. The final step after all staff had time to review and comment was to prepare a resolution,adopted by the City Council, to change the Tree ordinance. (See attached TreeOrdWork Revised 6.1.08.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 1032 SAN ADRIANO (Italian Stone Pine) Walter Weller, 1035 San Adriano, applicant representative, distributed letters from neighbors who were concerned about limb failure and the tree presenting a hazard. He stated it was too large and sickly for the area and that the lawn could not thrive due to roots, which were also presenting a trip hazard. He noted the sidewalk was lifting and the sap created parking limitations because no one would park under there. He said the applicant would agree to replacement planting. Mr. Combs agreed the tree was in declining health with poor vigor and that it was causing sidewalk damage. Ms. Dollar discussed the environmental value of the large tree remaining vs. planting a younger variety. Mr. Parker felt the tree was unhealthy and creating problems. Ms. Young was also concerned about the structure of the tree. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner and to promote good arboricultural practice and required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit, chosen from the Master Street Tree List. Mr. Root seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3960 S. HIGUERA (Italian Stone Pine) Pat Fleming, property manager, discussed the removal request and the root issues, including damaging the hardscape. He discussed the proposed planting plan. Mr. Combs noted it was a large tree with large surface roots. Ms. Dollar favored removing the tree by #55 and by the transformer. Mr. Parker noted there was hardscape damage to the neighboring property created by the other two trees Mr. Kincaid moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner and to accept the planting proposal as outlined. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 68 VERDE (Italian Stone Pine) The applicant discussed this second request for removal, reporting that the tree had caused a major water pipe to break and she submitted extensive documentation of the damage caused by the tree. She agreed to replacement planting of a more appropriate species. Mr. Parker felt the replacement tree needed to be of significant size to augment the neighborhood, which would be adversely affected by the removal of this large pine. Mr. Combs noted that utility pruning had occurred. Ms. Young moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner and required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit, chosen from the Master Street Tree List. Ms. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1740 SAN LUIS DRIVE (Eucalyptus) Mark Alonzo, appellant, discussed the appeal of the fine assessed to the illegal removal of the eucalyptus on his heavily-planted property. He discussed the extensive sewer problems that had been associated with the tree and the maintenance frustrations he had experienced. He stated he was taking responsibility for not following proper protocol for tree removals and admitted that he acted impulsively in ultimately removing the tree. He asked the Committee to please consider a reduction in the fine amount. There was general staff/Committee discussion of the events that led up to the fine. Mr. Combs stated the fine was based on the size, condition and species of the tree and was rated at approximately 70-80% of the full value of this tree. Mr. Pellemeier reported that it was not a professional tree service that had removed the tree and that the site of the tree was now bricked over. Hana Novak, co-appellant, apologized for the delay in responding to the numerous letters sent and stated she did not understand that her response was time-sensitive. She recapped the timeline of events and reminded the committee that when her husband had been apprised that there was a removal process to follow after removing @ 50% of the tree, they had applied for a removal permit. She acknowledged that her husband chose to have the tree 100% removed before that permit request could be reviewed. Ms. Dollar told the applicants that she understood the tree posed problems and she felt sympathy for their hardship but the tree removal process needs to be observed. She did not feel the applicants’ actions had been appropriate and since the removal process had not been followed, the fine should be upheld as assessed. Mr. Parker expressed concern that the tree site had become a parking pad and that the loss of the tree had a significant negative impact on the neighborhood and the environment. Mr. Alonzo reiterated he was willing to admit he was wrong and will pay a fine but he wants a reduction in the fine. He stated that even though there were still many trees on his property, he would replant as directed. Ms. Dollar moved to deny the appeal and to accept the dollar amount assessed in a fine against the applicants. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Pellemeier noted that the denial could be appealed to Council. ON-GOING BUSINESS None at this time. ARBORIST REPORT NEW BUSINESS Liason: 1. Contact information for all Advisory Board members has been updated. Please check your information for accuracy and report to Mr. Pellemeier. 2. Staff has been busy working on Council Report on appeal of a tree to be removed at 1275 Fernwood. The appeal will be heard on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the city council Chambers. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary