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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2008 TC Minutes1 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CORPORATION YARD MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT:Sara Young, Ellen Dollar, Allen Root, Craig Kincaid, and Ben Parker STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve W illiams, City SLO/Tree Maintenance employee, distributed suggestions to be included in the Tree Ordinance discussion. He was invited to stay and participate in the Tree Ordinance Update discussion during the On-Going Business portion of the meeting. 1.APPROVAL May 27, 2008 MINUTES The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVALS 1407 NIPOMO (Elm) Tracy Hope, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated that a tree had already fallen and hit the power lines and that a neighbor had to remove similar tree due to problems and that both trees were hollow with decay. She was concerned that her remaining tree was decayed and hollow and noted it had been severely topped. She was further concerned about safety and liability issues for pedestrians, property, and cars. Mr. Combs reported it was a large, mature specimen in decline. He stated it had been topped at @ 14’ and that there was some significant evidence of decay in the upper portions and the pruning cuts had been severe. He noted the vigorous shoots were weakly attached. He did not believe the tree was as hollow as the prior trees discussed. Sean Collarman, Greenvale Tree Service, discussed poor wound closures in the tree and reported the tree was hollow at the top with weak limbs. He believed more pruning would virtually just leave a trunk and agreed with the potential for liability issues. 2 Barbara Holcomb, 1415 Nipomo, discussed the tree that had been removed, which had severe limb droppage before it was taken out. She felt Ms. Hope’s tree was in worse condition and decline than the removed tree had been. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting 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. Kincaid seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1616 ROYAL WAY (Liquid Ambar) Teresa Larson, applicant, discussed the removal request for the City to remove the extremely large tree planted in the city parkway. She believed such removal should be the City’s responsibility and expense. She discussed the extensive roots that were creating sewer problems and noted that evidence of the root system ran throughout the cul de sac. She stated the tree was located within 3’ of the water meter and was concerned that the roots would further lift/break the water line. She stated the same concerns for her gas line, located near the tree as well. She noted that roots were creating sidewalk damage and forcing her to have to re-do her driveway due to damage and that they presented a trip hazard. She reiterated that the tree was too large for the narrow area and was causing too much hardscape damage. She submitted a re-landscaping plan. Ernie Martin, 1610 Royal Way, agreed with the removal request and stated the tree roots were causing trip hazards and posed a threat to utility lines. Mr. Combs reported that it was a mature tree that will continue to grow and cause further damage. He felt root pruning was too temporary a fix to the problem. Mr. Pellemeier discussed the joint responsibility between the City and the homeowner for the tree and its removal and outlined that the City tree crews would not be available to be in that area for another two to three years in their rotation. He stated that Ms. Larson could remove the tree in the meantime and be responsible for the cost and the City would agree to schedule and perform the curb/gutter replacement/repair work as soon as feasible, at the City’s expense. Ms. Larson stated again that the tree was the City’s responsibility and was not only causing problems to her property, but also creating City maintenance issues, liabilities, and causing hardscape damage to City property. She reiterated that the tree should therefore be removed at the City’s expense 3 Ms. Dollar 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, contingent upon site planting location being feasible and coordinated with City Arborist. Mr. Kincaid seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ON-GOING BUSINESS 1.TREE REGULATION UPDATE Mr. Williams discussed his recommendations for inclusion in the Tree Ordinance. Mr. Pellemeier noted that some of the suggestions were already covered in sections of other agency ordinances. The Committee discussed comments forwarded from Barbara Lynch regarding original plantings requested for removal that were part of a development process and/or use permit. It was believed that the question of removals was handled within the regulation process, but if Ms. Lynch wanted to suggest some clarifying language on the point, the Committee would review it. After some additional general discussion of recommendations and inclusions, Mr. Pellemeier agreed to contact the Committee to request any additional comments or concerns within the next two weeks and then agreed to bring back a final draft for Committee review and recommendation to move forward. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reported that his department had removed a total of nine trees, based on his internal removal criteria. LIAISON REPORT Mr. Pellemeier reported that the removal approval granted to the City by the Tree Committee for the tree at 1275 Fernwood was appealed by the property owner and neighbors and that the Council agreed to uphold the appeal. He noted that an appeal for the fine assessed for the 1740 San Luis Drive illegal removal will be heard by Council on July 1, 2008 and that to-date staff costs in processing and managing this claim are estimated to be approximately 4 $3000.00. He suggested that in the future, staff costs be added to the fine structure for reimbursement. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Dollar noted two Dana Street suggestions for Heritage Tree designations, along with one tree located at the very top of Highland Drive, by the base of Bishop’s Peak. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary