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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2007 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE CORPORATION YARD MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT:Jim Lopes, Katie Thaxter, and Sara Young STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Keith Pellemeier, and Barbara Lynch PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 1.APPROVAL FEBRUARY 26, 2007 MINUTES The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVALS 3534 & 3548 EMPLEO (Misc. trees) Shaun Collarman, owner Greenvale Tree Co., applicant’s representative, discussed the specific site plan and list of trees specified for removal. He noted the large sycamores and Canary Island pines should be removed and favored retaining the birch and remaining pines, to lessen the removal impact. Mr. Combs stated he had talked to the CDD and they were satisfied with the removal request and requested 15-gallon replacement trees installed in the middle strip to provide shade for the parking lot. The Committee discussed each tree requested to be removed. Mr. Lopes suggested having the owner contract for monthly maintenance and landscape review to mitigate the ivy intrusion and maintain the health of the trees. He also felt the pine at 3534 Empleo could be removed and replaced with a birch of London Plane. Mr. Collarman suggested three Podocarpus 15-gallon species as replacement trees at the rear planter and putting two birches in the front section. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required five 15-gallon replacement trees: three to be planted in the rear planter area between the properties; one birch to be planted in front of 3534 Empleo; and one birch to be planted in front of the divider area. All plantings should occur within 45 days of issuance of removal permit. Ms. Young seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 416 HATHWAY (Two Cypress) Chip Tamagni, PO Box 1311, Templeton, arborist/applicant’s representative, recapped the removal request and noted that the owner was willing replant the same species. Mr. Combs noted that both older trees had structural flaws and he basically agreed with the findings in the hazard report submitted. He felt the report evidenced liability issues. Mr. Lopes asked Mr. Tamagni if there was room on the property for the young cypress replacement tree. Mr. Tamagni replied that a 24” box could be planted in the front area. Ms. Young moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner and to promote good arboricultural practice, and required one 24” box large evergreen species to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of removal permit. Ms. Thaxter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1.Review Advisory Body Bylaws and Make Changes for City Council to Approve Ms. Young to accept the amendments as presented by staff. Ms. Thaxter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Pellemeier noted that the City Clerk needed to swear in the new Tree Committee member at the top of the next meeting and that the Committee needs to elect a new Chair/Vice Chair at that meeting. 2.Arbor Day Update Mr. Combs noted that Arbor Day activities would commence on April 21, 2007 and that he would be collecting the art/prose items from teachers by April 5 and the Committee agreed to judge the items at 5 p.m. on April 10, 2007. Ms. Thaxter reported that she had a distribution list for interested Citizen Foresters and would contact them to invite them to the Arbor Day activities and discuss their future involvement. Mr. Pellemeier said that a church group was coming out to pre-dig the holes and weed whack the area. He was also getting donations from Starbucks and Trader Joe’s for refreshments. He also noted that some groups would be involved with tree planting and some with information booths (e.g. Land Conservancy). He said a PSA had been drafted and distributed to the media. Ms. Lynch agreed to review and update pertinent slides for promotion on Channel 20. Mr. Lopes suggested using the hour-long video that Bev Ging had to run on Channel 20, which discussed the loss of urban forests and mitigating measures. Mr. Pellemeier agreed to follow up with the Clerk’s office. ON-GOING BUSINESS 1.Tree Ordinance Update There was general discussion on update comments. Mr. Lopes outlined his, including: All removal decision makers should be subject to the same required findings as the Tree Committee Tree removal applications should require inclusion of a vicinity map Goals should be clearly listed under Purpose/Intent section Some definitions needed to be clarified: Location of street trees should be defined as 10’ back What constitutes a street tree and what the city should/should not be responsible for re that tree Clarify different types of actions and fines allowable for various infractions “Master Tree List” should be re-named “List of Trees for Major Streets” Clarify “planting plans” section Address trees on private streets Large subdivision planting plans should be reviewed by Tree Committee Simplify Residential tree planting section Clarify “Street Tree Planting” requirements Section C of “Procedures” was confusing Regarding section on property owner responsibilities, remove “adjacent” Clarify what constitutes major streets in maintenance section 120 Fines and penalties need to be outlined re Protection of Trees and need to clarify the intent of which trees are under city jurisdiction Ms. Young noted that the City of Dana Point had a good definition of “street tree.” ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reported as follows: Frost Damage: Applied for relief money was OES, but trees aren’t considered part of “infrastructure.” Application for Street Tree Inventory project grant had been denied He had allowed 20 trees to be removed upon request The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting of Monday, April 23, 2007 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary