The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04-23-2007 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE CORPORATION YARD MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT:Katie Thaxter, Michael Boudreau, Craig Kincaid, and Sara Young STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Keith Pellemeier, and Barbara Lynch PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 1.APPROVAL MARCH 26, 2007 MINUTES The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVALS 413 LUNETA (eucalyptus) Shaun Collarman, Greenvale Tree Co. and applicant’s representative, noted that the property had a sitting deck which was getting a lot of use and that the tree hung over the deck significantly. The owner had concerns about branches dropping and liability for pedestrians and tenants. Although it was a good-sized tree, Mr. Collarman pointed out that it was non-native and the applicant agreed to replace it with a more appropriate species. Mr. Combs agreed that it was a large, healthy tree that had the potential for limb drop and that there seemed to be evidence of past self-pruning littering. He said the tree had some questionable unions with included bark. He felt pruning could mitigate the liability risk, removing the end weight and branch thinning. Ms. Thaxter felt it was a skyline tree and was concerned about the lack of street trees in the area. She felt the canopy could be maintained with pruning and the ivy could be trimmed. She said the tree was a large, healthy specimen and that extensive littering was not a reason for removal. Ms. Young agreed that the tree was a skyline tree and that removing it would indeed harm the character of the neighborhood. Mr. Kincaid stated that while he had not been able to view the tree, based on the Committee and staff comments regarding mitigative pruning to reduce the liability concerns and the proposed loss of a significant skyline tree, he would not favor removal. Ms. Young moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings for removal. Ms. Thaxter seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Boudreau voting against. NEW BUSINESS 1.Welcome Two New Members The Committee welcomed new members Michael Boudreau and Craig Kincaid. 2.Elect Chair and Vice Chair Mr. Kincaid nominated Sara Young as Chair. Mr. Boudreau seconded the nomination. Ms. Young was unanimously voted as new Chair. Mr. Kincaid nominated Ben Parker as Vice-Chair. Mr. Boudreau seconded the nomination. Mr. Parker was unanimously voted as new Vice-Chair. 3.Review Quarterly Report Mr. Pellemeier noted that he prepared the report in the absence of Mr. Lopes and Mr. Parker. There was general Committee discussion. 4.Discuss Heritage Trees Mr. Pellemeier distributed the Heritage Tree draft document, which contained updated information on Heritage Tree listings. The Committee agreed to review the document and begin to make recommendations for additional Heritage trees to add to the list. Mr. Combs noted that the City would be celebrating 25 years of a Tree City USA designation in 2008 and suggested that if a new Heritage tree is selected, that new specimen could be announced at Arbor Day ’08. 5.Downtown Street Tree Management Plan Mr. Pellemeier reported on the Council document and discussed the CAO recommendation to adopt the Management Plan. He also discussed the contract work needed to implement the plan and stated that work should be completed by July. He also outlined Major Street tree species recommendations and goals for that plan. 6.Advisory Body Training Seminar Mr. Pellemeier discussed the memo sent regarding the September 20, 2007 training meeting. 7.Roster Update Mr. Pellemeier requested that members update their contact information roster for the Committee. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reported as follows: Arbor Day: Approximately 200 people attended, information booths had been set up and well attended, the Council was in attendance, and 10 Commemorative Trees had been planted Citizen Forester: A few people had signed up to get more information on the program. The BIA was interested in forming their own group to tend to the trees in the downtown area. The Citizen Forester effort was key in maintaining smaller efforts so staff could focus on the bigger jobs, He had allowed 20 trees to be removed upon request The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary