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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-27-2007 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE CORPORATION YARD MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT:Ben Parker, Katie Thaxter, Craig Kincaid, and Sara Young STAFF PRESENT:Keith Pellemeier and Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 1.APPROVAL JULY 23, 2007 MINUTES The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVALS MISSION SLO (Silk Floss) Mr. Pellemeier discussed the update on the removal application for the tree at the Mission. He outlined his memo regarding Greg Hind’s private offer to pay to move the tree into an empty planter on Chorro Street and reported that the tree’s survivability was considered to be high with good maintenance. He noted that the City tree crew would need to prune it prior to moving and that the moving process was complicated and would coordinated between Valley Crest tree service, City staff, Mr. Hind, and the Mission representatives. The project was anticipated to be successful and would move forward in the late fall/early winter. He agreed to list the item as an on-going Arborist Report item on future agendas so the Committee would be updated. Lionel Johnston, Growing Ground representative, had considered suggesting the tree be moved to the Nativity Church site on Daly Street but in light of the solution presented, he instead discussed the desire for planting Canyon Oaks at the empty site adjacent to the parking lot. TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE TWO 2377 HELENA (Modesto Ash) The Committee recapped the item previously heard at their last meeting, noting that they had been unable to vote on it due to a lack of a quorum. There was no new information received on the item. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring a replacement 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Thaxter seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Young abstaining due to a conflict of interest. The Committee suggested the Raywood Ash be added to the Master Street Tree List and felt it would be a good specimen for this area. 2833 FLORA (Ash) Mr. Combs reported that the applicant had contacted him and requested the item be heard at the next regular meeting, due to her scheduling conflict. The item was continued to the next regular meeting. 1987 WILDING LANE (Melaleuca) The applicant discussed large limb droppage about two years ago and stated that cars park under the very large and old tree. He was concerned about liability and hazard issues and stated that the tree could not be properly pruned in its current condition. He suggested replacing the tree with a Crepe Myrtle. Mr. Combs agreed it was a problem tree, with a history of breakage. Mr. Parker felt both trees on the property seemed to present problems and suggested to the applicant that if the property were slated to be re-landscaped, it would make sense to deal with both of the trees at the same time. TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE THREE Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and that doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or the environment; he required a replacement 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Kincaid seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Eastside of Santa Barbara/High Sts. (13 misc. trees) Bridget Fraser, City representative, discussed the City’s removal request as it pertained to the CIP and the street widening/turn lane project. She also discussed the proposed replacement planting plan. She reiterated that thirteen trees were requested for removal and the replacement planting plan proposed planting twenty-one 24” box trees, including Maytens, Crepe Myrtle, Flowering Pear, and Camphors. Mr. Combs reported that Pacific Home Garden Center would also be moving three of their property’s pear trees closer to their entrance. PHGC also proposed to pay for the price difference to have larger-sized trees planted instead of 24” box species re the City’s replacement plan, as part of their parking lot landscaping project. Mr. Parker noted that the project could not move forward with the trees currently in place. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship and that such removals would not harm the character or environment of the neighborhood; he approved the replacement plan as presented, allowing that PHCG could increase the size and cover the payment for the proposed replacement trees as coordinated with the City Arborist. Ms. Thaxter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE FOUR Carolyn Botwin, 2566 Santa Clara, arrived to speak on the Helena St. removal, which has already been acted upon. She took the opportunity to suggest that further additional planting could be spaced in the barren 40’ parkway along the street and that several resident neighbors had agreed to donate to a matching- fund project for pruning work needed on the street. Mr. Pellemeier agreed to discuss the funding project with Ms. Botwin at her convenience. NEW BUSINESS 1.Initial Development of the Plans for Arbor Day School Program Mr. Pellemeier discussed the need to solidify the school programs proposed since classes were starting. The Committee agreed that the Art and Prose contest would continue for the lower grades and instituted the inclusion of a new Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt that would encourage classes to discover new Heritage Tree prospects in town and the chosen tree’s class would receive an ice cream party as the contest prize. OLD BUSINESS 1.Heritage Tree Update Mr. Pellemeier discussed his meeting with Ken Hampian and agreed that the new information discussed, as well as the new contest information, would be compiled for Mr. Hampian to take to Council for their review on the item. ON-GOING BUSINESS 1.Tree Ordinance Update Review and Confirm the Outline for the Tree Ordinance Revisions The Committee agreed that the outline was sufficient, with the following revisions: TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE FIVE Move “Appeals” and “Enforcement/Penalties” sections below “Tree Removals” Move “Heritage Trees” section to the end of the list The Committee discussed the basic outline for a revised ordinance and requested that the first three sections and their current text be presented in the next Agenda packet for advance review and revision discussion at the September meeting. ARBORIST REPORT 1.Citizen Foresters Mr. Combs discussed the recent meeting with the group and that after the planting at SLO Little Theatre, the group’s next meeting would move them out into the field to learn about root pulling and succor maintenance. He then felt “action groups” (2-4 people) could form to then perform light maintenance, with direction. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Pellemeier noted that the Advisory Body/Staff Training workshop would be held on September 20, 2007. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 24, 2007 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary