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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-2006 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2006 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Lopes, Katie Hall, Don Dollar, Ben Parker and Sara Young STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Todd Beights, and Lisa Woske SWEARING IN: The City Clerk swore in Katie Hall as a member of the Tree Committee. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 27, 2006 The minutes were approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS -- 1570 PENNY (Eucalyptus) The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by the applicant, which stated that they could not be in attendance and outlined the details of the removal request. Mr. Lopes noted that per the Ordinance, the property needed to be reviewed by the ARC first and then the ARC determinations submitted for City staff recommendations. The Tree Committee would review the project if there were a conflict at that point within the recommendations and approvals. Mr. Parker moved to continue the removal application until it was determined whether ARC approval was required for this property and its tree removals. Ms. Young seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 1173 LAUREL LANE (Eucalyptus) There was no one to speak to the item. The Committee reiterated the need for applicant attendance. Mr. Dollar moved to continue the item until the applicant would be present. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 1343 PACIFIC (Two bottle trees) The applicant discussed the removal request, noting sidewalk and driveway damage and stated that the limbs seemed to be dying. He wanted to replace the trees with Ginkos. Dr. Matt Ritter, neighbor, submitted a letter favoring the removal of the trees for the reasons cited by the applicant. Mr. Combs agreed that the trees were decayed and supported their removal and replacement with Ginkos. Mr. Dollar felt the tree closer to Johnson Avenue had obvious decay issues and both trees were growing into the power lines. He agreed there was hardscape damage and severe root system issues. He favored removal to promote good arboricultural practice. Ms. Young agreed, but did not favor Ginkos as a replacement because they too will grow too tall. Ms. Young moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 532 DANA (Three Monterey pines) The applicant reminded the Committee that she has been before them previously with removal requests. Mr. Lopes discussed problems with the three Monterey pines cited in the submitted arborist’s report. The applicant stated that her homeowner’s insurance would be cancelled due to liability issues with the trees and their littering of needles as a fire hazard if the trees were not removed. She also stated the roots were causing damage to the garage foundation and that the roots could not be trenched because they were too large. She was also concerned about problems with wind and rain and stated keeping the trees was creating a very stressful situation for her. Mr. Combs agreed the large pines were ruining the garage foundation and that the damage had increased since the trees were before the Committee a year ago. He stated they were fairly healthy but not as vigorous. The applicant stated she had the trees topped to take some of the weight off and to mitigate liability to her own property and to the neighbor’s property. Mr. Combs noted that the topping had changed the structure and growth pattern on the trees and was not recommended as a good arboricultural practice. Mr. Dollar detailed the arborist report and stated a concern that any replacement trees planted would not be maintained. The applicant assured him that she had continued to care for her trees and her property for over three decades. Mr. Parker agreed with the evidence of damage to the garage and felt the tree were creating undue hardship for the applicant and would just get larger. He agreed the trees were negatively impacting the neighbor property as well. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required three 15-gallon replacement trees of a riparian species, e.g. California sycamore, to be chosen from the Master Street Tree and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Young seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Brian Lavielle, Planning Dept., made a presentation and held discussion on CEQA determinations and parameters. He discussed categorical exemptions and environmental impacts and affects within the requirements. Mr. Lopes clarified details and distinctions for exemptions and habitat issues, as well as cumulative effects. After general discussion, it was agreed that when reviewing a removal request, staff would initially determine if CEQA would be an issue and if so, the CDD will assist in making that determination prior to Tree Committee review. VICE CHAIR ELECTION Mr. Lopes nominated Mr. Parker as the Committee Vice Chair. Mr. Dollar seconded the nomination. Mr. Parker was unanimously voted in as Vice Chair. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs recapped the details of Councilwoman Christine Mulholland’s email discussion on whether Council would favor adding an appeal fee for Tree Committee filed appeals. She indicated Council would not favor adding such a fee at this time. Mr. Parker noted the Tree Committee did not have a large number of appeals filed. Mr. Beights suggested a token appeal fee of $25 might be a deterrent to more frivolous appeals. Mr. Dollar moved to recommend that staff study increasing permit fees from $39 presently and establish an appeal fee amount and to bring those recommendations to Council as part of the annual citywide appeal fee review effort. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. MASTER STREET TREE LIST REVIEW Mr. Lopes requested a special meeting to complete the review of the Master Street Tree lists and to prepare them for public draft and review. A special meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2006. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary