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Home My WebLink About01-24-2005 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Jim Lopes, Don Dollar, George Sistek, Linda Hauss STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Lisa Woske, Todd Beights, 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2004 There was a formatting error in the “3. On-Going Business” section of the minutes which was then amended to reflect that Mr. Lopes made the first comment. The minutes were approved as amended. 2.TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS 227 SANTA LUCIA DR. (Chinese Elm) The applicant discussed concerns with limb breakage and felt the tree posed a hazard and a liability to the tenants’ cars parked near it. She also noted that the tree littered, caused sewer damage, and was unattractive as a specimen. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy and was a theme tree for the neighborhood. Ms. Rice agreed that in its present state, it was now a poor specimen and favored replacement. The rest of the Committee agreed. Ms. Hauss moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and coordinated with the City Arborist. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 570 LAWRENCE (Grey pine) The applicant discussed the height of the tree and that it leans dangerously in high winds. He believed the tree species had a history of falling and was concerned about liability and TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE TWO hazards. He displayed a large, spiky pinecone as an example of what drops and stated some driveway displacement had occurred. He stated the tree had been pruned for balance and that subsequently created pitch leakage problems. Mr. Combs noted that the tree was approximately halfway through its life span and stated it could double in size. He said the fairly healthy tree was in the wrong location for its size. Mr. Sistek agreed with hazard concerns and favored removal. The rest of the Committee agreed. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and based on undue hardship on the property owner, and required one 15-gallon tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and coordinated with the City Arborist. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 883 VISTA BRISA (Alder) The applicant discussed the shared responsibility for the tree with his neighbor (879 Vista Brisa), who also favored removal of the tree. He stated the tree was in poor health, was planted in a poor location, and that the tree could not get enough water in the summers. He also reported that he could not park in his driveway due to the sap leakage. He stated that any replacement tree was requested to be planted on his neighbor’s property. (879 Vista Brisa) Mr. Combs stated he could not make his findings for removal. Mr. Lopes and Mr. Sistek felt the tree looked vigorous at this point and did not seem to be failing. Mr. Lopes suggested that if a replacement tree were favored, that tree might be planted first to get established prior to removing the Alder. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE THREE Mr. Dollar agreed and felt the newer driveway extension had crowded the tree. Ms. Rice felt that pruning could help balance the structure of the tree and root system and that might help the health of the tree. Ms. Hauss agreed with Mr. Lopes’ suggestion of starting a replacement planting now and have the applicant return at a later date to re-apply for removing the Alder once the replacement tree got established. Ms. Rice moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings. She further recommended professional pruning to mitigate concerns. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1204 IRIS (Eucalyptus) The applicant discussed the proposed building plans and stated the tree would be a liability to the second structure being built. He felt root problems we be a concern in the future. He stated he would retain the eucalyptus next to the tree proposed for removal. He submitted plans for Committee review. Mr. Combs stated the tree was fairly healthy but poorly pruned and that the proposed building would impact the root zone. Mr. Lopes discussed the details of the replacement landscaping plan and felt the removal would not impact the property adversely, as there was a grove of trees existing. Mr. Sistek and Mr. Dollar felt the new residence would have a liability if the tree remained. Ms. Rice also favored removal, as doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required no replacement planting. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE FOUR Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1350 OSOS (Pitosporum) The applicant discussed the maintenance and littering problems associated with the tree and felt it posed a safety hazard to pedestrians. He stated the tree was too close to the foundation and would cause future problems, as well as be a placement issue when it came time for ADA building enhancements to be implemented. Mr. Combs noted this was a shrub that grew to the size of a tree. Ms. Hauss agreed with the safety concerns and favored removal. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a medium-sized replacement tree be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and coordinated with the City Arborist. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1534 ROYAL WAY (Redwood) The applicant discussed the request, noting the tree was dying and posed a liability. He stated they would retain the trees by the street and felt the existing live oak could thrive if the redwood were removed. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy, but agreed the live oak would thrive and fill in. Mr. Sistek and Mr. Dollar noted the two sequoias in the front were failing as well. Mr. Dollar moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required no replacement planting. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE FIVE The motion passed unanimously. The Committee suggested the applicant apply to have the other two trees that were failing removed and perform all the removals at one time. 194 DEL NORTE (Canary Island pine) There was no applicant to speak to the item. Mr. Combs stated it was a large, healthy tree with a large co-dominant stem that did not seem to be splitting. He noted that hazard was more based on the shape of the crotch, which was not an apparent issue with this tree. Mr. Sistek discussed the multi-leader structure and stated that pruning was not an issue. Mr. Dollar noted it was a significant skyline tree and relied on Mr. Combs’ assessment that the tree did not pose an immediate danger. Ms. Hauss moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1720 JOHNSON (Multiple trees) There was no applicant to speak to the item. The Committee discussed the issues of the property. Mr. Dollar and Ms. Rice reported that they had seen the extensive landscaping plan and felt that most of the trees proposed for removal were “volunteers” to begin with. Mr. Combs discussed the specific removals proposed and noted that the live oak would stay. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE SIX Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on promotional good arboricultural practice, and required no replacement plantings in addition to the proposed landscaping plan. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1095 SAN ADRIANO (Monterey pine) There was no applicant to speak to the item. Mr. Combs felt there had been replacement requirements imposed on this property, based on prior approved removals, which had not been fulfilled. He stated he would research and return to the Committee with his findings. Mr. Lopes moved to continue the item to a date uncertain. Mr. Sistek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3.NEW BUSINESS Elect a New Chair Mr. Sistek moved to elect Jim Lopes as the new Committee Chair. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4.ON-GOING BUSINESS Trees Mr. Beights discussed the Capital Improvement Plan project for the downtown core, with the downtown tree trimming and replacement program details. He noted @ 130 trees had been identified as “hazards.” TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 PAGE SEVEN Master Street Tree List Update There was no discussion on this item at this time.  Appeal Fees There was no discussion on this item at this time. Gateways There was no discussion on this item at this time. Mr. Beights also discussed the “Commissioner Training” workshop for Advisory Body members on February 26, 2005 and the March 3, 2005 Annual Advisory Body Dinner. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2005. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary