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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2004 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Pete Dunan, Steve Caminiti, Laura Hauss STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Lisa Woske, Todd Beights 1. REVIEW MINUTES OF JANUARY 26, 2004 The minutes were approved as submitted. 2. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS ■ 487 LEFF (Eucalyptus) Richard Crutchfield, Housing Authority rep, discussed the removal request, stating that the tree's roots were displacing the sidewalk and the walkway had to be ground down repeatedly due to the trip hazard. He was concerned about liability and safety, especially as the tree continued to grow, and felt it was the wrong tree for that location. Anita Shower, 867 N. 61" St., was strongly opposed to the removal and believed that securing more parking was the issue at hand and not large safety concerns. She submitted extensive documentation from various contractors who provided solution suggestions, including re -aligning the sidewalk, using rubber sidewalks, root pruning, and additional mitigation measures that would allow retaining the tree. Mr. Combs stated there was significant sidewalk lifting and that root pruning would only slow the damage, not remove the possibility. He reported the tree was healthy, apart from minor mealy bug evidence. Mr. Caminiti discussed a situation where the City Council had indicated via their reversal on appeal of a Tree Committee removal decision that the imminent danger and liability needed to be existing and the removals addressed with current evidence and situations, not anticipated future results, e.g. the tree getting larger and causing further problems. Therefore, he did not feel there was enough immediate cause for concern that could not be mitigated with replacing the sidewalk and root pruning at this time. He did not favor removal at this time. Ms. Rice was concerned with the strong opposition to the tree's removal and agreed she could not make the necessary findings at this time. Mr. Dunan felt the continual sidewalk lifting and damage was significant and was concerned about the present safety hazard. Ms. Hauss agreed it would be a safety issue in the future, but felt there were mitigating measures that could be taken at this time and therefore could not make the necessary findings for removal. Ms. Rice moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings at this time. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Dunan voting against. ■ 255 ROSITA (Eucalyptus stand) Michael Job, pending property owner, discussed the large stand of eucalyptus trees in his backyard, noting some of them were 110 feet tall. He stated they were all too close to the house and were already causing significant damage to the roof tiles. He was very concerned about liability and safety issues and submitted a petition of removal support from neighbors. Susan Shiner, 247 Rosita, was concerned about the trees' safety issues and favored removal of all of them. She reported that when she had her trees removed, the drainage creek behind the property was better able to flow without the debris from her trees. She felt the backyard trees should be the purview of the property owner and not the Tree Committee. Mr. Combs felt the subdivision had been poorly designed and located within the grove and stated that the trees were all healthy specimens. Ms. Hauss was concerned that the removal request application was premature, as Mr. Job was not yet the property owner. Mr. Caminiti agreed the trees posed a hazard and strongly agreed that when the subdivision had been approved, there was not enough room given to the trees, away from the structures and that the lots needed to have been bigger from the start of construction. He further felt the removal request should be denied and that the applicant should then appeal that decision to City Council, so that Council became aware of the problem of the basic subdivision and could rule on this removal request. Mr. Dunan agreed with Mr. Caminiti about the dangers and the need for Council to be aware of this poorly -designed subdivision. He did not favor denying the request so it would be appealed, as he was concerned about any abdication of the Tree Committee's responsibility to address the item. Ms. Hauss noted she needed to abstain from voting, as she had a conflict of interest. Mr. Dunan moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon strawberry and Japanese maple replacement trees to be coordinated with the City Arborist and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Caminiti voting against and Ms. Hauss abstaining. ■ 3172 JOHNSON (Monterey pines) There was no applicant or representative present to speak to the item. The Committee agreed that the information provided on the application was incomplete and therefore they could not adequately address the item. Mr. Caminiti moved to continue the removal request to a date uncertain, pending receipt of a more complete application and site plan. Mr. Dunan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ■ 888 RICARDO COURT (Development permit) Mr. Caminiti stepped down, as he was one of the designers of the project Steve Pultz, project developer, distributed a site plan and discussed the building site and parking lot removal, noting that a large number of the trees to be removed were by the railroad tracks. Mr. Caminiti discussed the details of the planting plan, stating that they were proposing to remove 22 trees and replacing them with 78 trees, including crepe myrtle, Chinese pistache, sycamore, redwood, and live oak species. Mr. Combs reiterated the new concept of bring development plans to the Tree Committee for review prior to approval. He stated he favored this proposal. There was general Committee discussion about the site plan and landscape proposal. Ms. Hauss requested that on large projects such as this, the Committee have the opportunity to have a group on -site review. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request of 22 trees to be replaced with 78 trees, as outlined in the proposal, based on the finding that doing so would not harm the character or environment of the neighborhood. Mr. Dunan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Caminiti abstaining. 3. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Caminiti and Ms. Hauss agreed to alternate chairing the Tree Committee in preparation for Mr. Caminiti's term ending and Ms. Hauss taking over the Chair position for the Committee. _::O: NIT- :►► ► _ There was general discussion of Arbor Day plans. The celebration was scheduled for 10 a.m. in Saturday, April 24. Mr. Caminiti agreed to act as emcee for the event, which would include a BBQ and Commemorative Tree planting ceremony. Mr. Combs stated he was sending out the Art & Prose Contest information to the schools and the Committee judging of the entrants was scheduled for Friday, April 9, 2004 at 4 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2004. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary