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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2004 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Jim Lopes, Linda Hauss, Don Dollar. George Sistek STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Lisa Woske, Todd Beights, 1.INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY CLERK Audrey Hooper introduced herself to the Committee. 2 .OATH OF OFFICE Ms. Hooper swore in George Sistek as a new Tree Committee member. 3.REVIEW MINUTES OF AUST 23, 2004 The minutes were approved as submitted. 4. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS 351 MANZANITA (Brazilian Pepper) The owner discussed the damage to the driveway and yard from invading surface roots. He believed the root damage was heading towards the slab and sewer line and was concerned with possible foundation and sewer line damage if that happened. He also noted that his daughter, who was the tenant in the house, was highly allergic to bees and the tree attracted large numbers of bees. Mr. Combs noted there was minor vertical displacement from the roots. He reported it was a healthy tree at mid-cycle in its life span. He felt major pruning, thinning and lifting would manage the succoring problem. Ms. Rice felt that the foundation and sewer damage was only a possibility in the future and with no evidence of present damage, she stated she could not make the necessary findings for removal. Mr. Lopes agreed, stating he could not make the findings. He stated that the tree was the original street tree species, was of substantial size, and felt its removal would harm the character of the neighborhood. Mr. Dollar suggested the applicant’s daughter get tested for bee allergies and suggested “Bee Bait” as a mitigating measure. Ms. Rice moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. --`412 MITCHELL (Eucalyptus) Pat Sibert, applicant’s representative and tenant, discussed the problems with bees and tree littering and stated the owner was concerned about liability. She stated there was vertical displacement and that the neighbor’s had sewer line problems associated with that tree. She said the owner was willing to replace the tree with a more suitable species. Mr. Combs clarified that it was not a city street tree and that the tree was healthy, with some minor displacement of the sidewalk, curb and gutter. He suggested professional pruning to mitigate the pod dropping and littering. Mr. Sistek agreed that while the tree was messy, it was a healthy specimen and that he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Lopes and Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Sistek. Mr. Lopes felt the neighborhood needed more trees and suggested that if they allowed for removal, they require a larger replacement planting requirement. Mr. Dollar suggested Red gum as an attractive replacement planting. Mr. Lopes moved to continue the item to the next meeting to determine whether the owner was willing to replace the tree with up to three minimum 15-gallon trees. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5.ON-GOING BUSINESS Tree Ordinance Update Staff suggested members review the Ordinance to bring back individual comments on a section by section basis. It was agreed that the members would review the boilerplate, Street Tree Planting and Procedures, up to 12.24.110 Master Street Tree List Update Ms. Rice submitted a list of suggested specifies for inclusion on the list. The Committee agreed to delete the Liquid Amber from the list and to table further discussion until the Committee had a chance to review the list more thoroughly. Appeal Fees The Committee agreed it wanted to institute an appeal fee associated with their Committee decisions. Staff agreed to check with the City Clerk re the fee cycles. Mr. Lopes moved to reinstitute fees for appeals of Tree Committee decisions and to ask staff to work with the City Clerk to determine an appropriate fee. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Gateways The discussion was tabled until next year, after Council elections. 6.NEW BUSINESS Mr. Beights discussed the budget/goal setting process for advisory bodies and distributed an information packet. He agreed to find the goals previously set two years ago during the last process and bring them to the members for review. Some of the current goals that were identified included: gateway implementation, street tree maintenance program to enhance the health and vigor of existing trees, a tree inventory throughout the city, and re-foresting of mature existing trees with interplanting for future growth and to fund the process for an appropriate downtown theme tree. The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 25, 2004. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary