Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2004 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Jim Lopes, Don Dollar. George Sistek STAFF PRESENT:Ron Combs, Lisa Woske, Todd Beights, 1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 Mr. Dollar requested that the minutes be amended to reflect that he did not indicate the Red gum species as a replacement suggestion at 412 Mitchell. The minutes were approved as amended. 2.TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS 1619 FRAMBUESA (Brisbane box) There was no applicant present to speak to the item. Mr. Combs noted that these were the frontage trees for that street/tract and that the trees were in average health, with no disease or obvious hazards evident. He suggested the trees would thrive and have a better appearance if the grass were removed from the trunk area. Mr. Lopes felt these specimens seemed to be failing. Mr. Sistek noted that several trees on the street had been replaced after the severe frost years ago. He was concerned that the wrap-around root on the trunk of one of the trees would cause health damage in the future. Mr. Combs suggested the applicant plant some replacement trees now and once they were established, return to the Committee for removal permits. Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Combs’ suggestion. Mr. Dollar was concerned that the applicant might not be motivated to maintain the tree due to its unappealing appearance. Ms. Rice moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make the necessary findings. She suggested planting replacement trees chosen from the Master Street Tree list in coordination with the City Arborist and return for removal permits at a later date. TREE COMMIITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2004 PAGE TWO Mr. Sistek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 733/751 MARSH (6 Mexican fan palms) Dale Anderson, JDR Property Management and applicant’s representative, discussed the six trees on the site. He stated that JDR had maintained the trees for approximately six months and there still had been limb breakage that caused property damage and presented a potential hazard. He stated there were street trees already planted on Marsh St. and newer landscaping had been installed around the palms in the back of the site. He suggested any required replacement planting be done in the center planter area. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy, tall, and fairly attractive. He felt the front area could accommodate a smaller species, e.g. Japanese maple. Mr. Lopes favored removal due to the hazards presented and felt removal of the rear trees would accommodate replacement plantings. Mr. Dollar favored the removal request and felt 733 Marsh did not require a replacement tree. He agreed a small planting in the center area would work and that the two palms in back of 751 Marsh could be replacement with Crepe Myrtle. He did not feel that the two removed from the parking lot would require replacement plantings. Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Dollar. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, promoting good arboricultural practice, and that doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood. He required replacement plantings of one small species tree in the center planter area, two floral or shade trees planted behind 751 Marsh and one floral or shade tree planted in the back of the parking lot. He felt plantings and landscaping needed to be “filled in” and tree choices should be approved by both the City Arborist and CDD, due to possible land use permit requirements. Mr. Sistek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE COMMIITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2004 PAGE THREE 2785 FLORA (Canary Island pine) Doug Federman, applicant, discussed the two trees which were crowded together and one tree growing too close to the house. He discussed the solar panel mats that would get damaged by the pinecone litter and debris, as well as the hazards the littering posed to his family. He noted the property was heavily planted with approximately 63 trees and felt these trees requested for removal were in the wrong location. He agreed to replacement planting. Mr. Combs did not think the trees were theme trees, but were skyline trees in the backyard. He noted the pines would keep growing. Mr. Dollar did not think the trees met the requirements for review by the Tree Committee, as they were non-natives less than 24” DBH and too small to require Committee action. The Committee agreed and no action was taken and the permit was withdrawn. 2945 MCMILLAN #148 (3 eucalyptus) David Foote, applicant’s representative, discussed the three eucalyptus trees in the narrow planter and by the retaining wall of Villa Rosa property. He stated the trees presented a hazard, two of them were diseased, and the third one was failing in health. He noted the trees did not provide significant screening between the properties and submitted a proposal to plant 12 replacement trees between Villa Rosa and the parking strip, which would grow to provide screening. He reported that the Villa Rosa neighbors favored the replacement planting plan and the eucalyptus removals. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on the finding that doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood and he moved to approve the submitted planting plan. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE COMMIITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2004 PAGE FOUR 3.ON-GOING BUSINESS Council Goal Setting There was Committee discussion on the goals to forward to Council. (See attached document) Tree Ordinance Update Master Street Tree List Update Appeal Fees Gateways There was no discussion on these items. 6.NEW BUSINESS There were no items discussed. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 22, 2004. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary