Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2004 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2004 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 OCTOBER 25, 2004 The minutes were approved as submitted. 2.TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS 254 DEL MAR (2 Liquid Amber) The applicants discussed concerns with liability and stated the trees were crowded and planted too close to the house and that the roots had cracked the neighbor’s sidewalk. They stated the tree had a history of limb breakage and had been pruned, but was the wrong type and size tree for the location. They did not feel removing the trees would harm the character of the neighborhood and submitted a replanting sketch for the front yard and stated they were open to planting three replacement trees. Mr. Combs agreed that the tree had lifted the neighbor’s sidewalk, but that the neighbor stated he did not mind and did not favor removing the tree. He reported that he received several phone calls opposing the trees’ removals. He stated the trees were healthy and approximately 75% grown. Mr. Dollar stated he could favor retaining the trees with mitigating measures or removing them, as they did pose a potential long-term liability. Ms. Rice suggested removing the front tree that was causing the most damage, retain the second tree, and plant the replacement trees so they could get established before removing the second tree. Mr. Dollar agreed with Ms. Rice’s suggestion. Mr. Sistek understood the hardship they presented to the property owners, but felt the trees added to the character of the neighborhood. Ms. Hauss moved to deny the request, as she could not make the necessary findings for removal. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING December 13, 2004 Page Two Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Rice and Mr. Dollar voting against. 1610 ROYAL WAY (Italian Stone pine) The applicant discussed concerns about the rapid growth of the tree and the significant limb droppage. He stated a plumber had to come out twice in six months at a cost of $900. He felt the tree was too large for the area. Mr. Combs reported there was vertical displacement to the driveway and walkway with a lot of surface roots in evidence. He stated the tree was healthy with some included bark; removing the bark would not disfigure the tree. Teresa Larson, neighbor, stated the tree had damaged her driveway as well and favored the removal and felt the nearby Japanese maple tree would thrive if the pine were removed. Mr. Sistek felt root pruning would mitigate the displacement and he favored retaining the tree. Ms. Rice felt the scale of the tree would just get larger and was in the wrong location and would continue to cause problems. She did not feel root pruning would be sufficient. Mr. Lopes felt Italian Stone pines were “problem” trees. Mr. Dollar agreed with the above comments. Ms. Hauss requested to abstain, due to a conflict of interest. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Sistek voting against and Ms. Hauss abstaining. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING December 13, 2004 Page Three 2061/2063 SIERRA (Redwood) The applicant discussed the lot split and the desire to build on the front of the property. She stated they could not configure a design around the trees. She stated there was hardship and that she was willing to replant the area. Mr. Combs discussed the dieback issue, minor root rot, and mitigating pruning possibilities and noted the regenerated limbs were in evidence. He stated the species was a designated native species for the area. Mr. Dollar agreed with the hardship issue and favored removal with replacement planting. Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Dollar and felt the tree was unsightly and that redwoods did not seem like a good species for neighborhoods, due to their potential size. Ms. Hauss moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricul- tural practice and undue hardship, and requiring three 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list; one planted at the street and two planted in the backward. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1707 SYDNEY (Italian Stone pine) The applicant discussed the living Christmas tree that grew too large and stated it had been continually pruned at great expense, but was causing driveway damage and posed potential liability. He reported that he had already repaired the driveway in the past and installed root barriers, but the damage was now encroaching into the garage area. There was great financial hardship, as he had already spent $7500 due to problems with the tree and that removing the tree will be another $2500. Mr. Combs noted that while it was a skyline tree, it was too large and did present continual hardship and problems. He stated the tree was in fair health and that the roots were causing damage. He also felt the tree might be at risk for disease from all of the cut wounds. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING December 13, 2004 Page Four Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, due to undue financial hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 640 LAWRENCE (Monkey puzzle) The applicant discussed problems with heavy littering and the hazard of living around this species of tree. He also stated it was in a poor location, had damaged the power lines, and removing it would not harm the character of the neighborhood. He noted the property was heavily planted. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy, but agreed with the unique liability and hazard problems associated with this type of tree. The Committee agreed that while it was a beautiful specimen, it was oversized for the location and presented too many hazards for the property owners. Mr. Sistek moved to approve the removal request, due to undue financial hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice, and required no replacement planting. Mr. Dollar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3.ON-GOING BUSINESS M________ noted that at the 254 Del Mar property, one of those trees might be less than the 24” threshold. Mr. Combs agreed to contact the applicant so they could re-measure the one tree and if it were less than 24”, they would not need permit approval to remove it. Role of Advisory Bodies Mr. Beights stated the item was presented to the Council and finished at Committee level. TREE COMMITTEE MEETING December 13, 2004 Page Five Tree Ordinance Update There was no discussion on this item at this time. Master Street Tree List Update Mr. Beights distributed a current list of the Master Street Tree list and the Committee agreed to review it and come back at the next meeting with determinations of any additions and deletions of species to the list. Mr. Lopes then asked for that list to be forwarded to ARC for their review and feedback regarding tree species for the downtown core. Appeal Fees There was no discussion on this item at this time. Gateways There was no discussion on this item at this time. 4.NEW BUSINESS Discussion and election of new Committee Chair Ms. Hauss stated that she did not feel she could adequately serve as permanent Committee Chair at this time. There was general discussion on the duties and responsibilities of the position. Mr. Beights asked the Committee to read the section in the Advisory Body handbook and agreed to put the item on the next agenda for further discussion and election. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2005. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary