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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2003 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Lopes, Linda Hauss, Teresa Larson, and Steve Caminiti STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Lisa Woske 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of January 27, 2003 were approved as submitted. 2. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS „ 2351 HELENA (Modesto ash) The applicant discussed the removal request, noting that the tree was tearing up the yard and sidewalk, causing problems with the sewer line, and was infested with white flies. He discussed the large roots causing damage to the sewer line and submitted proof of significant repair expenses to the line and to the sidewalk. He stated he wanted to replant two smaller trees in the parkway. Mr. Combs felt the replacement for two smaller, slow-growing trees would be a net gain to the City. He had assumed the sidewalk repairs were done by the City, not the property owner. He suggested root barriers for any replacement plantings. He noted the tree was not in good health, that the City did not have the resources to spray for pests, and suggested that the pruning that had been done on the tree might be weakening its structure. Caroline Botwin, 2566 Santa Clara, neighbor, stated she also represented two other neighbors and that they did not favor removing the tree because it enhanced the neighborhood. She suggested a phased approach to any replanting prior to removing the large tree. Ms. Larson stated she sympathized with the neighbor’s concerns but she felt the tree was causing significant hardship to the property owner as well as to the City repair crews. Mr. Lopes agreed that the root problems might be mitigated in a younger tree, but felt the advanced age of the tree would not support root pruning. He agreed with the owner’s hardship and preferred a phased approach to the replanting. Ms. Hauss felt the roots were causing too much disruption and that the tree would further decline. She favored removal, specifically with a phased replanting approach. Mr. Caminiti agreed with previous comments and suggested a phased replanting program for the entire area. Ms. Larson moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner, requiring two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Hauss voting against. Mr. Lopes requested that staff schedule a planting program in the Sinsheimer neighborhood area to replace existing Modesto ash trees in a phased approach during the next fiscal year. „ 1388 CAVALIER (Eucalyptus) The applicant discussed the history of prior removal permit requests, stating that Todd Martin had agreed to the tree’s removal contingent on landscaping requirements, and that his permit had expired. He discussed major landscaping that had been established since his discussions with Mr. Martin. He noted that the tree was the only eucalyptus in the neighborhood and its roots were still causing problems to the sidewalk, as well as by the door and the corner of the garage. He stated several neighbors favored the removal of the tree, due to its littering. Karen Hale, neighbor, discussed the history of fighting past removal requests in favor of retaining the tree and reported that site postings had been removed continuously. She felt soil settling, not roots, was causing the property damage and stated the tree was healthy. She also discussed the CC&R’s of the area. She also suggested a phased prior established replacement planting approach, should the tree be removed, as the area was devoid of trees. Mr. Combs stated he would have approved the removal request based on the sidewalk damage, which he believed to be caused by the roots, but had brought it to the Committee because it had been appealed. There was much discussion on the history of previous dealings at the property and past denials of removal requests. Mr. Lopes and Ms. Hauss favored continuing the item to allow staff to investigate the removal permit history and past actions taken on this property. Ms. Larson clarified that Mr. Combs would have approved the request if it had not been appealed. Ms. Larson moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner and promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion did not pass, as Mr. Lopes and Ms. Hauss voted against. Mr. Lopes stated he believed the item would be appealed to Council if approved. Mr. Lopes moved to continue the item to allow staff to investigate and bring back a report on the removal permit history and past actions taken on this property. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 397 LINCOLN (Cedar) The applicant discussed the previous permit denial and the suggestion to trim and thin the tree to mitigate problems. He stated he did the expensive mitigating pruning and those efforts were not enough to keep the branches from falling. He stated the tree could not be pruned any more without threat to its health and structure and he was still concerned about liability and safety issues on his property. He asked the Committee to re-consider the removal of this tree and agreed to do placement planting. Mr. Combs agreed the tree was losing limbs, but was healthy otherwise. Mr. Caminiti felt that the homeowner had done every mitigating measure and effort and favored removal with replacement. The rest of the Committee agreed with liability concerns and favored removal, suggesting a large-growing species. Ms. Hauss moved to approve the removal request based on undue hardship on the property owner, requiring two 15-gallon large-growing species replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ City Bus Maintenance Facility, 29 Prado Road Mr. Combs discussed the bus-washing facility proposed and the replanting plan. He stated the trees were healthy. Mr. Lopes discussed the site plan design in terms of necessary removals. He favored removal, based on doing so would not harm the character of the area. Ms. Hauss was concerned whether the landscape plantings would indeed occur once the trees were removed. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on doing so would not harm the character of the area, and required the three replacement trees to be planted as shown on the submitted site plan. He further moved that the approval was conditioned upon the granting of the building permit and funds secured for construction. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss. 4. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed the details of the new removal application form. The Committee agreed with the application format. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting of March 24, 2003 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary