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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-2003 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, MAY 27, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Linda Hauss, Jim Lopes and Steve Caminiti STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Jay Walter, Lisa Woske 1. REVIEW MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2003 The minutes were approved as submitted. 2. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS -- SIERRA VISTA HOSPITAL (Rusty leaf fig) The hospital’s representative from RRM Design discussed the specific tree that was interfering and entwined with utility lines and the hospital’s concerns about possible liability and power loss should the tree or pole failure disrupt power. He reported that PG&E agreed the tree posed a threat to power usage and would interfere with pole maintenance and replacement and had initiated the removal request through the hospital/property owner. He noted that the tree was slated for removal within the proposed site development plan, but the hospital and PG&E were requesting its removal now to mitigate potential problems. He discussed the specifics of the tree removal proposal and replanting plan that was included in the approved plans, as well as the realignment of utility lines. He stated the ARC still needed to give the final approval of the plans. John Hollander, hospital representative, discussed the request for early removal, stating the PG&E initiated the removal request. Mr. Combs reported the tree was in fairly good shape, but was misshapen by the power line pruning and did have messy fruit drop. Ms. Hauss asked Mr. Combs why the Committee did not walk the site to review the proposed removals as previously discussed. Mr. Combs replied that coordinating schedules was a problem. Mr. Lopes discussed the need for Mr. Combs to work with ARC. He asked whether the power line would be replaced when the tree was removed. Mr. Hollander replied that power line re-configuration, according to plans, was approximately 3-5 years out, and reiterated that PG&E felt the tree needed to be removed as soon as possible to avoid possible power disruption. Ms. Rice stated that since PG&E initiated the request and was concerned about the liability, she would favor early removal. Ms. Hauss agreed with Ms. Rice. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required no replacement plantings, due to proposed development replanting plans. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 292 HERMOSA (Modesto Ash) The applicant discussed the tree’s disease, included bark, and split crotch and was concerned about liability in high winds and the roots cracking the driveway. She felt the tree was at the end of its lifespan, due to sparse foliage. She reported that the sidewalk was also lifting, which created a trip hazard. Mr. Combs agreed with the applicant’s assessment and that there had been a neighborhood appeal when the tree was posted for removal. Mr. Caminiti felt the Liquid Amber adjacent would thrive if the ash was removed and suggested planting two trees on Luneta Dr. frontage, as that street was rather barren. The applicant noted that there was a retaining wall along Luneta frontage. Mr. Lopes, Ms. Rice, and Ms. Hauss agreed that the tree was failing and favored removal. Ms. Hauss moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement of two 5-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of removal permit. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 247 ROSITA (10 Eucalyptus trees) The applicant discussed the undue hardship that was created by these trees and the potential liability of limb breakage and the huge amount of littering created by the trees. She felt the foundation was at risk, the trees were too close to the residence, and the drainage of the creek could be compromised by all the litter build-up. She stated that removing the trees would not harm the character of the neighborhood. She requested a phased approach to the removal to mitigate the costs. Mr. Combs agreed with the applicant’s concerns and stated that a neighbor has raised concerns about a red tail hawk nest that was in one of the trees. Mr. Combs reported that Neil Havlik, Resource Manager, had agreed with the trees’ removals once the hawk fledglings had left in late September. Ms. Hauss determined that all the trees were within the Committee’s purview. She did not favor removing all of the trees at one time and favored the phased approach, removing the trees closest to the residence first. Mr. Caminiti favored partial removals of 3-4 trees, then replant area with more appropriate trees, and suggested the applicant come back to the Committee at a later date for removal of the remaining trees. Ms. Rice agreed with the removal of only the five trees closest to the house, leaving the remaining five trees by the creek. Mr. Lopes also agreed with the removal of the trees, once the Resource Manager determined the hawks had left the nest. He favored replacement plantings appropriately spaced for the property Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal of up to five trees closest to the house, based on undue hardship to the property owner and promoting good arboricultural practice. He required 1:1 15-gallon replacement trees to be coordinated with the City Arborist and planted within 45 days of issuance of the removal permit, contingent upon Resource Manager’s approval of the timing of the removals. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- SOUTH HIGUERA SIDEWALK (3 pines; 1 Bradford pear) Mr. Walter submitted plans for the sidewalk project proposed by the City and discussed the grant monies received for the project. He outlined the directional realignment of Elks Lane and the trees that were proposed to be removed at the south end of the project. Mr. Lopes felt two of the pines were in very good shape and suggested some possible changes to the plan, if feasible. Ms. Hauss asked if replacement trees were proposed and Mr. Walter replied that a replacement planting plan could be incorporated into the project. Mr. Caminiti noted that the City could fill in the area with additional plantings. He felt that the pines were likely to develop pine pitch canker and would fail within five years, despite their apparent current good health. Mr. Combs stated that the next fiscal year budget could accommodate additional plantings. Ms. Rice and Ms. Hauss agreed with Mr. Caminiti’s comments favoring expanding the urban forest with replacement plantings. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner, and required 15-gallon large-growing trees (e.g. redwood, cypress) to be planted in an appropriate number with random, interval spacing. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -- 1276 SYDNEY (Ash) Mr. Combs discussed the decline of the older street trees in the area. The Committee discussed the application. Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be planted in the parkway or yard and chosen from the Master Street Tree list, planted within 45 days of issuance of removal permit. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lopes noted that the Sydney neighborhood was in need of general replacement plantings and suggested that some grant monies might be made available to replant the area. -- 1023 CHORRO (Ficus) Mr. Combs noted the tree had large pocket of decay and was in poor shape. He stated the City public works department favored removing the ficus and grinding the stump. Mr. Caminiti felt the sidewalk needed to be replaced by the City and in doing so, at least one tree well could be accommodated for replacement planting. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a minimum replacement of one 15-gallon 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. 3. NEW BUSINESS Mr., Caminiti agreed to contact the Parks/Rec. department to discuss appointing a replacement standing member to the Committee. There was general Committee discussion regarding the property at 2675 Johnson, where a tree had been illegally removed. Mr. Lopes moved to direct that staff seek proper replacement plantings (e.g. two live oaks or holly trees) for the illegally removed pine tree and to seek appropriate fines from the property owner for violation of the ordinance. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting of Monday, June 23, 2003 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary