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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-2003 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Monday, August 25, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Caminiti, Laura Hauss, Laura Rice, Jim Lopes, Pete Dunan STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Todd Bates, Lisa Woske 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the July 14, 2003 regular meeting were approved as submitted. 2. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS „ 880 LEFF (California Fan Palm) The applicant discussed the four palm trees requested to be removed, stating they were planted too closely together and that the littering and fronds have already damaged cars and was concerned about future liability. The roof was already being impacted by one tree. They requested to remove two trees and stated they would prune the remaining two. They suggested replacement plantings on the opposite side of the sidewalk area. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy. Mr. Lopes favored removal of the tree and suggested planting one replacement tree on each side of the sidewalk, in front of each building, to provide shade and symmetry. The Committee agreed with his comments. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit, chosen from the Master Street Tree list, and planted on each side of the sidewalk. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 3 CHUPARROSA DR. (3 redwoods) The applicant discussed the removal request, noting the trees caused much littering, debris, and clogged gutters. They stated the site was heavily planted and the property was too shaded. They also noted the neighbors favored removing the trees and all parties were concerned with future structural damage due to the trees growing larger. Mr. Combs stated the trees were healthy, but would get much larger and would probably cause problems. A neighbor at 6 Chuporrosa stated he was concerned about the trees getting larger and felt replacing the trees now made more sense. Mr. Dunan agreed the trees were attractive, but agreed with concerns stated by the applicant and neighbor and felt there was undue financial hardship. Ms. Hauss agreed the trees would get too large, but was concerned about removing all three large trees at once. She suggested staggering the removals, e.g. remove two and replace those trees, and remove and replace the third at a later date, once the replacement trees were established. Mr. Lopes agreed the trees were problematic, with one tree already impacting the roof. He favored removal with replacement with large growing, 24” box trees. Mr. Caminiti agreed with Ms. Hauss’ comments regarding staggering the removals, but felt 24” box trees would have a difficult time getting established because of the winds. Mr. Dunan noted that with staggering the removals, the replacement trees might be damaged by removing the third tree at a later date. Mr. Dunan moved to approve the removal request for all three trees, based on undue hardship, and required a minimum of two 15-gallon replacement trees to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree list. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Hauss voting against. „ 3583 S. HIGUERA (Eucalyptus) David Turton, Midas representative, discussed past limb breakage and littering and the potential damage and liability to customers and their cars. He stated he also wanted to enhance the property and curb appeal and discussed the re-landscaping ideas. He felt the tree was in decline and suggested planting a tree by the frontage road. Mr. Combs noted it was the only tree in the area and that it was in good health. Mr. Caminiti agreed with the enhancement efforts. He requested that the applicant submit an actual re-landscaping plan for Mr. Combs to review. Ms. Hauss agreed with the removal of this tree and the site improvements proposed, but was concerned with setting a precedent of removing the eucalyptus in the area. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on the finding that removal would not harm the character and environment of the surrounding neighborhood, and required one replacement15-gallon tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree list. He further required that the applicant provide a landscaping plan to Mr. Combs for his review prior to the tree’s removal. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 2005 JOHNSON (Various trees) Mr. Caminiti stepped down, due to a conflict of interest. Ms. Hauss took over chairing duties. Richard Crutchfield, Housing Authority representative, discussed project development, restoration, and replanting plans of approximately 80 15-gallon trees. The Committee discussed the specifics of the project blueprint. Mr. Combs outlined the trees on the site plan that had already been approved for removal and noted the approximately 10 trees that needed Committee consideration. Ms. Rice felt the project was well planned and favored the removal request as outlined. Mr. Lopes agreed with Ms. Rice, but did not think the large palm at the corner sidewalk needed to be removed. He also discussed the street tree requirements along Johnson Avenue and suggested planting trees closer to the sidewalk. Ms. Hauss favored retaining the palms on the corner and planting trees closer to the sidewalk area on Johnson. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and required replacement trees to be planted within the city street tree requirements, in close proximity to the sidewalk along Johnson Avenue. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 885 FOOTHILL (Eucalyptus) The applicant discussed concerns with limbs breaking and littering, as well as the root damage to sewer lines, and stated that there were many trees on the property. Ms. Rice agreed the tree was in poor shape and presented liability. The rest of the Committee agreed with Ms. Rice. Ms. Hauss stated a concern about the replacement tree being watered appropriately. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting arboricultural practice, and required a replacement 15-gallon tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree list. Mr. Dunan seconded the motion. The motion passed. „ 3960 S. HIGUERA (Italian stone pine) The applicant discussed wanting to renovate the playground at the park and the pine was in the center of those renovation plans. He felt there were other trees in the area and did not think that removing the tree would harm the character or environment of the neighborhood. Mr. Combs stated the tree was fairly healthy. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on the finding that such removal would not harm the character or environment of the surrounding neighborhood, and required no replacement planting. Mr. Dunan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 225 N. CHORRO (4 Coast live oaks) The applicant discussed the trend for infill re-development. She discussed the proposed project plan for the R-4 zoning use. She discussed the replacement planting plan of approximately 30 trees. Mr. Combs was concerned with the replacement ratio. Mr. Lopes felt the Committee review was premature at this project phase. He suggested the project move forward to the other required departmental approvals and if the project succeeded with those approvals, then come back to the Committee. Ms. Rice and Mr. Caminiti were concerned with retaining the oaks in the back of the lot. Mr. Dunan moved to continue the item until the project had received prior departmental approvals. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 467 HIGH (Ash) Pete Watson, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and submitted a proposed site plan for a two bedroom apartment and the parking area conflict. He discussed evidence of root damage and discussed the grading plan. The applicant had expressed concerns about gas lines being damaged. Mr. Combs stated the tree was fairly healthy and that ARC had already approved the project. He felt the tree would get larger and could lift the hardscape. Ms. Hauss agreed that the tree was causing problems, but felt that with required maintenance, mitigation and pruning measures, retaining the tree would be workable. Mr. Lopes favored retaining the tree and felt the parking elevation could be raised with a retaining wall and French drain system and deep irrigation would promote deep root growth to mitigate the root problems. Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Lopes, noting that the tree was one of the only mature trees on the property. Mr. Caminiti agreed with the comments of the Committee and felt there were project re- design aspects which would save the tree. He suggested pruning. Mr. Dunan asked to abstain from the voting, as he did not feel qualified to vote on the removal. Mr. Lopes moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the necessary findings. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Dunan abstaining. 1. NEW BUSINESS The Committee asked to have the Community Development Dept. address some inconsistencies that occur when the ARC and the Tree Committee review a project. Mr. Lopes asked that the June goals for the 2003-2005 budget and the management objectives that had been previously outlined by the Committee be revisited. He also wanted to implement the Tree Committee goals as stated. Mr. Lopes also felt the Broad Street districting of the undergrounding streetscape project from Orcutt to Fiero Lane be examined. He felt the review needed to be a priority with Council to attach the area as part of an established district. He asked that the item be discussed at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m., September 22, 2003. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary