HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-2003 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, September 22, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Hauss, Laura Rice, Jim Lopes
STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Todd Beights, Lisa Woske
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the August 25, 2003 regular meeting were approved as submitted.
TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS
1625 CARLA COURT (2 Canary Island pines)
Tom Goosen, applicant, submitted letters from the neighbors which favored the removals
of the trees. He was concerned about safety and litter hazards and the high allergens
produced by the trees. He believed the trees were infested with beetles and were
distressed and failing, and he noted that nothing could be landscaped under/around the
trees. He stated he had already planted other trees on the property.
Mr. Combs reported that these trees were skyline trees in fair health, but agreed that
beetles were causing the health of the trees to decline.
Ms. Rice felt both trees were failing and that their removal would not harm the character
of the neighborhood. She noted the nearby ginko tree would thrive if the trees were
removed.
Mr. Lopes favored the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice,
and suggested a minimum of one -- possibly two -- 15-gallon shading, deciduous trees to
be planted.
Ms. Hauss agreed with the previous comments.
Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice, and required one 15-gallon replacement deciduous tree to be chosen from the
Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit.
Mr. Lopes seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
1208 SAN MATEO (Canary Island pine)
The applicant discussed their concerns about the liability with slipping on large amount
of dropped needles and the continuous maintenance performed on the tree and in cleaning
up the litter. They noted the sidewalk was being lifted and cracked. There was also
evidence of beetle infestation. It was suggested to replace the pine with a birch.
Mr. Combs noted it was a skyline tree and was starting to decline. He stated there were a
lot of large surface roots and felt the driveway problems were probably due to these roots.
Mr. Lopes favored the removal, based on undue hardship. He suggested a Chinese
pistache as a replacement species.
Ms. Rice agreed with undue hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice. She
suggested removing the failing ash tree on the property at the same time and replace both
trees with a more suitable species.
The applicant agreed with the ash tree's removal.
Ms. Hauss agreed with the Committee comments and agreed with concerns over slip
liability due to needles.
Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request for the pine and the agreed-upon ash
tree, based on undue hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice, and required
two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted
within 45 days of issuance of permit.
Ms. Hauss seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
ANACAPA CIRCLE LANDSCAPE MEDIAN
Mr. Combs noted this item had been withdrawn.
3. NEW BUSINESS
UNDERGROUNDING OF LOCAL UTILITY LINES
Mr. Lopes discussed concerns with the undergrounding of local utility lines and district
corridor designations.
After general Committee discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend to City
Council that the undergrounding of utility lines be expanded to include Broad Street
(between South Street and Orcutt Road) in order to prevent further damage to city street
trees along this corridor.
The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m., October 27, 2003.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary