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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-2002 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Teresa Larson, Jim Lopes and Steve Caminiti STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Lisa Woske MEMBERS ABSENT: Linda Hauss 3. REVIEW MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2002 The minutes were approved as submitted. 4. TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS -- 100 MADONNA RD. (Eucalyptus) The applicant requested removal of two eucalyptus trees by the stone shed, noting there were many other trees planted on site. He discussed the major limb breakage and the liability issues. He submitted photos and repair estimates for cars already damaged by the limbs. He did not think structure and safety pruning was viable. Mr. Combs felt the tree was healthy. Mr. Lopes felt the tree added to the character of the neighborhood and felt parking under the tree could be restricted. He suggested striping the lot to accommodate additional parking needs. He felt the tree could be thinned out. The applicant noted that the owner did not want to stripe the lot. Ms. Larson and Ms. Rice agreed with the safety and liability issues and felt removing only two would not detract from the other numerous trees on the site. They did not favor requiring a replacement. Mr. Caminiti suggested forming two parking lot cut-outs for replacement tree plantings in the actual lot. Ms. Larson moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and based on undue hardship to the property owner, requiring four replacement trees to be planted on site. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. Ms. Larson and Ms. Rice voted in favor; Mr. Lopes and Mr. Caminiti voted against, and the motion did not pass, for lack of a majority. Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and based on undue hardship to the property owner, requiring two 15-gallon trees to be planted within the existing parking lot, in the area between the removal site and the building within 45 days of issuance of permit and coordinated with staff. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Lopes voting against. 5. 1098 SAN ADRIANO (3 Canary Island pines) The applicant felt the trees were too close to the house and was concerned about the large tree limbs threatening the house. He noted that the area was very windy and the wind could bring down limbs. He was also concerned the trees would pose a fire threat in the heat. He was willing to do replacement plantings. Mr. Combs noted the trees were the theme street tree and in good health, but agreed two of them were leaning over the house. Mr. Lopes felt the trees could be pruned and maintained to mitigate liabilities and hazards. He agreed the front tree was crowded by the eucalyptus and could favor removal of that pine only. The rest of the Committee agreed with the exposure and wind factors regarding the liability of the middle tree leaning into the house and agreed that the eucalyptus could thrive if the middle and corner pines were removed. Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal request for the tree closest to the corner and the middle tree, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and based on undue hardship to the property owner, requiring one 15-gallon tree to be planted within 45 days of issuance of permit and coordinated with staff. Ms. Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6. 3960 S. HIGUERA #128 (Cypress) The applicants discussed the poor location of the tree and reported that the existing mobile home is to be replaced and the new home would interfere with the tree remaining. They felt the tree was ruining the use of the lot and its roots were tearing up the site and the new home could not be installed to be level. The extensive root pruning necessary for development would make the tree unstable. Mr. Combs believed the tree was a "volunteer" seedling, but was healthy. He agreed there were large surface roots and root pruning was not viable. Ms. Rice felt the problems would get worse as the tree grew larger and favored removal, as it was inappropriate to the location. Ms. Larson agreed, stating the lot was too shaded and that the tree's removal would not affect the character of the neighborhood. Mr. Caminiti agreed with previous comments, suggesting replacement plantings of two 15-gallon smaller species trees. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner and that removing the tree would not harm the character of the neighborhood and required two 15-gallon trees to be coordinated with staff and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. 54 HIGHLAND (9 Monterey pines; 1 palm) The applicant discussed safety and liability concerns with the stand of pines, and stated the palm was incompatible with the landscaping and that a pine on the property had already fallen across the front of the property. He was concerned that the trees could lean and fall and that the rootballs were exposed and unstable. He said the trees were hard to maintain and the intense littering proved to be a fire hazard. He felt the area was too crowded and wanted to replace some of the pines with native oaks. Mr. Combs noted the pines were in fair condition, with possible evidence of pitch canker and stress. He agreed the pines could pose a fire hazard and were in failing health. The Committee discussed the item, agreeing the area was crowded but removing all of the pines would denude the lot. They discussed leaving 2-3 pines for possible later removal; allowing remaining landscaping to thrive and fill in. They also agreed the palm could be removed. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request for the palm tree and the removal of 6-7 pines, at the discretion of staff, based on promoting good arboricultural practice. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed. 8. 1540 OCEANAIRE (Modesto ash) The applicant discussed the disruption of roots in their lawn and damage to the sidewalk and was concerned with liability issues. The tree interfered with the power lines and crowded the liquid amber trees. He also noted that the sap dripping damaged parked cars. Mr. Combs agreed there were significant surface roots, signs of aphid infestation, and that the tree was only in fair health. Mr. Lopes, Ms. Rice, and Ms. Larson felt it was the wrong tree in the wrong location. Mr. Caminiti agreed and concurred with the evidence of damaging sap. Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9. 2915 JOHNSON (4 Monterey pines) Mr. Combs reported that the trees were in fair condition, with possible evidence of pine pitch canker. The Committee discussed the minor subdivision map and the lot split. Mr. Lopes noted there were a lot of pines on the property. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal of four pines in the back, requiring two replacement plantings in the front where the dead trees are removed, to be planted prior to the subdivision final approval. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 10. 1336 RICHARD (Evergreen ash) Mr. Combs noted that this was a significant, healthy skyline tree, but reported it was causing some damage to the deck. Mr. Caminiti felt the deck needed to be replaced, regardless of removing the tree and agreed it was a significant skyline tree from the backyard view. He did not see evidence of foundation damage. He suggested when the deck is rebuilt, build it higher to accommodate the roots. Ms. Rice felt the tree was too big for the yard and that the roots were too high for a feasibly rebuilt deck. She noted that the lot was well-planted with other trees. Ms. Larson stated she did not view the backyard, but agreed it sounded like undue hardship. Mr. Lopes stated he did not view the tree and would abstain. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring no replacement planting. Ms. Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Caminiti voting against and Mr. Lopes abstaining. 3. NEW BUSINESS Peggy Mandeville discussed possible grant options for tree planting available from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in the amount of up to $5000. She suggested the Committee form a sub-committee to investigate the viability of submitting an application for grant monies. She discussed a proposal for the Morro Street Bike Boulevard project. Mr. Caminiti agreed to work with Ms. Mandeville and Mr. Combs to pursue submitting a grant application for funding. Mr. Lopes moved to apply for California Re-Leaf 2003 Tree Planting Grant for funding the Morro Street Bike Boulevard project, with the subcommittee of Mr. Combs, Ms. Mandeville, and Mr. Caminiti, with direction to complete the process by the September 20, 2002 deadline Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Jay Walter discussed city budget item goals and invited the Committee to submit ideas and goals for available using city resources. Mr. Caminiti suggested designating funds for a part- or full-time staff grant writer. The Committee agreed to submit ideas for the agenda of the next regular meeting. 4. OLD BUSINESS There was discussion regarding the letter to Ken Hampian regarding public meeting noticing policies. Mr. Lopes moved to recommend to Ken Hampian that on matters pertaining to the Tree Committee, a standard policy be adopted for notifying the public on workshops and neighborhood meetings at least 10 days prior to any meeting date. Ms. Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ SOUTH OCEANAIRE TREE REPLACEMENT After a lengthy discussion, the following preliminary tree replacement list was compiled: Column A-Parkway Trees Column B-In Yard, 5’ behind sidewalk Genus & Species Common Name √ Genus & Species Common Name √ Arbutus-marina Marina Madrone Cercis-occidentalis Western Redbud Acer-Paxii Evergreen maple Chionanthus-restusus Chinese Fringe Albizia julibrissin Silk tree Chitalpa-tashkentensis Chitalpa Ilex-opaca American Holly Eucalyptus-torquata Ulmua parvifolia Chinese elm Garrya-elliptica Coast Silk Tassel James Roof Zelkova serrata Sawleaf elm Heteromeles-arbutifolia Toyon Lagerstroemia-speciasa Queens Crape Myrtal Lemon Bottle Brush Magnolia grandaflora Little Gem Maytenus boaria Mayten Tree Green Showers Myrcia Californica Wax Myrtle Photinia Frislum Pistacia-chinensis Chinese pistache Pyrus calleyyrana “Aristocrat” ornamental pear Stenocarpus-sinuatus Firewheel Tree Tree Form Oleander Willow Pittosporium The meeting adjourned at 7:30 to the next regular meeting of September 23, 2002 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary