Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-2002 TC MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Rice, Linda Hauss, Teresa Larson, Jim Lopes and Steve Caminiti STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Lisa Woske, Jay Walter, Barbara Lynch 1. REVIEW MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 The minutes were approved as submitted. „ TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS „ 3500 BULLOCK (12 pine trees) Mr. Caminiti noted that the Committee agreed to postpone the review of the majority of the trees and would only be considering Tree #2, located in front of Unit #76. The applicant discussed the project developed and stated the tree roots were causing street damage and would interfere with the development. He was willing to do replacement plantings. Mr. Combs agreed that there was asphalt displacement caused by the roots and stated that root pruning was not a viable option. Ms. Hauss agreed with Mr. Combs’ comments and favored removal of Tree #2. The rest of the Committee concurred. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on the findings of undue hardship to the property owner in providing safe access through the site, and required a 15-gallon replacement tree to be planted within 45 days of the issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree List, coordinated with the Interim City Arborist. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 500 MARSH (Pine) The applicant discussed the tree located in the middle of the site and felt it was a poor location for the tree. He also discussed the problems with dripping sap and dropping cones. He noted there was a large patch of concrete under the tree. He felt replacing the tree with a jacaranda would be consistent with the site. He showed new parking lot plans which included enlarging the planter. Mr. Combs stated the tree was too large for the small median and was only in fair condition. Mr. Lopes favored retaining the tree and felt the project lot remodel could be designed around the tree. Ms. Rice felt the long-term use of the site would be better served by a large canopy tree and felt the pine was a poor choice for a parking lot. Ms. Hauss agreed with Ms. Rice, noting the tree trunk looked like it had been damaged. Mr. Caminiti and Ms. Larson agreed with Ms. Hauss and were concerned about the viability with the concrete pad under the tree. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a minimum15-gallon replacement tree to be planted within 45 days of the issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree List, providing a large canopy and appropriate for a parking lot, to be coordinated with the Interim City Arborist Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Lopes voting against. „ 1406 FAIRWAY (Liquid amber and pines) In considering the six liquid amber trees on Royal Way and the two Monterey pines on Fairway, the applicant discussed liability issues and significant trip hazards caused by the roots, which were raising the concrete in the sidewalk and driveway. A neighbor stated he favored removal of the trees as they presented a trip hazard on his property also. Mr. Combs agreed there was vertical displacement and that street crews would be doing the repairs within the next two years. He favored replanting with more appropriate species, feeling the existing trees were starting to show signs of disease. Mr. Caminiti agreed the pine were dying and with the major displacement on Fairway. He suggested retaining some trees on Royal Way until the replacement trees on Fairway were established and favored removing the two pines and only four liquid amber, requiring the appropriate amount of replacement trees. Ms. Larson supported the removal of the requested trees, but favored a “staggered” removal approach to avoid the effect of clear-cutting. Mr. Lopes favored removal of all eight trees, requiring street tree replacement plantings to be put in the front yard and in the parkway. Ms. Hauss agreed there was driveway damage and that the pine trees were failing in health. She did not favor removing all six Royal Way at one time. She felt two of the tree on Royal Way could remain and be resubmitted for removal when it was clear they were causing actual damage. Ms. Rice agreed with removing the two pines and retaining two of the Royal Way trees. Mr. Lopes noted that the cost difference in the “staggered” approach in removal would be more expensive. Ms. Larson discussed the status of the maintenance program in Area 6 with staff, suggesting that some of the CDBG grant money could be used, as in the S. Oceanaire project. Mr. Caminiti moved to approve the removal of two pines on Fairway and four liquid amber, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, requiring the appropriate number of replacement street trees to be planted within 45 days of the issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree List, coordinated with the Interim City Arborist. He also moved to pre-approve the removal of the remaining two liquid ambers on Royal Way after a minimum of one year, contingent upon the City Arborist determining such action would promote good arboricultural practice. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Hauss and Mr. Lopes voting against. „ 1033 NANCY (Pine) Linda Goddard, mobile home park manager, noted that the applicant and his representative did not have jurisdiction over requesting the removal of the tree. She further stated management did not want the tree removed at this time. Mr. Caminiti moved to not consider the application, as the applicant/representative was not in attendance and the Committee did not have enough information. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 50 LA ENTRADA (Italian stone pine) The applicant discussed the large pine cones that drop and caused property damage, noting one shattered his car window. He was concerned with the liability. He stated he had pruned the tree, but it was in failing health and its roots encroached in the heating system located under the house. He noted gas and sewer lines were also impacted by the tree and that the nearby magnolia tree was failing. Mr. Combs noted the retaining wall and sidewalk had damage, which could be due to the roots. He stated the tree had large limb dieback and would get larger. He did not feel the magnolia tree could be saved. Mr. Caminiti agreed with the large liability issues, based on the size of the cones. He favored replacing the tree with a large species or two smaller trees in the front yard. The Committee agreed it was a poor choice for the location and that the liability and littering issues were significant and caused undue hardship. Mr. Lopes moved to approve the removal request, based on the findings of undue hardship to the property owner re liability and safety issues, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be planted within 45 days of the issuance of permit and chosen from the Master Street Tree List, coordinated with the Interim City Arborist. Ms. Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. „ 1655 ALRITA (Ficus and magnolia trees) There was no applicant present to speak to the issue. Most of the Committee did not feel they had enough information with which to make a decision. Mr. Lopes felt he could make a determination. Ms. Larson moved to deny the removal request, based on not having enough information or applicant representation. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Lopes voting against. „ 448 GRAVES (Oak, camphor, and redwood) Ms. Hauss discussed background information she had upon meeting with the applicant, who planned to push out the back of the house. The oak would be in that path. She felt the camphor could be retained and that the redwood should be removed. Mr. Lopes discussed the idea of a “concept plan” and that removals should be approved contingent upon actual plan approval. Mr. Lopes moved to continue the item to a date uncertain to allow the applicant a chance to provide a conceptual footprint for Committee review. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lopes moved to direct staff to include the following on their list of required removal permit information: a conceptual site plan, if applicable, with a drawing of the building footprint and area of grading for any proposed building projects associated with removal applications. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS „ FOOTHILL BLVD/FOOTHILL BRIDGE Barbara Lynch, representative from City Engineering, presented a site plan for the new structure. She discussed re-grading and limits of excavation regarding the culverts. She noted there were approximately 15 removals proposed, with extensive new tree planting. She discussed the details of the mitigation/landscape plan and creek bank and the temporary irrigation plan. Mr. Combs noted that Neil Havlik agreed with the plans and proposal. Mr. Caminiti was concerned that the City should be required to replace their removals with 15-gallon sizes, just as private homeowners are required to provide. Ms. Larson felt the requirement differences between replacing street trees and performing a re-vegetation project were significant and that 1-gallon sized trees would be better for establishing the trees. Mr. Lopes agreed with Mr. Caminiti’s concerns and felt the top of bank replacement trees would be visible and should be at least 15-gallon sized. Mr. Combs suggested interspersing the plantings with 1-gallon and 15-gallon sizes. Mr. Lopes moved to request that staff consider the Committee comments and bring back a proposal for replacing the 22 trees (Western sycamore and black cottonwood) with 15- gallon sizes and increasing the spacing, as well as planting them in zones 1 and 2, and consider Coast live oak as a possible replacement planting species. Mr. Caminiti seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs reported that he had not heard from the city arborists in Lompoc and Santa Barbara, who were asked to review and submit their opinions on the replacement list for the South Oceanaire replanting project. He distributed copies of the list to members. Mr. Walter distributed copies of the Tree Committee goals draft document that had been forwarded to Bill Statler to be considered by the Council. Mr. Lopes felt the first goal should reflect the Committee feeling that the street tree crews were understaffed and that staffing needs to be increased to be able to provide the effective high-quality maintenance and services that the City desired. The Committee agreed and Mr. Walter stated he would revise the document to reflect that primary goal. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. to the next regular meeting of November 25, 2002 at 5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske Recording Secretary