HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1 - 02-28-2022 TC Minutes - DraftMinutes – Tree Committee Regular Meeting of February 28, 2022 Page 1
Minutes
TREE COMMITTEE
Monday, February 28, 2022
Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on Monday,
February 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference, by Chair Alan Bate.
ROLL CALL
Present: Committee Members Elizabeth Lucas, Emily Rosten, Sadie Mae Weller, Vice
Chair Daniel Canella, and Chair Alan Bate (two vacant seats)
Absent: None
Staff: Anthony Whipple, Acting City Arborist and Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Consideration of the Minutes of the Tree Committee Meeting of January 24, 2022
ACTION: UPON MOTION OF VICE CHAIR CANELLA SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER ROSTEN, CARRIED 5-0-0 (with two vacant seats), the Tree Committee approved
the Minutes of January 24, 2022.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
--End of Public Comment--
NEW BUSINESS
2.New Business: 3490 Empresa Drive (ARCH-0516-2021). Review the proposed removal of 10
trees and replanting of 14 trees. Tree removals are proposed to facilitate a n office/warehouse
development consisting of 16,741 square feet of commercial space, with associated parking
and onsite landscaping. (Kyle Bell, Associate Planner)
Recommendation: Recommend the Planning Commission find the proposed tree removals and
compensatory planting plan as part of the 3490 Empresa Drive Development Project consistent
with the Tree Regulations. The Tree Committee may provide recommended considerations or
condition(s) related to the tree removals and compensatory planting.
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Associate Planner Kyle Bell provided a presentation and responded to questions from the
Committee.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
--End of Public Comment--
The Applicant, Chris Hoover, provided an overview of the project and responded to questions
from the Committee.
ACTION: UPON MOTION OF VICE CHAIR CANELLA, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER LUCAS, CARRIED 4-1 (Chair Bate voting no, two vacant seats), the Tree
Committee recommends the Planning Commission approve the application for tree removal
with the requirement that at least 50% of the required replacement trees be native species
planted in 36-inch boxes, and the remainder planted in 15-inch boxes.
TREE REMOVAL APPEALS
3. 3150 Rockview Pl. Review an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to approve removal of one
(1) Sweet Gum tree (liquidambar styraciflua).
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
--End of Public Comment--
ACTION: UPON MOTION OF VICE CHAIR CANELLA, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER ROSTEN, CARRIED 4-1 (Chair Bate voting No and two vacant seats), the Tree
Committee denied the appeal and uphold the City Arborist’s decision to approve the removal
of the tree.
4. 384 Santa Maria Ave. Review an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to deny removal of one
(1) Eucalyptus tree (eucalyptus polyanthemos).
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
--End of Public Comment--
The Appellant, Leslie O’Connor, provided an overview of the appeal.
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ACTION: UPON MOTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, SECONDED BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSTEN, CARRIED 3 – 2 (with Member Weller and Chair Bate
voting No and two vacant seats), the Tree Committee approved the appeal for removal with a
three to one replacement with 24-inch box trees from the City’s Authorized Tree list.
5. 861 Pepper St. Review an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to deny removal of one (1)
Aleppo pine tree (pinus halepensis).
Member Weller recused herself from this item as she lives within 500 feet of the property.
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
--End of Public Comment--
The Appellant, Patricia Kohlen, provided an overview of the appeal.
ACTION: UPON MOTION OF CHAIR BATE, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR CANELLA,
CARRIED 4-0-1 (With Member Weller recused and two vacant seats), the Tree Committee
denied the appeal and uphold the City Arborist’s decision to deny removal.
6. 1010 E. Foothill Blvd. Continued review of an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to deny
removal of one (1) Comphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora).
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
--End of Public Comment--
The Appellant, Bob Hill, provided an overview of the appeal.
ACTION: UPON MOTION OF VICE CHAIR CANELLA, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER LUCAS CARRIED 5-0 (with two vacant seats), the Tree Committee approved the
appeal with the replanting plan submitted with the additional condition that two of the trees be
a larger species (24-inch box with a minimum mature height of 20 feet.)
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
7. Arborists Report:
• Operations update: WCA Inventory, Stump grinding and Planting.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee will
be held on Monday, March 28 , 2022 at 5:30 p.m . in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo .
APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/2022
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