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Home My WebLink About04-25-2022 TC Agenda Packet Tree Committee AGENDA Monday, April 25, 2022, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo The City of San Luis Obispo has returned to in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be supported. For those attending in-person, City facilities will be at limited capacity and masks are strongly recommended. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the meeting): Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401. Email - Submit Public Comments via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org. In the body of your email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number (if applicable). Emails will not be read aloud during the meeting. Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your name, the agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment. Verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. Voicemails will not be played during the meeting. *All correspondence will be archived and distributed to members, however, submissions received after the deadline will not be processed until the following day. Public Comment during the meeting: Meetings have returned to an in-person format. To provide public comment during the meeting, you must be present in the Council Hearing Room. Electronic Visual Aid Presentation. To conform with the City's Network Access and Use Policy, members of the public who desire to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentation are encouraged to provide display-ready material to the City Clerk by 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting. Contact the City Clerk's Office at cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781- 7100. Pages 1.CALL TO ORDER Chair Bate will call the Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee to order. 2.ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR As required by the Tree Committee Bylaws, each year the Committee must select two members to serve as Chair and Vice Chair for a one-year term. Recommendation: To elect a Committee Member to serve as Chair for a one-year term. Recommendation: To elect a Committee Member to serve as Vice Chair for a one-year term. 3.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA The public is encouraged to submit comments on any subject within the jurisdiction of the Tree Committee that does not appear on this agenda. Although the Committee will not take action on items presented during the Public Comment Period, the Chair may direct staff to place an item on a future agenda for discussion. 4.CONSENT Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non- controversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may request the Tree Committee to pull an item for discussion. The public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the three-minute time limit. Recommendation: To approve Consent Item 4a. 4.a.CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MARCH 28, 2022 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 Consideration of the Tree Committee Minutes of March 28, 2022. 5.TREE REMOVAL APPEALS Any person aggrieved by an act or determination of the authorized approving authority exercising the authority herein granted shall have the right to appeal the decision of the authorized approving authority as set forth in Section 12.24.180 of the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code. Appeals received by the City Clerk within ten calendar days from the date of determination or act shall cause the director to withhold tree removal permits and any permits for construction or demolition actively relying on the subject tree removal until the appeal is heard and a decision is reached. 5.a.3701 S. HIGUERA STREET 9 Review of an appeal of the City Arborist's decision to deny removal of one (1) Monterey Cypress tree (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa). 5.b.439 BRANCH STREET 27 Review of an appeal of the City Arborist's decision to deny removal of one (1) Ash tree (Fraxinus). 6.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a.ARBORIST REPORT Receive a brief update from Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple. 7.ADJOURNMENT The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available -- see the Clerk The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7100 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410. Agenda related writings or documents provided to the Tree Committee are available for public inspection on the City’s website: https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-and- minutes. Meeting video recordings can be found on the City’s website: http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=61087&dbid=0&repo=CityCl erk Minutes – Tree Committee Regular Meeting of March 28, 2022 Page 1 Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Item 4a Monday, March 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, March 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 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 Megan Wilbanks, Deputy City Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of the Minutes of the Tree Committee Meeting of February 28, 2022 ACTION: UPON MOTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSTEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, CARRIED 5-0-0 (two vacant seats), the Tree Committee approved the Minutes of February 28, 2022. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None --End of Public Comment-- NEW BUSINESS Member Lucas recused from Item 2 due to the proximity of her residence to the project site, and left the room at 5:33 p.m. 2. New Business: 1911 & 1823 Johnson Ave. (ARCH-0161-2019, VAR-0499-2019, USE-0500- 2019, EID-0742-2021). Review of the proposed removal of 113 trees and replanting of 120 trees to facilitate the phased expansion of the French Hospital Medical Center campus that includes the construction of a two-level 5,800-square-foot parking structure with a helistop that has specific FAA requirements for flight paths, a four-story 89,775-square-foot patient tower, and associated landscaping. (Cassidy Williams, Contract Planner) Page 5 of 34 Minutes – Tree Committee Regular Meeting of March 28, 2022 Page 2 Item 4a Recommendation: Recommend the Planning Commission find the proposed tree removals and compensatory planting plan as part of the French Hospital Expansion project consistent with the Tree Regulations. The Tree Committee may provide recommended considerations or condition(s) related to the tree removals and compensatory planting. Contract Planner Cassidy Williams provided a presentation and responded to questions from the Committee. PUBLIC COMMENT None --End of Public Comment-- The Applicant, Ariana Melendez, addressed the Committee and was available for questions. Applicant representative, Michael Cripe with Oasis Landscape, answered questions posed by the Committee. ACTION: UPON MOTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSTEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WELLER, CARRIED 4-0-1 (Member Lucas recused, two vacant seats), to approve the tree removal and replanting plan as presented. Member Lucas rejoined the meeting at 5:52 p.m. TREE REMOVAL APPEALS 3. 572 E. Foothill Blvd. Review an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to deny removal of two (2) Canary Island Pine trees (pinus canariensis). Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision. PUBLIC COMMENT Luke Stewart --End of Public Comment-- The Appellant, Joe Lopez, provided an overview of the appeal. ACTION: UPON MOTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR CANELLA, CARRIED 5-0-0 (two vacant seats), the Tree Committee denied the appeal and upheld the City Arborist’s decision to deny the removal of the two trees. Page 6 of 34 Minutes – Tree Committee Regular Meeting of March 28, 2022 Page 3 Item 4a 4. 3204 Flora St. Review an appeal of the City Arborist’s decision to deny removal of one (1) Southern Magnolia tree (magnolia grandiflora). Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided a report on this decision. PUBLIC COMMENT None --End of Public Comment-- The Appellant, Tim Gilligan, provided an overview of the appeal. ACTION: UPON MOTION OF VICE CHAIR CANELLA, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSTEN, CARRIED 5-0-0 (with two vacant seats), the Tree Committee denied the appeal and upheld the City Arborist’s decision to deny the removal of the tree. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 5. Arborists Report:  Operations Update: Tree Inventory, WCA, Pruning, and Watering ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee will be held on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall , 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Please note that, with the return of in -person meetings, Zoom participation will no longer be supported. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/2022 Page 7 of 34 Page 8 of 34 Tree Removal Inspection Report TO: Michelle Borrero FROM: Anthony Whipple, Acting City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor SUBJECT: Removal Application SR#12341 On Date: February 10th, 2022, I inspected 1 tree at address 3701 S. Higuera in response to tree removal application SR#12341. The removal of the mentioned application was submitted based on: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.090 (E) 1 a. The tree is an imminent hazard to life or property, and removing it is the only feasible way to eliminate the hazard (see subsection (I)(2) of this section for director approval of immediate hazard abatement without a formal application or noticing; removals pursuant to this subsection (E)(1)(a) and subsection (I)(2) of this section are not appealable). b.The tree is dead or dying or diseased or damaged beyond reclamation. c.The tree’s roots are causing severe damage to public or private property, and removing the tree is the only feasible way to eliminate the damage. d.The tree is affected by structural defects and/or deficiencies that will limit lifespan. e.The tree is densely clustered amongst other trees and the requested tree removal promotes good arboricultural practice. Upon inspection of the Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, commonly known as the Monterey Cypress, I could not find significant structural damage and or appropriate criteria for removal authorized by the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, Title 12, Tree Regulations, and I denied the removal application. Appeals must be file with the City Clerk’s Office Municipal Code 12.24.180 Thank you, Anthony Whipple, Acting City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor (805) 781-7021 awhipple@slocity.org Public Works - Urban Forestry 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 805.781.7220 slocity.org Item 5a Page 9 of 34 Item 5a Page 10 of 34 Item 5a Page 11 of 34 Item 5a Page 12 of 34 Item 5a Page 13 of 34 Item 5a Page 14 of 34 Item 5a Page 15 of 34 Item 5a Page 16 of 34 Item 5a Page 17 of 34 Item 5a Page 18 of 34 Item 5a Page 19 of 34 Item 5a Page 20 of 34 Item 5a Page 21 of 34 Item 5a Page 22 of 34 Item 5a Page 23 of 34 Item 5a Page 24 of 34 Item 5a Page 25 of 34 Page 26 of 34 $SULO 2022 Subject: Tree Removal Application Denial Your application for the removal of tree(s) at %UDQFK. Has been reviewed by the City Arborist. After review of the information submitted in your removal application and inspection of the tree(s), your removal application has been DENIED. The City Arborist was not able to find the necessary criteria to approve the application based on San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.090. Pursuant to San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.180, you have the right to appeal the decision of the City Arborist to the City’s Tree Committee. Your appeal must be file within ten (10) dates of the date of this letter. Appeals shall be submitted to the City of San Luis Obispo Clerk’s Office and are subject to a $125.71 appeal fee. The Tree Committee, which is comprised of seven members of the community, will review your application and inspect the subject tree(s). The Tree Committee may authorize removal if it finds one of the following circumstances: a. The tree(s) is an imminent hazard to life or property, and removing it is the only feasible way to eliminate the hazard; b. The tree(s) is dead or dying or diseased or damaged beyond reclamation; c. The tree’s roots are causing severe damage to public or private property, and removing the tree is the only feasible way to eliminate the damage; d. The tree(s) is/are affected by structural defects and/or deficiencies that will limit lifespan; e. The tree(s) is/are densely clustered amongst other trees and the requested tree removal promotes good arboricultural practice; f. The tree(s) is/are obstructing vision, access, or mobility of public traffic. g. The requested tree removal is necessary to alleviate a demonstrated and ongoing maintenance burden for the property owner exceeding routine tree maintenance. Tree Committee meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at the City &RXQFLO+HDULQJ 5RRP,3DOPVWUHHW, starting at 5:30 pm. You, or your agent, are required to attend the Tree Committee meeting for the Committee to act on your request. At the meeting, the City Arborist will provide a brief assessment of the tree(s) condition, after which you will be given an opportunity to explain the need for the tree removal(s). The Committee members will deliberate and determine whether the Tree Committee will grant or deny your request. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact me at (805) 781-7023. Sincerely, Anthony Whipple Acting Urban Forest Supervisor / City Arborist Enclosures: Inspection Report, Tree Committee Appeal Form Public Works - Urban Forestry 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 805.781.7220 slocity.org Item 5b Page 27 of 34 Item 5b Page 28 of 34 Item 5b Page 29 of 34 Item 5b Page 30 of 34 Item 5bPage 31 of 34 Item 5b Page 32 of 34 Item 5b Page 33 of 34 Item 5b Page 34 of 34