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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. 1440 Higuera St. Tree Removal Application TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Tree Committee Members FROM: Anthony Whipple, City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor (805) 781-7021 awhipple@slocity.org SUBJECT: Tree Removal Application SR# 14186 COMMITTEE PURVIEW Due to the property being located within an Office zone, the Tree Committee’s role is to review the Tree Removal Application and provide a recommendation to the Community Development Director. On October 2, 2023, I posted one Coastal Redwood (sequoia sempervirens) tree located at 1440 Higuera Street in response to Tree Removal Application SR#14186. The removal application was submitted based on: San Luis Municipal Code 12.24.090.E.1. E. Criteria and Process for Non-Construction Related Tree Removal Application Determinations Related to Tree Health or Hazard Mitigation or Property Owner Convenience (Refer to Subsection G of This Section for Criteria for Construction Tree Removal Determinations). ATTACHMENTS A - Tree Inspection Report B - Proof of Posting C - Tree Removal Application Meeting Date: 10/23/2023 Item Number: 4a Time Estimate: 30 minutes Page 9 of 24 Page 10 of 24 Tree Inspection Report TO: Anthony Bozzano FROM: Anthony Whipple, City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor SUBJECT: Removal Application SR#14186 On September 19, 2023, I Posted a Public Notice for a Tree Committee hearing for one coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) tree(s) located at 1440 Higuera Street in response to tree removal application SR#14186. The removal of the mentioned application was submitted based on: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.090 F.2 The Subject tree(s) is one Coasral Redwood (tree)s. The tree is located on property located in the Commercial zone; therefore, the Tree Committee shall review and make a recommendation on the tree removal application to the Community Development Director as authorized by the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code. Thank you, Anthony Whipple, 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 Page 11 of 24 Page 12 of 24 Page 13 of 24 Page 14 of 24 TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, DEVELOPMENT Follow Non-Construction Tree Removal Criteria and Process here (SLOMC 12.24.090.E) Follow Construction Tree Removal Criteria and Process here (SLOMC 12.24.090.F) Owner: Applicant: Address: Address: City: Zip: City: Zip: Phone: Phone: Email: Email: Address of Tree(s): Number of trees applying to remove? ____ Tree Species: Reason: Is this removal a City Tree?____ YES_____ NO_____ UNKNOWN Dog in yard?___ YES____ NO Is this property governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA)?___ YES____ NO If YES, please provide HOA Board Approved Meeting minutes authorizing tree removal(s) with your tree removal application. 1 Please include a photo log that clearly shows the trees requested for removal. All Tree(s) must be uniquely identified by a number and a ribbon or an identifier wrapped around the truck in the photo and prior to inspection 2 Please include a replanting plan in accordance with Section 12.24.090(J) of the City’s Municipal Code. A minimum of one new tree shall be planted for each tree authorized to be removed on the same property (on site) or two new trees shall be planted for each tree authorized to be removed when planted on a different property or within the public right-of- way (off site). Anthony and Olivia Bozzano Anthony Bozzano 1440 Higuera St 672 Howard St San Luis Obispo 93401 San Luis Obispo 93401 805-801-0517 805-801-0517 afbozzano@gmail.com afbozzano@gmail.com 1440 Higuera St 1 Redwood Please see attached, "Reason For Tree Removal Application". X X X Page 15 of 24 Page 2 Tree Removal Decisions as outlined in Section 12.24.090 of the City’s Municipal Code  SELECT ONE CRITERIA FROM BELOW SUPPORTING TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION DECISION MAKER APPEAL BODY Imminent Hazard to Life or Property Section 12.24.090(E)(1)(a) City Arborist No Appeal Tree Health and Hazard Mitigation Section 12.24.090(E) City Arborist Tree Committee Convenience Removal (Tree Committee makes recommendation to Community Development Director) 12.24.090(E)(3) Community Development Director Planning Commission City Council Minor Ministerial Development Permit (removal for residential or accessory construction on an R-1 or R-2 lot) Section City Arborist Community Development Director Criteria for Discretionary Permits Construction Tree Removal Section 12.24.090(F)(3) Community Development Director Planning Commission City Council Major Development / Tentative Tract Map/ Conditional Use Permit Section 12.24.090(F)(4) Planning Commission City Council Please include a check for $182.37 along with completed application & documentation. Tree Removal applications may be submitted in person at 25 Prado Road at the City’s Corporation Yard in SLO or mailed to: City of San Luis Obispo Public Works- Urban Forest Services 25 Prado Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 12.24.090(F)(1) Pursuant to San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.180, 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. Appeals must be 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 activity relying on the subject tree removal until the appeal is heard and a decision is reached. The fee to appeal to the Tree Committee is 40.80 This tree removal application must be signed by the property owner or an Authorized Agent. I declare under penalty of perjury that all the facts stated within this tree removal application are true and correct. Property Owner Signature: _________________________________ Date:___________ Applicant’s Signature: _____________________________________ Date:___________ Please make check payable to the City of San Luis Obispo  Check#: __________ X 9/15/23 9/15/23 1280Page 16 of 24 September 12,2023 Reason for Tree Removal Application:1440 Higuera Street To Whom It May Concern, We are requesting a Tree Removal Permit for the redwood tree on the north east back corner of 1440 Higuera because the redwood unfortunately poses a hazard to both property and health. The tree is growing on a small sliver of dirt,and is immediately surrounded by a garage on two sides,a parking area cut into the root ball,and a driveway on the remaining side. In a storm early in December 2022,the redwood lost multiple large branches from high up within the canopy.Some of these branches landed on the garage,while others landed on either the power lines or a neighbor ’s property,as they were found stacked in the driveway at 1440 Higuera (please see attached photos).These large branches,which split along the trunk of the tree,could certainly cause damage to a person,and potentially to a building,if it were to fall upon them. In early 2023,a subsequent storm caused the failure of multiple additional limbs,one of which knocked down the power line to our building,resulting in a live,high power line falling to the ground,and requiring immediate repair from PG&E. We have reached out to multiple arborists,including Steven Alvarez,A&T Arborists,and Ron Combs,Bunyon Bros.Steven Alvarez is very unfortunately deceased,however prior to his passing,he prepared an arborist report,which stated that “I have determined the tree to have a high risk of failure of the limbs,and a high risk of the tree to outgrow its planting area”.Steven concluded that it is probable that heavy horizontal limbs over the garage,parking and power lines will fail,and that tree roots and sprouts are probable to lift the garage floor,walls,and hardscape.He further stated that,“The high risk of failure(s)stated above would have a high probability of hitting a valuable target,with significant to severe consequences.”The risk rating that Steven assessed to this was “High”. After Steven’s passing,we contacted Ron Combs,an arborist for Bunyon Bros.,to ask for him to view the redwood,and assess Steven’s report.Ron provided the attached review,and stated that,“From my observations this large trunked Redwood Tree has had several recent limb failures,multiple older broken stubs and pruning cuts.Information gathered from the property owner and adjacent neighbor in the past and the shape of this tree indicates a history of failures and impacts to surrounding infrastructure.”Furthermore,“Pruning the top parts consistently can somewhat reduce canopy failures,however infrastructure damage is likely to continue to occur from the top and root crown.”Ultimately,Ron concurred with Steven Alvarez’s report. Page 17 of 24 Ultimately,this redwood presents not only a risk to surrounding property,but also to human life.Structures surrounding the tree include housing,office space,a hotel,and hair salons.If it falls unexpectedly,there’s not a safe direction that it can fall in that would not be potentially occupied by people. The available space for replanting at 1440 Higuera St is limited to the exact spot where the redwood is currently.Any replanting at that site would lead to the same issues in the future.If this tree removal application is approved,we propose planting two trees offsite,or one tree at 672 Howard Street (plan attached)and one tree offsite.We are open to suggestions by the Tree Committee. Please understand that it was never our desire to remove this tree.But recent storms have highlighted to us the long-term challenges to both person and building safety that this redwood presents,not just “today ”,but in the decades to come.We are happy to plant other trees,on this property and/or off site,to mitigate the loss of this redwood. All My Best, Anthony Bozzano Page 18 of 24 9/15/23, 11:24 AM Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2853397,-120.6544805,43m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu 1/1 Map data ©2023 , Map data ©2023 20 ft REDWOOD 1440 Higuera Site Plan Drawing and Tree ID - 1440 Higuera St Page 19 of 24 December 2022 - Broken Branches from StormPage 20 of 24 December 2022 - Page 21 of 24 February 2023 - Large Branches fell on power line February 2023 - Codominant Stem with Included Bark and location where branches broke from trunk Page 22 of 24 February 2023 - Broken branch and damage to power lines Page 23 of 24 9/15/23, 11:33 AM 672 Howard St - Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/place/672+Howard+St/@35.2882505,-120.6604371,86m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m7!3m6!1s0x80ecf1a9f81b65c1:0xb52c31adcd5559b8!4b1…1/2 Imagery ©2023 Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Map data ©2023 20 ft 672 Howard St Building Directions Save Nearby Send to phone Share 672 Howard St REPLANTING PLAN - OFFSITE OPTION * Proposed Location for Fig and/or Lemon Tree denoted with a red “star” Page 24 of 24