HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2023 TC Minutes
1
Tree Committee Minutes
October 23, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Tree Committee
Members Present:
Member Henry Bonifas, Member Daniel Canella, Member Emily
Rosten, Vice Chair Ben Parker, Chair Elizabeth Lucas
Tree Committee
Members Absent:
Member Alan Bate
City Staff Present: Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple, Deputy City Clerk Megan
Wilbanks
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order
on October 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Lucas.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
Fitzgerald Kelly
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 TREE
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion By Vice Chair Parker
Second By Member Rosten
To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of September 25, 2023.
Ayes (5): Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Rosten, Vice Chair
Parker, and Chair Lucas
Absent (1): Member Bate
CARRIED (5 to 0)
2
4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION
4.a 1440 HIGUERA STREET TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION
City Arborist Anthony Whipple presented the staff report and responded to
Committee inquiries.
The Applicant, Anthony Bozzano, and their representatives, Casey
Guenther and Dan Ponte, provided an overview of the Tree Removal
Application and responded to questions raised.
Chair Lucas opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Lucas closed Public Comment
Motion By Member Rosten
Second By Member Canella
Recommend the Community Development Director approve the Tree
Removal Application to remove one (1) Coastal Redwood (sequoia
sempervirens) tree located at 1440 Higuera Street with the following
recommendations:
• Replacement shall occur at a 4:1 ratio with one (1) 36-inch box
tree, in a variety that reaches over 30-feet in height, and three (3)
15-gallon trees.
• One replacement tree must be planted at the Applicant's residence,
672 Howard Street, San Luis Obispo.
• The remaining trees are to be planted at offsite locations, to be
recommended by the City Arborist, as there are limited options to
replant at the removal site, 1440 Higuera Street.
• Planting shall adhere to the City's Engineering Standards Sections
8210, 8220, 8250.
Ayes (4): Member Canella, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas
Noes (1): Member Bonifas
Absent (1): Member Bate
CARRIED (4 to 1)
3
5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a ARBORIST REPORT
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided the following update of
upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division:
• At the October 17, 2023 City Council Meeting, Mayor Stewart
presented the Urban Forestry Division with an Arbor Day
Proclamation. The Arbor Day celebration will be held on Saturday,
November 4, 2023 at French Park, 1040 Fuller Road, San Luis
Obispo, from 10am – 12pm.
• Recruitment is ongoing to fill positions with the Urban Forestry
Division.
• Mitigation near the Marsh Street bridge is underway as part of the
storm recovery work from the Winter 2023 storms.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m. The Tree Committee will hold a Special
Meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing
Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The Regular Meeting of
November 27, 2023 will be cancelled.
_________________________
APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: 01/22/2024