HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-2024 TC Minutes
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Tree Committee Minutes
January 22, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Tree Committee
Members Present:
Member Alan Bate, Member Henry Bonifas, Member Emily
Rosten, Vice Chair Ben Parker, Chair Elizabeth Lucas (one
vacant seat)
Tree Committee
Members Absent:
Member Daniel Canella
City Staff Present: Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple, Public Works Director Matt
Horn, Deputy City Attorney Sadie Symens, Deputy City Clerk
Megan Wilbanks
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1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order
on January 22, 2024 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:
None
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 23, 2023 TREE
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion By Vice Chair Parker
Second By Member Rosten
To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of October 23, 2023.
Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair
Parker, and Chair Lucas (one vacant seat)
Absent (1): Member Canella
CARRIED (5 to 0)
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4. NEW BUSINESS
4.a 163 SERRANO HEIGHTS DRIVE - APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE
FINES DUE TO IMPROPER PRUNING
Deputy City Attorney Sadie Symens provided an overview of the scope of
the appeal and the appeal process, pursuant to Municipal Code Chapter
1.24.130.
Public Works Director Matt Horn and City Arborist Anthony Whipple
presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries.
The Appellant, John Rourke, testified in support of the appeal and
responded to questions raised by the Committee.
Chair Lucas opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Lucas closed Public Comment
Motion By Member Bonifas
Second By Chair Lucas
The Tree Committee reviewed an appeal for improper pruning of three (3)
Coastal Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees located at 163 Serrano Heights
Drive and determined that the appellant violated the City’s Tree Regulations,
thus upholding the administrative citation and fine.
Per San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 1.24.130, the Tree Committee shall
provide a written decision to the Appellant within 30 days of the decision.
As such, a subsequent meeting of the Tree Committee will be convened
on a date to be determined to review and approve the written decision,
which will be prepared by the City Attorney's Office. The draft decision will
be published with the agenda for the Special Meeting.
Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair
Parker, and Chair Lucas (one vacant seat)
Absent (1): Member Canella
CARRIED (5 to 0)
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5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a ARBORIST REPORT
Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple provided an update of upcoming
projects and activities in the Tree Division:
• Tentatively scheduled for the February 26, 2024 Tree Committee
meeting, is review of an Appeal for a property located at 1120
Marsh Street.
• Staffing in the Tree Division is still in progress.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree
Committee is scheduled for February 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
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APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: 02/12/2024