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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3a. 05-20-2024 TC Draft Minutes 1 Tree Committee Minutes May 20, 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 Daniel Canella, Member Emily Rosten, Vice Chair Ben Parker, Chair Elizabeth Lucas Tree Committee Members Absent: Member Brian Pineda City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault, Deputy City Clerk Megan Wilbanks _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on May 20, 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 ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MARCH 25, 2024 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion By Vice Chair Parker Second By Member Rosten To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of March 25, 2024. Page 5 of 45 2 4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 4.a 10 HIGUERA ST (ARCH-0358-2023) REVIEW REQUEST TO REMOVE TWO TREES AND REPLANT 25 TREES AS PART OF A NEW MIXED- USE PROJECT THAT CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 23,164 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE, A ONE BEDROOM RESIDENTIAL UNIT, AND ASSOCIATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS Senior Planner Rachel Cohen provided an overview of the Tree Removal Application and responded to Committee inquiries. Chair Lucas opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Lucas closed Public Comment Motion By Member Canella Second By Vice Chair Parker Recommend the Planning Commission approve the Tree Removal Application to remove two (2) Peruvian pepper (Schinus mole) trees and replant 25 trees, as part of a new mixed-use project located at 10 Higuera Street, with the following direction:  The applicant should consider replacing the proposed twelve (12) Marina Strawberry trees (Arbutus) with an alternate species from the City's Master Tree List, with the goal of maximizing canopy potential. The Committee notes that Strawberry trees are not well suited for high traffic areas, due to messy leaf and fruit litter, which requires constant cleanup / maintenance and, even at maturity, the species will not provide sufficient canopy coverage. Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Pineda CARRIED (6 to 0) Page 6 of 45 3 5. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Motion By Vice Chair Parker Second By Member Bate Elect Elizabeth Lucas to the position of Chair for a one-year term. Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Pineda CARRIED (6 to 0) Motion By Member Bate Second By Member Rosten Elect Ben Parker to the position of Vice Chair for a one-year term. Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Pineda CARRIED (6 to 0) 6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided the following update:  Currently under review, is a Tree Removal Application from San Luis Ranch to remove 18 trees. The removal application will be presented to the Tree Committee at an upcoming meeting, most likely July 22, 2024.  Staff is working to get more street trees planted along Dalidio Drive in the San Luis Ranch development. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for June 24, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/2024 Page 7 of 45 Page 8 of 45