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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. 470 Pismo St. Tree Removal Application (TREE-0221-2024) TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE SWEETGUM (LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA) TREE LOCATED AT 470 PISMO STREET FILE NUMBER: TREE-0221-2024 PROJECT ADDRESS: 470 Pismo Street FROM: Walter Gault, Urban Forestry Program Coordinator / City Arborist Phone Number: (805) 781-7578 Email: wgault@slocity.org RECOMMENDATION Review the proposed Tree Removal Application (TREE-0221-2024) to remove one (1) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) tree for consistency with the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) Criteria and Process for Non -Construction Related Tree Removal Application Determinations Related to Property Owner Convenience and provide a recommendation to the Community Development Director. 1.0 APPLICATION DESCRIPTION RongShan Jin (Applicant) has requested the removal of one (1) Liquidambar styraciflua in the front yard at 470 Pismo Street per Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) related to property owner convenience. The applicant would like to remove the tree and replace it with 3 trees (2 Jacaranda mimisifolia and 1 Cercis occidentalis [Western Redbud]). Meeting Date: 8/26/2024 Item Number: 4a Time Estimate: 20 Minutes Figure 1: Location of the proposed tree removal at 470 Pismo Street. Figure 2: View of the Liquidambar styraciflua in the front yard. Page 13 of 57 Item 4a TREE-0221-2024 (470 Pismo St.) Tree Committee Report – August 26, 2024 2.0 COMMITTEE PURVIEW The Tree Committee’s role is to review the removal request in accordance with the process set forth in San Luis Obispo Municipal Code (SLOMC) Section 12.24 (Tree Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E)(3). This code section utilizes the process set forth in subsection F(2), the relevant additional application requirements in subsection (D)(2) and the criteria set forth in subsection (G). 3.0 TREE REGULATIONS The City’s Tree Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 12.24) was adopted in 2010 and recently updated in 2019 with the purpose of establishing a comprehensive program for installing, maintaining, and preserving trees within the City. This ordinance establishes policies, regulations, and specifications necessary to govern installation, maintenance, removal, and preservation of trees to beautify the city; to purify the air; to provide shade and wind protection; to add environmental and economic value; and to preserve trees with historic or unusual value. Criteria for Convenience Tree Removal Applications. SLOMC §12.24.090 subsection (E)(3) requires review by the Tree Committee using the criteria set for in SLOMC §12.24.090(G). Staff has provided the applicable criteria below that applies to this application as well as a brief discussion . The Tree Committee should discuss whether the proposed tree removal is consistent with the code.  (G)(1). Size of Tree. The scale of the tree shall be considered, as well as the size of the tree’s canopy. Larger, more visually prominent trees may have a higher preservation priority than smaller, less visually prominent trees. The tree proposed for removal is large and visually prominent in the front yard of the site.  (G)(2). Location of Tree on Private Property. The location of the tree on private property shall be considered. Trees located in a private rear yard, which are not highly visible from the public right-of-way, may have a lower preservation priority than trees with a high visual impact to the neighborhood. The tree proposed for removal is located in the front yard and is highly visible from the public right of way.  (G)(3). Species of Tree. Native trees shall have a higher preservation priority than non-native trees. The tree proposed for removal is not native.  (G)(6). Compliance with Subsection J of This Section Regarding Compensatory Plantings. The approving authority may consider an application proposal to provide compensatory plantings in excess of required minimums in evaluating this criterion. The applicant is proposing to replant three trees in place of the one tree removal. Page 14 of 57 Item 4a TREE-0221-2024 (470 Pismo St.) Tree Committee Report – August 26, 2024 4.0 ACTIONS 4.1 Recommend findings of consistency with the Tree Regulations. An action recommending approval of the application based on consistency with the Tree Regulations (SLOMC Section 12.24). An approval of the application should include a compensatory replanting plan with size and species of tree. 4.2 Recommend findings of inconsistency with the Tree Regulations. An action recommending denial of the application should include findings that cite the basis for denial and should reference inconsistency with the General Plan, Tree Regulations, or other policy documents. 4.3 Continue the project to a hearing date certain, or uncertain. An action continuing the application should include direction to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues. 5.0 ATTACHMENTS A - Tree Removal Application for 470 Pismo (TREE-0221-2024) Page 15 of 57 Page 16 of 57 Page 17 of 57 Page 18 of 57 Page 19 of 57 Page 20 of 57 Page 21 of 57 Page 22 of 57 1 Tree Removal Convenience Application to remove one (1) Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum)located in the front yard at 470 Pismo Street. Applicant: RongShan Jin (Lin) Item 1: TREE-0221-2024 (470 Pismo Street) August 26, 2024 2 Tree Committee Focus of Review Review the proposed tree removal request regarding its consistency with the policies and standards set forth in the Tree Regulations (San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E)(3). Make a recommendation to the Community Development Director. 3 Location •470 Pismo Street •Applicant is requesting to remove one Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweet Gum) 4 Proposed Tree Removal 5 Replanting Plan The applicant is proposing to replant 3:1 in the front yard with the following trees: •(2) Jacaranda mimisifolia •(1) Western Red Bud Pismo Street House 6 Summary of Applicable Criteria 12.24.090(G)(1-7) •G(1): One highly visible Liquidambar styraciflua with moderately-sized canopy •G(2-3): Non-native in the front yard •G(4): Front yard could support more trees •G(5): Tree species is known to have invasive root structure •G(6): Replanting plan exceeds required minimum for replanting (3:1). • G(7): Not a Heritage Tree . •https://sanluisobispo.municipal.codes/Code/12.24.090(G) 7 Tree Committee Actions Recommend findings of consistency with the Tree Regulations. o This action may include recommendations for revisions to the landscaping plan. Recommend findings of inconsistency with the Tree Regulations. o Cite the basis for denial and reference inconsistency with the General Plan, Tree Regulations, or other policy documents. 7 Continue the project to a hearing date certain, or uncertain. An action continuing the application should include direction to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues.