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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-2024 TC Minutes 1 Tree Committee Minutes August 26, 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 Brian Pineda, Member Emily Rosten, Vice Chair Ben Parker, Chair Elizabeth Lucas Tree Committee Members Absent: Member Daniel Canella City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault, Principal Planner Rachel Cohen, Deputy City Clerk Megan Wilbank _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on August 26, 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 - JUNE 24, 2024 AND JULY 22, 2024 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion By Member Rosten Second By Vice Chair Parker To approve the following Tree Committee Minutes: • June 24, 2024 • July 22, 2024 Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Pineda, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (6 to 0) 2 4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 4.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE SWEETGUM (LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA) TREE LOCATED AT 470 PISMO STREET (TREE-0221-2024) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. The Applicant’s representative, Lin Jin, provided an overview of the Tree Removal Application. Chair Lucas opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Lucas closed Public Comment Motion By Chair Lucas Second By Member Bate To recommend the Community Development Director deny the Tree Removal Application (TREE-0221-2024) to remove one (1) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) tree based on insufficient findings to support removal under Section 12.24.090(E). Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Pineda, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (6 to 0) 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.a REVIEW LAGUNA LAKE DOG PARK REVITALIZATION PROJECT REPLANTING PLAN (TREE-0344-2024) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Chair Lucas opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Lucas closed Public Comment 3 Motion By Chair Lucas Second By Vice Chair Parker The Tree Committee reviewed the Laguna Lake Dog Park Revitalization Planting Plan and provided the following recommendations for species selections based on the information provided in the plans and characteristics specific to the site: • Avoid planting White Alder because it has high water needs. Consider replacing with Acacia tree species. • Replace most of the proposed Coast Live Oaks with Blue Oaks because that variety does not have spikey leaves, which could injure a dog's paw. • Avoid planting Monterey cypress because there are already some on the site and they are not thriving. Consider replacing with Red Flowering Gum. • Consider replacing some of the proposed Chitalpa trees to add more species diversity along the border of the project. • Keep the proposed Sycamore trees. • Generally, in favor of species that are drought tolerant, moderate salinity tolerance due to the proposed reclaimed water irrigation, avoid species with poisonous bark/leaves/litter, excessive sap, and allergy irritants to dogs and/or people. Ayes (6): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Pineda, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (6 to 0) 6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided a general update on replanting trends for new construction projects and some of the factors that may limit the number of trees that are replanted on a site compared to the compensatory replanting recommendations from the Tree Committee. 4 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for September 23, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: 10/28/2024