HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3a. 01-27-2025 TC Draft Minutes
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Tree Committee Minutes
January 27, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Tree Committee
Members Present:
Committee Members Alan Bate, Henry Bonifas, Daniel Canella,
Brian Pineda, and Emily Rosten, Vice Chair Ben Parker, and
Chair Elizabeth Lucas
City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault,
Deputy City Clerk Kevin Christian
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1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order
on January 27, 2025, 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. PRESENTATION
3.a PUBLIC WORKS URBAN FOREST PROGRAM UPDATE
PRESENTATION
Public Works Deputy Director Greg Cruce reported on updates to the
City's Urban Forest Program and introduced Billy Harvey, Parks and
Urban Forestry Superintendent, and Nick Niles, Parks Maintenance
Supervisor, who each provided further updates and responded to
Committee inquiries.
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4. CONSENT
4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 2, 2024, TREE
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion By Vice Chair Parker
Second By Chair Lucas
Approve the Tree Committee Special Meeting Minutes of December 2,
2024.
Ayes (7): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member
Pineda, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas
CARRIED (7 to 0)
5. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION
5.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL REQUEST (TREE-0751-2024) TO REMOVE
ONE PINUS PINEA (ITALIAN STONE PINE) TREE LOCATED AT 1288
MORRO STREET
Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented
the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries.
Applicant representative, Bob Hill, provided an overview of the Tree
Removal Application and responded to questions raised.
Chair Lucas opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
Donald Gallegos
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Lucas closed Public Comment
Motion By Member Canella
Second By Member Rosten
Recommend the Community Development Director approve the tree
removal request which is consistent with Municipal Code Section
12.24.090(E) based on the findings below; and further recommend
conditions for replacement on a 6:1 ratio using 24-inch box trees placed
on the site, four in the locations shown in the application and two
additional locations identified by the City Arborist, prioritizing tree selection
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with large canopies from the City’s list, with the exception of Marina
Madrone.
Findings:
12.24.090.G(3) Species: Tree is non-native.
12.24.090.G(4) Forestry Best Practice: Parking lot could support more
trees. Replanting plan increases tree age-distribution in area.
12.24.090.G(6) Compensatory Plantings: Landscaping plan exceeds
required minimum for replanting.
12.24.090.G(7) Heritage Status: Not a Heritage Tree.
Ayes (6): Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Pineda, Member
Rosten, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas
Noes (1): Member Bate
CARRIED (6 to 1)
6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a ARBORIST REPORT
Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided an
update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division.
2025 Planting Update:
13 Climate Adapted Oaks (Grove and Palm Street trees)
100's of saplings (Irish Hills, Johnson Ranch, Cheda Ranch)
Upcoming Planting Events:
February 8, Rotary - Righetti Hill
February 8 and 22, Cal Poly - Cheda Ranch
February 8, EcoSLO - Sinsheimer Park
February 22 and April 12, EcoSLO - Laguna Lake Golf Course
March 15, EcoSLO – Johnson Ranch
Project Follow-up:
Serrano Heights
280 Palm
1065 Higuera
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7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree
Committee is scheduled for February 24, 2025, 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: XX/XX/2025
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