HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/15/2025 Item 6i, Horn and Kacsinta - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Madeline Kacsinta, Capital Improvement Admin Manager
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 6I. – CULTUARAL ARTS DISTRICT PARKING STRUCTURE TREE
REMOVAL REQUEST
Staff received the following questions, regarding the request to remove the Afrocarpus
tree at the corner of Nipomo and Monterey Streets. The questions are below with staff’s
response shown in italics:
1. Since staff is recommending that the tree be removed and a tree planting
plan be developed to compensate for the need to remove the tree, at this
time, do you know how many trees will be required for the compensatory
planting? Also, will it be possible to plant any of those trees on-site in the
general vicinity of the theatre or structure, or will they all be elsewhere in the
city?
At this time, the exact number of compensatory trees required has not yet been
finalized, but we anticipate applying a 2:1 replacement ratio based on City
standards. Given the current SLO Rep Theater building plans, it appears that the
site cannot accommodate a tree of the size we would typically require, nor would
the existing conditions support its survival through construction activities if we were
to plant a tree following the completion of the CADPS project. As a result, any on-
site planting would likely need to occur after construction is complete.
Additionally, due to the existing SLO Rep Theater infrastructure and our ongoing
efforts to preserve the nearby oak tree, we recommend shifting any new
infrastructure as far from the oak as possible to protect its root zone. This approach
may further limit the available space for replanting trees on-site.
For these reasons, it is likely that we will pursue an off-site replanting plan to meet
the compensatory planting requirement, with the intention of planting at a 2:1 ratio
in suitable areas elsewhere in the city.