The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05-19-2025 TC Agenda Packet Tree Committee AGENDA Monday, May 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo The Tree Committee holds in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be supported at this time. Attendees of City Council or Advisory Body meetings are eligible to receive one hour of complimentary parking; restrictions apply, visit Parking for Public Meetings for more details. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the meeting): Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401. Email - Submit Public Comments via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org. In the body of your email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number (if applicable). Emails will not be read aloud during the meeting. Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your name, the agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment. Verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. Voicemails will not be played during the meeting. *All correspondence will be archived and distributed to members, however, submissions received after the deadline ma not be processed until the following day. Public Comment during the meeting: Meetings are held in-person. To provide public comment during the meeting, you must be present at the meeting location. Electronic Visual Aid Presentation. To conform with the City's Network Access and Use Policy, Chapter 1.3.8 of the Council Policies & Procedures Manual, members of the public who desire to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentation must provide display-ready material to the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Contact the City Clerk's Office at cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781-7114. Pages 1.CALL TO ORDER Chair Ben Parker will call the Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee to order. 2.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA As this is a Special Meeting, public comment is limited to items listed on the agenda. 3.PRESENTATION Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault will provide a presentation on the Brown Act and Robert's Rules of Order. 4.CONSENT Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non- controversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may request the Tree Committee to pull an item for discussion. The public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the three-minute time limit. 4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - APRIL 28, 2025 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 Recommendation: To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of April 28, 2025. 5.TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 5.a REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 5 PALM TREES LOCATED AT 2777 FLORA ST (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0179-2025) 9 Recommendation: Review the proposed tree removal application for consistency with the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) and provide a recommendation to the Community Development Director. 6.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a ARBORIST REPORT Receive a brief update from Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault. 7.ADJOURNMENT The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available -- see the Clerk The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410. Agenda related writings or documents provided to the Tree Committee are available for public inspection on the City’s website: https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-and- minutes. Meeting video recordings can be found on the City’s website: http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=61087&dbid=0&repo=CityCl erk Page 4 of 29 1 Tree Committee Minutes April 28, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Tree Committee Members Present: Member Henry Bonifas, Member Dan Shinn, Vice Chair Ben Parker, Chair Elizabeth Lucas Tree Committee Members Absent: Member Daniel Canella, Member Charles Gerencser, Member Emily Rosten City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault, Deputy City Clerk Kevin Christian _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on April 28, 2025 at 5:33 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Lucas. 2. OATH OF OFFICE Deputy City Clerk Kevin Christian administered the Oath of Office to Dan Shinn. 3. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR As required by the Tree Committee Bylaws, the committee held an election for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. Motion By Member Bonifas Second By Member Shinn Motion to elect Ben Parker as Tree Committee Chair. Ayes (4): Member Bonifas, Member Shinn, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (3): Member Canella, Member Gerencser, and Member Rosten CARRIED (4 to 0) Page 5 of 29 2 Motion By Vice Chair Parker Second By Chair Lucas Motion to elect Emily Rostin as Tree Committee Vice Chair. Ayes (4): Member Bonifas, Member Shinn, Vice Chair Parker, and Chair Lucas Absent (3): Member Canella, Member Gerencser, and Member Rosten CARRIED (4 to 0) 4. PRESENTATION Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist, Walter Gault, provided a presentation on the Brown Act and Robert's Rules of Order. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly Lindsey Hiber --End of Public Comment-- 6. CONSENT 6.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MARCH 24, 2025, TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion By Member Shinn Second By Member Bonifas To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of March 24, 2025. Ayes (4): Member Bonifas, Member Shinn, Member Lucas, and Chair Parker Absent (3): Member Canella, Member Gerencser, and Member Rosten CARRIED (4 to 0) Page 6 of 29 3 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.a 2025 ENGINEERING STANDARDS UPDATE, STREET TREES MAJOR LIST (8020) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided a review of tree related Engineering Standard modifications discussed to date, presented a report on possible additional recommendations, and responded to Committee questions. Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly Lindsey Hiber --End of Public Comment-- Motion By Chair Lucas Second By Member Shinn Motion to recommend approval of the updates to the 2025 Engineering Standards, Street Trees Major List (8020) as presented. Ayes (4): Member Bonifas, Member Shinn, Member Lucas, and Chair Parker Absent (3): Member Canella, Member Gerencser, and Member Rosten CARRIED (4 to 0) 8. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 8.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided an update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division and responded to Committee inquiries. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. The next Special Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for May 19, 2025 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/202X Page 7 of 29 Page 8 of 29 TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 5 PALM TREES LOCATED AT 2777 FLORA ST (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0179-2025) FROM: Walter Gault, City Arborist Phone Number: (805) 781-7578 Email: wgault@slocity.org RECOMMENDATION Review the proposed tree removal application for consistency with the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) and provide a recommendation to the Community Development Director. 1.0 APPLICATION DESCRIPTION Joshua Davis, the applicant, has requested the removal of five (5) Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) at 2777 Flora Street located within the R-1 zone. The applicant has indicated in their application that the trunks and roots of the palms are impacting an existing solar thermal system, have outgrown their planter boxes and that the fronds have become dangerous. The applicant would like to remove the palm trees and replace them with five (5) compensatory trees onsite including one (1) Dogwood in the front yard, two (2) Jacaranda mimosifolia (Purple Trumpet) in the parkway along El Paseo Ct, and two (2) non-fruiting Olive trees in the backyard. Meeting Date: 5/19/2025 Item Number: 5a Time Estimate: 30 Minutes Figure 1 – Site of proposed tree removals Page 9 of 29 Item 5a TREE-0179-2025 Tree Committee Report – 5-19-2025 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) Chapter 12.24, specifically Section 12.24.090(E)(3) - tree removals related to property owner convenience. 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 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). Applicable criteria are provided in italics below and followed by a description of the proposed tree removals as it relates to that criterion.  (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 trees proposed for removal are large and visually prominent in the neighborhood.  (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. Figure 2 – View of palm trees (on left) from El Paseo Ct. Page 10 of 29 Item 5a TREE-0179-2025 Tree Committee Report – 5-19-2025 The tree proposed for removal is located in the backyard but it is also 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 trees proposed for removal are non-native.  (G)(4). Forestry Best Practice. The number of healthy trees that a given parcel of land will support shall be considered, and whether removal would enhance the health or survival of remaining trees. Applications that increase biodiversity of native trees and tree age distribution within a given area are preferred. The removal and replanting would increase the biodiversity of the urban forest and tree age distribution.  (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 meet the minimum required replanting rate of 1:1.  (G)(7). Heritage Trees. Heritage trees have the highest preservation priority. The trees are not heritage trees. 4.0 ACTIONS 4.1 Recommend findings of consistency with the Tree Regulations. An action recommending approval of the proposed tree removals based on consistency will be forwarded to the Community Development Director for final action. This action may include recommendations regarding the 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 proposed tree removals 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 review of the proposed tree removals should include direction to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues. Page 11 of 29 Item 5a TREE-0179-2025 Tree Committee Report – 5-19-2025 5.0 ATTACHMENTS A - Tree Removal Application Form B - Site Plan C - Photo Catalogue & Replanting Plan D - Arborist Report Page 12 of 29 Page 13 of 29 Page 14 of 29 Page 15 of 29 Page 16 of 29 Photo Log for 2777 Flora St Tree Removal Application for Five Palm Trees in Backyard 1. Picture of all five Washingtonia Robustas palm trees. Palm trees are marked by pink ribbons. Trees 1-3 are in a cluster on the right-hand side and are marked by one ribbon on each trunk. Tree 4 is in the middle and is marked by 2 pink ribbons on the trunk. Tree 5 is on the left-hand side and marked by three pink ribbons on the trunk. Page 17 of 29 2. Trees 1-3 cluster. Each tree has a single ribbon around the trunks. First picture is the base. Second picture is looking at the trees from the other side. Page 18 of 29 Page 19 of 29 3. Tree 4. The tree has two ribbons around the trunk. First picture is the base. Second picture is full height. The third picture shows the solar thermal pipes that transports the pool water up to the roof of the house to heat. The pipes are at the base of the fence and go behind the tree trunks. Page 20 of 29 Page 21 of 29 Page 22 of 29 4. Tree 5. The tree has three ribbons around the trunk. First picture is the base. Second picture is full height. Page 23 of 29 Page 24 of 29 Replanting Plan for 2777 Flora St in accordance with 12.24.090(J) Notes:  Application is for removal of five trees  Intent is to compensate each tree removal with one new tree, if needed Compensatory plantings:  a dogwood tree in the front yard adjacent to existing dogwood  two jacaranda trees on street frontage to match neighbor’s street frontage plantings  two non-fruiting olive trees along back fence by pool to match neighbor’s olive trees in their yard Page 25 of 29 Page 26 of 29 Palm Assessment at 2777 Flora Street San Luis Obispo, CA Joshua Davis 1 | P a g e Memorandum To: Joshua Davis From: Sam Oakley 2777 Flora Street Master Arborist WE-9474B San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Consulting Arborist #556 503.329.9580 415.407.6995 joshua.ac.davis@gmail.com sam@oakleygroup.org Subject: Tree Assessment at 2777 Flora Street, San Luis Obispo Date: February 17, 2025 Introduction We were asked to prepare an arborist report for five (5) Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) tree at 2777 Flora Street in San Luis Obispo, California. Observations The five subject trees are Washingtonia robusta, 17-, 26-inches DSH, and a 21, 22, and 36-inch DSH cluster (Fig. 1). They are growing in a narrow, raised planter bordering the northwest property line in the backyard of the 2777 Flora Street property (Fig. 2). The palms are in fair health with front tip necrosis and frond dieback typical of the species. They are 60- to 70-feet in height. The palms share their planter with a native oak, pittosporum shrubs, and several smaller palm trees (Fig. 3). Figure 1: image of the subject palms in their planter. Page 27 of 29 Palm Assessment at 2777 Flora Street San Luis Obispo, CA Joshua Davis 2 | P a g e Figure 2: subject palms location at 2777 Flora Street (grey marker). Figure 3: the narrow planter the palms are growing in (red arrow showing the heat pipe that need replacement). Page 28 of 29 Palm Assessment at 2777 Flora Street San Luis Obispo, CA Joshua Davis 3 | P a g e Discussion The palms are considered regulated pursuant to Chapter 12.24.090 of the SLOMC. The primary concern regarding these palms is that the palms have outgrown their planter, and you would like them removed. I agree that the planter is inadequate for their future growth and they should be removed. Secondly, you have had several near- misses of fronds that have fallen and struck the ground at terminal velocity, and you are concerned that eventually a falling frond will injure someone. Annual pruning can mitigate the potential for fronds to build up in the crown and fall. Lastly, you expressed that the pool’s solar water heater piping needs repairing and cannot be done without the palms removed. I have confirmed that the palm trunks are growing directly into the pipe. Removing and repairing/replacing the pipe would cause irreparable damage to the trunks of several palms. Removal of these palms would likely require replacement. We have determined that at least three (3) replacement trees could be located along the street frontage of El Paseo Court (Fig. 4). Other trees can be located within the front yard landscaping. Recommendations I recommend that you consider removing the palms to repair the water heater piping. I recommend that you: • An application for removal be prepared and submitted. If removal is granted, remove the palms and perform repairs to the infrastructure as soon as possible. Replace as required. Figure 4: potential replanting locations along El Paseo Court. Page 29 of 29