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Home My WebLink About08-25-2025 TC Agenda Packet Tree Committee AGENDA Monday, August 25, 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.OATH OF OFFICE On August 19, 2025 the City Council will consider appointing Kari Gephart to the Tree Committee for the remainder of the vacated term expiring March 31, 2026. If approved, Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas will administer the Oath of Office to the newly-appointed commissioner. 3.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA The public is encouraged to submit comments on any subject within the jurisdiction of the Tree Committee that does not appear on this agenda. Although the Committee will not take action on items presented during the Public Comment Period, the Chair may direct staff to place an item on a future agenda for discussion. 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 - JULY 28, 2025 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 Recommendation: To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of July 28, 2025. 5.TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 5.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) VELVET ASH STREET TREE LOCATED AT 1524 BALBOA ST (APPLICATION: TREE-0415-2025) 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 September 22, 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 18 1 Tree Committee Minutes July 28, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Tree Committee Members Present: Member Henry Bonifas, Member Charles Gerencser, Member Dan Shinn, Vice Chair Emily Rosten, Chair Ben Parker Tree Committee Members Absent: Member Daniel Canella City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault, Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on July 28, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Parker. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MAY 19, 2025 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion By Member Bonifas Second By Vice Chair Rosten To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of May 19, 2025. Ayes (5): Member Bonifas, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Parker Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (5 to 0) Page 5 of 18 2 4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 4.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) CHINESE PISTACHE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE OSOS ST RAILROAD SAFETY INTERSECTION (APPLICATION: TREE-0432-2025) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report, provided an overview of the Tree Removal application on behalf of the City, and responded to Committee inquiries. Chair Parker opened Public Comment Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly --End of Public Comment-- Chair Parker closed Public Comment Motion By Vice Chair Rosten Second By Member Shinn Recommend that the Community Development Director approve the tree removal request per Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(G), based on the findings below, and further recommend a 3:1 compensatory replanting rate in addition to mitigating the soil with organic matter and mulch in the proposed replanting location. Findings:  12.24.090.G(3) Species: Tree is non-native  12.24.090.G(4) Forestry Best Practice: Tree is close to other trees - removal may encourage broader canopy from the remaining trees  12.24.090.G(6) Compensatory Plantings: Landscaping plan exceeds required minimum for replanting (2:1 offsite) with 3:1  12.24.090.G(7) Heritage Status: Not a Heritage tree Ayes (5): Member Bonifas, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Parker Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (5 to 0) Page 6 of 18 3 4.b REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) AFRICAN FERN PINE LOCATED AT 1421 BROAD ST (APPLICATION: TREE-0288-2025) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant representative, Ron Combs of Bunyon Bros., provided an overview of the Tree Removal Application and responded to questions raised. Chair Parker opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Parker closed Public Comment Motion By Member Gerencser Second By Vice Chair Rosten Recommend that the Community Development Director deny the tree removal request per Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(G), under Section 12.24.090(E)(3), based on the findings below; and further recommend the applicant consider the City Arborist's recommendations for tree maintenance to create a safer environment for the structure and surrounding property impacted by the tree. Findings:  12.24.090.G(1) Size of Tree: Tree is large and visually prominent in the neighborhood  12.24.090.G(2) Location of Tree: Tree is highly visible from public right-of-way  12.24.090.G(5) Right-of-Way Impact: Tree is not impacting the Public Right-of-Way either by obstruction or displacement Ayes (5): Member Bonifas, Member Gerencser, Mem ber Shinn, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Parker Absent (1): Member Canella CARRIED (5 to 0) Page 7 of 18 4 5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 5.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided the following update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division:  The City's Arbor Day event is taking place the first weekend of November at Santa Rosa Park  City staff is working with EcoSlo to organize plantings at Islay Park and Santa Rosa Park  The CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps have been adopted by the City; staff will be working on updating the Wildland- Urban Interface (WUI) Code in addition to revising City regulations to align with the State's requirements regarding the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps  The City is also experimenting with street tree plantings in partnership with local property owners  Walter Gault participated in a maintenance event at the South Hills Open Space hosted by the Rotary Club Vice Chair Rosten inquired about a previous Tree Removal application recommended for approval by the Tree Committee at 2675 Johnson Avenue. City Arborist Walter Gault provided a brief update regarding the replanting done after the tree removal. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of t he Tree Committee is scheduled for August 25, 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 8 of 18 TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: REQUEST TO REMOVE 1 VELVET ASH STREET TREE LOCATED AT 1524 BALBOA ST (APPLICATION: TREE-0415-2025) 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 for consistency with the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) and provide a recommendation to the Community Development Director. 1.0 APPLICATION DESCRIPTION Troy Schwoerer, the applicant, has requested the removal of one (1) Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash) at 1524 Balboa Street located within the R-1 zone. The applicant has indicated in their application that the tree poses a seasonal nuisance (insect infestati on and honeydew droppings) and is problematic for the sidewalk, sewer lateral and their landscaping plan. Meeting Date: 8/25/2025 Item Number: 5a Time Estimate: 30 minutes Figure 1 – Site of proposed tree removal Page 9 of 18 Item 5a The applicant would like to remove the street tree and replace it with one (1) compensatory Quercus tomentella (Island Oak) street tree onsite in the parkway at 1524 Balboa and one (1) Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. aspleniifolius (Catalina Ironwood) in the front yard. 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). Figure 2 – View of Ash tree from Balboa (7-14-25) Page 10 of 18 Item 5a 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 tree proposed for removal is 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. The tree proposed for removal is located in parkway 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 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 exceed the minimum required replanting rate of 1:1 with a 2:1 replanting (1 tree offsite and 1 tree onsite). Page 11 of 18 Item 5a  (G)(7). Heritage Trees. Heritage trees have the highest preservation priority. The tree is not a heritage tree. 4.0 ACTIONS 4.1 Recommend findings of consistency with the Tree Regulations. An action recommending approval of the proposed tree removal(s) 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(s). 4.2 Recommend findings of inconsistency with the Tree Regulations. An action recommending denial of the proposed tree removal(s) 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 removal(s) should include directions to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues. 5.0 ATTACHMENTS A - Tree Removal Application Form B - Site and Replanting Plan C - Photos Page 12 of 18 Page 13 of 18 Page 14 of 18 DATE 6/29/2025 REV REPLANTING Ellen & Troy Schwoerer PROJECT ADDRESS: 1524 Balboa Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 APN: 004-442-012 CUSTOMER CONTACT: (805)538-9511 SCALE:1/16"=1' B A L B O A S T R E E T (1) New Island Oak In R/W Planting Strip (1) Catalina Ironwood Page 15 of 18 Page 16 of 18 Page 17 of 18 Page 18 of 18