HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. 07-28-2025 TC Draft Minutes
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/202X
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