HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Tree Removal Application (TREE-0689-2025)
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 1 CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM
LOCATED AT 2226 BEEBEE ST (APPLICATION: TREE-0689-2025)
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
Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
Item Number: 4a
Time Estimate: 30 Minutes
Figure 1: Site of Proposed Tree Removal
Page 9 of 34
Item 4a
Todd Ventura, the applicant, has
requested the removal of one (1) Phoenix
canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) at
2226 Beebee Street located within the
Manufacturing (M) zone. Part of the
property is located in the “High” Fire
Severity Zone (indicated in Figure 2 by the
color orange).
The applicant has indicated in their
application that the tree was a volunteer
and that its size in the current location is
not ideal, and that it is causing damage to
the parking lot pavement. The applicant is
open to adjustments to the replanting plan.
The applicant would like to remove the
palm tree and replace it with four (4)
compensatory Brachychiton populneous
(Bottle Trees) onsite along the frontage of
Bridge St. The compensatory replanting plan is in conjunction with a separate removal
request of two (2) trees in a Health and Hazard application (TREE -0524-2025).
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 specifica tions
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.
Figure 2 – Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Page 10 of 34
Item 4a
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 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.
Figure 2 – View of Palm from Bridge St (June 2023)
Page 11 of 34
Item 4a
(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.
(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 - Convenience Removal Application
B - Site Map for Palm Removal
C - Replanting Plan
Page 12 of 34
Page 13 of 34
Page 14 of 34
Date Palm located on edge of
parking lot/driveway
Page 15 of 34
Page 16 of 34
We believe we can plant multiple
"replacement trees in the area indicated.
These may be
1. Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
2. Heath Melaleuca (Melaleuca ericifolia)
3. Marina Madrone Arbutus "Marina"
4. Chinese Flame Tree Koelreuteria bipinnata
We are open to suggestion for the space and
consistency with our other landscape.
Page 17 of 34
Page 18 of 34