HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4b. Tree Removal Application (TREE-0722-2025)
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 8 AMERICAN SW EETGUMS
LOCATED AT 4325 S. HIGUERA ST (APPLICATION: TREE-0722-2025)
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: 4b
Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Figure 1: Site of proposed tree removals; location of trees in green.
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Item 4b
Elite Team Offices, the applicant on behalf of
Pacific Gas & Electric, has requested the
removal of eight (8) Liquidambar styraciflua
(American Sweet Gum) at 4325 S. Higuera
Street located within the Service Commercial
(C-S-SP) Specific Plan Area zone. The
applicant has indicated in their application that
the seeds produced by the trees are tripping
hazards.
The applicant would like to replant trees at the
minimum required rate of 1:1 with eight (8)
Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache) onsite
in the same locations.
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 – Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Figure 3 – View of several of the trees from S. Higuera (June 2023)
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Item 4b
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.
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(s) proposed for removal are not large nor are they 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 trees proposed for removal are somewhat 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 not increase the biodiversity of the urban forest,
but it would increase the tree-age distribution in the S. Higuera area.
(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.
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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 (4325 S. Higuera)
B - Site Plan (4325 S. Higuera)
C - Photo Log (4325 S. Higuera)
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Tree #1
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Tree # 2
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Tree #3
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Tree #4
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Tree #5
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Tree #6
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Tree #7
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Tree #8
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