HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Request to Remove 1 California Palm Tree Located at 1010 Foothill Boulevard (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0657-2025)
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO REMOVE OF 1 CALIFORNIA PALM TREE LOCATED AT
1010 FOOTHILL BLVD (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0657-2025)
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
Arbor First, the applicant, has
requested the removal of one (1) 24-
inch DBH Washingtonia filifera
(California Fan Palm) at 1010
Foothill Blvd located within the R-4
zone. The applicant has indicated in
their application the tree is in good
condition and that the fronds, seeds
and seed pods are falling directly into
the pre-school play area.
The applicant would like to remove
the palm tree and replace it with four
(4) compensatory 24-inch box trees
onsite including one (1) Tipuana tipu,
one (1) Hymenosporum flavum
(Sweetshade), one (1) Cassia
leptophylla (Gold Medallion) and one
(1) Chitalpa x taskentensis onsite.
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).
Meeting Date: 12/8/2025
Item Number: 4a
Time Estimate: 20 minutes
Figure 1: Location of tree removal request
outlined in red. Approximate site of tree identified
by green circle.
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Item 4a
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 a private rear yard, 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 California Fan Palm is not considered a native tree by the City of San Luis
Obispo.
Figure 2: View of palm from Cabrillo Hwy/
Highway 1
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Item 4a
(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 plan 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 replant four (4) 24-inch box trees, exceeding 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 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.
5.0 ATTACHMENTS
A - Tree Removal Application Form
B - Arborist Report
C - Site Plan
D - Replanting Plan
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a ,J PM 1010 Foolhill Blvd - Google Maps
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I 1O10 Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
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