HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2026 Item 5g, Cooper (2)Save Our Downtown
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Seeking to protect and promote the historical character, design, livability and economic
success of downtown San Luis Obispo.
To: San Luis Obispo City Council
Re: February 3, 2026 Council Meeting Consent Agenda Item 5G) “A request to
remove a 48 inch diameter oak tree associated with the SLO Rep Theater
project located at 614 Monterey Street.
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date: February 6, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Council Members -
Thank you, for pulling Item 5G (i.e.,the proposed removal of a
Coastal Live Oak) from your February 3, 2026 Consent Agenda.
As you well know, there were 30 letters in your correspondence
file ardently opposing the removal of this legacy oak tree.
However, missing from your very thorough and heartfelt oral
testimony last Tuesday was a serious discussion of any
architectural design mitigations that could result in Michael
Boswell’s “win-win” approach to this challenging problem. Also
missing in this discussion was the architect of record, Bryce
Engstrom. As a retired practicing architect and educator, it
pains me to see how the role of the architect has been
diminished over the past several decades. Possibly Bryce, with
his additional expertise, might have brought up the following:
Mr. Engstrom might have mentioned a redesign involving a
raised foundation instead of slab on grade placed over the root
structure. It is well known that an oak tree can survive a
building on pilings over its roots, as this method is less invasive
than slab construction. Survival depends on minimizing root
cutting, maintaining soil oxygen/moisture levels, and using
careful construction methods like helical piles. Understandably,
building a foundation on piers (pier and beam/crawl space)
generally costs $2 to $15 more per square foot than a slab-on-
grade, depending on soil and site conditions. While slab-on-
grade averages $4−$14 per square foot, pier foundations are
typically $6−$15 per square foot due to higher labor for
elevated framing and excavation. While piers have higher
upfront costs, they provide easier access to plumbing and
structural repairs, potentially lowering long-term maintenance
costs compared to fixing a broken pipe under a concrete
slab. Though the City staff report does not reveal a floor plan
(which would have been helpful), it is entirely feasible that the
necessary excavation for a raked seating auditorium could take
place entirely outside the critical root zone.
As I stated in my previous letter to you, reducing the foliage of a
mature oak tree at one time by more than 15% could
compromise its health. But several prunings of 15% over the
course of two or three years (say, July 2026 and July 2027) will
likely insure the health of this magnificent tree.
Please do not rush to a decision before you have explored all of
these alternative approaches. Thank you for your time and
deliberations.
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