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Home My WebLink AboutItem 5a - Request for Tree Removal at 815 Skyline Drive TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 4 PINUS CANARIENSIS AND 1 PINUS RADIATA LOCATED AT 815 SKYLINE DR (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0973-2025) 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 Chris Van Harmelen, the applicant, has requested the removal of four (4) Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine and one (1) Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) at 815 Skyline Drive located within the R- 1 zone. The applicant is concerned about fire risk and has indicated in their application that the Canary Island Pines in the front yard are close to the house and the Monterey Pine in the backyard has a noticeable lean. The applicant would like to remove all five (5) trees and replace them with five (5) 15-gallon or 24-inch Box compensatory trees onsite including one (1) Hymenosporum flavum (Sweetshade), two (2) Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree), one (1) Brachychiton acerifolius (Flame Bottle Tree) and one (1) Jacaranda mimosifolia (Purple Trumpet) onsite. The applicant selected tree species from the City of SLO Zone 1 Defensible Space tree list. Tree species on the list has smooth bark and canopies that can be easily shaped to be narrow and vertical for 10ft clearance distances. These trees are drought tolerant once established, and they also benefit from additional irrigation as part of a fire smart landscape. Meeting Date: 2/23/2026 Item Number: 1 Time Estimate: 30 minutes Figure 1: Location of Tree Removal Request (R-1 Lot) Page 9 of 29 Item Click or tap here to enter text. 1.1 Fire Hazard Severity Zone The property where the tree removal request is located, 815 Skyline Dr, has been classified as a “High” Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) per Cal Fire’s 2025 Fire Maps. FHSZ range from “Very High” to “Moderate.” The 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code became effective January 1, 2026 , and sets specific fire-safety standards for structures, vegetation, access, etc. depending on the FHSZ that a property is located. Per the WUI code, properties located in the Very High FHSZ are required to maintain defensible space. Defensible space is defined as the buffer that landowners are required to create on their property between a building or structure and the plants, brush, and trees or other items surrounding the building or structure that could ignite in the event of a fire. WUI code requires that there is a minimum of 5 feet between a building and existing trees and 10 feet between a chimney and existing trees. New trees are to be planted so that the mature canopies are located 10 feet away from a building. 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: 815 Skyline is in the "High" (Orange) Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Moderate zones are yellow. Page 10 of 29 Item Click or tap here to enter text. 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 trees proposed for removal are 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. One (1) tree (Monterey Pine) proposed for removal is located in a private rear yard and it is not highly visible from the public right of way. Four (4) Canary Island pines in the front yard are high visible from the public right-of-way.  (G)(3). Species of Tree. Native trees shall have a higher preservation priority than non-native trees. Both pine tree species are not considered native by the City of San Luis Obispo.  (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 provide tree species better-suited to this location and in places in the yard that ensure that they are long lasting trees in the urban forest. The tree species were selected from the City’s Zone 1 Defensible Space Tree List. As part of healthy and appropriately irrigated landscape, the species are Figure 3: Street View of 815 Skyline Dr (December 2020) Page 11 of 29 Item Click or tap here to enter text. selections are better-suited to the location due to their smooth bark and narrower canopies. While they are drought tolerant, they also benefit from additional irrigation as part of a fire-smart landscape.  (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 and is also open to suggestions from the Tree Committee regarding the replanting plan.  (G)(7). Heritage Trees. Heritage trees have the highest preservation priority. The trees are not heritage trees. 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 - Applicant Letter Requesting Removal C - Neighbor’s Letter Supporting Removal Request D - Site Plan and Replanting Plan E - Photos F - Neighbor Letter Regarding Leaning Pine Page 12 of 29 City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3218, 805.781.7170, slocity.org TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION For all Non-Construction and Construction related tree removals Owner Name: Applicant Name: Address: Address: City: Zip: City: Zip: Phone: Phone: Email: Email: Address of Tree(s): Number of trees applying to remove: Tree Species: Application Description & Reason for Removal: Is this removal a City Tree? YES NO DON’T KNOW Dog in yard? YES NO Is this associated with a Building Permit or Development Plan? _____ YES _____ NO If YES, please provide appropriate reference numbers: Is this property governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA)? YES NO If YES, please provide HOA Board Approved Meeting minutes authorizing tree removal(s) with your tree removal application. ALL ITEMS BELOW MUST BE INCLUDED TO PROCESS TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS Tree(s) banded with ribbon or duct tape for identification Site plan drawing or photo of tree site with Tree ID (Tree#1, Tree #2, etc.) Supporting documentation (repair, receipts, etc.) Photo log showing damage or reasons for removal1 Replanting plan2 Arborist Report3 INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. FAILURE TO KEEP TREES BANDED MAY RESULT IN A REJECTED APPLICATION. 1.Include a photo log that clearly shows the trees requested for removal. All tree(s) must be uniquely identified by a number and a ribbon, or an identifier wrapped around the truck in the photo and prior to inspection. 2.Include a replanting plan in accordance with Section 12.24.090(J) of the City’s Municipal Code. A minimum 1:1 replanting rate is required for plantings onsite, and a minimum 2:1 replanting rate is required for plantings offsite or within the public right-of-way. 3.An application for tree removal on a site where a discretionary or ministerial development permit is requested shall include an arborist report and a site plan that includes accurate drip line delineation and cross sections of construction work impacting both trees proposed for removal and trees planned to remain. 4.If an "Imminent Hazard to Life or Property" Application is being submitted, a statement from a TRAQ Qualified & Certified Arborist must be provided. Chris van Harmelen Chris van Harmelen 815 Skyline Drive 815 Skyline Drive San Luis Obispo 93405 San Luis Obispo 93405 805-712-5602 805-712-5602 chrisvh1@alumni.stanford.edu chrisvh1@alumni.stanford.edu 815 Skyline Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 5 Canary Island Pine, Monterey Pine 4 Canary Island Pine trees in the front yard close to the house structure posing a fire risk in a high fire hazard severity zone. 1 Monterey Pine tree in the backyard leaning toward neighbors yard in close proximity to other Monterey Pine. 4 4 4 4 Page 13 of 29 Page 14 of 29 December 09, 2025 Reason for Tree Removal Application: 815 Skyline Drive To Whom It May Concern, We are requesting a Tree Removal Permit for four Canary Island Pine trees located in the front yard of our property and one Monterey Pine tree located in the backyard. Our property was recently categorized as being in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) as of this year and the four Canary Island Pine trees increase our ﬁre risk exposure in two ways. First, they drop pine needle litter on both our roof and our neighbors’ roof year round, and at a higher volume and frequency during peak ﬁre season from July through October. The dropping of pine needles is exacerbated by windstorms which can create dangerous ﬁre conditions. Clearing of these pine needles from both the roofs and landscaping of our property is endless and difficult. Second, the four Canary Island Pine trees are located within 20 feet of our house, putting them in zone 1. Reviewing San Luis Obispo’s guidance on landscaping requirements given the 2025 1 WUI Code, non-ﬁre-safe trees are not allowed to be within 30 feet of an applicable structure. The guidance also indicates that resinous species such as pines should be avoided, but does not call out speciﬁc species. The Fire Prevention Bureau of Santa Barbara did publish requirements of this nature and listed the Canary Island Pine as ﬂammable in their prohibited plant list . 2 With the new 2025 WUI Codes and our recent placement in the High FHSZ, we request permission to have these four Canary Island Pine trees removed. As for the Monterey Pine located in our backyard, it has a substantial lean toward our neighbor’s property and is located within 10 feet of another Monterey Pine tree. Additionally, our neighbor has provided us with a letter from a lawyer he retained detailing his concern of the lean and the impact that it may have on his property if it were to fall. This letter was addressed to the previous homeowner and is included in the attachments. The available space for replanting trees that meet the new 2025 WUI Codes is limited. If this tree removal permit application is approved, we propose planting 5 trees onsite and an additional 5 trees off-site. We are open to suggestions by the Tree Committee. Recent wildﬁres in our state, including the recent Gifford Fire, leave us concerned about the ﬁre risks our neighborhood and the city of San Luis Obispo face in the coming years. Creating defensible space around our property is our way of doing our part to help reduce the risk our neighborhood has from wildﬁres. Sincerely, Chris van Harmelen City of San Luis Obispo, Wildﬁre Preparedness, https://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/ﬁre-1 department/ﬁre-prevention/wildﬁre-preparedness City of Santa Barbara Fire Prevention Bureau, High Fire Hazard Area Landscape Requirements 2 Ordinance #5920, https://santabarbaraca.gov/sites/default/ﬁles/2023-10/HFH Plant List.pdf Page 15 of 29 Page 16 of 29 Page 17 of 29 Page 18 of 29 Artifacts Current Layout Page 19 of 29 Proposed Replanting Plan 1 Page 20 of 29 Proposed Replanting Plan 2 Page 21 of 29 Page 22 of 29 Figure 1. Tree #1 Page 23 of 29 Figure 2. Tree #2 Page 24 of 29 Figure 3. Tree #3 Page 25 of 29 Figure 4. Tree #4 Page 26 of 29 Figure 5. Tree #5 Page 27 of 29 Page 28 of 29 Page 29 of 29