HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3a - 01/26/2026 TC Minutes
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Tree Committee Minutes
January 26, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Tree Committee
Members Present:
Member Daniel Canella, Member Kari Gephart, Member Charles
Gerencser, Member Dan Shinn, Vice Chair Emily Rosten, Chair
Ben Parker
Tree Committee
Members Absent
Member Henry Bonifas
City Staff Present Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault,
Deputy City Clerk Andrea Colunga-Lopez
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order
on January 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Parker.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
Fitzgerald Kelly
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 8, 2025 TREE
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion By Member Gerencser
Second By Vice Chair Rosten
To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of December 8, 2025.
Ayes (6): Member Canella, Member Gephart, Member Gerencser,
Member Shinn, Vice Chair Rosten, Chair Parker
Absent (1): Member Bonifas
CARRIED (6-0)
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4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION
4.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) RED
FLOWERING GUM LOCATED AT 1057 BUCHON STREET
At the request of the applicant, Item 4a is being pulled from the agenda
and continued to a date certain, February 23, 2026, the next regular
meeting of the Tree Committee. Because this item was agendized, public
comment will be allowed.
Chair Parker opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Parker closed Public Comment
4.b CONTINUANCE OF A REVIEW OF A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO
REMOVE EIGHT (8) LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA (AMERICAN
SWEETGUM) LOCATED AT 4325 S. HIGUERA STREET
Member Canella recused himself due to his conflict of interest as a
contractor for PG&E; he exited the room at 5:52 p.m.
Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented
the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries.
Applicant representative, Ian Ashby from Elite Maintenance and Tree
Service, provided an overview of the Tree Removal application and
responded to questions raised.
Chair Parker opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Parker closed Public Comment
Recommend the Community Development Director approve the proposed
tree removal application per Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) based
on the findings below and further recommend that a minimum tree size of
24–-inch box be used as part of the replanting plan for trees #1-5 and a
minimum of 15-gallon- be used as part of the replanting plan for trees 6-8
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with any of the recommended species provided by the applicant or from
the Approved City Tree List.
Findings:
As proposed, the compensatory replanting plan is consistent with
Municipal Code Sections 12.24.090.G(6) and 12.24.090.J because it
includes 24-inch box or larger container sized trees which exceeds the
15-gallon minimum sized container.
Motion By Chair Parker
Second By Member Gerencser
Ayes (5):, Member Gephart, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, Vice
Chair Rosten, Chair Parker
Recused (1): Member Canella
Absent (1): Member Bonifas
CARRIED (5-0)
5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a ARBORIST REPORT
Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided an
update of upcoming projects and activities related to the Urban Forest.
Tree Regulations draft for Committee review starting summer of
2026.
Tree Removal Application at 815 Skyline Dr, pine trees in “High”
Fire Hazard Severity Zone
Tree Removal application at 1057 Buchon Street to be continued
for the next regular Tree Committee Meeting.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree
Committee is scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/202X
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