HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4b. REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) 27-INCH DBH SILVER DOLLAR EUCALYPTUS AT 607 HIGH ST (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0019-2026)
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF ONE (1) 27-INCH DBH SILVER
DOLLAR EUCALYPTUS AT 607 HIGH ST (APPICATION NO. TREE-0019-2026)
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
Bunyon Bros. Tree Service, the applicant, has requested the removal of one (1) 27-inch
DBH Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Silver Dollar Gum) at 607 High St. located within the
Medium Density Residential (R-2) zone (Attachment A, Tree Removal Application
Form). The applicant is requesting to remove the tree because the property owner and
the adjacent neighbor are both concerned by the possibility of limb failures over the
property’s structure and parking lot and the neighbors structure (Attachment B, Arborist
Report) (Attachment C, Photo Log). The applicant would like to remove the tree and
replace it with either two (2) 15-gallon (Lophostemon confertus) Brisbane Box or two (2)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Red Bud) onsite along the parking lot’s permitter (see
Attachment D, Replanting Plan).
Meeting Date: 3/23/2026
Item Number: 4b
Time Estimate: 20 Minutes
Figure 1: Location of tree removal request at
607 High Street
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Item 4b
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
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
The proposed tree removal is considered a convenience type removal per SLOMC
Section 12.24.090(E)(3). SLOMC §12.24.090 subsection (F)(2) requires that this type of
tree removal request be reviewed 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 removal 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 highly visible from the public right-of-way and has
a high visual impact on the neighborhood.
Figure 2: View of tree from Ward St (tree on left has
been removed because it did not require an
application)
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Item 4b
(G)(3). Species of Tree. Native trees shall have a higher preservation priority than
non-native trees.
The tree proposed for removal is 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 has no impact on remaining trees, but the replanting plan would
increase the tree-age distribution in the neighborhood.
(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 exceed the minimum required replanting rate of 1:1
onsite by planting two (2) compensatory trees.
(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 - Photo Log
D - Replanting Plan
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