HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE FIVE (5) MAGNOLIAS AND ONE (1) BRISBANE BOX IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR ARRAY AT SINSHEIMER POOL PARKING LOT
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF 5 MAGNOLIAS AND 1 BRISBANE BOX
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR ARRAY AT SINSHEIMER
POOL PARKING LOT (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0130-2026)
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 Municipal Code
Section 12.24.090(E) and provide a recommendation to the Community Development
Director.
1.0 APPLICATION DESCRIPTION
The City of San Luis Obispo, the applicant, has requested the removal of one (1)
Lophostemon confertus (Brisbane Box) and five (5) Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
(Little Gem Magnolia) trees at 902 Southwood Dr., located within the Public Facility (PF)
zone (Attachment A, TRA Form). The applicant has indicated that all six (6) trees will be
covered by the solar array
(Attachment B, Site Plan).
The applicant would like to
remove the trees and
replace them with six (6)
compensatory shade trees
onsite along the parking
lot’s perimeter. Facilities
maintenance staff will be
responsible for
establishing the trees. The
applicant has indicated in
their application that they
are seeking TC
recommendations
regarding the tree species
and location selections
(Attachment C, Proposed
Replanting Locations).
Meeting Date: 3/23/2026
Item Number: 4a
Time Estimate: 30 Minutes
Figure 1: General location of six (6) trees requested for removal.
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Item 4a
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(F)(2) - tree removals related to ministerial development permits on
parcels other than R1 or R2. This code section utilizes 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.
Figure 2: Six (6) trees requested for removal circled in red.
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Item 4a
Criteria for Convenience Tree Removal Applications.
SLOMC §12.24.090 subsection (F)(2) requires review by the Tree Committee using the
criteria set forth 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 small and not 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 trees proposed for are highly visible from the public right-of-way but they do
not have a high visual impact on the neighborhood.
(G)(3). Species of Tree. Native trees shall have a higher preservation priority than
non-native trees.
The trees proposed for removal are 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 little impact on remaining trees, but the replanting of
compensatory trees 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 meet the minimum required replanting rate of 1:1
onsite.
(G)(7). Heritage Trees. Heritage trees have the highest preservation priority.
The trees are not heritage trees.
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Item 4a
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 - TRA Form
B - Site Plan
C - Proposed Replanting Locations
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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.
City of SLO Wyatt Banker-Hix
902SouthwoodDrive 919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo 93405 San Luis Obispo 93405
805-295-1609 805-295-1609
wbanker@slocity.org wbanker@slocity.org
902 Southwood Drive
6
(5)Magnolias, (1) Brisbane box
Installation of a solar project in the parking lot. These trees need to be removed in order to construct the solar array.
4
4
4 4
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Tree Removal Decisions as outlined in Section 12.24.090 of the City’s Municipal Code
SELECT TYPE OF TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION BEING SUBMITTED DECISION MAKER
Imminent Hazard to Life or Property
SLOMC 12.24.090(E)(1)(a) City Arborist
Tree Health and Hazard Mitigation
SLOMC 12.24.090(E) City Arborist
Convenience Removal
SLOMC 12.24.090(E)(3)
Tree Committee makes recommendation to Community Development Director
Community
Development Director
Minor Ministerial Development Permit
SLOMC 12.24.090(F)(1)
Removal for residential or accessory construction on an R-1 or R-2 lot
City Arborist
Discretionary Permits Construction Tree Removal
SLOMC 12.24.090(F)(3)
Community
Development Director
Major Development / Tentative Tract Map/ Conditional Use Permit
SLOMC 12.24.090(F)(4) Planning Commission
Submittal Instructions
Submit Tree Removal applications to the City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development Department at
the following address: 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to trees@slocity.org.
Payment of the “Tree Removal Permit” fee shall be submitted along with this application. Refer to the City’s
current Comprehensive Fee Schedule for the current fee.
Property Owner Authorization:
By signing this application, I certify that I have reviewed
this completed application and the attached material
and consent to its filing. I agree to allow the Community
Development Department to duplicate and distribute
submitted materials to interested persons as it
determines is necessary for the processing of the
application.
Signed Date
Applicant/ Representative Certification:
By signing this application, I certify that the information
provided is accurate. I understand the City might not
approve what I’m applying for or might set conditions of
approval. I agree to allow the Community Development
Department to duplicate and distribute submitted
materials to interested persons as it determines is
necessary for processing of the application.
Signed Date
Permission to Access Property:
This section is to be completed by the property owner
and/or occupant who controls access to the property. To
adequately evaluate the submitted proposal,
Community Development Department Staff,
Commissioners and City Council Members will have to
gain access to the exterior of the real property in order
to adequately review and report on the proposed
request. Your signature below certifies that you agree to
give the City permission to access the project site from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as part of the
normal review of this application.
Signed Date
Indemnification Agreement:
The Owner/Applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the City or its agents or officers and
employees from any claim, action or proceeding against
the City or its agents, officers or employees, to attack,
set aside, void, or annul, in whole or in part, the City’s
approval of this project. In the event that the City fails to
promptly notify the Owner / Applicant of any such claim,
action or proceeding, or that the City fails to cooperate
fully in the defense of said claim, this condition shall
thereafter be of no further force or effect.
Signed Date
Statement from Certified
Arborist with TRAQ
4
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(6) Trees to be removed
1
2
3
4
5
6
Tree #1 Tree #2 Tree #3 Tree #4
Tree #5
Tree #6
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Replanting Plan
Proposed replanting locations (green circles). Applicant is seeking Tree Committee input
on species selections and location adjustments.
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