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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-2026 TC Minutes - Special Meeting 1 Tree Committee Minutes May 18, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Tree Committee Members Present: Member Daniel Canella, Member Kari Gephart (arrived at 5:32 pm.), Member Charles Gerencser, Member Dan Shinn, Chair Ben Parker Tree Committee Members Absent: Member Henry Bonifas, Vice Chair Emily Rosten City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault , Deputy City Clerk Andrea Colunga-Lopez _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on May 18, 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 Member Gephart arrived at 5:32 p.m. Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MARCH 23, 2026 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on May 18, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Parker. Motion By Member Canella Second By Member Gerencser To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of March 23, 2026. 2 Ayes (5): Member Canella, Member Gephart, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, and Chair Parker Absent (2): Member Bonifas, and Vice Chair Rosten CARRIED (5 to 0) 4. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 4.a CONTINUANCE OF A REVIEW OF A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) EUCALYPTUS FICIFOLIA (RED-FLOWERING GUM) AT 1057 BUCHON ST (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0690-2025) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant representatives, Jeremy Lindaman and Trudy Lindaman, presented a presentation for 1057 Buchon Street and responded to Committee questions raised. Chair Parker opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Parker closed Public Comment Recommend that the Community Development Director deny the tree removal request, as it is not consistent with the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090 (E) based on the following findings: • G(1) Size of Tree(s): Tree is large and visually prominent. • G(2) Location: Tree is highly visible from the Right-of-Way and has a high visual impact on the neighborhood. Motion By Member Gerencser Second By Member Canella Ayes (5): Member Canella, Member Gephart, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, and Chair Parker Absent (2): Member Bonifas, and Vice Chair Rosten CARRIED (5 to 0) 3 4.b REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE THREE (3) LEMON-SCENTED GUM TREES AT 327 LOS CERROS DR. (APPLICATION NO. TREE-0009-2026) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant representative, Steven Chen, provided a presentation and responded to questions raised. Chair Parker opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Parker closed Public Comment Recommend that the Community Development Director approve the tree removal request of tree #1, not tree #2 -3, per Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) based on the following findings and further require a compensatory replanting rate of 6:1 with five (5) olive trees and one (1) African plum. • G(3) Species: Tree is non-native • G(4) Forestry Best Practice: Removal and replanting plan increases tree-age and biodiversity • G(6) Compensatory Plantings: Replanting plan exceeds the minimum 1:1 requirement and increases tree -age diversity. Motion By Member Gerencser Second By Member Shinn Ayes (5): Member Canella, Member Gephart, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, and Chair Parker Absent (2): Member Bonifas, and Vice Chair Rosten CARRIED (5 to 0) 4 5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 5.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided an update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division. • Arborist conference in Yosemite 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for June 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: 07/27/2026