The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09/07/2010, C7 - HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATIONS AIc o U n C i l h' September 7,2010 acEnoa REpoRt CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Works{W Prepared By: Keith Pellemeier, Public VWrks Maintenance Supervisor SUBJECT: HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATIONS RECOMMENDATION As recommended by the Tree Committee, designate nine trees as Heritage Trees on property owned by the State of California, Department of Transportation at 20 and 50 Higuera Street. DISCUSSION Background The Heritage Tree program is a voluntary program whereby the City of San Luis Obispo recognizes trees of important historical or arboricultural interest. The Heritage Tree Program has been a part of the Tree Ordinance since 1971. In 1972 a fig tree at the corner of Peach & Chorro was the first Heritage tree designated by resolution of the City Council. From 1972 to,1975 five more trees were designated as Heritage trees. From 1975 to 1984, there was waning interest in the program until the Tree Committee decided some energy should be put into the program to designate some more Heritage Trees. In April 1985 the Tree Committee developed a brochure, which included information on the Heritage Tree Program and an application form. In 1986 additional Heritage Trees were reviewed by the Tree Committee and recommended for Council approval. As a result, eight trees designated as Heritage Trees that year were celebrated at the Arbor Day ceremonies on March 7, 1986. Since 1972 twenty-seven trees have been designated as Heritage Trees by the City Council. Presently, eighteen of these trees still survive. The City most recently republished the Heritage Tree Brochure in April 2008. Proposed New Heritage Trees Jackie Parker, recently retired Deputy District Director of Administration for Caltrans District 5, realized what a unique treasure the trees at the Caltrans District Office were, and started the process to recognize them as City Heritage Trees. The original brick building at 20 Higuera was constructed in 1931 and the trees were planted between 1930 and 1950. Ms. Parker, working with Tree Committee member Ellen Dollar, identified 16 possible Heritage Trees on the property. The City Urban Forest staff, working with Ms. Parker and Ms. Dollar, coordinated a Tree Committee review of the site to consider the possible Heritage Trees. The Tree Committee decided that nine of the sixteen trees were worthy as possible Heritage Trees to go before Council for approval. These nine trees are all fine examples of mature healthy trees that have grown well with extra water and care. The trees have not been.affected by any surrounding development and have been able to C7- 1 I Heritage Tree Designations Page 2 grow to their full potential. Most significantly this group of trees has thrived as large and healthy specimens on the alluvial soils of this site. They have added much to the beauty of these grounds and the south part of San Luis Obispo. The nine trees recommended as Heritage Trees include two tall Incense Cedars, five California Sycamores, one Queen Palm and a Blackwood Acacia. Attachment 2 includes a list of the surviving eighteen Heritage Trees and the nine proposed Heritage Trees. Currently there is one Sycamore tree designated as a Heritage tree. The nine trees proposed as Heritage Trees contain 5 Sycamores and four other trees. Sycamores are a native tree species usually found along creeks because they like water. They do well in this location probably because of the extra water the lawn receives. Tree Ordinance The City recognizes the important role trees have played in the history and development of San Luis Obispo and recognizes that a wide variety of trees can grow in its unique and temperate climate. The City Municipal Code describes a"Heritage Tree" as any tree within City limits, which has been so designated by resolution of the City Council and has a notable historic interest or is of an unusual species or size. Consistency with Existing Planning Mid-Higuera Enhancement Plan Staff reviewed the Mid Higuera Enhancement Plan to determine if designating these nine trees as Heritage Trees would negatively affect the City's ability to implement the plan. While the upper section of Mid-Higuera between Marsh and High Streets is proposed for widening to accommodate four lanes of travel as well as central medians or turn lanes, the plan does not call for the portion of Higuera Street that fronts the Caltrans District building to be further widened. The plan envisions new visitor-serving facilities, housing and a public park on the property should Caltrans move to another location. The new street shown in the plan to serve potential future uses proposed to be located further south on the property, well away from the proposed Heritage Trees. Designating these trees as Heritage Trees is consistent with the Mid-Higuera Enhancement Plan. Master List of Historic Resources The building, around which nominated trees numbered 4-9 are located, is on the Master List of Historic Resources. The trees enhance the setting of the Early California/Spanish Colonial Revival building which was built in 1.931. The City Arborist has reviewed the location of the trees in relation to the Master List building and determined that these trees do not pose a threat to the building (i.e. through root intrusion or foundation lifting). Designating these trees as Heritage Trees is consistent with the Historic Resources Preservation Program Guidelines and with the Master List resource located on the property. CONCURRENCES The Community Development Director concurs with this recommendation. C7-�- Heritage Tree Designations Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT There are minor costs associated with making new Heritage Tree plaques for display at the property owner's site and a set of plaques displayed at the Corporation Yard. Maintenance costs for the trees remain the responsibility of the property owner. ATTACHMENTS 1. Property Owner Authorization for Designation 2. Existing and proposed Heritage Trees 3. Map of property showing proposed Heritage Trees. 4. Resolution to designate nine Heritage Trees at 20 and 50 Higuera Street AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE 1. Photographs of nine proposed Heritage Trees. 2. Original proposal for Heritage Tree Designation application from Caltrans District 5 3. Pamphlet, Heritage Tree Program Information Packet 4. Brochure, "The Heritage Trees of San Luis Obispo"' 11Cutore4lteam1cound1 agenda reportApublic works oar\ZOtOVreesthetage treesNentagetreescar.doc C7- 3 Attachment 1 HERITAGE TREE PROPERTY OWNER AGREEMENT I �eOL have read the City of San Luis Obispo's Heritage Tree Program with411 City's Tree Division staff and understood its impact on MY property at the following described address. I agree that the City of San Luis Obispo may designate* 14=.5 +rep-5 Located at Rim arA- As a City of San Luis Obispo Heritage Qree,in accordance with the established program rules, regulationsand guidelines. hL3 Date Pro erty Ow r Do not include my tree in the next Heritage Tree brochure Return to: City of San Luis Obispo 25 Prado Rd. San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 Attn: City Arborist or Urban Forest Supervisor G:\Asset-Management\Trees\HerimgeTrees\SLO heritage treeInfoPacket 4-09.doc C/ Y J Attachment 2. List of surviving Heritage Trees (July 2010) Address Tree Adoption Year 1 1185 Pacific Coast Redwood Two Trees 1975 2 1185 Foothill Torrey Pine 1986 3 1303 Higuera Coast Redwood 1986 4 955 Pepper Ca'e ut 1986 1.5 1 536 Marsh Japanese Maple 1986 6 1060 Pismo Western Redbud 1987 7 396 Lincoln Cork Oak 1987 8, 9 S. Higuera California Sycamore 1987 9 1815 Monterey Incense Cedar(Two trees) 1988 10 237 Del Mar Ct Dawn Redwood 1988 11 1190 Buchon Deodar Cedar 1988 12 1400 Osos Evergreen Ash 1990 113 1 1839 Conejo Olive Two Trees 1990 1 14 941 Chorro Coast Redwood 1990 15 855 Ni omo California Bay 1990 Total Trees 18 Proposed new Heritage Trees at 20 & 50 Higuera Street Common Name Botanical Name Location DSH Height 1 Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens North lawn 50 Higuera 36" 55' 2 Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens North lawn 50 Higuera 37" 55' 3 California Sycamore Platanus racemosa Front of 50 Higuera 42" 70' 4 California Sycamore Platanus racemosa Front of 20 Higuera, 52" 60' 5 Queen Palm Syagrus romanzoffianum Front of 20 Higuera. 16" 40' 6 California Sycamore Platanus racemosa South Higuera Drive 47" 50' entrance 7 California Sycamore Platanus racemosa Edge of lawn behind 20 48" 60' Higuera 8 California Sycamore Platanus racemosa Between 50 & 20 34 40' Higuera 9 Blackwood Acacia Acacia melanoxylon On edge of parking lot 31" 55' behind tree #8 1 ) DSH—Diameter at Shoulder Height C7- s :Attachm®nt 3 LJO lot; ay - I _ It's b I V Fes- 4 C7- 6 Attachment 4 RESOLUTION NO. (2010 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DESIGNATING NINE TREES AS HERITAGE TREES AT 20 AND 50 HIGUERA STREET WHEREAS, the City Council has approved a Heritage Tree Program for the City of San Luis Obispo in 1971; and WHEREAS, the Tree Committee and staff has identified, reviewed and recommends the following trees to be designated as Heritage Trees; and WHEREAS, these nine trees are large and healthy specimens thriving on the alluvial soils of this site and the trees have added to the beauty of the south part of San Luis Obispo. WHEREAS, these trees planted in the 1930's to 1950's create a grove of native and introduced species that add a great deal to the historic and horticultural development of San Luis Obispo. The trees are accessible to the public for viewing and enjoyment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo to designate the following as Heritage Trees: 1. Incense Cedar(Calocedrus decurrens) 50 Higuera 2. Incense Cedar(Calocedrus decurrens) 50 Higuera 3. California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) 50 Higuera 4. California Sycamore(Platanus racemosa) 20 Higuera 5. Queen Palm( Syagrus romanzoffianum) 20 Higuera. 6. California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) 20 Higuera 7. Californai Sycamore(Platanus racemosa) 20 Higuera 8. California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) 50 Higuera 9. Blackwood acacia(Acacia melanoxylon) 50 Higuera Upon motion of Council member , seconded.by Council member and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted on , 2010. Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: Elaina Cano City Clerk cz- 7 Attachment 4 APPROVED AS TO FORS ` 'stine Dietrick ' City Attorney \\chstore4UeamXcmurl agenda reportsbublicvorks c02010Weesftntage VooMaUchment2hentagetree nmlution.doc C7` 9