HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2015 TC Minutes1
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Olson, Matt Ritter, Jane Worthy,
Ben Parker, Scott Loosley
STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs
Mr. Ritter called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments at this time.
MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of October 27, 2015
Mr. Loosley moved to approve the minutes as submitted.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS
Mr. Parker moved to slate the 1 Mustang Dr. request to the end of the application
hearings.
Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes
Tree Committee
Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 5:00 pm
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1. 1781 DeVaul Ranch Dr. (3 Bradford pear)
The applicant discussed the removal request and stated the trees by the garage
were too close to the structure, driveway and sidewalk, causing major damage.
He suggested replacement with bronze loquat.
Mr. Parker noted that the HOA needs to approve all removals.
Mr. Combs reported the trees were moderately healthy, but agreed one of the
tem was too close to the garage. He had some concerns about split limbs.
Mr. Loosley stated he did not see hardscape damage, but agreed the species
split easily.
Ms. Worthy noted they were theme trees for the area and suggested pruning.
Mr. Parker agreed with Ms. Worthy and emphasized the need for HOA approval.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good
arboricultural practice, and required three 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the
Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. He further
moved this action was contingent on HOA approval for the removals.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy voting against.
2. 1362 Rubio Lane (Oak)
The applicant discussed the removal request and submitted a letter from an
engineer, discussing the damage to the interior walls, floors, and foundation. She
discussed the cracks in the slab cement, which were undermining accessibility
for the disabled resident, which caused numerous issues on the property. She
also noted the small orchard in the back of the property was being affected by
drainage issues. She did not think root pruning was an option and noted the
property had a lot of trees on it and that a nearby fig tree would thrive with the
oak removal.
Steve Carroll, 1325 Rubio, house contractor, reported he had built the multi-
generational home to be accessible for the disabled resident. He also agreed that
drainage issues were creating problems on the property.
Mr. Combs stated it was a young healthy oak and agreed there was slight
damage to the driveway.
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Ms. Olson felt the engineering report was compelling, but was concerned that soil
compaction was contributing to the issues.
Mr. Parker did not agree with the conclusions reached in the report and felt that
clay soil and impaction was creating a lot of the issues; he felt removing the oak
would only mitigate some of the issues.
Ms. Worthy, Mr. Loosley and Mr. Ritter agreed with the previous comments,
noting that an immense amount of root force would be necessary to affect the
foundation.
Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship and
promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon tree to be
chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree
removal.
Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. 152 – 196 Ferrini (3 fan palms)
Shaun Collarman, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and
the need for a new replacement gas line and that the existing gas line was
located under the trees and could not be re-routed.
Mr. Combs reported that the trees were in moderate health.
Mr. Loosley moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to
the property owner, and required three 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen
from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals.
Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
4. 350 Tolosa Way
There was no applicant/representative to speak to the item.
5. 4350 Sunflower Way (2 London plane)
The applicant discussed the removal request, noting that the trees were very
distressed, the sidewalk was breaking, and the neighbor was experiencing
drainage issue to roots intrusion. She stated the trees were too close to the
sidewalk and house and that they posed a large allergen issue. She wanted to
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replace with appropriately-sized species and confirmed that the HOA had
approved the removals.
Mr. Combs reported they were theme trees, slightly diseased and shallow rooted
in the compacted construction soils.
Mr. Loosley felt the street trees were not creating any visible damage.
Ms. Worthy felt the rains would make a difference in the health of the trees.
Mr. Ritter discussed community water conservation efforts that were coming into
play, with homeowners moving towards more drought-tolerant plantings but did
not feel comfortable removing trees due to drought-stress. He did not feel
comfortable removing trees solely for the concept of saving water.
Mr. Loosley moved to approve the removal request, as doing so would not harm
the character of the neighborhood or environment, and required two 15-gallon
replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted
within 45 days of tree removals.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Mr. Ritter voting against.
6. Mustang Village Drive (Misc. trees)
Evan Moffitt, applicant’s representative, discussed the extensive removal request
and noted that they could not find appropriate places for larger-sized trees and
the owner was planting with only 24”-36” box replacement trees. He stated that
all the walkways were being replaced. He reported that the project removals
would be phased, due to the scope of the work involved in removing numerous
trees.
The Committee discussed the proposal and agreed to the following removal
outline:
Mustang #2 = Approve all nine tree removals
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the outlined removal request for all trees except #4,
based on promoting good arboricultural practice, with 24” box replanting to be
done in accordance with proposed landscaping plan.
Ms. Worthy seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
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Mustang #1/ Internal trees section = Approve removals for #1-4; #25-32
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the outlined removal request based on promoting
good arboricultural practice, with replanting to be done in accordance with
proposed landscaping plan.
Mr. Loosley seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Foothill/Mustang Dr. Entrance Section = Approve removals for #10, #24,
#33, #5
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the outlined removal request based on promoting
good arboricultural practice, with replanting to be done in accordance with
proposed landscaping plan.
Ms. Worthy seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ritter moved to deny #4 and #6-9, as he could not make the findings
necessary to allow removal.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Combs noted that the Committee will be getting a new ARC rep.
Mr. Loosley asked staff to check on the severe pruning of the camphor tree at the
Zion Church that was not approved for removal.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Combs discussed the success of the Fall Arbor Day event and the Cal Poly
Tree Campus USA recognition and tree tour event.
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ARBORIST REPORT
Mr. Combs encouraged the Committee to attend the December 10 Lunch and
Learn.
The Committee also asked staff to include language on the permit regarding the
need for HOA approval on removals.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to next meeting scheduled for Monday,
January 25, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary