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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC correspondence 04-25-2016, CooperPROPOSAL FOR HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATION Criteria for Designation as San Luis Obispo Heritage Trees Trees shall be accepted for consideration as Heritage Trees when they fall within the following classification: Project Location: 71 Palomar Ave. San Luis Obispo Historical Interest: The original owner of this property, Reginald Wills-Sanford, was an orchardist. He resided in this house between 1895 and 1899 and most likely planted many of the mature specimen trees still standing on this property. Arboricultural Interest a. Size: over 24 inch diameter b. Age (one of the oldest in the community): yes c. Rare or unusual species for this area: yes d. Outstanding specimens: yes e. Distinctive structural interest: Boles 20’-30’ in height with bark furrows; spreading crowns The Committee shall judge the request for consideration of each tree with the following factors in mind: 1.Condition and state of health of the specimen: healthy 2.Permanence of site location: pending sale of property 3.Visual accessibility: very accessible 4.Address of tree and location on lot: 71 Palomar 5.Requesting party (individual or group): Allan Cooper, Richard Schmidt, Cheryl McLean & David Brodie 6.Property Owner: Delta Tau House Corporation 7.Species: •2 - Araucaria hetrophylla or Norfolk Island Pine (unique specimens & some of the oldest in SLO) North: Bole: 2’- 5” Height: 60’ South: Bole: 2’- 7” Height: 80’ •2 - Grumichama Eugenia brasiliensis or Eugenia (2 of the oldest) North: Bole: 3’- 6” Height: 60’ South: Bole: 3’- 8” Height: 60’ •1 - Quercus agrifolia or native coastal oak Bole: 2’- 8” Height: 40’ •1 - Pheonix Canariensis or Frond Palm Bole: 2’- 0” Height: 60’ •1 - Pinus pinea or Italian stone pine Bole: 2’- 10” Height: 50’ •1 - Olea europaea or European olive Bole: 2’- 0” Height: 40’ •18 - Eucalyptus Globulus or blue gum North to South encircling house: Height: varies 115’ - 135’ Bole: 4’- 6” Bole: 4’- 7” Bole: 2’- 0” Bole: 3’- 5” Bole: 2’- 5” Bole: 4’- 10” Bole: 3’- 8” Bole: 4’- 8” Bole: 2’- 0’ Bole: 3’- 6” Bole: 2’- 3” Bole: 2’- 3” Bole: 2’- 10” East to West along Luneta Bole: 5’- 6” Bole: 3’- 4” Bole: 3’- 3” Bole: 3’- 3” 5. Age: 100 years + Height: 40-180 feet + Spread: varies 6. Trunk diameter at 24” above natural grade: Yes 7. Photographs (2) minimum at right angles to each other: see attached 8. Describe – Arboricultural or Historical Interest: An Environmental Checklist Prepared by Jeff Oliveira of Oliveira Environmental Consulting LLC for a proposed multi-family residential development located at 71 Palomar Ave. stated the following: “No heritage trees or significant native vegetation exist on the portion of the site to be developed. Multiple small to fully mature native and non-native landscaping trees would be removed as part of the proposed project development. This includes mulberry trees/ shrubs, pine trees, olive trees, decorative palms, larch or spruce trees, eucalyptus and redwood trees. The proposed project includes a conceptual landscape plan showing the removal of all of the existing vegetation with the exception of a 28-inch diameter eucalyptus tree at the southwest corner of the site and a 74-inch palm tree midway along the east property boundary.” This report neither properly identifies the mature non-native vegetation located on this property nor does it acknowledge the health, rarity or maturity of this vegetation. The proposed project will involve the removal of all of this vegetation with the exception of a 28-inch diameter eucalyptus tree. 2 - Araucaria hetrophylla or Norfolk Island Pine (unique specimens & some of the oldest in SLO) 2 - Grumichama Eugenia brasiliensis or Eugenia (2 of the oldest) 1 - Pheonix Canariensis or Frond Palm 1 - Pinus pinea or Italian stone pine 1 - Olea europaea or European olive 18 - Eucalyptus Globulus or blue gum North to South encircling house: Height: ave. 180’ East to West along Luneta 1 - Quercus agrifolia or native coastal oak Plot Plan ! The following (see below) is what the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code says about Heritage trees. It does NOT say the owner must sign an application. In fact, it is clear that the public MAY PROPOSE DESIGNATION of ANY healthy tree. The Arborist and Tree Committee will review it. The only place the owner explicitly comes in is when the Council makes the designation.  But up to that time -- the investigative phase, the educational phase -- the process is indeed open to anyone pursuing a designation and the Tree Committee must consider this request.