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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-24-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, April 24, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 5:03 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, located at 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Scott Loosley. ROLL CALL Present: Alan Bate, Sean O’Brien, Ben Parker, Angela Soll, Rodney Thurman, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary SWEARING IN Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk’s office, swore in the following members: Alan Bate, Jane Worthy, Scott Loosley, and Sean O’Brien. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA There were no comments. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of March 27, 2017 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the March 27, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as submitted. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN, Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of April 24, 2017 Page 2 WORTHY NOES: NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEM It was noted that Will Powers submitted comments pertaining to the tree removal requests. 2. Tree Removal Applications - 289 Marlene (2 birch) Phil Sansom, applicant, discussed the removal request and reported that the trees had been maintained but large surface roots were pushing the retaining wall and encroaching on the neighbor’s property. The neighbor stated they also favored removal. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. There were no public comments. The Committee discussed the request, stating the large trees were beautiful in the area, and agreed that the wall had some lean, but they were not convinced it was due to roots. It was suggested that the applicant confer with a structural engineer to receive confirmation that the roots were causing the retaining wall issues. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to deny the removal request, as none of the necessary findings could be made. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE - 815 Columbine (Sycamore) Bryan and Melissa Davis, applicants, discussed the removal request and reported that the roots were trip hazards, had uplifted the sidewalk and caused drainage issues resulting in flooding. They were concerned the roots would impact the foundation. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of April 24, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Combs stated the tree was a theme tree and had shown some evidence of root damage. He could not make his necessary findings for removal. There were no public comments. The Committee determined that the applicants needed to provide HOA documentation that shows the HOA approved the removal before they could consider the item. The request was continued to the next meeting. - 691 Henderson (Date palm) Mr. Bate stated he had a conflict of interest and that he would be abstaining. Heidi Goetz, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and reported that past fronds had dropped on power lines and caused a fire. She was concerned that the sucker shrub was affecting the health of the tree. Mr. Combs reported he could not make his necessary findings for removal. There were no public comments. The Committee discussed the item and noted it was a healthy habitat tree. They did not think frond damage would be an issue due to the continued PG&E maintenance and that fact that the tree was past the compliance zone. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, to deny the removal request, as none of the necessary findings could be made. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE - 4340 Larkspur (Chinese elm) George Sabo, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated roots had intruded into the sewer and irrigation systems and had cracked the driveway. He discussed his plans to re-landscape and submitted a copy of an email documenting the HOA approved the removal. Mr. Combs agreed there was minor displacement and stated he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of April 24, 2017 Page 4 Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Steve Delmartini, neighbor, stated he favored the removal and the re- landscaping plans proposed. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the application and the landscaping plans, with several members noting the tree was too large in the space. They agreed that the email from the HOA showed intention to approve the removal, but that actual minutes reflecting such were required. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. The approval is conditioned upon staff receiving official HOA minutes showing their approval for the removal. Motion passed 5-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: BATE, O’BRIEN - 1395 Madonna (2 cypress) Steve Williams, City arborist representative, discussed the removal request and the major decline of the trees. He stated the trees would be replaced with 1-2 trees on the property. Mr. Combs agreed the trees were in significant decline. There were no public comments. The Committee discussed the request and agreed that the trees were failing, had decay and insect infestation. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted on Madonna Road within 45 days of the tree removals. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of April 24, 2017 Page 5 NOES: NONE - Chumash Village (2 pines, Sequoia) Mary Kuntz, resident, submitted a letter favoring retaining the trees. Caleb Lim, Association Manager, discussed the removal request and spoke at length about the tree issues: root damage, interference with sewer and utilities, trip hazards and being too large for the areas. He also mentioned the roots were causing flooding issues and that the trees presented a hardship on nearby residents. He noted that the Board had submitted documentation that favored removing the three trees. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Vicki Ann Richardson, Space #164, discussed the slope and drainage issues mentioned and did not believe the tree was causing those problems. She stated the trees were habitats and felt all could be better maintained and retained. George and Nona Ward, #184, discussed their extreme financial hardship of being on a fixed income and having to constantly pay to maintain the trees and clear the area of debris. They were also concerned of falling pine cones being a hazard. Joanne Howell, #21, discussed the need for re-leveling the coach and the soil compaction. She did not feel roots were causing the problems and that the trees should be maintained and retained. Robert Akelian, resident, did not believe many of the reasons stated that supported removal of the trees were correct. He favored retaining the trees. Bonnie Wollam, resident, favored removal for the reasons Mr. Lim stated. Maureen Beaulieu, resident, agreed with previous comments that favored retaining the trees and did not feel roots were causing the majority of the problems Mr. Lim outlined. Bill Richardson, resident, favored retaining the trees and felt removal would harm the character of the environment and neighborhood. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of April 24, 2017 Page 6 The Committee discussed the removal request, with the majority of the members favoring retaining the trees and recommending significant pruning and ongoing maintenance provided with the help of the Association. Mr. Loosley also felt a replanting plan should have been presented with the removal request. Mr. Thurman stated he favored removal for the two pines and retaining the Sequoia. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, to deny the removal request, as the necessary findings could not be made for approval. Motion passed 6-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: THURMAN NEW BUSINESS The Committee agreed that language pertaining to the requirement for HOA documentation re removal approval should be added to the permit application. OLD BUSINESS The discussion regarding the Master Street Tree list revisions continued, with Mr. Combs stating he’ll be adding some new species to the list for consideration. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the Municipal Forestry survey. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 05/22/2017