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Home My WebLink About6-26-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, June 26, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, June 26, 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: Sean O’Brien, Ben Parker, Angela Soll, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Alan Bate, Rodney Thurman Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA John Salisbury, 1385 Cazadero, submitted neighborhood flyer about new classroom building at SLO High School which will be built very close to his home and also will entail removing a large oak, as well as other trees. He felt the presented plans had been misleading and stated the classroom installation should be where the original building had been. He was also concerned about firetruck emergency access to homes. He stated neighbors were very upset with this “bad deal.” Chair Loosley verified that the Committee didn’t have any purview over school property. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of May 22, 2017 Minutes Vice Chair Parker corrected the minutes to reflect that he was not in attendance at the meeting and did not vote on any items. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to approve the May 22, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as corrected. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 2 AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - #35 & #36 El Mirador (4 Monterey pines) Jacqueline Whitesides, property manager, submitted documentation from the HOA Board minutes, approving proposed removals. Mr. Combs reported they were large, healthy trees with some structural issues and evidence of brick displacement, but he stated he could not make his necessary findings required to allow removal. Public Comments Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Roy Gammil, 36 El Mirador, discussed root problem that runs under his foundation and stated he was very concerned about the tall tree falling. Janet Kirk, 35 El Mirador, concerned about safety issues pertaining to the co-dominant leaders and poor attachments of the trees and noted surface roots are causing issues. She submitted an arborist’s report that supported removing the trees. She reiterated the concern of large falling pine cones in her backyard. Sharon Gammil, 36 El Mirador, had great fear of the tree falling in windy conditions and noted that the patio was buckling due to roots. Maryann Moriarty-Motors, 67 El Mirador, did not favor removal and felt trees were a major asset to the area. Julia Grow, 66 Contenta Court, did not favor removal and agreed the mature trees were important community assets. She noted that her unit was in potential danger as well should the trees fall, but felt they were healthy and should remain. Bob Gill, certified arborist, reported the biggest issues in the report he generated were Tree #2’s co-dominant leaders, lean, included bark and the shallow root structure and migration. Also, had concern about hardscape damage due to the roots. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 3 Will Powers, resident, confirmed with staff that Tree #2 and Tree #4 would pose the most risk due to structural flaws. Favored retaining if possible, but felt a removal compromise might be reached if necessary. Sandra Lakeman, resident, favored retaining the trees. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed stability issues and future health and limited longevity for these trees before inevitable decline. They agreed that Trees #2 & #4 were problematic and discussed the impact on Trees #1 & #3 if the others were removed; they felt if Trees #1 & #3 remained, they should be safety pruned and maintained, as well as monitored for stress and feasibility. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, to approve the removal request for Trees #2 & #4 only, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removals. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 160 Broad St. (Live oak) Steve Franzman, applicant’s rep, discussed removal request and reported that a third of it split out, allowing for stability issues and too much possibility of decay. Discussed past oak failures on site. He stated the remaining leader was a concern and that the existing second live oak would thrive if the damaged one were removed. Mr. Combs agreed with split damage and the concern about the limb attachment. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Jim Bagnal, property owner, noted his site was heavily planted and stated he was very concerned the remaining limb attachment being a liability to structures. Will Powers did not think it had been well maintained. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and agreed with concerns of limb attachments, included bark and past splits. They felt the tree was damaged beyond repair. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 4 from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 1153 Rosemary Ct. (2 palms) Linda Campeggi, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and concerns with frond and heavy pods dropping as a liability for tenant safety and that continual maintenance proved a financial hardship for the owner. She reported that a neighbor favored removal and did not think removal would negatively affect area. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy and he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers favored removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and reiterated that maintenance is not a cause for removal and felt safety pruning and maintenance would mitigate safety concerns. They determined that the tree closest to the house was under 12” diameter requirement and could be removed without permit. Suggested planting London Plane as a replacement, as it was a theme tree in the area. Ms. Soll favored allowing for removal. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal request, as none of the necessary findings could be made. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: SOLL ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 1035 Monterey (Ficus) Rob Rossi, applicant, discussed the removal request and noted roots were invasive, which had resulted in the continual need for past root pruning. He also stated a concern for potential hardscape lifting and trip hazards. Mr. Combs agreed with large root issues and hardscape damage. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 5 Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers favored retaining the tree. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and explored possible root pruning efforts to retain the tree, as the tree was an enhancement to the area. It was determined that the young tree would only grow larger and continue to impact the building and present a safety/trip hazard. They discussed engineered soils in relation to a possible replacement planting. Ms. Worthy favored root pruning with retention. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and required one 36” box tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL NOES: WORTHY ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN NEW BUSINESS Tree species discussion for Monterey/Osos St. bulb-out The Committee discussed tree species selection for the Monterey/Osos St. bulb-out and approved the fruitless olive as an alternative to replanting a ficus tree in that location. OLD BUSINESS Continuation of Master Street Tree list review The discussion regarding the Master Street Tree list review and revisions continued. The Committee agreed to organize a special meeting field trip on Saturday, July 15 to do a group review of Trees for Major Streets in the Orcutt/Broad/S. Higuera/Madonna Road area. Staff agreed to handle the public announcement of the special meeting. ARBORIST REPORT There was no report at this time. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, July 24, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 07/24/2017