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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-24-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, July 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, July 24, 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, Angela Soll, Rodney Thurman, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Ben Parker Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Will Powers, resident, noted that several of the trees on the agenda were not properly identified with ribbon, etc. and that it was hard to determine which trees were to be reviewed. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of June 26, 2017 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the June 26, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as submitted. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: PARKER Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 815 Columbine (Sycamore) Melissa Davis, applicant, discussed the removal request and submitted documentation of HOA approval for the request, as well as an arborist report supporting the removal. She discussed the extensive root damage and flooding issues. Mr. Combs reported the native theme tree was fairly healthy and he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers favored removal. Bob Gill, arborist, discussed his report and stated he had found damage to both the hardscape and the foundation. Kimberly Perez, 170 Del Norte, was concerned that the tree might be a nesting habitat and requested removal for delayed if so. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the request, agreeing that there was damage and hardship to the property owner and felt that root pruning would only serve as a temporary fix. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and requiring one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: PARKER - 1185 Monterey (Ficus) Matt Quaglino, applicant, discussed the removal request and distributed copies of the site development and landscaping plans. He stated the tree was too large for the space and created numerous root issues. He reported that the building would be too close to the tree and roots lifting the sidewalk would create safety issues. He noted the tree would be replaced by seven Tristania large species and felt that removal and Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 3 replacement would be a strong long-term solution, as retaining and pruning the tree would lose 1/3 of the specimen. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy and he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. A letter from Sandra Lakeman was received, stating she was in favor of retaining the tree. Mr. Powers felt the building plan should be adjusted to accommodate keeping the tree. Steve Caminiti, landscape architect, noted that in the past when some projects were designed around a mature tree, when that tree died, the project did not represent well. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Ms. Soll reported that the ARC had unanimously approved the removal and she felt any replacement trees needed to be as large as possible. Ms. Worthy felt the building should accommodate retaining the tree. The rest of the Committee discussed the request and while reluctant to consider removal, many agreed some Ficus were difficult to work around in the downtown and that this tree faced being damaged by vehicles. They agreed that structural soils should be implemented in the landscape plan to mitigate future root issues. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the removal request based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring seven 36” box/3” diameter Tristania planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-2-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, NOES: BATE, WORTHY ABSENT: PARKER - 4325 S. HIGUERA (23 eucalyptus) Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Thurman stated they had a conflict of interest and would be abstaining from voting. Mr. O’Brien and Ms. Soll stated they could not access the site and were unable to review the trees. John Shoals, PG&E representative, discussed the removal request and the code violation assessed regarding the flooding of the neighboring storage area due to a Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 4 large root ball uplifting and the subsequent issues of water damage and mold. He suggested replacement value of off-site trees or funds donated in lieu of plantings. Olivia Montalvo, applicant representative, discussed the damage to the west side draining system and replacing the area with a concrete drain system. She stated she did not believe the trees were wildlife habitats at this time. Mr. Combs reported the area had a large number of eucalyptus and non-native trees and shrubs, as well as a couple live oak saplings, and that he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers suggested a barrier/water management system be developed and also cleaning out the area so trees could be retained. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee determined they did not have a quorum to allow voting on the item and agreed to continue the item to allow review of the violation paperwork and give Mr. O’Brien and Ms. Soll a chance to review the trees. - 174 Del Norte (pine) Mr. Bate stated he would be abstaining from voting, due to a conflict of interest. Giulio Dedini, applicant, discussed the removal request and was very concerned about the tree growing around uninsulated utility lines and creating a fire hazard. Mr. Combs reported the large pine was healthy and agreed it was in a poor location, but he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers agreed that while healthy, he could support removal as the property was heavily planted. Max Ruddell, certified arborist, agreed with the concern about fire hazard. Ms. Perez reported the tree was an active wildlife habitat and discussed possible maintenance. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and felt the tree could be retained with proper maintenance to mitigate fire concerns. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 5 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to deny the removal request as none of the necessary findings could be made. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE ABSENT: PARKER - 1254 Bond (live oak) Chris Stier, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the significant lean of the tree, as well as the construction and slab issues under the tree. He stated a retaining wall installation was being required and that the tree was in the way of that. He also discussed past splitting of the tree which had required major pruning and resulted in the current form. Mr. Combs stated he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Mr. Powers felt if the tree had been split/damaged, there should be evidence presented to confirm the severe pruning was necessary due to splitting. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and agreed that the tree in its current state should be removed. They also determined that both signatures of the two property owners needed to be included on the removal application. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, 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 tree removal and contingent upon both property owners signing and authorizing the removal application. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: PARKER - 774 Marsh (carrotwood) Chris Disaufino, Wallace Group representative, discussed the removal request and stated the City could not move forward with the storm drain and sidewalk repair if the Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 6 tree is not removed and that retention and root pruning to accommodate ADA compliance requirements would leave the tree unstable. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal of the large, relatively healthy tree. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. A memo from Sandra Lakeman was received in favor of retaining the tree. A letter from Allan Cooper was received stating Save Our Downtown favored retaining the tree and did not believe removal was warranted, based on the evidence. Mr. Powers agreed with removal only if root pruning would leave the tree unstable. James W atson, Jr., resident, felt the removal notice posting of the tree should have been on the pedestrian side of the tree where people would see it instead of on the side of the tree that was inside a construction zone; he felt more people would have shown up in support of retaining the tree had they been able to easily view the posting. He was deeply concerned about the reduction of the Garden St. canopy and felt it was unique to the area and should be protected. He urged accommodation and mitigation measures be sought to allow the tree to remain. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the Tree Protection plan in place and agreed that construction had damaged the roots, making the tree no longer viable. There was further discussion about fines and enforcement of the Protection plan and having a clear plan for future development. Ms. Soll agreed that the loss of Garden St. canopy was an issue and stated she did not favor removal. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and requiring one 36” box/3” diameter Jacaranda to be planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-2-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: BATE, SOLL ABSENT: PARKER The Committee asked staff to explore whether a violation of the Tree Protection plan had occurred and to seek enforcement and fines, if warranted. The Committee also felt that the City, as one of the applicants, should be better represented on the application and at the hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 7 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to make the previous approval motion contingent upon signature sign-off of an authorized representative of the City. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: PARKER - 1137 Garden (carrotwood) Mr. Disaufino discussed the removal request and the need for removal due to ADA compliance measures necessary. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to continue the item until appropriate signature of an authorized representative of the City was obtained on the application. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: PARKER The Committee requested staff provide the arborist report for the Garden Street Project for review. NEW BUSINESS Mr. O’Brien discussed the need for prior submittal of documents and plans so the Committee was not expected to review new submitted information at the time of the hearing. The Committee agreed that 72 hours in advance was a fair expectation and that this new requirement should be included on the application form as well as outlined in the notification of hearing letter sent to applicants. The Committee discussed the overall frustration with the review and enforcement processes between City agencies and the fact that there wasn’t a clear outline of such available and in place. OLD BUSINESS The discussion regarding the Master Street Tree list revisions continued. Chair Loosley distributed an updated copy of the list that included determinations made during the July 15 field trip review of Trees for Major Streets in the Monterey/Broad/S. Higuera/ Madonna Road areas. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 Page 8 ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the wood chip give-away program and reported that the effort had been quite successful. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, August 28, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 08/28/2017