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Home My WebLink About9-25-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 5:03 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, located at 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California, by Vice Chair Ben Parker. ROLL CALL Present: Alan Bate, Sean O’Brien, Ben Parker, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Scott Loosley, Angela Soll, Rodney Thurman Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Will Powers, resident, referenced the August 28 Committee meeting item regarding the Garden Street development and ADA requirements. He reported that he had filed complaints about other development projects based on the ADA clearance requirement being six feet and not 12 feet, as stated by the developer. He felt the Garden Street discussion should be re-opened in light of this discrepancy. Gamaliel Anguiano, City Transport manager, requested that the trees on Mill Street be trimmed for clearance, safety and operational measures to accommodate the double-decker bus and reconfiguration of current route. Logan Hunter, Phillips Lane, requested that Mr. Anguiano’s item be agendized because neighbors affected by the bus route would like to speak to it. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of August 28, 2017 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to approve the July 24, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as submitted. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 1673 La Vineda Court (oak) George Suchand, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated that the tree was too close to the house and that maintenance had become too cumbersome and expensive for he and his wife, as they were both elderly. He discussed damage to the roof and gutter. He did not think removal would harm the character of the neighborhood and that he had improved the site by planting 10 trees. He also submitted a letter from a neighbor, favoring the removal. Mr. Combs reported he could not make the necessary findings for removal approval. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Will Powers favored removal due to hardship. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item, agreeing that the property was heavily planted. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, requiring no replacement planting. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 3 NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN - 1284 Ella (3 trees) Bob Hill, applicant’s arborist representative, discussed the removal request and reported that the area was overgrown. He was concerned about the ash tree’s overhang and slough off over the hospital parking area and noted the pine had a severe lean with multiple co-dominant stems. He felt the large podocarpus and ash posed liabilities; he noted past limb failure re the ash. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers favored the removal. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and felt these were good skyline and shade trees. They discussed pruning and thinning mitigations for the ash and podocarpus, but agreed the pine would be removed. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal request for the pine tree only, based on promoting good arboricultural practice and denying the removal of the other trees as they could not make the necessary findings for approval. They required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN - 1130 MORRO (Ficus) Kimberly Walker, applicant, discussed the expansion plans for the hotel and reported that the tree littered excessively and presented a hazard on the sidewalk, as she was concerned about future root issues. She discussed a chemical that would limit berry production Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings and discussed plant growth chemical inhibitors. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 4 Dr. Powers favored retaining with the chemical treatment. Dave Hannings, applicant representative, reiterated that the berries were messy and increased bird droppings in the outdoor restaurant area and encouraged the use of the chemical treatment. James Lopes, resident, was concerned about tree removals in the downtown area; he stated this tree was overgrown and that all the Morro Street trees in the area needed trimming, not removal. He discussed carbon footprint in terms of removed trees. Paul Collins, confirmed that the applicant could prune the tree and work with city staff regarding the chemical treatment. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and felt that seasonal chemical treatment and pruning would mitigate concerns and encouraged the applicant to work with staff to proceed. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VIC CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to deny the removal request, as the necessary findings could not be made. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN - 1544 Balboa (ash) Keith Brummel, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request, his past plantings on Coral Street, and re-landscape plans for the corner lot. He reported the tree was diseased, had termites and cracks and was damaging the curb/gutter. Mr. Combs could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers favored removal. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and possible new theme tree being implemented in the area. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to approve the removal request based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring two 15-gallon trees to be chosen Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 5 from the Master Street tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN - 364 Los Cerros (4 eucalyptus) Barbara Collins, applicant, discussed the removal request and past limb failure, the overhang on neighbor’s property, uprooting concerns, and noted the nearby love oaks would thrive if the trees were removed. She also noted they were in a high-risk fire zone. Paul Collins, applicant, reiterated the issues with limb failure as well as lean concerns. He agreed live oaks would thrive and discussed replacement plantings. Mr. Combs agreed oaks were being stunted and reported he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Vice Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers agreed with removal. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee asked the applicant to clearly identify the trees in question and continued the item for further review. - 3211 Broad (2 melaleuca) Carolyn Maddalena, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and stated the tree was overgrown and the roots are compromising planters and sidewalks. Discussed replacing with date palms and succulents. Mr. Combs stated he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers did not favor removal. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 6 The Committee discussed the item, noting they were good specimens and they did not see evidence of damage. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to deny the removal request as none of the necessary findings could be made. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN - 888 Vista del Brisa (4 eucalyptus) Gary Enoch, applicant, discussed the removal request and the extensive root system under the house, noting the trees were messy and he was concerned about limb failure for tenants with small children. He reported past limb failure that had damaged neighbor’s property. He stated he wanted to replace with fruit trees and shrubs. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Vice Chair Parker opened the public hearing. Walter Richardson, neighbor, felt the trees were unsafe and roots were causing trip hazards. He favored removal. Dr. Powers agreed with removal. Vice Chair Parker closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request, noting two of the trees had split trunks and included bark but the other two were healthy and needed to be pruned. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal request for Trees A & C, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and deny the removal of Trees B & D, as the necessary findings could not be made. They required two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 25, 2017 Page 7 NEW BUSINESS HERITAGE TREE APPLICATION – 1568/1582 Higuera (Coast Live Oak) Thomas Menzie Cliff, 1568 Higuera, discussed the application and noted the tree was one of the few native oaks in the area. He currently owns both properties and the tree sits on the property line; he wanted it protected in case properties are sold separately in the future. He discussed the certification and merits of the tree. Mr. Combs stated that staff supports the application and if Committee agrees, the application moves to Council for approval. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to support the Heritage Tree application and forward it to Council for approval. Motion passed 4-0-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: LOOSLEY, SOLL, THURMAN OLD BUSINESS Further Master Street Tree discussion took place and the Committee agreed to participate in a second field trip at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, with details to follow from staff. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed Arbor Day event being held on Saturday, November 4 at Laguna Lake from 10 a.m. to noon. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 10/23/2017