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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, October 23, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, October 23, 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, Angela Soll, Rodney Thurman, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Daryl Grigsby, Public Works director, discussed the CalPERS and City’s fiscal health response plan and the challenges that will be faced providing service levels in the face of increasing contributions. He reported that Public Works Dept. needed to achieve a $1.5 million reduction and that Council would be reviewing options to address. Will Powers, resident, confirmed that management salaries would match any employee salary cuts and/or contribution concessions. Dr. Powers proceeded to discuss a filed complaint regarding the spindly trees planted on Ramona behind California Fresh shopping center. Staff agreed to research parameters. Sandra Lakeman, resident, felt the agenda cover sheet should include tree species type for each removal address listing. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of August 28, 2017 Minutes Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 2 It was clarified that Chair Loosley was not in attendance at that meeting. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to approve the September 25, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as amended. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN WORTHY NOES: NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 364 Los Cerro Dr. (4 eucalyptus) Paul Collins, applicant, discussed the removal request and was concerned about the Tree B leaning towards his neighbor’s house, past limb failure of Tree A and Tree C failing and noted Tree D was too close to the house. He stated the nearby oaks would thrive with the removals. Barbara Collins, applicant, reported that Robert Hill, Natural Resource Manager, favored removal, as did David Hensinger and referenced his letter of support. Mr. Combs reported he could not make the necessary findings for removal approval. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Jules Rogoff, 330 Los Cerros, noted that previous eucalyptus in the development had been removed and favored the removal request. He was also concerned about fire hazard. Will Powers favored removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 3 The Committee discussed the item and outlined which trees should be removed and which retained and agreed that the existing oaks would thrive if some trees were removed. They favored replacement plantings of Coast Live Oaks. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SOLL, to approve the removal of Trees A & B, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, requiring two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. It was further moved to deny the removal of Trees C & D, as the necessary findings could not be made. Motion passed 7 -0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN WORTHY NOES: NONE - 435 Marsh (Ficus) Jim Rendler, applicant, discussed the removal request in terms of upcoming development and ADA requirements. He noted it was an older tree that was surrounded by several other trees and that it would be replaced with six trees onsite. He did not think pruning and retaining the tree would be healthy for the tree or work with the design. He noted ARC has approved the plans. Steve Sinton, project member, discussed incorporating Mexican sycamore. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. The Committee recognized a letter from Allan Cooper in support of retaining the tree and indicating that he did not think Mexican sycamore was a good replacement species. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. James Lopes, resident, also referenced the letter from Allan Cooper and stated he agreed with the contents and thought the developer could accommodate the tree in a re-design. Ms. Lakeman also supported Mr. Cooper’s position and stated Save Our Downtown supported Mr. Cooper’s position as well. She felt there needed to be a tree-saving initiative across the county to retain older trees and th e oxygen output they provided. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 4 Pam Orth, resident, did not think a 42’ building should be right on the sidewalk and felt the design should incorporate the tree. Bill Cochran, resident, was concerned about citywide tree removals due to development in general and felt this tree should be retained. Will Powers felt developers got extremely high allowances regarding tree removals and felt this tree should be retained. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Ms. Soll discussed the ARC approval process re development and O-lot line entitlement. She noted she needed to vote in favor of removal, as a representative of the ARC since they approved the development plan that included removing the tree. The Committee discussed the removal request for the healthy tree and expressed great frustration that the ARC approved the project before the Tree Committee could review. There were divided comments. Ms. Worthy noted the uniform Ficus corridor at the city entryway was an asset and that Ficus trees can withstand sub stantial pruning. Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Thurman could not make the necessary findings for removal. Mr. Parker felt pruning would harm the character of the tree and make it lopsided. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER W ORTHY, to deny the removal request, based on inability to make any of the necessary findings for removal. Motion passed 5-3 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: PARKER, SOLL - 1266 Monterey (Carrotwood) Dave Regan, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and stated the roots were lifting the sidewalk and that the sewer line had to be replaced. He noted the tree was only in fair health. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings and noted the roots would be pruned by Street Dept. on rotation. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 5 The Committee reported that Allan Cooper’s position letter also favored retaining this tree. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers did not favor removing the tree. Ms. Orth and Mr. Cochran did not favor removal and felt the tree added to the street appeal. Mr. Lopes supported Mr. Cooper’s letter comments and favored retaining the tree. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and felt the tree could be maintained. They also encouraged the owner to plant a tree in the empty tree well on the side of the property. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal request, based on inability to make any of the necessary findings for removal. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN WORTHY NOES: NONE - 131 Serrano Heights (Coast Live oak) Mr. Thurman stated he would be abstaining due to a conflict of interest. John Brooks, applicant, discussed the removal request and felt the tree presented a fire hazard, was too close to the house and in the way of the retaining wall he needed to build to shore up property. He would replace it with another Coast Live oak. Mr. Combs could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 6 Dr. Powers noted he was unable to view the tree. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and felt the tree stabilized the hillside and that the canopy could be pruned and removing the shrubbery and undergrowth would address any fire concerns. They encouraged the applicant to return with retaining wall plans to request tree removal at that time. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal request, based on inability to make any of the necessary findings for removal. Motion passed 6-0- 1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: THURMAN NEW BUSINESS MILL STREET Maintenance Request for City Bus Route There was no City representative to speak to the item. The Committee discu ssed the request to accommodate the double-decker bus and encouraged City Transit to look into re-routing and other alternatives that would avoid having to affect the Mill Street trees. OTHER: Mr. Combs noted that the California Urban Forest Council seminar would be held at the Corporation Yard on December 7, 2017. OLD BUSINESS Final revisions were made to the Major Street Trees list. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to forward the finalized Major Street Trees list to Council for approval. Motion passed 7-0 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, SOLL, THURMAN WORTHY NOES: NONE Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of October 23, 2017 Page 7 ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reminded the Committee about the Arbor Day event being held on Saturday, November 4 at Laguna Lake from 10 a.m. to noon. He also discussed the development of a sustainable Urban Forest Management Plan and reported that efforts were being coordinated with Cal Poly classes to review = efficiency and inventory, ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 12/11/2017