The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01-22-2018 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, January 22, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, January 22, 2018 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, Ben Parker, Angela Soll, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Sean O’Brien, Rodney Thurman Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of December 11, 2017 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to approve the December 11, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as amended. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: O’BRIEN, THURMAN Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of January 22, 2018 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 902 Peach St. (2 eucalyptus) Maria Sweasey, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request, noting that the trees were out of scale for the property and had been causing issues with the plumbing and wrapping roots around fiber optic lines. She discussed some interior remodeling plans and a replacement planting plan. Mr. Combs discussed past removal requests with the property and stated the relatively healthy trees have caused some driveway displacement on the neighbor’s side and sidewalk displacement on the Morrow frontage. He reported he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and agreed they did not notice significant changes since the last time the removal request had come before them and that the hardscape damage was minimal. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to deny the removal request as the necessary findings could not be made. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, SOLL, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: O’BRIEN, THURMAN - 470 Pismo (2 liquid ambars) Bill Vanhorbeck, Bunyon Brothers representative, discussed the removal request, stating the trees presented a hardship and the uplift created trip hazards. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of January 22, 2018 Page 3 Mr. Combs noted the tree had large surface roots but that he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing The Committee discussed the item, agreeing the trees were in reasonable shape and contained and that the hardscape damage was minimal. Chair Loosley noted that a neighbor had expressed a desire for the trees to remain. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to deny the removal request as the necessary findings could not be made. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: SOLL ABSENT: O’BRIEN, THURMAN - 2299 Santa Ynez (eucalyptus and elm) Tammy Cody, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and noted the trees were structurally unsound and that the nearby oaks would thrive if trees were removed. Mr. Combs stated the trees were relatively healthy and that he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing The Committee discussed the item. Ms. Worthy reported she had been unable to view the trees. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of January 22, 2018 Page 4 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the removal request for the eucalyptus only, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required a replacement planting of one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. Removal for the elm was denied, as the necessary findings for removal could not be made. Motion passed 4-0-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, SOLL NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: WORTHY ABSENT: O’BRIEN, THURMAN - 972 Santa Rosa (ficus) Fred Vernacchia, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated that the large tree was lifting the curb and the newly-placed sidewalk. The debris was excessive, and he was concerned about his elderly patients’ safety in the parking lot. He noted the debris piles by the emergency exit and plugs up the roof drain, causes stress on the roof in the rain. He reported on constant maintenance and clean-up efforts, but the debris was too constant during certain times of the year. Mr. Combs reported that the tree was slated for heavy pruning by the City within the next week. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal request as the necessary findings could not be made. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: SOLL ABSENT: O’BRIEN, THURMAN NEW BUSINESS Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of January 22, 2018 Page 5 Certified Arborist Exam Preparation Courses Mr. Combs discussed the classes being held in English and Spanish at the Corporation Yard, reporting they have been well attended and successful. Proclaiming it as a very important way to improve Urban Forestry and local tree care practices. OLD BUSINESS 435 Marsh St. Tree Appeal Update Mr. Combs reported that the Council approved the removal of the ficus tree, requiring 36” Box New Zealand Christmas trees to be planted as Street Trees. ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Staffing Update Mr. Combs introduced Misty Celaya, who will be working as part of the Urban Forest Plan Review dealing with development review items. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 26, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 02/26/2018