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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-2017 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, December 11, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, December 11, 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, Ben Parker, Rodney Thurman, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Angela Soll Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary DISCUSSION: CHAPTER 12.24/SLO MUNICIPAL CODE Public Works Deputy Director Matt Horn discussed the municipal code that provides policies and regulations to govern installation, maintenance, and preservation of trees. He requested input from the public and the Committee as to better clarifying processes and addressing other needs and concerns in order to prepare a proposal to submit to Council for review and approval. Cheryl McLean, resident, felt that all developers should have to come before the Tree Committee when tree removals were involved. She was concerned about losing the urban forest and the trees that have already been lost and reiterated that developers should be treated similarly to residents in terms of tree removals. The Committee discussed various aspects and strongly felt that the process was inconsistent and that any removals at City staff levels should be reviewed by those with an arboricultural background and understanding of trees and further suggested a staff training They also discussed the possibility of creating a “tree fund” that could have donated funds in lieu of replacement plantings, when feasible. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 2 Will Powers, did not feel palms should be on any replacement planting list, especially when fronds were not recyclable. He also felt that local government did not pay attention to community feedback and directions, e.g. tree removals, developments, traffic congestion. Francis Villablanca felt that palm trees should remain on replacement planting lists, noting that specific migrant birds next only in palms. The Committee agreed to forward additional comments to Mr. Horn via staff. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Dr. Powers discussed the need for a volunteer follow-up program to assist the City Arborist in ensuring that replacement plantings are in place and are being maintained. Bob Mourenza, resident, did not think deciduous trees in parking lots were a good idea as they often appear barren and look bad. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of October 23, 2017 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the October 23, 2017 minutes of the Tree Committee as submitted. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 1123 Coral (Modesto ash) Shane Bagnall, applicant, discussed the removal request, stating the tree was aging, diseased, in the wrong location and was negatively impacting the neighbor’s property. The leaves dropped excessively due to the disease and the sticky residue presented a hardship. Ron Combs stated he could not make the findings necessary to allow for removal. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 3 Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the tree was healthy and did not favor removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee member Bate stated he needed to abstain due to a conflict of interest. The Committee discussed the structural issues with the tree. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the removal based on promoting good arboricultural practice, requiring one 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE ABSENT: SOLL - 3940 Poinsettia (Sycamore) James Overton, applicant, discussed the removal request and the accompanying arborist report findings, as well as noting that the neighbor’s foundation had cracks and that there was evidence of root damage. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings to allow removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the tree looked healthy and was well maintained and did not see any damage; he favored retaining the tree, noting it was a bird habitat. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee did not see much evidence of hardscape damage and noted another tree in the area had an approved removal pending. They suggested root pruning and felt the other trees in the area were causing the foundation damage. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 4 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to deny the removal request as they could not make the necessary findings. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL - 162 Del Norte (Pine) Mike Norby, applicant, discussed the removal request and was concerned about the dangerous lean the tree had towards the house – especially in windy conditions – and stated that the tree was too close to the cement wall. He noted that his property was heavily planted. Mr. Combs agreed with the concern about the lean, but stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt it could be hazardous, due to being so dry and stressed. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item; most members noted the nearby oak would thrive if drought-stressed tree were removed and agreed it was too close to the house. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to allow the removal based on removal would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and requiring one 15-gallon Coast Live Oak to be donated to the City Tree bank. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE ABSENT: SOLL Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 5 - 1161 Ella (3 pines) Francis Villablanca, applicant, discussed the removal request and the beetle damage and disease evident in the tree. He was also concerned about the tree growing over the house. Mr. Combs stated two of the trees were acceptable to be removed, but could not make his necessary findings for removal of the Aleppo pine. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the tree could be removed. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee member Thurman stated he would be abstaining due to conflict of interest. The Committee discussed the item and the tree’s odd shape and most agreed it was a poor specimen. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, to allow the removal based on promoting good arboricultural practice and removal would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and requiring three fruit trees to be planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-1-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: BATE ABSTAIN: THURMAN ABSENT: SOLL - 1342 Garden (4 ficus) Ron Rinell, applicant representative, discussed the removal request and stated the trees were out of scale for the area and were causing damage to the curb/gutter/sidewalk. Mr. Combs stated there was some hardscape damage, but could not make his necessary findings for removal. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 6 Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt one the trees could be removed and the rest could be maintained. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee member Worthy felt the trees were beautiful and favored retaining two and remove the two that were lifting the sidewalk. Committee member O’Brien discussed root-pruning options. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to allow the removal based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring four 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Motion passed 4-2-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, PARKER, THURMAN NOES: O’BRIEN, WORTHY ABSENT: SOLL - 630 Perkins Lane (Monterey pine) Pete Barclay, applicant, discussed the removal request, noting maintenance issues and past limb drop. He felt the tree was diseased and that the many trees surrounding would thrive with the pine’s removal. Mr. Combs stated the tree was in fair health, but could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the tree was dry and dangerous and should be removed. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and agreed that there was not much evidence of disease and that drought-stressed trees needed to be maintained. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 7 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, to deny the removal request, as they could not make the findings necessary to allow removal. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL - 902 Peach (Eucalyptus) There was no applicant to speak to the item. - 668 Serrano (6 eucalyptus) Ron Rinell, applicant representative, discussed the removal request and stated the trees in the area had many failures and had been approved for removal and that these trees posed hazards and presented bird-dropping issues. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Bob Mourenza, resident, stated the trees were highly visible and were healthy skyline trees that were not too close to structures. Ms. McLean felt bird habitats are important and that too many trees had been lost in the area. She felt the healthy trees were good for the carbon footprint. Pam Racouillat, resident, agreed with the public comments and suggested maintenance instead of removal. She felt removal would harm the character of the neighborhood. Jodie Volver, resident, agreed with previous comments and did not favor removal. Dr. Powers favored retaining the trees. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 8 The Committee discussed the item and felt the six trees needed to be addressed individually. They did not feel the application was complete in terms of diagramming which trees were in question and wanted an arboricultural assessment provided for the trees. The Committee agreed to continue the item until the application diagram was complete and an assessment of each tree could be provided. - 945 West St. (5 Canary Island pines) Lois Gaines, applicant, discussed the removal request and felt the trees were too tall for the area and was very concerned about failure in high winds. Mr. Combs reported the trees were approximately 30 years old and would get larger. He stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Steve Franzman, applicant’s representative, noted that he had seen the trees significantly sway and lift soil in high winds. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the trees were healthy and did not favor removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee member Bate stated he needed to abstain because he hadn’t had a chance to view the trees. The Committee discussed the item and agreed that they were skyline trees and did not believe winds would topple them. They noted that the trees had plenty of room to grow and that removing them would be a significant expenditure. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal request, as they could not make the findings necessary to allow removal. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE ABSENT: SOLL Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 9 - 939 Skyline (Canary Island pine) John Gilbert, applicant, discussed the removal request and stated that the tree presented a hazard, the roots were damaging the drain and was concerned about the nearby utility box lines. He said roots had lifted the driveway and presented a trip hazard and that root pruning was not an option. He noted that the tree also significantly obscured his view and that properties in the immediate area were designated as top-view homes. Mr. Combs agreed the tree was close to infrastructure, but could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers understood the view obstruction issue but was inclined to favor retaining the tree. Jack Girolo, neighbor, felt the size of the tree was out of scale with the cul-de- sac neighborhood and would keep growing and stated that his view was obstructed as well. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee member Bate did not favor removing the tree. The rest of the Committee discussed the item and agreed that the drought- stressed tree was crowding utilities, was planted in poor soil and noted there was evidence of hardscape damage. They felt a smaller species would be more appropriate to area. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to allow the removal based on promoting good arboricultural practice and that doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, requiring one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 5-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: BATE ABSENT: SOLL Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of December 11, 2017 Page 10 - Madonna Plaza (16 trees) Steve Franzman, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and project. He outlined root issues and concrete and asphalt uplifting, noting that eucalyptus were not options for root pruning. He distributed a removal/replacement plan, noting a combination of 15-gallon and 24” box replacement trees. Mr. Combs stated he brought the item to committee because the project was large-scale. The Committee discussed bulb-outs and meandering sidewalks and increasing planting areas to avoid “lollipop” tree plantings, e.g. 8’x8’ areas. They wanted more detailed information on what space would be available for planting re a reconfigured planting area, as well as repair work proposed. The Committee agreed to continue the item and requested the applicant provide a replacement plan outlining:  Trees 1-8 on El Mercado to include bulb-outs to accommodate tree or provide larger planting areas where root space is limited  Trees 9-16: replace all with 24” box trees; plant in 8’x8’ planting wells or make planting islands that can accommodate three or more trees ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs recapped the successful November 4, 2017 Arbor Day event at Laguna Lake Park and discussed the Central Coast Regional Urban Forests Council Meeting held on December 7, 2017. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 01/22/2018