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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2018 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, March 26, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, March 26, 2018 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: Anthony Whipple, Lisa Woske PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Dr. Will Powers updated the Committee on the formation of a volunteer group to follow up on tree planting compliance and discussed possibly strategies for implementation. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of February 26, 2018 Minutes ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the February 26, 2018 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 Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 653 Stanford (4 trees) William Stansfield, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and notes the pines in the back were diseased and interfering with power lines and that the Liquid ambar in front is breaking the curb/sidewalk. He also stated the pods dropped created a trip hazard. Mr. Whipple stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers stated he did not see enough evidence of cracking to warrant removal and the pines in back could be trimmed. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing Committee members Bate and O’Brien stated they would abstain due to conflicts of interest. The Committee discussed the various trees, noting that most of the pines were in decent health and there was not much evidence of cracking. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the removal request for the pine nearest the power pole, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and denying the removal request for the remaining requested trees as findings could not be made for removal. A 15-gallon replacement tree is to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-0-2-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: BATE, O’BRIEN ABSENT: SOLL Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 3 - 1185 Pacific (Valley oak) Dave Hannings, Dallidet Adobe representative, discussed the removal request and outlined improvements and goals for the property to further engage the Dallidet with the community. He was concerned that the oak had a severe lean and reported it was interfering with the historical trees ability to thrive and that its location would inhibit some of the projects planned. He noted there were several trees on the property. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers stated he did not think the tree met the removal criteria. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing The Committee discussed the removal request and the Dallidet projects. They agreed the tree was shading high-value trees, would encroach on the property in the future and they did not think removal would harm the character of the area. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to approve the removal request based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring a 15-gallon replacement tree is 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, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL - 1750 Conejo This item had been withdrawn. - 524 Woodbridge (4 eucalyptus) Suzanne Fryer, applicant, discussed the removal request and the history of maintenance. She stated the trees were too tall and was concerned about falling, the liability, and fire hazard presented. She noted they could not spend time in the yard because of concerns. Mr. Whipple stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 4 Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Jan Salem, neighbor, noted the trees offered shade and did not favor removal. Dr. Powers felt that the two trees by the deck could be removed. Ms. Worthy noted that an anonymous neighbor had emailed a letter favoring retaining the trees. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request, noting that the trees had been topped and severely pruned and that re-sprouting was creating issues. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request based on promoting good arboricultural practice, contingent upon Natural Resource Manager approving possible habitat removal, and requiring four 15-gallon replacement tree is 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 There was no one to speak to the item. - 1120 Coral (2 ash) Bill Boyle, applicant, discussed the removal request and the previous ash removals in the area which had been replaced by the City and stated they are now causing hardscape damage. He said that maintenance was a hardship due to health issues and that the falling residue is damaging to property. He noted the trunk was scarred and two branches were diseased/hollow. He wanted to replace them with Arbutus Marina to continue the theme in the area. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 5 Mary Diodati, applicant, was concerned with the sidewalk lift and the crumbling curb. She reported that many elderly people walk in the area and the current state of things created liability. Mr. Whipple reported he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the trees looked healthy and did not favor removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item, agreeing that the trees had issues with disease and decay and were structurally compromised. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to approve the removal request based on promoting good arboricultural practice and requiring two 15-gallon replacement tree is to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL - Los Verdes Park #1 & #21 (Coast live oak, plum) Carol Mees, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and reported that an arborist had determined that the Coast live oak at Space #1 had developed a pathogen from the soil and the tree next to it was distressed and most probably dying. She reported the arborist had determined that the plum tree at Space #21 had fungus at the top and was dying. Mr. Whipple stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers stated he was discouraged with the inconsistency of the tree removal process and the allowances made. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 6 Committee Member Thurman stated he was abstain, due to a conflict of interest. The Committee discussed the item and felt the oak was simply drought- stressed and agreed that the plum tree could be removed after two to three weeks, if it became clear it was not blooming/flowering. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to approve the removal of the plum tree based on promoting good arboricultural practice, contingent upon consultation with the City Arborist determining it will not flower, and required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. It was further moved to deny the removal of the oak, as none of the necessary findings for removal could be made. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: THURMAN ABSENT: SOLL - 1137 Garden (2 podocarpus) Elizabeth White, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the cracking curb due to invasive roots which posed a liability to patio patrons. She reported the roots had crushed the sewer line. Mr. Whipple stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers stated he favored retaining the trees. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Committee Member Thurman stated he was abstain, due to a conflict of interest. The Committee discussed the item and agreed the large trees were healthy and while they were in a small space, the trees were important to the Urban Forest and were not causing much lifting. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 7 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR PARKER, to deny the removal of the oak, as none of the necessary findings for removal could be made. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL - 883 Bougainvillea (Chinese elm) Angel Lozano, applicant, discussed the removal request for the overgrown tree and stated he was told the tree had weak points. He agreed it had not been maintained prior to his ownership. He reported it had previous limb loss and limbs were resting on the roof, which needs to be repaired. He noted he wanted to install solar panels. Mr. Whipple stated he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the tree was healthy and was an asset to the yard. Julie Messer, neighbor, reported that limb droppage had ruined her fence and limbs interfere with her chimney. Larry Junker, neighbor, agreed with Ms. Messer’s comments. Lance Junker, neighbor, agreed with Ms. Messer and discussed further hardships on his property due to the tree. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the item and agreed the tree was in poor form and could not be maintained back to favorable status. ACTION: MOTION BY VICE COMMITTEE CHAIR PARKER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree List and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote: Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of March 26, 2018 Page 8 AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, PARKER, THURMAN, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: SOLL NEW BUSINESS It was agreed that Committee Member Worthy will attend the Mayor’s Quarterly Meeting on April 12 in place of Committee Chair Loosley. Committee Vice Chair Parker discussed the concept of replacement planting follow-up and issuing a Report of Replacement Planting for the permit-holder to hold them accountable for finishing the requirements of the removal permit, which include planting the replacement tree(s). He agreed to draft a proposal for Committee review at the next meeting. Committee Member Thurman noted that it seemed at odds to require residents to be accountable on deadline with replacement plantings/follow-up when the City did not have the resources or time to be able to do the same with their planting programs. He suggested the possibility of local businesses and volunteers getting active in supporting City efforts. The Committee discussed possible tree planting workshops to get more community involvement. It was announced that Elizabeth Lucas would be joining the Tree Committee, taking over for Ben Parker, who was stepping down. OLD BUSINESS There was no discussion at this time. ARBORIST REPORT There was no report at this time. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, April 23, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 04/23/2018