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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-2018 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, May 21,2018 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, May 21, 2018, 5:00 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, located at 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Scott Loosley. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Elizabeth Lucas, Sean O’Brien, Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Committee Members Alan Bate and Brian Rolph Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Teresa Purrington, Recording Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Will Powers ---End of Public Comment CONSIDERATION OF APRIL 23, 2018 MINUTES ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approve the April 23, 2018 minutes, as presented. CARRIED 5 - 0 – 2 (MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 359 LOS CERROS DR. Corrine Kohlen, Applicant’s daughter discussed the removal request to remove an Oak tree. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the tree was healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the tree. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of May 21, 2018 Page 2 Public Comment: Ray Bower Will Powers Andrew Nelson --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN to approve the removal the Oak tree as it presents an undue hardship. The tree is to be replaced with a 15-gallon tree somewhere on the property. CARRIED 5 - 0 - 2. (MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) 2. 472 CORRIDA DR. David Clendenen, applicant discussed the request remove a Plantanus acerifolia (London plane tree) and a Washingtonia Robusta (fan palm) planted on top of a gas line. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the trees are healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the trees. Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN to approve the removal of the fam palm and to be replaced with a 15-gallon tree on the property. CARRIED 3 - 2 - 2 (MEMBER O’BRIEN AND VICE CHAIR WORTHY VOTED NO AND MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT.) 3. 2747 EL CERRITO ST. Catherine Riedstra, applicant discussed the request to remove an Oak tree. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the tree was healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the tree. He further noted that the contractor had already started the removal by cutting roots and pruning. Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of May 21, 2018 Page 3 ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR WORTHY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN to deny the request to remove the Oak tree as it does not meet the criteria for removal. CARRIED 4 - 1 - 2 (MEMBER O’BRIEN VOTED NO, MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) 4. 1230 MADONNA RD. (FRONTAGE STREET) Andrew Nelson, Applicant discussed the request to remove a Modesto Ash in the parkway due to an aphid infestation. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated it is a dominate street tree planted in the 70s. He noticed the truck damage and the aphid infestation. Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS to approve the removal of the Modesto Ash as the removal of the tree would promote good horticultural practices. The tree is to be replaced with an approved 15- gallon street tree. CARRIED 5 - 0 – 2 (MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) 5. 537 JEFFREY DR. Karen Chestnut, applicant discussed the request to remove a Liquid Amber tree. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the tree is lifting the curb however the tree was healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the tree. Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR LOOSELY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN to approve removal of the Liquid Amber tree. The tree it so be replacement with a 15-gallon tree somewhere else on the property. CARRIED 5 - 0 – 2 (MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) 6. 949 HIGUERA ST. Mark Rawson, applicant discussed the request to remove a large ficus and an avocado tree. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of May 21, 2018 Page 4 Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated they are healthy trees that didn’t meet the criteria for removal. Public Comment: Will Powers Chair Loosely indicated for the record that the Committee received several letters in support of keeping the trees. (Letters are available online.) --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR LOOSELY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS to deny the removal of ficus at this time and directed the City Arborist to do an inspection of the roots and crown at the time of construction to determine if the trees are viable. Removal of the avocado tree was approved with the replacement of a 36 inch box tree per the downtown street tree program including structural soil. CARRIED 4 - 1 - 2 (MEMBER THURMAN VOTED NO, MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT) 7. 571 PATRICIA DR. Ron Rinell, applicant representative discussed the request to remove 2 large fan palm trees. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the trees are healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the tree. Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN to deny the removal of the two palm trees as the required findings could not be met. CARRIED 4 – 1 – 2 (MEMBER THURMAN VOTED NO, MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT.) 8. 918 VISTA DEL ARROYO Committee Member O’Brien recused himself due to a conflict as he was contacted by the applicant regarding working on the project. Carla Pohl, applicant discussed the request to remove a coastal redwood tree. Ron Combs, City Arborist indicated the tree was healthy and that he could not make the findings to allow the removal of the tree. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of May 21, 2018 Page 5 Public Comment: Will Powers --- End of Public Comment--- ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR WORTHY, SECONDED BY CHAIR LOOSELY to deny the request as the request does not meet any of the criteria. CARRIED 4 – 1 – 2 (MEMBER THURMAN VOTED NO, MEMBERS BATE AND ROLPH ABSENT.) Chair Loosely called a recess at 6:53 pm. The meeting resumed at 6:57 pm. NEW BUSINESS The Committee receive a presentation from Professor Matt Ritter, Cal Poly regarding tree inventory spot check results performed by his students. Public Comment Will Powers -- End Public Comment— ARBORIST REPORT Ron Combs, City Arborist discussed with the Committee the 1,000-hour temporary Urban Forester position recruitment. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 25, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 06/25/2018