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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-2018 TC Minutes Minutes TREE COMMITTEE Monday, September 24, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 5:02 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, located at 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Scott Loosley. ROLL CALL Present: Elizabeth Lucas, Sean O’Brien, Brian Rolph, Jane Worthy, Chair Scott Loosley Absent: Alan Bate, Rodney Thurman Staff: Ron Combs, Lisa Woske PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Audrey Galler clarified what additional information was needed pertaining to the review at 145 South St., #B5 & B8. Ron Rinnell, Bunyon Brothers, reported he had heard from one of his clients at the removal site that one of the Committee members had criticized his company and he was concerned about possible bias towards Bunyon Brothers projects in the future. Dr. Will Powers, resident, noted that expressing opinions was a First Amendment right. He then reiterated his previous comments regarding the problem when the city Development Dept. approves plans that include tree removals without consulting the Tree Committee. He was also concerned about developments getting away with only planting small “twig” trees. CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of August 27, 2018 Minutes Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 2 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to approve the August 27, 2018 minutes of the Tree Committee as submitted. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Tree Removal Applications - 61 Broad St. (Fan palm, 11 eucalyptus) Ron Rinnell, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and reported that the Villages had installed solar panels and wanted the palm removed to maximize the panels’ efficiency. There was also concern about the stability and weight of the eucalyptus on the slope and stated there had been past limb failure. He noted the trees would be replaced with approximately 20 trees. Mr. Combs agreed the eucalyptus could be compromised but could not make necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers favored removals. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the request. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approve the removal request for the eucalyptus based promoting good arboricultural practice and required replacement plantings of 1:1 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removals. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 3 AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approve the removal request for the palm closest to the building, based on doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment and required replacement plantings of one 15- gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree removal. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, WORTHY NOES: ROLPH ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 1046 Ella (2 redwoods) Jennifer Fehlman, applicant, discussed the removal request and reported the roots were causing significant damage to the deck and foundation. She was also concerned about the split trunk and lean, feeling it presented a hazard to property and residents. Sean Collarman, applicant’s representative, discussed the structural damage the roots were causing to the house. Mr. Combs reported the tree was in moderate health and agreed it was likely causing displacement; he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers agreed the trees were overwhelming property and favored removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request and agreed the trees were out of scale. They discussed whether the roots were causing the foundation damage or whether there was a lack of foundation for the home. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLPH, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approval the removal request based on undue hardship and required replacement planting of three 15-gallon Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 4 replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 311 Jeffrey (Fan palm) Bill Van Horbeck, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and stated the tree was causing dry rot in the garage due to puddling issues. He discussed a landscaping plan with a 2:1 replanting ratio. Mr. Combs stated the tree was healthy and he couldn’t make his necessary findings. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers favored removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request and drainage issues and felt it was more due to a flat backyard and problems could be mitigated. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER O’BRIEN, to deny the removal request for removal as necessary findings for removal could not be made. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 1363 Cornus (African sumac) Linda Shinn, applicant, discussed the removal request and noted the roots had damaged the sidewalk, driveway, and the water meter which resulted in wasted water units and it was causing irrigation issues. She reported that the large limb limits access to the house and the tree was just too large for area. She stated Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 5 the neighbors were also impacted by the tree and that neighbors and HOA approved of the removal. Mr. Combs reported it was a large, healthy tree that had evidently damaged the water line, but he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the request and agreed it was too large for the parkway and was causing damage and access issues. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER WORTHY, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replace with one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 957 West (Valley oak) David Fernandez, applicant, discussed the removal request and the potential threat to gas line and water main, and was causing damage to the block wall, neighbor’s driveway, and sidewalk. Mr. Combs agreed it was the wrong tree in the wrong place, but he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers did not see evidence of damage and did not favor removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 6 The Committee discussed the request, with most agreeing it was the wrong tree in the wrong location. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLPH, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replace with one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH NOES: WORTHY ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 1069 Lily (California pepper) Robert Holden, applicant, discussed the removal request and the plans for building an addition that would impact the tree and compromise the roots. He also noted the roots were mounding and he could not level his yard. He stated the site was heavily planted and that the neighbors favored removal. He planned to replant with multiple fruit trees. Mr. Combs could not make his necessary findings for removal for the large, healthy tree. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Ursula Campbell, neighbor, agreed the tree was too large and favored removal. Dr. Powers suggested exploring if the project could be re-figured to retain the tree. Ben Parker, neighbor, noted the HOA had approved the addition and pruning would compromise the tree. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request and the tree’s structure and the pruning required to retain the tree and agreed the viability would be questionable. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLPH, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replace with four 15-gallon fruit Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 7 trees to be planted within 45 days of tree removals. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN - 651 Foothill (23 trees) Robert Burkard, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the problems the ficus trees were causing to the parking lot and curb, and that the eucalyptus had been dropping limbs. Mr. Combs reported that he brought the item to Committee based on the large number of removals requested. Public Comments: Chair Loosley opened the public hearing. Dr. Powers felt the site was overplanted and did not oppose removal. Chair Loosley closed the public hearing. The Committee discussed the removal request in general and the parking lot trees and agreed with the approach of thinning them lot. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR LOOSLEY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LUCAS, to approve the removal request for 14 ficus trees, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replace 1:1 with 15- gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals, pending verification from Church officials supporting the removals. Motion passed 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, LUCAS, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN The Committee discussed the remaining trees listed for removal and needed verification from Church officials before removals allowed. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLPH, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE CHARI LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request for nine trees, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and replace 1:1 with 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 24, 2018 Page 8 of tree removals, pending verification from Church officials supporting the removals. Motion passed 4-1-2 on the following roll call vote: AYES: LOOSLEY, O’BRIEN, ROLPH, WORTHY NOES: LUCAS ABSENT: BATE, THURMAN NEW BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed Arbor Day, slated for November 3, 2018 in Santa Rosa Park and reported they would be planting trees in places where other trees had been removed. He hoped to get some PG&E funding to pay for trees, etc. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed follow-up on Dr. Powers’ concerns about replacement planting tree sizes on Garden Street, as well as his concerns about the parking lot trees in the Bank of America site – all of which were being addressed. He noted the Fremont planting was delayed until the building is reinforced. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the progress and sustainable funding for the Urban Forest Management Plan. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for Monday, October 22, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 10/22/2018