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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2013 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT: David Savory, Ben Parker, and David Hensinger STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT Tim Ross, SLO resident, discussed how the City ordinance should address slack-lining opportunities and that the sport should be allowed in all parks, now just Meadow Park. He offered to work with the City to provide kits that would protect the trees from slack- lining equipment. Mr. Parker suggested putting the item on a future agenda to discuss the feasibility. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of November 26, 2012 Mr. Savory moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 1620 ALRITA (4 Liquid Ambar) Benjamin Uder, applicant, discussed sidewalk repairs and root pruning done, but stated the trees were too large for the planting areas and posed liabilities. He wanted to replace them with recommended parkway trees. He also submitted a petition of removal support from his neighbors. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were large, healthy specimens and agreed that roots had damaged the curb/gutter/sidewalk. Mr. Hensinger cited the damage and favored replacement with smaller species. 2 Mr. Savory moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement with four 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. 334 Highland (Fan palm) Ron Rinnell, applicant’s representative, discussed the owner’s concerns about the hazard of the tree, e.g. frond issues, and discussed the desire to re-landscape. He felt replacing the tree would improve the look of the area. Mr. Combs reported that he could not make his necessary findings for removal approval. Mr. Savory felt the tree was healthy and did not think liability issues were likely, and did not believe that removal would harm the character of the neighborhood and that replacement could improve the look of the area. Mr. Hensinger was concerned about the general lack of landscaping and would favor removal if a landscaping plan were presented. Mr. Parker agreed with Mr. Hensinger. Mr. Rinnell withdrew the removal request and agreed to provide staff with a landscaping plan. 3. 1310 Alder (Alder and Camphor) Mr. Rinnell, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and stated the trees were out of scale and failing. He requested removal with replacement. Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy, but could be causing issues with the neighbor’s driveway. Mr. Hensinger felt the large alder was too close to the cement and that the camphor was an unattractive specimen. Mr. Savory agreed the camphor was misshapen, but did not feel the alder was causing damage. Mr. Parker agreed the alder had been badly pruned. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement with two 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. 3 Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Savory voting against. 4. 35 Mariposa (4 Monterey pines) Alex Teng, applicant, discussed the removal request, stating that the roots were spreading to the neighbor’s and damaging the fence. He wanted to replace them with smaller trees planted further from the fence line. Mr. Rinnell, applicant’s representative, agreed with replacement and noted there was some beetle damage evident. Mr. Combs stated the trees were relatively healthy, but were causing fence damage. He noted two of the trees were under the diameter for permit requirement. Mr. Savory moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement with four 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. 1266 Mill (Coast live oak) Matt Quaglino, applicant, discussed the removal request and felt the tree was out of character for the area and that it was getting too large for the area. He asked to remove it with replacement. He referenced the arborist report he submitted, which supported his request. He stated that his neighbor agreed with the removal, as they were concerned with driveway damage. Mr. Combs reported that the large tree was relatively healthy and was dominating two palms nearby. Chuck Lau, Mill St. resident, favored retaining the native tree, as it was an asset to the neighborhood. He did not feel the driveway damage was due to roots. Mary Arias, neighbor, discussed the pruning that had been done six years ago. She stated the oak litter was damaging her car and creating liability on her property. She believed the crack in the driveway was due to root intrusion. Mr. Hensinger felt it was a large, beautiful tree that was growing too close to the neighbor’s fence and driveway. 4 Mr. Savory did not see any real evidence of damage and did not feel the driveway crack was due to roots. He favored retaining the tree and stated that tree maintenance was not a reason for removal. Mr. Parker discussed previous pruning efforts and did not feel that beetle damage was an issue. He stated the tree was young and vigorous and was concerned that in that location, the tree would grow and cause damage to the structure and driveway. Jeremy Lowney, certified arborist, agreed with the concern for damage to the neighbor’s property and stated it was only a matter of time before the foundation would be compromised. He felt that root pruning would adversely stress the tree. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required replacement with one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Mr. Savory voting against. OLD BUSINESS There were no items to discuss. NEW BUSINESS The Committee agreed to put the zip-lining in parks topic on a future agenda. The Committee discussed the poor pruning of the pear trees at San Luis Obispo High School. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed the dead ornamental avocado trees on Higuera St. Between Broad and Nipomo that were removed and replaced with 2-36” box ficus trees. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2013. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary