HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-2013 TC Minutes1
TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2013
Corporation Yard Conference Room
25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Parker, Matt Ritter, Jane Worthy, Scott Loosley, and
David Hensinger
STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs
PUBLIC COMMENT
Tim Ross, 749 Chorro, introduced 15 residents who were slack-lining enthusiasts. He discussed
the benefits of the recreation and stated it was possible to participate without damaging trees. He
asked the Committee to support responsible slack lining outside of Meadow Park.
Mr. Ritter requested Mr. Ross submit a proposal for expanding the areas permissible for slack
lining for Committee review.
The City Clerk swore in new members Scott Loosley and Jane Worthy and returning member
Matt Ritter.
MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2013
Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the minutes as submitted.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS
Ms. Worthy indicated she had not been able to view any of the trees and would therefore be
abstaining from voting.
1. 1304 Ella (Melaluca)
Chris Stier, Greenvale Tree Service/applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request,
noting that the large tree is blocking the building entrance, was diseased, its roots were causing
damage, there was significant drainage issues on site and the tree had past limb breakage. He was
concerned that the parking lot repairs would damage the roots and cause problems. He discussed
replacement planting.
Mr. Combs reported the large tree was causing some asphalt movement and was in a poor
location.
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Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice, and required two 15-gallon camphor trees be replaced in the designated median
discussed and planted within 45 days of tree removal.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
2. 1724 Cordova (Canary Island pine)
James Floyd, applicant, discussed the root damage to the sidewalk and was concerned about the
root damage to the water line and meter box and felt root pruning would affect the tree’s stability.
He stated the tree was too close to the house. He noted that his neighbor supported the removal
request.
Mr. Combs reported it was a large, healthy pine causing hardscape issues due to large surface
roots.
Douglas Heath, 1690 Cordova, was concerned about the liability issues due to the roots and felt it
was a poor species for the area.
Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required one 15-gallon replacement to be planted within 45 days of tree removal.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining
3. 505 Brizzolara (Misc. trees)
Ron Rinnell, Bunyan Bros., applicant representative, discussed the cost of replacing the parking
lot and reported that the trees were creating hardscape damage.
Mr. Combs agreed there was extensive parking lot damage.
Mr. Parker agreed that the trees would continue to cause problems with the new parking lot.
Mr. Hensinger felt the trees were too crowded and too close to the building.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner
and required six replacement 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street tree list and
planted within 45 days of trees’ removals.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
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4. 1234 Monterey (Carrotwood and ficus)
Curt Anslinger, applicant’s representative, submitted and discussed development and landscape
plans.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required two replacement 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street tree
list and planted within 45 days of trees’ removals.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
Mr. Anslinger also discussed the large ficus to the right side of the property and stated structural
engineers were concerned that the roots were lifting the foundation and utility meter boxes. He
wanted to try to retain the tree and suggested a bulb-out situation. Staff agreed to work with him
on a solution.
5. 1320 Ironbark (Alder)
Nasreen Elkashef, applicant, discussed the removal application and stated a major concern with
bees being attracted to the tree and noting his family was highly allergic to bees. He also noted
some sidewalk damage.
Mr. Combs noted that this was a theme tree that was causing some minor sidewalk damage.
Mr. Hensinger and Mr. Parker did not think seasonal bees constituted hardship.
Mr. Loosley noted there was evidence of decay that might cause future structural damage and
stated that bees were a particular issue to this specific species.
Mr. Ritter agreed with Mr. Loosley and noted it was a small diameter tree.
Mr. Parker favored removal in light of the evidence of decay.
Mr. Hensinger favored replacement with a different variety of tree.
Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required one replacement 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street tree list
and planted within 45 days of tree’s removals.
Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
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6. 2075 Sierra Way (Oak)
Shawn Collarman, Bunyan Bros., applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and
reported that the elderly homeowner was having hardship due to annual maintenance costs on a
fixed income and also had a concern about the tree interfering with the power lines.
Mr. Combs reported he could not make his required findings for removal.
Mr. Hensinger noted that the tree was competing with a nearby redwood.
The Committee agreed the tree could actual benefit from less frequent pruning.
Mr. Parked moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the findings necessary for
approval.
Mr. Ritter seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
7. 750 Chorro (Ficus and pine)
Jim Malick, HOA representative, discussed the ficus that was significantly lifting the sidewalk.
He reported that the pine’s roots were engulfing the PG&E vault and that the pine was leaning.
He suggested that if the ficus were removed, the wind would affect the pine’s stability. He
discussed a replanting plan.
Mr. Combs agreed that the large trees were causing damage.
Mr. Loosley agreed with the evidence of sidewalk damage and transformer issues.
Shawn Collarman, Bunyan Bros., applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and
reported that the elderly homeowner was having hardship due to annual maintenance costs on a
fixed income and also had a concern about the tree interfering with the power lines.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required one replacement 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street tree list
and planted within 45 days of tree’s removals.
Mr. Loosley seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
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8. 3175 Calle Malva (2 liquid ambers)
Garrett Otto, owner, discussed the removal request and stated the roots were causing damage to
the walkway and the driveway, and he was concerned that the surface roots were heading towards
the foundation. He discussed new landscaping plans.
Mr. Combs agreed that the theme tree’s extensive surface roots were causing damage.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required the applicants follow the landscape plan presented using 15 gallon trees to
be planted within 45 days of trees’ removals.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
9. 492 Stoneridge (Oak)
Lois Kann, applicant, discussed the removal request and reported that the tree is failing and that
an arborist recommended it be removed.
Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal.
Mr. Loosley reported there was clear evidence of insect infestation.
Mr. Ritter noted the second oak had bark disease.
Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice and required one replacement 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street tree list
and planted within 45 days of tree’s removal.
Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
1421 Laurel Lane / Illegal tree removals
Representatives to speak to appealing the item:
Ernie Kim, 1039 Murray St., architect
Patrick Aurignac, 865 Aero Vista, property owner
Anson Shaffer, 240 Easter St., Morro Bay, landscape contractor
Mr. Combs discussed the background on the fine assessed regarding the incident and stated that
he did not believe any malice was intended.
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Mr. Kim discussed the lot line adjustment and the site review process. He had been given
permission to removal two non-native trees and had misinterpreted the statement, believing that
all non-native trees could be removed; therefore, two trees were removed in error. He outlined
the development plans being discussed.
The Committee discussed the item and agreed to table action on the appeal until appellants
provide a detailed landscape plan for Committee review. They agreed that significant trees should
be replanted on site.
The Committee also requested that staff determine how much staff time/costs had been spent on
the illegal removal incident and preparing the fines, with the intention that the appellants should
be responsible for the staff costs spent.
Mr. Kim agreed with the directions.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Combs reported that the new tree removal application form had been finalized and was
available on the city website.
ARBORIST REPORT
Mr. Combs discussed the update on the Mill St. Maintenance Plan.
Mr. Ritter felt that failing trees should be removed and replaced and that sidewalks needed to be
pushed back 5-7’ feet.
Mr. Parker noted that any alternative sidewalk compositions should be reviewed against disability
issues.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday,
May 28, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary