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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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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