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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-2013 TC Minutes1 TREE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013 Corporation Yard Conference Room 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Parker, Jane Worthy, Scott Loosley, and David Hensinger STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of May 28, 2013 Mr. Loosley moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Ms. Worthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 1325 Aralia (Liquid ambar) Shaun Collarman, applicant’s representative, discussed the root damage to the sidewalk, driveway and tile in the entryway. He suggested changing the theme tree to a Chinese pistache because the roots were not as invasive. Mr. Combs agreed there were a lot of surface roots causing some hardscape and tile displacement, but he could not make the findings necessary for him to approve the removal. Mr. Loosely felt the displacement was minor and that the tree was strong and healthy. Mr. Hensinger stated he could not make the necessary findings for removal approval and felt if the theme tree change were to happen, an organized replacement plan would need to be in place. Mr. Combs noted that if an HOA were involved, they would need to agree with any removal requests. 2 Mr. Parker agreed with Mr. Hensinger and suggested root pruning while the HOA was contacted about putting a replacement plan in place. Mr. Hensinger moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the necessary findings. Mr. Loosley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Committee encouraged the HOA to put together a replacement plan for Committee review. 2. 1355 Aralia (Liquid ambar) Mr. Collarman reported that this removal request was identical to the previous request. Mr. Loosley moved to deny the removal request, as he could not make the necessary findings. Ms. Worthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 979 Osos (3 Eucalyptus and a Afrocarpus) Chris Stier, applicant’s representative, discussed the large eucalyptus trees and the damage the roots were causing throughout the lot. He noted limbs had dropped and that root pruning was no longer effective and would affect the trees’ stability when the lot was re-paved. Mr. Combs stated they were healthy trees and he could not make the findings necessary to approve the removal. Bob Lombardi, property owner, reiterated that the roots were ruining the pavement and that he and tenants were concerned about the liability of limb droppage and trip hazards. He stated he was willing to replace the trees, but did not feel there was an appropriate spot on site. Ms. Worthy discussed the possibility of the applicant purchasing replacement trees and donating them to the City’s tree inventory. Ms. Worthy moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement purchasing of four 15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and donated to the City. 3 Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. 1123 Pismo (Cedar) Brian O’Kelly, property owner, stated the tree was too large for the spot and that the roots were damaging the hardscape and foundation. He noted it was a historical property that needed to be landscaped in coordination with the Cultural Heritage Committee. Mr. Combs stated it was a large healthy tree that was causing significant hardscape damage and lifting the foundation. Mr. Loosley agreed there was evidence of structural damage. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner, and required one 15-gallon replacement 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 unanimously. 5. 2875 El Cerrito (Redwoods) John Kamner, owner, discussed the replaced water line and stated that the roots had been cut and he was now concerned about the trees’ stability. He reported the massive roots were damaging the driveway and threatening the house foundation. He also noted that all irrigation had to be replaced due to root damage. Mr. Combs reported that there was some hardscape root damage. Ms. Worthy and Mr. Loosley agreed the trees were too large for the space. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request for four redwoods, based on undue hardship on the property owner, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree’s removal. Mr. Loosley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4 6. Los Verdes Park 1 (Misc. trees) Chris Stier, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request in detail and discussed the landscaping and replacement planting master plans. He stated the trees had dieback, roots were causing structural damage and that removing the trees would allow remaining trees to thrive. He did not feel that root pruning was feasible. Penny Porter, HOA representative, supported the removal request and discussed the landscaping plan. Mr. Combs agreed with the issues outlined. Mr. Loosley agreed with many of the issues stated but felt that more selective removals would better serve the site. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement planting of nine 15-gallon trees 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 unanimously. 7. 1806 Huasna (Poplars) Pete Barclay, property owner, reported that the tree was too large for the area and the roots were too intrusive. He stated there had been past pruning and the sidewalk had been replaced, but the roots were lifting it again, creating a trip hazard and breaking through the new chip seal. He also discussed past sewer issues and limb droppage. He would like to replace with a Chipalta species. Mr. Combs agreed with the owner’s assessment. Mr. Loosley noted there was some evidence of decay. Mr. Loosley moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required replacement purchasing of two 15-gallon Chtalpa trees to be planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5 8. 540 Buchon (Redwood) Shaun Collarman, applicant’s representative, discussed the foundation issues and the damage to the sidewalk and new driveway. He felt the tree was creating undue hardship and submitted a contractor’s report attesting to the foundation damage. Mr. Combs discussed the past pruning efforts and noted that this was the second time the owner had submitted a removal application. Ms. Worthy felt a lot of the driveway damage could be due to settling of soil and not due to roots. Mr. Parker felt the double-leader tree would grown larger and create more problems. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship on the property owner, and required one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree’s removal. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed, with Ms. Worthy voting against. 9. 2047 San Luis Drive (Pines) Nicki Anderson, applicant’s representative, stated the trees were too large for the area and discussed the trees leaning towards the neighbor’s property, noting that the weight was not balanced due to being topped for power lines and that the large cones dropping were unsafe for children playing in the yard. Shawn Ellis, Coastal Tree Experts, agreed that the backyard was dangerous for children, due to the falling cones. He noted both trees had cracked limbs. Mr. Combs reported he could not make the findings necessary for removal. Mr. Hensinger moved to approve the removal request, as doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removals. Mr. Loosley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6 NEW BUSINESS  Slack-line Discussion re Ordinance Revision Tim Ross submitted a detailed presentation regarding amendments he was proposing to the City ordinance to allow additional park areas be accessible to slack lining with tree protection. He asked the Committee to support these expansion efforts as the discussion moved through the Parks/Rec Dept. and City Council. He reported that for the past five years, slack-lining has become a popular local activity and that no damage to trees will occur if the slack-line system is properly set up. He reiterated his goal of having all the local parks open to slack lining. Mr. Combs stated that staff supported Mr. Ross’ efforts to expand accessible slack-line options throughout City parks if rules are established and followed. Mr. Ritter moved that the Tree Committee find that slack lining does not conflict with the City’s interest in preserving the urban forest when practiced as outlined in proposed amendments to 12.20.150. Mr. Hensinger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed the recent tree removals at Mission Plaza and the goal to keep continuity with the lemon eucalyptus or possibly sycamores. He discussed staggered planting. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs reminded the Committee that someone needed to attend the Mayor’s Quarterly Advisory lunch. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to next regular meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 22, 2013. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary