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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2016 TC Minutes1 MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Olson, Matt Ritter, Jane Worthy, Ben Parker, Scott Loosley, Angela Soll STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs Mr. Ritter called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. The Committee welcomed new member Angela Soll, ARC representative. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no comments at this time. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of December 8, 2015 Mr. Parker moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Ms. Worthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 493 Bluerock (Coast live oak) The applicant discussed the removal request and believed the tree was in a poor location, was diseased and submitted photos. She stated that Bunyon Brothers had generated a report confirming the disease. She suggested the poor condition could be due to the clay soil and obstructions in the canopy area. She noted there were five healthy oaks in the back. She discussed the re-landscaping proposed and wanted to replace it with am arbutus. She said the HOA had approved the removal. Mr. Combs noted that theme tree removals often come to the Committee and agreed there was evidence of powdery mildew. Mr. Parker also agreed there was evidence of powdery mildew, but felt pruning would open up the canopy, which would “air the tree out” and mitigate the disease. Minutes Tree Committee Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo Monday, January 25, 2016 at 5:00 pm 2 Ms. Worthy confirmed that the fungus would not kill the tree. Mr. Ritter noted that oaks don’t tend to thrive in serpentine areas and that the tree was close to the diameter that did not require a permit. Ms. Soll agreed the tree was stressed and favored removal. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 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 voting against. 2. 1609 Janice (Fan palm) The applicant discussed the removal request and submitted pictures, reporting that dropping fronds had cracked two skylights. She felt the tree/fronds posed a hazard and liability. She reported that the mobile home park manager agreed with the applicant’s request to remove the tree, but would not pay the cost. Jim Malone, 1032 Kerry, neighbor, favored removal and confirmed that the Park approved the removal. Bill Van Horbek, Bunyon Brothers, reported that they did maintenance in common areas, but that the Park required individual owners to pay for work done on trees on their respective home sites. Mr. Combs reported that the tree was healthy and he could not make his necessary findings. Ms. Soll discussed the need for ongoing palm pruning and maintenance. Ms. Worthy suggested using the money the applicant would spend on removing the tree to perform routine maintenance on the tree. Mr. Ritter noted this species of tree does not fall down. Ms. Worthy moved to deny the removal request, as she could not make any of the necessary findings to allow removal. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 2245 San Luis Drive (Coast live oak) Dan Ferreira, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal requested and the approved site and building plans. He stated that the rear tree was in the house footprint and that it had a significant fall risk assessed if construction moves forward. He 3 confirmed that no further plan revisions could be accommodated to retain the tree and that the tree now posed a hardship. He noted the property had numerous oaks and that a replacement tree could be planted near the street/frontage. Mr. Combs reported the tree was healthy and he could not make the necessary findings for removal. Duncan Osborne, property owner, noted the remaining oaks on the hillside would thrive with the tree’s removal. Mr. Ritter felt removal was unavoidable. Ms. Soll stated she needed to abstain, since she was a neighbor. Mr. Duffy moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship to the property owner, and required replacement planting as outlined in the proposed plan. Mr. Ritter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. 1005 Monterey (Ficus) Matt Crisp, City project manager, discussed the project details to upgrade the traffic signal and repair sidewalk and drainage issues, as well as comply with ADA access. He was concerned the tree could be compromised if it remained. He suggested using a bulb-out around the replacement planting. The Committee discussed the viability of retaining the tree and working around it. Mr. Combs noted it was a small specimen. Mr. Ritter discussed the high survivability of the Ficus root system. Mr. Duffy agreed with the need for ADA access. Mr. Duffy moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and required a 36” box Ficus to be planted as a replacement and strongly encouraged the City to pursue the bulb-out option. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4 NEW BUSINESS Ms. Worthy discussed funding available from Measure Y and urged the City to make a pitch for using that money at the April meeting. Mr. Combs agreed to discuss the opportunity with her. Ms. Worthy also noted that she had time to revisit removal sites to ensure that replacement plantings were in place, as had been required within the past 12 months. The Committee appreciated her offer and Mr. Combs agreed to get her a list of properties to review. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs discussed recent storm emergency responses, citing 25 calls handled regarding downed limbs in streets and creek clearing. He also reported that the Lunch & Learn event went well, although he noted that not very many targeted City representatives were in attendance. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. to next meeting scheduled for Monday, February 22, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary