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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2016 TC Minutes1 MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Olson, Matt Ritter Angela Soll, Ben Parker, Scott Loosley STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs Mr. Ritter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of February 22, 2016 Mr. Parker moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATIONS 1. 2912 Flora (Oak) The applicant discussed the removal request and stated the tree was a “volunteer” growing too close to the house and its roots were damaging the retaining wall and lifting the walkway. She also noted that the roots were running close to the water and gas lines. She discussed plans to re-landscape with drought-tolerant plants and to widen the walkway. Mr. Combs agreed the healthy tree was in a poor location and he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Minutes Tree Committee Corporation Yard Conference Room, 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo Monday, March 28, 2016 at 5:00 pm 2 Mr. Loosley saw evidence of the wall cracking but felt the sidewalk issues might be due to settling. He noted the tree would just get larger and cause more damage. Mr. Ritter agreed it was the wrong tree for the space. Mr. Parker 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 the tree’s removal. Mr. Loosley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. 1583 Royal (Tri-trunk redwood) The applicant discussed the removal request, noting concerns with “ponding” and drainage issues. He stated he roots were lifting the driveway and wall, as were affecting the neighbor’s driveway as well. Mr. Combs agreed there might be lifting at the neighbor’s property, but he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Mr. Loosley did not see significant damage on the applicant’s property, but agreed there were some issues caused on the neighbor’s driveway. Mr. Parker and Ms. Olson felt the tree would cause significant damage in the future. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and required one 15- gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Mr. Loosley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. 1705 Diablo (Redwood) Ron Rinnell, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request, noting the drought stress issues and that the roots were causing driveway damage, damage to the sewer lateral, and possibly damaging the neighbor property. 3 Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Mr. Parker agreed that there were root issues and that the garage door was being affected by lifting concrete. He felt the stressed tree was in failing health. Mr. Ritter agreed and felt the tree would cause worse issues as it grew. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and required one 15-gallon tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Ms. Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. 275 Madonna There was no applicant or representative to speak to the item. 5. 1752 Oceanaire (Liquid ambar) The applicant discussed the removal request and noted the chronic leaf drop year-round and that the constant seed pod production cause pedestrian problems. He was very concerned about droppage with small children playing in the area. He stated the driveway had just been replaced and was concerned that the roots would cause damage in the future. He wanted to replace it with two jacaranda trees and had plans to re-landscape. Mr. Combs noted it was a relatively healthy street tree. Mr. Loosley noted the gutters were lifting and that the tree had co-dominant leaders. Mr. Ritter moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon jacaranda to be planted within 45 days of the tree removals. Mr. Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4 6. 3480 S. Higuera (3 London plane; 3 strawberry) The applicant discussed the removal request and the plans to expand the parking area in the Tribune parking lot. He submitted new planting and expansion plans. Mr. Combs noted the trees were relatively healthy and he could not make his necessary findings for removal. Mr. Ritter felt the plan to expand the parking area was solid and agreed with the 1:1 replacement with Arbutus marina. Mr. Parker moved to approve the removal request, based on doing so would not harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, and required replacement planting to be implemented from the proposed plan. Ms. Soll seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. 546 Higuera (Ficus) The applicant discussed the removal request, outlining the improvements planned for the property and the red house. He noted the driveway/approach needed to be realigned and that the tree was lifting the sidewalk. Mr. Combs stated he could not make his necessary findings for removal. The Committee discussed the scope of the project with the applicant. Mr. Loosley moved to approve the removal request, based on undue hardship, and required two 24” box trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of the tree’s removal. Ms. Soll seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ritter reported that Trey Duffy had resigned his Committee position and that replacement interviews were in process. 5 OLD BUSINESS Mr. Combs discussed the project funding opportunities presented by the Measure G “extra funding” allocation and how it could benefit the Urban Forest division. He discussed the part-time position that could be created for a staffing assistant. The Committee favored staffing support being available to the department. ARBORIST REPORT Mr. Combs gave a planning and development update. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to next meeting scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary