HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-2016 TC Minutes
Minutes
TREE COMMITTEE
Monday, September 26, 2016
Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee was called to order on Monday, September 26, 2016
at 5:04 p.m. in the Corporation Yard Conference Room, located at 25 Prado Road, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Chair Matt Ritter.
ROLL CALL
Present: Alan Bate, Scott Loosley, Angela Soll, Rodney Thurman, Jane Worthy, Chair Matt
Ritter
Absent: Vice Chair Ben Parker
Staff: Ron Combs, City Arborist and Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Will Powers, Islay Street, submitted a proposal regarding following up on approved tree
removals to ensure replacement plantings are occurring.
CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ANGELA SOLL, SECONDED BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER ALAN BATE, to approve the minutes of the Tree Committee
for the meeting of Monday, August 22, 2016. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll
call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS ITEM
2. Tree Removal Applications
2
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 2
- 4027 SANTA FE (Eucalyptus)
Jenna Mitchell, property representative, discussed the removal request. She felt there
was a possible safety hazard to vehicles in the parking lot and that nearby trees were
not allowed to thrive.
Mr. Combs reported the tree was fairly healthy and he could not make the findings
necessary to approve removal. He noted that Fish & Game would need to be
consulted if it were to be removed.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers felt the large tree could be retained with pruning.
Mattson Ruddell, certified arborist, stated pruning would not salvage the tree.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
Ms. Soll was unable to identify the tree and would be abstaining from voting.
The Committee did not feel the tree was particularly hazardous and while pruning
might help, removal would not harm the character of the neighborhood and would
allow nearby trees to thrive.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the removal request based on doing so would not
harm the character of the neighborhood or environment, pending Fish & Game
approval, and required replacement planting with one 15-gallon riparian species within
45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, RITTER, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: SOLL
ABSENT: PARKER
- 1335 CAVALIER
The item had been withdrawn from consideration.
- 777 SERRANO (Cypress, 2 peppers)
Mike Brass, applicant, discussed the removal request, noting that the peppers had
poor structure and once the cypress were removed, nearby oaks would thrive.
Mr. Combs stated that due to diameter limits, the cypress would be removed without
review approval. He said the peppers were healthy and he could not make his
necessary findings to allow for removal.
3
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 3
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers favored removal of the peppers.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
The Committee discussed the application.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal request based on doing so would not harm
the character of the neighborhood or environment and required replacement with two
15-gallon trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45
days of tree removals. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
- 1135 BUCHON (6 Coast live oaks)
Applicant Mike Conecho discussed the removal request and the need to think out the
trees so other trees could thrive and to allow for garden sunlight.
Mr. Combs reported that the trees were healthy and he could not make his necessary
findings to allow for removal.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers agreed thinning out the trees would enhance the property.
Mike White, neighbor, agreed the oaks were crowding other trees on site.
Mr. Ruddell, applicant’s representative, stated they planned to do replacement
plantings.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
The Committee determined which trees were slated for removal in the heavily planted
site. There was conflicting discussion about the merits of removal individual trees and
felt the voting should be done separately.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER BATE, to approve the removal of Tree #5, based on promoting good
arboricultural practice and required no replacement planting. Motion passed 6-0-1 on
the following roll call vote:
4
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 4
AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER LOOSLEY, to approve the removal of Tree #1, based on promoting good
arboricultural practice and required no replacement planting. Motion passed 5-1-1 on
the following roll call vote:
AYES: LOOSLEY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: BATE
ABSENT: PARKER
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER THURMAN, to approve the removal of Tree #6, based on promoting good
arboricultural practice and required one 15-gallon replacement planting to be chosen
from the Master Street Tree list and planted on site. Motion passed 4-2-1 on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: LOOSLEY, RITTER, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: BATE, SOLL
ABSENT: PARKER
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER BATE, to deny the removal of Trees #2, 3 & 4, as he could not make any of
the necessary findings to approve removal. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll
call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSLEY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
- 878 LINCOLN (Mexican fan palm)
Michael Mills, applicant, discussed the removal request, stating the palm fronds posed
a safety hazard.
Mr. Combs agreed there was some potential for hardship issues, but stated he could
not make his necessary findings to allow for removal.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers felt the tree should be removed.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
5
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 5
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BATE, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE
MEMBER LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good
arboricultural practice, and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from
the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed
6-0-1 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSELY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
- 570 PACIFIC (Redwood)
Sean Collarman, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request, noting that
the roots were lifting the hardscape, limbs were hitting the house, and the trunk was
bowing the fence. He stated the tree was also damaging neighbor’s property.
Mr. Combs reported that the large healthy tree was causing some fence and
hardscape issues, but he could not make his necessary findings to allow for removal.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers stated the tree was in place prior to the structures being built and the
construction should have accommodated the tree.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
Ms. Worthy agreed with Mr. Powers’ comment.
Mr. Bate was abstaining from voting as he did not see the tree, but felt that based on
the photos, the tree could be removed.
There was general Committee discussion.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THURMAN, SECONDED BY CHAIR
RITTER, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice, and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master
Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 5-0-1-1 on
the following roll call vote:
AYES: LOOSELY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: BATE
ABSENT: PARKER
6
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 6
- 777 FOOTHILL (6 carrotwood)
Steve Franzman, applicant’s representative, discussed the removal request and the
owner’s desire to plant 24” box trees within the landscaping plan and retaining wall
project.
Mr. Combs discussed past removals on site.
Dennis Noble, project architect, discussed the construction plans.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers felt there had been no follow-up re past plantings and stated he did not
favor removal and construction should accommodate the trees in place.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
The Committee agreed the trees were in decline.
Mr. Thurman felt the construction process had not been followed correctly and this
effort felt “after the fact.”
ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
THURMAN, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice, and requiring six 36” box Chinese Pistache replacement trees planted within
45 days of tree removals. 24” box trees could be substituted if Mr. Combs felt that was
better warranted. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSELY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
- 11766 LOS OSOS VALEY ROAD (Liquid amber)
Alex Del Rio, applicant, discussed the removal request, stating the roots are ruining
the driveway, sidewalk and sewer lateral.
Mr. Combs agreed there were roots issues, but he could not make his necessary
findings for allowing removal.
Public Comments:
Chair Ritter opened the public hearing.
Mr. Powers agreed with Mr. Combs’ comment.
Chair Ritter closed the public hearing.
The Committee discussed the application.
7
Minutes – Tree Committee Meeting of September 26, 2016 Page 7
ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR RITTER, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
LOOSLEY, to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural
practice, and requiring one 15-gallon replacement tree to be chosen from the Master
Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of tree removal. Motion passed 6-0-1 on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: BATE, LOOSELY, RITTER, SOLL, THURMAN, WORTHY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PARKER
OLD BUSINESS
There was discussion of Advisory Body Goals and the Committee agreed the priorities were
funds for an additional full-time Tree Dept. staff member and more funding for contract work.
ARBORIST REPORT
Mr. Combs introduced Doug Forrest and discussed budget updates.
COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS
There were no items to discuss.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tree Committee is
scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2016 at 5:00 p.m., at the Corporation Yard, 25 Prado Road,
San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE TREE COMMITTEE ON 10/24/2016