HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-30-2017 ARC Correspondence - Item 1 (Parker 2) Meeting: M2 -U I -;0. I-4'
From: Ben Parker <
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 8:33 AM
To: Bergman, Katelin
Subject: 71 Palomar - Mitigated Negative Dec. Arborist Report
To ARC Commissioners:
Item:
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JAN 2 7 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
On first read through the Arborist's report sounded thorough and based on a complete revie �f110—
appropriate Arborist's review. Rincon Consultants has developed the environmental review documents for many
projects on the Central Coast. I was impressed on first read through. However, as several Tree Committee members
pointed out in their comments at the December 2016 meeting, the Arborist Report was flawed with inaccuracies and
false conclusions. The analysis had significantly mis-measured trees and mis-identified species. The species
identification and tree measurements are all achievable facts in an arborist's report like this. These inaccuracies led
to inappropriate conclusions on whether the trees were significant. To me this is a fatal flaw of the document and the
city should look into getting an appropriate replacement review done that would either support or reject the Mitigated
Negative Dec. status of the project, especially related to trees on the site, based on facts.
When the environmental documents are done and certified I still do not know that our evaluation of Heritage Tree
status is appropriate at this point. Should the Heritage Tree ordinance be used by opponents of a project to cancel it. I
worry that use of the ordinance like this will result in landowners being more wary of having their tree designated as a
Heritage Tree. I see the ordinance as being an incentive not a hindrance to property owners. I know of no other city
with a Heritage Tree ordinance in California that does not require landowner initiation and acceptance of the Heritage
Tree designation.
Ben Parker
San Luis Obispo City Tree Committee member
Calif. Registered Professional Forester #2057
4423 Poinsettia St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401