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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/15/2003 - PB&R CommissionJULY 15, 2003 APPROVED PB &R AD HOC TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Ad Hoc Tree Committee of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission July 15, 2003- 7pm SUMMARY MINUTES 1. Called to order at 7:10pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Skoro, Tobin Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation ft Senior Services Director David Niederhaus, General Services Director Robin Clauson, Assistant City Attorney Dan Ohl, Deputy City Attorney Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON- AGENDA ITEMS - None 3. MINUTES - JUNE 3, 2003 Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the minutes of June 3, 2003. Motion carried by acclamation. Jan Vandersloot asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect that his letter to the committee recommending changes to the G -1 Policy had been approved by the Balboa Arbor Society. Director Knight commented that at the time of the last meeting those changes had not actually been approved by BAS but had been days later. 4. REPORTS /DISCUSSION REGARDING: • Regarding loss of tree impacts of proposed revisions to the G -1 Policy • Regarding City Tree Ordinance 13.08 5. Report regarding further revisions to the draft G -1 Policy. Committee discussion of draft G -1 Policy Discussion ensued by committee regarding line items on the matrix provided by Director Niederhaus. 6. Public Testimony regarding the General Area or Specific Issues the Committee should consider durine its review of Council Policy G -1 and Chapter 13.08 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code and /or items 4 -5 above. • Jim Wharton commented on ficus trees in the parkways and that most trees become a significant problem after 2 -5 years of growth. • Barry Allen recommended changes on pages 3, 9 and 10. • Jan Vandersloot stated that he opposes all of Mr. Allen's recommendations but is particularly opposed to the entire section of "PROBLEM TREES" and commented that if trees were removed in that fashion then it could cause a huge environmental impact. • Christine Carr commented on the size that 36" trees will be in 5 -10 years and recommended that 24" boxed tree be used. Ad Hoc Tree Committee July 15, 2003 Page 2 • Cathy Young stated that she supports the recommendations of Barry Allen. • Elaine Linhoff stated that she supports that unless the City is not able to find trees of that size that all trees planted should be at least a 36" box. • Virginia Herberts stated that the problem tree section should be in the G -1 Policy. • Tess Lier commented that she supports the problem tree section. • Bill Mitchell stated that he has been a victim of problem ficus trees and stated that the section should remain. Deputy City Attorney stated that the City does not have a policy that protects private views. • Iris Kimmel, President, HVHCA stated that she has been pleased with the experience of the Tree Committee and recommended approval of the revised G -1 Policy • Bob Pastfdorf, Cameo Community Association stated that he has been impressed with the Committee, recommended that 24" box trees be the size for replacement trees. • Allen Beek stated that all tree removals should go to PBBR and if needed to City Council for appeal. He also commented that the Policy should state that it preserves views. Director Niederhaus stated that the G -3 Policy comments on views. • Linda Grant, BAS stated that she is scared to death of all the people in the room and stated that if trees are removed like Main Street then the City will suffer major environmental impact. She also commented that staff should never have the authority to remove a tree. • Iryne Black commented on the possibility of environmental impacts. • Curtis Herberts commented on the cost of watering new trees and the water shortage. • Diane Meyer stated that problem trees have been planted in the past and that there must be a way to correct that for homeowners. • Laura Curran stated that she would like a streamlined definition of exactly what a block is; what the specified time is for staff to respond back once a reforestation request has been submitted; recommended that native trees be planted that are more specific to this region when planting replacement trees. Discussion ensued regarding definition of a block for obtaining signatures for a reforestation request. Chair Allen recommended that a block be defined as follows that signatures should be obtained from homes within 500 feet in either direction or 15 homes on each side and not to exceed 30 contiguous home; whichever is less. • Jan Vandersloot stated a block should be 500 ft from the tree in all directions. Deputy City Attorney Clauson stated that she too believes it should be 500 feet. • Jim Wharton suggestion using a post card instead of a petition. • Yvonne Houssels read a letter from HVHS HOA to the Committee. • Linn Miller stated that the goal of the BAS is to preserve trees and to see the City enforce the rules of the G -1 Policy. Discussion ensued regarding specific paragraphs of the revised G -1 Policy. Commissioner Skoro stated that he would prefer that 36" boxed trees be used in all instances as replacement trees. Discussion ensued regarding sizes that that staff is able to obtain. 7. Committee discussion revisions if desired, and straw votes and or final recommendations to City Council on draft G -1 Policy and City Tree Ordinance 13.08. Ad Hoc Tree Committee July 15, 2003 Page 3 Motion by Chair Allen: 1. To approve the draft Council Policy G•1 with changes contained in the staff matrix as well as the restoration of the original word "protecting' into line 8, page 1; 2. To modify the reforestation petition requirements to include up to a maximum of 30 private property owners (15 contiguous properties on both sides of the street up to 500 feet in either direction from the location of the proposed reforestation. 3. That City Tree Ordinances were adequate for City needs. Motion carried by acclamation. Chair Allen asked the minutes to reflect that she has been the Chair of the Ad Hoc Tree Committee since March 2003 and has reviewed all staff reports and memos from the City Attorney. She commented that she believed that based upon the miniscule amount of trees that could be removed with the new policy that there is no need for an environmental analysis to be done. 8. ADJOURNMENT - 9:45pm AA I Submitted by: Teri Craig, Ad gA`ssfstant