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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2015 PBR MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 5, 2015 – 6:00 PM 1) CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:05 PM 2) ROLL CALL Present: Ron Cole, Chair Roy Englebrecht, Vice Chair (Absent) Tom Anderson (Absent) Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Walt Howald Marie Marston Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Acting Municipal Operations Co-Director Dan Sereno, Landscape Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Support Specialist 3) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 4) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the April 7, 2015 meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks & Operations Division Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report. C. Recreation & Seniors Services Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report of past and upcoming projects and events. Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher reported that Newport Beach was not always a Tree City, USA, and provided a brief history of how the City handled trees. He referenced the Parks & Operations Division Activity Report in terms of the tree report and the number of trees removed and planted and indicated that the number of trees in the City is declining. Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 2 Motion by Commissioner Marston, second by Commissioner Howald, to approve items 4A-4C of the Consent Calendar. Motion carries unanimously with Commissioner Anderson and Vice Chair Englebrecht absent. 5) CURRENT / NEW BUSINESS - Staff Report A. Denial of Tree Removal – 204 Tustin Avenue Recommendation: Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission deny the removal request of Robert Corbin at 204 Tustin Avenue to remove 16 healthy Queen Palm trees due to his view obstruction of the harbor as they do not meet the removal criteria of City Council Policy G-1. Acting Co-Director Mike Pisani introduced the item and deferred to staff for a report. Landscape Manager Dan Sereno addressed the subject trees, existing conditions, prior consideration, details of the appeal and staff recommendations. Discussion followed regarding the City's reforestation process, the condition of the subject trees, possible types of replacement trees, potential effects on views and the size of the existing palm trees. It was noted that originally, staff denied the removal of these trees as they do not meet the criteria for removal under the G-1 Policy. He stated that these trees are healthy and not causing hardscape damage. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of revisiting the G-1 Policy and the effects on property values by blocking views. It was noted there is no view protection offered in the policy. In response to Commissioner Hayes's inquiry, Landscape Manager Sereno noted that the removed trees could be salvaged but addressed the expense in removing and boxing them; and therefore, would not recommend doing so. He added that the City has a high inventory of Queen Palms and that it would be cheaper to remove and replace them if that is the decision tonight. Discussion continued regarding the possibility of having residents pay for removal/replacement of the trees; the age of the trees and whether or not the selection of the type of trees for that location was a mistake, other trees in the City that disrupt views. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of removing some of the trees, maximum height of Queen Palms, the length of time before the tree grows above the view shed, and, height restrictions set by homeowner associations. Brief discussion followed regarding the history of those trees in the neighborhood and the process and number of signatures required for a petition to reforest. Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 3 Robert Corbin, applicant, commented on view impairments and addressed negative impacts on property values and reforestation costs and suggested that it is time to revisit the G-1 Policy. He believed there is support for the request to remove the trees and asked that the Commission consider his appeal. Sini Corbin added a request for the City to reconsider the G-3 Policy and indicated that the neighborhood would be better-served by removing the subject trees and replacing them with lower, more-appropriate trees and or bushes. Jim Mosher thanked staff for saving trees by reducing the size of printed agenda packets and not including the G-1 Policy in every tree staff report but suggested that staff is misinforming the applicant and the public as to their rights and the Commission, as to their duties related to Council Policies. He referenced Policy G-3 and noted that the City is to lead by example by maximizing public and private views. He addressed supplemental tree-trimming and considering reforestation. He added this seems to be a case where the City made a mistake by planting these trees and that the City should correct the situation. He referenced the tree inspection report and wondered if a fee is charged for filing appeals. Howard Tuttle stated he received no notification of this matter and commented on prior similar consideration of trees on Mariners Mile. He urged the Commission to approve the applicant's request. Tony Shaw commented on impacts to his views but asked that the City deny the request and maintain the subject trees. Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Commissioner Hayes asked for the number of subject trees and staff noted there are sixteen trees and identified their location. Commissioner Howald stated he likes the G-1 and G-3 Policies and opined that the City made a mistake and should remove and replace the trees with a low-lying species. He suggested that affected home owners and the City should work together to find a mutually-acceptable solution. Commissioner Hamilton agreed with Commissioner Howald's statement and added that residents and the City should work together on the type of trees for a reforestation. She suggested thinning the trees out rather than removing all the trees. In response to an inquiry from the Commission, staff noted that they would not have planted Queen Palms in the area had they originally made the decision. Discussion followed regarding options available for the Commission's consideration including removing some of the trees. A straw vote of residents in attendance resulted in no one being interested in removing some of the trees. It was noted that residents want them all removed. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 4 Motion by Commissioner Hayes, second by Commissioner Howald to direct staff to work with residents on how many trees are removed and what kind of tree and or bush will be planted in their place. Discussion followed regarding clarification of the motion. Commissioner Hayes withdrew the motion. It was noted that one of the speakers spoke in favor of keeping the trees so there is no consensus from the community. Other residents wrote and spoke about their desire to keep the trees. Chair Cole reopened the public discussion. Sini Corbin asked that the City consider a petition from residents on Ocean View Drive. Tree and Landscape Manager Sereno stated that staff has no issue with doing so. Robert Corbin confirmed the need to have consensus from 60% of homeowners notified in a petition to remove the trees and reforest the neighborhood. Doing so would allow for the City to bear the cost of reforestation. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of reaching the 60% requirement by adding homes on Ocean View Drive. Sini Corbin rescinded her request to add residents on Ocean View Drive. Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Howald, second by Commissioner Hayes to place the removal of the subject trees on hold, that to rectify a mistake in the type of tree planted and to have homeowners return with a reforestation request (supported by 60% of those notified) and with the removal/replacement costs to be borne by the City. Motion carries unanimously with Commissioner Anderson and Vice Chair Englebrecht absent. B. Denial of Tree Removal – 316 Montero Street Recommendation: Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission deny the removal request of Kelly O’Connor at 316 Montero Street to remove one City tree as it does not meet the removal criteria of City Council Policy G-1. Landscape Manager Sereno provided a staff report noting that staff assessed the tree and found no evidence that the tree was diseased or potentially failing. He reported that staff denied the request as the tree does not meet the removal criteria under Policy G-1. Commissioner Marston opened the public discussion. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 5 Jim Mosher asked whether some of the trees will be removed when street work is done and if so, what the problem that is causing their removal is. He noted there are not a lot of trees in the area and wondered if the City has a plan to populate the parkway with more trees. Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Acting Co-Director Pisani reported that the Public Works Department was going to repave specific streets in Balboa and was looking at ways to plant additional trees in parkways. That plan has been postponed and currently, the subject tree is not causing sidewalk or street damage. If, in the future, the tree causes damage, a more-suitable tree will be recommended to replace it. It was noted that sidewalks are below the level of the curb in that project, that they are damaged and that planting trees would be difficult because residents do not want to have their views blocked. Motion by Commissioner Marston, second by Commissioner Hamilton to deny the removal request of Kelly O’Connor at 316 Montero Street to remove one City tree as it does not meet the removal criteria of Policy G-1. Motion carries unanimously with Commissioner Anderson and Vice Chair Englebrecht absent. 6) PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION / STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, AD HOC UPDATES OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) - None Chair Cole commented on the Bonita Creek synthetic turf project and asked for a staff report describing the process for cleaning it at the next meeting. Commissioner Howald commented positively on Director Laura Detweiler's service to the City. Members of the assembly wished her a happy birthday. Acting Co-Director Pisani provided a brief update on the City's efforts relative to the existing drought. Director Detweiler reported that the City is a member of the California Parks and Recreation Society and listed staff members recognized recently by the organization. She shared short videos of the Department's annual track meet and the City’s surf schools and noted that they would be provided to the hotels and concierge. She ended her report by providing an update of upcoming summer programs. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS - None 8) ADJOURNMENT – 7:40 PM Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 6 Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: _____ Ron Cole, Chair Teri Craig Ron Cole