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2015-04-21_Hassoldt.„.. .,.....: .. . �,... . ,�,.,.....:..,..._�.... _.... .....� �:. ... . , .... _ _ MINUTES OF A MEETING OF 'IT� C�NIlVIITTEE ON TREES AND VIEWS AN ADd�URNED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CTTY OF ROLLING HILL� APRTI,21, 2015 CALL MEETING TO ORDER A meeting of the Committee on Trees and Views was called to order at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Apri121, 201 S in the City Council Chamber, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hi11s, California. ROLL CALL Cornr�ittee Members Present: Chelf, Gray and Chairperson Smith. Committee Members Absent: None. Others Present: Itaymond R. Cruz, City Manager. Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director. �ieidi Luce, City Clerk. Shahiedah Coates, Assistant City Attorney. Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Nuccion. Mr. and Mrs. William Hassoldt. I)ave Dennee, 1 Lower Blackwater Canyon Road. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MINLJTES OR ANY ITEMS NOT ON TI�AGENDA None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CQIVIlVIITTEE ON TREES AND VIEWS, TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2U15 (HASSOLDT/NUCCIOI� Committe� Mernver G�ay moved that the Committee approve the minutes of the Committee on Trees and Views meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 as presented. Chairperson Smith seconded the motion wk�ich carried without ab�ection. Committee Member Chelf abstained. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARFNG CONSIDERATION OF �7IEW IlVIPAIRMENT COMPLAINT REGARDING TREES AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: LOCATION OF TREES: 15 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD PROPERTY OWNER: MR.AND MRS.HASSOLDT COMPLAINANTS: DR. AND MRS.NUCCION 1 S PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD Chairperson Smith introduced the item, reviewed the �rocedural rul�s for the meeting and asked for staffs comments. Planning Directar Schwar� stated that earlier in the day the Coanmittee on Trees and Views visited bath praperties at 18 Portuguese Bend Road and 15 Portuguese Bend Road and this is a continued public hearing regarding a view obstruction at 18 Partuguese Bend Road. She stated that additional correspondence was recei�ed a.nd provxded copies to the Comrnittee including copies of a carrespondenc�between staff and Mrs. Hassoldt and copies of documents received from�-he Nuccions at the field fr:p pertaining to SCE trimming requirements. She further commented that as a result of the confusion experienced during the field#rip relative to some trees being grouped tagether on the arborists report, staff prepared a table listing all of the �rees and numbez�ng the �rees correspondingly to the arborists report. Planning Direc�or Schwartz stated that for Tree #1 and Tree #8 no action is beir�g requested which leaves 11 trees for the Cominittee's consideration. She further reviewed the Committee's responsibilities in this matter as prescribed by the view ordinance and Measure B. Minutes Committee on Trees and Views 04-21-15 (Regular} -1- Chairperson Smith called�or�ublic comment. Steve Nuccion, 18 Portuguese Bend Raad addressed the Committee stating that their hope and intention was to work with their neighbor to resolve the matter,but they were unable to do so. He stated thaY#hey would like to restore their view to what the view was when they purchasec�their property. In reapanse to Committee Member Chelf, Dr. Nuccion explained the background on the issues related to #1ie utiiity pole on their property t�iat communiea�es with a pole on the Hassoldt property and their communications and negotiations with SCE relata�e to those poles. In response ta Committee Member Gray regarding trees that were recently removed, Dr. Nuccion stated that a tree on the property at 13 Portuguese Bend Road was remo�ed from the property with appmval from that preperty owner an� �a��� on a s�.r-rey, reviewed by tY�e arborist that indicated that the tree was on that property. He carrimenteci that a �hrub was also removed from the property at 13 Portuguese Bend Road but it was rnot rernoved at their request. Judith Hassoldt, 15 Portu.guese Bend Road addressed the Committee to explain her pre�ious communication. in Janu�ry 2014 with American Arbor Caxe regarding the trees on their properry at which time they reviewed each tree. She further commented that the trees remaved from 13 Portuguese Bend Road provided screen'vng for their property. She expressed conc�rn that referencing canopies and groups of trees doesn't provid� enough specificity and th� trees shauld be listed individually not shawn on an aerial phatograph. William Hassoldt, 15 Poxtuguese Bend Road addressed the Committee sta.ting the shrub t�aat was removed from 13 Partuguese Bend Road provided ambiance for their property and showed a ph�tograph of the area prior to removal of the shrub. Referring to the tr�es listed in the arbarist's report, he reviewed the brees he feels are in the view corridar and which they could agree on cuttnlg. He expressed cancern about cutting ta the trees to the 2009 cu�s and commented that he would like to be present when any cutting is done. He further commented that the Red Eucalyptus tree (#5) serves to buffer the view of the utility pole and Tree� � and 4A buffer the heavy wires. He fi�rther cornmented that groperly trimmed trees allow for a view through the trees, provi.de oxygen, rernove pollutants from the air and provide curb app�al to the property as well as the comm�nity. Ih. Nuccion commented that they agree that tl�ere is a value to trees but ther� is ��so valu� and enjoyment froan a view. He stated that their hope is to stt�ike a campromise. Mr. Hassoldt commented that they are willing to pro�ide a view corridor and he wauld like to be presemt during the trimrning. Hearing no further public comment, the Committee began its deliberation. The Committee concurred that the location of the viewing area is appropriate, there is a view, the view existed in 20Q9 when the Nuccions acquired the properly and the view is impaired, Committee Member Chelf commented that he feels this i� not a very complicated case for the Committee to decide, but h� strongly urged the parties ta try to ��ork it out amongst themselves. Following brief discussion, the Committee took a brzef recess at 5:50 p.rn, to allaw the parties time to discuss the matter amongst thernselves. Chairperson Smith called the meeting back to order at S:S2 p.m. recognizing that the parties could not agree to assemb�e for s�ch a m�eting. Dave Dennee, 1 Lower Blackwater Canyan Road addressed the Committee commentin� that he feels that once the Committee �nakes its recommendations, determining how the actual trimming is done shou�d be left to a professional arborist. 'The Committee resumed its deliberations and began discussing each specific �e�. Foliawing discussion, the Committee on Trees and V�erus concurred on the following restorative actions: Tree# T e of Tree & Location Achon 1 Euca1 h�,s NO ACTION 2 Eucatyptus- along Roadway easement- Lace, shape & croum reduce ta no higher than front tlie Palm Trees 3 Washington Fan Palm - along NIE side Remove the dead fronds of ert 3-A Washington Fan Palm- along N/E side Remove th� dead fronds of ro eriy Minutes Committee on Trees and Views 04�21-15 (Regular) -2- Tree# T e of Tree &Lo�ation Action 4 Eucalyptus &various volunteers- S!W Lower the canopy and trim to old cuts for city corner of lot view 4-A Olive&varioi�s volunteers - S/W Lower the canopy and trim to o3d cuts for city corner of lot �iew S Eucai tus -b ara e Reduce crown to�he hei ht of to of ole 6 California P er- alon fron# Sha e&.reduce cano to o�d cuts 6-A California Pe er-alon ftont Sha e &reduce cano to old cuts 7 Olive Tree - alon front; S/E corner Sha e &reduce crown and balax�ce to 2009 view 8 Acacia NO ACTIOIV 9 �live Tree- lawn azea Lace, shape,reduce crawn and balance to 2009 view 9-A Qlive Tree -lawn area Lace, shape,reduce crown and balance to 2009 view T�TAL 11 The Committee further discussed the timing o�the trimming, cost allocation and recommendations for other conditions. Following discussion,the Cammittee concuired as follows: • Trimming should be done in the winter months or as recommended by a professianal arborist. • New trees or any volunteer trees should not be allowed to grow into the restared view. • Initial restorative action to be paid by complainant. • Maintenance should be done every two years. • Subsequent maintenance to be paid by tree owner. Following further discussion, Committee Member Chelf moved that the Committee on Trees and Views direct staff ta prepare a Resolution setting for the restorative action, tim�ng and cost allocation as described above. Committee Member Gray seconded the motion which carried without objection. PUBLIC CONIlI�NT UN ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business before the Committee, Chairperson Smith adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. to an adjourned meeting of the Rolling Hills Planning Commission Committee on Trees and Views scheduled to be held on 'I'hursda.y,May 14, 2015 beginning at 5:30 p.m, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,Rolling Hills, California. Respectfixlly submitted, �r ...-- Heidi Luce City Clerk Approved, !"�a f� Ty '+. i V. Srnith Chairperson Minutes Cnrnmittee on Trees and Views 04-21-15 (Regular) -3-