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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 1992-04-21 . . . Environmental Quality Control Board Minutes April 21, 1992 I. Call to Order - 6:30 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Roll Call Present: Absent: Also Present: Voce, Hood, Hotchkiss, Logan Hurley Barry Curtis, Administrative Assistant (planning) IV. 1. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 1991 MOTION BY HOOD; SECOND BY VOCE: To approve the Minutes of December 17, 1991. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0-1 AYES: VOCE, LOGAN, HOOD NOES: ABSTAIN: HOTCHKISS 2. MINUTES OF MARCH 17,1992 MOTION BY HOOD; SECOND BY VOCE: To approve the Minutes of March 17, 1992. MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 AYES: VOCE, LOGAN, HOOD, HOTCHKISS NOES: 3. DISCUSSION OF TREE ORDINANCES Chairman Voce opened the item for discussion. Chairman Voce indicated that he had received a call from a Mrs. Maracich who was concerned with the recent removal of three (3) street trees from the Hill area. Chairman Voce discussed the C IAMIPROIDOCSlEQBCIMIN92-4 BeC be EQCB Minutes of April I? , 1992 . possibility that Bob Eagle of the Public Works Department could attend the Board's next meeting to discuss the City's tree removal policy. Mr. Curtis indicated he would attempt to arrange for Bob Eagle to be in attendance. Chairman Voce then discussed an emergency ordinance to prevent a mass removal of street trees while the City is considering a tree ordinance. The Board spoke at great length regarding the forwarding of a recommendation to the City Council to implement an emergency ordinance to prohibit or restrict the removal of street trees during the formulation of a comprehensive tree ordinance. Suzanne Maracich spoke in favor of an emergency ordinance. She felt that street trees were continually diminishing. She wants to see street trees remain. She discussed several issues pertaining to tree removal and replacement and indicated that many people are not aware that the City will replace lost street trees. Ms. Maracich indicated that tree roots from ficus trees can be cut to prevent sidewalk damage and the City is not doing this. Chairman Voce further discussed the purpose of a tree ordinance stating it might take the form of a freeze on tree cuttings except in emergency situations. . Mr. Logan felt that the issues discussed by Ms. Maracich were more City policy issues since the trees are on public property. He felt the City should exercise its prerogatives and fine people who arbitrarily remove City trees and that the City should replace trees which have been removed as rapidly as possible. Chairman Voce discussed enforcement of an emergency ordinance. He questioned whether it would be left up to an honor system. Mr. Curtis replied that for trees on private property it would be somewhat left up to an honor system as the Police Department may have limited time available to enforce the terms of such an ordinance. However for public trees the City does require a permit for tree removal and this process would make enforcement much easier. Mr. Hood echoed Mr. Logan's position that this is a City policy issue. Ms. Maracich indicated that Bob Eagle had told her he has no means to stop people from cutting down trees. Mr . Voce clarified that the emergency ordinance he had discussed would be to prevent unnecessary removal of street trees. Mr. Curtis indicated that this would not require approval of an ordinance, but rather a change in policy by the City staff and that he felt the City Manager or a designee could initiate a change in policy regarding the removal of street trees. It Mr. Curtis suggested that, while the City is investigating and formulating a City-wide tree policy, the City Manager or a designee review each request for removal of a street tree to determine whether such a request is justified. He felt that Bob Eagle could provide the City Manager with a brief report and e \AMIPROIDOCS\EQBC\MIN92-4 Bee be Page 2 EQCB Minutes of April 17 , 1992 . recommendation on a requested tree removal, the City Manager could then authorize or deny such a request. Additionally, if this is not already the case, the City could quickly replace any removed trees. Ms. Maracich said she wanted to see all efforts taken to save the street trees, even if sewer even if sewer lines needed to be roto-rootered. Mr. Logan said he felt the board should focus its attention on public trees. Mr. Hood felt an interim City policy should be put in place while the City considers a comprehensive tree policy whereby the City Manager would consider each request for public tree removal. Mr. Hood suggested proposed wording for a resolution of the EQCB requesting that for the next six (6) months all requests for median tree removals come through the City Manager. MOTION BY HOOD; SECOND BY LOGAN: To approve Resolution 92-2, A Resolution of Environmental Quality Control Board of the City of Seal Beach Recommending that the City Manager review and approve all requests for removal of public median trees for a period of six (6) months to determine whether removal is absolutely necessary, emphasizing the preservation of trees in the process, and to investigate the possibility of more a rapid replacement of removed street trees. . MOTION CARRIED: 4-0-1 AYES: VOCE, LOGAN, HOOD, HOTCHKISS NOES: NONE ABSENT: HURLEY V. New Business - None VI. Board Concerns - None VII. Staff Concerns Mr. Curtis indicated that each Boardmember has been provided a copy of the proposed Negative Declaration and Initial Environmental Assessment for the proposed Growth Management Element. Mr. Curtis indicated the dates of public hearings to consider the proposed element which is a requirement if the City wishes to receive its Measure M funding. If the Board or any member has any comments on the Negative Declaration or Environmental Assessment they may be forwarded to the Department of Development Services prior to the public hearings for inclusion into the record. Also, Mr. Curtis indicated that the proposed Archaeological/Historical Element has been recommended to the City Council by the Planning Commission and it will heard on April 27th by the City Council It e IAMIPROIDOCSlEQBClMIN92-4 Bee be Page 3 r " . . It .. EQCB Minutes of April 17, 1992 VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Barry C. Curtis, Jr. Secretary, Environmental Quality Control Board C IAMIPRO\DOCSlEQBClMIN92-4 BeC be Page 4