PART II (of II): Timeline & Context for Forest & Beach Commission Actions at 5 April 2007 Meeting

TIMELINE:

I. March 2007: Forest & Beach Commission receipt of "An Overview of Trees in the City of Carmel"

Forest & Beach Commission receipt of their commissioned report, “An Overview of Trees in the City of Carmel,” by Consulting Arborist Barrie D. Coate. The report recommends “Replacement of mature Monterey Pines with several species which mature at 70-100’ tall” and “Development of an acceptable list of replacement species, accompanied by quality standards fro purchasing, installation and maintenance of those trees.”

Note: The report does not indicate an understanding or appreciation of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s traditions, forest or Local Coastal Program as it pertains to tree and forestry issues.

II. 5 April 2007: FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION MEETING

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION
MINUTES
5 April 2007

ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
Nancy John
Peggy Miller
Tad Pritchett
Bob Tierney

ABSENT:
Kathleen Coss

STAFF PRESENT:
Mike Branson, City Forester
Stephanie Pearce, Administrative Coordinator

APPLICATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Consideration of an application to remove two (20” and 25” dbh) Monterey pine trees due to damage to the retaining walls. The site is located on Dolores 3 NE of 1st. The applicant is Natalie Taggart.

Chairperson MILLER moved to approve the removal of the two trees, plus the diseased tree recommended for removal by City Forester Mike Branson, and to require planting three 5 gallon Canary Pine trees in the back yard, seconded by Commission Member PRITCHETT and carried by the following roll call vote:

AYES: JOHN, PRITCHETT, TIERNEY, MILLER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: COSS

Consideration of an application to remove one 24” dbh Monterey pine tree growing on City property to resurface the driveway. The site is located on the SE corner of Carpenter & 5th . The applicants and Sharon and Larry De St. Jeor.

Commission Member PRITCHETT moved to approve the removal of the tree, and to require planting a replacement 5 gallon Canary Pine in a location further away from the power lines, seconded by Chairperson MILLER and carried by the following roll call vote:

AYES: JOHN, PRITCHETT, MILLER
NOES: TIERNEY
ABSENT: COSS

Consideration of an application to remove 1-9” cypress tree, 1-48” dbh eucalyptus, 1-32” dbh eucalyptus and 1-28” dbh Monterey pine tree to enhance safety, vitality and beauty of the Urban Forest, and prune dead and intertwining branches of 4 additional trees. All trees are growing on public property. The site is located on the NE corner of San Antonio and 7th Av. The applicant is Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dodson; the applicant is Nancy Porteous-Thomas.

Chairperson MILLER moved to approve the removal of the four trees and to require planting two 24” box Canary Pine trees on 7th and one standard 24” box Coast Live Oak tree on San Antonio; to recommend removal of soil under the eucalyptus trees and replace it with top soil and to allow pruning of the Cypress trees adjacent to the property, seconded by Commission Member PRITCHETT and carried by the following roll call vote:

AYES: PRITCHETT, TIERNEY, MILLER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: COSS, JOHN

III. 3 May 2007: FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
COMMISSION MEMBERS:
PEGGY MILLER, CHAIRPERSON
KATHLEEN COSS
NANCY JOHN
TAD PRITCHETT (ABSENT)
BOB TIERNEY

REPORTS FROM STAFF
Receive verbal report from City Forester regarding the Coastal Commission’s position on tree replacement plantings and compliance with the Local Coastal Plan.

City Forester Mike Branson received a call from California Coastal Commission Staff Member Mike Watson about concerns over a city change in forest policy with the substitution of Canary Island Pines for removed Monterey Pine trees. Branson assured Mike Watson that there had been no change in tree policy. However, Branson only vaguely alluded to the April meeting when the Forest & Beach Commissioner Members approved Canary Island Pine trees for all 3 “approved for removal” Monterey Pine trees.. Branson then alluded to the belief that “resistant” Monterey Pine trees were difficult to acquire and that they were only available as seedlings. When questioned, Branson stated that he had contacted Rana Creek Nursery and Rana has available 5 gallon and 15 gallon pitch canker “resistant” Monterey Pine trees.

Note: Rana Creek Nursery’s web site includes a Download Plant Availability List; Pinus radiata appear, as follows:

30250 Pinus radiata 15 Gallon $ 60.00
30271 Pinus radiata Super Cell $ 0.00
30282 Pinus radiata 5 Gallon $ 20.00
31360 Pinus radiata 24" Box $ 150.00

Whereas, Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine) is not available.

Reference:
Rana Creek Nursery
35351 East Carmel Valley Road Carmel Valley CA 93924
Phone: (831) 659-3820 Fax: (831) 659-4851 Website: www.ranacreek.com

Apparently, Mike Watson also communicated to City Forester Mike Branson that native tree species, i.e., Monterey Pine, Monterey Cypress and Coast Live Oak, be approved for planting for replacement of dead, diseased or removed trees as described in the Local Coastal Program, not non-native species. Moreover, Mike Watson stated that he would provide writen documentation to that effect for the Forest & Beach Commission Members. Branson either declined or did not give the documentation from the California Coastal Commission Staff Member to the Forest & Beach Commissioners at the public meeting.

Comment:
That the Forest & Beach Commission Members and City Forester did not recognize that their actions at the April 2007 meeting constituted a policy change is indicative of a holistic ignorance of Carmel-by-the-Sea's traditions, Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program.