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Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT April 6, 2006 Page 7 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Commissioner Clow, seconded by Commissioner Kerns and passed unanimously to forward a recommendation of approval that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the proposed amendments. 4. 4. OLD BUSINESS-none 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING AND SITE DEVELOPMENT CODES REQUIRING REMOVAL OF BLUE GUM EUCALYPTUS TREES (EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS) AT TIME OF SITE DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL (SECTION 10- 2.802); CEQA STATUS: NEGATIVE DECLARATION (staff-Debbie Pedro). Senior Planner Debbie Pedro presented the staff report explaining that in January the City Council directed staff to research ordinances in surrounding communities to find out what other cities are doingabout potentially hazardous trees in articular Blue Gum Eucalyptus. In March P Y P YP the Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for mandatory removal of Blue Gum Eucalyptus at the time of site development approval. Staff is seeking comments from the Planning Commission regarding the draft ordinance and when comments are received staff will finalize the ordinance and present it at a public hearing. Commissioner Collins presented samples of various Eucalyptus branches. The Commissioners listed the problems with Eucalyptus trees; shredding bark, shallow roots, flammability, dropping branches and entire trees falling. Commissioner Kerns wondered why only Blue Gum Eucalyptus was being addressed and not all species of Eucalyptus. Chairman Cottrell agreed. Discussion ensued on the dangers of Eucalyptus and other large trees in Town. Commissioner Carey generally supported the idea but commented on overreacting on this issue by having any mature Eucalyptus tree cut down and the change from having no restrictions on Eucalyptus trees to removing any Eucalyptus tree. Commissioner Kerns brought up the invasive plant portion of the ordinance and stated that people should be encouraged to remove invasive plant species. Commissioner Collins disagreed that all Eucalyptus should be removed. She stated that many people enjoy the trees in particular the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus. Commissioner Kerns felt that Eucalyptus removal should be required and exceptions should be presented before the Planning Commission for review on a new development. Sandra Humphries, Environmental Design Committee, requested that the removal of Eucalyptus trees not be done during bird nesting season. Raptor birds nest in the tallest trees including Eucalyptus. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Kerns, seconded by Commissioner Clow and approved by the following roll call vote that staff prepare a draft ordinance that would require all Eucalyptus trees be removed with exceptions reviewed by staff or Planning Commission.