URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL
LANDMARK TREE AD HOC COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
City Hall, Room 421
One Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Malcolm Hillan (Chair), Carolyn Blair, Jocelyn Cohen, Kelaine Vargas
Order of Business
1. Call to Order and Roll Call. The Landmark Tree Committee meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. Present: Chair Hillan, Members Cohen and Vargas; Excused: Member Blair.
2. Adoption of Corrected Minutes of the November 17, 2008 Urban Forestry Council Landmark Tree Committee Regular Meeting. (Discussion and Action) Upon Motion by Member Vargas and second by Member Cohen, the November 17, 2008 Meeting Minutes were approved without objection (AYES: Members Cohen, Hillan and Vargas; Noes: None; Absent: Member Blair) (Explanatory Document: November 17, 2008 Approved Minutes).
3. Hearing on Nomination for Landmark Tree Status. The Landmark Tree Committee held a hearing to determine whether the trees nominated at the following address meets the criteria for designation as landmark trees. (Discussion and Action)
2040-2060 Sutter Street, SF, CA 94115, Assessor’s Block 0678, Lots 037-104
· Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heteropylla) (Explanatory Documents: Nomination Form (PDF) and Staff Evaluation)
· Canary Island Date Palm #1 (Phoenix canariensis) (Explanatory Documents: Nomination Form (PDF) and Staff Evaluation)
· Canary Island Date Palm #2 (Phoenix canariensis) (Explanatory Documents: Nomination Form (PDF) and Staff Evaluation)
(Additional Explanatory Documents: Images of Nominated Trees and Committee Evaluations: Committee Chair Hillan and Member Vargas Evaluations)
Speaking in support of landmark status was the Condominium Homeowners Association representative, project sponsor, and one of the owners of the condominium units, Ms. Heather Levin. Mr. Bill Bagg and Ms. Sharron Long, members of the homeowners association residing at 2040-2060 Sutter Street and condominium unit owners also spoke in support of landmark status. Mr. Bagg inquired about the number of Norfolk Pines in San Francisco. Council Coordinator Hui stated that she does not believe there is a formal count available. Member Vargas stated that the Department of Public Works inventory lists three Norfolk Pine street trees in San Francisco, but does not include Golden Gate Park. Chair Hillan and Coordinator Hui indicated that there are additional trees located in Golden Gate Park and in backyards.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Landmark Tree Committee voted on whether to approve or reject the nominations. Written findings will be adopted to support the Committee’s decision and will be forwarded to the Urban Forestry Council to consider at their December 11, 2009 meeting. The Council will forward approved nominations to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration. After staff and Committee evaluations were presented, testimony heard by the sponsor of the nomination, Ms. Heather Levin and public comment was received, the Committee took the following action:
Upon Motion by Member Cohen and second by Member Vargas, the Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) at 2040-2060 Sutter Street was recommended for landmark tree status to the Urban Forestry Council to consider at their December 11, 2009 meeting. (AYES: Members Cohen, Hillan and Vargas; Noes: None; Absent: Member Blair)
Upon Motion by Member Cohen and second by Member Vargas, the Canary Island Date Palm #1 (Phoenix canariensis) at 2040-2060 Sutter Street was recommended for landmark tree status to the Urban Forestry Council to consider at their December 11, 2009 meeting. (AYES: Members Cohen, Hillan and Vargas; Noes: None; Absent: Member Blair)
Upon Motion by Member Vargas and second by Member Cohen, the Canary Island Date Palm #2 (Phoenix canariensis) at 2040-2060 Sutter Street was recommended for landmark tree status to the Urban Forestry Council to consider at their December 11, 2009 meeting. (AYES: Members Cohen, Hillan and Vargas; Noes: None; Absent: Member Blair)
4. New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Information and Discussion) Member Cohen requested a future discussion regarding amending the Landmark Tree Ordinance so that groups and groves of trees could be landmarked.
5. Public Comment: Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda. There was no public comment at this time.
6. Adjournment. The Urban Forestry Council Landmark Tree Committee Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.
*Approved: April 13, 2010
