HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Minutes 11-27-07spec_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES: of the Special Planning Commission Meeting of the City of Redlands held
Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. are as follows:
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT:
James Macdonald, Chairman
Gary Miller, Vice Chairman
Ruth Cook, Commissioner
Carol Dyer, Commissioner
Paul Foster, Commissioner
John James, Commissioner
ADVISORY STAFF
PRESENT: Jeff Shaw, Director
Robert Dalquest, Assistant Director
Michael Reiter, Assistant City Attorney
Gary Van Dorst, Interim Quality of Life Director
Rick Cross, Quality of Life Operations Manager
OTHERS PRESENT: Shawn T. Burch, STB Landscape Architects, Inc.
Charles Rothenberg, STB Landscape Architects, Inc.
Susan Sims, Certified Master Arborist, Sims Tree Health Specialists
A. Call Special Meeting to Order
Chairman Macdonald called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
B. Public Comments
(At this time, the Planning Commission will provide an opportunity for the public to address them
on the subject, which is scheduled on this special joint meeting agenda. Please limit your
comments to three (3) minutes.)
C. Workshop to discuss the landscaping requirements for development projects contained in the
Redlands Municipal Code and to discuss the Planning Commission's Recommended Shade Tree
List.
Assistant Director Bob Dalquest indicated that staff received a letter from Shawn Birch of STB Landscape
Architects regarding concerns relative to the Recommended Shade Tree List for Parking Lots and the
City's landscaping requirements in parking lots. Staff initiated a workshop/discussion with the Planning
Commission relative to the landscape issues. Mr. Dalquest introduced Mr. Birch and Susan Sims from
Sims Tree Health Specialists to the Commission.
Shawn Burch, STB Landscape Architects, Inc. indicated that there needed to be a better selection of
acceptable trees available for the Street Tree List. He suggested that a sub-committee be created to
come up with some ideas relative to the type of trees that could be added to the Street Tree List. Mr.
Burch indicated that he would be available to participate on the sub-committee.
Commissioner Dyer indicated that she would participate in the sub-committee.
There was discussion relative to landscape requirements that included what type of trees should be
added or removed from the Street Tree List and the appropriate placement and spacing of the trees.
Susan Sims, Certified Master Arborist, indicated that she would like to see some of the trees removed
from the existing list and that a larger list of trees is needed. She spoke about the importance of knowing
what kind of soil is at the site, that messy trees can cause liabilities, that some of the trees used should
be slow growing and that root barriers should be avoided.
Gary Van Dorst, Interim Quality of Life Director, indicated that the West Coast Arborists of Cities Tree
Contractors are currently revising the City's street tree master list and that it should be available after the
first of the year for City Council adoption. He stated that the Street Tree Master List would be a useful
tool in revising the Shade Tree List.
Commissioner's Dyer and Cook volunteered to participate on the sub-committee.
Commissioner Dyer stated that she would like the staff planner who will participate on the sub-committee
to contact a few other cities that are using that shading percentage evaluation method to see if it is viable
for the planners to use.
Commissioner Miller suggested that the sub-committee should consider having a soil analysis done on
each project that would tell the landscape architect the nature of the soil they are dealing with when
determining the type of tree's to be used.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Macdonald adjourned the meeting was adjourned at 1:57 p.m.
Christine Szilva Jeffrey L. Shaw, Director
Senior Administrative Assistant Community Development Department