Title
Highlights of the Rules Committee Meeting of October 21, 2015
Body
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
CITY COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE
October 21, 2015
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
San Leandro City Hall
835 East 14th Street
San Leandro, California
Sister Cities Gallery
HIGHLIGHTS
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.A. Attendance
Committee Members: Mayor Pauline Cutter, Councilmember Deborah Cox, Councilmember Lee Thomas
City Staff Present: Debbie Pollart, Eric Engelbart, Tamika Greenwood, Lianne Marshall, Chris Zapata
Public Present: Liz Eisler, Gerd Marggraff
1.B. Announcements
2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
2.A. Report on Status of Tree Ordinance - Debbie Pollart
In preparation for the meeting, staff provided sample tree sizes for the committee to consider. Staff also provided background information on last year's City Council meeting where residents complained about a large walnut tree that was illegally cut down by a San Leandro homeowner. Based on that particular tree removal, the speakers in last year's City Council meeting requested the City Council enact a tree protection or preservation ordinance pertaining to certain trees on private property. At the time, staff was directed to look at ordinances from other cities as a model for a draft ordinance.
Staff reminded the council of the following options for consideration: 1) no changes to the current policy, 2) developing regulations that pertain only to properties zoned for commercial, industrial or multi-family uses or, 3) develop a method to define and protect significant trees with historic, heritage or landmark value.
There are currently no city policies that regulate the planting or removal of trees on private property in San Leandro, however, San Leandro's General Plan notes the major role that landscaping plays in San Leandro's overall look and feel. Staff noted there are trees located at Juana/Bancroft that are noted as "Historic Landscape Elements" in the 2002 General Plan and t...
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