Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Viñedo, Paso Robles, CA
Item Q.1.
Oak Tree Removal Permit 25-11–Request to Remove Oak Tree No. 28 in the Olsen South Chandler Specific Plan (OTR25-11, P25-0072) Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Viñedo Specific Plan - Goals (excerpt)
● Create a greenbelt park and trail system
that provides pedestrian and bicycle
linkages between Viñedo and the
adjacent neighborhoods;
● Incorporate best practices in
environmentally sustainable
Development;
● Encourage water conservation through
the use of drought tolerant landscaping,
rain water capture, etc;
● Replant native oak species in an effort
to celebrate the meaning and history of
Paso Robles’ name (Pass of the Oaks)
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
1994 2005 2015 2025
History of Tree No. 28
➢ Historic grazing and agricultural activities
➢ Phase 1 Mass Grading-- Identified/mitigated as “heavily impacted” Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Health Status of Tree No. 28
➢ Past
➢ Present
➢ Future
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Current Status
Documented Grading Strategy
Specific Plan Earthwork Map Vesting Tentative Tract
Map 3154
Proposed Grading Plan
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Current Status
Where did the dirt go?
VTTM Earthwork Summary:
Total project Cut: 1.160M cubic yards
Total project Fill: 1.006M cubic yards
Net : 154, 000 cubic yards (export) 154,000 cubic yards (export) -44,500 cubic yards
-40,000 cubic yards
-35,000 cubic yards
-90,000 cubic yards
● Shrinkage
○ Estimate: 15% earthwork shrinkage
○ Actual: Up to 20% earthwork shrinkage
○ Difference resulted in loss of 44,500 cubic yards due to shrinkage (overall project)
● Changes due to Product/Builder requirements
○ Planning Area 11 - required additional 40,000 cy to provide required cover and clearances over gravity utilities.
○ Planning Area 13 - required additional 35,000 cy to achieve site layout/yield.
○ Control Point/Mass Grading difference
Total Earthwork needed to complete project (after revisions): -55,500 cubic yards ● Earthwork generated from Tree 28 removal and regrading +44,000 cubic yards ● Earthwork generated from trench/foundation spoils onsite (approx.) +20,000 cubic yards Total Earthwork at project completion (approx.): +8,500 cubic yards Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Flexibility Provisions in the Viñedo Specific Plan for Unforeseen Circumstances The Viñedo Specific Plan (approved February 2020) incorporates explicit mechanisms for flexibility and modifications to accommodate unforeseen changes during implementation.
These are primarily outlined in:
Chapter 4: Design Guidelines, Section 4.3 (Design Review Process), which addresses both minor administrative adjustments (via "Substantial Conformance Determination") and formal amendments. The plan recognizes that "modifications may be necessary in any project due to changes in the economy or changes in builder/consumer preferences over the life of a project," emphasizing that "flexibility is necessary to construct a successful community" (p. 222). This framework prevents rigid adherence that could halt progress, while ensuring changes align with the plan's intent and do not trigger a supplemental EIR under CEQA. Such provisions are "baked in" to support routine adjustments (e.g., grading variances for ADU sewers, dirt shrinkage, or borrow site expansions), as long as they remain minor and do not alter the overall character, density, or environmental baseline.
Key Flexibility Statements and Processes
The plan distinguishes between:
Administrative Approvals (for minor, non-substantive changes) and Formal Amendments (for significant shifts).
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Relevant Excerpts/Examples
Application to Unforeseen Circumstances
4.3.B: Substantial Conformance Determination (p. 222)
Administrative process for minor revisions that do not change the plan's meaning or intent. No public hearing required; processed by the Community Development Director if consistent with the General Plan and City standards. - "For minor revisions that do not change the meaning or intent of the Viñedo Specific Plan, these shall be processed administratively." - Examples include:
- "Minor revisions in grading and resulting drainage that do not affect the overall Water Quality Master Plan." - "Transfer of density between Planning Areas so long as it does not exceed the total allowable number of dwelling units." - "Modifications to the phasing plan if infrastructure is available and associated mitigation measures will be implemented." - "Minor alterations to the design or orientation of landscape areas or recreational amenities so long as the character and intent is maintained."
4.3.C: Amendments to the Specific Plan (p. 222)
Formal process for changes that could alter the plan's character/intent. Starts with a "letter of justification" to the Director; may go to Planning Commission if needed.
Administrative adoption possible if substantially conforming; otherwise, conditional approval, denial, or referral. - "The Viñedo Specific Plan includes a detailed site plan for each Planning Area... It is understood however, that modifications may be necessary... due to changes in the economy or changes in builder/consumer preferences... Therefore, flexibility is necessary." - "Any modifications... shall be made in accordance to the process outlined below." - "An amendment shall be required for any proposed item that would result in a change to the character or intent... or that would trigger a supplemental EIR." Additional Support for Flexibility:
● Phasing Flexibility (Chapter 5.8, p. 228): "The development phasing plan... should provide flexibility but present the most cost-effective solution," allowing adjustments if infrastructure/mitigations are in place—relevant for PA 21 borrow increases or merchant builder timelines. ● Lot Plotting Flexibility (Section 3.1, p. 44): Variable lot widths (e.g., 7,700/6,600/5,500 sf totals) enable "flexibility to refine plotting patterns during the VTTM process," indirectly supporting grading refinements. ● Overall Intent (Chapter 1.0, implied): The plan's relationship to the Development Agreement (Chapter 5.2) and CEQA mitigations (5.3) integrates these flexibilities, ensuring alignment without restudy unless significant new impacts arise.
These provisions complement the EIR/SP/DA accommodations, allowing City-approved changes like PA 13 lifts or PA 9 imports via administrative processes. For full context, refer to pp. 222–223.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed Solution
● Utilize dirt from within project
boundaries (PA 21)
● Requires removal of one Oak
Tree– Oak Tree No. 28
● Improve larger scenic and
environmental benefits
● Avoid 5,500 truck trips to acquire
dirt (46 miles/trip one-way)
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Plan Approvals
● VTTM 3154
● Phase 1 Mass Grading Plans
TREE
NO. 28
MEADOWLARK
HANSON
LINNE
TREE
NO. 28 COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
VTTM 3154
Phase 1 Mass Grading
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Historic Topography
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
TREE
NO. 28
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Specific Plan
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Phase 1 Mass Grading
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Phase 2B Grading/Existing
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Phase 3 Grading (Proposed)
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
HANSON
X
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Existing
● Tree No. 28 is in declining health
● Critical Root Zone impacts
● Current condition requires planting of
two (2) mitigation trees.
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
● Ten (10) 1.5” caliper, locally sourced
mitigation trees.
● Underplanted with companion,
drought-tolerant shrubs and
groundcovers from containers.
● Install irrigation and bark mulch.
● HOA maintained.
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
306
305
307
At approx. 3-5 years growth
438
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Existing
View from Cosecha
COSECHA
HIGHLANDS
TREE NO. 28
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
View from Cosecha
(at approx. ten (10) years of growth)
Artist’s rendering at approximately 10 years of growth, Visual simulations are based on preliminary design
information currently available. These simulations may
not fully represent the final appearance and are subject to change due to final design changes, environmental changes, and maintenance practices.
LOT 306 LOT 305
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Existing
View from Hanson (North)
TREE NO. 28
COSECHA
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
View from Hanson (North)
(at approx. ten (10) years of growth)
Artist’s rendering at approximately 10 years of growth, Visual simulations are based on preliminary design
information currently available. These simulations may
not fully represent the final appearance and are subject to change due to final design changes, environmental changes, and maintenance practices.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Existing
View from Hanson (South)
TREE NO. 28
COSECHA
HANSON
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
View from Hanson (South)
(at approx. ten (10) years of growth)
Artist’s rendering at approximately 10 years of growth, Visual simulations are based on preliminary design
information currently available. These simulations may
not fully represent the final appearance and are subject to change due to final design changes, environmental changes, and maintenance practices.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Existing
View from Highlands
TREE NO. 28
HIGHLANDS
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
View from Highlands
(at approx. ten (10) years of growth)
Artist’s rendering at approximately 10 years of growth, Visual simulations are based on preliminary design
information currently available. These simulations may
not fully represent the final appearance and are subject to change due to final design changes, environmental changes, and maintenance practices.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Proposed
View from Highlands
(at approx. 20-30 years of growth
and with seasonal color)
Artist’s rendering at approximately 20-30 years of growth.
Visual simulations are based on preliminary design
information currently available. These simulations may
not fully represent the final appearance and are subject to change due to final design changes, environmental changes, and maintenance practices.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Leave it better than we found it.
➢ Identity: Acknowledge that mature oak trees are part of the identity of this City. ➢ Accessibility: The future design of PA 21 will include a multi-use, paved trail. ➢ Oak Woodland Plant Community: New, irrigated and HOA maintained plantings of oak trees and drought-tolerant/native companion shrubs/groundcovers.
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Benefits/Risks
Existing
Pros
● Tree No. 28 to remain in place
Cons
● Additional 5,500 truck trips
(46 miles/trip one way) to acquire
needed dirt (as allowable)
● Risk of tree loss in approx. three
(3) years
● 2:1 slopes in private backyards
● Reduced visibility to common
open space
Proposed
Pros
● One tree replaced with ten (10) new Blue Oak trees for long-term benefits
● Larger area improved with understory of drought tolerant and native shrubs/ground covers
● Improve environmental habitat and view benefits including support of multiple generations of oak trees in the future
Cons
● Views of Tree No. 28 is removed
Olsen Ranch 212, LLC October 21, 2025
Thank you