HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-07_Tree_MIN
TREE COMMISSIONMINUTES
August 4, 2014
–Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:06p.m. on
CALL TO ORDER
August 4, 2014 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services
Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.
Commissioners PresentCouncil Liaison
Ken SchmidtCarol Voisin
Gregg Trunnell-AbsentStaff
Russ NeffMichael Pina, Planning liaison
Casey Roland-Absent
Christopher John
-
Neffmotioned, and John secondedthe motion, to approve the July7,
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2014 regular meeting minutes and the motion carried unanimously.
WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM
No guests
PLANNING ACTION REVIEW
PLANNING ACTION:
PA-2014-00967
SUBJECT PROPERTY:
572-582 Fair Oaks Avenue
APPLICANT:
Ayala Properties, LLC
DESCRIPTION:
A request for SiteReview approval to construct a three-story
mixed-use 10,748 square foot building at the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Plum Ridge Drive.
The building will consist of six residential units on the upper two floors and one commercial
space, with the option for interim residential use, on the ground floor along with five parking
spaces.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:
North Mountain Central Overlay;
ZONING:ASSESSOR’S MAP:TAX LOTS:
NM-C;39 1E 04 AD 5900
No ex parte contacts declared. Piña gave a brief staff report, notingthat the proposal is for a new,
mixed-use building within theNorth Mountain Central (NM-C) overlay zone. Knox provided
context of the area, and pointed outthat the building proposes a two-phase approach with the
bottom floor having the ability to convert from temporarily residential to commercial. In doing
so, the application proposes a two-phase mix of plantingsaround the bottom floor. In considering
the request, the Commission noted that the proposal provides a good mix of street trees and
ground cover plantings that are drought-tolerant and appropriate for the site.
John motioned, Neff seconded,to approve the application as presented. The motion carried
unanimously.
PLANNING ACTION:
PA-2014-01075
SUBJECT PROPERTY:
163-175 N. Pioneer St.
APPLICANT:
Christian Senf
OWNER:
Joan Yates
DESCRIPTION:
A request for Site Review approval for the properties located at
163-175 N. Pioneer St. This would modify the previous Site Review approvals granted in PA #
2009-01520 and PA #2010-00069 to allow the restoration/renovation of the existing structure at
175 North Pioneer Street into a local delicatessen, serving regional artisan food and beverages.
The application also includes a request for an Exception to the Site Design and Use Standards to
reduce the required parking lot landscaping and landscape buffer between the proposed parking
area and the property line.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:ZONING:
Commercial;C-1;ASSESSOR’S
MAP:TAX LOTS:
39 1E 09 BB; 12500 and 12600
No ex parte contacts declared. Piña gave a brief staff report, noting that the proposal is forthe
currentRuby’s owners to take over the adjacent building for a new/expanded restaurant use. As
the building is to remain primarily unchanged, the application focuses on parking and site
improvements consistent with the Site Design and Use Standards in terms of orientation and
landscaping. The application shows tree protection on the north side, and implementation of new
landscaped areas in front and on the side of the building. In reviewing the request, the
Commission noted that the proposed plan does not indicate size of proposed planting, nor does it
show irrigation to the side or rear of the lot.
Therefore, the Neff motioned, John seconded, that the application be approved as
submitted, with the condition that a revised landscape and irrigation plan be submitted
indicating the size of the proposed plantings and irrigation to the rear and side of the
property. The motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING ACTION:
PA-2014-01286
SUBJECT PROPERTY:
680 Normal
APPLICANT:
Nancy McLeod
DESCRIPTION:
A Tree Removal Permit request to remove an approximate 10-inch
DBH Maple tree from the side yard of the property located at 680 Normal.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:ZONING:
Low-Density Multi-Family;R-2;
ASSESSOR’S MAP:TAX LOT:
39 1E 15AA 6803
All commissioners visited the site. No ex parte contacts declared. Piña gave a brief staff report
outlining the application request to remove a single 10-inch DBH Maple Tree from the front yard
of the common area, just south of the applicant’s unit. Although the volunteer tree is vigorous
and healthy, it has grown around power lines for the adjacent property, and rubbing on a
homeowner’s fence. Furthermore, the applicant is requesting not to mitigate the tree as this
particular tree was not identified or proposed on the 1989 landscape plan, therefore not a
required tree. Indeliberating the request, the commission found that not mitigating the removed
tree seems is appropriate, as there are numerous trees within the immediate vicinity, including a
significant Douglas Fir approximately 30 feet to the west.
Neff motioned, Schmidt seconded, to approve the application as presented. The motion
carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Piña spoke to the issue of the dead Plaza tree, and if the Commission wishes to make a
recommendation on a replacement tree in its place. Vice Chair Schmidt brought up additional
2
issues of if the Commission wishes to discusswhether the plaza constructions / modifications
assist in the demise of the tree, and if the Commission wishes to have the City pay for a
professional arborist opinionto make a formal determination.Moreover,if the Commission
wishes to write a formal recommendation to the City as to how to best proceed with future
construction projects to ensure that this does not happen again? Piña responded that City
departments are having internal conversations on this particular issue, and tree protection
measures oncivic projectsin general. Councilwomen Voisin stated that she had been contacted
by a citizen who was concerned over the city’s practices as it relates to city projects. The
commission then discussed what had occurred on-site, and what they suspect to be the
cumulative effects of construction, lack of water, trenching, and pre-existing tree health in
resulting in the eventual demise of the tree. In discussing the questions raised, the commission
felt it would not be productive to recommend a formal retroactiveinvestigation to determine this
particular tree’s death, but best to place efforts to ensure that the City follows the same, if not
greater, tree protection measures on future projects. In the end, the Commission recommended
that the replacement tree shall be a minimum four-to six-inches DBH, preferably a Burr or Red
Oak; contain an appropriate amended soil mixture; planted in the fall according to City
specifications.
Neff motioned, Schmidt seconded, that replacement tree shall be a minimum four-to six-
inches DBH, preferably a Burr or Red Oak; contain an appropriate amended soil mixture;
planted in the fall according to City specifications. The motioncarried unanimously.
LIAISON REPORTS
Carol Voisin, City Council Liaison–Voisinupdated the Commission on recent items the
Council has been working on, including passing the medical marijuana ordinance, city
beautification committee, and transportation issues through downtown. Voisin noted that a few
of these items would come before the Tree Commission at a future date for their review.
COMMISSIONERREPORTS
Neff inquired about the three hazardous Elm trees that have died along North Main Street. Piña
noted that the property owner has come into the city offices to request removal and subsequent
lane closure permits. Although staff is unaware when removal is scheduled.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05p.m.
Respectively submitted by Assistant Planner Michael Piña
3