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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-0806 Tree MINUTES ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION MINUTES July 9, 2009 CALL TO ORDER – Co-Chair Zane Jones called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. on August 6, 2009 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR. Commissioners Present Council Liaison  Zane Jones Kate Jackson - Absent  Bobby Townsend   Casey Roland Staff Present   Amy Gunter, Assistant Planner   Anne Rich, Parks Department      APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 6, 2009 Tree Commission Minutes – Townsend / Roland m/s to approve the minutes of June 6, 2009. Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes were approved as submitted. WELCOME GUESTS Josh Shupak – Neighborhood Harvest: Spoke about his organizations mission to pick fruit from residential fruit trees before they fall to the ground and go to waste. A long-term goal for the organization is to manage fruit trees on public property. TYPE I REVIEW None PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING ACTIONS: 2009-00873 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1860 Ashland Street APPLICANT: PSE Architects DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review approval to construct a 10,076 square foot two-story fire station building to replace the existing Fire Station #2 located at 1860 Ashland Street. Also included are requests for a Variance to the front yard setback along Ashland Street, an Exception to Street Standards, and a Tree Removal Permit to remove one tree, a 12-inch diameter blue spruce. COMPREHENSI VE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 15 AA; TAX LOT: 6200 Site Visits: All: No ex parte Amy gave the staff report. Applicant: John Karns, Fire Chief was on-hand to discuss the proposal. Chief Karns discussed the reason for the Blue Spruce removal and the issue of vision clearance at the intersection of Sherwood and Ashland Street. He also spoke about the need for additional space without compromising the size of the adjacent park. The Commission thought overall the project was very well designed. They discussed one concern which was the Oak trees which according to the tree books available to them may achieve 60 – 80 feet in height with equal spread. As oaks tend to grow laterally they could become an issue with the building. The commission was also concerned about that height of tree in relation to the overhead power-lines. The tree canopy may be an issue for vision clearance because according to Chief Karns the trucks the City uses are at about 8 feet above grade so they may be looking directly into the canopy of a tree. Last, the Commission thought one of the proposed street trees may be closer to the power pole than permitted in the recommended street tree guide and thus they recommended the applicant verify the spacing requirements. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) That the applicant shall install root barrier along east side of the new sidewalk adjacent to the park. The roots of the trees shall be cut in accordance with the recommendations of the project Landscape Architect. 2) That the applicant shall install a smaller stature street tree along the Ashland Street frontage which will not negatively impact the visibility of the emergency vehicles and overhead power-lines. 3) That the street trees, specifically the one nearest the northwest corner of the parcel, near the intersection and the utility pole shall be adequately spaced in accordance with the planting specifications of the Site Design and Use Standards for Street Tree Spacing, Placement, and Pruning of Street Trees (II-E-2 2.) DISSICUSSION ITEMS Tree of the Year: Amy provided the Commissioners with the final list of nominated trees for Tree of the Year. Of those nominated the commissioners each chose a tree which they would write a ballot blurb about. The blurbs need to be submitted to Amy so that the ballot can be created and published. The voting will go into the first week of November. Tree Ordinance: The Commission asked to ‘float’ ideas about possible changes to the code that they feel are most important and then take that language to Bill Molnar for his review. They also requested that the Resolution to 18.61 get reviewed by City Council so there is more flexibility in the code for dealing with mitigation. Amy will speak to Bill Molnar about getting that on the City Council look-ahead. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS Liaison Reports: Council: None Parks: Anne stated that Omar’s has made a request to plant a Himalayan Palm tree, or something similar. After a short discussion, Townsend / Jones motioned to approve, all Yes. Tree Commission: It was decided that Zane and Bobby will Co-Chair the Tree Commission meeting. Casey would like to hold a Tree Walk. His idea is that money or food could be collected and then donated to a charity. The walk would be 2-hours. One for underground tree issues and the other for above ground and the hope is that it would change people’s perspective on trees. The limit would be 20 people and the walk will be in September. Amy and Casey will get together to plan. Zane spoke about the Croman Advisory Commission meeting and about the proposed looping boulevard design with trees in the median and park rows along the sidewalks. He thought it was a very ambitious plans and the group is now working on developing ordinance language to assist with the implementation of the plan. OLD BUSINESS Distinctive Tree List: The Commissioners explained that the list is comprised of numerous past lists which have been condensed into one. The commission feels the list could create a good ‘guide’ to assist with the Mayor’s desire to promote Eco-Tourism. Recommended Street Tree Guide: Amy is finishing the compiled edits and will email the Commissioners with the questions that were still lingering from the last of the special meetings. All of the proposed modifications to date are complied into a list that Amy will be working with the printer on incorporating. Current Balance - $ 750.00 ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM. Respectfully submitted by Amy Gunter, Assistant Planner