HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-0903 Tree MINUTES
ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 3, 2009
CALL TO ORDER – Co-Chair Bobby Townsend called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on September 3, 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
Russ Neff
Amy Gunter, Assistant Planner
Kerry KenCairn
Anne Rich, Parks Department - Absent
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
August 6, 2009 Tree Commission Minutes – Jones / Neff m/s to approve the minutes of August 6, 2009. Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes were approved as submitted.
WELCOME GUESTS
TYPE I REVIEW
PLANNING ACTION: 2009-00559
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 1675 Siskiyou Boulevard
APPLICANT: P. Crompton & P. Kanchanakaset Crompton
DESCRIPTION: A request
for Site Review approval, a Conditional Use Permit, and an Exception to Street Standards to operate a one-unit motel for the property located at 1675 Siskiyou Boulevard.
COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial Retail; ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 05 AB; TAX LOT: 8000
Site Visits: All: No ex parte
Amy gave the staff report.
Applicant: None
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) That
the proposed hedge along Siskiyou Boulevard shall be replaced with a hedging material that is no greater than 4-feet in height at maturity to retain the building orientation and presence
towards the street.
2) That all tree staking and ties shall be removed within one year of planting of the tree(s).
PUBLIC HEARING
PLANNING ACTIONS: 2009-00784
SUBJECT PROPERTY:
615 Washington Street
APPLICANT: Ron Rezek
DESCRIPTION: A request for Annexation and Zoning Map change from Jackson County zoning RR-5 (Rural Residential) to City of Ashland zoning
E-1 (Employment) for an approximately 1.02-acre parcel located at 615 Washington Street. The application is for a warehouse facility to serve the adjacent Modern Fan business at 709
Washington Street. The application includes a request for the Site Review Approval for the 17,650 square foot warehouse building and associated parking areas and landscape installation.
A Tree Removal Permit is requested to remove twelve trees greater than six inches diameter at breast height or greater. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; PROPOSED ZONING: E-1;
ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 14 AC; TAX LOT: 200.
Site Visits: Townsend, Neff, Jones, KenCairn: No ex parte
Amy gave the staff report.
Applicant: None
Discussion: The Commissioners that did site visits were concerned about the maintenance of the existing Modern Fan Co. site and that the
landscaping was not being taken care of. For example, the trees were still staked and had their tags on them. They also were concerned about the decision to retain the Siberian Elms
and oaks as they were in poor health and the impacts from the construction was not evaluated by an arborist. Though no recommendations to this effect were made they wanted the discussion
passed on to the applicant.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That all tree staking for the newly planted trees shall be removed within one year of tree planting.
DISSICUSSION ITEMS
Tree Health Mini-Seminar:
Amy
completed the flyer for the Tree Health Mini-Seminar that Casey is hosting at Garden Way Park. It was decided that the ‘registration fee’ would be a donation to the Ashland Food Bank.
The seminar will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 9 – 11 AM. People may register to attend through Amy.
Tree of the Year Ballot:
Amy is working with Shields, the Editor
of the Locals Guide regarding the composition of the ballot and an accompanying article. The Locals Guide was chosen as the price of an ad is significantly less than the Tidings and
the guide has a larger distribution.
Tree Ordinance:
Tree Commissioners passing their thoughts on the matter to Amy. The reasons for the desired changes were discussed. There was
also a discussion on the potential ramifications of passing any changes. The Commission thought in general the ordinance was quite effective in preventing trees from being removed as
the public has a misconception that all tree removal is either permitted or prohibited but that it is less effective in the protection of trees during typical construction, excavation
and trenching projects. Casey will write a brief article that could be used as a handout regarding why tree preservation and protection during all types of construction is important.
The other Commissioners will bring forth language for the handout about why trees are beneficial to health, security, environmental protections, property values, etc.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Liai
son Reports:
Council: None
Parks: None
Tree Commission:
It was discussed that if the Tree Commission was to speak to the Planning Commission at a Joint Study Session they would like
Dave Wood to attend and speak to street trees, their maintenance and the issues with larger trees, power lines and utility clearances. This may alleviate the issue of the Planning Commission
not passing the Tree Commission recommendations to conditions of approval. Additionally, the Commission would like to see the discussion encapsulated in the recommendations so that the
basis for recommendation is explained.
Current Balance - $ 750.00
ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Townsend adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Amy Gunter, Assistant
Planner