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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-07 Tree_MIN Ashland Tree CommissionMinutes January 7, 2021 Call to Order Commission Chair Chris Johncalled the meeting to order at 6:00pm via Zoom Commissioners Present:Council Liaison Christopher JohnNot in Attendance Asa Cates Cat GouldParkLiaison Eric SimpsonPeter Baughman Staff Present: Commissioners Not In Attendance:Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner Approval of Minutes CommissionersCat Gould/Eric Simpson m/s to approve the minutes ofDecember 3, 2020. Voice Vote: AllAyes. Motion passed Public Forum There was no one in the audience wishing to speak. Liaison reports Council Liaison - Absent Parks & Recreation Liaison –Peter gave a brief update on the Japanese garden Community Development Liaison – Nothing to report TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00134 SUBJECT PROPERTY:386 B Street OWNER / APPLICANT:Peter and Mari Tardiff DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove one large Box Elder tree located at the rear of the property, approximately 15’ from the alley. The application explains that in recent years the tree has begun to lean considerably and now leans forty-five-degree angle and poses a hazard should it collapse. Despite years of maintenance removing canopy weight through regular pruningthe applicant states that any additional removal of the canopy will have a detrimental effect on the overall health of the tree. The application concludes that mitigation ofthe hazard posed can only be accomplished by removal of the tree. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Multi Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; MAP: 39 1E 09 BA;TAX LOT: 6600 After Chair John read the opening, staff turned the application over the Peter and Mari who are the property owners and applicant. Peter and Mari highlighted the numerous trees on their property and explained the nature of the hazard. Gould asked if the removal would affect the adjacent tree, the applicants answered that the removal would not affect the other tree. Asa stated that if the tree was on his property, he would want to remove it. Chair John agreed with Asa remarking that this type of tree is prone to failure. CatGould / Chris John M/S to approve the application as submitted. 4-0, unanimous. TYPE I REVIEWScont. PLANNING ACTION:PA-T1-2020-00133 SUBJECTPROPERTY:39 1E 16AC #300 Morton Street to West Ivy Lane APPLICANT: Hardey Engineering & Associates / City of Ashland OWNER:D & S Ventures LLC DESCRIPTION:A request for Physical and Environmental Constraints Review Permit for Hillside Land to facilitate the construction of an approximately 300-foot section of a 12-inch water line that extends from Ivy Lane to Morton Street. The area of disturbance subject to the review is just west of the West Ivy Lane right-of-way. The request includes Severe Constraints Review because portions of the property are greater than 35 percent slopes. The application also includes a request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove 19 trees between 6-inches DBH to 18-inches DBH. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Rural Residential and Woodland Residential; ZONING:RR-.5 & WR; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 16AC; TAX LOT: 300 Staff briefly presented the application and turned it over the Kevin Caldwell from Public Works. Kevin pointed out that the number of trees proposed to be removed was 14 and not 19. Asa pointed out that the application has been approved before. Asa Cats/Cat Gould M/S to approve the application as submitted. Approved 4-0 PLANNING ACTION:PA-A-2020-00143 SUBJECT PROPERTY:Clay Creek Gardens HOA Anderson brieflyoutlined the nature of the application and explained that there were 18 trees proposed to be removed, but have an expectation to remove the over the next several years. Casey Roland and Amy Richards were online in support of the application. Casey spoke to the his history with the HOA maintaining and pruning the trees over time. Caseyhighlighted the importance of maintaining the canopy as the neighborhood values, and provided a detailed report about phasing. Chris John/Asa Cates M/S to approve the application with the following conditions: a) that all proposals of the applicant are conditions of approval, b) no more than 50% of the proposed trees be removed and replaced per year c) that the HOA shall contact the planning department on an annual basis with updates on the project. Reputable contractors be … 4-0 PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00135 SUBJECT PROPERTY:60 Fifth St. OWNER / APPLICANT:Tom Phillips DESCRIPTION:A request for approval to remove one large Box Elder in the back of the property at60 Fifth St. The tree is described as approximately 30” across and 50-60’ tall. The tree has a large cavity about three feet above the ground with signs of extensive decay. The tree has dropped several large branches posing a hazard to pedestrians and vehicle traffic. The application COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Multi Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; MAP: 39 1E 09 AC;TAX LOT: 7400 Staff briefly presented the application, no one was present in support or against the application. Chair John stated that the evidence is indeed ‘pretty bad’ based on the large hole at the base. Chair John mentioned that he met the property owner during a site visit. Simpson agreed saying that he felt the tree should be removed. Cates said that it could fall at any moment. Cat Gould/Eric Simpson M/S to approve the application as submitted. Approved 4-0 TYPE I REVIEWScont. PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00136 SUBJECT PROPERTY:Adjacent to 2810 Diane St. OWNER / APPLICANT:Michael Smith President Clay Creek HOA DESCRIPTION:A request for approval to remove one large hazard tree identified as a large Alder tree on the bank of Clay Creek. The property is a vacant parcel of land dedicated as open space to the Clay Creek HOA. The application includes a letter from Victor’sTree Service describing the tree as having a large rotted area in the trunk, and a letter from the adjacent property owner expressing concern that the tree could fall towards his house. The application includes several photos documenting both the sever lean of the tree and the area of rot. The application states that the tree poses a hazard that can not be alleviated by pruning, and that removal is the only option to mitigate the risk. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 14 BC;TAX LOT: 2111 Staff briefly presented the application, no one was present in support or against the application. Simpson stated that the lean on the tree was significant and that he wouldn’t want it around his house. Cates said that the rot at the base is significant. Chair John asked if a mitigation planting would be required, Anderson replied yes. Cat Gould/Chris John M/S to approve the application as submitted with mitigation appropriate to the riparian area. . Approved 4-0 TYPE II REVIEWS–None STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS–None OLD BUSINESS-None Discussion Items Arborist license changes Adjournment:Meetingadjourned 7:50atp.m. Next Meeting:February 7, 2021 Respectfully submitted by Liz Hamilton