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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-04 Tree_MIN Ashland Tree Commission Minutes February 4, 2021 Call to Order Commission Chair Chris John called the meeting to order at 6:03pm via Zoom Commissioners Present: Council Liaison Christopher John Not in Attendance Asa Cates Cat Gould Park Liaison Eric Simpson Peter Baughman Staff Present: Commissioners Not In Attendance: Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner All Present The meeting agenda was moved around due to a scheduling conflict. The minutes reflect the audio. Public Forum There was no one wishing to speak. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: TREE-2021-00137 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 401 Dead Indian Memorial OWNER / APPLICANT: City of Ashland / Public Works Div. DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove seven trees that are in poor health along the entry to the Ashland Airport to help facilitate a landscape improvement project. The application includes a tree removal and protection plan as well as a complete re-planting plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect. The application materials indicate that the seven trees proposed for removal suffer from various afflictions including trunk damage, insect damage, and sunburn. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; MAP: 39 1E 12; TAX LOT: 301 Anderson briefly presented the application materials. Kerry Kencairn, applicant’s representative, spoke about the project and answered a number of questions from the Tree Commission. Cates asked if there was going to be any grading on the site, Kencairn replied that the soil is going to be reconditioned and then new planting and irrigation installed. Cates stated that a number of the plumbs have major decay from bad pruning cuts. Cates asked if the Pine tree could be saved, Kencairn replied that the airport doesn’t want anything to grow above 25-30.’ There was brief conversation about the replacement species, Kencairn said that the trees would be replaced with primarily Zelkova and red buds. Gould said the request seemed reasonable. John/Cates M/S to approve the application as submitted with the suggestion that the project landscape architect consider retaining the pine tree if it works with the project. 4-0 ALL AYES. Motion passed. TYPE I REVIEWS cont. PLANNING ACTION: TREE-2021-00138 SUBJECT PROPERTY: To the rear of 804 & 844 Roca St. OWNER / APPLICANT: Roca Canyon Home Owners Assoc / Canopy Tree Service DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove two white alder trees from a common open space area managed by the Roca Canyon HOA. The two trees are to the rear of the properties addressed as 828 and 804 Roca St. along Roca Creek. The application is prepared by an ISA certified arborist and states that both trees are in a state of decline with 25-35% of the upper canopy either dead of dying. The application states that there is no obvious reason for the decline but that this species is susceptible to a number of pathogens that could be the cause. The application concludes that as the trees continue to decline they pose a risk as they shed branches, and pose a hazard to those that would need to climb these trees when they do fully die in order to safely remove them. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-10; MAP: 39 1E 15 BC; TAX LOT: 1201 Anderson briefly presented the application materials. Cates tried to make a site visit but was unable to see the trees. He went on to say that when a tree begins to decline they get to a state where they need to be removed because they become unsafe for arborists to climb the trees to do the removal work. Cates/Gould M/S to approve the application, 3-0 in favor. ALL AYES. Motion passed. TYPE II REVIEWS – None STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PLANNING ACTION: TREE-2021-00139 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 256 Sixth Street OWNER / APPLICANT: Kevin Priester / Canopy Tree Service DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove a Douglas Fir Street Tree that is estimated to measure 9 inches DBH and twenty-five feet tall. While the tree is not a hazard, it does show evidence of bark beetle activity in the main trunk. The application material is prepared by an ISA certified arborist who states that the tree is in poor health and its long-term viability is questionable. While the tree does not qualify as a hazard the arborist states that “it does not meet the arboricultural adage of ‘right tree in the right place. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Multi Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; MAP: 39 1E 09 AB; TAX LOT: 2600 Anderson briefly presented the application materials. There was discussion that conifers are typically not an appropriate species for a parking strip. Cates/Simpson M/S to approve the application without planting a mitigation tree due to surrounding plantings, 3-0 in favor. ALL AYES. Motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioners Cat Gould / Eric Simpson m/s to approve the minutes of December 3, 2020. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed LIAISON REPORTS Council Liaison - Council Liaison Jensen absent. Written report distributed to commissioners via email. Parks & Recreation Liaison – Peter gave a brief update on Parks activities. Community Development Liaison – Anderson stated that the Arbor day foundation has confirmed the th City of Ashland as a Tree City USA for the 35 consecutive year. Brief discussion regarding tree of the year nominees, and voting (around arbor day) Tree Commission to give annual council update on 3/16/2021 OLD BUSINESS Discussion about tree inventory program. Discussion about wildlife best practices that Gould provided. Cates/John M/S to approve the application, 4-0 in favor. ALL AYES. Motion passed. DISCUSSION ITEMS-None ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 7:07p.m. NEXT MEETING: March 4, 2021 Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp