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Home My WebLink About2021-05-06 Tree_MIN Ashland Tree Commission Minutes May 6, 2021 Call to Order Commission Chair Chris John called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm via ZOOM Commissioners Present: Council Liaison Christopher John Stephen Jensen - ABS Asa Cates Vacancy (3) Park Liaison Eric Simpson Peter Baughman Vacancy (5) Staff Present: Vacancy (7) Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner Commissioners Not In Attendance: Cat Gould (AMC 2.25030 allows for “a quorum shall be defined as one-half the number of sitting Commissioners, plus one, but in no case less than three” … As opposed to 2.10.040 A meeting quorum shall consist of more than one-half of the total number of authorized members of the body, including any vacant positions.) Applicants: Ron Ketchum, Aleece Townsend Approval of Minutes Commissioners Chris Johns / Eric Simpson m/s to approve the minutes of March 4, 2021 (no April meeting due to a lack of a quorum). Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed Public Forum There was no one in the audience wishing to speak. Liaison reports Parks & Recreation Liaison – Peter briefed on updates with the Japanese garden and irrigation that was installed to maintain the protected trees Community Development Liaison – Review of April Agenda items TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00140 SUBJECT PROPERTY: Near 947 Mountain Meadows (Subject tree is located between two buildings) OWNER: Mountain Meadows Parkside Condominium Association Inc APPLICANT: Southern Oregon Tree Care DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove one red maple (Acer rubrum) at Mountain Meadows. The application, prepared by an ISA certified arborist, indicates that the tree is 14”-DBH and stands approximately forty feet tall. The application explains that the tree is not well rooted based on the rocky nature of the ground, and that the height of the tree now exposes it to wind loads above the building. The concern is that a wind event may cause the tree to fail and potentially cause damage to the building. The application states the intent to mitigate the tree with a species better suited to the environment. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Health Care; ZONING: HC; MAP: 39 1E 04 AD; TAX LOT: 88000 & 40000 After staff briefly summarized the application history and materials Ron Ketchum, the Mountain Meadows landscaping supervisor spoke in favor of the requested removal due to the poor location, and height of the tree with regard to the concerns with wind events. The tree commission deliberated shortly; John felt that the location of the tree is inappropriate. Simpson said he thought the removal was appropriate. Cates stated that the pictures show that it is missing bark on one of the roots. Commissioners Eric Simpson / Chris John M/S to approve the application as submitted PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00144 SUBJECT PROPERTY: Tax Lot 6100, Oak Knoll Dr. OWNER/APPLICANT: Frank and Kathleen Millett DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove two large oak trees and one large pine on a vacant residential parcel on Oak Knoll Drive. The application includes a site plan showing the proposed residence and ARU location showing that the proposed structures encroach significantly into the critical root zone of the trees necessitating their removal. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-10; MAP: 39 1E 14 AD; TAX LOT: 6100 Staff briefly gave an update on the history of the application and the amended materials that have been submitted. Cates felt that the 36” tree was far enough away that the construction wouldn’t affect it. John remarked that the arborist report was not robust. Asa stated that there was no public comment received. John stated that he felt that he ought to be allowed to build his house, but that it is a very weak application when considering the size of the two trees. John felt that there wasn’t a detailed plan for the house, the root zone, or risk assessment. Simpson felt that the applicant ‘hadn’t done their homework’. Peter stated that he didn’t believe that the black oak was a hazard, butt that the white oak potentially did pose a hazard. Commissioners Eric Simpson/ Asa Cates M/S to approve the removal of the two Oaks \[under duress\], unanimous PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00150 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 705 Helman Street - Helman Elementary School APPLICANT/OWNER: KenCairn Landscape/Ashland School District #5 DESCRIPTION: A request to modify the previous planning approval (PA-T2-2020-00020 ) for Helman Elementary School at 705 Helman Street to allow the removal of one tree (#14) that was identified in the previous land use approval to be preserved and protected. Tree #14 is a 15-inch diameter Zelkova Serrata near the new parking area being created at the southeast corner of the campus, along Helman Street. During construction, it was determined that necessary site grading will impact the tree's root zone more than was initially anticipated, necessitating the removal request. An appropriately selected replacement tree will be required to mitigate the removal. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 04 BC & BD; TAX LOTS: BC 600 and BD 2700, 2800 & 2900 Staff briefly explained the application and that due to a miscommunication during the planning phase the finished grade is considerably different so much so that the tree is in an incompatible location with the planed infrastructure improvements. Cates asked the size of the tree (15”), and stated that if it was put into a circular retaining wall it wouldn’t be healthy for the tree based on the amount of roots that would need to be pruned. Commissioners Chris John / Asa Cates M/S to approve the application as submitted, unanimous TYPE II REVIEWS – none STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS \[chronologically done out of order due to an attendee to represent the application\] PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2020-00146 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 444 Courtney APPLICANT/OWNER: Pembroke Investments LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for the removal of a street tree. The tree is causing uplift of the driveway and curb affecting drainage. The application includes showing the extent of the damage. The application does not include an arborist report. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; MAP: 39 1E 09 CD; TAX LOT: 3000 Staff briefly presented the application and Aleece Townsend the property owner stated that she just wants to remove the Tree. John stated that the amount of damage would require the removal of a lot of roots to try to repair it. The applicant stated that the damage to the gutter causes the water in high water events to pour into the driveway and into the garage Commissioners Chris John / Eric Simpson M/S to approve the minutes as presented, unanimous. PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2020-00149 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1360 Evan St. APPLICANT/OWNER: Pembroke Investments LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for the removal of a street tree. The tree is causing damage to underground electrical infrastructure. The electrical dept. has temporarily mitigated the issue but it cannot be fully repaired until the tree is removed. The electrical department has agreed to help the applicant remove the tree. The application includes showing the extent of the damage. The application does not include an arborist report. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; MAP: 39 1E 09 CD; TAX LOT: 3000 Staff briefly presented the application and turned it over the tree commission for deliberation. Simpson expressed he was ready to make a motion. Commissioners Eric Simpson / Asa Cates M/S to approve the minutes as presented, unanimous. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7.58p.m. Next Meeting: June 3, 2021 Respectfully submitted by Liz Hamilton