HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-03 Tree_MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Minutes
June 3, 2021
Call to Order
Commission Chair Chris John called the Zoom meeting to order at 6:01 pm
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison
Christopher John Stephen Jensen – Absent
Asa Cates (arrived late)
Vacancy (3) Park Liaison
Eric Simpson Peter Baughman – Absent
Vacancy (5)
Cat Gould Staff Present:
Vacancy (7) Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner
Commissioners Not In Attendance:
Applicants in attendance: Charlie Schiedler (Oasis), Kenny Anderson (RVUUF)
Approval of Minutes
Commissioners Chris John / Eric Simpson m/s to approve the minutes of May 6, 2021 as written. Voice
Vote: 3 – 0 (Asa Cates not in attendance yet). Motion passed
Public Forum
There was no one in the audience wishing to speak.
Liaison reports
Council Liaison – not in attendance
Parks & Recreation Liaison – not in attendance
Community Development Liaison – only item to update is that A Anderson will be on vacation and will miss the
July meeting
TYPE I REVIEWS
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00151
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 255 Maple St.
OWNER/APPLICANT: Canopy for Cabin Six LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove one 13” DBH pinoak for the property at 255 Maple St.
to enable a complete upgrade to the landscaping for Oasis Eye Center. The application includes a report
by an ISA certified arborist and explains that while the tree is in moderate health the tree has been
repeatedly topped due to overhead power lines. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Health Care;
ZONING: HC; MAP: 39 1E 05 DB; TAX LOT: 500
The application was represented by Charlie Schiedler of Oasis Eye Center. Anderson gave a brief presentation of
the application and explained that the application was clearly not a hazard tree and that the tree commission
should consider the non-hazard removal. Cates said that it was the wrong tree for the wrong location. Simpson
stated that the proposed land scaping is a vast improvement. Commissioner Chris John requeues himself.
Commissioners Aca Cates / Eric Simpson m/s to approve the application as submitted.
Voice Vote: 3 - 0. Motion passed
B. PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00152
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1675 Ashland St.
OWNER: Columbiacare Rogue Ridge Apartments LLC
APPLICANT: Kerry KenCairn
DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove a single bigleaf maple (acer macrophyllum) at the
property address as 1675 Ashland St. The tree had previously been approved for protection associated
with the Site Design Review approving the Columbiacare housing project. The application states that the
reason for removal is that the trees root system is lifting the neighbor’s floor. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; MAP: 39 1E 10 DC; TAX LOT: 9201
Chris stated that he was consulted for this project but was not hired for the job. The tree commission unanimously
agreed that this did not represent a conflict of interest. Gould stated that it was very close to the garage. Gould
asked if there were photos of the damage. Staff replied that there were no photos provided by the applicant.
Gould stated that she didn’t believe that these were big leaf maple, and Cates stated that he thought these were
oaks. Cates stated that the site clearly has a number of large trees on site. Cates felt that a condition of approval
require photographic proof of the damage. Gould was concerned that the application has species mis identified
and sized correctly. Simpson stated that he felt we needed more evidence. Gould stated that she would like to
see the errors in the applicant corrected with correct measurements. Simpson stated that he believed the trees
were oak as well. There was general agreement that we need to see evidence. John stated that he was 80%
there just due to the proximity but felt that there needed to be evidence.
Commissioners Aca Cates / Kat Gould m/s to approve the application with the
requirement that the applicant provide photographic evidence of the damage of the
floor for review and approval with the Staff Advisor. Voice Vote: 4 - 0. Motion passed
C. PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00153
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 459 Willow St.
OWNER/APPLICANT: Willow Street Properties LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request for approval to remove a single living pine at the rear of the property at 459
Willow St. The application indicates that the reason for requesting the removal is that the tree poses a fire
hazard, has poor form, and is inhibiting the use of roof top solar on an adjacent property that is under
common ownership. It is unclear if the tree poses a hazard and will be potentially evaluated under the
hazard criteria and non-hazard criteria. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family
Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 04 CB; TAX LOT: 6700
Staff explained the application and gave a brief background admitting that the application materials were not well
developed. Cates stated that they talk about possible future development, and possible future solar, and that the
argument for it being a probable fire hazard. John stated that the fire hazard could be mitigated by pruning.
Commissioners Aca Cates / Chris John m/s to deny the application due that is does not
substantiate the necessity of the removal
TYPE II REVIEWS - none
STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-TREE-2021-00154
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 87 Fourth St.
OWNER/APPLICANT: Rogue Valley UU Fellowship
DESCRIPTION: A request to remove three dead / dying slow growing evergreen trees. These trees were
part of the approved landscape plan for the church under the original planning action. Further all street
trees, regardless if they are dead or not, are required to secure a removal permit.
The application was represented by Kenny Anderson. Staff gave a brief presentation of the request for removal
stating that because the trees were part of the original land use planning. John stated that it was obvious that the
trees needed to go. There was discussion if these qualified as trees because of their small stature. Cates stated
that a spruce certainly is a tree even if it is a dwarf species. There was general conversation about appropriate
species of mitigation tree. The applicant indicated that they were inclined to replace with small bushes. Gould had
suggested that a paper bark maple.
Commissioners Chris John / Eric Simpson m/s to approve the application as submitted
with one mitigation tree planted within 12 months. Voice Vote: 4 - 0. Motion passed
Old Business
Election of officers. John stated that he has termed out and wanted to discuss election of officers.
Commissioners Asa Cates / Eric Simpson m/s to nominate Cat Gould to be Vice-Chair.
Voice Vote: 4 - 0. Motion passed
Commissioners Chris John / Eric Simpson m/s to nominate Chris John to be Chair.
Voice Vote: 4 - 0. Motion passed
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:05pm Next Meeting: July 8, 2021
Respectfully submitted by Liz Hamilton