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Home My WebLink About2020-11-05 Tree_MIN Ashland TreeCommission Minutes November 5, 2020 Call to Order Commission Chair Chris Johncalled the meeting to order at 6:00pm via ZOOM, delayed due to technical difficulty, called to order at 6:13 PM Commissioners Present:Council Liaison Christopher JohnStephen Jensen-ABS Asa Cates Eric SimpsonParkLiaison Cat GouldPeter Baughman Staff Present: Commissioners Not In Attendance:Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner Approval of Minutes CommissionersCat Gould /Chris Johnm/s to approve the minutes ofSeptember 3, 2020. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. There are no minutes from the October 8, 2020 as there was no quorum. 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 (2 years est construction time) Community Development Liaison –Staff Liaison had nothing significant to report. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00131 SUBJECT PROPERTY:100 Walker OWNER/APPLICANT:Christopher Brown/Arkitek: Design & Architecture for Ashland School District DESCRIPTION:A request for a Tree Removal Permit and modification of recently-approved PA-T1-2020-00090 to remove a multi-trunked 22-inch diameter Madrone tree from the Ashland Middle School/John Muir Outdoor School campus at 100 Walker Avenue. The tree (#132) had been previously identified to be preserved and protected as part of the recent planning approval for renovations and additions to the school, however as construction documents were finalized it was determined that a new ramp was needed in this location, necessitating the tree’s removal.COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 10;TAX LOT: 1200 No Commissioners made site visits. Staff pointed out that an email was distributed to the commissioners this afternoon specifying that it was specifically to provide ADA access. Jane Alexander from Arkitek was attendance and was invited to speak by the chair. Jane explained that the location of the tree made it impossible to preserve the tree. Asa stated that the ADA ramp apparently needs to go there. There was general agreement. Chris John/ Cat Gould m/sto approve the application. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. TYPE I REVIEWS(cont) PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00128 SUBJECT PROPERTY:485 Clinton St. OWNER/APPLICANT:Dolly Travers for Riverwalk HOA DESCRIPTION:A request for approval to remove two conifer trees from a commonarea at the Riverwalk subdivision. The application materials indicate that the trees are in poor health as indicated by lack of root flare visible canker wounds and a pronounced lean. The application explains that the HOA feels that these trees pose a fire hazard as well. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 04 DD;TAX LOT: 1600 Aaron gave the background of the application and explained that the HOA was concerned about all the conifers due to fire. Aaron mentioned the conversation with the fire department and that the fire dept recommended pruning up ladder fuels. Chris John does not feel that the observations in the application are supported by science. There was general agreement that the trees were healthy Cat Gould/ Eric Simpson m/s to recommend denial the application. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00127 SUBJECT PROPERTY:171 Oak St. APPLICANT/OWNER:Oak Street Cottages DESCRIPTION: A request for approval toremove one hazard trees on the property at 171 Oak St. The tree is identified as a Maple in the front yard. The application materials state that there is a hole at ground level with visible rot. If the tree were to fail it would fall towards the street posing a hazard.COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Commercial; ZONING: C-1; MAP: 39 1E 09 BB;TAX LOT: 98000 Eric Simpson / Cat Gould m/s to approveapplication for removal.Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. TYPE II REVIEWS–None STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PLANNING ACTION:PA-T1-2020-00130 SUBJECT PROPERTY:437 Williamson APPLICANT/OWNER:Canopy DESCRIPTION:A request to remove one hazard tree Staff briefly covered the application. Peter observed that the tree had been topped and was in verypoor condition. Eric Simpson/Cat Gould m/sto approve application forremoval.Voice Vote: 3Ayes(Chris John Abstained). Motion passed. Discussion Items SEJ discussion item: Mountain meadows council contact / Dead tree definition There was extensive discussion about the definition of dead tree and the challenges with managing that exemption to the code. Wildlife best practices condition of approval (Cat) Cat discussed her email exchange with Megan from wildlifetraining.org, Cat suggested that working on a local handout for tree removal permits. Election of Officers Pursuant to AMC 2.10.050 “At its first meeting following the appointment or reappointment of members each year, the advisory commission or board shall elect a chair and a vice-chair who shall hold office at the pleasure of the advisory body.” Adjournment:Meetingadjourned at7:22p.m. Next Meeting: December 3, 2020 Respectfully submitted by Liz Hamilton