HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-03 Tree_MIN
Ashland TreeCommission
Minutes
September 3, 2020 –ELECTRONIC MEETING
Call to Order
Commission Chair Chris Johncalled the meeting to order at 6:00pm via Zoom conference call.
Commissioners Present:Council Liaison
Christopher JohnStephenJensen
Asa Cates
Russell NeffParkLiaison
Eric SimpsonPeter Baughman
Cat Gould
Staff Present:
Commissioners Not In Attendance:Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner
All PresentDerek Severson: Senior Planner
Members of the public in attendance
Amy Gunter–Applicant’s representative for 270 N. Laurel
Randy Wallace–Owner and applicant for 270 N. Laurel
Approval of Minutes
Cates/Simpsonm/sto approve the minutes ofMarch 5, 2020Voice Vote:All Ayes. Motion passed
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.”
There was no formalmotion and vote. All Commissioners visually or verbally acknowledged that they
were willing to postponethis item until the next meeting.
Public Forum
There was no one wishing to speak.
Liaison reports
Council Liaison
Councilor Jenson provided a brief update on council activities
Parks & Recreation Liaison
Bauhman statted that many projects on hold due to budget cuts and staff reductions. He went on to
say that the Japanese garden will be breaking ground later this year.
Community Development Liaison
Anderson reported on the 21 applications that have been processed since the March Meeting. A
more comprehensive report to be providedin the near future. Anderson went on to say thattheTree
ofthe Year was the Oak on Church andtheCommissioners will work on the online tree map.
Councilor Jensen left the meeting after the Liaison reports.
TYPE I REVIEWS
PLANNINGACTION:PA-A-2020-00123
SUBJECTPROPERTY:270NorthLaurelStreet
OWNER/APPLICANT:RWSignatureProperties,LLC/RoguePlanning&DevelopmentServices,LLC(agent)
DESCRIPTION:ArequestforaModificationofPA-T1-2020-00104whichgrantedSiteDesignReview
approvaltoconverttheexistingfourtwo-bedroomapartmentunitslocatedat270NorthLaurelStreetinto
sixapartmentsincludingfour492squarefootone-bedroomapartments,one780squarefoottwo-
bedroomapartment,andone984squarefoottwo-bedroomapartment.Theoriginalapplicationincluded
requestsforTreeRemovalPermitstoremovetwotrees:a14-inchMapleanda10-inchPine,andthe
originalapprovalrequiredthattheMaplenotberemovedbutinsteadbeassessedbyacertifiedarborist,
preservedandprotected.TheModificationhereislimitedtorequestingthatthetree–determinedbythe
arboristtobe28-inchesindiameteratbreastheight-beremovedafterthearborist’sassessment
determinedthattheimpactsoftheproposalwithinthetreeprotectionzone(includingconstructionofa
newentry,landingandwalkway;constructionofanewpatio;installationofanewFrenchdrainsystem;
andplacementofanewelectrictransformer/vaultandtrenchingforconduit)aresuchthatthetreecannot
bepreserved. COMPREHENSIVEPLANDESIGNATION:HighDensityMulti-Family
Residential;ZONING:R-3;ASSESSOR’SMAP:391E04CC;TAXLOT#’s:503.
Staff presented the application, and written remarks received both in favor and against as well as the applicant
rebuttal. Cates suggested that they at least try to keep the tree and Severson explained that the current
application is just for removal, and not proposing a protection plan. There was extensive discussion about the
amount of disturbance in the root zone the tree can withstand and still be resilient. Gould made the observation
about the benefits to the building in terms of energy from the shade provided. Cates and John both observed that
if the electrical vault is located only three feet from the tree it may cause stability issues.
John/Cates M/SPA-A-2020-00123 that every effort should be made to preserve the tree andshould the project
arborist determine that its removal is necessary it is approved, further recommending that the mitigation plantings
be at least 1 ¾” caliper. Motion passes 3-1 John, Simpson, Cates in favor, Gould opposed
There were no Type II Reviews to discuss.
There were no Street Tree Removals to discuss.
Discussion Items
Invasive Trees (Gould)–Discussionabout potentially amending the definition of “tree”to exclude “tree of
heaven”from definition of tree. There was not an agreement on thisdiscussion.
Wildlife best practices (Gould)–Gould revisitedthis topic and wanted to know if it had reached a
resolution. Anderson pointed out that it was discussed a decision was never made.Gouldagreed to put
together language for a proposed condition of approval that could be attached to tree removal requests.
Tree inventory Grant (John)–ODF Grant for “ iTree” street tree inventory.
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at7:27p.m.
Next Meeting is October 8, 2020
Respectfully submitted byRegan Trapp