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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-03 Tree_MIN Ashland TreeCommission Draft Minutes December 3, 2020 Call to Order Commission Chair Johncalled the meeting to order at 6:01pm via ZOOM. Commissioners Present:Council Liaison Christopher JohnStephen Jensen Asa Cates ParkLiaison Eric Simpson Cat GouldPeter Baughman Staff Present: Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner Commissioners Not In Attendance: ALL PRESENT Approval of Minutes CommissionersGould /Johnm/s to approve the minutes ofNovember 3, 2020. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum There was no one wishing to speak. Liaison reports Council Liaison -Councilor Jensen gave a brief update, including the outcome of the election and the change in the city charter. He gave an update on the Fire Chief and the City Manager position and mentioned the approval of the Kendrick annexation. Parks & Recreation Liaison –Baughman reported that the forestry division is doing fuel reduction above white rabbit trail. The Japanese garden progress is continuing, and all tree protection fencing is in place.He went on to say that the ice rink will not be opening this year due to covid restrictions. Community Development Liaison –Anderson reported that Tree of the year nominations should have started and wanted feedback on whether to cancel in 2021. TYPE I REVIEWS 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 common area 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 Anderson explained that staff had this come before the themagain because the staff advisor wanted the Tree Commission todiscusspruning to wildfire standards and if that would affect the health of the tree. The applicants were there to give a brief presentation in support of the application. Chair John remarked that he did not concur with the health and stability concerns that were presented by the applicant and therewas discussion about why a removal can’t be approved for aesthetic reason. Anderson pointed out that the criteria for removal requiresthat the Commissionmake a finding that the tree is a hazard. Simpson/Cates M/S recommend denial of the application. 4-0 PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00132 th SUBJECT PROPERTY:265 6Street APPLICANT: Quality Tree Care OWNER: LeonardEisenberg DESCRIPTION:A request for approval to remove two hazard trees, the first is a 36”DBH Catalpa which has three main stems, the second tree is a 12” DBH blue spruce. The application materials include a report by an ISA certified arborist as well as completed risk assessment forms. The application materials explain that the root system ofthe catalpa is damaging the nearby foundation and sewer line. The application explains that due to the shallow root system of the spruce the removal of the catalpa will expose the spruce to wind loads that may cause the tree to fall into the neighboring property.COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Multi Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; MAP: 39 1E 09 AB;TAX LOT: 4400 Anderson briefly presented the application and stated that the applicant is an ISA certified arborist and did include a risk assessment form with the application. There was no one in attendance in support of the application. There was general agreement that the argument for removal of the spruce tree was not well developed. It was discussed that therewas not sufficient evidence in the record that the tree was cracking the foundation. Cates/John M/S to approve the removal of the catalpa with the condition of approval that they provide photographic evidence of the damage to the foundation, and denial of the removal of the spruce. application. 4-0 PLANNING ACTION:TREE-2020-00133 SUBJECT PROPERTY:565 B Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Mary Ellen Wilson DESCRIPTION:A request for approval to a single native plum tree that is identified as posing a hazard due to a large section of decay near thebase of the tree. The tree is 18” DBH and approximately thirty-feet in height. The application materials include a report by an arborist statin that the hazard cannot reasonably be mitigated through pruning and recommends removal of the tree. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:Multi Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; MAP: 39 1E 09 AB;TAX LOT: 6200 Anderson presented the application. There was no one in attendance in support of the application. Simpson remarked that the tree was in poor form and leaning significantly over the alley. Simpson/Cates M/S to approve the application as submitted. 4-0 PLANNING ACTION:PA-A-2020-00133 APPLICANT: Birchwood HOA DESCRIPTION:A request to review and administratively approve an update to the street tree and common area landscaping plan for the Birchwood HOA. The application includes updated species that are more appropriate to the site so that in the future should a tree need to be removed due to either death or disease. The application does not include a request for any tree removals at this time. Anderson presented the application. There was no one in attendance in support of the application. There was general agreement that the species being proposed are appropriate. Gould/Simpson M/S to approve the application as presented 4-0 TYPE II REVIEWS Nothing up for review STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS Nothing up for review DISCUSSION ITEMS Wildlife best practices-condition of approval (Gould): Gould discussed the laws and guidelines that she has collected as a rough draft for consideration as an attachment for approved street tree removals. There was general agreement that a hand out with this information is a good resource to include with approved tree removals. There were some suggestions for improvement and Gould indicated that she would bring back a revised draft at a future meeting. Tree of the Year: Anderson suggested skipping Tree of the Year 2020. Gould strongly felt that there should be a Tree of the Year even if the nomination / voting happen in 2021. Gould suggested that the form could be converted to a flyer directing people to submit their nominations via email. ADJOURNMENT: Meetingadjourned at7:39 pm Next meeting: January 7, 2021 Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp