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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-08 Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES March 8, 2018 Commissioners Present: Parks Liaison Christopher John Peter Baughman Mike Oxendine Staff Present: Asa Cates Russell Neff Nathan Emerson Commissioners Absent: All present Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cates/ Oxendine m/s to approve the minutes of February 8, 2018 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS Council Liaison - There was no Council Liaison present to give report. Parks & Recreation Liaison Baughman reported that the pine tree in the plaza has been receiving lots of water and thanked Cates for reporting the issue. Baughman went on to nd say that he would like to conduct a tree planting with a school during the 2 week in April and will let the Commission know when he has more information on this. Community Development Liaison Emerson reminded the Commission that if they are involved in a planning action that they need to recuse themselves from the room during the presentation. III. PUBLIC FORUM Mark Knox, 485 W. Nevada, addressed the commission on something he spoke about at the Their proposal was to remove one tree on the lot at 1068 E. Main Street and stated they removed it prematurely. Mr. Knox went on to say that, there was a difference of opinion on whether cutting down tree was ok or not. According to Mr. Knox, the decision did not come across as a recommendation to him and there was lots of talk back and forth by the Commission as to what to do with it. Mr. Knox believed it to be a hazard and therefore took the tree down without permission. He stated that he does a lot of work in town and wants to honor trees when they can. John and Oxendine added that the Commission will do a better job at making recommendations more clear as sometimes they get worded poorly. John read aloud the procedures for public hearings. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). IV. TYPE III REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA- 2018-00154 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 601 Washington Street OWNER/APPLICANT: South Ashland Business Park LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for Annexation of a 5.38-acre parcel, Zone Change from County RR-5 Rural Residential) to City E-1 (Employment), and Site Design Review approval for the phased development of a light industrial business park for the property located at 601 Washington Street. The application includes a request for a Conditional Use Permit to Protection Zones of Knoll Creek and a Possible Wetland on the property to construct a stormwater outfall and street improvements; an Exception to Street Standards for the frontage improvements along the property's Washington Street frontage; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove four trees greater than six-inches in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.). COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: Existing County RR-5, Proposed City E-1; 39 1E 14 AB; TAX LOT: 2800. There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte communication indicated by the Commission. Emerson gave staff report for PA- 2018-00154. John opened the public hearing to the applicant. John Galbreath, landscape architect and certified arborist, residing in Medford addressed the Commission regarding this project. Mr. Galbreath briefly outlined the project and what trees are to be removed for the development. John closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission for discussion. It was discussed that the project will not touch the wetland area and Cates noted the trees were hammered by a previous fire. Neff asked who takes care of the wetlands outside of property boundaries and it was determined that some is ODOT and depending on where it is, the adjacent property owner would be responsible. After a discussion the Commission unanimously approved. Oxendine/John m/s to approve as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. V. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA-2018-00241 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 114 Granite Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Mardi Mastain DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove a 27-inch DBH (diameter at breast height) Maple Tree in the Northwest Corner of the property. This is a modification to a previous planning approval (PA-2017-00235) that proposed to retain this tree. The application states the discovery of percolating water will require more excavation, In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). further jeopardizing the health of the tree and presenting a foreseeable danger of property damage. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; : 39 1E 09 BC; TAX LOT: 3401 There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte communication indicated by the Commission. Emerson gave staff report for PA-2018-00241. Oxendine indicated that the tree was misidentified as a Big Leaf Maple and is actually an Ash Tree. Cates said that the sidewalk is pretty close to the trunk of the tree but that the roots are probably located on the non-sidewalk side. After a discussion, the Commission decided that since the report does not advocate for removal and states not an immediate hazard, they would recommend denial. Oxendine/John m/s to deny the request with the recommendation that IF the tree becomes a hazard, to discuss removal. Commission recommends hand pruning roots by arborist. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. PLANNING ACTION: PA- 2018-00252 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 295 Tolman Creek Rd A-1 OWNER/APPLICANT: Don Flickinger DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit at 295 Tolman Creek Rd to remove a 15-inch diameter-at-breast-height Maple tree that is damaging the foundation of the adjacent apartment building. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density, Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; : 39 1E 11 CD; TAX LOT: 90001 There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte communication indicated by the Commission. Emerson gave staff report for PA- 2018-00252. Cates stated that the tree looks to be aggressively pruned. Oxendine pointed out that the for removal. After a discussion the Commission unanimously approved. Cates/Oxendine m/s to approve as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). PLANNING ACTION: PA- 2018-00403 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 635 Lit Way/1651 Siskiyou Boulevard OWNER: 1651 Siskiyou Boulevard LLC/Roderick & Brooks Newton APPLICANT: Asa Cates DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove nine Black Cottonwood trees and a one Siberian Elm surrounding the pond at Hidden Springs Wellness Center for the property located at 635 Lit Way/1651 Siskiyou Boulevard. The application notes that the Cottonwoods have begun to drop limbs and the Siberian Elm has begun to uproot. The application materials note that five of the ten trees have indications of decay and three have tipped or begun to tip. The removals are requested based on the trees posing a hazard to customers on the site and to neighboring properties. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential and Commercial; ZONING: R-1-7.5; : 39 1E 15 AB; TAX LOT: 7300 Cates recused himself from this planning action as he is the applicant on this project. Emerson gave staff report for PA- 2018-00403. John/Oxendine m/s to approve as recommended by arborist report. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. ƩĻĻ Ѝ Ʒƚ ƩĻƒğźƓͲ ğƌƌ ƚƷŷĻƩƭ ĭğƓ ŭƚ͵ wĻĭƚƒƒĻƓķ ƒźƷźŭğƷĻ ƚƓ ğ Њ Ʒƚ Њ Ĭğƭźƭ ǞźƷŷ ĬƌğĭƉ ĬźƩĭŷͲ ƩĻķ ĭĻķğƩͲ ǞŷźƷĻ ƚƩ ƩĻķ ğƌķĻƩͲ ƚƩ Ĭğƌķ ĭǤƦƩĻƭƭ͵ VI. STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS There were no Street Tree Removals to discuss. VII. DISCUSSION Wildfire Draft Ordinance Guest speakers: Brandon Goldman Planning Dept. Alison Lerch Fire Dept. Tracy Peticord - Member of Wildlife Mitigation Commission and local landscape architect. o Commission concerns of Wildfire Ordinance: Significant trees approved for removal under fire plan must still come to the Tree Commission. Mr. Goldman stated that it That big trees would be exempted from removal. Mr. Goldman stated that affect whether a tree would come to the Tree Commission or not. Large conifers are important and are some of the most fire resistant trees around. If most conifers are removed then they are concerned they In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). cannot be replaced with this ordinance. go to recommendation for a mitigation tree is a large size native conifer such as Sequoia, Redwood or Douglas Fir. Ms. Peticord stated that they are here to get feedback and coordinate between all the Commissions and upon the fact that the goal is to protect the City and to adapt to climate change. They want to do everything possible to avoid Santa Ro Plant list suggests natives are bad and they are concerned. SOU currently looking 100 miles south to understand what will survive here in the near and would like to see languag more from structures. IE: see Quercus, Pinus, Oregon Grape, and Manzanita as examples. Ms. Peticord stated that fire danger is so extreme we must be creative and mass plantings of single species are to be no more. They must balance risk vs natives and other competing goals. What about mulch? Ms. Lerch explained that there will be no more mulch allowed within 5ft of structures. They are working with Julie Smitherman as to not conflict with water resources and conservation. Commission is worried that they will be letting the city burn, build and Ms. Lerch stressed that is why they did the risk assessment. Recommendations: Cates/Oxendine m/s for approval of recommendations. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. In general, full Commission approves of ordinance and moving forward. Recommendations of Wilfire Ordinance: 1. Significant tree removal for fuel reduction plans should come to Tree Commission. 2. Make exemptions to prohibited plant list for native/conifer large trees. 3. City should create new/full time position of Urban Forester. 4. Commission would like noted in the ordinance that large stature conifers can be fire resistant trees. Ashland Canal Advisory Group Invitation o Oxendine stated that the canal will save significant water and he is already participating as a representative for SOU. Cates volunteered to help with this advisory group. Public Works Memo on Tree Removal and Curb Bump Out Policy o Oxendine expressed that bump outs should be done whenever possible and recommends that prioritization should be done by size, species and structure. He went on to say that they should save large natives in good condition and do bump outs as they can. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). o Commission recommends that Peter Baughman consult with Public Works as needed. Tree of the Year Results st o 1 Place Dogwood at 77 Granite nd o 2 Place Fig at 566 Fairview rd o 3 Place Black Oak at 875 Oak VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Emerson noted that the next regular meeting would be held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm. Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).