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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-04 Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way. Commissioners Present: Parks Liaison Christopher John Peter Baughman Mike Oxendine Asa Cates Staff Present: Derek Severson Nathan Emerson Commissioners Absent: Russell Neff II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Oxendine/Cates m/s to approve the minutes of November 9, 2017 as presented. (Note: There was no December meeting due to the lack of a quorum.) III. ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS Parks & Recreation Liaison Peter Baughman recognized Christopher John and his crew from Canopy LLC who donated and planted three very nice Shumard Oaks for Ashland Creek Park. Community Development Staff Liaison Emerson noted: The Commission needs to make recommendations on all street tree removal requests before staff moves forward with the decision. Emerson went on to say that the City Administrator has made this request. The City just made application through the FAA to get a drone license. That would give us authorization on city business to use drone photography over the whole city. The Fire department will use this as part of their emergency planning and will have an officer in the Fire Department who has a drone and has been trained to use it. IV. PUBLIC FORUM Jim Falkenstein addressed the Commission regarding taking photos of trees with his drone. Mr. Falkenstein feels his drone will be helpful to the Commission as a whole. He believes the Tree Commission should add language to whatever tree removal form the city has, saying that people who were asking for a Tree Commission review of their tree removal are also approving a Tree Commission officer, or their designated representative to take photographs from the public right of way of their property at heights of up to 60 meters. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA- 2017-02278 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 2258 Dollarhide APPLICANT/OWNER: Fred Stapenhorst/East Village HOA DESCRIPTION: A request for a hazardous Tree Removal Permit to remove a tree in the wetland owned by the East Village HOA. The actual address appears to be immediately to the east of 2264 Dollarhide Way, located at 2268 Dollarhide. The tree, a black cottonwood has a 13-inch diameter and breast height(dbh) and stands approximately 35 feet tall. The application states the tree is in relatively good condition now, but cottonwoods are prone to breakage and the tree may become a hazard to a neighboring residence in the future. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Residential Suburban; ZONING: R-1-3.5; : 39 1E 11CB; TAX LOT: 1041 John recused himself from PA-2017-02278 as he has been working with the applicants. Emerson gave his staff report on PA-2017-02278. Emerson stated that staff is looking for help determining whether this fits the hazard tree criteria because it is in good condition. The criteria itself requires that the condition or location of tree presents a clear public safety hazard or foreseeable danger of property damage to an existing structure or facility. Staff are looking for some help determining if that is appropriate in this case. Oxendine opened the public hearing to the applicants. Fred and Ellen, owners, residing at 2258 & 2264 Dollarhide Way, addressed the Commission regarding their action. Mr. Stapenhorst stated that they have two wetland areas in the HOA, and no one's ever done anything with them, but the board has gotten more active the last couple of years and has been trying to restore them. The wetlands have been taken over with blackberries and all kinds of invasives and Canopy LLC, company has come out and helped them work on the area. Mr. Stapenhorst went on to say that two arborists have said that in their opinion, the cottonwoods are unstable trees, and that eventually run the risk of a high wind, breaking part, or all of, the cottonwood tree. Ellen's property is 10 feet from the tree and Its clear that with a strong south wind, that it would at least break down a fence, if not hit property or her home. The HOA has been motivated to work on this project as a whole and clear the wetlands of blackberries and invasive species. Christopher John and another arborist have explained that they can't remove that tree without City approval. Mr. Stapenhorst stated that they are honestly trying to avoid a hazard to HOA property, which if the tree came down HOA would be liable for it because they own the wetlands area. Oxendine closed the public hearing to the applicants and opened to the Commission for comments. There was discussion regarding whether or not to set the precedence of approving a hazardous tree that isn't a hazard yet and that Cottonwood trees are amazing wetland species that are native to our area and provide a lot of habitat and structure for wildlife. They are not the strongest growing trees, but that being said, there are many Cottonwoods that are a 100 years old that are still standing in the valley and haven't lost substantial amounts of their canopies. Mitigation of the tree removal and location of the tree were discussed although the Commissioners were in agreement that the tree was not a hazard tree. Oxendine/Cates m/s to recommended denying the application as submitted. Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2017-02129 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 475 East Nevada OWNER/APPLICANT: Young Family Trust & City Of Ashland DESCRIPTION: A request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment; Zone Change; Outline Plan approval for a 20 lot, 23-unit subdivision; Site Design Review; Tree Removal Permit to remove ten trees greater than six-inches in diameter at breast height (d.b.h) and Exception to Street Standards for the properties located at 475 East Nevada Street. The existing Comprehensive Plan - .5- Mountain N-Family (NM- (NOTE: Portions of the subject properties are located outside of the city limits; the current request involves only those portions within the city limits.) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential Reserve (Existing), North Mountain Neighborhood (Proposed); ZONING: RR-.5-P(Existing), NM-MF(Proposed); : 39 1E 04A and 04AD; TAX LOT: 391E 04A 1100, 1200 & 1300 and 391E 04AD 100. There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission. Severson gave his staff report. The portion of the property in the city is three parcels that are privately owned and the applicants are proposing to re- zone that area. It currently has a half acre minimum lot size. Severson stated that they are proposing to re-zone it to a multi-family that would have a 12-unit per acre density which would significantly increase the density of the portion of the properties that are inside the city. In developing the site, they would extend Camelot Drive into the property from its existing intersection with East Nevada. There are 27 trees on the inventory and the applicants are proposing to remove 10 of them. Four trees are proposed to come out near the existing house. Then at the bottom where there are two units on the lower portion below, six additional trees proposed to be removed. Because this is a re-zoning request and is changing the comprehensive plan designation, it is one that will go to not just to the Planning Commission, but also to the City Council. It would have to be adopted by ordinance of council. Staff is looking for a recommendation from the Commission all relative to the trees for both Planning Commission and City Council. John opened the public hearing to the applicants. Amy Gunter of Rogue Planning and Development, 1424 S. Ivy Street, Medford, addressed the Commission regarding this project. The proposal involves the extension of two public streets and then a public alley re-connecting the two public streets. Ms. Gunter stated that the trees being removed are the trees along the original owner driveway. Impenetrable rock and not a lot of soil was discovered in an analysis done by Marquess and Associates and their concern is that it will take a lot of site work to put in any infrastructure on this property. Even by providing tree protection zones for these trees they will still be impacted. Tom Marr, owner, residing at 955 North Mountain Avenue, addressed the Commission with his concerns. Mr. Marr stated that he feels his property will be the most impacted in regards to this project. He appreciates that the trees in the County zone are to be protected and feels ounty doesn't have the protections that the City offers. Mr. Marr went on to say that it's important to retain as many trees as possible. To lose what green space we have is tough to see and he would favor saving the native trees. Most of the trees in question seemed to be Oaks. Mr. Marr said that he appreciates the well thought out presentation and thanked the Commission for their consideration. Jim Falkenstein addressed the Commission regarding this project. Mr. Falkenstein stated that when large developments start, and remove established trees and think mitigation will solve the problem, the knee jerk reaction of any developer is to get rid of as many trees as possible, and then start at a blank slate. His feeling is that every effort by the Tree Commission should be made to retain the trees that are there. He went on the say that larger trees make carbon emission, so they are better for the environment. He stated lazy to come in and wipe out old trees and put new trees in and the Tree Commission should always be hesitant to do such a thing. After a long discussion of balancing the need for site disturbance to extend infrastructure and the need to preserve as many trees as possible, the Commission rendered their decision. John/Cates m/s to approve the application with the below recommendations. Voice Vote, All Ayes, motion passed. Commissioners noted that the proposed planting list was generally well-selected. Tree Commissioners noted that they believed that Tree #1 identified in the tree inventory as a Cedar was actually a native Juniper. Tree Commissioners noted that they believed that Tree #5 identified as an Ash was actually an Elm. Commissioners generally discussed that they would prefer to see Trees #1, #2, and #5 preserved and protected, but after discussions of the need for five- to eight-feet of grading near trees #1, #2, #3 and #5 to address access, infrastructure, drainage and home placement according to standards the Commissioners ultimately expressed support for the project subject to the trees proposed for removal being replaced with larger than normal mitigation trees as follows: 1. That all native species such as the Oaks to be removed be mitigated on a one-for- one basis with four-inch caliper native species that will attain a similar size to the tree being removed at maturity. 2. That conifers to be removed such as the Juniper & Ponderosa Pine be mitigated on a one-for-one basis with conifers that will attain a similar size to the tree being removed at maturity, and that are at least ten feet tall at planting. PLANNING ACTION: PA- 2017-02279 nd SUBJECT PROPERTY: 139 N. 2 Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Judith Ginsburg/Canopy LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for a non-hazardous Tree Removal Permit to remove one tree nd in the rear yard of the residence at 139 N. 2 Street. The tree, an Ailanthus Altissima(aka: Tree . The application states the tree is in relatively good condition but has a history of broken limbs and is an invasive species. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; : 39 1E 09BA; TAX LOT: 9600. Emerson gave the staff report. After discussion, the Commission rendered their decision. Cates/Oxendine m/s to approve the application with the recommendation that they plant a large stature tree selected at the owners discretion. Voice Vote, All Ayes, motion passed. V. TYPE II REVIEWS None. VI. STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PLANNING ACTION: PW-2017-02181 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 568 B Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Evye Szanto DESCRIPTION: A request for a Street Tree Removal Permit to remove a 10-inch diameter deciduous tree from the park row planting strip on B Street in front of the residence at 586 B Street. The applicant has requested the removal because of sidewalk uplift near the tree. There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission. Emerson gave the staff report. After some discussion the Commission rendered their decision. Oxendine/Cates m/s to denying the application with the recommendation that reinforced concrete be placed in the area to prevent uplift in the future. Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed. PLANNING ACTION: PW-2017-02277 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 129 Almond Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Hilary Best/Canopy LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for a Street Tree Removal Permit to remove three Maples near the corner of Nob Hill and Almond Street. The three Maples are under the power line and noted as having poor form, necrotic tops, and in poor health. John recused himself. Emerson gave the staff report. After some discussion the Commission rendered their decision. Oxendine/Cates m/s to approve with the recommendation that the trees be mitigated with smaller stature trees from the approved street tree list. Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed. PLANNING ACTION: PW-2018-00208 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 310 Morton Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Barbara Clark/City of Ashland Electric Dept. DESCRIPTION: A request for a Street Tree Removal Permit to remove one Sweetgum Maple at 310 Morton Street. Requested because of conflict with electric utility lines and sidewalk/curb damage. Per the Ashland Electric Department, the tree is unable to be trimmed properly for the health of the tree. There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission. Emerson gave the staff report. After some discussion the Commission rendered their decision. Oxendine/John m/s to approve with the recommendation that the tree be mitigated with a tree from the approved Street Tree Guide. Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed. VII. DISCUSSION Emerson informed the Commission that the Tree of the Year ballots will be available on the website, in the City Source and also in the Community Development Building. He will find out from the GIS Department where online it will be located and make sure there is a link to the voting on the Tree Commission page. Baughman is scheduled to do another tree planting at the end of April at Southern Oregon University for Arbor Day. Southern Oregon University wants to partner with the City of Ashland and do a booth at the forestry carnival in Medford on May 17, 2018. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Emerson noted that the next regular meeting would be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Regan Trapp