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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-06 Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES July 6, 2017 ATTENDANCE: Commissioners Oxendine, John, Cates (arrived late, after announcements) and Neff were present, along with Parks and Recreation Department Staff Liaison Baughman and Community Development Department Staff Liaison Severson. CALL TO ORDER: Chair John called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Neff/Oxendine m/s to approve the meeting minutes of June 8, 2017 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS Parks & Recreation Liaison Peter Baughman noted that a large Alder fell just above Lithia Park at the property located at 440 Granite, damaging one of the outbuildings. Community Development Liaison Derek Severson spoke about 2 emergency tree removal permits located at the children’s play area at Headstart on the SOU Campus (Canopy fell during the last storm) and a large Mulberry at 486 Siskiyou Blvd. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present wishing to speak. STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PLANNING ACTION: PW-2017-00990 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 420 Morton St. OWNER/APPLICANT: Kathleen Greathouse & Jeff Stark DESCRIPTION: A request reconsideration of a denial of a request to remove two approximately 12-inch d.b.h. liquidambar street trees from the property located at 420 Morton Street. The owner indicates that the site grades need to be re-worked to address drainage problems, and the owner is concerned that the installation of a French drain and providing a grade which slopes away from the house will necessitate cutting roots that would impact the stability and vigor of the trees. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09DC; TAX LOT #: 10800. Severson explained briefly that this was a request that the Commission had considered last month and ultimately recommended denying. The applicants have asked that the request be reconsidered based on the need to re-work site grades to address drainage problems with the house. The property owner is concerned that installation of a French drain and associated grading will cut roots and impact the stability and vigor of the trees. Kathleen Greathouse, owner of 420 Morton Street addressed the Commission regarding this application. Ms. Greathouse explained that the tree itself is not a hazard but that re-grading will be needed for remodel to meet current code. The grade slopes into the house but needs to slope away from it and the roots will need to be cut to re-grade. Following discussion, the Tree Commission recommended approving the application subject to the condition that the applicants:  Replace the two liquidambars to be removed with larger caliper (i.e. three- to four-inch) replacement trees selected from the Recommended Street Tree Guide. (The applicants indicated that they would be replacing the trees to be removed with two mature zelkovas.) Asa/Oxendine m/s to approve with recommendations. Voice Vote: AYES: Ox/Asa, NAY: Neff. Motion passed. TYPE II REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA-2017-01059 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1068 East Main Street OWNER: Marcel Verzeano Trust (Paulena E.C. Verzeano, trustee) APPLICANT: KDA Homes, LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for Outline Plan and Site Design Review approvals for a 29-unit, 28-lot Performance Standards Option subdivision for the property located at 1068 East Main Street and the vacant parcel directly to the east. The proposal includes the partial demolition and relocation of the existing house on site and a Tree Removal Permit to remove 14 of the site’s 25 trees. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: High Density, Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-3/Pedestrian Places Overlay; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09AD; TAX LOT #: 6800 and 6801. Severson provided a brief staff report. Mark Knox of 604 Fair Oaks, Ashland and Mr. Madera of Wells Fargo Road in Central Point addressed the Commission regarding this proposal. Following discussion, the Tree Commission recommended approving the application as submitted with the following comments: 1) That the recommendations of the project arborist shall be conditions of the approval, including that the trees to be protected be watered during construction and that the project arborist shall supervise any activity within the tree protection zones 2) That existing Trees #1, #2, #7, #8 and #9 be fully enclosed with tree protection fencing and protected during all site disturbance. Protection of these trees will necessitate closing the East Main Driveway during construction. 3) That the applicants make every effort to preserve and protect Tree #14 (40-inch d.b.h. th Douglas Fir) as proposed by the applicants during the July 6 Tree Commission meeting, including having an arborist on-site during all disturbance (demolition, foundation removal, house move, and all excavation) and utilizing a post and beam foundation within the tree protection zone for the relocated house. 4) That the applicants pursue the option of preserving and protecting Tree #24 (24-inch d.b.h. Oak Tree), which may necessitate meandering the sidewalk to curbside within its tree protection zone. Oxendine/Asa m/s to approve with recommendations. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA-2017-01226 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1465 Webster St. OWNER/APPLICANT: Southern Oregon University DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove a hazard tree from the property located at 1465 Webster Street. The tree is a 56-inch diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) Alder which was identified as Tree #1 in Planning Action #2015-00418, which approved the reconstruction of McNeal Pavilion. The application materials note that the tree’s stem is hollow, and the tree is in severe decline with signs of decay, twisting cracks, and frequent branch loss. The project arborist indicates that the tree is at the end of its life, in a high traffic area and poses a high risk. The applicants propose to plant two new trees to mitigate the removal, and will also provide a new sheltered seating area as part of the lower plaza area improvements at the northwest corner of McNeal Pavilion. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Southern Oregon University; ZONING: SO; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 10CD; TAX LOT #:100. Oxendine recused himself. Severson presented a brief staff report. Following discussion, the Tree Commission felt that the applicants had demonstrated that the tree was very unhealthy in a high-traffic area and was worthy of removal. The Tree Commission recommends that the application be approved as submitted. John/Neff m/s to approve as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. DISCUSSION Attendance Report: Severson explained that the Municipal Code requires that the attendance report be presented twice a year, and forwarded to the City Recorder who will advise the Mayor on the need for appointments or re-appointments, if necessary. Attendance expectations generally look for at least a 75 percent attendance rate in each full year of tenure. Election of Officers: Severson explained that the Municipal Code calls for the Commission to elect a chair and vice chair at the first meeting following the appointment or re-appointment of members each year. Neither the chair nor vice-chair shall serve as an officer for more than three consecutive annual terms. Commissioners felt it might be more appropriate to delay the election until the appointment of new members occurs. Street Tree Guide: Severson introduced this item, noting that members had previously indicated that they would bring their marked-up Street Tree Guides from the City of Ashland and the City of Medford for discussion. Commissioners marked up their changes and would like the opportunity to have a web version available. They would like it easily accessible, with education on the Tree Commission and the value of what they do. They would like to incorporate color photos of the specimens and list local resources that are available to help with questions. Tree of the Year 2017: Severson noted that he would be getting the nomination form to the City Source for publication to begin the Tree of the Year process. The Commission discussed tree eligibility. ADJOURNMENT Severson noted that the next regular meeting of the Ashland Tree Commission would be on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp