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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-04_Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES August 4, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:03 in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way. Commissioners Present: Council Liaison: Casey Roland Carol Voisin Mike Oxendine Russell Neff Parks Liaison: Christopher John Peter Baughman Maureen Batistella Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: None Cory Darrow, Assistant Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Neff/Oxendine m/s to approve the minutes of July 7, 2016 Tree Commission meeting. Voice Vote: All ayes, minutes were approved as presented. ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS  City Council Liaison: Voisin reported at the last City Council Study Session the Council agreed to the parking proposal from the Downtown Parking Management Circulation Ad-Hoc committee. The proposal was sent to the Transportation Commission who approved it and now it goes to the Planning Commission and on to Council. As the Downtown Parking Management Circulation Ad-Hoc Committee ceases a new Committee will be formed to look at a new Downtown Plan. Voisin said the Council is considering allowing tables and chairs to be placed in front of City Hall for Martolli’s Restaurant. There will be an iron separation placed between the public right-a-way and the tables. Voisin announced that on September 15, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Community Development Building there will be an open house looking at the three sites being considered for a New City Hall. The sites being considered are; 1. The Community Development Building at 51 Winburn Way adding a second story on the top of the existing building, 2. The current City Hall at 20 E Main, adding a third story 3. Pioneer Hall at 73 Winburn Way. Voisin pointed out that the Parks Department is purchasing a 45.79 acre parcel at Lithia and Hitt Road for $360,000. They are also purchasing a dump truck for $110,000. Council is working on the Grandview guardrail and recently passed the Fair Housing Ordinance. There will be four ballot measures for the citizens of Ashland to vote on this fall; 1. A three percent sales tax on marijuana 2. for the City to produce 10 mega-watts of renewable energy by 2020 3. To support State Legislative in the effort to improve our Health Care 4. To approve the use of the Food and Beverage Tax.  Parks & Recreation Department: Parks Liaison Baughman acknowledged that the Parks Department awarded a contract to repair the culvert at the top of North Mountain Park. Batistella thanked Baughman for his site work at the Public Library regarding preventative work he did on an at risk tree there.  Staff Liaison: Darrow expressed his enthusiasm that the GIS division recently released a new web application that allows the public to view topography data, create maps and print out site plans that will enable them to calculate solar setbacks. This should be a very helpful tool to the public, stated Darrow. The Commissioners discussed the design for the Pioneer Street Parking Plaza. Voisin remarked that the beautification plan for that area will be coming to the Council at their first meeting in September. Darrow explained that there are two options for the Tree Commission; to review the plan this evening and send their recommendation forward to the Council before their meeting or have a special study session in a couple of weeks. Darrow had the prior proposal along with the Tree Commission’s recommendation that was made last fall.  PUBLIC FORUM Kathryn Thalden thanked all the Commissioners for their service. Ms. Thalden expressed her concern for the Red Maples located in front of the Stop and Shop market. It has been the perception that the trees need to be removed to accommodate the new design. The opposite is what needs to happen, stated Ms. Thalden, the new design should reflect the preservation of those beautiful trees. Ms. Thalden also suggested that it would be beneficial to remove the trees in the Pioneer parking lot with gradual approach. The Commissioners discussed the design for the Pioneer Street Parking Plaza. Voisin remarked that the beautification plan for that area will be coming to the Council at their first meeting in September. Darrow explained that there are two options for the Tree Commission; to review the plan this evening and send their recommendation forward to the Council before their meeting or have a special study session in a couple of weeks. Darrow had the prior proposal along with the Tree Commission’s recommendation that was made last fall. TYPE I REVIEWS PLANNING ACTION: PA-2016-01365 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 699 Walnut OWNER: Lovelady APPLICANT: D.A. Boldt Construction DESCRIPTION: A request to construct a 486 square foot accessory residential unit on the northeast corner of the lot. One 16” DBH Redwood tree has been proposed for removal. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Multi- family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09 AC; TAX LOT: 15600. John acknowledge that he has worked for the property owner in the past. Darrow gave his staff report. Applicant Darrell Bold explained why they are requesting to remove the Redwood tree. After the Commissioners discussion with the applicant the following recommendation was made. Roland/Oxendine m/s to approve the removal of the Redwood tree and replace with two deciduous trees or one conifer tree. Voice Vote; Commissioners Roland, Oxendine, John approved. Neff denied. motion passed. Batistella was not present for the vote. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2016-01385 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 50 East Main St OWNER/APPLICANT: Ted DeLong/Oregon Shakespeare Festival DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Design Review approval for exterior changes to a contributing property in the Downtown Historic District. The proposal is to construct a 150 square foot addition to the existing deck located at the rear of the building located at 50 East Main Street. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial - Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BB; TAX LOT: 40000. Darrow explained the Commission’s job is review the adequacy of the proposed tree protection plan. Dave Stevens from ORW Architecture 2950 East Barnett, Medford and Ted Delong the General Manager of Oregon Shakespeare Festival was present to explain the tree protection and answer questions. Oxendine/Roland m/s to approve the plans as presented. Voice Vote; All ayes, motion passed. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2016-01316 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 955 Bellview Avenue PROPERTY OWNER: Carl Surber APPLICANT: Mike & Linda Ganim DESCRIPTION: A request for a Minor Land Partition to create two tax lots for the property located at 955 Bellview Avenue. The proposed partition will create one additional lot by dividing the existing parcel. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 14CC TAX LOT: 4600. Darrow explained that the scope of the Tree Commission is to review the tree protection fencing around the cluster of trees located at the end of the driveway. After a discussion the Commissioners made the following motion. Oxendine/Roland m/s to approve with the condition that they provide a tree protection plan is articulated per City standards. Voice Vote; All ayes, motion passed DISCUSSION ITEMS Darrow brought to the attention of the Commission that there appears to be a shortage of fencing in the valley. Staff has received a couple of request to use the orange fencing rather than the traditional ix foot fencing. Staff may have to be flexible due to this problem. Commissioners wanted Darrow to be aware that they are anti orange fencing, it comes down to easily. The Commissioners would like to have the valuation of the Tree included on the Tree Protection Zone signs. The Commission further discussed the Pioneer Street Parking Plaza. Oxendine drafted a letter representing the Commission’s recommendation for this landscape design. The letter will be forwarded to City Council. See exhibit A ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2016. There being no other items to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.