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TREE COMMISSION MINUTES - DRAFT
November 5, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
6:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services building
located at 51 Winburn Way.
Commissioners Council Liaison
Ken Schmidt Carol Voisin (absent)
Gregg Trunnell Staff
Casey Roland Zechariah Heck, Staff Liaison
Maureen Battistella Pete Baughman, Parks Liaison (absent)
Russell Neff
Christopher John (absent)
Mike Oxendine
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trunnell/Oxendine m/s to approve October 8, 2015 regular meeting minutes. The motion passed
unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS
City Council Liaison
Parks & Recreation Liaison
Community Development Liaison
Heck updated the Commission on Code of Ethics for Commissioners and explained that
Commissioners shall not present a project in front of a body they are appointed to, whether they
received payment or not for the project. Heck also gave the Commission an update on Planning
Actions reviewed last month.
PUBLIC FORUM
Nobody from the audience provided public comments.
TYPE I REVIEWS
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-01894
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 263 and 267 Granite Street
OWNER: Robert and Susan Cain
APPLICANT: Kerry Kencairn
DESCRIPTION: A request to modify a previous subdivision approval and a Physical and
Environmental Constraints Permit in order to build a single family residence with an accessory
residential unit. Included in the application is a proposal to relocate a public path and pedestrian
easement.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential and Woodland; ZONING:
R-1-10 and WR; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 08DA; TAX LOTS: 1902; 1900.
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).
Commissioners Trunnell/Oxendine m/s to recommend approval of the plans as submitted with the
following recommended condition. The motion was unanimously supported.
1) That the applicant provides an updated tree inventory identifying the Zelkova serratas
located on the inside of the second driveway, east of the proposed property line. These trees
should have protective fencing around them during all construction on site and be
inspected/approved by Staff prior to the beginning of work on site.
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-01981
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 624 & 640 A Street
APPLICANT/OWNER: Jim & Cheryl Lewis
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove four Black Cottonwood
Trees situated between 624 & 640 A Street. The project arborist notes that limbs or tops of the trees
have unexpectedly broke and fell to the ground resulting in damage to structures on the property.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP:
39 1E 09AB; TAX LOT: 4800 & 4900.
Commissioners Neff/Roland m/s to recommend approval of the plans as submitted. The motion
was unanimously supported.
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-02003
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 35 South Second Street
OWNER/APPLICANT: MPM Investments
AGENT: Kistler, Small & White, Architects
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Modification of Planning Action #2015-01496 to
allow the removal of two trees, a 12-inch diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) Birch and a 4-inch
d.b.h. Maple that were not identified for removal in the original approval which included a
Conditional Use Permit, Site Design Review, Tree Removal Permit to remove two trees, and an
Exception to Street Standards to allow new kitchen and bar additions to the Winchester Inn
located at 35 S. Second St. The removal of the Birch tree requires a Tree Removal Permit
because the tree is over six-inches in diameter.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D;
ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BD; TAX LOTS: 5600-5700.
Commissioners Oxendine/Trunnell m/s to recommend approval of the plans as submitted with the
following recommended conditions. The motion was unanimously supported.
1) That three (3) apple trees, as proposed by the applicant, are planted on site as mitigation
trees. Two (2) of the mitigation trees should be seen as a punitive measure for removing a
tree without a permit that was previously listed as being preserved.
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-02022
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 670 C Street
OWNER: Mike and Laura Murphy
APPLICANT: Canopy LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request to remove one scots pine tree (Pinus sylvestris) that is described
as a problematic tree for various reasons.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2;
ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09AC; TAX LOTS: 8400.
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).
Commissioners Oxendine/Neff m/s to recommend a decision on the Planning Action be postponed
in order to allow the applicant to substantiate their case for removal, citing the points below, and
request the applicant present their case in front of the Commission during their next meeting. The
motion was unanimously supported.
1) That the arborist report speak to whether the tree is a hazard tree or not;
2) That the application include evidence of the tree affecting the foundation of the house, if
determined to be a “hazard tree”;
3) And that the arborist report speaks specifically to the Approval Criteria for tree removal
(either Hazard or Non-Hazard).
TYPE II REVIEWS
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-01284
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 474 Russell Street
OWNER/APPLICANT: Laz Ayala/Ayala Properties, LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Design Review approval to construct two mixed-
use buildings for the property located at 474 Russell Street. “Building A” will be a two-story,
mixed use 8,688 square foot building consisting of commercial space and garages on the ground
floor, and four residential condominiums on the second floor; “Building B” will be a two-story
12,617 feet commercial building consisting of commercial space with six residential
condominiums on the second floor.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S
MAP: 39 1E 09AA; TAX LOTS: 2805
Commissioners Oxendine/Schmidt m/s to recommend approval of the plans as submitted with the
following conditions and recommendations. The motion was unanimously supported.
1) That the project landscaper signs off on specification notes on the planting plans before
installation;
2) That, as a recommendation, the applicant selects locally adapted trees for the site;
3) And, as a recommendation, the applicant uses structural soil and provides sun protection
to increase the longevity of the newly planted trees.
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-01517
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 209 Oak St., 221 Oak St., 225 Oak St. and 11 B St. (And shared
driveway partially on 237-239 Oak St.)
OWNER/APPLICANT: Spartan Ashland Natalie Real Estate, LLC
AGENTS: Kistler, Small & White, Architects
DESCRIPTION: A request for Outline Plan, Final Plan and Site Design Review approvals for the
properties at 209 Oak Street, 221 Oak Street, 225 Oak Street and 11 B Street. The proposal includes the
renovation of two existing, historic homes; the construction of six townhouses along B Street; and the
construction a new, detached residential cottage. Also included are requests for a Variance to allow a
15-foot wide, one-way driveway where a 20-foot driveway width would typically be required; two
Conditional Use Permits to allow a 25 percent increase in the Maximum Permitted Floor Area, and to
allow a commercial use within an existing, historic residential building; an Exception to the Street
Standards to allow a curbside sidewalk along B Street where a planting strip would typically be required
between the curb and the sidewalk; an Exception to the Site Development and Design Standards to allow
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).
the placement of a new residence on proposed Lot #9 to be placed behind the setback line of adjacent
historic buildings; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove two trees which are within the footprints of
proposed buildings. (The proposal involves use of the existing driveway which is partially located on
the adjacent property to the north at 237-239 Oak Street; this property’s owner has signed to allow the
application to move forward using the shared driveway.) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39
1E 09BB; TAX LOTS: 15600, 15700, 15900 and 16000.
Commissioners Trunnell/Battistella m/s to recommend approval of the plans with the following
conditions and recommendations. The motion was unanimously supported.
1) That trees numbered 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 on the applicant’s protection plan meet the criteria
for removal;
2) That the Tree Protection Zone is not adequate to protect trees numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, and,
therefore, shall be extended to the maximum extent possible;
3) That the applicant begins a watering regime and applies a mulch to the base of all the site’s
trees to remain in order to mitigate negative impacts;
4) That the applicant installs street trees per city standards and that are a minimum of three
(3) inch caliper specimens;
5) That, as a recommendation, the applicant obtains a second opinion of another arborist in
order to determine the likelihood of preserving trees numbered 1 and 3 on the applicant’s
protection plan.
NEW BUSINESS/ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Tree of the Year nominations to be selected to the Top 5.
The Commissioners had a discussion on the nominees and the overall process of the
program. They also reviewed an email submitted by a community member concerned
about the benefits of the Tree of the Year program (agenda item below). At the end of the
discussion, the Commissioners provided Heck with their votes for the top five finalists.
Heck tallied the votes and the top five were determined to be as follows: Magnolia on Oak
Street, Japanese Maple on Holly Street, Oak tree at Mt. View Cemetery, Black Walnut at
the Nature Center in North Mountain Park, and the Italian Pine on Walker Avenue.
Letter concerning Tree of the Year
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Street Tree Guide.
No discussion took place regarding the Street Tree Guide.
ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting: December 3, 2015
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).