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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-06_Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2014 CALL TO ORDER – Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on November 6, 2014 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon. Commissioners Present Council Liaison Ken Schmidt - Absent Carol Voisin Gregg Trunnell - Absent Staff Russ Neff Michael Piña, Planning liaison Casey Roland Christopher John APPROVAL OF MINUTES Russ motioned, and John seconded, to approve the October 9, 2014 regular meeting minutes. The motion carried unanimously. WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM The Commission welcomed two guests to the meeting, both of whom expressed interest in joining the Commission. PLANNING ACTION REVIEW PLANNING ACTION: PA-2014-01751 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 175-185 Brooks Ln. CO-APPLICANTS: Fred and Cynthia Grewe and Barbara Evans DESCRIPTION: A Tree Removal Permit request to remove two trees within 50 feet of a Locally Significant Wetland, for the property located at 175 and 185 Brooks Lane. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Suburban Residential; ZONING: R-1-3.5 All commissioners visited the site. No ex parte contacts declared with the exception of Roland, who was hired by the applicant to remove the trees. Roland then excused himself and left the room. In reviewing the application, the commission agreed the Birch Beatle has been causing significant damage in rapid numbers all across the valley, and these trees are no exception. Therefore, the Commission recommended approving the application as submitted. John motioned, Neff seconded, that the application to remove two Birch trees be approved as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2014-01873 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 2370 Blue Sky Ln. APPLICANT: Robert Grisso DESCRIPTION: A Tree Removal Permit request to remove three trees - a ten-inch Norway Maple, an eight-inch Redbud, and a 13-inch Modesto Ash - that were retained as part of the original subdivision approval, located at 2370 Blue Sky. The submitted arborist report noted that the trees are in poor health, likely due to construction, and removal would allow for the remaining existing trees to have a net gain in canopy coverage for long-term health and survival. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-10; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 23BA TAX LOT: 502 All commissioners visited the site, however were not able to access the rear yard for a closer look at the subject trees. No ex parte contacts declared with the exception of John, who was hired by the applicant to remove the trees. John then excused himself and left the room. Piña presented the staff report saying this action is somewhat different from the typical tree removal request, as the subject trees were retained as a buffer in part of a Performance Standards Subdivision. In reviewing the applicant’s findings, the Commission agreed with the arborist in that removal of these three trees will allow the adjacent trees to thrive in their new environment. Furthermore, the commission discussed that the proposed trees are close to a building on an adjacent lot, and therefore will not negatively impact the screening of adjacent properties. Roland motioned, Neff seconded, that the application to remove three trees that were originally retained. The motion carried unanimously. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2014-01875 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 515 Poplar APPLICANT: Jane Slater DESCRIPTION: A Tree Removal request to remove a hazardous Willow tree placed on the property line of the subject property line and a subdivision open space, adjacent to Mook (Clear) Creek, located at 515 Poplar. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 04CD TAX LOTS: 407 All commissioners visited the site. No ex parte contacts declared. Piña presented a staff report declaring that this tree looks to be in significant decline, and should be removed immediately. John agreed with staff in that this tree has is clearly a hazard, and need to be removed. Although they advised to limit the amount of bank disturbance, as this may constitute to erosion of the established stream corridor. Russ motioned, Roland seconded, that the willow tree be removed with special attention to protect the stream bank. The motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS In regards to the “haircut” the two street trees located at 25 North Main received, Roland expressed a strong disappointment that the City had allowed the trees to effectively be topped, when the permit did not allow this. He continued that this has set a precedent for other business owners, and that the city should take action on the property owner. Staff is aware of the issue, and it is being discussed internally. Roland also talked about his visit to the Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, Pennsylvania. He was amazed how the pathways and other additions to the gardens are designed around the trees, not the other way around. In addition, was thoroughly impressed with their rubber sidewalks, which were made in-house and used exclusively within the garden, expanded over tree roots providing a smooth transition. Roland continued to say that the use of rubber sidewalks in urban areas would reap more benefits to the natural environment than concrete or asphalt. 2 LIAISON REPORTS None given. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectively submitted by Assistant Planner Michael Piña 3