HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-09_Tree_MIN
TREE COMMISSION MINUTES
May 9, 2013
CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on May 9,
2013, 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 Carol Voison - absent
Gregg Trunnell
Russ Neff
Staff Present
Casey Roland Michael Pina, Assistant Planner
Anne Thayer, Parks Horticulturist
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Peddicord motioned, Roland seconded the approval of the April 5, 2013 regular meeting minutes.
WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM
No guests.
TYPE I REVIEW
PLANNING ACTION: 2013-00523
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 14 B Street
APPLICANT: Charlene Mather
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Hazardous Tree Removal Permit approval to remove a 40-
inch DBH Cedar tree, and an 18-inch Maple tree, and 2 Ailanthus trees located at 14 B Street.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1;
ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BB TAX LOT: 11100
Piña presented the staff report. Site visits were conducted by all. The subject property is located on the
south side of B Street, between Water and Oak Streets, and contains a 1,272 square foot, historic
contributing single family residence and dense vegetation. The applicant proposes to remove four trees
greater than six-inches DBH on the property; two Ailanthus Trees atop a retaining wall adjacent to B
Street, a heavily diseased and 90 percent dead Maple trees located in the side yard, and a 40-inch Deodar
Cedar placed near the rear boundary line adjacent to the parking area behind 181 Oak Street.
A certified Arborist has inspected the trees and presented a report to the Planning Division. The report
noted that the Ailanthus trees are highly invasive and are currently destroying the retaining wall adjacent
to the sidewalk. Plus, its aggressive root systems could do further damage to the home if not removed.
And that the Cedar has outgrown its space, and has had large limbs break off, potentially damaging the
home. In addition, a recent pruning job by the neighboring property owner has left the tree unbalanced,
and the applicant is concerned about the tree falling onto the home. The Commission wondered if the
Cedar could be saved despite its current form, and noted that Deodar Cedars are fairly stable once mature,
and doesn’t foresee the loss of limbs as a hazard. Additionally, the loss of shade provided by the tree will
cause the home to be substantially hotter in summer months. However, given the severe loss of limbs on
the south side, plus being in a severely constricted location, the tree’s future growth will only be further
complicated by its placement and form, and removal seems to be the best option at this time. The
applicant has proposes to mitigate two trees by retaining an approximate six-inch volunteer Maple
adjacent to the one proposed for removal, plus planning a Dogwood in place of the one of the Ailanthus
trees removed. Therefore the Commission recommends the application be approved as submitted, with
two trees being mitigated in accordance with AMC 18.61.084.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Pina debriefed the Commission on this year’s Arbor Day events and Rogue Valley Earth Day.
On the date of the next scheduled Tree Commission meeting (June 6, 2013), a forestry conference is being
held in Portland that staff is interested in attending. IN speaking with the Commission about this training,
it was noted that other members will not be present for the next Tree Commission meeting, therefore there
would not be a quorum. Therefore the June 6 regular meeting will be canceled.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner
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