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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-05_Tree_MIN TREE COMMISSION MINUTES April 5, 2012 CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. on April 5, 2012, 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 (future) Greg Lemhouse Tracy Peddicord Tom Myers Staff Present Casey Roland Michael Pina, Assistant Planner Russ Neff Anne Thayer, Parks Horticulturist APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes of the previous meeting sue to the lack of quorum. WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM None TYPE II REVIEW PLANNING ACTION: 2012-00018 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 2220 Ashland Street APPLICANT: Summit Investments DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review approval to construct a new 4,125 square foot, single story, retail building and associated site improvements for the property located at 2220 Ashland Street. The former Pizza Hut building is currently located on the site. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 14BA; TAX LOT: 1700 Piña presented the staff report stating that with the new Pedestrian Places overlay, new standards come into play with the redevelopment of this property. Meyers stated that the existing trees on-site are not worth saving. Also Maples as proposed would likely have a difficult time growing in this location especially 3 feet from the street and bounded on all sides by pavement and traffic. The commission discussed options for allowing the trees to become more successful in this area, such as expanded tree wells, structured soil, locate trees to the inside of the sidewalk (south side), and selecting a more columnar type tree such as a Hornbeam. The Commission recommended to approve the plan as submitted. TYPE I REVIEW PLANNING ACTION: 2012-00263 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 430 North Main Street APPLICANT: City of Ashland DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review approval to construct a public parking lot on the vacant lot located at 430 North Main, adjacent to 410 North Main St. The request includes a tree removal permit to remove two trees greater than six inches in diameter at breast height. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 05DA; TAX LOT: 2700 Piña presented the staff report. Several Commissioners felt that the 25-inch Cedar proposed for removal is not in poor condition, as the applicant’s findings had stated, but that the tree should have the ivy cleaned off. Staff stated that he was unsure if the existing driveway surface is to remain, but a new curb appears to be installed along the western side of the drive. The Commission recommended that the Cedar be retained and protected, that the Walnut tree be removed as presented, and have the project arborist onsite when the bicycle parking is installed. PLANNING ACTION: 2012-00334 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 2004 Siskiyou Blvd. APPLICANT: First Baptist Church DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove two Maple trees greater than six inches in diameter at breast height located in the front yard of church. The applicant is proposing to mitigate removal by planting two Eastern Redbuds in their place. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: High-density Residential; ZONING: R-3; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 15AD; TAX LOT: 4600 The applicant, Don Baldrica, spoke to the Tree Commission regarding his concerns about the stability and overall suitability of the two Maples trees in the landscaped area near Siskiyou Blvd. He noted that some of the roots are exposed and he found that the trees were planted over plastic and has concerns regarding their stability. The applicant also noted that he has difficulty with seedlings that have continued to sprout. A nearby resident and former Tree Commissioner, Zane Jones, spoke to the Commission on the proposed removal. Jones stated that he and Mr. Baldica spoke on-site and he gave him recommendations on how to deal with the seedlings rather than removing the trees. In the end, the Tree Commission recommended denial of the request stating that removal would ultimately be detrimental to the tree densities of this area. New small trees will have a difficult time becoming established without providing sun protection which will result in sun scald of the new trees. The tree commission recommended that the applicant phase in new trees before considering removal of the Maples PLANNING ACTION: 2012-00329 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 399 North Laurel St. APPLICANT: Garth Sahli DESCRIPTION: A request for a Conditional Use Permit for a two-story Accessory Residential Unit to be located in the front yard of the property at 399 N. Laurel Street. The primary dwelling on the lot is 828 square feet, and the proposed accessory unit will be 414square feet of living space with 378 square feet of storage on the ground level. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 04CB; TAX LOT: 1800 The commission reviewed the application and approved the specification for construction as recommended. Roland recommend the applicant install copper screening near the foundation of his proposed ARU so any tree roots that come in close proximity to the foundation will be stopped. DISCUSSION ITEMS The Commission discussed the upcoming logistics for the remaining two Arbor month events; the tree planting and Earth Day. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm. The Next Meeting will be Thursday May 4, 2012 Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner 2