HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-09_Tree_MIN
TREE COMMISSION MINUTES
August 9, 2012
CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. on August 9, 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 Greg Lemhouse - ABSENT
Tracy Peddicord
Tom Myers - ABSENT
Staff Present
Casey Roland Michael Pina, Assistant Planner
Russ Neff Anne Thayer, Parks Horticulturist
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Neff motioned, Schmidt seconded the approval of the July 5, 2012 Regular meeting minutes.
WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM
No guests.
TYPE I REVIEW
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2012-01073
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 461 Holly
APPLICANT: Del Thompson / Highland Pines
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal permit to remove a 36-inch DBH Pine tree
located east of 461 Holly Street, within the Highland Pines Subdivision. The tree has been reviewed by a
certified arborist and deemed to be showing many signs of stress and dying.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low-Density Multi-Family; ZONING: R-2;
ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09CA; TAX LOT #: 5310
Piña gave the staff report. All commissioners visited the site. The Commission noted that the tree is in decline and
it is appropriate to remove as presented. A mitigation tree is recommended to equal similar stature once mature.
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2012-01121
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 70 Water Street
APPLICANT: Scott English
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal permit to remove a 25-inch DBH Alder tree
located along Ashland Creek behind 70 Water Street. In conjunction with the Ashland Creek Restoration
Project, a 10-inch irrigation pipe is to be installed adjacent to the Alder’s root zone. A certified arborist noted
that due to the tree’s lean towards the Ashland Creek Inn, installation of the pipe would severely compromise
the tree’s structural integrity and will become a hazard.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1;
ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09BB; TAX LOT #: 16400
Piña presented the staff report. A few Commissioners visited the site due to the lack of accessibility. The
application notes that this particular tree was not included in last year’s removal request because the
applicant thought the irrigation pipe could be installed without compromising the tree’s stability.
However, once the underlying blackberries and bamboo were removed from the area, the project manager
felt that installation of the pipe would not be feasible without severely compromising the tree’s structural
integrity, causing the tree to become a hazard. While the Commission concurred that installation of the
10-inch irrigation pipe will cause significant structural damage to the subject tree, and removing it at this
stage of the project is the best option, they felt that removal would have a negative impact on erosion, soil
stability, and the flow of water within Ashland Creek due to the size and habitat this particular tree
creates. Therefore, the Commission recommends that a revised mitigation and replanting plan be
resubmitted to staff noting the size and species of the replaced tree, 6 habitat boxes be installed, and that
the use of power assisted machinery be in accordance with AMC 18.63.060.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Commissioner Neff noted, again, about the dead trees located at 670 and 678 Siskiyou Blvd. Staff noted
that while trees within the right-of-way are the adjacent property owner’s responsibility, historically the
City has not forced property owners to replace street trees as the ordinance states. However, staff can draft
a letter to the property owners notifying them of the ordinance and liability.
The Commission also talked about the Electric Department’s tree trimming policy and would like to have
David Wood from the Electric attend a meeting to discuss what their process is and how it affects our
urban canopy.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:51pm. The Next Meeting will be Thursday September 6, 2012
Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner
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