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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-03_Tree_MIN ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION MINUTES November 3, 2011 CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. on November 3, 2011, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon. Commissioners Present Council Liaison Bobby Townsend Russ Sibliger - ABSENT Tracy Peddicord Tom Myers Staff Present Casey Roland Michael Pina, Assistant Planner Anne Thayer Russ Neff - ABSENT APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 6 Tree Commission Minutes – Peddicord motioned/ Roland seconded to approve the October 6, 2011 regular meeting minutes Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes were approved as submitted. WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM None TYPE I REVIEW PLANNING ACTION: 2011-01428 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 50 W. Hersey St. APPLICANT: Ashland Parks and Recreation Dept. DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove four hazardous trees within the Riparian Protection Zone along Ashland Creek for the property located at 50 W. Hersey Street. Two dead trees will also be removed, though not subject to regulation in accordance with AMC 18.61 and 18.63. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 04CD; TAX LOT: 1200 Anne Thayer presented how the Parks Dept came into the management of the trail path and riparian corridor. Thayer stated that because citizens will be utilizing the path, that APRD is ultimately responsible for the overall safety of trail users, and hazardous trees that are either dead or leaning over the path needs to be removed. Although the Commissioners agreed that safety is the number one concern, they also noted that removal of trees would mean loss of wildlife habitat. The Commission recommended that habitat boxes be mitigated for the number of trees removed. PLANNING ACTION: 2011-01377 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 151 Church Street APPLICANT: Steve Schein DESCRIPTION: A request for a Modification to a 2005 Minor Land Partition (2005-004) for a Building Envelope Modification and a Tree Removal Permit to address six (6) trees which were removed without permits following the partition approval. The request also involves the request to remove two (2) additional trees which are located within the modified building envelope. Additionally, based on a slope analysis conducted by an Oregon Licensed Surveyor, the Planning Director has determined the proposed development is not subject to the Development Standards for Hillside Lands because the slope, based on the natural grade of the property is less than 25%. The Development Standards for Hillside Land apply to lands with slopes 25% and greater. The applicant has submitted a slope analysis establishing the natural grade of the property between 18.8 and 20.3%. The subject property is located at 151 Church Street. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 08AA; TAX LOT: 5202 Michael presented the staff report. He noted over the course of several years, trees that were required to be retained due to a condition of approval were removed unbeknownst to staff. Collin Mullane, the applicant’s realtor, stated that the removed trees were mitigated on various properties around town on “hand shake” deals, and there are no records of when or where those trees were located. With this application, the property owner is proposing to mitigate onsite with Italian Cyprus trees along the rear property line. The Commission does not like the choice of tree for this location, and feels that future tenants of the home behind the subject parcel will potentially be negatively affected by this choice. The applicants stated they spoke with the current tenants and are okay with the choice. The Commission also noted the medium sized blue spruce in the front yard will likely be requested to be removed. In that case, then Commission recommended that an equal caliber tree as the one removed shall be planted in its place. PLANNING ACTION: 2011-01452 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 400 Allison Street APPLICANT: Heiland Hoff Architect for Robin Bierman DESCRIPTION: A request for a Modification to a 2010 and 2011 Site Review and Conditional Use Permit (PAs 2010- 00992 & 2011-00043) approvals to adjust the approved structure based on findings of a recent survey. As adjusted, the proposed home will be at 8%, over the MPFA where 9% was approved. Additionally, the request includes a Tree Removal Permit request to remove three (3) trees which were to be retained as per the previous approval. The subject property is located at 400 Allison Street. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BD; TAX LOT: 14202 Heiland Hoff, the project architect gave his report. Meyers noted that the 5” Walnut proposed to be removed is below the threshold of Planning review is not with the Commission’s authority. Meyers also commented that tree #13 (Maple) is placed on the property line and does not see the neighboring property owners authorization to remove it. The Commission was apprehensive to approve removal of a tree that is clearly on the property line without written consent from the neighbors. Piña stated that he will check with the City’s Legal Dept. on the issue, but believed that the Commission could approve the removal, but the applicants would proceed at their own risk as it comes to legal ramifications . Hoff accepted this responsibility. The Commission noted that the small lot is already heavily planted, and additional trees on-site may not be appropriate; therefore recommended that mitigation into the tree fund for all three trees. PLANNING ACTION: 2011-01312 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1250 Siskiyou (460 Siskiyou ) APPLICANT: Southern Oregon University DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal Permit approval to remove three trees greater than 18-inches in diameter at breast height. One tree is near Taylor Hall along University Way, one tree is near the Music Building along University Way and the third tree is on the west side of the Churchill Hall building. The trees have been reviewed by a Certified Arborist and the Arborist has determined that the trees are hazardous. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Southern Oregon; ZONING: SO; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 10CC TAX LOT: 5700 The Commission recommended trees #1 and #2 be removed as submitted, and that mitigation in the current location 2 would be okay, but other locations would be better suited for replacement trees. However for tree #3, the Commission felt that the tree‘s condition isn’t that bad, and with a little extra attention it could survive longer. But ultimately with the University’s liability to student’s safety, that removal would be the best option. The Applicants have proposed to mitigate the tree in a different location. However the Commission recommended that with such a spectacular tree being removed, that a replacement tree of equal caliber should be planted in the same location as this tree. DISCUSSION ITEMS Tree of the Year: The 2011 Tree of the Year winner is the Coast Redwood trees located at 65 Granite - Street. A total of 67 votes were submitted this year, with the Southern Magnolia outside the McCall house th (153 Oak St.) coming in at second with 17 votes. An announcement will be made at the November 15 Council meeting. Groasis Boxes: The Groasis boxes have finally arrived! Casey has opted to take one, SOU will take two, Parks will take two, and Plant Oregon will take the remaining five. Since the Dutch company is interested in seeing how the boxes perform around the globe in a variety of conditions, they ask that each operator sign up on their website to track the progress of the trees planted. Powers and Duties: Michael brought up the power and duty responsibilities to the Commission. The thought is that with Robbin leaving the City in the coming months, there may be a gap in landscape and irrigation review at staff level. Staff is looking for direction from the Commission to see if they would like to expand their duties to be more inclusive of the entire ecology (soils, erosion, irrigation, etc) of sites rather than just landscaping and trees. Parks Liaison Report: Anne attended a conference where a new technology that utilizes sound resonance to determine a tree’s internal decay without being invasive to the tree itself. It is really cutting edge technology but comes with a hefty price tag. Anne also mentioned that OSU Extension office has a new service that analyzes a sample that is sent to them and they provide a detailed report on the sample. Commission Items: Casey mentioned that recent applications have not been clearly identifying trees under review, and those that do flag the tree are often pulled of by people soon thereafter. He, and other commissioner, would like to see a card saying something like “Under Tree Commission Review” stapled to the tree so that it is not easily taken off, and is clear what the identification is for. Michael said that this can easily be created. ADJOURNMENT th The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm. The Next Meeting will be Thursday December 8, 2011 Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner 3