HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-0407 Tree MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Regular Meeting
April 7, 2005
Minutes
I.CALL TO ORDER:
Chair January Jennings called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m. on April 7, 2005 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development/Engineering
Services Building at 51 Winburn Way.
Commissioners Present:
January Jennings
Bryan Holley
Mary Pritchard (absent)
Laurie Sager
Fred Stockwell
Tracy Cohen
Ted Loftus (absent)
Council Liaison:
Cate Hartzell
Staff Present:
Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner
Donn Todt, Parks Department
Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
:
The following corrections were noted for the March 3, 2005 minutes.
Page 2, section B, second paragraph should read “No” tree removal is proposed as part of this
application. Page 5, section D, Daily Tidings reporter Bob Plane spells his name Plain not Plane.
Page 6, section E, paragraph under Tree Clinics- Mary Pritchard will be teaching a pruning clinic
during Earth Day not Arbor Day. Holley/Jennings m/s to approve the minutes of March 3, 2005
with corrections. Voice vote: All AYES, Motion passed. The minutes of March 3, 2005 were
approved as corrected.
III.WELCOME GUESTS AND PUBLIC FORUM:
There were no guests in attendance for tonight’s meeting.
:
IV PUBLIC HEARINGS
Before this planning action was discussed commissioner Holley shared he had previously met with
Jeff Strickland and Russ Dale regarding this project. Their meeting however did not relate to the
tree issues and stated he felt he could be impartial regarding this planning action.
April 7, 2005 Tree Commission Minutes Page 1 of 4
A. PLANNING ACTION 2005-084
is a request for Site Review approval of a mixed-use commercial
and residential development to be located at 165 Lithia Way and 123 N. First St. The proposal
includes two 3-story mixed-use commercial and residential buildings with one building being 29,289
square feet in size and one building being 26,407 square feet in size. In addition, six row houses
are proposed. A total of 14,736 square feet of retail and office space and a total of 41 residential
units are included in the proposed development. The site is located in the Detail Site Review Zone,
and is subject to the Detail Site Review Standards and to the Downtown Design Standards. In
addition, the proposal is subject to the Large Scale Development Standards because it exceeds
10,000 square feet in size and includes buildings greater than 100 feet in length. An Administrative
Variance from the Site Design and Use Standards is requested for the distance between the
buildings. A Tree RemovalPermit is requested to remove four trees on site. ComprehensivePlan
Designation: Commercial; Zoning: C-1; Assessor’s Map #: 39 1E 09 BA; Tax Lots: 90000,
.
90001, 90002, 90003, 10100, 11601, 11701
APPLICANT: Archerd & Dresner, LLC, and Redco, LLC
The Tree Commission discussed the proposal. Commissioner Cohen asked Amy if the parking lot
would change at all and will the trees that remain be surrounded by a sidewalk. Her concern was if
they would be OK. According to Amy the parking lot will not change in use.
Donn Todt suggested that as Lithia Way becomes more developed it might be a good idea for the
tree commissioners to come up with a list of species specific trees that would be appropriate for
that street. He felt more continuityalong the street would be appropriate. Commissioner Holley
suggested 2 or 3 species would be nice. Commissioners Sager and Jennings agreed that they liked
the trees that were selected by the developers.
Applicant Testimony:
Evan Archerd explained to the commissioners that they will be using the
roof water for irrigation with underground storage tanks. They are trying to use as little as possible
of Ashland’s treated water. Any overflow water will run out to the storm drain.
Holley asked about any future issues of open space the project might encounter and how it would
affect the landscape plan. Evan said if more open space is required they will most likely turn the
first floor frontage of the building into an arcade area. They do not anticipate changing the
landscaping plan.
Public Testimony:
Pennie Rose and Andrea Jovan co-owners of Ashland Camera and Ashland
International Hostel spoke regarding the planting of the project landscaping. They wanted to know
who supervises the project planting. Do they use good quality plants? Do they know the correct
level to plant them in the ground?
John Galbraith, the project landscape architect, discussed his process. The commissioners assured
both Pennie and Andrea that John is well respected in our community as a landscaper. John invited
the commissioners to go by and view 318 Grape St. in Medford as he used a new pervious paving
technique to pave the parking lot.
Recommendation
:
1) Protect the roots of the two trees along the west property line near the City of Ashland parking lot
during the construction of the sidewalk.
2) Ensure all measures of the tree protection are installed and maintained throughout the project
duration.
V. ACTION ITEMS
Type 1 Landscaping Review
A.
a.June: Tracy Cohen, January Jennings, (one more commissioner needed)
b.July: Bryan Holley, Ted Loftus, Mary Prichard
April 7, 2005 Tree Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4
VI. DISSCUSSION ITEMS
A. Arbor Day/Earth Day
a. Tree Walk
April 3. Six people attended. Though it was raining a great time was had by all!
rd
b. Tree City USA Proclamation-April 5
th
Read by Cate Hartzell
c. Tree Planting Ceremony with Mayor Morrison
No reporter was present. The tree looks great and some nice photos were taken.
d.Tree of the Year Ceremony
City Council Presentation-April 19. Greg Alexander ODF has two new signs, one
i.
th
for both the North and South exits. We will be receiving two new flags and an urn
that says “Tree City USA” It was discussed that since the City Council has such a
long agenda the award ceremony should be kept as short as possible. It was also
discussed that perhaps the Daily Tidings could do an article with pictures including
both past (20 years ago) and present pictures was suggested. The Forest Service
as well as Engineering may have aerial photographs.
ii.Plaque Dedication and installation- The plaque was ordered on time. Donn Todd
was reassured it would be here the last week of March. He expects it around the 8
th
of April and will notify everyone when it arrives. Commissioner Holley will email the
other members once a date has been picked for the installation of the plaque.
B. Type 1 Timing (What works? What doesn’t?)
The commissioners discussed the value behind having them participate in the decisions of the
Type 1 Actions. Jennings asked what impact it had and who would participate if they choose not
to? Amy Anderson told them she would do the landscaping portion and Robbin Pearce would do
the irrigation. Amy encouraged the commissioners to continue to be a part of this process and that
it is a valuable use of their time. Amy does not feel she has as much knowledge as they do and
might not be able to give the proper recommendations. It was agreed upon by the commissioners
to continue to participate in the Type 1 planning actions. It was decided that it would be OK to
change the time that the review board meets. It was agreed upon to meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday
May 5, 2005 for the next meeting.
C. Heritage Tree
Pennie Rose and Andrea Jovan, co-owners of the Ashland International Hostel, 150 North Main
were present at the meeting and are interested in nominating their Black Oak Tree for a Heritage
Tree. They were concerned about the rules of the nomination and how it would impact their
qualifications. Amy is going to check the documents and drafts to see exactly what the council
adopted.
VII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
A.Liaison Reports
a.Donn Todt read a memorandum from the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding
removal of some trees and shrubs on a piece of Lithia Way property (Near Lloyd Haines
project) that the Parks Department is taking over maintenance of. At the next meeting he will
bring a list of trees and shrubs that are being discouraged from being planted. He encouraged
the commissioners to take a look at the trees that are being removed. He would like them to
bring their thoughts back to next months meeting for a discussion.
Cate Hartzell had nothing to report at this time.
B.Old Business
Jennings reported about the workshop she attended. She felt it was very worthwhile and received
a great deal of information. She thanked the commission for sponsoring her. One of the thoughts
she shared was to “be proactive, don’t wait for the storm”
C.New Items
It was suggested that the commission invite City of Medford Arborist Bill Harrington to the next
meeting.
April 7, 2005 Tree Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4
The commissioners discussed ways in which to inform the community on how to take care of trees
during a drought. It was recommended that an article be put in the City Source. Other outlets
would be Home Life and Joy Magazine.
D.Current Balance $360. Actual balance is under $200 because of the plaque.
E.Tree Commission Goals
a. Education
1.Tree Tips
1. Daily Tidings – Back Page: Commissioner Stockwell explained that the
prior issues with the paper had to do with the city logo. Fred suggested
that the articles come from an individual rather than a commissioner.
Commissioner Sager would like to start a subcommittee to start working
on the back page articles.
2. Tree Clinics
1. Earth Day demonstrations - Mary Prichard will be teaching a tree
pruning clinic. It was discussed and agreed upon to have a booth and table
for the Earth Day Celebration. Holley went over the application he is filling
out. It was agreed upon to share the responsibilities and duties. Holley will
be sending out an email for sign-ups after talking with Ted Loftus
b.Monitoring
i.Tracking reports to the City Council
ii.A Staff permit was issued for a removal of a tree that was already in the process of
being removed. The applicant is required to plant two new trees in its place.
iii.It was noted that a report should be entered into Chris Adams file showing he has
completed replacing a tree
.
VII.ADJOURNMENT
Before adjournment the commissioners took turns expressing their gratitude and appreciation for Fred
Stockwell as this was his last meeting as a commissioner.
Commissioner Jennings adjourned meeting at 9:08 pm
April 7, 2005 Tree Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4