HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-1103 Tree MIN
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Ashland Tree Commission
Regular Meeting
November 3, 2005
Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair January Jennings called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 2005 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community
Development/Engineering Services Building at 51 Winburn Way.
Commissioners Present:
Pennie Rose
Bryan Holley
Mary Pritchard ( absent)
Laurie Sager
Ted Loftus (absent)
January Jennings
Steve Siewert
Council Liaison:
Staff Present:
Cate Hartzell, (arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner
Donn Todt, Parks Department
Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Holley proposed the possibility of making the minutes a
little less detailed. Holley/Rose m/s to approve the minutes of October 6, 2005. Voice vote: All
A YES, Motion passed. The minutes of October 6, 2005 were approved.
III. WELCOME GUESTS AND PUBLIC FORUM:
None present.
The Commissioners welcomed new Tree Commissioner Steve Siewert.
IV PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1476 is a request for a Land Partition to divide one existing parcel
into two parcels including one flag lot for the property located at 290 Skycrest Dr. The application
includes a proposal to vacate the existing public alley right-of-way to the north of the property. A
Variance is requested to minimum lot width requirement and the minimum lot size. The minimum
lot width required is 100 feet, and the proposed lots are irregularly shaped with portions under 100
feet in width. The minimum lot size in the RR-.5 zone is .50 of an acre, and the proposed lots are
.36 of an acre. The eastern portion of the property, approximately .38 of an acre, is proposed as
dedicated open space. A Physical Constraints Review Permit is requested to create a parcel with
slopes 25% and greater and remove three Black Oak trees greater than 12 inches diameter at breast
height in Hillside lands.
APPLICANT: Brian and Diane Smith
Commissioner Sager recused herself from this Planning Action because her office is working on
the project.
Amy explained that this Planning Action came before the Tree Commission on September 8, 2005
however the Commission did not have a quorum. The applicant postponed the Plamling Action
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and it is now coming back to the Commission for review. Amy stated that the Landscaping and
Erosion Control Plans are required as part of the Physical and Environmental Constraints review.
The landscape plans will get reviewed by the staff advisor and Robbin Pearce will review the
irrigation plan that corresponds when the building permit is submitted.
Applicant Testimony: Brian Smith gave a narrative regarding his plan and showed photographs
he had taken of his property.
The Commissioners acknowledged that the applicants have put a lot of care into their project and
they appreciate the effort in protecting the trees on the property.
The Commissioners had no recommendations for this Planning Action.
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1673 is a request for Site Review approval of a mixed-use
commercial and residential development to be located at 1651 Ashland St. ThE~ proposal
includes two, three-story mixed-use commercial and residential building. Both buildings
will consist of office and retail uses on the ground floors, and residential units on the first,
second and third floors. A total of 23 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. 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! Removal
Permit is requested to remove 18 trees on site.
APPLICANT: Kirt Meyer POSTPONED
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-01833 is a request for Subdivision approval to create seven
parcels including six pad lots and one common area lot for the property located at 150
Clear Creek Dr.
APPLICANT: Spur Rail LLC
THIS APPLICATION WAS IMPROPERLY NOTICED FOR TREE COMMISSION,
THERE IS NOT A LANDSCAPING PLAN REQUIREMENT FOR SUBDIVISION
APPROVAL. THIS ACTION WILL BE CONDITIONED THA T A LANDSC.4.PING
PLAN BE REVIEWED BY TREE COMMISSION PRIOR TO SIGNATURE ,oF
FINAL PLA T AND AGAIN FOR EACH SITE REVIEW.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Monitoring and Enforcement with Adam Hanks
Adam Hanks, City Code Compliance Specialist, was present to answer qm:stions the
Commissioners had regarding code compliance and monitoring. Mr. Hanks had recently
completed a project where he and Dean Walker put Door Hangers on citizen's doors that may be
in violation of City Municipal Zoning Code regarding vegetation trimming. Mr. Hanks stated the
reason for the door hanger was because it would actually call attention to the person who is
residing at the residence rather then a home owner who might not even live in the area. Public
Works and the Electric Department are not altogether satisfied with the follow up from this
procedure because not everyone responds quickly and others ignore it altogether. HaJ1zell noted
that the door hanger was not very explanatory.
The Commissioners discussed the issue of the 14' limit vegetation over streets. Mr. Hanks stated
that in Chapter Nine it still states 12' and in Chapter 13 it was changed to 14'. Mr. Hanks is not
sure which one takes precedence.
Hartzell suggested that someone from the Tree Commission do a ride along with the Street
Sweeper and City Bucket Trucks. Sager suggested neighborhood trimming cla:;ses. The
Commissioners decided to have a Study Session to address the issues with this code. Mr. Hanks
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will coordinate the Study Session with Public Works, Electric Department and Street Sweepers. A
noon meeting for an hour was decided upon.
The Commissioners will email ideas and topics to Mr. Hanks regarding their thoughts about the
other discussion topics they did not have time to discuss. The Commissioners agreed to copy their
emails to Mr. Hanks to each other as well.
B. Trees in Median near Omar's
Sager stated she was concerned about planting Parrotia's at this location and asked to discuss the
possibility of having something more vertical and that can tolerate everything. She felt that the
Parrotia is sensitive and can grow somewhat wide and didn't feel it was necessarily the
appropriate tree for this spot. Her experience was that they needed a lot of babying.
Todt suggested that Sager and the other Commissioners take a look at the long row of Parrotia's
used as Street Trees along Wightman. Approximately thirty of them were planted about 12 years
ago. Generally they are planted in woodland situations and that is why you see them wide
spreading though normally they tend to be much more upright, stated Todt. Todt has full
confidence that they will do well at that spot as they are easily pruned, disease and insect resistant
and have a beautiful fall color. It was decided to plant five trees. Amy will speak with the
Deboer's regarding mitigation. The Commissioners decided the amount for each tree including
planting will cost $450.00.
VI. ACTION ITEMS
A. Tree of the Year
a. Presentation at Council: Tree of the Year is the Giant Sequoia located at 165 Almond St.
Fifty-six ballots were turned in. Fred Stockwell will be taking the photograph of the tree and Amy
will notify the property owners. The presentation will be at the November 15th City Council
meeting. In the future the Commissioners would like to eliminate the word favorite from the title.
It was decided to have a sub-committee to discuss what the criteria should be for the Tree of the
Year. The discussion of the sub-committee was tabled until next month when Pritchard and
Loftus can be present. The Commission also discussed the idea of havina a Tree Tour next year
showing all the nominations or the five different finalists.
B.Replacement post for 391 Liberty - 2001 Tree of the Year. Holley spoke with the home
owners and discovered that the wood had rotted out on the back. Todt took the plaque to repair it
and then he and Holley will offer to help install it.
Type I Review sign-ups:
December 8, 2005 Jennings, Loftus and Siewert
January 5, 2005 Pritchard, Loftus and Siewert
February 9,2005 Sager, Holley and Siewert
March 9, 2005 Jennings, Rose and Siewert
VII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
A. Liaison Reports
Hartzell encouraged the Tree Commissioners to fill out the organizational audit review survey that
they received. She also encouraged the Commissioners to be thinking about their long term goals
that could be imputed into the Councils goal setting.
Todt shared the proposed tree removals for 2006, most of which are in Lithia Park. The Lithia
Park walk thru with the arborist will be held on Wednesday November 16 at 1:00 p.m. Todt
noted that the City does not take care of the Trees on Pioneer Street, Shakespeare does. He
noticed a lot of girdling. Amy will talk with her friend Ramy who works for Shakespeare and
ask him who is responsible for the landscapeing. Rose volunteered to walk with them and share
information about tree care.
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B. Old Business None
C. New Business
The Commissioners would like goal setting put on the January agenda. Amy will count the
amount of Street Tree Guides that are left and put a copy in the Lobby showing the cost.
Jennings reported that she had recently gone by the new Dorm at SOU and watched the
landscapers plant the trees. She was very pleased stating they did a good job.
Sager will bring a copy of the Tree Planting Detail that her office uses to next months meeting for
the Commissioners to review.
D. Current Balance $609.55
Will be receiving an invoice from the Daily Tidings articles.
E. Tree Commission Goals
1. Education
1. Daily Tidings Back Page. December's article will be on Pruning and
Rose volunteered to draft the article.
2. Tree Clinics. Pritchard is scheduling one.
Rose volunteered to mount the certificate for Evo's tree that won Honorable Mention.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Jennings adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.
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