HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-0905 Tree MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Minutes, September 5, 2002
Call to Order – the meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by Acting Chair
January Jennings. Additional commissioners in attendance were Greg
Covey, Bryan Holley, Dan Moore, Laurie Sager and Rich Whitall. Also in
attendance were Council liaison Kate Jackson and staff Robbin Pearce.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes for June and July were approved with
corrections.
Welcomed Guests - Kathleen Weaver was in attendance for Planning Action
2002-096. Carl Carlson, Evan Archerd, Russ Dale and John Galbraith were
in attendance for Planning Action 2002-054.
Old Business
A. Recommended Street Tree List – Staff asked two commissioners to
review final draft. January Jennings and Bryan Holley volunteered. Once
they have approved the draft staff will have the graphic design finished
and the printing done.
B. Bryan Holley’s Memo – Kate Jackson suggested formulating where you
want to go (it is actually in the memo); ask for consideration, guidance
and support (soften the language); keep it to one page; be less emotional
and then develop logic points as to why the city should be involved with
the costs. Greg Covey suggested using the title Urban Landscape
Manager. It was decided to hold this item for goal setting.
C. Public Works Specifications Revision – Laurie Sager reported there is a
lot work to be done. The committee will review he Siskiyou Redesign
specs to establish a set of boilerplate specs for use by Public Works when
a design professional is not involved.
D. Heritage Tree List – Bryan Nelson and Greg Covey will continue to
develop this program and report in November. January Jennings and
Greg Covey will work on the technical aspects
E. Tree Ordinance Issues – Discussion included: “valuing” and then
replacing with equal value; creating programs for replacement with
volunteers; ensuring the public benefits from the process; including a
piece that requires property owners to maintain the trees. It was
acknowledged that true valuation is a complicated process, which should
require a certified arborist. We need to keep it simple. It was decided to
continue the discussion to goal setting.
The handout was reviewed and corrections submitted. Staff reported the
next step was the creation of a permit form.
F. Morton Street Update – Discussion included assessing maximum fines
equal to maximum valuation. The monies from the fines should be used
to educate the professionals (arborist, etc.) A letter will be drafted to
Adam Hanks (code compliance officer) with recommendations for
penalties including mitigation and valuation with the fine (relevant to the
value of the trees) to be spent on education, covering the cost of staff
time and any impact on the neighborhood. Also, the property owner
should pay for the valuation determination by the certified arborist and
that information should be sued to assess the fine. Bryan Holley
volunteered to draft the letter.
G. Siskiyou/Pardee project – Commissioners discussed the outcome of this
project
H. Other
1. Blue Moon – Staff shared the letter from the planner, which shows the
leyland cypress being classified as a hedge and allowing the property
owner to remove them.
2. Library - January Jennings recommended the recommendations from
the Tree Commission must require the protection fencing to stay up
during construction (not be moved) and education and early
communication with all parties involved be an essential part of
making protection work. Bryan Holley asked to review what the Tree
Commission recommended and what actually got done. It was decided
that at goal setting the commission would review “how effective are
we or are we wasting our time” and “are we being realistic about
requiring trees to be saved.
Tree Permits – Staff presented the permits issued for the month of August.
Commissioners asked that the monthly tree permit list include the type of
permit.
New Business
A. Site Reviews
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1. Planning Action 2002-096 (Haxton on 5) – Be sure a pressure
regulator is installed on the irrigation system.
2. Planning Action 2002-054 (NoMoCo) – Good Variety of plant
materials. We recommend percolating culvert along North Mountain.
We also recommend utilizing natural runoff/flows to irrigate if
possible through a bioswale system. The cottonwoods next to the open
space may be hazardous to homeowners. This situation should be
evaluated especially if it will be maintained for wildlife habitat. Make
every attempt to preserve the large street tree on Lynn Street.
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B. Goal Setting Date – The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday the 11
at 7 p.m. Location to be determined.
C. Type I plant material subcommittee – Staff asked that commissioners be
available for questions on plant materials for review of Type I planning
actions. Staff will create a rotating schedule and will only call if needed.
Knowledgeable commissioners agreed.
D. Other
1. Greg Covey resigned. He will be available to work on the Heritage
Tree piece of the ordinance.
2. Landscape Design Professional Standard Condition – Laurie Sager is
working with staff to create a standard condition that planners can use,
which will require landscape design professional involvement
throughout the installation process.
Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.