HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-0207 Tree MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Minutes, February 7, 2002
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Chair Rich Whitall at 5:08 p.m.
Additional commissioners in attendance in alphabetical order were: Greg Covey, Bryan
Holley, Bryan Nelson and Tom Peil. Parks department liaison Donn Todt, Council liaison
Cameron Hanson and staff Robbin Pearce were also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes were approved with corrections.
WELCOME GUESTS – Alan DeBoer, Randal Hopkins and Barbara Hines were present
to speak to the issue of the ordinance.
OLD BUSINESS
A.Tree Ordinance – 1)Alan DeBoer – Mr. DeBoer updated the commissioners on the
Ginkgo that was cut at the Library. The wood from the Ginkgo as well as two other
trees from that site is seasoning but no decision has been made as to what to use the
wood for. As far as the ordinance is concerned Mr. DeBoer stated the Council will
support whatever the commission comes up with. The ordinance need to be
something the Planning Commission can work with and he recommended reviewing
what is on the books, adding more teeth and support for follow up or enforcement. He
also feels the issue of restrictions on personal property rights should be eliminated.
Alan also felt that once both public works and community development were in the
Hillah enforcement and normal operations would work more smoothly. And tree
protection in construction should be a number one concern; we know it isn’t and we
will work toward making it so. Discussion included: frustration over lack of
enforcement. 2) Randall Hopkins – Mr. Hopkins stated the planning staff does a good
job in identifying trees for protection in projects. However, due to lack of follow
through by contractors the issue becomes one of public safety. Trees damaged in
construction, as well as trees that are not properly protected during a project, may be
weakened and pose a public hazard. Even worse, failing to adhere to planning
requirements such as protective fencing and prohibition on storage of debris and
petrochemicals around trees creates fire hazards. This is a particular concern since
much construction takes place in the forested areas of Ashland during dry summer
months. A fire resulting from such hazards could easily sweep out of control and
cause much damage. Mr. Hopkins cited a number of examples and showed photos
taken at construction projects around town. This history shows that all while
compliance directives from the city during construction are important, they are by
themselves insufficient. Too often, protection requirements are subsequently ignored
once the specific compliance issue has been resolved. Given the dangers involved, a
system of deterrence must be established to assure compliance and hazard avoidance
when city officials are not around or when public complaint is not lodged. Mr.
Hopkins recommended a few language changes be made in section 130 of the
proposed ordinance (the section dealing with penalties) to make clear that these apply
to violations of tree protection and hazard avoidance requirements. This will deter
improper and risky behavior by making clear that if the conditions are violated there
will be penalties and the penalties will be enforced. Mr. Hopkins stated, This is about
more than pretty trees; this is about public safety.”
John McLaughlin, Planner asked the commissioners ‘Where do you want to go?” The
Commissioners asked “If we look at two aspects: protection of existing canopy cover:
which is more of a residential issue but also some development issues and
development standards and regulations and given the Mayor’s concerns can we get
there from here?” McLaughlin stated what you have to work with now are three
pieces: the ordinance which covers development – identification of natural features
including anything greater than 6 inch; the design standards – which state ‘efforts
shall be made to protect…’ and the power to amend which regulate retention of trees
or other natural features. And then you must balance all the other planning aspects in
each project. The implementation piece is the conditions of approval, which have
become more stringent over the years, which is the piece that we could include in
ordinance. The challenging piece is distinguishing between large residential and
commercial or development lots.
Development should have a higher standard for development. We will have to
determine the trigger point for residential lots: 1 acre or ¾ acre; and how will we
protect lots from preemptory cuts. Discussion included: adding penalties to
development standards, a separate chapter vs. amending existing chapters, adding
mitigation language, the need for enforcement, creating a framework that is not just
punitive, ensuring teeth in whatever is developed.
It was unanimously agreed to drop the residential piece and to look at development
lands including multi-family and large scale and to include an aspect of support in the
purpose statement. Also, to develop a heritage tree program as a supportive and
educational piece.
McLaughlin will edit the ordinance and have it ready for the March meeting.
Alan Pardee, Landscape Architect from Mt. Shasta joined the discussion late. He
added that often the communities with tree ordinances with teeth often forget the
education piece. The idea is to have them want to save the trees.
B.Recommended Street Tree List – The editing has been done but because staff will be
on vacation the revisions won’t be done until April.
C.Jackson County Smart Map – Greg Covey will remain point person on this project.
We will get information from Engineering for the presentation to the Planning
Commission and the City Council.
D.Siskiyou Redesign – Donn Todt has been in touch with the Landscape Architect and
the LA will make changes based on our climate. Turf issues will be addressed. Staff
and Bryan Nelson will review the plans and contact the LA if necessary.
E.Street Clearance – Donn’s pole is available at the Parks shop if anyone needs it for
analysis. Urban trees are challenging. The Electric and Streets departments will be at
the March meeting to continue the discussion. Donn would like the topic of who is
responsible for parkrows on a future agenda.
F.Grant Application Update – Staff reported that four grants were requested. One for
$7,600 for grants in the downtown; one for $1,000 for Citygreen software; one for
$1,000 for brochure development for a tree replacement under powerlines project;
and one for $3,600 for a structural soil demonstration at Dan Wolf Exxon. The grants
will be awarded in April.
G.Arbor Week – Staff informed the Commissioners that the approximate cost of Arbor
Week is as follows: ~$305 for the Tidings ad and the plaque and an additional $150
for the tree. That leaves a little surplus in the budget. Ideas to spend money on
discussed in order of priority were: 1) Project cleanup on the bikepath (Bryan
Holley); 2) City Hall display of Terry Skibby’s photos (staff); 3)Age appropriate
books for schools and 4) additional tree planting projects. Projects that would not
impact the budget include 1) pruning demonstration (January Jennings), 2) tree walks
through the Park. Tom Peil suggested a Memorial Grove tree planting project in
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memory of victims of September 11. Donn Todt stated we currently don’t have a
site that we can plant. Staff asked Donn to keep the idea in mind for future plantings.
H.Other – Donn Todt reported the Oregon Department of Forestry will be conducting a
Hazardous Tree Training in May in Ashland which commissioners might want to
attend. Staff included we will be co-sponsoring that event and will bring additional
information in March.
NEW BUSINESS
A.Site Reviews – There were no site reviews this month.
B.Tree Permit Reporting – There were no tree permits to be reported this month.
C.Other – 1) Staff reported there were a couple of workshops that might be of interest
that the commissioners should review. 2) The Helman street project is moving along
and people are beginning to choose trees. It has been a good opportunity to work with
public works. There have been some glitches such as having to make tree choice
changes because some parkrows include overhead powerlines. 3) There is a new
situation with a tree at the Library. There is a tree which is growing differently than
was shown on the plans. Alan DeBoer asked the commissioners to look at the
situation and advise. Donn Todt and Bryan Nelson will review and get back to Mr.
DeBoer. 4) Staff shared a letter code compliance had written to a local business about
a tree planting project. Staff will bring more information back to the March meeting
about this project.
ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.