Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair January Jennings called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at
Commissioners Present: Pennie Rose (absent)
Bryan Holley
Mary Pritchard
Laurie Sager, arrived at 7:50 P.M.
Ted Loftus
January
Steve Siewert
Council Liaison: Cate Hartzell, arrived at 8:45 P.M.
Staff Present: Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner
DonnTodt,ParksDepartment, (absent) Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The call to order date should be December 8, 2005. On the second page under applicant testimony, Tom Myers name was misspelled. Page three of five under section 6 letter A the third paragraph down, the fee should read $350.00 not $35.00. Holley/Pritchard m/s to approve the minutes of December 8, 2005. Voice vote: All AYES, Motion passed. The minutes of December 8, 2005 were approved.
III. WELCOME GUESTS AND PUBLIC FORUM:
None present.
IV PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1836 is a request for a Conditional Use Permit to use a portion of a new home for an accessory residential unit for the property located at
APPLICANT: Steven J. Asher
Amy read the staff report.
The Commissioners discussed this Planning Action and felt that they would follow the Planning Commissions direction on the irrigation plan and mitigation tree. They felt it was more of an infill issue not a Tree Commission issue.
Recommendations:
1) Tree Commission supports Staff recommendations.
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-2105 is a request for Site Review approval for a three-story, mixed-use building comprised of commercial space on the ground floor and two residential units on the second and third floors for the property located at 145 E. Main St. The proposed building would be located on the vacant lot situated between
APPLICANT: Urban Development Services, LLC
Amy read the staff report.
Applicant Testimony: Mark Knox, Urban Development Services,
Mr. Galbraith explained the use of structural soil on this project. It is made up of 80% rock mixed with topsoil so there is less damage to infrastructure around the trees, and eliminates the need for root barriers. Holley suggested this might make a good Daily Tidings Back Page article.
Recommendations:
1) Tree Commission recommends using structural soil in lieu of root barriers in the tree well for the street tree.
2) Tree Commission recommends selecting the Street Tree from the amended Lithia Way Street Tree list.
3) Tree Commission is in support of the changes made to the building at the Historic Commission meeting from
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-2107 is a request for Outline approval under the Performance Standards Chapter, 18.88 for a five-lot subdivision located at
APPLICANT: Urban Development Services, LLC
Pritchard disclosed that when she went to the site the applicants were present and gave her a tour.
The Commissioners discussed the Planning Action. Amy explained that the applicant will be required to provide CC&R’s prior to the signature of survey plat. The CC&R’s will include the maintenance of the roadway, maintenance of the park rows, sidewalks and anything else that is designated as natural features. If there was an open space the CC&R’s would dictate how those trees are taken care of and who would be responsible to take care of them. The CC&R’s will come in prior to the plat at the same time as the Final Plan. Amy suggested that if the Tree Commission has any issues with tree protection or tree choices they could recommend that it come back to them at Final Plan. Typically the Tree Commission would not review it again because a Final Plan is usually a Staff or Type 1 Action.
Applicant Testimony: Mark DiRienzo, Urban Development Services, 320 E
John Galbraith explained the proposed tree protection plan as well as the trees for mitigation.
Because of the recent issues at Prospect and Mountain, Sager had questions regarding any concerns the neighborhood might have. Mr. DiRienzo explained that they have already had a neighborhood meeting and the homeowners appear happy with the project. Commissioner Siewert inquired about the irrigation of the trees. Siewert’s concern is that big trees don’t like change and since they were not previously watered they probably will not want water now. Mr. Galbraith stated that there would indeed be irrigation going to the trees though he feels the trees may be stressed currently due to lack of adequate water.
It was decided by the Tree Commissioners that if they are contacted in any fashion by a citizen, the project applicant’s email will be added to all correspondence. Amy requested that she also be included in the emails.
Recommendations:
1) Tree Commission recommends street trees to be installed chosen from the City Recommended Street Tree Guide along the
2) Tree Commission recommends careful planning for the installation of the irrigation system in proximity to the large established trees.
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1830 is a request for a Land Partition to create three parcels for the property located at
APPLICANT: Urban Development Services, LLC.
Amy showed the plans and some additional photographs for this Planning Action. Sager asked Mr. Knox if they have prepared a Tree Protection Plan for during construction. Mr. Knox explained that at this phase of the project they will only be adding three or four feet of paving on the upper west portion and curbing on the downhill side of
Applicant Testimony: Rodney and Barbara Hinds, owners, and Mark Knox were present. When the Hinds purchased the property in 1987 the landscape was very barren. They planted all the trees and vegetation that is now there. The proposal is to remove only one tree because their intent is to minimize any type of disturbance to the landscaping.
Pritchard recommended to the applicants that they not allow the ivy to flower because it will spread very quickly with help of birds. Ideally it would be nice to remove it and use another type of ground cover for erosion control.
Recommendation:
1) Tree Commission recommends tree protection fencing along the street frontages while the streets are under construction to be installed and inspected in accordance with 18.61.200.
2) Tree Commission recommends support of the Variance to the street widths so as to preserve the trees along the street frontages.
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-2186 is a request for Modification of the Outline Plan subdivision approval for the Birnam Woods Subdivision to modify the approved building envelope and tree preservation plan for
APPLICANT: Gary S. Plano & Mark C. Meyer
The Commission had waited for the arrival of Tom Myers to represent this Planning Action but he never arrived. Amy read the staff report and handed out a letter of opposition that was recently submitted by a neighbor.
The Commissioners discussed this Planning Action and felt that the Pine Tree could live with this disease for many years. Because there is a way to access this lot and build a house without cutting down this tree the Commissioners did not support the removal of it. Loftus also stated that it would not matter if the applicant or Tom Myers were present at the Tree Commission meeting he would still feel the same way.
Recommendation:
1) Tree Commission recommends not approving the removal of the Ponderosa Pine and recommends treatment methods be instituted by a Certified Arborist.
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. Goal Setting Meeting –
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Arbor Day Planning
a. The Oregon Department of Forestry will make the presentation of
b. The Commissioners will be thinking about what tree to plant and where. Amy said that Donn Todt suggested planting a tree either at the
c. Tree of the Year Plaque installation. Amy confirmed that the 2005 plaque is on order. The posts for the replacement tree plaque are ready. Todt will call Holley to arrange the installation.
d. Earth Day. The banner is scheduled to go up from April 3rd to the 10th. Pritchard/Sager m/s to become members of the National Arbor Day Foundation for a fee of $15.00.
B. Chairperson
a. Chair/Vice Chair
Loftus/Sager m/s to nominate Bryan Holley as Chair for the upcoming year and Mary Pritchard as Vice Chair. It was noted by the Commissioners that January Jennings has done a fantastic job.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONS
A. Liaison Reports
There were no Liaison reports.
B. Old Business
Sub-Committee Reports: Loftus and Sager met December 6, 2005 to discuss the mitigation of trees. They are working on a preliminary to create draft language that could go to legal and then forward to the Council. Loftus suggested coming up with a timeline for the Commissioners to complete their part. They also discussed where trees should be planted and tree values. Hartzell suggested planting trees by the bus stops..
Loftus asked the question “If there is a fee accessed rather then a tree mitigation how they get the dollars in and out?” Amy was uncertain and will get more clarification on how this works from the City Attorney. She will write a draft Resolution to Council
C. New Items
Sager asked about the Prospect and
1st: Consult the applicant or owner
2nd: Talk with the Landscape Architect
3rd: Contact the City of
4th: Talk with the Tree Commission
The Commissioners agreed that if they receive an email from a citizen they will acknowledge it and then forward it to Adam Hanks or Amy Anderson. Mr. Hanks is the City employee who would enforce any issues that require enforcement.
D. Current Balance
$404.87
E. Tree Commission Goals
i. Education
1. Daily Tidings Back Page. Sager reported that the next article is done and at the Tidings. The article is on Trees with Winter Interest. The Commissioners decided to write another article. It was decided to discuss the topic through emails.
Siewert contacted Steve Meister regarding the tree on his property at the corner of
ii. Tree Clinics
Pritchard has a Tree Clinic on pruning scheduled for January 8, 2006 at
iii. Monitoring
Adam Hanks and Holley had email conversations today regarding Faith and Siskiyou. Adam went to the site and checked out the issues that Holley brought to his attention. Holley was concerned about the placement of a construction shed. Hanks found that the construction shed has been placed upon the parking lot pavement and in the location of a previous structure.
Commissioner Jennings adjourned the meeting at 10:10 pm