ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

September 3, 2009

CALL TO ORDER – Co-Chair Bobby Townsend called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on September 3, 2009 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

August 6, 2009 Tree Commission Minutes –   Jones / Neff m/s to approve the minutes of August 6, 2009. Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes were approved as submitted.

WELCOME GUESTS

TYPE I REVIEW

PLANNING ACTION:            2009-00559       

SUBJECT PROPERTIES:      1675 Siskiyou Boulevard

APPLICANT:                           P. Crompton & P. Kanchanakaset Crompton

DESCRIPTION:  A request for Site Review approval, a Conditional Use Permit, and an Exception to Street Standards to operate a one-unit motel for the property located at 1675 Siskiyou Boulevard. 

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Commercial Retail; ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 05 AB; TAX LOT: 8000

Site Visits: All: No ex parte

Amy gave the staff report.

Applicant: None

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1)     That the proposed hedge along Siskiyou Boulevard shall be replaced with a hedging material that is no greater than 4-feet in height at maturity to retain the building orientation and presence towards the street.

2)     That all tree staking and ties shall be removed within one year of planting of the tree(s).

PUBLIC HEARING

PLANNING ACTIONS:          2009-00784

SUBJECT PROPERTY:         615 Washington Street

APPLICANT:                           Ron Rezek

DESCRIPTION: A request for Annexation and Zoning Map change from Jackson County zoning RR-5 (Rural Residential) to City of Ashland zoning E-1 (Employment) for an approximately 1.02-acre parcel located at 615 Washington Street. The application is for a warehouse facility to serve the adjacent Modern Fan business at 709 Washington Street. The application includes a request for the Site Review Approval for the 17,650 square foot warehouse building and associated parking areas and landscape installation. A Tree Removal Permit is requested to remove twelve trees greater than six inches diameter at breast height or greater. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; PROPOSED ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 14 AC; TAX LOT: 200.

Site Visits: Townsend, Neff, Jones, KenCairn: No ex parte

Amy gave the staff report.

Applicant: None

Discussion: The Commissioners that did site visits were concerned about the maintenance of the existing Modern Fan Co. site and that the landscaping was not being taken care of. For example, the trees were still staked and had their tags on them. They also were concerned about the decision to retain the Siberian Elms and oaks as they were in poor health and the impacts from the construction was not evaluated by an arborist. Though no recommendations to this effect were made they wanted the discussion passed on to the applicant.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That all tree staking for the newly planted trees shall be removed within one year of tree planting.

DISSICUSSION ITEMS

Tree Health Mini-Seminar:

        Amy completed the flyer for the Tree Health Mini-Seminar that Casey is hosting at Garden Way Park. It was decided that the ‘registration fee’ would be a donation to the Ashland Food Bank. The seminar will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 9 – 11 AM. People may register to attend through Amy.

Tree of the Year Ballot:

        Amy is working with Shields, the Editor of the Locals Guide regarding the composition of the ballot and an accompanying article. The Locals Guide was chosen as the price of an ad is significantly less than the Tidings and the guide has a larger distribution.               

Tree Ordinance:

        Tree Commissioners passing their thoughts on the matter to Amy. The reasons for the desired changes were discussed. There was also a discussion on the potential ramifications of passing any changes. The Commission thought in general the ordinance was quite effective in preventing trees from being removed as the public has a misconception that all tree removal is either permitted or prohibited but that it is less effective in the protection of trees during typical construction, excavation and trenching projects.  Casey will write a brief article that could be used as a handout regarding why tree preservation and protection during all types of construction is important. The other Commissioners will bring forth language for the handout about why trees are beneficial to health, security, environmental protections, property values, etc.  

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Liaison Reports:

Council: None

Parks: None

Tree Commission:

It was discussed that if the Tree Commission was to speak to the Planning Commission at a Joint Study Session they would like Dave Wood to attend and speak to street trees, their maintenance and the issues with larger trees, power lines and utility clearances. This may alleviate the issue of the Planning Commission not passing the Tree Commission recommendations to conditions of approval. Additionally, the Commission would like to see the discussion encapsulated in the recommendations so that the basis for recommendation is explained.

Current Balance - $ 750.00

ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Townsend adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Amy Gunter, Assistant Planner