CALL TO ORDER 
Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way.
 

Commissioners Present:	Council Liaison:
Maureen Batistella	Carol Voisin, absent
Mike Oxendine
Russell Neff	Parks Liaison:
	Peter Baughman, absent
Commissioners Absent:
Christopher John	Staff Present:
Casey Roland	Cory Darrow, Assistant Planner

 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
Batistella/Neff m/s to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2016 Tree Commission meeting with one correction. Voice Vote: All Ayes, motion passed unanimously.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS
City Council Liaison – Voisin was absent, no report.
 
Parks & Recreation Liaison – Baughman was absent, no report.
 
Community Development Liaison – Darrow reported that there has been a discussion with the City of Ashland legal department about when trees are removed in violation of the ordinance does the fine go to the property owner or the contractor/arborist?  The decision was made that the fines will be levied against the professional.  Darrow brought attention to the fact that earlier this month three trees on Waterline Road were removed without having gone through the property procedure and a $500.00 fine for each of the three trees will be levied against Beaver Tree Service. 
 
The Commission agreed they would appreciate a monthly update from Darrow regarding any enforcement actions that have taken place.
 
The Commissioners asked Darrow to research the removal of a row of Leland Cypress trees along Tolman Creek Road close to East Main Street.
Darrow explained that trees located at 85 Winburn Way have orange fencing surrounding them.  There is not an approved tree protection fencing, stated Darrow but the owner is hoping to be able to retain those trees. 
 
PUBLIC FORUM
Dave Sherr, lives on Strawberry Lane Ashland resident since 1995 had concerns regarding the Ashland Plaza Restoration Project.  He expressed his desire to see more mature shade trees planted in the plaza area. He and others are offering to fund those trees in order to get the ball rolling.  See exhibit “A “at the end of the minutes.
 
MINISTERIAL REVIEWS
PERMIT NUMBER: PW-2016-01816
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 15 S. Pioneer
OWNER: Oregon Shakespeare Festival
DESCRIPTION: Two existing street trees are proposed for removal during the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Courtyard Project (The Bricks) in order to accommodate accessibility requirements and new utility installation.  The applicant has proposed to mitigate the removal by crating enlarged tree-wells within the right-of-way, planting 2” Trident Maples and utilizing structural soil and automated irrigation. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial - Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09 BB TAX LOT: 14200.
 
Darrow gave his staff report.  All the Commissioners did a site visit.
 
Landscape Architect for the project, Chelsea McCann, 8570 SW Cecilia Terrace Portland Oregon 97233, explained the proposal.  Ms. McCann explained OSF is doing a redesign of the bricks to help with a lot of the slopes and accessibility issues. 
 
After a discussion the Commissioners made the following recommendation.
 
Neff/Oxendine m/s to approve with the recommendation to consider an alternative species for the Street trees and larger caliper trees. Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed unanimously.
 
TYPE I REVIEWS
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2016-01815                        
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 15 S. Pioneer
APPLICANT: Oregon Shakespeare Festival
DESCRIPTION:  A request to remove one non-hazardous tree to allow for the re-development of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Courtyard (The Bricks). The applicant has proposed to mitigate the removal by planting a 2” Trident Maple in an enlarged tree-well utilizing structural soil and automated irrigation. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial - Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09 BB TAX LOT: 14200.

Ms. McCann explained the tree protection plan. 
After their discussion the Commissioners made the following recommendation.
Oxendine/Batistella m/s to approve the tree protection plan recommending that the applicants submit a full tree protection plan including in the specifications for the demolition that any work done within that tree protection zone will be done with a consulting arborist on site.
Voice Vote; All Ayes, motion passed unanimously
 
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2016-01644                                                
SUBJECT PROPERTY: Tax Lot # 1210 on Roca Street
OWNER: Edward Alpern
APPLICANT: Suncrest Homes
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Physical and Environmental Constraints Review Permit to allow for the construction of a new single-family residence on slopes greater than 25 percent. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-10.
 
Darrow gave his staff report explaining the Commissioners are being asked to review the tree protection plan for adequacy.
 
Charlie Hamilton, Suncrest Homes, 328 Talent Avenue, explained the tree protection plan for the large Oak tree located in the corner of the property.  Impact should be very minimal, stated Hamilton.  
 
After a discussion the following motion was made.
 
Oxendine/Neff m/s to approve with the recommendation that the tree protection zone be increased to sixteen feet except at the location closest to where the building is going to be. Voice Vote: Commissioners Oxedine, Neff approved, Batistella opposed, motion passed.
 
DISCUSSION
Plaza tree installation. Is the Tree Commission in favor of a private donor funding a new tree for the Plaza? Does the Tree Commission have a location or species recommendation?
 
The Commissioners discussed the removing and planting of a tree in the Plaza area. 
Oxendine/Neff m/s that the Tree Commission supports the planting of a larger tree on the Plaza Area.  Another large Oak tree (maybe even a Willow Oak) was suggested.  Voice Vote; All Ayes; motion passed unanimously.
 
The Tree Commission defers to discuss potential locations until they have an application to review.
 
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.