CALL TO ORDER 
Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:00pm in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way.
 

Commissioners Present:	Council Liaison:
Mike Oxendine	Unassigned
Asa Cates	Parks Staff Liaison:
Christopher John	Peter Baughman
Russell Neff	Planning Staff Liaison:
	Derek Severson
Commissioners Absent:
Maureen Battistella

  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
Oxendine/Neff m/s to approve the minutes of March 2, 2017 as amended. Voice Vote: ALL AYES Commissioners:  Cates, John, Oxendine, Neff
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS

• Council Liaison
  • There has not been a Council Liaison assigned to the Commission as of yet. 
• Parks & Recreation Department Liaison:
  • Baughman announced that there will be a tree planting on April 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at North Mountain Nature Park Nature Center.  Baughman commented that trees have been switched to some larger Jeffrey Pines.  Commissioners John, Baughman and Cates indicated they would be present for the event.    
• Staff Liaison:
  • Severson noted that with Assistant Planner Cory Darrow’s resignation, he would be returning to staff the Commission.

PUBLIC FORUM 
Vincent Wallow, residing at 67 Morse Street in Ashland addressed the Commission regarding the removal of 22 trees along the Ashland High School track.  Severson noted that these trees were impacting the track, and were removed under the ministerial Street Tree Removal Permit process in conjunction with work to be done to the track.   
 
Jim Falkenstein, residing at 540 Lakota in Ashland presented a proposal to the Commission regarding flying his drone over projects and properties to take pictures and videos for their files.  He presented the Commission with a zip drive showing his work, and indicated that he had applied to fill one of the vacancies on the Commission.    
 
TYPE I REVIEWS
Chair John read aloud the procedures for public hearings.
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2017-00340                                               
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  676 South Mountain Avenue     
OWNER:  Livni Family Trust/Gil Livni, Trustee
APPLICANT:  Rogue Planning & Development
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Site Design Review approval to construct a new Accessory Residential Unit in conjunction with the construction of a new Single Family Residence for the property located at 676 South Mountain Avenue.  Also included are requests for a Tree Removal Permit to remove seven trees greater than 18-inches in diameter at breast height, including six ponderosa pines within the proposed building footprint and a 28-inch diameter cedar tree which is dying, and a Solar Access Exception to allow the proposed building to cast more of a shadow on the property to the north than would be cast by a six-foot fence built on the north property line.  The applicant owns the adjacent property and has consented to the proposed shading. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 16AA; TAX LOT: 9002.
 
John recused himself from this application and Oxendine was asked to open the public hearing to the applicants. 
 
Severson gave the staff report for PA-2017-00340.
 
The Commissioners asked Severson to look into tree protection on previous actions. 
 
Amy Gunter, of Rogue Planning and Development, 1424 S. Ivy Street, Medford , and Gil Livni, 2532 Old Mill Way, Ashland addressed the Commission regarding their project and proposal.   
 
David Sanks, neighbor at 698 S. Mountain, Ashland, addressed the Commission regarding the evolving project.  Mr. Sanks brought to the attention of the Commission, that 2 trees were cut during the purchase of the home and 6 more cut down subsequently but does not know the time frame.  He hears justification in that fact that beautiful trees were cut down, growth and development being the reasons, but hates to see this kind of development in the name of progress and growth.  Mr. Sanks asked the Commission to consider to what extent can a project move along, when violations are obvious?  Mr. Sanks would like to keep the property the way it is.
 
Eric Bonetti, 2552 Old Mill Way, Ashland, addressed the Commission.  Mr. Bonetti stated that saying there are violations against the developer is erroneous.  Mr. Bonetti, went on to say that people should be able to build to their property rights and that the demolition on Fern Street was justified and had the proper inspections. 
 
Oxendine closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission for comments. 
 
After a discussion regarding tree protection, submitting accurate plans, tree mitigation and protecting larger trees, the original motion died. 
 
Cates/Neff m/s to approve PA-2017-00340 with recommendation to save #3, 5, & 6, to protect all remaining trees ,and to submit a revised plan before removal. 
Voice Vote; AYES: Commissioners; Cates, Neff NAYES: Oxendine
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2017-00389
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  552 Beach Street
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Scott and Laura Bandoroff/Rogue Planning and Development
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Tree Removal Permit to allow for construction of a single-family detached house. The requested removal is to take place on a preliminarily approved new lot created through Planning Action No. 2016-01677, which proposed to protect the 48” Diameter at Breast Height Douglas Fir tree during the construction process. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5 ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 16 AA; TAX LOT: 4100.
 
There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission.
 
Severson gave the staff report for PA-2017-00389
 
John opened the public hearing to the applicants. 
 
Amy Gunter, Rogue Planning and Development, 1424 S. Ivy, Medford, and Paul/Missy Matthews of 703 Howard, Marina Del Ray, CA, addressed the Commission regarding the project proposal.  They explained that the lot is pre-sold when partitioned and they are in the design phase as of right now.
 
John closed the public hearing to the applicants and opened to the Commission for discussion. 
 
Oxendine/Cates m/s to approve PA-2017-00389 with recommendation to mitigate with 2 similar large conifers and provide a tree plan. 
Voice Vote; ALL AYES: Commissioners; Cates, Neff, Oxendine, John
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2017-00499                                               
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1290 & 1680 Green Meadows Way
OWNER:  Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association (MRPOA)
APPLICANT:  Douglas Kay, MRPOA President
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Tree Removal Permits to remove two trees located in the common areas of the Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association (MRPOA).  The first is an eight- to nine-inch diameter Ponderosa Pine located on the greenway behind 1290 Greenmeadows Way; the applicant’s tree care professional indicates that the tree is negatively impacting a Tilia east of it which would thrive if the Pine were removed.  The second is a 24-inch diameter Scots Pine located on the greenway behind 1680 Greenmeadows Way and proposed for removal because previous topping has caused remaining limbs to elongate unnaturally and created a hazard with broken limbs falling in several recent storms. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 23BB; TAX LOTS: 504 and 536.
There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission.
 
Severson gave the staff report for PA-2017-00499.
 
John opened the public hearing to the applicants.
 
Douglas Kay, MRPOA President, 2350 Ranch Road, Ashland, addressed the Commission regarding this project and proposal. 
 
John closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission for discussion. 
 
John /Oxendine m/s to approve PA-2017-00499 as presented. 
Voice Vote: ALL AYES: Commissioners; John, Oxendine, Cates, Neff
 
TYPE II REVIEWS

PLANNING ACTION: PA-2017-00200
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  165 Water Street (corner of Van Ness & Water Streets)
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Magnolia Investment Group, LLC/Gil Livni
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Site Design Review approval to construct a 42,841 square foot, three-story, mixed-use building consisting of commercial tenant space on the ground floor, 26 hotel units on the second floor, and ten residential condominiums on the third floor for the vacant property located at 165 Water Street, at the corner of Van Ness and Water Streets, in the Skidmore Academy Historic District.  The application includes requests for a Conditional Use Permit to allow hotel/motel use; an Exception to Street Standards; a Physical & Environmental Constraints Review Permit for the development of floodplain and severe constraints lands; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove seven trees. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 04CC; TAX LOT #: 2000
John stated that he has worked with the applicants in the past but this will not affect his decision on the project proposal. 
 
Severson gave the staff report for PA-2017-00200.
 
John opened the public hearing to the applicants.
 
Applicants present were:

• Amy Gunter, Rogue Planning and Development, 1424 S. Ivy Street, Medford.
• Gil Livni, Magnolia Investments, 2352 Old Mill Way, Ashland.
• Tom Madara, address not given during presentation. 

Ms. Gunter gave a history on the area of the project and a detailed overview of the proposal. 
 
John closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission for comments.
 
After a discussion regarding tree mitigation and soil volume, most were in agreement that this project has a great tree selection and will be a big improvement to the area. 
 
Cates / Oxendine m/s to approve PA-2017-00200 with recommendations to encourage diversity of street trees, increase soil volume, and look at any alternative to grates.  
Voice Vote: ALL AYES: Commissioners; John, Oxendine, Cates, Neff
 
TYPE I REVIEWS (Continued)
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2017-00450
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  901 – 907 Larkin Lane
OWNER/APPLICANT: Kate Jackson
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a hazardous tree removal permit to remove two trees from a multi-family property. The first tree proposed for removal is a cypress that is currently leaning against the structure and the second tree is an incense cedar located next to the power pole that has suffered from previous topping(s). COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 391E09DA; TAX LOT: 90000.
There was no conflict of interest or ex-parte contact indicated by the Commission.
 
Severson gave the staff report for PA-2017-00450.
 
There was no applicant present for the public hearing.
 
Oxendine /John m/s to approve PA-2017-00450 as presented.
Voice Vote: ALL AYES: Commissioners; John, Neff, Oxendine, Cates
 
STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS
There was no discussion held regarding Street Tree Removal Permits. 
 
DISCUSSION

1. Arbor Day – Reminder was given by Severson on date/time.
2. Earth Day – Severson will get materials ready for this event.
3. Street Tree Guide – There was no discussion held regarding the street tree guide.

ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2017.  There being no other items to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted,
Regan Trapp