Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair January Jennings called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at
Commissioners Present: Pennie Rose
Bryan Holley
Mary Pritchard (absent)
Laurie Sager
Ted Loftus (absent)
January
Steve Siewert
Council Liaison: Cate Hartzell, (arrived at
Staff Present: Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner
Donn Todt, Parks Department Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Holley proposed the possibility of making the minutes a little less detailed. Holley/Rose m/s to approve the minutes of October 6, 2005. Voice vote: All AYES, Motion passed. The minutes of
III. WELCOME GUESTS AND PUBLIC FORUM:
None present.
The Commissioners welcomed new Tree Commissioner Steve Siewert.
IV PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1476 is a request for a Land Partition to divide one existing parcel into two parcels including one flag lot for the property located at
APPLICANT: Brian and Diane Smith
Commissioner Sager recused herself from this Planning Action because her office is working on the project.
Amy explained that this Planning Action came before the Tree Commission on September 8, 2005 however the Commission did not have a quorum. The applicant postponed the Planning Action and it is now coming back to the Commission for review. Amy stated that the Landscaping and Erosion Control Plans are required as part of the Physical and Environmental Constraints review. The landscape plans will get reviewed by the staff advisor and Robbin Pearce will review the irrigation plan that corresponds when the building permit is submitted.
Applicant Testimony: Brian Smith gave a narrative regarding his plan and showed photographs he had taken of his property.
The Commissioners acknowledged that the applicants have put a lot of care into their project and they appreciate the effort in protecting the trees on the property.
The Commissioners had no recommendations for this Planning Action.
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-1673 is a request for Site Review approval of a mixed-use commercial and residential development to be located at
APPLICANT: Kirt Meyer POSTPONED
PLANNING ACTION: 2005-01833 is a request for Subdivision approval to create seven parcels including six pad lots and one common area lot for the property located at
APPLICANT: Spur Rail LLC
THIS APPLICATION WAS IMPROPERLY NOTICED FOR TREE COMMISSION, THERE IS NOT A LANDSCAPING PLAN REQUIREMENT FOR SUBDIVISION APPROVAL. THIS ACTION WILL BE CONDITIONED THAT A LANDSCAPING PLAN BE REVIEWED BY TREE COMMISSION PRIOR TO SIGNATURE OF FINAL PLAT AND AGAIN FOR EACH SITE REVIEW.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Monitoring and Enforcement with Adam Hanks
Adam Hanks, City Code Compliance Specialist, was present to answer questions the Commissioners had regarding code compliance and monitoring. Mr. Hanks had recently completed a project where he and Dean Walker put Door Hangers on citizen’s doors that may be in violation of City Municipal Zoning Code regarding vegetation trimming. Mr. Hanks stated the reason for the door hanger was because it would actually call attention to the person who is residing at the residence rather then a home owner who might not even live in the area. Public Works and the Electric Department are not altogether satisfied with the follow up from this procedure because not everyone responds quickly and others ignore it altogether. Hartzell noted that the door hanger was not very explanatory.
The Commissioners discussed the issue of the 14’ limit vegetation over streets. Mr. Hanks stated that in Chapter Nine it still states 12’ and in Chapter 13 it was changed to 14’. Mr. Hanks is not sure which one takes precedence.
Hartzell suggested that someone from the Tree Commission do a ride along with the Street Sweeper and City Bucket Trucks. Sager suggested neighborhood trimming classes. The Commissioners decided to have a Study Session to address the issues with this code. Mr. Hanks will coordinate the Study Session with Public Works, Electric Department and Street Sweepers. A noon meeting for an hour was decided upon.
The Commissioners will email ideas and topics to Mr. Hanks regarding their thoughts about the other discussion topics they did not have time to discuss. The Commissioners agreed to copy their emails to Mr. Hanks to each other as well.
B. Trees in Median near Omar’s
Sager stated she was concerned about planting Parrotia’s at this location and asked to discuss the possibility of having something more vertical and that can tolerate everything. She felt that the Parrotia is sensitive and can grow somewhat wide and didn’t feel it was necessarily the appropriate tree for this spot. Her experience was that they needed a lot of babying.
Todt suggested that Sager and the other Commissioners take a look at the long row of Parrotia’s used as Street Trees along Wightman. Approximately thirty of them were planted about 12 years ago. Generally they are planted in woodland situations and that is why you see them wide spreading though normally they tend to be much more upright, stated Todt. Todt has full confidence that they will do well at that spot as they are easily pruned, disease and insect resistant and have a beautiful fall color. It was decided to plant five trees. Amy will speak with the Deboer’s regarding mitigation. The Commissioners decided the amount for each tree including planting will cost $450.00.
VI. ACTION ITEMS
A.Tree of the Year
a. Presentation at Council: Tree of the Year is the Giant Sequoia located at
B.Replacement post for 391
Type I Review sign-ups:
December 8, 2005
January 5, 2005 Pritchard, Loftus and Siewert
February 9, 2005 Sager, Holley and Siewert
March 9, 2005
VII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
A. Liaison Reports
Hartzell encouraged the Tree Commissioners to fill out the organizational audit review survey that they received. She also encouraged the Commissioners to be thinking about their long term goals that could be imputed into the Councils goal setting.
Todt shared the proposed tree removals for 2006, most of which are in
B. Old Business None
C. New Business
The Commissioners would like goal setting put on the January agenda. Amy will count the amount of Street Tree Guides that are left and put a copy in the Lobby showing the cost.
Sager will bring a copy of the Tree Planting Detail that her office uses to next months meeting for the Commissioners to review.
D. Current Balance $609.55
Will be receiving an invoice from the Daily Tidings articles.
E. Tree Commission Goals
i. Education
1. Daily Tidings Back Page. December’s article will be on Pruning and Rose volunteered to draft the article.
2. Tree Clinics. Pritchard is scheduling one.
Rose volunteered to mount the certificate for Evo’s tree that won Honorable Mention.
Commissioner Jennings adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.